Gardenia

“Feya”

The woman smiled softly. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it ?” The woman came closer with her arms open and Draco didn’t hesitate to fall into them. The two hugged tightly.

“But-How? We thought you were dead. Carina said-Tae-Eleanor-” The blonde started shakily, panicked slightly at what was happening.

“Calm down dear” The woman said soothingly, her fingers glowed slightly as she rubbed his arms, instantly calming the boy who had always felt a special comfort in her magic.. Her emerald eyes than focused on the two wizards that stood behind the blonde.

“Why don’t you introduce me to your friends. I’ll explain everything, ok?” She gave a warm smile at the boy who now had tears dripping down his cheeks. Draco nodded softly.

The woman smiled and motioned to the others who stood behind her. They started walking to the opening of the tunnel, illuminated by the various stones of blue and green.

Harry and Hermione followed them cautiously, curious to know more about the people there. Draco walked close to the redhead,  informing her about who the two were and what they were here for.

About ten minutes later they reached the other end of the tunnel and Draco, Harry and Hermione could only watch, mouth agape, as a whole village filled with houses came into view.

“Where are we?” Hermione asked in a gasp.

The leader, Feya, smiled at her. “You’re under the palace of Gardenia.”

“I didn’t know this place existed.” Draco said in awe as the habitants of the small village came out of their houses.

“Well.. Until a few years ago, neither did we.” A man who stood to Feya’s right said softly.

“What happened?” Draco asked, his voice wavering. “You disappeared.. We thought you were dead. Tae was inconsolable, if Jasper wasn’t there….. Then Eleanor..” The blonde made a choking sound at that.

“I’m sorry, dragon.” Feya said softly. “There was too much to loose.”

“What do you mean? Please, tell me.”

Feya sighed deeply. She turned, motioning them to follow. The redhead walked to the forward till she reached the wall of the cave. She touched the wall softly, singing something softly. The stones parted to show a dimly lit room.

Draco gasped softly, walking forward. “How?”

As they went further in, Harry could see that it was some sort of a chamber, though it was covered in rocks. Like an ambush.

“Eleanor and I were here to look for a book.”

They turned to the redhead as she talked softly, her eyes dazed as she lost herself in the memory.

“Ella was called for something and she went. Only a few of my trusted faeries and I was left in this chamber. That’s when it happened.” Her eyes hardened. “I should have seen it coming.”

She turned to Draco, eyes softening slightly. “We had been getting threats.”

The blonde’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you-”

“I thought we could handle it.” She interrupted apologetically. “But it was too late. The roof broke and most of us were crushed under the rocks. This pathway was found accidentally and we escaped without a second thought. I knew whoever that attacked me would be after my people next. So I performed the ritual.”

“You mean..?” Draco asked hesitantly.

Feya nodded. “The ritual worked but it meant that we were trapped. Tae didn’t come with us, probably because of his father’s blood. The wards were places as soon as the last of us appeared under the cave’s protection. We couldn’t contact anyone. You know what happens when a faerie does the ritual.”

Draco nodded softly.

“Wait, what ritual?” Harry asked, confused.

“An old faerie ritual that helped protect us years ago. Anyone related to the castor, or more specifically pureblood faeries are transported near to the castor. A ward forms own its own around it, not allowing the ones inside to go out or anyone with malicious thoughts to come inside. And since I am their queen, let’s say the wards became a little too strong.”

“How did you get food then? How long have you been here?”

“A faerie can live for weeks without food if we have our loved ones near us. Our life depends on the positive feelings expressed to us. According to our search, this cave was also used years ago for some sort of ritual. The berries that grown on these bushes provides the nutrition that you get from a day’s meal. We’ve been trapped here for two years.. And we will be trapped until the threat is eliminated. There might be a spell that could help us but we don’t have any of the ancient books with us right now. You can leave though, the wards don’t trap non-faeries, it only prevents the ones with bad intentions from entering.”

“And I thought you were dead.” Draco whispered shakily. “We searched the village but it was set on fire.. There were iron articles littered around and w-we thought you were gone.. that you all were..”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that, dragon. We’re fine now, aren’t we? How is Tae?” She gave him a soft smile.

“Well he is dating Jasper.” The blonde shrugged with a watery smile. “He still misses you though.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what is your connection with Tae?” Hermione asked with a small frown.

Draco and Feya chuckled lightly. “Feya is Tael’s mother.”

The wizards’ eyes widened at that. “That does make sense.” Harry muttered as he examined the faerie queen’s features again. Yep, the only things different were their eye colour.

 “Is something wrong?” The blonde asked worriedly as he saw his fiancée‘s expression.

“Where’s Lunae?” She asked him softly.

“Why do you ask, love?”

The woman hesitated slightly, “I have something to tell him, Cas.”

Casey frowned slightly. “I don’t know when he’ll be back. What’s wrong, Aurora?”

Aurora shook her head and sighed. “I’ll just wait until he comes then. I don’t want to repeat myself.”

Casey nodded softly, still confused and a little anxious at the others words.

“Are you sure no one will come here? I don’t want a repeat of what happened a few hours ago.” Ron grimaced.

Blaise snickered at the redhead’s expression. “Don’t worry. I’m quite sure they are all busy. Now, let’s continue?”

Ron snorted before he met the other’s lips with his own, his lover reciprocating with passion.

“Do you think Potter and Draco finally confessed?” Blaise asked, panting heavily.

“No” Ron snickered before kissing the other again. “Harry is the most oblivious person on the planet.”

“I don’t think Draco will act on it either.” The brunette rested his forehead on the other. Blue eyes stared back at him. Blaise grinned at the slightly dazed expression.

“Do you think your mother will be happy that her son is dating a Weasley? Ronald smirked.

Blaise snorted. “She won’t care as long as I’m happy. Besides, you’re a hero aren’t you?”

“I think we should continue this in our room. I don’t want any interruptions, do you?” Ron winked.

“I thought you would never ask.”

Harry smiled at the little faerie who was busy staring at the greenish glow in his hands.

“Peter has always had a fascination with the colour green.” He turned to the voice that sounded from behind him.

She created a glowing green orb in her hands, handing it to the little boy who was easily distracted by it.

“Walk with me, Harry.”

The brunette nodded, staring at the woman expectantly.

Feya smiled slightly, “You have inherited praesidio. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen one.”

Harry smiled in return, “I don’t think I would have even known if Oscar hadn’t said that I had it in my blood.”

Feya hummed. “You probably wouldn’t have if you hadn’t come to Gardenia. Only a few wizards still remember our rituals and powers. But that is not what I’m here to talk about.”

She turned to where Draco and Hermione were standing with another faerie near the chamber. The faerie didn’t enter the room, the wards prevented anyone with fairy blood to remain inside after all.

“You will be going back to the palace in a few minutes, and I wanted to have a small talk about it.”

Harry frowned slightly at that. He was confused on what the other was saying.

“I met Draco when he was fourteen. My son had already declared him as his younger brother.” She laughed slightly at that. “The heir to Gardenia’s ruler. He was, is, a sweet child. Though I do wish that his life in the wizarding world was more brighter, I am quite powerless against time.

The first time I saw him was at the Malfoy Manor, talking to Narcissa. I admire that woman very much, even if she could not be a mother figure to Draco, he always said that she was his first friend.

The boy has been through a lot, and I’m certainly not lessening any of your sufferings Mr. Potter, but you have to understand that as someone who has watched that boy grow, I would never want any harm coming his way, not from someone he holds affections for. I’ve heard countless tales about you and your friends from him, of his soulmate.

So, I’m asking you, Harry. What are your intentions with him?” The woman finally turned to face him.

Harry was more than a little surprised at the words, but then again Feya was right, though he knew that his feelings for the blonde were far from platonic it didn’t mean that he wanted to rush the other for a relationship. Besides, the boy was a prince of Gardenia, and would quite possibly be the next ruler too. What then? Draco would surely remain in Gardenia while Harry and the others would return to the wizarding world. How would their relationship ever work? Was he even ready for one?

Harry looked back to where Draco, his soulmate, was standing and his breath hitched slightly as the blonde’s eyes met his own. He could see the concern swimming in those silver orbs and Harry knew, he knew that he was falling. If it was a year ago and someone asked him about his feelings for Draco Malfoy, Harry would laugh, saying that they would have nothing other than hate between them. But now, seeing the real Draco underneath it all, he admits that it will only take a little more time for him to fall completely. Especially as Feya had just confirmed that the blonde held romantic feelings for him too. And he knew that the distance wouldn’t matter, he would still want to be with Draco even if they were miles apart. Besides, portkeys were a great help.

“I don’t know if we will ever be in a relationship.” He started softly. “But I can promise you that I will never hurt him intentionally. It may have taken years, but I know who he is beneath it all and that’s enough for me to wait decades if he decides to give me a chance.”

Feya smiled at him, satisfied with his answer. “He deserves the world, Harry. You deserve it too.” She said softly before walking, more like gliding, to where the subject of their conversation was.

“You okay?” Draco asked him softly as they reached him. Harry just smiled reassuringly in reply.

“So here’s what we are going to do.” Hermione started. “We have the pearl so we can heal the victims quickly. Then we can come back with some backup to break these wards. If we cant, then well.. We’ll discuss that later.”

The two boys nodded at the plan. The quickly exchanged goodbyes before stepping into the chamber. The rocks that covered the stairs that led upstairs were cleared carefully to make a small hole. Large enough for them to pass through.

The stairs looked old and unused, Hermione lighting a blue flame to guide their way.

They opened a trapdoor and got out, coughing slightly because of the stuffy air.

“Draco? Harry? Hermione?” A voice gasped from behind them. All three turned to see Jasper standing there with wide yes, holding what looked like a cauldron. “You’re back.” The brunette grinned.

Looking around, they found themselves to be in an old store room.

“How long where we gone?” Harry asked.

“Well, you were gone yesterday night. It’s almost evening now.” Jasper answered. “We were worried.”

Draco smiled back at him sheepishly. “I guess we lost time with Feya.”

“W-What?” The elder almost dropped the cauldron-look-alike at that. “Feya? Tael’s mother, Feya?”

Draco just smiled softly. “They’re alive. And we got the pearl.” All three of them lifted their hands to show the symbol on their wrists.

“This is good.” Jasper grinned. “Come on!”

They followed the elder as they went to where the ritual would take place.

“TAEL!” Jasper yelled to get the redhead’s attention as he passed the cauldron-look-alike to someone else.

Tae turned around with a frown before smiling as brightly in relief when he saw the three others behind his boyfriend. Pansy, who had finally let go of Hermione’s bed, and Blaise along with Ron, who had a rather enjoyable time together, quickly followed the older to the others.

Hermione was the first to be greeted, with a kiss, which left her surprised for about five seconds, while the others were filled on the pearl and the faeries. Tae had broken down in happy tears when he received the news that his mother was alive, already planning on the different books that would help him break the wards.

The group slowly walked into the rose garden as the spoke among themselves, almost having a heart attack when suddenly different figures dropped on the ground before them.

“Mother? Uncle Sev?”

“Draco” They exclaimed  happily as they quickly stood up.

“Mom? Dad? George? Fre- How the hell are you here?”

“Language, Ronald!” Molly chided as the Weasleys guided the more than a little confused figures of Harry, Hermione and Ron into a group hug.

“Mother?”

“Hello to you too, Blaise.” Izara Zabini said lightly as she helped Gaenna Parkinson stand up.

Pansy just gaped at her mother’s figure.

“Not to be rude, but how did you get here?” Draco asked.

The parents all looked at each other before Narcissa opened her hand to show a small pendant. Draco and the others gasped lightly.

“Where did you get this?” Draco asked softly as he took the pendant from her carefully.

“I think it’s time you know about your father.” Was Narcissa’s soft answer.

“Wait. Where are Sirius and Remus?”

Remus opened his eyes slowly, blinking to see more clearly. The room was quite dark but he could see Sirius’ prone figure beside him with the help of his werewolf senses.

The last thing he remembered was the faces of the two women, witches?

He knew he should have stopped Sirius from inviting them in. The slight glint in the eyes of them both should have been enough for Remus to know that they were dangerous. But he had been too careless, and now the were god-knows-where.

First Harry, now this. Remus could only hope that they would survive whatever this was.