To Love a Malfoy

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Author's Note: A very special thank you to Werewolf Mistress and Athena Malfoy for again taking the time to review. I am so glad you are still enjoying the story. ~~

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Chapter 27:


~~ 2 Weeks Later ~~

‘The Burrow’

Molly and Hermione were sitting together at the Kitchen table talking about Harry. He was being discharged from St. Mungo’s today and Lucius would be contacting them once his young husband and their two newborn babies were safely settled in at Malfoy Manor. Harry along with Lucien and Belinda were finally coming home. They had been very worried about Harry’s mental state since the death of Alexander. It was a shock to Hermione and the whole Weasley family.

“I still can’t believe it Molly. It’s like a living nightmare that you can’t wake up from. I keep thinking of everything that has happened over the past few weeks, trying to figure out what could have gone so horribly wrong but nothing about it makes any sense to me. Harry was in perfect health and his pregnancy was progressing normally. All the scans and tests showed there were no problems. Poppy had seen him that morning, gave him an examination, and found nothing wrong. That’s why she left to go visit her family. If Poppy thought Harry or the babies were in any mortal danger, do you really think she would have ever gone away? In fact, she was very pleased with how Harry and the babies were doing. Healer Jamison had even examined him that very morning too. I just don’t understand, he had two of the best Healers in Britain at his disposal and not one of them saw this coming. If Harry or the babies were in any kind of distress, wouldn’t one of them have discovered the problem then? Another thing, why didn’t Healer Jamison contact Poppy that Harry was in labor? If she had, then Poppy would have been by Harry’s side for the delivery.” Hermione started to cry and Molly reached her arm across the table to pat her hand reassuringly.

“I know dear, I know, it baffles me too. I just don’t understand why, with all the best new Wizarding birthing technology and staff available at St. Mungo’s, a tragedy like this could ever happen. I have given birth to seven children and even though I had complications with Bill and the twins, thank Merlin, I never lost any of my babies. What’s bothering me the most is that I just don’t understand how Healer Jamison thought it would be in Harry’s best interest not to let him hold Alexander’s body. It would have helped Harry heal and face the reality that his precious baby was dead.” Molly stopped for a moment to wipe her eyes and then continued, “Who would have thought, stillborn, and the baby heartbeat monitors never even registered there were any abnormalities. Why, oh why, didn’t she let Harry hold him, see Alexander’s body with his own eyes instead of ... of.... .oh dear...” Molly had to stop again and began crying along with Hermione, “What gave that... that.... that woman the right to dispose of Harry’s beautiful little baby boy’s body in that way. I have never heard of any Healer ever doing such a terrible thing with any newborn death.”

After a few minutes of trying to compose themselves, Hermione said. “Lucius was furious, and righteously so, he had Kingsley bring her in for questioning. She has been temporarily released from her duties at St. Mungo’s until the Hearing and Severus isn’t speaking to her. I am really worried about him Molly. I have never seen him look so hurt or angry in a long time. I think he was falling in love with Madeline and would have eventually asked for her hand in marriage.”

They both sat without saying anything else for a few minutes. Both of them thinking over the events of the last few weeks and wondering if there anything either one of them could have done to prevent it.

“Oh, Molly, they couldn’t even have a decent burial for poor Alexander since Healer Jamison took it upon herself to dispose of his little body right away. Oh, I hate that woman! What gave her the right to make that decision for Harry and Lucius without first consulting with them? Why did she even think of using that particular spell for disposing of Alexander’s body instead of waiting for Poppy to examine him and find out what caused his death? Isn’t it strange that her personal assistant who took his body from the Delivery Room seems to have mysteriously disappeared? I don’t believe her reasoning, when questioned by the investigating Aurors, that she felt it was in the best interest for Harry’s health and mental state of mind. It was morally and consciously wrong. What she took upon herself to do was in my mind barbaric and unforgivable.”

Molly squeezed her hand and nodding in agreement took over by saying, “It hurt Lucius so much because Harry wouldn’t even go to the Memorial Service with him as he doesn’t believe his baby boy is dead. He keeps insisting that little Alexander is alive and won’t give up hope that he will be reunited with him. Oh, sweet Merlin, he is in such denial and it just breaks my heart that he doesn’t seem to be paying as much attention as he should be with Lucien and Belinda. I feel so bad that they both are suffering in this way. It is something no parent should ever have to go through.”

They were interrupted when an owl flew into the open window and landed on the table between them holding it’s leg out. Hermione untied the note and gave the owl a treat then it flew back out disappearing into the blue sky.

“It’s from Lucius.” Hermione said reading it, “They are back at Malfoy Manor and Harry is resting in their room with the babies. Lucius would like us to come over in about an hour but right now just wants Harry to have a little time alone with the babies.”

Looking up, she told Molly, “Lucius would like our help in talking with Harry in making him understand that Alexander will never be coming back. He wants us to help him realize that Lucien and Belinda are the ones who need his undivided attention now.”

“Lucius is right Hermione. Harry and his babies need each other now more than ever before and it is up to us to make him see sense. After all he has done for us, we owe him this much. Why don’t we have something to eat, freshen up, then it will be time to go.”

They both stood up facing one another then smiling hugged and started to get ready for their visit to Malfoy Manor.

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‘Malfoy Manor’

Lucius was standing in the doorway silently watching Harry with Lucien and Belinda. It was such a beautiful sight to behold and the picture would have been complete if only their little Alexander were part of it too. Harry was holding both of them while sitting in a rocking chair that was a gift from Arthur and Molly near the open window with a warm light breeze ruffling his hair. His dark head was bent down low so that his face was close to them and he was singing a song as they slept peacefully in his arms. It was only the second time Lucius had heard Harry sing and this song was just as beautiful yet heart wrenching as the one before.

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"When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be."

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Lyrics to “You Raise Me Up” as sung by Josh Groban
Writers: Brendan Graham (lyricist) & Rolf Lovland (composer)
Producer: David Foster
2002 Universal Music Publishing

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When he was finished, Harry gently kissed each of them on the top of their fuzzy little heads. Lucien, the first born, would be an exact replica of Lucius having his same hair and eyes whereas Belinda had auburn hair thanks to Lilly and had also inherited James’ hazel eyes with green speckles. Lucius tried to imagine what little Alexander would look like and thought he probably would have resembled his Harry. Lucius stood in the shadow of the doorway thinking since when did he become my Harry? I love him, Lucius thought. I don’t know exactly when it happened, or how, but he has managed to steal my heart. I have never loved anyone, except for Draco, as much as I do my new family at this moment.

Harry sensed someone was watching him and looked up, his green eyes searching the room until they landed on Lucius. Smiling, he glanced down once more at his little babies and motioned Lucius to come in and join him.

“I see you’ve finally gotten the little monsters to behave.” teased Lucius

“I never thought they would go to sleep. I fed them but they just wanted to stay awake and play with their Daddy.” Harry spoke quietly so as not to wake them.

Lucius had joined them and was standing beside him looking down upon his sleeping children. Both of them were suckling on their little fists and were making gurgling noises while they slept. Lucius had never been so happy in his life but wished again that Alexander was part of it. He was also beginning to hope that maybe Harry was finally facing reality that Alexander was really gone and not coming back. The next words out of Harry’s mouth ruined that thought instantly.

“I can’t wait until the day they meet their baby brother. I told them all about little Alexander and how they will have to look out for him because he is so special.” Harry whispered looking up into the face of a pale Lucius.

“Harry.... My Darling... Please, I know that you don’t want to deal with this right now but you have to face the fact that Alexander is never coming back.” Lucius was stopped by the look of anger on Harry’s face.

“NO!... Lucius you are wrong....... Alexander is not dead..... He.... He....” Harry started to sob while trying to get the words out, “He is alive and waiting for me to come and find him. I hear Alexander calling out to me while I sleep Lucius. I know you don’t believe me and think I’m crazy, that I’ve finally lost my mind but it’s the truth.”

“Harry, please, think about what you are saying.” pleaded Lucius trying to console his husband.

“No Lucius, I’ll never give up hope. Our little Alexander is alive and someday I will prove it to you.” Harry looked down at his sleeping babies with tears in his eyes not saying another word to his worried husband.

Oh Harry, what am I going to do with you? Lucius told himself as he turned and walked out of the room to wait for their guests.

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Lucius greeted Molly and Hermione warmly giving them both a hug and kiss on the cheek. As they walked into the Study to talk, Lucius explained to them what was going on.

“Thank you so much for coming. Harry is upstairs right now with the babies. I just left him alone with them a few minutes ago.” Lucius saw to it that the ladies were seated first but remained standing as he talked.

“I’ve called in the best Wizarding Medi-Psychologist Specialists to try and help him. They keep telling me Harry just needs time to adjust to the loss and that he will eventually come around. Supposedly, it is just his way of dealing with the pain and I am to let him continue on his path of healing and wait until he decides to approach me and talk about it. They assure me there is nothing wrong with him mentally and I just have to be patient until he comes around. I am at a complete loss on what to do next. Just when I think he might be getting over Alexander’s death, Harry says or does something that expels that notion right out of my head.”

He stopped in the middle of the room not even aware that he had been walking back and forth while he talked to them. “I hope to Merlin you can help him come to his senses. I just don’t know what to do with him anymore. I am trying to understand. Please don’t think I am cold hearted it’s just it hurts me so much to see Harry this way. I just want to help him and don’t know how.” Lucius ran his fingers through his loose hair in frustration then said to the surprised women, “I love Harry and it’s killing me that I can’t seem to help him through this. I am suffering too. I feel like I have not only lost another son but also my husband.”

Molly and Hermione watched as the usual stoic Malfoy showed them his emotions in a very painful way. They felt so bad for him and genuinely wanted to find a way to help him and Harry. With a newfound determination, they stood up and approached Lucius. Pulling the surprised Malfoy in their arms, they hugged and told him everything would be alright. After they talked awhile longer, Molly and Hermione headed upstairs to see Harry.

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Madeline was currently at her home waiting and hoping to hear from Severus. I have sent him numerous letters by owl post but they keep coming back unopened. She had been placed under house arrest until the hearing and an Auror guard was outside keeping watch. What have I done? How could I have let this happen. What was I thinking? He blackmailed me into doing this. Oh, why didn’t I confide in someone about what he planned to do? Well, I don’t care if I do go to Azkaban. I have to see Severus and explain everything to him. He will know what to do. I only wish I had done it sooner and that it’s not too late. She quickly walked over to the door opening it and called for the Auror guard to come in.

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Jonathan Chambers was at a hidden location sitting in a chair and listening to that little brat cry. Oh, why doesn’t he shut up? I am getting sick of his confounding crying. If I still didn’t need him to accomplish my plan, I would dispose of him permanently.

“MIMSY! Would you keep that damn Malfoy spawn quiet before I do it for you myself.” he yelled out in anger.

Mimsy popped into the room, “Don’t worry Master Chambers sir. I will take care of the little baby don’t you worry. He’s just hungry is all and wants to be held. I was busy in the Kitchen fixing his bottle and didn’t realize you was being bothered. I am so sorry Master. I promise you sir that it won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t. Now get out of my sight and be sure to keep him away from me or I won’t be responsible for what I do.” snarled Chambers to the frightened little house elf.

After Mimsy left, Jonathan stood up and stretched thinking that soon Harry would be with him. They would be leaving Britain together and without that little vermin. I know he will come. There is no other choice in the matter. For now, I just have to be patient and wait for his response to my summons.

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After Lucius had left the room, Harry placed Lucien and Belinda in their cribs and called for Dobby. He told his faithful little friend to take care of his babies then headed for the hallway. Before shutting the door behind him, Harry turned and took one last look at Lucien and Belinda before he disappeared from Malfoy Manor.

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“Harry, may we come in dear?” Molly was knocking on the door but there was no answer.

“Let’s just go in.” Hermione said starting to get worried.

When they stepped into the room, they saw Dobby standing nervously next to the cribs looking very upset and anxious.

“Dobby! What’s the matter with you and where is Harry?” Hermione questioned the obviously distressed little house elf.

“Oh, Mistress Hermione! I is so very sorry but I promised Master Harry. He made me swear that I wouldn’t tell anyone he was leaving so he could have time to get away.”

“Oh my goodness! Dobby, quickly get Master Lucius up here right away.” Molly cried before rushing over to check on the babies, sighing in relief when she saw they both were peacefully sleeping and oblivious to the commotion that was going on around them.

After a few minutes, Lucius appeared in the doorway with a worried look on his face. “Dobby said you needed me. Is there something wrong?” His eyes searched the room for his husband, “Why isn’t Harry here?”

TBC