The Art of War

“In extreme danger fear feels no pity."
[Lat., In summo periculo timor miericordiam non recipit.]
Julius Caesar

The vaults had been interesting to be in alone. A continued warning not to touch any of the jewellery without his presence in case it was jinxed or cursed against Muggle-borns kept nagging at the edges of her mind. There were certain things that her status as a Malfoy by marriage wouldn't actually protect her from. This was one of them. Avoiding the various baubles she withdrew a lot of galleons for this shopping spree. Perhaps more than she needed to spend some money on Daphne and Pansy.

She let Pansy and Daphne direct where they were going as far as shops. She had quite a few bags already. Talking with both of them was nice, and while she had invited Luna, apparently, she and Blaise had some plans. Not that she could blame them. She could still feel a light ache in her back. It was getting better; the potions helped. At least, they had been, but she had been cramping for the last half hour, which meant if it were anything like before, she'd likely start her period within the next day or two. She hadn't anticipated her body coming back with a vengeance.

Pausing on their walk to the next shop, she grimaced and had to take a breath. Her lower back and her abdomen hurt like hell. She should have brought another potion with her, but she had to bite back a groan as she leaned against the wall lightly. "Just a sec," she managed, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

There had to be wizarding chocolate infused with potion to help with this. And if there wasn't? She'd confer with a potioneer and a chocolatier later to remedy such an oversight.

Daphne stayed close. "We can take a break or even go somewhere to relax..." she offered, not quite sure what her friend was dealing with. Working at St. Mungo's she saw a lot of different issues. Even if she extrapolated, she tried not to assume.

"Unless her symptoms are why we're shopping, in which case, we can get some afternoon tea and then see how she's feeling," Pansy smirked. They'd inspired her apparently, and though she was certainly quite pleased by it, she also would be here for her friend.

Hermione grimaced and tried not to curse. She'd snap at him again later. He claimed to like her anger? Good. He could deal with it when she was in pain by something he caused, even if he was trying to help her. Good intentions didn't negate the consequences. Or something like that.

But the speculation between the two of them had her blushing a little bit, trying not to fidget. The brunette brushed her hair out of her face. "Needed a little retail therapy...and the symptoms are part of why we're shopping...mainly to try and distract from being off of my potion for the first time in...years." It wasn't exactly a secret that they were 'trying for an heir.' So, sharing that wouldn't be too big of a deal.

Pansy whistled at the admission. She supposed it was to be expected.

"I don't suppose some clever witch or wizard has enchanted chocolate or has any kind of potion infused into it, do they?"

"That would be contrary to making a witch want to carry an heir," Pansy sighed. "Can't say there's anything on the market, sadly... Unless," she turned to Daphne. If the witch had something, she had a vested interest in the matter, not that she planned to quit her potions. Not yet, anyway.

Daphne shook her head. "I can think of a few teas to help ease things, but otherwise, nothing without dire consequences," she sounded apologetic. "Afternoon tea might not be bad, and I can think of a few places that are ludicrously expensive if that's your intent."

"The Malfoy line does need an heir," she muttered. At least Narcissa hadn't started asking about when they could expect one. Even if the Dark Lord had. It made her nearly grimace to even think about it. Looking over at Daphne with a bit of hopefulness, she almost groaned. "Of course not...I'm talking to a potioner and chocolatier after my birthday. Clearly, there's a need."

Letting out a slow breath, she straightened up and adjusted the bags of clothes she had already bought. They were nice outfits, and she had an idea for Halloween now. She just had to narrow it down with their seamstress. "Expensive afternoon tea sounds fantastic...and that is absolutely my intent."

Pansy looked at Daphne. "The place with the gold flakes?"

"I was thinking the one with the diamond dust," she grinned.

This seemed to impress the black-haired witch. She nodded, making a mental note to have her beau take her there sometime. "Lead the way," she motioned with a palm up.

Daphne chuckled, enjoying the attention.

The place she had in mind wasn't too far, though she kept the pace slow and steady, not wanting to rush her friend while she was in pain. Pansy even held back her usual commentary as they made their way to the hotel's top floor. Though the place was strictly by appointment, that hadn't stopped them from getting a table. A three-tiered plate of finger foods was set as they decided on their respective teas.

Pansy and Daphne had settled on a Victorian Earl Grey, opting for caffeine with the added benefits of lavender and rose hips.

Hermione was left blinking a few times at her friends. Gold flakes in drinks she had heard of, but diamond dust was new. How long had the upper part of wizarding society just been drinking gemstones?

The walk made her want to curl up in bed with a hot water bottle on her stomach. What she wouldn't give for the heating pad she'd had back at her parents' house. There were certain modern conveniences that she wished the wizarding world would catch up with.

Taking a seat at the table, she set her bags down and rolled her shoulders back as she leaned back in her chair, keeping her posture straight despite the aches. Malfoys didn't slouch after all. Damn him. She settled on a red raspberry leaf tea with a hint of peppermint, hoping the combination would help soothe some of the aches and pains.

"So....how are things going with Krum, Pansy?" She asked lightly and also glanced at Daphne. "And did you end up hitting it off with the foreign dignitary at Hogwarts?"

Pansy crossed her ankles beneath the table and settled in her seat. "Surprisingly still going," she slicked her lips. It had only been meant to be a single night, and then things had...persisted. "I love a man that has better use of his tongue than speaking," she grinned, earning herself a swat from the eldest Greengrass. "What? One of us needs to be having fun..."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "I have fun..." she said, though it was obvious that she hadn't been having that kind of fun, not at the rate Pansy did. "Dignitary was lame, but I did have a few lunches with a new healer at the hospital," she blushed lightly.

Hermione couldn't help but snicker at that, grinning a little bit herself. "That always is a perk. So few men know what to do with their mouths," she drawled, but there was a bit of blush in her cheeks. Thank whatever force existed outside of magic that Draco was not a man who had no clue what to do with his tongue.

Leaning forward slightly, she smiled more at Daphne. "Oh, you can't just say that and then not give us details," she chided playfully. These brief breaks, brief moments where she could almost pretend things were normal, were nice, but they also reminded her how much more she still had to do than they had to do at the manor.

"Yes, Daphne," Pansy grinned. "Can't leave us on so little...spill the tea," she laughed at the fitting statement.

Beautiful glass cups in dainty goblin-made silver holders set upon the most decadent silver plates were set before them, a small glass teapot on their right.

Daphne poured herself a glass and sighed. "His name is Aliosus," she bit her lower lip. "Not sacred twenty-eight, but a family mine could accept," she smiled. "He's blond and has the bluest eyes I've ever seen," she sighed. He was gorgeous, and just thinking about him had her shift in her seat. "It's just been lunch so far, though he has offered to take me to dinner on Wednesday..."

Pouring herself a cup of tea, she set down the teapot and took a dainty sip as she listened, not caring how hot the tea was. She just wanted it to help a bit more.

"I had noticed there weren't a lot of promising options in the sacred twenty-eight for the ladies. Far too good for a lot of the men," she complimented them both. She couldn't imagine either of them saddled with several of those "eligible" bachelors.

"We practically have the Queen's blessing," Pansy grinned to Daphne.

At that, the brunette nearly choked on her glittery tea. "Obviously, it's the only blessing that matters," she grinned.

Pansy sipped her tea and reached for an open-faced finger sandwich. A corner of bread with smoked salmon, a dollop of cream cheese, and a gold flake placed alongside a caper. "So, how is married life treating you?" she asked. There was trouble in paradise, or perhaps the lack of potions put her in a mood.

Hermione snorted softly at that but couldn't help but smile slightly. She supposed she was as elite as they could come, tied as she was to Draco. His damn family and their near royal bloodline. There weren't too many of the sacred twenty-eight that could claim that.

"Aside from the lack of potion? Pretty well. My husband is rather attentive. And while I worried how he'd accept my cat, he seems to spoil Crookshanks more than I do," she said with a faint smile before taking an open-faced finger sandwich for herself.

Daphne went straight for a petit four. "That sounds really nice," she sighed, wanting someone attentive and willing to spoil her non-existent cat. Draco hadn't been that wizard, and she was glad he was who her friend needed because she considered Hermione her friend.

"Malfoy, a cat person?" Pansy exclaimed in surprise between bites. "Didn't see that one coming."

"It is...until Crookshanks jumps on my chest, and he's much heavier than I remember," she chuckled with a shake of her head, taking a bite of her small finger sandwich before sipping more at her tea. Though she understood Pansy's shock, she was just as shocked by his behavior with him. "It was surprising to me, too. Would have figured him for a bird person with those peacocks."

She was still grateful that neither the peacocks nor Crookshanks had harmed each other. It was starting to seem like her peahen wasn't running away as often from Draco's peacock. It was good to see that they were starting to get along. They'd be stuck together as long as she and Draco were alive

Pansy sipped her tea while Daphne gave a bit of a laugh. "Practice for when you're wearing the added pounds on your tummy and chest," she teased lightly.

"Daphne," Pansy warned playfully. "Let's not make her feel inadequate. Plus, she should have as much fun as possible before then," she grinned.

The brunette couldn't disagree then. "I'm glad you're all getting along," she assured.

Hermione almost choked on her tea, blushing a little bit now. "I'm not looking forward to that part..." she admitted, trying not to fidget.

Carrying a child was not something she considered before this. There had been too much fighting. A child hadn't even crossed her mind. And yet, now she supposed she'd have to think about it. "Thank you. I am, too." She was surprised by it at times, considering she thought they would always fight.

"Considering how he looks at you, I'm not surprised," Pansy said easily. "Never seen him look at anyone that way."

Daphne wanted to reach out to Hermione, but she nodded at Pansy's words. "Never seen him gravitate around anyone the way he does with you," she added. It was like he could anticipate Hermione's moves.

Pansy nodded at that and reached for a strawberry.

The brunette placed a few items on her plate. "Are you being pressured? For..." she asked. The way her friend had fidgeted. She wondered if it was the in-laws, or him, or just in general. "I mean, it's a whole new millennia," she reminded.

"You're growing a spine," Pansy mock-clutched her chest. "I'm so proud of you, Greengrass."

"He hasn't looked at anyone like that before? I suppose that would explain why Astoria dropped a glass when he kissed me in public," she chuckled, trying to play it off a little bit.

Public displays of affection, when they weren't excessive, didn't bother her any. But she hadn't seen many between pureblood or high-society couples. She also hadn't seen many of the husbands gravitate around someone. They were attentive, but Draco almost anticipated her needs in a way.

Picking up a petit four, she took a bite and tried not to let anything on. She waved it off with a chuckle. "...His mother might be a little eager for a grandchild. It's still a new concept to adjust to. For quite a few years, I didn't think it would be part of my plans..." she admitted quietly, feigning discomfort about her past to hopefully get past the conversation.

The girls seemed to accept this, and neither brought the topic back up, opting to keep things lighter. Their friend was easing into their part of society, and they happily guided her.

"So, you want to shop more after this?" Pansy asked. "I'm sure we can think of some other place to shop at..."

Daphne chuckled, taking a few bites of food. "I must head to work in a few hours," she sighed. "But I might be able to squeeze one more shop.

Hermione smiled a bit more, sipping at her tea even as she tried not to grimace. It was a pulsing, radiating kind of pain. Worse than she remembered. She should have realized that this would happen sooner or later. She hadn't even thought about it with that damn vow.

"At least one more shop. Might not have much more in me," she half-heartedly chuckled. A hot water bottle and Crookshanks would be needed after this.

Pansy considered her options. “Any preferences? Jewels? Baked goods? Candies? We can always watch Daphne mortified and red in a sex shop,” she offered lightly.

The statement had the brunette choking on her sip, coughing for a solid minute as she glared daggers at Pansy.

Hermione laughed, almost inhaling a bit of tea as she set down the cup. Jewels she had more than enough of once Draco went through the collection in the vault. "I wouldn't mind hitting a shop. Could always get a few pieces of lingerie or something..."

Or something. As if she wasn't thinking about more of those ropes in different colors or toys that she picked for them to use. There was more than one way to be in control in the bedroom.

Daphne was red, and they hadn’t even left their afternoon tea.

“Perfect, means I have one less stop to make before returning to my good boy,” Pansy slicked her lips, a cattish expression on her features as Daphne gawked. “You know, for someone who’s indulged with two partners, you’re really…”

“I know,” Daphne pressed her lips together. “But you’re right, perhaps it’s time I… explore.” There was a new resolve in the elder Greengrass’s gaze. “I could use something to wear beneath my robes for Wednesday.”

That shade of red was almost endearing. Had she or Luna gotten that red when they first started reading the spicy books they did? She'd have to reflect on that and see if she could recall. Or ask Luna.

Trying not to laugh, she simply shook her head. "I don't think Krum realizes what he's in for with you," she teased a little bit before glancing over at Daphne. The woman was so sweet and kind, different than she would have expected from most Pureblood witches. She would have expected her to be more like her younger sister.

"We can help you pick something out. And I can try not to let Pansy pick the most scandalous thing in the store," she teased the other brunette.

Pansy shrugged. “You can try,” she agreed. “Just like he can try and get out of my flat,” she slicked her lips. He’d be feral when she got home and wouldn’t know how much until she was there.

Daphne tried to keep a steady face. Tongue to the space behind her front teeth as she took deep, steadying breaths. “Slightly scandalous might not be terrible,” she said as confidently as possible. Though her definition and that of the girls likely differed.

"I did say try," she chuckled, pouring another cup of tea as she shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable. But the cramping was worse even with the tea.

Looking at Daphne, she lifted a brow. "How scandalous is slightly scandalous?"

“Yes, Daphne, how scandalous is slightly scandalous?” Pansy leaned in, eying her friend with amusement.

Daphne swallowed down. “It’s a first date, so matching…lacy…maybe lacking the usual coverage…”

“So, a push-up and a thong?” Pansy asked with a snicker. “Skip dinner, just wear that and a trench coat. You can thank me later.”

Hermione focused on the other brunette, smiling more to herself, not expecting such a simple answer. That was scandalous?

She couldn't help the snicker before it became a full laugh. But that spelled out more trouble than she realized as she froze, her eyes widening. Oh...Bloody hell...

Apparating into the manor, she stormed up the stairs, going straight to their quarters. Each door she opened got slammed, not caring who heard them. There were fewer men around the manor than usual. Even if there weren't, she wouldn't care about how she looked. They could deal with her, and if not, she'd hex them.

She dropped her bags in their room, grabbed a change of clothes, and went straight into the en suite, cursing under her breath as she changed, feeling filthy and mortified for that happening. Nothing like that had happened since she was a teenager. She used a cleansing spell and a washcloth before grabbing feminine products and getting dressed.

The entire time, she cursed. It was only a matter of time before she found her husband to yell at him all over again.

While she was out, he’d pieced Lauren’s notes to his and Hermione’s. The deeper he dug into the ritual, the more it made his skin crawl. It was most definitely a body-swapping spell. That much became ever more apparent with each added translation.

He hadn’t been expecting her home so soon. Not since this was her reward. She’d done well. He wanted her to have friends, even if he essentially controlled the list of them. They helped, or so he hoped.

“Darling,” he greeted as she stormed towards him, bracing himself for whatever transpired to have her in such a state. “Did you have a good time with your friends?”

Her hair was back to being down, and she was in a pair of pants, a more comfortable top, and she honestly wished she had a pair of sweatpants. She'd transfigure one of the pair of slacks in her closet later.

"Oh, absolutely. So much fun. Until my clothing got a little messy." She threw his words back at him from how he had referenced it. That was why she had called him naive. She had been utterly mortified all over again. "Because someone thought it was a good idea to swap my potions and didn't realize that not easing off of them or at least warning me might have better prepared me for all of this happening again since it hasn't in years."

She felt like crying. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes, but all she wanted to do was yell. Why was her traitorous and hormonal body about to make her cry?!

Draco felt her ire as she spoke, and he’d be lying if he claimed he didn’t enjoy it, especially as her gaze welled with unshed tears. He shifted where he stood, hiding the motion by stepping forward to meet her. “You’re angry,” he tried not to smile. “But you also knew this was coming,” he reminded. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been given a heads-up. As unplanned as it was. “I’ll get you some chocolate,” he offered, moving towards the door.

He’d done what he had needed to do, and he wasn’t going to be a complete asshole, but if she continued to berate him, he’d have to show her what a mess actually was

"Angry? I'm angry?!" She snapped, following after him. "Chocolate doesn't fix this. I thought I'd be done with getting blood out of my clothes for a while. But no. Every time I laugh or sneeze or yawn or anything right now? Blood."

Shaking her head, she wasn't about to let this stand. "I'm mortified that this happened over tea. I'm mad that rather than attempting to understand, you excuse it as necessary, and I'm in pain. And you're trying not to smile at me being mad and about to cry?!"

Her voice cracked, and she felt tears rolling down her face.

If he turned around, he would slam her into a wall and likely stoke her aggravation. “Clothes can be replaced,” he shrugged, letting her follow as he marched down the hall.

"Clothes can be. Sure. Absolutely," she almost growled, still storming after him even as she winced, but she wasn't letting him avoid this. He said he could handle it and liked it when she was angry. Well, here she was in all of her glory from the damn hormones. He should honestly hope he didn't ever manage to get her pregnant. What if her hormones made her even worse?

“Chocolate might not help your embarrassment, but it should help make you feel better.” Periods and dementors: Was there much of a difference?

She shook her head. "But you're so right, darling. It won't help with the embarrassment. Guess that just gets to help chip away at my pride." Like there was a lot left of it, to begin with, both Pansy and Daphne had been understanding, but she had to be as calm as possible to not freak out in that incredibly fancy tea shop.

“Honestly, we regularly bathe in blood, darling. Your body doing what it’s meant to do is hardly a reason to be upset,” he added. He wouldn’t engage her about how he felt. It was best not to look at her on his way to the kitchens. Instead, he increased his pace to make it down the staircase.

"Hardly a reason to...hardly a...spoken like a man that will never experience this type of pain. We've both been tortured, and there are times I would almost rather that" Okay, she knew that was a little dramatic, but she was mad and hurt, and she wanted to be held, and she didn't want him to touch her. She was a mess.

There were dips and clips to her voice that clearly told him to stop, to reconsider his stance on the matter, and yet, he couldn’t. Perhaps if he’d been younger he might have found himself trying to soothe her, but that wouldn’t help either of them.

“Yeah?” He asked, stopping in his tracks to face her. The kitchen was close enough at this point. “You rather be tortured?” He stepped closer, gripping her wrists and pinning them behind her back. He kept them in one hand as he pressed her back to the wall. “Keep threatening me with a good time,” he pressed himself to her, letting her feel just how hard he was from her anger. “If you rather, I can march you right back upstairs and make our room look like a damn crime scene. Instead, I’m trying to even you out by feeding you.” The frustration in his tone was unmistakable. He now had half a mind to tie her up and feed her.

The question had her glowering at him, but she was too slow to keep her wrists from him as he grabbed them. She kept glaring as a few tears rolled down her cheeks. It felt like someone was rearranging her insides, something that torture hadn't managed, even with the pain being more intense with that.

A bitter laugh left her lips, but she did have the forethought to use their bond. And to think I just got done telling the girls that it'd actually been pretty nice being married to you when you're a sadistic possessive prat that apparently can't see where his wife is coming from long enough to realize that something else might help.

Her body trembled as tears tracked down her face, but she gave a shake of her head at that. "Oh, but darling, I don't consent to that." At least that part would likely get him to stop pointing out how her anger and her frustration, and pain were getting him hard.

He closed his eyes and took in a breath. He needed to not let her get a rise, but she’d gotten one on more than one front. “Good thing there’s nothing in our vows that stops me from making you eat,” he kept that grip and walked her halfway down the hall and into the kitchen. He only let her go once he sealed the door. Oh, he might be limited on what he could do to her, but not their environment.

And what might help? Or are you too angry to get your point across? his mind hissed, completely oblivious to Theo and his half-naked boyfriend paused in the giggles they’d been sharing over a chocolate cake that hadn’t made the cut for the table.

"If anything stopped you from doing that, I'd likely still be a wraith," she drawled, her anger stalling out for weepiness. She didn't fight his grip, sniffling a little as tears rolled down her face. Once he let go of her, she rubbed at her wrists a little bit and closed her eyes, not noticing Theo or his boyfriend. An 'I'm sorry' that you had to do this at all, regardless of reasoning? Being softer, but I honestly don't know if you're capable of that outside of making a point or after we've had sex. It was snippy, but it sounded sad. Dejected. Vulnerable.

Rubbing at her eyes, she opened them and finally did notice Theo and Harry. Her eyes widened just a bit as she moved to one of the displays with small petit fours that were nothing but chocolate and shoved one in her mouth. At least if her mouth was full, she couldn't blurt out who the hell that was like she wanted to. The look in her eyes would be clear to him. He'd seen it enough in school. 'what the hell are you doing?!'

Draco couldn’t have stopped her if he’d wanted to. Years of being unforgiving and ruthless, and she what? Expected him to be soft? He wasn’t even sure if there was much of that left to him. He took a breath and turned. “Fine, I’m…” the words died on his tongue. A reminder of why he never could do so. Why could he give her what she needed? The pain was as quick as a shadow before his features were back in place. Cool detachment.

She had been about to get it about to get an apology. One mind to mind would have been more than acceptable, but he had been about to say it out loud. He had prepared himself for it and everything. Hermione blinked several times, trying to clear the tears that were there. There would be no getting those two words now. Even more unlikely than the three, they knew they'd never feel for each other.

Lingering her gaze on Theo, she let the men talk. Harry kept glancing between her and Draco like he thought he could...what? Make it better? No one could make it better, and the vulnerability she felt was a ticking time bomb before she snapped at someone again. Before everything in her life exploded, she knew how to deal with some of this. Now, it felt like there was too much to handle.

“Theo,” his voice shifted, more curt. His gaze moved onto the shirtless man looking between his wife and his friend. “You going to introduce your…” he considered what to call the other man. A few years ago, he might not have been so forgiving or willing to watch another line go extant. Now, he couldn’t bring himself to care. There were too few pleasures in life. “I can’t say you’ve established the relationship you have,” he added. “Though considering they donned on heels and made a fool of you both, I’m guessing it’s fairly serious.” Oh, he was glad the door was sealed. There’d be no escaping this one.

Theo set his fork down and slid an arm around his lover’s shoulders, pulling him in. “Partner,” he supplied. “He’s my partner.” It took a moment to realize an introduction had been requested. “Right. Draco, this is James. James, this is Draco.”

"Pleasure to meet you," Harry offered politely, keeping his voice formal and careful. But his gaze couldn't help but dart between the married couple, even as he leaned in against Theo, trying to ground himself there.

She tried not to snort, meeting his gaze momentarily. "It is nice not to see you running from the manor," she supplied before taking another bite of chocolate. This was another reason she had to get a hold of herself. If she weren't careful, she'd project without meaning to.

Pleasure. That was left to be seen. Instead, he summoned a glass of water for his wife before calling one of his own. “I’m sure,” he drawled. Cool detachment was easy. “How do you know my wife?” He asked, looking over to his friend. Did Theo know his partner had ties with his wife? He studied him to read his features. Two people he cared for in this room and a newcomer.

Theo rolled his eyes. “Might want to take care of your own partner than give mine the third degree.”

Draco narrowed his gaze on his. “I am, by ensuring this recurring visitor is properly vetted.” He couldn’t help but look at Hermione. She knew who it was, knew them, and wouldn’t share.

Taking the glass of water her husband summoned for her, she sipped at it, knowing she'd need the hydration. With her eyes she begged Harry to stop looking at her, to stop watching her with that concern as if they were as close as they were. There would be no way to explain it. "Draco, I'm allowed to have acquaintances and friends," she tsked lightly, trying to compose herself. Trying. She wasn't sure how successful she was being, especially with how stiff her shoulders were. She couldn't make them relax. Not with how much her back already hurt.

Harry had to try not to panic, looking now between Theo and Draco. There was a bit of franticness in his eyes before he forced himself to relax. He leaned into Theo, wrapping an arm around him as he chuckled slightly. "Your wife is a rather accomplished witch....who doesn't know her?" He asked, trying to play it off, but the look he was getting from Hermione said that wouldn't work either. What did everyone always say? "A friend from work."

The witch nearly dropped her glass as her free hand smacked against her forehead. "You're a bloody moron," she groaned. How in Merlin's name had he and Ron survived without her for years? Clearly, it was Diggory's half-hearted attempt to get him killed... Her thoughts projected without meaning to, unsteady as she was from her hormones.

“You were saying,” he asked between the pair of them, his nostrils flaring, anger visibly rising. For fuck’s sake. Potter is in our home... The realisation was hitting harder than a curse from the Dark Lord. He had to think rationally here and consider his options.

“Theo,” he growled before looking to the other. “What do you know about your partner and his work experience?” This was messy. This was fucking embarrassing. Not once, but twice. Luna was workable, but this? Now?

Seeing his anger rising, Hermione grimaced, feeling more tears again. Don't cry, don't cry. ....I didn't think he'd be this stupid.... She countered. Her gaze was just on Harry with a look of terror.

"Work hasn't exactly come up...we talk more about magical theory and preferences. I haven't talked to him about anything regarding our work," Theo explained rapidly, glancing between Draco and James with a frown, his brow furrowed. He realized he was missing something, but he didn't realize what.

Harry glanced at Hermione and then at Draco and how he looked at Theo. He couldn't know. There was no way he could possibly know. "...Theo knows more about my thoughts about Quidditch, magical talents, and theories, what I wanted my future to be that it isn't...Not anything about work. And he hasn't told me anything about work." he tried to reassure, realizing that if nothing else, he thought Theo knew he was tied to the insurgency.

This was dangerous for more reasons than he could count. Reaching for his wand, he set it on the counter. He could tell how distraught his wife was, and that wasn't helping as he paced and paused a few times, glaring between Theo and Harry, not that he looked like himself. He was shorter, less striking. Easily lost in a crowd. The disguise was perfect, and yet it had sufficed to seduce his best friend.

"Do you love him?" he wasn't sure who he was asking. Did it matter? Deep down, he knew the answer. Where Hermione had been granted to him, this was out of his control. Out of his hands. If their master knew...

Theo felt himself falter. The entire room felt like it was turning. It was Blaise all over again; only Draco seemed to be giving him a chance. His gaze was on James, looking over him. He knew how he felt, but had he merely been a mark? There was certainly hurt there, a betrayal he hadn't expected.

The question had her eyes widen as she looked at Harry, wondering just how deep his feelings for Theo ran. Theo was so sensitive and soft under all the bluster required of him due to his position. What would Theo have done if the Dark Lord hadn't taken over? It was something Hermione was curious about.

Harry blinked several times. He looked over at Theo, looked back at Draco, and could feel his face flushing. "...I didn't intend to like him as much as I do. Didn't intend to start falling for him," he admitted, looking back over at Theo and seeing that bit of hurt had him taking his hand, squeezing it. "Your rambles about theory and your smile drew me in."

"He's not a spy, Draco. They don't let him out," she snapped, that anger starting to spark again.

It had Harry look at her with a bit of understanding. "Oh bloody hell...."

Her gaze whipped to him, and she pointed at him with a glare. "Don't you dare. If anyone should be saying that here, it should be me. You're normally gone before the house is awake. Did you figure, oh hey, most of the men are gone, guess I should spend more time with my boyfriend?!"

This was messy, and the tension between friends wasn't any better. And his wife wasn't making matters any better. She'd been itching for a fight and was about to start a big one. He could feel it.

"It doesn't matter if he's a spy or not," Draco hissed. "We both know this is..." He couldn't even finish his thought. No, the less he thought about this, the better.

Hermione met his gaze and then looked over at Harry and Theo. This was so messy. What would happen if Theo couldn't occlude his mind properly? It had that anxiety spike, and the anger was replaced with dread and fear, and she tried not to cry as she sipped at her water.

...complicated. The word that seems to follow us everywhere. They were in deep shit, and she was trying not to cry. Another cramp hit, and she tried not to groan as she pulled up a chair, needing to take a seat from that pain.

Theo focused on his partner, keeping his hand firmly in his, not releasing the squeeze. The last thing he wanted was for him to bolt. "You're falling for me?" he asked, meeting that gaze. Part of him wanted Blaise here; wanted to confirm it.

Harry kept his gaze on Theo, even when he noticed Hermione sitting down in his periphery. He could tell she didn't have her Muggle medicines, but he focused on Theo with a small smile. "Yeah...yeah, I am. Would be very difficult not to," he murmured, leaning into that touch.

"Is this even your face?" he reached forward, brushing against his cheek and lips, as if trying to feel a difference between his senses.

"...It's not. It was meant to help me blend into a crowd..."

Draco nodded at the silent conversation they shared. He cleared his throat to get the two men's attention. "This is what's going to happen," he said calmly once they seemed to look at him. His silver gaze met Theo's dark hazel stare. "You're going to take your partner to an interrogation site you're not going to tell me about," he held a hand out before Hermione could respond. He looked at "James" and felt his jaw clench. "You are going to tell him..everything," he warned before looking to Nott. "Figure your shit out. I leave Friday, and I'll be back Monday when I'll be dealing with either your defection, failure, or commendable success." He would leave it up to Theo how things ended.

Theo didn't like the order but also understood what Draco was doing. This was an opportunity. Whatever it was, he could make it work. Draco had Hermione. Blaise had Luna. He could have this, right? He nodded.

He turned to his wife. "And you know what you'll need to do when they are gone." He couldn't have this be used against him. "As far back as the crime scene commentary should do." Somehow, he doubted the Dark Lord would want to visit any of that fight if it had unfolded in its entirety.

Hermione almost opened her mouth, but as he held out his hand, she bit her tongue lightly, her gaze moving to Harry's with a look of desperate worry. But this was better than it could have been. What success are you wanting for him?

Harry looked at Hermione, Theo, and then at Draco. He swallowed down before nodding his head. "...I'll tell him everything," he promised, his voice quieter as he squeezed the man's hand. He didn't know what Theo was going to do with that information. He didn't know whether he would survive this, and that fear in his friend's eyes wasn't reassuring.

"I can do that," she murmured, trying to keep her voice level and bottom lip from quivering. No crying. She couldn't cry right now.

Theo would know everything. He would get to the bottom of what all of this was. "Come on," he led his lover out. They could discuss this in the least romantic place, but it would be safe for a while. Once they reached the door, Draco opened it, and they exited, closing it behind them.

The Dark Lord wants to swap bodies, he couldn't look at his wife. If this were an option...It would destroy Theo. Death would be a damn mercy, but we both know Theo won't be able to, he swallowed down. He would be in a world of pain come next week for Theo's decisions.

Harry squeezed his hand again, but before he let Theo lead him out, he paused before going over to Hermione and squeezing her shoulder. Hopefully, he'd get to hug her the next time he saw her. Without the threat of him likely not surviving this. He went back to Theo and let him lead him out. To an interrogation house, no less.

She deflated, resting her head in her hands as she tried not to cry. The guilt that buffeted her made her stomach knot. Over and over. It would be if that's what he wants...I can't do it either. I...he's my best friend, Draco...I can't. Taking a slow breath, she cleared her throat. "I invoke our vow of silence from everything that came after your threat about making our room look like a crime scene."

With them gone, Draco drew closer to his wife and settled both hands on her shoulders. “And Theo’s my best friend,” he reminded. “After Blaise…” he suppressed the shiver that ran down his spine. “We’ll handle one problem at a time. Let’s get you fed and to bed,” he said gently. “I’ll have Blaise and Luna help Lauren… we need a weekend away,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair. At least now he couldn’t giveaway Theo. Not yet.

The touch had her close her eyes, one hand coming up to cover his hand on her shoulder. She squeezed and took in a few slow, deep breaths. "...One problem at a time...Our trip away isn't for a few more days. And I honestly hope I'm not bleeding for my birthday...but that seems so trivial now." Her emotions were a maelstrom. Everything hurt. And she wasn't sure if she should apologize or just be silent.

He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. It was all he could do at that moment. Reaching for his wand, he summoned her a spread from the kitchen’s offerings. A mix of salty and sweet. It was the best he could do. “I’m not sure how useful potions will be, but I can give you something to help you sleep."

That gentle brush of his lips made her relax more. A sigh left her lips as she gave a nod of her head. "...a potion to help with pain, a hot water bottle, and a sleeping drought might do me some good," she murmured as she opened her eyes to glance over the spread. Salty and sweet. At least he had that coveted. She grabbed another piece of dark chocolate and popped it in her mouth.

“Warm bath or just potions and bed?” If he focused on her, he could avoid going down to the dungeons and killing whoever was down there just to take the edge off. He could do that after she slept. Gently, he sat beside her and sipped at water. He couldn’t allow himself to lose his faculties despite a strong desire for a firewhiskey.

She reached out for some of the salty snacks, taking the time to refill her glass of water. "A warm bath would be nice..." It would help her either lose focus or hyper-focus on solutions. She should have advised Harry to run. I should have told him that despite her being the safest she'd been in a while here, no one was safe anymore. If he died too, something inside of her would snap that she was sure would never heal.

He could do that. Once she was sated, he’d walk her back and take care of her. She was his, and though he might not be able to be who she needed him to be, he’d give her what he could. If he focused on her, he wasn’t thinking about the loss he was likely to incur and whether or not he would survive it. Because in the end, if Theo ran, Draco would be blamed. He knew that.

Hermione hesitated for only a moment before leaning her head against his shoulder. She wouldn't eat a lot. As much as she craved salt and sugar, the cramps sometimes were enough to hold her back from eating her fill. Even if Draco couldn't be softer for her, she'd take what she could get. She was his witch, and if nothing else, he'd take care of her.

His arm snaked around her without a second thought. Keeping her close was easy, almost second nature. Though he probably should try to eat something, he couldn’t even fathom more than the glass of water he’d drank earlier. They’d somewhat discussed the fate awaiting her best friend before their wedding. Now, it all felt surreal. He’d never thought he’d hesitate, even less off nearly a week of a head’s start to anyone. His hand ringed hand squeezed her shoulder.

The light squeeze had her sigh gently, nuzzling his shoulder before she ate a bit more of the salty and sweet food, drank another glass of water, and then moved off of the chair with a bit of a wince. She hoped that she wouldn't have nightmares about what might happened to her friend, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. She was tired, she hurt, and her hormones were everywhere. She was as likely to cry as scream, so she tried to lock it down. At least for now. If he left her alone after giving her the potions, she might just let herself cry until it kicked in.

“Come on, darling,” he kept her close, sliding out of his seat to lead her back to their quarters. “I’ll get you in a hot bath and ready your potions.”

She wouldn’t have a single dream if he could avoid it. They just had to weather the next few days. It made him glad he’d ordered her gifts forever ago so he wouldn’t have to leave her side any time soon.

As he kept her close, she tucked in against his side. It wasn't the level of comfort she wanted but a level of comfort she could enjoy. And she'd take it. His shows of societal expectations regarding taking care of her were better than being alone in a safe house to deal with things on her own. "Thank you, Draco."

She'd look for Crookshanks before climbing into bed. Hopefully, she could convince him to stay curled up with her. She doubted Draco would stay. They had far too many things to do. Far too much to handle.

He heavily disliked being thanked for caring for her. When he’d promised she’d want for nothing, he meant it. He hadn’t expected her to need more gentleness, but he did his best to nurture her where he could. She was his good witch, after all. Sometimes.

Once in their room, he used his wand to start the water. “Perhaps you can find a book to read while I get everything settled for you,” he encouraged her, kissing her forehead. He already had a checklist in his mind to go through.

A sigh left her lips at that, that gentle kiss to her forehead once they got to their room. He was better with gentle actions, oddly enough, than he was with words. But his actions still said more than she wanted to read into without words. She hadn't thought wanting for nothing would include being cared for. She had simply thought it would mean items, safety, food, shelter, and the like. But Draco didn't tend to do anything in halves, did he?

"Alright," she sighed softly, returning to the study. She couldn't focus on work, so she got another book on the history and bloodlines of the Malfoy family along with a book or two on the sacred twenty-eight. Better to know what they were all up to. And she didn't want to read any of her romance novels or even Hogwarts: A History.

As she lingered the study, he added salts and oils to her bath water, hoping to create a more comfortable experience. She blamed him for what her body was putting her through, and though he supposed she had some validity to her claim, he certainly couldn’t be responsible for her body’s reactions. At least not these specifically.

Going to the closet, he sent some potions to their bedside and a few to the side of the bath. Once she’d be settled, he’d handle Blaise and Lauren. Keep the brunt of research off of himself and Hermione for a while. Or at least off of her. He would still have to put some effort in before their weekend getaway.

She picked up those books and returned back to their bedroom. She sat on the bed, reading through one of the books on the Malfoy family, right as an orange ball of fur came into their room and hopped up onto the foot of the bed. The little menace was lucky she had already charmed the bed not to hold onto that orange fur. He lightly headbutted her side, rubbing against her.

Putting down the books, she sighed and petted her little menace. "Yeah?" She asked softly and held him in her lap. The one constant in her life since she'd gotten him. The half kneazle half cat menace that helped her try to relax. At least as much as she could.

Draco found her on the bed and stayed close. “Everything is ready for you,” he cupped her cheek. “I’ll be in the library if you need me. Should be back to tuck you in,” he let his thumb smooth along her cheekbone. Even if she didn’t consent to more, he’d lay down with her. Keep both their demons at bay through the night. “Need anything else before I interrupt Zabini?” He asked. Perhaps he’d send her Luna for brunch. Keep his wife distracted and content.

Leaning into that light touch to her cheek, she looked up at him and nodded. "Alright. I shouldn't need anything." She murmured before she paused. Did she need anything else? She thought about that, genuinely mulling it before she shook her head. He couldn't save her friend, and they didn't have a way to stop all of this yet. And right now, it didn't feel like they'd be able to. "Tell Blaise I say hello," she said simply as she put the books down and went into their closet to get herself a robe and a nightgown.

On that, Draco left her to her own devices and set off to find Blaise. It would be a great way to test just how strong his vows were. His steps picked up the pace as he found the hall beneath his that had comfortably housed Theo and Blaise, giving them privacy and perks few others had. Where Zabini had proven his loyalties across the board, the treachery with Nott wouldn’t be so kind.

He knocked at his friend’s door, wishing he could punch through the solid wood.

There was some shushing that came through the door. They had luckily just finished up, and he had curled around her after tending to her marks. He pressed a kiss to the top of Luna's head, smoothing a hand through those silken blonde locks before he got out of bed. "Be right there," he called, nearly bumping into a few things as he summoned his pants and pulled them on.

He pulled on a button-up shirt, tucking his wand away, and opened the door, keeping his body in the opening to keep Luna completely out of view. His witch. His fingers were working at the buttons as his brow furrowed. The anger on his expression wasn't a great start. "Yes, sir?"

“Nott’s gone,” he said, leaning against the door frame, not bothering to look in. He knew what they got up to, and it was none of his business. It was the most he could say on the matter. “No one knows yet, and I want to keep it that way.” Knowing Blaise, though, he’d search beyond the words. It would be a good test of his vows. Natural legilimens were rare. It was a pity they couldn’t push him to get too good.

"Gone," he tested the word and tried to see past it. There were times that he and Draco used the fact they were both skilled with mental abilities to share information that wasn't supposed to be shared. Things that he later had to tell Nott in secret and help Draco accomplish. The Hermione situation had been one such instance. But he got...nothing. Hermione was apparently not doing well, but whatever he had talked about with Nott or noticed wasn't there. Strange. It had his brow furrowing. "What do you need me to do?"

"Dark Lord has a stringent deadline for this translation. I want you and your witch to help Lauren for the foreseeable future. Lauren can catch you up to speed." It was easier to focus on what needed to be done. To keep his friend appraised of the situation and to ensure no slack occurred. Not with what would likely come of all of this. "Things might get...complicated. I need to know if he contacts you." Draco shifted to meet his friend's gaze. He couldn't abandon Theo but couldn't condone his love interest. It was not how he had expected the week to go with a hormonal mess of a partner and one of his closest, leaving him in a position that would likely cost him his life.

Blaise's brow stayed furrowed, more than a little concern showing on his face as he met his friend's eyes. "I won't hesitate to let you know, Draco. If he reaches out at all, I'll tell you. Should I...say anything to him if he does contact me?" This was confusing. What was being hidden from him concerning his two best mates? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good if he couldn't even get a read off of Draco. "Luna and I will have Lauren catch us up over dinner and we'll start this evening." At least that part was easy enough and Luna knew a bit about what Hermione was doing.

Draco wouldn't orchestrate the discussion. "Just listen, get what you can from the conversation. Whatever you do, don't help him," he warned. As much as he knew Blaise could be of assistance, this was way too dangerous. Especially considering his own past, but couldn't say as much. Not without implicating him. "Believe me when I say the less you know, the better." He pushed off the door. "I'll see you in the library."

Blaise frowned a bit more deeply but only nodded his head. He had no clue what was happening between his two best friends, but he wouldn't get this warning if it weren't important. What had Theo gotten himself into? Did this have anything to do with his bed companion that kept coming around? "I'll see you there," he murmured, waiting until Draco had left before he closed the door to help Luna get put together. Seemed he'd need more than just their standard potions.

Luna listened, holding back soft moans and whimpers as no position on the mattress felt comfortable. He'd made such a blissful mess of her, and she wasn't about to complain. It had made it hard to follow her lover's non-conversation with his superior. Whatever was going on, it couldn't be good.

"Mmmm, no more fun?" she said, welcoming him back, pressing into the pain so he could watch her wince in the dimly lit room.

Those winces were pleasant to watch, making him smile slightly, but it didn't chase the shadows out of his gaze completely. "No more fun...we're both needed. Hermione's out of sorts and Draco wants our help translating something with Lauren. A bit of a time limit on it, from my understanding," he murmured before summoning a few potions and sitting on the bed next to her.

He combed a hand through her hair with a small smile. "So sadly, can't have you nearly this worked over. You'll have to drink a few potions for me, sweetheart."

Hermione had downed the potions to help with her aches and pains, had soaked in the bath for a decent amount of time, and once she knew that Draco wasn't wandering right back in, she actually cried. Because of her chaotic emotions and her shock that he had still been here, she likely got him hurt or killed. If he and Theo didn't run. And then she got Draco into some serious trouble or could have potentially gotten him killed. They had some time, not a lot of it, but some.

Drying off from her bath, she grabbed another feminine product, got dressed in a nightgown that went past her knees and picked a less fancy pair of knickers, and went back to their bed. A swish of her wand drained the water and turned off the bathroom light as she moved to curl up in bed. An enchanted hot water bottle was there that she settled against her lower belly, it attracting Crookshanks from the warmth.

She smiled a little, it not reaching her eyes completely, and she eyed the other vial of the sleeping potion. She'd wait till he got back to ask what kind of sleeping potion it was, so she could prepare for what potential side effects she'd wake up to. Rather than read, she pet her cat and tried not to overthink. But her mind loved to run itself into circles. It had happened when she was helping with horcruxes, it had happened when she had been trying to go after Draco, and it would happen now too.

It had taken a while to settle everyone in. He had given Luna Blaise’s share of the work. Keeping him further from the redhead in case he gleaned more than he needed to. It was why he had picked Theo for this. It was easily the most dangerous knowledge there was to have.

After the first step of the ritual was translated, he magically sealed his notebook and made his way back to his wife, exhausted. He didn’t like leaving the muggle with a mind reader, but his wife needed to be his priority for a while. It would do him no good if she were incapable of holding it together when they faced his master next.

Entering their chambers, he stripped out of his clothes. Discarding them one by one until he was slipping beneath the sheets naked. Normally he’d expect to meet flesh to his, but he understood why she had opted for clothes. He kissed her shoulder and tucked her to his chest, which earned him a swat. With a smile, he reached down to pat a purring ball of fluff.

She had cried more than she wanted to. Harry was selfless. If Theo wouldn't run with him, and she didn't know Theo well enough to know if he would, then she was rather certain that her best friend would be killed. Or worse. It had her stomach in knots, which did nothing to help the discomfort she felt. The hot water bottle and Crookshanks helped.

When Draco opened the door to their dimly lit room, she rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes, trying to erase any sign of the tears. Weakness. Or they'd have him have a reaction that neither of them would want. When her cat swatted him, she lightly bopped Crookshanks. "Don't be mean," she murmured as she settled back against Draco.

Apparently, having both people there had Crooksanks more content. He curled in closer, closed his eyes, and purred loudly. It was enough to make Hermione snort softly before she sighed. "What sort of potion did you pick to help me sleep?"

Inching closer, he smiled against her as she defended him from her feline. It was nice to know that she didn't want anyone else to antagonizing him, not even her cat. Gently, he pet the ginger menace for a while, enjoying the softness of his long fur. He had never had a cat, but even he could see their appeal. Sometimes.

"Dreamless sleep," he murmured. "You feeling drowsy?" He asked gently. It wasn't as instantaneous as the others, and though he had tried to counter the drowsiness, it was impossible to fully get rid of. At least she'd get some rest without the drawback of her subconscience.

Summoning the vial with wordless magic, she downed it and then sent it back to the bedside. "Will be soon...." She replied easily enough. "You understand why I didn't tell you now...right?" She murmured quietly.

She couldn't have. Not without damning Harry, and now she might have damned him anyway.

Of course, she would drink it before giving him some fighting words. "I get it," he managed despite himself. He understood, but it was incredibly foolish. "You risked yourself and Theo," he reminded. "And now they're going to have to fend for themselves unless you've also found some brilliant..." he sighed. "We can discuss it another time," he muttered. She wouldn't be awake much longer. Begrudgingly he shifted to kiss her temple. "Sleep well." At least one of them would.

She actually chuckled, her eyes falling closed. "Put myself at risk all the time...how I wound up here after all....hasn't been so bad," she murmured as she barely held back a yawn. It wouldn't be long before the drowsiness would pull her under. The light kiss to her temple had her press back against him, her hand finding his near her cat to lace their fingers together and squeeze gently. Grounding herself.

He kept her hand in his. There was no point getting angry, the damage was done. Theo would either return or he wouldn't. No scenario would leave their friendship untouched. Blaise had suffered for years, and though he and Luna were trusted now, there would never not be that shadow of doubt. Lessons he'd learned when he'd brought Hermione on. Their lives were chock full of trials and tribulations. The translation had nearly been the latest.

"Not that bad, huh?" he gave her hand a squeeze.

She squeezed his hand back and yawned softly, giving a nod of her head. "...Not that bad...Really infuriating sometimes...but not that bad," she admitted as she kept him close with that grip on his hand as Crookshanks purred. She felt terrible. Guilt gnawed at her like some rabid beast, but she wasn't alone. Her failure didn't have her isolated in a safe house somewhere. In his own weird way, he cared for her. She supposed that was all that she could really ask for. Especially when, one way or the other, she'd be losing one of her remaining best friends by the end of the week.