Demeter\'s Embrace

Chapter 2

"While you and your husband are away, my family will take Draco in and help him cope with this- this challenge he is facing." Molly Weasley gave Narcissa Malfoy a determined look as she finished her persuasive speech. She awaited a cold denunciation for even thinking a Weasley was worthy of taking care of the Malfoy heir.

"Sure, sure, anything that will help my son." Narcissa's normally cold and collected façade shattered completely in front of the other mother who was offering to take in her poor boy and care for him for as long as Narcissa couldn't herself. "Oh, Draco, why!? I will order Gringots to transfer a weekly amount to you for your troubles and kindness."

Molly stared back with a confused look in her eyes. She hadn't been prepared for that reaction from their family's oldest known enemy.

As the guards dragged off Narcissa, she turned and begged Molly to show her son a fraction of compassion. Molly called back that she would care for him as if he was one of her own.
Molly wondered if Narcissa had guessed that Draco had hoped for Demeter's Embrace of death and he was therefore an unwilling hero. With a sigh, she remembered the scene in the hospital.


Somehow, the Daily Prophet had heard of the news and a reporter had found a way into the sick ward.

Draco had called out to hear whom it was and had been answered by the sound of a camera taken shot after shot of him. Screaming to be left alone, he jumped out of bed, stumbling, as the reporter bombarded him with questions. Draco found himself cornered.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He spun around and sent the reporter flying across the room, just as Arthur Weasley came storming in followed by Remus Lupin with their wands ready.

When Molly entered the room, she found Draco curled up in a corner shaking, hiding his head in his arms. It had made Molly even more determined to take him under her wing. She had a soft spot for mistreated, misjudged or just miserable boys, like Lupin and Harry. Now her mother-hen heart beat for Draco Malfoy.

"This is going to work out just fine, I hope!" she whispered to herself.


Draco had been less than willing to accept Mrs. Weasley's offer, hissing that he wasn't a charity case. But as Ron had put it, "You might not fancy living with us, and the feeling is mutual, but you can't bloody well manage on you own when you are as blind as a mole, can you?"
Sneering with malice, Draco had realized that Ron was right and he accept the offer of boarding.

He had been at the Burrow for about a week now and was starting to get to know the basic layout of the house. He stayed in Fred and George's old room. They had given him a scarf to cover his eyes.

"We've noticed you keep 'em closed and guessed it wasn't because you felt like it but because you didn't want us to stare. It's a Slytherin colour and everything!"

They had been right. He hated the thought of people looking at him, or rather, his eyes. In the first couple of days, he mostly kept to himself; only joining the Weasley's when they compelled him to do so.

He felt worthless and disgraced, not being able to do any magic and was apprehensive when Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione offered to help him to learn to do blind-magic.

"It is a lot like wandless magic; you just focus on the target instead of pointing a wand at it," Granger explained and made it sound almost logical.

Ginny promised to spend a whole day with him as he practiced summoning a book from the shelf. However, his first attempt had sent all books flying as he simply had called, "Accio book!"

Ginny giggled, saying it might be a good idea to be more precise in his cast.

"I realize that!" He snapped.

A silence so thick you could slice it filled the room, finally broken by Ginny as she murmured an apology and left him in the room with books spread all over.


Grinding his teeth, Draco realized it was stupid to be so aggressive but it hurt his pride not being able to perform the simplest charms; especially knowing he had been among the best students in Flitwick's class.

Having a Weasley laughing at him didn't make it hurt less. He couldn't count the times his father had made it clear that Draco had to beat the Weasels anyway he could. Now here he was at the mercy of the Weasley clan!

He had to get a hang on sightless magic soon so he could move back to the Manor. Frowning, he wondered what books the Weasley's were likely to have and with a scoff called out, "Accio Practical Household Magic book!" He gave a small snigger as he heard the flapping of book pages and felt the book gently lay itself in his hand.

Finding his way to the huge old table, he dropped the book on it and guessed at other books the Weasley's might keep in their small study. Given that both Fred and George played as beaters, he wasn't surprised when his call for "The Beaters' Bible" was answered with flutter of paper. With each book he dropped onto the desk, it sunk in more that he couldn't read them.

"There must be a spell, charm or something that can help me," Draco murmured. He jumped when Granger's voice sounded from the door.

"Help you with what? I might know what you are looking for."

He had been so busy with the Accio book task that he hadn't heard her enter the room. "How long have you been standing there?" Draco turned towards her voice.

"Not long, I came up after I found Ginny in the garden looking miserable. She said something about not meaning it in the way you thought and that you probably never wanted to talk to her again." Granger's voice sounded protective to Draco's ears and he couldn't help but smirk and shake his head.

"So mini-weasel thinks I won't talk to her again, huh?!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. If Malfoy found it amusing to hurt Ginny, he didn't deserve their help getting his magic back. To think she had been sorry for him!

"How would you react, Granger, if someone laughed at you for messing up a simple charm? One you knew you could beat them at any day, if you weren't blind!" Draco tilted his head to the side awaiting her answer.

Hermione didn't know how to answer him. She would most likely have reacted somewhat similar. "So, Granger? Cat got your tongue?" The spite in Draco's voice made her angry all over again.

"Why do you have to be such a bastard?!" she hissed and stepped up to him and poked her finger on his chest. "You- you ungrateful Death Eater cub!"

The moment the words left her lips, she wished she could take them back. By the unpleasant look on Malfoy's face, she was lucky he didn't have a wand.

"Sorry, didn't mean--" she began but was cut off by Draco’s venomous-dripping voice.

"Don't. You meant it. Don't insult me by lying to yourself!" He pushed by her and disappeared out the door.

She bit down on her lower lip. How would Molly take this; both girls had upset Malfoy when they were trying to help him. She was rather glad she was leaving the Burrow for the weekend. Living so close to Malfoy only brought trouble and fighting. She felt bad for Harry and the Weasleys since she didn't think Malfoy's temper would cool over night.


Draco had been quiet all through dinner when Molly asked him if he felt all right. "You aren't getting sick are you, dear?" He sneered and murmured something under his breath. When Molly had asked him to repeat, he pushed himself from the table and hissed, "Yes, I'm getting sick. Sick of being here!” and left the room fuming.

Ginny looked fearfully at Hermione who smiled back nervously. Ron coughed and asked what they had done to him today. Molly looked at the girls with a "you didn't!" expression. Hermione blushed and Ginny pick upped the plates and hurried to the sink.

"Maybe I was wrong to think you two would be best suited to help Draco!" Molly turned away in dismay.

With a look at Ron and Harry, she said she hoped they would take over from the “two geese seeing they really blew it today!" With a saddened sigh, Molly left the kitchen and headed to the garden to work off some steam. She was shocked that Draco hadn't said anything to her before dinner, as they had been talking together everyday since he had moved in.

Arthur had been working late at the Ministry since the death of Voldemort and the absence of her spouse made it even harder for Molly to handle the conflicts between the younger members of the household. "Maybe I should ask Fleur and Bill to help?" She sighed to herself, knowing they had their hands full working extra hours at Gringots.

It was quite a job keeping track of the many ownerless vaults; a result of the casualties of the war. Many poor, so-called relatives of the dead came to claim their rights to the goods and riches in the bank, resulting in all and any, former or functional bank employees being called in to help. Bill and Fleur had been assigned by the Ministry to keep an eye on things.

As the stars began to come out Molly returned to the kitchen relieved to find it empty and the dishes already cleaned. Maybe she should write to Mrs. Malfoy to ask her advice on getting Draco's moods back up.


"Hermione? Hermione, wake up!” Ginny whispered from her bed next to the camp bed where Hermione was sleeping peacefully. “You hear that?"

"Hmmm? What is it, Ginny?" and then she heard it; a muffled moaning and weeping coming from the floor above.

"Should we go and see if it's Malfoy? Maybe he's in pain?" Ginny asked and Hermione nodded.

Slowly they crept up the squeaky stairs to the second floor. The moaning grew louder as they reached the door to Fred and George's old room. "No-- no-- please-- please, no--" Malfoy's voice sounded panicked.

The girls quickly opened the door and saw he was having a nightmare. Hermione went over, sat down on the bed next to Draco, and gently called for him to wake up. "Malfoy? Malfoy, wake up, it's just a dream. Draco!"

With a terrified scream, he jumped up into sitting position. "Where am I? Who is here? I can't see you!" His voice was trembling with outright fear.

When he heard Granger's voice, he was so relieved he pulled her into his arms.

"Please stay for awhile. I hate those dreams!" Draco's voice sounded so different from the sardonic tone he had used earlier that day that Hermione patted him on the back.

She said they would stay for a bit "if you stop strangling me!" Draco let go as if he had burned himself and moved back so he could lean against the wall, apologising. Ginny stood at the door not sure, if she should stay or go.

"Tell me about your dreams, Malfoy, maybe it will help." Hermione said in a soft voice looking at the moon outside the window, the only light source lighting up the room.

"It's nothing-- just, nothing." Draco murmured not wanting them to know of his night terrors.

Ginny took a deep breath and looked at Hermione and Draco. "I still have nightmares where I see Fred's dead body surrounded by our friends. Then it shifts to Voldemort dangling Harry at wand point. It is nothing to be embarrassed about! We've been to war, it's natural it will haunt our dreams." As she spoke, she walked over and sat down on the bed as well.

A cold, hard laughter left Draco and sent chills down both girls' spines. "I would gladly swap dreams if it could be done. But enough of the past."

Draco was glad it was dark; he didn't want them to see the relieved smile on his lips. It had only been a dream and no one would make them true again. He would die before letting anybody--

"We better get back to bed. Will you be all right?" Ginny asked with a yawn and rose from the bed as Draco said he would be fine. "Coming, Hermione?" Ginny turned and looked at her best friend who answered she be down in a second. With another yawn and a smile, Ginny left the room, longing to snuggle under the covers on her bed.

"So what was the spell you needed earlier?" Hermione asked in a tired voice as she studied Malfoy's face in the moonlight.

Draco yawned and said as he had been picking up books he realized he wasn't able to read them, "so I wondered what charm to use to make a book read itself out loud." Draco felt puzzlingly at ease with Granger sitting so close.

"Promptius Lectoris might work. You could try it tomorrow." Hermione's brows frowned in thoughts, "Or may Libellus Recito, or if we modify…"

As Hermione kept ranting on about the different spells and charm that might work, Draco's mind became distracted by the beat of her heart and the intoxicating fragrance of her perfume and to his complete confusion, he longed to touch her.
In his distraction, he didn't realize she had stopped talking, until she rose from the bed.

Smiling, Hermione stood up and took a last look at Draco, annoyed that she couldn't see his eyes. "See you tomorrow then," she said walking to the door and slowly closed it behind her.

Draco felt his fear of falling asleep overwhelm him as the door closed. He really didn't fancy another cabaret of the people he had seen killed or unwilling killed himself during his time as a Death Eater. He was too proud to ask if the Weasleys had any Draught of Living Death in stock so he would have to contact his mum in next day or so. This lack of sleep was beginning to have an impact on his mood.


The next morning Draco was back to his cold, snub self. Ginny and Hermione were both disappointed, as they rather liked the Draco they saw the night before.

After tossing down his breakfast, Draco left the table without thanks and locked himself in the study for the rest of the day practicing wandless, sightless magic. Loud bangs and swearing could be heard from inside the room.

Molly told them all too just give him some room. "He'll calm down when he is ready, just let him be." Smiling sadly, she summoned a cookbook looking for the dish Narcissa had mentioned was his favourite. "Come girls, let's beat the morning traffic," Molly said in a cheerful voice and headed to the fireplace.

It was when the three women passed Flourish and Blotts and Hermione caught a glimpse of a Birthday card that she realised the possible reason Draco was so irritable.

"Why didn't we figure this out sooner?!" Hermione rolled her eyes and pointed at the card, "Draco's birthday is on June fifth and he probably doesn't think anyone will remember!"

"Well, he was almost right, wasn't he?" Ginny answered and then asked if that was why he was so grumpy.

"Wouldn't you be? We should throw him a surprise party or something don't you think, Mrs. Weasley?" Molly agreed. Hermione already began planning.

"We should make it a party for the other senses; a bunch of tasty cakes and candies, nice music. What about presents?" Hermione LOVED to plan parties and was glad to plan the first real party since the war.

Now the Weasleys and their friends had so much to celebrate. Draco's birthday was a perfect opportunity to move on, to leave the dark years of war behind them, to start anew. In addition, it might a good time for her and Ron to find out where they stood, as she really didn't know. Since their passionate kiss just before the final battle, they hadn't even touched besides a few hugs.

"Well, I'll visit Mrs. Malfoy to find out what he'd like in the mean time, I hope I can trust you two to find a suitable gift and inform the rest of the family." with a stern look she turned and sped towards the Leaky Cauldron as the young women stood giggling in front of the shop.

"Gift shopping for Malfoy!" Ginny shook her head pulling Hermione into the store.

"A book for a BLIND wizard?!" Hermione asked. Ginny said she thought it might make Malfoy feel he wasn't a total freak "just a grumpy one!" She sniggered and yanked a heavy, dusty book off the shelf.

"Old and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charms, I think this would be perfect!" Ginny said as she tossed it to Hermione.


As they left the shop, Hermione couldn't wait to tell Molly that they had made a bargain of a lifetime. The shopkeeper had let them have the book for under half price as it had "collected enough dust on my shelves and looks rather worn!" He had said with a disgusted look at the book. Hermione had paid in an instant and dragged Ginny out of the shop as fast as she could.

"It's an antique!!! He didn't realize what he just sold us!” Hermione caressed the dirty, raggedy cover with eyes shining in excitement, "this book is so rare I have only seen one other copy, and that was in the Hogwarts library. It's priceless!"

Ginny looked at the book and shrugged, "I only picked that one as it looked reasonably priced." Hermione sent her a look of disbelief that she had not grasped what a treasure they had just bought.

"Hope Malfoy gets just half the thrills of that dusty old thing as you do. At least he can't see how ugly it is," Ginny laughed and sent a longing look towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. "Hope Florean's reopens soon."

Hermione nodded at her friend. In so many ways, Ginny reminded Hermione of the twins; her humour, her way of taking the teachings at Hogwarts with a grain of salt but still being a top student and her love of Quidditch and mischief. Hermione grinned as she saw Ginny heading straight towards her brother’s joke shop.

"Come on, Hermione, let's see what Fred and George are up to!" Ginny winked and ran off.


Back at the Burrow Draco had found his way out into the small cottage garden. It was high summer and the heady scent of the different flowers and herbs drifted with the gentle breeze; the bouquet of rosemary, lavender, and the well-known scent of English roses formed pictures in his mind and memories of how a typical English garden looked like.

A delicate smile formed on his lips, as he remembered his childhood summers playing in the Manor gardens, chasing the golden snitch on his first broom. Slowly the smile turned to a grimace of sadness; how he longed for a ride on his broom, feeling the wind against his face.

"Stop torturing yourself, stupid!" he murmured and shook his head as he headed back inside. "So this is what I can expect from the future," Draco scoffed to himself as he closed the door behind him, "remembering how beautiful the world is but not able to see it!"

The sound of a gasp made him realize he wasn't alone. The continuous sound of a foot tapping under the table told him it was Potter and probably his faithful sidekick Weasel.

"Ron and I were wondering if you wanted to go swimming with us in the stream," Harry said with a cheerful voice.

"It's so bloody hot outside.” Ron added. “Come on, Malfoy, a little sun won't hurt you!" The sound of chairs skidding over wood told Draco the two were getting up. Frowning, he considered what would come next and a slight panic spread through his body.

Explaining he couldn't quite comprehend how it would be safe for a blind person to go swimming in an unknown brook. Draco searched for the doorknob desperately wanting to escape the embarrassing situation.

But, seconds later he felt two arms hook under his, Fred and George style, and drag him backwards up the stairs to Ron's room. Placing a worried Malfoy on a wobbly stool, Ron and Harry pulled out a chest of old clothes in search of a pair of shorts that would fit Malfoy.

"Guess you could fit an old pair of mine," Harry grinned and walked over to Draco. "You should know, they are in Gryffindor house colours!" Both Ron and Harry had to fight hard not to laugh at the look on Draco's face.

"I'm NOT wearing them! EVER!" Draco growled and tossed the shorts away with a revolted sneer.

Were they joking?! He was Prince of Slytherin for crying out loud. The more he refused the more determined Ron and Harry got ending with Draco pushing Ron so hard he fell to the floor with a loud huff.

"Bloody hell, Malfoy! It's only a pair of shorts!" Ron yelled as he stood up.

"I… I… can't swim," Draco whispered, "and adding that to the fact I can't see--" He tilted his head down and jumped a little when Harry spoke.

"Why didn't you just say so?!” Harry grinned, “You needn't worry, it's a shallow stream and we'll look after you."

With a sigh, Draco gave in and started to unbutton his shirt.

"Damn, Harry! What the hell did you do to him?" Ron cried out and Draco had to smirk.

Harry grimaced when he saw the greyish scar on Draco's chest. "I am sorry."

Draco smiled, "Funny how you all lie to yourselves. Something they teach you in your House?" Then he asked if they were perverts since they hadn't left the room. He laughed as the door slammed and laughed as he got into Harry's old shorts. "Pervs!"


The weather was hot but the water was still extremely cold. After a few splashes the young wizards returned to the garden, Ron and Harry tumbling down on the grass, soaking in the rays of light. Draco asked if Harry would help him in to the shadow of the broom shed. Sitting back against the wall Draco smirked and tilted his head.

"So, when are you to going to ask me whatever question it is you have been whispering about for the last few days?!" By the silence, Draco knew he had caught them off guard and he couldn't help letting out a small laugh. "I might be blind but I'm not deaf!"

"Well, umm, we were wondering--" Ron started but stopped as Harry shook his head vigorously.

"We have been wondering if you miss flying and playing Quidditch," Harry interjected. "We would take you for a fly if you wanted!"

Draco frowned, knowing that wasn't what Ron had been about to say but he didn't get a chance to use his gifts in Legilimency on Ron as the gate to the garden swung open.

"Guess who we bumped into--," Hermione stopped mid-sentence and gaped at Draco sitting against the shed wearing a pair of Gryffindor shorts and a scarf covering his eyes.

It felt like the world stopped moving as a swarm of butterflies started to flutter uncontrollably in Hermione's stomach. Starting to feel dizzy, she was snapped back to the present when Ginny's gasped. "Oh my God, Harry!!! You did that to him?!"

Blushing, Hermione quickly looked at Harry pretending it was the scar on Draco's chest that had shocked her speechless.

Smirking, Draco couldn't help loving the way Harry stuttered and tried to defend himself.

"It's all right, Ginny, I survived so let us let the past be just that!" Draco said in a sombre voice, trying to get to his feet and grateful for the hand he was offered.

A jolt of undefined passion ran through him, making his head spin. As abruptly as it flowed through him, it was broken.

"Tha- thanks," he murmured but no one answered. Before Draco found out who it had been, the chitchat distracted his concentration.

"So, Neville and Luna are dating!" Ron's voice cut in and the connection between Draco and his helper was lost. With a growl of frustration, Draco cursed the loss of his sight. Never had he felt such a powerful gush of desire flow through his very core.

Not knowing who had sent those vibes throughout his every fibre made him uncertain and a bit paranoid; what if it was another male!? Given there was an equal number of both sexes it was a 50/50 chance!

He felt another hand take his and Ginny asked if he was up for some training. The number changed in favour of the males when he realised it wasn't Ginny who had sent that shock wave of lust into him.

"Thought we could practice floating an item to a given place, an advanced form of Wingardium Leviosa. What do you say?" she asked as she pulled him inside the Burrow.


At supper that evening, a gloomy mood engulfed the table, as there was one less person at the table than normal.

Hermione and Ron had gone for a walk after Ginny dragged Draco inside and it seemed that and seemingly their talk ended in them splitting up.

Ron was miserable and grumpy, as Hermione had packed her things and returned to her parents’ house for the moment until things cooled down.

It was the first time since he moved in that Draco hadn't been the one causing an awkward silence in the Burrow. To be sitting across from Ron, drained Draco's appetite, as an alarming thought began running through his head.