The Whispers
March 2012
“Are the little monsters all settled?” Theo smirked as he poured himself firewhiskey.
“Two of those little monsters as you call them are yours,” Blaise pointed out, stealing the decanter of whiskey from his hands and pouring himself one with a smirk. After a tense family dinner, sans Charlie who was in Romania for a dragon emergency, the adults had decided that an impromptu snake night was needed, with Hermione included of course.
“My children are angels thank you,” Theo gasped in horror. “It’s Lyra who I was referring to.”
“Oh no,” Hermione snickered, sipping her elf wine as Draco chuckled into her curls. “You created that little monster. You don’t get to hold that against her now.”
“Can the two of you detangle yourselves from one another?” Theo rolled his eyes as he looked at his two best friends. Hermione was sitting in Draco’s lap in the chair they were sharing, her legs dangling over the arm of the chair with her head tucked under his chin. They had refused to sit anywhere else with more than enough room for the both of them. “I think we can collectively agree that we do NOT need to add another little Malfoy heir into the mix right now.”
“I’m good here thanks,” Draco winked, causing Theo and Blaise to both groan at the antics.
“I love my children,” Pansy said walking into the room, grabbing a glass of wine, and tucking herself into the couch with a sigh. “But thank Circe that we are having adult time without little ears and little voices demanding our attention.”
“I will second that,” Blaise chuckled. He walked over to his wife and kissed the top of her head before sitting beside her and placing her feet in his lap. “There are seven children sleeping in this house right now and I am bloody exhausted.”
“You’re exhausted?” Draco laughed. “Try having twins and a little witch who is currently very angry at her Uncle Theo.”
“I’m currently the new favorite Uncle,” Blaise smirked as Pansy laughed loudly, throwing her head back.
“I will kill you Zabini,” Theo snapped.
“I will never forget the look on your face as she refused to even look you in the eye,” Pansy snickered, wiping her eyes. “Merlin I love that little girl.”
“I just want her and Athena to be friends,” Theo groaned. “Not have to worry about Lyra stabbing her in her sleep.”
As the words left Theo’s mouth, Hermione flinched slightly. Draco kissed the top of her head comfortingly, shooting Theo a warning look. “Lyra isn’t going to actually hurt her and you know that. She needs time to adjust to not being the only little girl in your life.”
“Just like you needed time to adjust when she chose Draco over you,” Blaise pointed out.
“Is this Theo adjusted?” Pansy asked causing another round of laughter to fill the room. “Just tell me you didn’t try to put the two in the same room.”
“Of course not,” Theo scoffed before taking a drink of his whiskey. “Lyra is in her room… far, far away from Athena.”
“Probably for the best,” Hermione nodded.
“Muma more!” Luca clapped with a giggle as conversation raged around the table. Adults laughed and passed around babies while the children ate and devoured sweets. Meanwhile, Lyra stared dead ahead, with her eyebrows furrowed as she watched Athena smile and giggle with Draco. There was a fire in her eyes, one that they all knew well. It was the same fire that Hermione had in her eyes whenever she was angry.
“Daddy!” Lyra said, causing Draco to look up and over at his daughter. “You didn’t ask me about school today. You always ask me about school.”
“I’m sorry little dragon,” Draco chuckled while the other adults watched with amusement. “How was school today? Did you give Uncle Theo a hard time like I taught you?”
“I stayed with Nane,” Lyra scoffed, her little nose pointed up in the air causing Pansy to chuckle. “I did magic. I don’t need Uncle Theo’s help.”
“I’m having chest pains,” Theo groaned. “I think I’m dying.”
“Uncle Theo is overdramatic,” Lyra rolled her eyes causing everyone to laugh. “Can I stay with Uncle Harry and Jamie tonight? Please.”
“No sweetheart, you’re having a sleepover with Luca and Athena remember?” Hermione answered causing Lyra to mumble under her breath and stab at her food as she continued eating.
“Wait… what if she actually ends up loving Potter more than she loves me?” Theo asked with wide eyes. “She already loves mini potter more than everyone.”
“Don’t remind me,” Draco groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“This is about me not you.”
“This is technically about Lyra. Would you please stop worrying about this?” Hermione sighed. “It’s all going to work out fine. Everything is fine.”
The room took a silent turn as all eyes turned to look at Hermione and Draco. Hermione downed her glass of wine and Draco gave them all a warning look with the shake of his head. It wasn’t a lie to say that they knew each other like the back of their hand at this point. They were able to anticipate certain reactions and moods and that is why everyone knew that something was off about Hermione lately. They had attributed it to motherhood and having two newborns to deal with but the more it went on, the more everyone worried that something else was wrong. Blaise had tried to speak to Draco about it more than once but the blonde wizard had snapped at him and told him that everything was fine.
“Hermione,” Theo began softly, looking over at his friend. “You know I don’t really think that Lyra would hurt a tiny hair on Athena’s head right?”
“No I know,” she answered softly, nodding her head. Levitating the bottle of wine over to her, Blaise refilled her glass of wine. As she looked at the concerned look on the faces of her friends, Hermione knew she couldn’t continue to brush off what was going on anymore. She felt her husband kiss the top of her head and with a sigh, she closed her eyes.
“I haven’t been sleeping well. I’ve been having a lot of nightmares lately,” she admitted softly, feeling Draco hold her just a bit tighter.
“I knew you said they were more frequent during your pregnancy,” Pansy said gently, watching the way her friend curled into herself slightly. “Are they still bad?”
Hermione nodded her head, unable to speak the words out loud. She and Draco were the first ones to hope that after the twins had arrived, the nightmares would cease but they continued on. “I’m hearing the whispers again…”
“The whispers…. From the-“ Theo began but Draco cut him off.
“Lucius is looking into it,” Draco said abruptly. “It’s dark magic and he is the expert when it comes to that. We are dealing with everything as best we can. But if we can not talk about stabbing people I would appreciate it.”
“Of course,” everyone agreed.
&&&
“Have you found anything?” Draco asked running his fingers through his blonde hair. He and Lucius had been scouring the Malfoy library for hours now trying to find some mention of the blade and how to temper the effects of the dark magic it held. Lucius had tried to examine the blade and its properties. At one point, he even tried to destroy the blade, hoping that with it gone, Hermione would no longer feel its effects. It had been futile as the whispers continued to taunt her and the nightmares invaded her dreams. So far all they had accomplished was a table full of useless literature and a broken blade. It was beginning to take its toll on everyone.
“No son,” Lucius shook her head, clapping him on the shoulder. He knew his son was worried and stressed and even he was concerned. He had seen the look in the young woman who he thought of as a daughter’s eyes. It was wearing her down, which was a terrifying concept to all because Hermione Malfoy did not break. They all had bared witness to her strength in the very Manor they were standing in and if that couldn’t break her but this could, there was cause for concern. “Draco I promise you, I’m not giving up. I’ve reached out to a few old contacts of mine about this type of magic. I would rather keep them from coming here so I will go to them if need be.”
“Which contacts?” Draco asked curiously.
“Ones that owe me a debt,” Lucius answered. “An old French family that while not nearly as sadistic as… him, I would rather keep them away from my grandchildren.”
“I understand.”
“I will find a way to help her Draco,” Lucius declared. “Whatever it takes. She’s a Malfoy. She’s your wife and the mother of my grandchildren and she has grown to be very much like a daughter to me.”
“I’ve never thanked you for that,” Draco stated. “For the gift you gave her on our wedding day.”
Hermine paced around her and Draco’s room former room at Nott, wringing her hands in anticipation. After a morning and afternoon of being primped and polished, the reality was beginning to set in. Today was the day she was going to marry Draco, the day they were going to bind their souls as once for the rest of this life and all of their lives to come. She was happier than words could ever describe but a sense of worry still was embedded deep into her bones.
With no parents of her own, Hermione had asked Theo to walk her down the aisle. There was a familial bond between the two of them, one that had formed and strengthened over time. He was also the one person to whom she had confided her fears. She knew in her heart that Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy loved Lyra and they had gone to great efforts to make a relationship with herself. It didn’t take away worrying that deep down, Lucius Malfoy would never truly accept her as a wife for his son. Draco had tried to qualm her concerns moon and Theo had tried to assure her that if Lucius didn’t approve of the two of them, then a ceremony wouldn’t be happening. The nagging feeling was still there though.
As a knock on the door reverberated through the room, Hermione took a deep breath, smoothing out her gown, and cleared her throat. “Come in,” she replied, forcing herself to stop pacing but instead grab one of the silky curls that spilled down her back, twirling it around her finger. She had expected it to be Theo or Harry, but when Lucius Malfoy walked into the room she was stunned. “Lucius? Is… is everything alright?”
“Of course,” Lucius replied politely, a slight chuckle trailing his words. “Merlin help anyone who stands in the way of a Cissa making sure this is a perfect day for you and Draco.” As he walked further into the room, he took in the sight of his future daughter. She looked every bit as beautiful as any pureblood bride and yet, she was more. She was pure beauty and wisdom and she had a wit that he had grown fond of. She stood before him in her wedding gown that had been made specifically for her, and yet all he could see was the love and adoration in her eyes that she held for his son. “You are a vision Hermione, truly.”
“Thank you,” Hermione answered, a soft smile and hint of a blush adorning her face.
“I have a gift for you,” Lucius said, smiling gently as he held the box in his hands. “But before I present it, I hope you will indulge an old wizard and listen to a story I would like to tell you.”
“You’re hardly old,” Hermione smirked and Lucius chuckled. “But of course. You’ve done so much for Lyra and I. It’s the least I could do.”
“I believe you are under the assumption that Narcissa and I were wed under a contract agreed upon by our families and that we were lucky enough to love one another,” Lucius began and Hermione nodded her head. “Well my dear, simply put you are mistaken.”
“Oh?”
“While we were both under a betrothal contract, it was not to one another.” Lucius’ smile grew as he heard the witch gasp. “My father was in talks to marry me off to Andromeda Black while Narcissa’s father was finishing up the contract for her to marry one of the Prewitt boys. Little did they know that Narcissa and I began a relationship of our own within the walls of Hogwarts.”
“Starcrossed lovers,” Hermione said softly and Lucius nodded.
“As it grew closer to my seventeenth birthday, I knew my father was expecting me to officially court Andromeda. But I couldn’t. My love for Narcissa was beyond comprehension and I knew that there was no one else I could be with. My soul felt like it would shatter if I was parted from her. So I came up with a plan, one that would cause an uproar but would keep us together. Do you know much about pureblood courting practices?”
“I’ve learned over the years,” She nodded, wringing her hands. “Theo and Pansy have taught me a few things and… well I read a few things.”
“Of course,” Lucius chuckled. “Well as I’m sure you know, presenting a pureblood woman with jewelry of any kind is a sign of intent. But to present her with a family jewel, it’s a stronger sign. It represents the future that you intend to have and the promise to spend it together. Think of it as a contract if you will, one that the recipient has to agree to. The moment she accepts and wears the jewelry, she is yours and you are hers.”
“That’s… beautiful in a way.”
“At midnight on the day of my seventeenth birthday, I presented Narcissa with this,” Lucius spoke as he lifted the box into view, opening it for her to see inside. Hermione gasped as she looked at the dainty tiara inside. It looked almost like a halo of flowers. The stems and vines were made of gold while the flowers were made of jewels of all shapes and sizes. “When she arrived at the gala my parents were throwing in my honor, on my arm and wearing this, no one could deny us our wish to be married.”
“Lucius that’s… that’s so beautiful.”
“Hermione, Narcissa and I would be honored for you to have this, and to wear it while you marry our son.” Hermione looked at him in shock, unable to speak or move. Never in her life did she think it was possible for this moment to be happening. He stepped forward towards her, catching her line of sight. “I could have chosen any pureblood woman for my son to wed… but none of them would measure up to the woman you are Miss Granger. You are everything I could have ever wanted my son to find. You love him and he loves you. It’s just like Narcissa and I, possibly even more.” Gently he took the tiara from the box and placed it upon her head gently. “You will make an astonishing partner for my son and a beautiful addition to the Malfoy family.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” Lucius shook his head. “She is part of this family and it’s only right for her to feel welcome. I am happy to say that over time she and I have formed an endearing relationship. I truly admire her Draco and am proud to have her as a daughter. That is why when I say that I am going to figure this out, I will. I will fix this.”
“I believe you,” Draco said, nodding his head.
April 2012
Mudblood.
Unworthy.
Tainted.
Hermione shook the whispers from her mind as she folded laundry while the twins slept. These days she was performing any mundane task she could without magic to distract her from everything else. If she let her mind dwell for too long, the whispers would come back stronger than ever.
“Mummy!” Lyra called out and Hermione chuckled as she walked with the laundry to her daughter's bedroom. When she entered, she saw Lyra sitting on her floor clutching onto her stuffed dragon.
“What is it love?” She asked as she began to put away laundry.
“I can’t find Mione,” Lyra sniffled and her mother turned to look at her.
“Mione is in daddy’s office remember? We can bring her out when he gets home.”
“Can we bring her out now please?”
“No honey.”
“Please mummy,” Lyra said, starting to cry. “I promise I’ll be good. She won’t leave my room. Please.”
“Lyra honey, it’s ok. He will be home soon I promise and we will bring her out.”
“No! Now! Please!” As her cries intensified, the lights in the room began to flicker. “I want Mione. Mione loves me.”
“Sweetheart everyone loves you,” Hermione soothed, getting down to her knees in front of her, stroking her curls.
“No they don’t,” she cried, shaking her head furiously. “They don’t love me anymore.”
“Of course they do. Everyone does.”
“Not Uncle Theo,” Lyra sobbed. “He loves Athena now.”
“Honey,” Hermione started as she rubbed soothing circles on her back as the little girl struggled to catch her breath. “Breathe Lyra. Remember what we practiced? What do we do when we feel overwhelmed?”
“We,” Lyra said, rubbing her eyes. “We count to three.”
“That’s right,” Hermione said, taking her hands. “Let’s do it together ok? One.”
“One…” Lyra said, taking a breath with her mother.
“Two,” they said together and took another breath. “Three.”
After releasing another breath, Hermione smiled gently as she watched her daughter relax slowly. “Lyra, your Uncle Theo loves you so much and he misses you.”
“He does?”
“He does,” she said, kissing the top of her head, sitting down, and letting her crawl into her lap. She held her close, rocking her gently. “Just because Uncle Theo has a little girl now that doesn’t mean that she replaces you. No one can replace you in his heart.”
“I love Uncle Theo,” Lyra sniffled.
“I know you do. You know how Uncle Theo and I are friends?” She watched as Lyra nodded and continued to stroke her curls. “That’s what Theo wants, for you and Athena to be friends. The best of friends just like him and I.”
“He does?”
“He really does. And you know… I think you could help Athena just like you help Luca and the babies. I’m sure she’s scared of being around a bunch of people don’t you think?”
“I feel it sometimes,” Lyra said, rubbing her little chest. “In here.”
“See. You can help her. Do you think you can try? For me?”
“Ok mummy,” Lyra said softly.
“Come on, my love. Let’s go have some hot chocolate while the babies are sleeping.”
&&&
“Well if it isn’t the Malfoy girls,” Theo chuckled. “And little Scorpius. What brings you all by hmm?”
“Lyra asked to come over actually,” Hermione said and nodded to the little girl standing beside her. She was looking down at her feet, twirling one of her long curls.
“Oh?” Theo asked, a hopeful tone in his voice. Hermione nudged her gently and Theo took a timid step forward. Before anyone could say anything else, Lyra launched herself at him, arms wrapping around his leg.
“I love you Uncle Theo,” Lyra said softly and Theo smiled brightly.
“I love you too Lyra,” he said and leaned down and kissed the top of her head. He felt the tiny fragments of his heart piecing back together.
“Can I go say hi to Athena?” Lyra asked, looking up at him. “I can show her my favorite book in the library. Winnie the Pooh!”
“Of course you can,” Theo beamed. “She’s playing in Logan’s room.”
“Ok!”
As she bounded off, Theo looked at Hermione with a smile on his face. Snickering, she handed Theodora over to him. “Feeling better now?”
“Oh absolutely,” Theo laughed. “Lyra loves me again and all the stars in my universe are aligned again. Nothing can make this day better.”
“Lyra wants to be friends with Athena.”
“And now my day is better,” Theo said, kissing her on the forehead. “You Hermione are magic.”
Just then the floo went off again and Hermione and Theo both watched with curiosity.
“Hermione?” Draco asked in confusion at the same time she said, “Draco?”
“You didn’t know he was coming?” Theo asked.
“No?”
“Actually this works out for the best. I came to ask Theo a favor and it involved you and the kids,” Draco said.
“Oh?”
“Can you and Charlie watch the kids for the night?” Draco asked.
“Romantic getaway?” Theo teased and Draco shook his head.
“Lucius found something,” Draco said. “But we need to go to the manor.”
“What do you mean he found something?” Hermione asked.
“He found a way to get rid of the nightmares.”