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October 31st, 1998 - Draco-
Draco Malfoy had known his father returned from Azkaban a changed and shattered man. His ruthless and cold nature had morphed him into someone far more desperate and crazed in the face of the Dark Lord. His last redeeming quality had been choosing to stand with his family and stay rather than run at the end of the Final Battle. He had worked alongside the Ministry and given a long list of every known Death Eater, and pureblood sympathizer including a list of each crime they were guilty of. This allowed him to return home with his family where they would all remain under house arrest and for the ministry to leave Malfoy Manor untouched while they focused on arresting any remaining Death Eaters still on the run.
Unfortunately, the excessive use of dark magic that lived within Lucius Malfoy’s soul, as well as within the Manor itself had become too much for him. He had started to have violent outbursts and manic episodes where he wouldn’t recognize Draco at all. It had led Draco to find his solace on the opposite wing of the house. As the weeks bore into months his father, despite having all of their wands confiscated by the ministry, was prone to episodes of accidental magic.
Every Halloween Draco’s mother would normally hold a grand Samhain Ball, the Manor would be decorated with jack-o’-lantern’s and floating candles, there would normally be a formal masquerade, all the most important figures in the Ministry and the Wizengamot as well as many of the pureblood families would be in attendance. People were dying for an invite from Narcissa Malfoy herself to one of the most prestigious events of the year.
This year though, the halls were silent and empty and the air around Malfoy Manor was thick with dark magic. Draco had tried to stay to himself as usual but the scream from his mother had him running faster than he thought possible. The usually pristine halls echoed with the manic shouts of Lucius Malfoy, his eyes wild with a madness that had consumed him. As Draco arrived in the ballroom, he could see Lucius pacing and gripping his hands, but his mother was nowhere to be seen. He froze as his eyes narrowed in on his father before he looked past him at the broken balcony railing. Cautiously he took a few steps forward as his heart sank. He knew what he would see, but still, he prayed he would be wrong.
Below, Narcissa Malfoy lay crumpled on the marble floor, her body twisted at an unnatural angle. Her lifeless eyes stared up at the ornate ceiling as blood pooled around her. His father continued to shout, but Draco couldn’t hear him. The room had gone eerily silent as he stared at his mother’s lifeless body. Everything he had done was for her, to keep her safe. But in the end he had failed her, just like he did everything else. His father began to claw at him, his grip tight but Draco couldn’t tear his eyes away from his mother. He felt something inside him, something building, his blood was boiling.
A scream lodged in Draco’s throat as pain erupted through his whole body. His bones felt as if they were breaking, skin stretching, the pain worse than any Cruciatus Curse he had experienced. Even worse than taking the Dark Mark. His father had let him go abruptly and fell to the floor scurrying away from him. Something grabbed his ankle, dragging him back and Lucius' hands scrambled for purchase onto anything as he screamed.
Draco was numb as he watched his father become engulfed in a thick darkness. His own body was hunched over, chest heaving and fingers clenching and unclenching. His nails were lengthened, but all he could feel now was the anger burning him from the inside out.
This coward of a man in front of him had made Draco into what he was. He had ruined his life, had filled him with hate, when all he wanted was acceptance. He had made Draco cold and cruel, just like him. Now Lucius Malfoy had been driven mad by the darkness within the Manor, within his heart, and he had killed his wife. Draco’s mother was dead. Draco’s body trembled as he felt this surge of power inside of him. His ears twitched as his father's screams finally registered, but Draco didn’t care. This man had cost him everything and he would pay for his treachery.
His fathers screams had become blood curdling as he clawed desperately and the look he was giving Draco should have stirred something inside him. He was a desperate man pleading for his life and still the darkness swallowed him. Even as his father’s body disappeared with the shadows, Draco could still hear screaming.
It was only as the screams turned to whines and whimpers, that he realized they were coming from him. In that moment, the Manor itself seemed to shudder, its very walls absorbing the tragedy, and with a final ominous creak, it vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but an eerie silence in its wake.
***
Hermione Granger had always thought she'd go back to Hogwarts, get a Ministry job to help with creature rights and work her way up to Minister of Magic. She had graduated from Hogwarts with 8 outstanding NEWTs, truly marking her as the brightest witch of her age, seeing as the last person to have completed 8 NEWTS all with outstandings had been Albus Dumbledore. She had started working in the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures.
Two years into her career though, she’d found herself longing for more. That’s when she’d been approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt with a proposition for her. A position as an Unspeakable, an opportunity to build her own path, to expand her knowledge, while further assisting the Ministry in magical growth. She couldn’t say no, even when she found out she would be partnered with Theodore Nott.
Theo Nott had always had a strange fascination with tinkering, he’d made illegal portkeys in his spare time and had even fixed up an old time-turner or two he’d found hidden away at Nott Manor after the War. That had gotten him in trouble, putting a red flag on him in the Ministry. That was when he was given the opportunity to expand on his knowledge and have an outlet for his experiments. It was that, or be sent to Azkaban where he could have a nice friendly reunion with his father. He obviously chose the first option especially when he found out he’d be working with the Golden Girl, Hermione Granger.
The two, one reluctant, the other thoroughly intrigued, formed a close partnership and it wasn’t long before it became something more. It felt natural, a pull that brought the two together. They had found solace, love, and understanding within each other. However, it always felt like they were missing something.
So, when Theo confessed to Hermione his past relationship with Draco, she hadn’t been surprised. She couldn’t deny that she had her own curious thoughts of Malfoy when she heard the Manor disappeared all those years ago. This was a man who taunted her, who believed she was worthless and saw her tortured, but all she could think of was the sickly looking boy in sixth year or the desperate and scared one in seventh. If a good man like Theo had loved him all this time, Hermione knew there had to be more to Draco Malfoy than a childhood bully that had landed on the wrong side of the War.
After his confession, Theo told Hermione about one of the projects he had been assigned to work on since graduating Hogwarts. He had become an Unspeakable with the sole selfish intention of finding out what happened on October 31st, 1998. The grounds were considered cursed and haunted, even by wizarding folk. Muggles in a neighboring town near Wiltshire spoke of a haunted home that would appear once a year as the sun set. A demon haunted the grounds only for both the demon and the Manor to disappear the next morning. No one had been able to approach the Manor to even investigate. Theo had made it further than anyone else, breaching the property line and approaching the wrought-iron fence surrounding the large estate. But still, he was never able to enter the Manor gates.
Theo had this feeling inside of him. That maybe he wasn’t able to get in alone, but with someone else, another piece of the puzzle, maybe he could. He had no explanation for his feeling but Hermione, for once, didn’t question it. She couldn’t deny she had her curiosities about the boy with the stone gray eyes who haunted her dreams.
October 31, 2003
The two stood on the grounds of Malfoy Manor, Hermione’s chest tightening as she looked at the ominous gates. It brought back memories from the last time she had been there, not knowing what would happen to her or her friends. She felt a similar feeling now. They didn’t know what awaited them or if they would even be able to get inside. Theo intertwined their fingers, running his thumb over hers in a familiar and comforting motion.
“We don’t have to do this…if you’re not ready… it’s not too late…we don’t even know if we will be able to get in this time…” Theo tried to reassure her, his ocean blue eyes looking into hers with love and concern. She felt the tension in her heart release when she met his eyes and gave him a determined smile. She knew how badly he needed to know and she would face her trepidation to give him those answers.
“Theo, I know you want to know what happened. You want answers, and if there is a chance you’ll find them, I won’t waste it.”
“I do want to know. Hermione you know I love you… but then I-“ Theo tried to explain before his voice choked and he swallowed, gripping Hermione’s hand tighter.
“I know.” Hermione whispered before she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She looked towards the Manor and she could have sworn she saw a flash of blonde hair in one of the upstairs windows. Her eyes narrowed in on the space only to see another flash downstairs as candles flared to life.
“What is that? Someone’s-someone’s inside!” Theo said, moving forward towards the gates before Hermione could stop him. His hand was still intertwined with hers and she stumbled after him with a huff at his jostling. As they approached the Manor’s gates creaked open, the firelight posts came to life in a blaze, and the front door splayed wide, welcoming them, beckoning them inside.
Once Hermione got her footing, they both moved, as if enthralled, into the grand foyer of the Manor. A gust of wind guided them forward and candelabras lit up the hall. They followed the glow to the east wing where a warm fire greeted them. The entrance doors shut as they entered the new room.
“This is where Draco and I would often play when we were growing up and our fathers were… meeting, in the west wing. This fireplace didn’t have a Floo connection like the one in the west wing.” Theo muttered as he looked around the room. It was eerily silent though, minus the crackling of the fire.
“Hello? Malfoy? uh…Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy?” Hermione called out, her voice shaking with uncertainty. She looked to Theo after a moment, but he was inspecting some of the moving pictures in the room. The dust that gathered on them left them both with a sinking feeling.
“Draco always told me the Manor was sentient. A magical household which had seen ten centuries worth of magic, some much of it blood and dark magic, how could it not be?” Theo explained as he ran a hand over the fireplace mantle. She could see his shoulders slumping as he continued to speak, the sadness in his tone apparent. “I’m not sure why it welcomed us… but I don’t think…”
“Oh Theo… you are so grown, you look so healthy, I am so glad..” a feminine voice crooned. Theo and Hermione’s eyes widened before they whipped their heads around to face the voice.
Narcissa Malfoy stood there, smiling at them both. She didn’t look much different than the last time Hermione saw her, in fact, she looked like she was almost …glowing. That had to be a good sign, didn’t it?
“Narcissa!” Theo croaked and for the first time since they arrived at the Manor, his hand loosened on Hermione’s and she let him go to her. She understood that since his own mother had died when he was very young, Narcissa had been the only mother like figure he’d had.
Theo’s arms wrapped around Narcissa’s thin form and she cradled his head comfortingly. Even though his tall form towered her now he still looked like a young boy and Hermione felt her heart ache at the sight of her boyfriend’s tears. She was glad he could have this reunion. She wondered if–
Before she could finish the thought there was a howling sound, so loud the Manor’s grounds shook. “Oh... he’s awake…but I think- I think he’d be happy to see you both. We haven’t had any visitors in so long.” Narcissa said as she broke from Theo. Theo had gone rigid as he stumbled back a bit to stand beside Hermione again. Narcissa smiled at the two of them and clasped her hands together.
Hermione’s brows furrowed as Theo jerked his head around, he looked like he’d seen a ghost. A tea cart rolled into the room with a pot of freshly steaming tea and two cups and began to pour for them. Hermione watched in amazement as it added three cubes of sugar to one cup and one cube with a splash of milk in another and then just a splash of milk in the last before the cups floated to Theo and Hermione. Narcissa gestured for the two of them to sit and they both did, though they both felt a sense of wariness.
“Oh, I knew it would be you Theo, but Hermione Granger as well? Oh I should have guessed! He always seemed to write home about you quite frequently.” Narcissa continued and Hermione’s brows knitted together further before she looked at Theo. He had grown pale and she could see the anxiety in his features as he took a small sip of tea.
“Mrs. Malfoy-” Hermione started.
“Narcissa, please, call me Narcissa, dear.”
Hermione cleared her throat and continued. “Narcissa, Are you referring to Draco? Is he… is he here?”
Narcissa looked at Hermione, studying her for a second before she gave a small nod, looking between the two of them now before her eyes narrowed, and she began to speak quickly.
“He is.. He is.. Oh but, Hermione dear, you must know, my son, he regrets his actions at Hogwarts and what happened when you.. When you… you must understand it’s haunted him. My son, he is a tortured soul he is… he is different now, he, please you must forgive him.” Her voice had grown more desperate and Hermione blinked and suddenly Narcissa was right in front of her, causing Hermione to flinch. How had she moved so quickly?
Narcissa was on her knees, gripping Hermione’s hands and Hermione held back a shudder as she looked at the women before her. Her hands felt as cold as ice, and it sent a strange feeling through Hermione’s body at their touch.
“Please, you must forgive him! Please open your heart to forgive him, he needs your forgiveness, child. I know it is not fair of me to ask this of you but–”
“No I- we were kids, I no longer hold a grudge.” Hermione said a bit warily as her eyes flickered to Theo who still looked pale as he drank his tea silently. “Theo told me about what he did for him during the war and even before, if not for him, Theo… I don’t know what would have happened to him.. He isn’t the monster I thought him to be as a child.”
Narcissa’s face darkened at those words and she pulled back from Hermione before she looked at Theo. Asoft smile on her face though her eyes looked… frightened? Hermione pondered. She was acting very strange for the Malfoy Matriarch and judging by how cold her hands were Hermione wondered if she was sick Or if maybe the rumors were true and there was some strange curse that someone had cast on the Manor.
Theo swallowed hard as Narcissa reached out and touched his cheek. His body immediately tensed. “Sweet Theo, you were always such a kind boy who cared for my son, please, you’ll tell him he isn’t a monster, won’t you?” She crooned and Hermione felt a shiver run down her back at her tone.
There was the sound of another howl and a loud boom that shook the room and Narcissa stood up looking between the two of them, her facial expression had calmed though she still spoke hurriedly. “I know I am asking a lot of you both- there isn’t much time to explain I just need you to understand- Draco isn’t- he isn’t the same anymore–”
That’s when they heard it, a snarl, the sounds of claws scraping across the floor. Hermione and Theo stood moving together and grasping hands as whatever was howling and snarling at them came into the room. A dark shadow cast over them as some of the candles flickered leaving them with just the light from the moon outside and the fireplace still crackling in the corner of the room.
Hermione gasped and Theo’s grip grew tighter, pulling her towards him. In front of them was some combination of a wolf and a bear with long blackened talons and bared teeth walking on its Lupine-like hind legs. It looked at them snarling, its eyes narrowed like a predator. It was studying them and Hermione realized with some clarity it wasn’t staring at them per say- but their clasped hands, their close proximity.
Theo’s grip loosened at the same time Hermione’s did. She should be afraid, they looked like they could kill her, devour her and Theo whole, or tear them to shreds and yet- she didn’t feel afraid, only curious and Narcissa’s strange behavior began to make more sense as she looked into their narrow… gray eyes.
“Draco?” Theo whispered at the same Hermione thought it.
“You shouldn’t be here. You need to leave.” He snarled and Hermione could recognize the sneer in that voice, even if it was much deeper and raspier. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind.
She crossed her arms, raising a brow. “It’s nice to see you too, Malfoy. Been a few years…. You’re looking well.”
That's it, Hermione knew Theo’s dark humor and sarcasm had rubbed off on her a bit too much. She could hear the growl that slipped from Draco’s mouth.
“Why… are you.. here… Granger?” His voice rumbled and Theo turned his head to look at her, a soft but nervous smile appearing on his face before he faced Draco again.
“Draco, she is here- with me-” He tried to explain, anxiety in his voice. She could feel it, he was worried that Draco would reject his help again, just like he had done in sixth year. “We want to help…”
“You can’t, no one can help me.” Draco said a strange rumble escaped him as he did and Hermione saw his talons tense up. She watched them carefully before looking back up at Draco. His eyes were on her in particular. Studying her. She felt her heart race at the way he looked at her and a strange heat began to build inside her.
“Draco- don’t push me away, don’t do this again..” Theo insisted, still speaking softly as he tried to reach a hand out to Draco.
“Don’t come near me!” Draco swung his hand out to stop him and he caught Theo’s arm with his talons, tearing the fabric. Draco’s eyes widened and a whine escaped his throat as he stumbled back. Hermione looked towards Theo who was gripping his forearm, wincing a bit and Hermione cursed. She quickly grabbed her wand but Draco’s eyes narrowed in on her, looking wild and she hesitated.
She heard Narcissa gasp behind her before she approached Theo with bandages and a wash cloth that seemed to have appeared from nowhere.
“You shouldn’t have come! I will only hurt you.” Draco whined and Hermione’s heart clenched. She took a cautious step forward after checking Theo was alright.
“Draco, what happened to you?” Hermione said as she looked up at him. He was leaning against the door frame now, one clawed hand digging into the frame. A small whimper broke from his chest and Hermione could feel her heart break at the sound. Something about it, about him, was pulling at her heartstrings.
“You wouldn’t understand.” He whispered, but Hermione was determined. She reached a hand out slowly, brushing it against his cheek and his frame tensed and eyes narrowed before she felt his whole body shudder and eyes close.
“Then help us understand…” Hermione whispered back. She felt Theo’s hand on her shoulder as he moved beside her to stand in front of Draco.
“I still love you, Draco, I always have and I always will, Hermione understands that and accepts it too, she is here with me, for you too.” Theo said as he moved his hand over the one that had scratched him before, the wound must not have been too terrible since it seemed to have stopped bleeding and was thoroughly bandaged by Narcissa.
“You’ll only hurt us if you push us away.” He tells him soothingly. Draco looks at Theo and Hermione could see the heartbreak in his eyes.
“I pushed you away, that’s all I ever did. I thought you moved on– that you hated me–” Draco said and Theo only gave him a sad smile and shook his head.
Draco then turned his eyes to Hermione and moved his head against his hand and she could feel the warm and soft fur against his fingers. She smiled at him, her body was tingling. She wanted to touch the beast- no- the man in front of her, the pull was so strange. She’d never felt this way for him before, but now, she only wished to comfort him and her heart ached for it.
“Draco, you aren’t a monster…” Theo soothed and Draco went rigid. Suddenly he was pulling back from them another whine escape from deep in his throat.
“Yes, I am…” He said darkly and Hermione chanced a quick glance at Theo who’s jaw tightened. She could hear Narcissa behind her tensing up as well.
“You’re not, this form isn’t who you are. We can fix it, Malfoy, if only you’d letus!” Hermione insisted and suddenly Draco’s eyes were on her, but she didn’t see silver now. Only Black… predatory- like that of a… Beast.
“You can’t. This is the reality, this is what I am, this is who I have always been on this inside.” He says as he takes another step away from them, his talons were digging into the ground below him.
“I refuse to accept that, Malfoy!”
“Stop being stubborn, Draco!”
“Leave.”
“We won’t!” They exclaimed together.
Suddenly, they felt the air around them tense up and Draco’s frame became more daunting, fur standing on edge, a loud snarl escaped his throat.
“Get Out!” He roared and the Manor shook with the force of it, and before they could say another word - they were flying backwards, down the hall they came, and threw the doors, each doorway or gate slamming shut as they were moved through them.
They landed on their bottoms outside the gates of the Manor and a loud cry shuddered through the grounds. The air around them rippled and in a blink of the air, the Manor disappeared leaving the two of them baffled and confused.
Hermione brushed herself off before she looked at Theo who had gone pale again. She placed her hand on his shoulder and looked in his eyes trying to ground him. Once he had seemed to calm himself, he stood up, reaching a hand out for her. He was still silent and Hermione gave him a moment to process what had just happened as she looked around, checking for any sign of blood magic or a strong Fidelius Charm.
“I wonder if the Manor really does exist on a separate plane, only appearing on Samhain when the veil is the thinnest? Still, if that is the case, how was Narcissa able to avoid the curse? She looked well, outside of her desperation for her son which- he was obviously cursed by something- so of course she was desperate–” Hermione had begun to ramble before Theo spoke up.
“She hadn’t avoided the curse Hermione… Narcissa is dead…” He said gravely and Hermione whipped her head around opening her mouth like a fish before closing it. The pieces came together like a puzzle in her mind. She hadn’t drank anything with them, her hands had been deathly cold, the way she had looked like she was glowing and how Theo looked at her after her embrace as if he had seen a ghost.. It was because he had.
“That’s it then! The Manor is on a separate plane of existence! She becomes whole when the veil is the thinnest - but does that mean… is Malfoy…” She swallowed and Theo shook his head.
“No, I think - I think Draco is the Manor’s sole living inhabitant, whatever happened on October 31st revolves around the curse that has befallen him... Hermione I–”
“I know Theo, We will get to the bottom of this. Whether Malfoy likes it or not. I’m Hermione Granger, and I’m not sure if you know this or not.. But I happen to have quite the thirst for knowledge and have been called an incorrigible swot on more than one occasion.” She said, a knowing smirk on her face.
One Year Later
The months went by with little answers despite the many sleepless nights. They didn’t know what was going on at Malfoy Manor, all they knew is that somehow, some way they were supposed to come together and help cure Draco from whatever this curse was. They needed answers and if Draco wasn’t going to give them himself, they knew Narcissa would.
They returned to the grounds on Halloween night once more and as the sunset over the horizon the Manor appeared with a ripple in the air once again. The iron wrought gates opened, firelight came to life and the front downs beckoned them inside. Instead of the Manor greeting them alone, Narcissa was waiting for them in the grand foyer. She escorted them into the grand dining hall where a feast and full wine glasses awaited them.
“A curse?” Hermione questioned, her brows furrowed. Theo listened as he rotated his wrist, letting the liquid in the wine glass swirlaround in a circular motion before taking a slow sip.
“Yes, I am afraid the Black Family curse, which had been dormant for generations, has awakened in my son…” Narcissa said, her hands resting in her lap before she continued.
“Long ago… a woman born of the Black Family, had cursed her own blood. She was a Seer with a unique gift and instead of just seeing the future… she could cast it. She hid her talent well until the end, three predictions, three curses and one has already come to pass he third… she swore the family line would one day die out.” She explained before she repeated the prophecy that replayed in her mind so often now.
‘Heart as black as thy name, Betrayer of blood will pay with the life of their kin. A beast will be born from the black that lies within and the end of the line shall begin’
“Why would she curse her own family?” Hermione pondered, brows raised in curiosity and Theo only shook his head mirthlessly, even before Narcissa said it, he knew the answer. Narcissa gave them a sad smile, a look of forlorn in her eyes.
“Because they killed the man she loved. A Muggle.hey never would have accepted him. Instead they forced her to a marry a man who raped and abused her, her second cousin of course, as was common among pureblood families. She had become pregnant and though the baby was born healthy, she became very sickly after that.
Her heart felt no love, even for the child she carried, she only had darkness in her. She welcomed death then, but not before she cast down her prophecies.” She said as her eyes moved to Theo’s glass of wine as it filled once more. The empty plates of food cleared from the table in the blink of an eye as well.
“This Manor it… it has a mind of it’s own. When the curse was enacted it tried to protect itself, but by doing so, it only cursed us further…”
Surprisingly, Draco hadn’t interrupted them this time and Theo wondered if Narcissa had asked the Manor to put a sleeping draught in Draco’s water and food, he did still eat didn’t he?
“So… why do you think the curse awakened in Draco?” Theo finally spoke up and Narcissa met his eyes.
“You know as well as I do, Theo, that our families have been less than kind… pureblood ways have been so judgemental and cruel… I believe that my family had become misguided. The reason they removed so many from our family tree was in hopes they could clear ‘the black blood of those who betray it’. I believe now though they misinterpreted the prophecy. By removing so many from our family tree we betrayed our own blood time and time again rather than accepting them. And I think… I think Draco felt that in his heart. He felt betrayed and lost and my son… he truly believes himself to be the beast he appears as…”
Theo’s expression darkened at her words and he could swear he heard Hermione’s brain hard at work.
“Narcissa… how did you die…?” She asked and Narcissa sighed.
“Lucius… he was unwell in the end, he didn’t have control of himself and the Ministry had only taken away our wands… unfortunately I paid the price during one of his manic episodes… and my son, it was too much for him. I knew it would be, so I refused to leave him…” She took a deep breath then before looking at them both with determination in her gaze. “I couldn’t move on, leave him alone in his grief. So I stayed, a ghost in my own home, and have kept Draco company all this time. I think I am the only thing keeping him sane. I’m afraid there will come a day where I will disappear and he will be truly alone. I can’t let that happen.”
Theo took another sip of his wine, collecting his thoughts before he spoke again. The gears were turning in his head and he met Hermione’s gaze, knowing she had reached the same conclusion he had.
“And Lucius is no longer here… is he?”
Narcissa, tight lipped, shook her head, her gaze falling. “No, he isn’t… not that he had been all there in the end anyways…”
It didn’t take a Mastery to know Draco had ended Lucius' life, but that didn’t change Theo’s feelings for him in the slightest.
***
Later, Hermione found herself on the ladder looking through the various tomes in the Library. Narcissa had explained there could be a way to break the curse and she had her theories, unfortunately… because of the curse, she and Draco were unable to research it themselves. This led them to the Malfoy Library because, of course, if any place would have the answers it would be one of the biggest private libraries in the wizarding world. Theo had ventured off with Narcissa, and Hermione hoped he would be able to make up with Draco, she wanted the two of them to reconcile and hoped by doing so Theo would get through to him.
Hermione had stepped into the Library and felt like she had walked into heaven instead. She wondered if there was an extendable charm along the room before how large the Library was and how high up the ceilings were. She wasn’t sure how much time had gone by while she was in the library, but it had to have been hours. She was sure the sun would be rising before too much longer. She felt a sinking feeling in her chest at the thought she had yet to see Draco. Another year would go by before she had the chance… but finding a cure was more important right now. For Theo… for Draco… and she was beginning to realize it was for herself too.
She was lost in her thoughts when she lost her footing, she tried to grab ahold of the ladder, but her hand slipped, and then she was falling.
***
Theo had wondered off with Narcissa as she led him to Draco’s room. He was awake, and he wasn’t surprised when Theo entered, though he looked upset. Narcissa hadn’t asked the Manor for a sleeping draught, rather a calming one.
“Why did you come back?” Draco said gruffly and Theo couldn’t help the smirk that appeared on his face. Even in his large furry gray form, he was still Draco, still the boy he had fallen in love with. Still the man he continued to love, even years later.
“Because I’m stubborn and Hermione’s Gryffindor bleeding heart has bled right into mine.” Theo said before he sat on the edge of Draco’s bed, not an ounce of fear in his gaze. “You never could get rid of me, not completely, and now, it’s so much worse.” He teased and Draco released a huff.
“So, you and Granger then? When did this happen?” Draco finally said after a moment and Theo looked down at his lap, his smile growing thoughtful.
“Yeah… it was strange really. She is the first person to ever get that close to me since… Well, you. And she feels no jealousy over my feelings for you, even when we cure you Draco–”
“You won’t. There is no cure.”
Theo turned to face him then, clenching and unclenching his jaw before he glared at Draco. “There is, and you know it. I won’t take anymore of your outbursts. I had the Golden Girl on my side and you know she isn’t one to let something go unsolved.”
“What can I do to make you give up on me, Theo? To move on with your life.”
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, so you should just give up now and let me love you, and let us both heal you.”
Draco looked back at Theo then as his shoulders slumped in surrender. Theo couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as he looked into those silver pools and felt his heart race. He reached a hand out, running it through the fur of his former lover. Draco closed his eyes, letting his shoulders relax a bit further as Theo’s hands explored, drawn to him. He moved closer as he brushed his fingers through his warm coat. He really looked like a cross between a large gray werewolf and a polar bear and, when he wasn’t throwing a classic Draco temper tantrum he was cute, like a giant furious teddy bear.
After a few moments, Theo wasn’t sure how it had happened, but they were laying beside each other in Draco’s bed. It brought some feelings of nostalgia for Theo, of nights where they had been tangled together in the sheets, fighting for dominance before succumbing to throws of passion. They had been fifteen, home for the Christmas holiday when it first happened. Theo always let him win of course, though he had enjoyed the thrill of it. He wondered if he could still have him once the curse was reversed.
His head was resting on Draco’s chest when he felt Draco tense up, quickly sitting up, one word, one name was on his lips before he was out the door in a burst of silver gray fur making Theo tumble from the bed.
“Hermione.”
Theo’s eyes widened at the outburst of his girlfriend’s name before his heart sank. Has something happened to her? Quickly he ran from Draco’s bedroom towards the library and never had it felt so far away.
***
Hermione screamed as she fell, scrambling to grab onto something before she squeezed her eyes shut. She cursed herself for having left her bag and wand down on one of the chairs below and knew she didn’t even have enough time to summon her wand. Her mistake would cost her life.
She heard a scuffling then and she opened her eyes. She saw a flash of gray before she felt it and suddenly she was engulfed in warm gray fur. She looked up to see Draco cradling her in one of his arms as his other hand grabbed one of the shelves, claws extended. The talons on his feet were also digging in. He hadn’t looked at her yet as he held her close to him and began climbing down.
Hermione’s heart was trying to escape her chest as she looked up at him. Her eyes were wide, because right in front of her, though his limbs were clearly still that of a beast, she was seeing him as so much more now.
Theo came running into the room just as the two of them reached the ground. Draco hadn’t let go of her, instead he was still cradling her close to him as he kneeled down on the ground. He was looking deep into her eyes and she could see a strange recognition come across them both.
“You saved me…” She whispered as she looked up at him.
“I had to. I couldn’t let you get hurt… not because of me, not again.” Draco replied, and Hermione could hear as well as feel the soft whimper escape from his chest.
“Malfoy… that wasn’t your fault. What you did back then was brave too…” Hermione said and she felt her eyes grow glassy. “You knew who we were, but you didn’t identify us… you saved us then too…”
“Granger…” Draco’s body was shaking now and he squeezed her a bit tighter. “I never told you I was sorry, for everything, I was cruel, I am a monster– and you still- you both came here–twice–I don’t deserve it..” He croaked and when she heard another whimper escape his throat, her own heart broke. She couldn’t explain it, this calling she had to him.
Hermione wrapped her arms around him as his own cradled her, his claws fully retracted. She saw Theo over his shoulder, his own eyes filled with tears. Theo met her gaze and he was smiling at her through glassy eyes. Her heart continued to ache, but as Theo moved his hand over his heart, as if in silent communication, Hermione felt it too. The wholeness, the feeling they had been missing.
She pulled back then and rested her forehead against Draco’s furry one, a small smile crossing her face. “I forgive you, you silly furball. I forgave you so long ago, it’s like a distant memory, a past life. You aren’t a monster, you saved me, you kept Theo safe, you did keep your mother safe, it’s not your fault Draco.. None of this is your fault..” She whispered to him.
Narcissa had come back into the room then, her face grave. “I’m sorry.. But.. it’s almost time…” She said to them and Draco finally let go of Hermione before he turned to face his mother and Theo.
“Hurry, we need to duplicate some of these books, the originals I fear will disappear when the Library does, but not the copies!” She said as she pointed at the stack of books she’d put on a table. Theo ran to them and began duplicating them before he shoved them into her bag. Hermione, now knowing exactly which tome she wanted, Acciod it from the top shelf of the library.
Once they had finished they quickly said their goodbyes to Narcissa before she left the room, leaving the three of them alone again. They were silent for a moment before Hermione took the first step wrapping her arms around Draco’s waist. She pressed her head to his chest and could hear the rumble there with the sound of his heart which seemed to have started to beat just a bit faster. She wasn’t sure of this feeling inside of her, the one that made her impulsively reach for him, but she couldn’t stop herself.
“I believe there was a reason Theo and I were brought together and why we had to visit the Manor together. We are meant to find a cure and we will, so don’t give up, Draco. We will be back, okay? So please take care of yourself until then.” She murmured insistently, She felt as he relaxed in her hold and bent down, nuzzling into her hair, and breathing in her scent. Another rumble vibrated against her, making her own heart rate pick up just a beat.
She felt another arm come around her, cocooning her between two warm bodies. Theo had one arm around her, his body pressed to her while his other reached up to run over Draco’s cheek. The rumble she felt against her became a bit louder and more insistent and Hermione realized Draco… was purring! Now that was something she hadn’t expected. A warmth filled her own chest and she couldn’t help her own smile.
Saying goodbye was bittersweet, but she knew it wasn’t forever. And when the first flicker of sun came into view, and the Manor, along with Draco disappeared with a shudder, she felt resolute in that fact. Theo wrapped his other arm around her as the cool autumn air crept in again and he kissed her. They stayed like that for a bit longer, staring at the empty space the Manor had just stood.
“Next time, Theo, we bring him out of that place.”