Dark Times for Draco Malfoy

It was close to six a.m. by the time Severus Snape left the headmaster's office. He had been in deep discussion with Dumbledore considering a plan B now that Malfoy's eudaimon had decided he would meddle in their original plan. Dumbledore had shown Snape his healed hand in solemn silence, and it had been enough for Snape to realize that their plan for Dumbledore to die had gone afoul. Dumbledore was all of the sudden fully capable of taking on a posse of Death Eaters, and Snape would be forced to stand with them against Dumbledore in a duel in which no one could anticipate the outcome. They had spent three hours talking it over, discussing their options. Before Christmas, it had been relatively easy to remodel the plan when it had been clear that the eudaimon had immobilized Draco, putting him out of the game. Then the Parkinson girl had stepped into his shoes and assumed the role as Voldemort's infiltrator. She – and not Draco – would be opening the Vanishing Cabinet and thus play a significant part. The main issue was: Should they follow the eudaimon's advice? Should they continue the original plan which involved Snape murdering Dumbledore? Should they continue to deceive young Harry?

Severus was deep in thought as he turned a corner on his way back to his chambers in the dungeon. He stopped abruptly and widened his eyes, immediately drawing his wand. Holding his breath, he watched as none other than Malfoy's eudaimon stepped out from the shadows. Without a sound. Without as much as a whisper or the brush of a feather. Walking on air, the half-demon advanced, coming to a halt just a few feet away from the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor.

The eudaimon suddenly extended his right arm, he pointed to Snape's wand, flicked his index finger and the wand transported itself through the air and straight into the eudaimon's hand. It was done with such elegance that Snape was left quite perplexed. Working skilled fingers, the wand travelled until its tip pointed at its owner. Snape took an unconscious step backwards.

“Now” the eudaimon told him quietly, “we must pay attention to details.” A secretive smile played across his handsome features. Severus Snape frowned, for a moment displaying a nervous twitch. Then his right hand started to go cold. The instant pain was so intense he couldn't stand up straight, and he fell to his knees. Gasping out loud in shock, a motion caught his attention. At the far end of the corridor where an intersection connected it with two other corridors, stood Draco Malfoy. The blond looked as if he had been pushed out of his bed, his hair tousled in all directions. He was holding the dagger, and he was breathing fast. Watching the boy come in their direction, Snape cursed quietly. He wished he could tell the boy to run, but he could not get a sound across his lips.

“My Lord!” Draco greeted his master nervously, eyeing the obviously troubled Snape. “What are you doing to him?” Re-sheathing his dagger, Draco stepped between Snape and Melchior.

“I am breaking the Unbreakable Vow” Melchior explained to his young servant. He seemed rather casual about it, yet determined.

“You'll kill him! You can't break the vow, you can't!” Draco pleaded, making an effort to keep his voice down.

“Of course I can. Your ample laws of magic do not concern me. Take his hand with your right hand” Melchior told Draco sternly. Obeying, Draco knelt before Snape and took the older man's hand. Locking a tight grip, they exchanged glances for a moment. “Will you, Severus Snape, protect Draco Malfoy to the best of your ability?”

“I will” Snape moaned through gritted teeth.

“Do you solemnly swear to to lay down your own life in exchange for his, should it prove necessary?”

“I – I swear” Snape replied with a shudder.

“And will you promise to serve the future generations of Malfoys?”

“I – I promise...!” Severus Snape groaned, tightening his grip on Draco's hand as the golden grid of something resembling the spell of the Unbreakable Vow flared up and seared through his flesh. Then the pain ceased, and Snape crumbled to the floor.

“Good” Melchior replied, sounding satisfied, “your love for Draco shall see you through. Time is yours.” The eudaimon arched an eyebrow bemused as he watched the professor rise unsteadily. Severus Snape, on the other hand, did not seem pleased.

“You've made me a slave” Snape moaned afterwards.

“Call it whatever you like. Draco Malfoy's family is dissolving. He is fatherless, motherless. Homeless. Against Voldemort and the world and every wizard in it wishing him dead, he has nothing. I cannot be a father to him. You can.”

Melchior folded his arms above his chest. His wings settled neatly behind his back and he looked pleased. He turned his attention to Draco.

The eudaimon placed a finger infront of his own lips, suggesting they be quiet. Swift footsteps approached. Snape placed a hand on Draco's shoulder and pulled him close. They hid in the shadow of the wall, holding their breaths as none other than Pansy Parkinson strode past them. Seeing her was all he needed. Draco understood all too well. His dream had been a warning. It was a foretelling of events. Of how his life would be if he chose Pansy over Hermione.

“The Vanishing Cabinet is almost complete. But before she opens it, Miss Parkinson has a personal matter to attend to.” Melchior gave his servant a knowing look.

“Hermione!” Draco exclaimed. He wanted to leap forward, but Melchior held his arm. “It's that red-haired boy. He told his girlfriend, who told Parkinson. I fear miss Parkinson hasn't been getting any sleep, as she is overcome with anger and grief.” The eudaimon let go off Draco's arm, and the blond ex-Slytherin ran off. Snape's expression was one of wonder. Melchior turned to him and said; “Draco has sired a child.”

It was all the motivation Severus Snape needed. He hurried off after Draco. His heart was nearly caught in his throat, pounding so hard it felt as if it would explode out of his chest at any moment. His thoughts went to Lily Evans, to the thoughts and dreams he'd had about her when he was younger. He had pictured a life with her, what their children would be like, how it would be to live together. Then she had met James Potter. And it had been the beginning of the end of every dream he'd had about a life together with his love. All of this came back with a vengeance as Snape realised why Melchior had made him swear to protect Draco. It was a second chance. A chance to set things right, to watch over Draco, to make sure the boy could follow his dreams, his love. Through Draco, Snape would be fulfilled. A tenderness he'd seldom known bloomed in his heart as his thoughts shifted from Lilly, to Draco and then to Harry. It was all about the children. At one moment, Voldemort and his scheming was insignificant. He caught up with Draco outside the door to his room. Hermione was awake, and she was rubbing sleep put of her eyes. Seeing Snape together with Draco in the door way made her jump, and she quickly covered herself, her cheeks blooming with an angry red.

“Is there any chance a demon can get past the spells you've put on this room?”

“No. Not even the slightest.”

“Only eudaimons?”

“Yes.” Snape had turned from the door in the name of modesty. Seeing Hermione in Draco's room was all the confirmation he needed. She had barely gotten her school uniform on befor Draco dragged Snape into the room and shut the door.

Holding the professor's arm in a beckoning manner, Draco looked into Severus' eyes and said: “No one can know. Not as long as Voldemort is at large. He'll 't know hunt her down –!”

“Your secret is safe with me” Snape replied softly. He needed no pleas or intimidation to agree too this. His Vow to Draco was more than enough. He eyed Hermione before averting his eyes. “You spoke of a demon” he continued, turning to Draco again.

“A demon. Demons. I don't know how many. Pansy's going to release them now she knows Hermione's with child. I can take them.”

“I know. I saw him train you. You gave him a thorough pounding, as it were.”

“It gave my confidence a real boost.” Looking to Hermione, Draco considered his options. As if the older man was reading his mind, he said: “Perhaps for now it is best to let things unfold. Go have breakfast, act as normal. But stay alert.”

“Yeah. But how could Weasley, cause it was Ron Weasley he talked about right? – how could he have known?”

Hermione looked guilty. “I – I didn't know if I would ever see you again. I –!”

“ – how could you tell him? Ron Weasley!” Draco told her, accusation dripping from his words. “After the way he's treated you!”

“I'm sorry. I was all alone. And – and –!”

“ – and you decided you'd cry on his shoulder?!”

“No!” she retorted, sounding affronted, “it just – I was so upset. And Harry was also there.”

“Harry Potter?!” Draco almost shouted, feeling his anxiety rise to a new level. Was that half-blood git to meddle with every part of Draco's life?! Draco sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to muster some sort of inner harmony.

“And – and Ginny. And Neville. It – I just blurted out with it with it because I was so upset. I didn't know what to do. Or if I would ever see you again.”

The explanation made Draco calm down, yet it worried him also. A whole group of people including Harry Potter knew! He combed his fingers through his hair nervously while he eyed Snape. The professor was unreadable. He turned back to Hermione again.

“I understand. It's just – the situation with Harry is complicated enough as it is without him also knowing about this.”

He refused to let on any more about how he felt, but she sensed she had done blundered seriously in keeping the information from him for so long. It had been over a month. They had passed into June. The air was growing tighter, hotter and darker by every day. She arranged her hair, watching him get dressed and prepare to face another day. He was tense and focused, like he sometimes was when he went into the Dark Woods. When he was all dressed and combed, he turned toward her and took her hand.

“Stay close to me today, Hermione.” Draco kissed her gently and placed a hand on her stomach, indicating that he was thinking about their baby. His tenderness only added to her guilt, and she swallowed in order to not be overcome by emotion. Together, they walked to the Great Hall. She felt as if she'd somehow betrayed him. Been adulterous even. She couldn't get her thoughts of Ron, knowing he had told Pansy. Why? Why had he gone to such a length?! Why couldn't he be happy for her? She had done her best to give him room, considering he'd gone with Lavender instead of her. It had hurt her immensely to see them so cosy together, but never would she have gone to such a length.

It was a slap in the face to see Ron Weasley sitting next to his girlfriend looking all smug and sleek by the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Clutching Draco's hand, she led the father of her baby as far away from the red-head as possible, seating finally seating themselves. She wished Draco would say something, but he was busy looking out for Pansy. It was the famous eerie calm before the storm. The holding of breaths. There was an expectancy in the air, painting the atmosphere thick with anxiety. Draco ate mechanically, his head wringing to either side while he ate, like a watchful eagle hawk over his prey, looking out for threats. Hermione gulped down a glass of orange juice. His anxiety was contagious, and she often felt for her wand, checking to see if it was still there. She cursed herself, thinking it was all her fault. She should have stayed away from him! She should have resisted the urge to unite with Draco, she should have withstood the nightmares Melchior had sent upon her. Because of her, Draco was in serious trouble.

Draco saw her troubled face. He reached across the table and clutched her hand. Her brows were drawn up in despair.

Despair. Demons of Despair.

She looked as if she was about to crack, to have a serious breakdown, as if the whole world had gone asunder before his eyes.

Draco gulped down his orange juice, crouched and pulled loose the sheathed Demon's Bane from his calf. It had been lurking there beneath his black trousers. He hid it in his lap. Touching the pommel, the hilt began to vibrate, whispering to him about immediate danger.

Draco stood. He hid the blade just below the edge of the table. His grey-blue eyes swept across the Great Hall, scanning for something out of place. One thing was certain: Pansy Parkinson was not present. And that meant one thing. She was sitting somewhere in the castle, chanting and performing a ritual. He could see her before his mind's eyes, her green eyes dark with evil and jealousy. For Pansy had talked about the future. She had talked about how pure-blood children were the very P in 'Perfection'. And she had looked at him with dreamy eyes. Dangerous eyes.

Draco froze as a movement caught his eye. It had occurred for less than a second, coming through the spelled ceiling, effectively avoiding the eyes of the Aurors. And then another one, from the floor, just over by the corner at the far end of the Slytherin table closest to the long table of the professors of Hogwarts. Snape was at his place. He wasn't eating, only staring intently at Draco and every move the boy now made. He saw that Draco had the dagger at the ready. Snape reached for his wand. Slowly, very slowly. Draco slid the sheathed dagger just above the edge of the table whilst trying to focus on the two shapeless entities which were approaching fast. As his gaze wandered down the Gryffindor table, Draco stopped as he realised that also Harry had risen and was now standing, holding his wand ready, partly shielding it. Harry had obviously seen the dagger, anticipating trouble. Snape glided out from the long table with graceful movements. He also saw Harry, and had reached the same conclusion as Draco had. Draco unsheathed his dagger. The chattering students closest to him went silent. He sensed them now. Two demons coming at Hermione from different angles.

Hermione was watching him, her eyes wide open as she understood that Draco had detected something. She produced her wand, and whispered Draco's name. He didn't answer. He jumped up onto the long bench and then unto the table, sending plates and forks flying. He raised his arm, focusing on the entity which resembled a wisp of black smoke and lunged.

From where he was standing, it appeared to Harry that Draco had gone mental and was about to drive the blade of a dagger into Hermione's skull. He raised his wand towards Draco and shouted: “Expelliarmus!” only to have it countered by Professor Snape. The commotion caused Professors McGonagall and Slughorn to race to the Great Hall just in time to see Draco Malfoy slash through the air above Hermione Granger's head. Black gore sputtered across the air and a wound opened in thin air. Granger was showered in the hideous substance along with her closest fellow students including Malfoy who wasn't wasting any time. He lashed again, there was a bestial howl and Harry realised what just had happened. He raced forward, only to come face to face with the tip of Professor Snape's wand. Hermione screamed from the shock she got upon being soaked in foul-smelling black liquid. She fled beneath the table, just in time as a sickening sound told her that Draco made another blow to whatever had attacked them.

“Go to Harry!” Draco ordered her sternly, and Hermione scrambled away under the table until she thought she was close enough. Re-appearing not too far from her closest friend, Harry immediately helped her up. Harry was dumbstruck as he'd heard Draco give her the order. It meant he trusted Harry with the dearest thing in his life. The three words and their meaning unlocked a frustration Harry had been mulling over for a long time, and he realised that Draco wasn't as aloof as he pretended to be.

The students found cover beneath tables as they watched the attack rage on. Sensing the second demon to be close and lashing out, Draco bent over backwards just in time to avoid the blow. The wounded demon was retreating, and for now, Draco let it go. The other one was aggressive and seemed bigger. It levitated the Ravenclaw table and sent it flying in Draco's direction, but Snape extended his wand and put an effective stop to it, blasting it in a thousand splinters. The students howled in fear and made for the doorway. Complete panic had broken loose. Draco struggled to keep his focus through the maelstrom of panicking students and incoming items made into projectiles. He realised the greater unharmed demon was buying the smaller wounded demon time, as it circled behind the cover provided by its peer and towards Harry and Hermione.

“Hermione, to me, NOW!” Draco shouted. The Gryffindor heard him through the noise, struggled to get past panicking students and ran as fast as she could towards Draco. He did the same, but instead of catching her in his arms, he took a leap, shoved her out of the way, twisted in mid-air and buried the Demon's Bane to the hilt in the entity which had been chasing her. The already weakened demon exploded.

The force of the blast sent Draco hurtling backwards, covering him from top to shoe in gore. He landed hard on his back on the centre of the Hufflepuff table, sending Hufflepuffs scrambling for shelter elsewhere. Hermione had landed beneath said table and was huffing and puffing, spitting and gasping. Getting to his feet, gathering his senses, Draco sensed the larger demon spiralling towards the ceiling. It lingered there, for a moment, before it dived down in fierce speed directly towards Hermione. Draco heard Snape chant, his wand pointed towards Hermione. Harry was in a state of utter shock as he tried to grasp the raging battle only Draco saw. He had wisely retreated to the doorway where he stood together with the other professor's. Whatever Snape was doing didn't seem to be working, and Draco had to rely on his sense again if he were to win this one. He had trouble judging the speed of the demon as it was advancing very fast. He had to lunge at the exact moment. Hermione was coughing, getting to her feet. Her face was distorted with gore and she was looking terrified.

“Is – is it over?!” But judging from Draco's face, her question was unnecessary. His face was a pale mask cut from stone, and his eyes was following something moving very swiftly.

“Get – up – on the – table!” he told her mechanically. Scrambling on shaky legs, she climbed up and turned around in time to see Draco move to stand on the left side of her. Hesitating, hesitating. The seconds seemed like long minutes before he finally lunged through the air, striking home, cutting through something unseen but solid. There was a guttural, unhuman cry and more gore spattered out.
The wounded demon had halted long enough for Snape to finally get a clear aim. The incantation had been trailing the demon through the air, but now he finally got a fix. It was the most powerful incantation Snape knew, but this was an even more powerful demon. The binding spell would at best, slow it down.

The first strike boosted Draco's confidence. He dared to hope that he could in fact be winning. Leaping forward, he abruptly halted and dodged as smoke in the appearance of a claw lunged for him. Swivelling around, he shifted his grip on the singing Demon's Bane, following its beckoning which told his body how to move and to time his attacks. It was a wonderful symphony – a beautiful deadly dance and Draco lost himself in the music only his ears heard.

Professor Slughorn wished for his camera. This was beyond anything or anyone he'd ever collected, and Draco Malfoy was now the top priority of that list. He made a mental note as to remember to send Malfoy an invitation to the Slug Club as soon as circumstances allowed for it. This was wicked!

Harry was completely puzzled. Draco Malfoy – former slick obnoxious Slytherin brat, had gone from being a tormented suicide candidate to a ferocious warrior with noble motives which would fit right into Gryffindor. Harry had never seen Draco move like that before, and certainly not with such elegance and speed.

Putting in the killing blow, Draco braced himself as a wave of gore washed over him. It smelled of sulphur and half-digested food. Opening his eyes again, Draco didn't hesitate to scan the Great Hall twice over to make sure there wasn't another demon lurking somewhere. He thought of Pansy, wondering where she might be hiding out. He wanted to find her. And to pour out all his malice and anger on her. He heard Hermione sob behind her and bringing his attention to her made him easier at heart. She was wiping away gore from her face and her clothes, not knowing what to do with herself. She whimpered and looked at him with pleading eyes like a lost child.


The professors of Hogwarts searched for Pansy Parkinson. In the meanwhile, Draco and Hermione had a shower. Hermione seemed disturbed, as if she was still in shock, and she clung to Draco. She had had a serious wake-up call. And now that she knew what it was all about and how close she had been to losing Draco and the baby, she was terrified of leaving his side. Most of all because of one simple fact: She knew nothing about demons, and Draco were the only one who could protect her. She – who was fierce with her knowledge and courage – felt completely blind. Brought up to believe in science, Hermione had always been a bit of an atheist, believing that religion existed solely because people needed a guiding light or hope in their lives. So they invented gods and found ways to explain the origin of all life. She couldn't explain this. She couldn't explain the unseen. She had convinced herself that a demon would be something out of a horror movie: A vile looking creature with evil intentions. Something she would be able to train her wand at. She had seen Draco fight against nothing, lashing out at nothing, wounding something! And she had realised just how vulnerable she was. She pondered this, as Draco kissed her tenderly, massaged her shoulders and rinsed the shampoo out of her hair. His sweet ministrations made her feel guilty. It was he who deserved such attention after what he'd done for her. He got out of the shower, looking distracted, as if something had come to his mind.

She waited for him as he was off. She crept back into his bed and tried to rest. He had gone to talk to Snape.

Entering Snape's office, Draco found Snape sorting some bottles. Veritaserum. In case they in fact trapped Pansy and she proved difficult to talk to. Snape looked up as he came in. Draco had obviously interrupted his deep musings.

“There's no sign of her.”

“She's probably barricaded herself inside the Room of Requirement” Draco replied, walking around the table and up to Snape.

“Are you all right?” Snape wanted to know, gazing deep into Draco's grey-blue eyes.

“I need a little …!” Draco was in loss for words. “I need a – a good and proper shag” he finally said.

Severus Snape gazed into those blue orbs for a minute before comprehension set in. Lunging forward he cupped Draco's face with his hands and glued his lips to the young man's. He was hard almost instantly, and kissed Draco ferociously while his feet led them both to the chambers beyond the office – Snape's private bedroom. Draco peeled off his clothes before he let his fingers travel across to Snape's robes, searching for a way into his breeches. It was like trying to unlock a door with seven different key combinations. Draco yearned for the erection he could feel waiting inside the fabric. Snape brushed his fingers away and commenced to undo the fly. His hands were shaking, hurrying as not to miss the opportunity. He didn't want to think about how wrong it was for a professor to be with a student in such a manner. Getting his breeches opened, his throbbing erection was immediately seized by needy hands. Draco stroked his professor shamelessly, kissing him greedily. Letting go off the erection, Draco turned around, spread his legs and leaned on the footer of the bed. He angled his buttocks, inviting Snape inside. He heard Snape rummage for some ointment, and long seconds passed before Snape was ready, carefully entering his young student.

Snape could have spent hours making love to Draco. But the seriousness of the situation they all were in concerning Parkinson, made him pound away and finish quickly. He slid his hands across Draco's back, smelling the soap on the pale flesh, touching the skin with his lips. It were the only signs of affection Draco would permit, before the blond disentangled himself. They spoke briefly about the next course of action. Of how to find and get into the Room of Requirement. And it was decided that Draco would have to try to locate it. Returning to his room, Draco proceeded to take his clothes off once more. Hermione hadn't slept. He crawled beneath the blanket and into her warm embrace.


Harry Potter was studying the Marauder's Map. He had been shipped off to the Gryffindor Common Room along with his fellow students, and while he listened to Neville and the girls gossip about handsome Draco Malfoy and his heroics, he studied the map. He could see that Hermione remained in Draco's room, while Draco and Snape had joined Slughorn. The threesome were on the move. 'Sneaking off' proved impossible as Ginny Weasley wanted to know where he was going. As she followed him, Ron stood and decided he had to mind his little sister, and Lavender stated that he wasn't going anywhere without her, and that caught Neville's attention which again prompted him to ask Harry where he was going.

“I think Draco's going after Pansy. I think he's going to take her out.” Harry turned on his heel and walked outside. Ron hesitated for a moment. He had an eerie feeling which told him this was not good. If Draco went after Pansy, then Ron would be next, wouldn't he?

“Someone – someone's got to stay and – and guard the other students right? The little ones, yeah? I think perhaps that I should do that” he told the others. There was no response or they simple looked oddly at him. “Is – uh, is Hermione with him, you think?” Ron glanced at Harry.

“No, she's back at his room. It's demonproof.”

“Right. That's good then” Ron nodded and went back to slouch in an armchair. An idea was quickly building in his mind.


Severus Snape came to think of a sobering fact: If he showed himself in there with Draco and Slughorn, then Pansy would know he was a double agent. Did it really matter? Nothing mattered any more but to save Draco Malfoy. He had been given a brief moment's worth of bliss with the blond, and he would savour it, unaccustomed to the attention of men and women as he was. He trained his wand and prepared for the worst as the Room of Requirement opened its doors willingly to Draco. Warily they moved up to the Vanishing Cabinet. It wasn't covered by cloth. The doors were properly shut, and Draco realised it had been shut from the inside. Opening it, it reeked of sulphur.


Hermione opened the door once she realised it was Ron standing outside. He was alone, and was biting his lower lip.

“So. You're here all alone, eyh?” He said, managing a lopsided grin.

“What do you want?” Hermione bit back.

“I just came to see if you are all right, all right?”

“I'm fine. Go away.”

“Can't we just talk? Like in the good old days?” Ron said pleadingly, putting one foot between the door and the doorway. He winced as the edge of the door hit his foot. “You know, back when Malfoy was a git and we were good friends?”

“I'm afraid we've passed that point a long time ago, Ronald Weasley. Remove your foot!” Hermione replied a little angrier this time. But Ron pressed on against the door.

“Don't you think it would be nice? Getting to know me a little better? I've changed you see. I know you only went after Malfoy because of the bad boy image, right? I mean, you can't help it. You got a little lost on the way, see? Cause you're a girl, right? Like the rest of them!”

“Ron, you're rambling. Get out!” Hermione fizzled.

“He's just a sham, you know! A bloody hoax. When all this is over and – and thing's get back to normal, you'll see! He's a loser. He'll only make you unhappy. I'll bet he forced you to sleep with him, right? And – and he's making you have the baby!”

“If anyone's making me unhappy, it's you, Ronald Weasley! All of this is your fault! It could have been you and me, it could! But you lost your head over Lavender bloody Brown, and then you stood by while she bullied me about not having you! And then you went and told Pansy about the pregnancy!” Hermione growled, opening the door wide to make him see just how angry she was. Ron leapt inside, caught her head between his hands and forced his lips upon hers. Fighting him off, Hermione gasped in shock. There was something dark and glassy over his countenance, and the way he looked at her reminded her instantly of the way Katie Bell had looked when she had been hexed. Staggering backwards, Hermione looked for her wand.

“Accio wand!” Ron shouted, and Hermione's wand flew to his hand from where it had been resting on Draco's night stand. Ron took it in his hand and pointed it at her. “You will be mine” Ron said with a frown. “I will free you from him.”

“Ron, please! You have to listen to me, this isn't you! Pansy has hexed you! You're my best friend, you wouldn't do this to me!”

“I'll make sure you're rid of that thing festering inside you! Then, we can be together!” Ron said with a delirious smile on his lips. His face was a curious mix of disbelief of the words coming out of his mouth and grave conviction. He was very possible under the Imperius curse. He aimed the tip of the wand towards Hermione's belly, opened his mouth and said: “Cruci –!”

Hermione cringed and turned her back in an attempt to shield Draco's unborn child, just as Ron went limp. He felt to the floor with a heavy thud. The wand dropped from his hand and rolled away on the floor. Looking up, Hermione gasped with wide open eyes. In the door way stood an eudaimon clad in crimson leather fashioned in a style which made her think of the ancient samurais, the hems ordained with black Chinese letters – the Kanji. He wore his hair long, the colour auburn. He had obviously touched Ron at the back of his head with an index finger. Retreating his slender arm, the wide sleeve fell into place over the smooth black silk which lay tightly against his wrist, covering his arm. He eyed Hermione with beautiful, nut-shaped brown eyes.

This wasn't Melchior.

“You look a bit shaken, Mrs. Malfoy. Might I get you a cup of tea?” the eudaimon asked her politely. He had a clear Japanese accent to his English , though he looked western. His traits made him resemble his brother Melchior, only his cheekbones were a little higher, giving him a nobler air. He extended his hand to her. Breathlessly, she accepted it. Outside of Draco's room, she watched as he dragged the unconscious Ron into the room and locked the door. He offered her his hand again, and led her past the Great Hall. It was empty save a few house elves who were busy cleaning the clatter and broken pieces after the skirmish with the demons. Outside, the sun shone and the air was clear and crisp. They sat down by the fountain in the courtyard. With an elegant swing of his hand, the eudaimon conjured two cups of steamy hot tea in perfect white china. The sun played in the eudaimon's auburn hair which stood in delightful contrast to a band of turquoise silk which was draped around his midsection. Compared to Melchior, this was quite a colourful eudaimon. He smiled to Hermione and said:

“I believe introductions are in order. My name is Marian Sparrow-Monterey. My brother assigned me to you as a guard. And you are Hermione Jean Malfoy. Delightful to meet you.” He extended his hand and they shook hands. Hermione had to smile despite of herself. The eudaimon was a real charmer. She tried the tea. The eudaimon had obviously conjured some tea from the kitchen below.

“Thank you for your help. Will Ron be all right?”

“He is still hexed. And that is to our advantage. He must be questioned.”

“We should find Draco.”

“Your husband is returning as we speak. He shall find us. You must calm yourself and have some tea.”

“I'm not married yet. I mean …!”

“You are as good as married. Had Weasley succeeded in his endeavours – had I not stopped him – then your future with Draco would be over.”

The charm disappeared and his bluntness hit her right in the face. He showed no emotion when he spoke. All though he spoke softly and respectfully to her, it was straight forward. No padding. It was the way of eudaimons. He didn't have to say any more. She understood where he was going with this. It wasn't an explanation, it was a kind reprimand. Had she refrained from opening the door at all, she wouldn't have put herself in the position where losing a marriage to Draco actually was an option. Had she only listened. Before he'd left her side he'd told her just that, hadn't he?

Don't open the door to any one but me, Draco had said.

But she – Hermione Jean Granger – had to go and be independent. Again, she'd lost perspective. There were more than one way to get revenge. She looked up and realised what was happening. She was sitting opposite an eudaimon. She was automatically repenting her sins.

“How is your tea?” the eudaimon Marian asked eloquently. “You're not tasting it.”

To humour him, she had a sip. The fresh breeze played the black feathers of his great wings, and the greenery of the garden stood in brilliant contrast with his auburn hair and crimson leather. It was easy to lose oneself, to be captivated by his beauty. Hermione blushed when she met Marian's stare. She had to avert her gaze in a very maidenly way. Marian was centuries old, though looking as he was in the beginning of his thirties.

There was a blue flash of light, and Melchior appeared. From inside the building came Draco. He walked briskly towards her with Snape in his wake.

“Are you all right? Are you okay?” he asked her over and over as he received her in his embrace. Draco was out of breath, his forehead creased with a heavy frown. “Why is Ron in our room? Did he try anything?!”

Hermione couldn't speak, she just held on to Draco's neck very tightly as she felt tears press on. Clutching her tightly, Draco saw Melchior come up to the crimson clad eudaimon. They shook hands, patted each other's shoulders and exchanged lopsided comments like old acquaintances. Of course. That had to be Marian. Melchior's slightly younger or elder sibling depending on the perspective since they were triplets. He heard Ron's name being mentioned.

“Draco, I am glad to see you made it without a scratch” Melchior greeted his servant. “Come”.

Freeing himself from Hermione, Draco walked over to the eudaimons. He bowed to Melchior's brother and extended his hand boldly. Marian was clearly caught off guard, and hesitated. Glancing at his brother first, he then proceeded to take Draco's hand and shake it.

“Draco Malfoy” Draco said.

“Marian Sparrow-Monterey. I've had the pleasure of guarding your wife for some time now.”

“Thank you” Draco replied, and smiled courteously. He then returned to Hermione. Marian looked slighted, as the comment didn't have the desired effect he'd hoped for. The words 'pleasure' combined with 'your wife' would have put off any good Japanese man. But when considering the stories Marian had heard about Draco Malfoy, Draco Malfoy wasn't just anybody these days. Glancing at Melchior, Marian was only met with a wicked grin and a nudge to his shoulder.

“Oh no you don't” Melchior whispered silently, still very amused by his obviously snubbed brother.

“Oh well I had to try” Marian replied, deciding it was not worth it.