Can You Keep a Secret?

Title: Can you keep a Secret?

Authors: kusanobabe05 [kusanosakura] and socia0307

Pairing: DracoxHarry, Theo Nott/George, Arthur/Molly, ?xCharlie, BillxFleur; implied past RonxHermione/present RonxLavender

Fandom: HP

Notes: Compatible up to the bathroom scene between Draco and Harry in Half-blood Prince- minus the Ginny interest. After that is completely AU…

Warning: drarry gets rather aggressive so be warned.

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Chapter 34

Fleur had arranged for Bill to floo both her and Healer Apollo Grannus to Ivy Hall. Healer Apollo had delivered herself, Honorine and Gabrielle as well as looking after her own pregnancy.

They arrived just after Breakfast and were escorted to the library where Harry spent much of his time when they weren’t dithering in the Hall’s nursery.

 

Harry beamed as they entered; his entire being radiating contentment from his place nestled against Draco’s side. “You’re the healer who is going to tell me over the summer that I am having a girl!”

Draco chuckled, “We’ll see…”

Fleur remembered William’s disbelief that she was having a girl until Healer Apollo showed them and had fainted when he learned it was twins. She would forever tease him for it…

Healer Apollo laughed, “Bearers are usually right in the gender when they feel it strongly. Ah the Veela is strong in you Lord Malfoy. I am surprised you aren’t a Veela in truth. We may get lucky with your daughter.”

While being fluent in English, Healer Apollo’s voice was strongly accented.

Harry beamed at Fleur, “Then it really is too bad that you aren’t Iris’ godmother-to-be”

Then the Veela birth healer began his exam and Fleur sat delicately on a nearby armchair to put up her feet.

Bill kissed her cheek and then her hand, “I will return later 3mri…”

Fleur blushed, William enjoyed using Arabic endearments due to his time in Egypt and it always made her react the same way.

She didn’t mind at all not being little Iris’ godmother, there was still a lot she could do as her Tante…

XooooooX

Hermione wasn’t feeling well at all, she was so hot…

Then abruptly she toppled over in Charms and fainted.

Ron just sat there and gaped at her from his seat next to Lavender.

Dean however moved to catch her so she didn’t strike her head on the table’s edge or his own chair.

After Harry vanished, Dean as well as Seamus and Neville had taken to keeping an eye on her.

It was hard to miss her depression and loneliness, they would have looked after her anyway but Ron’s defection was sticking in their mutual craw and neither had any respect for the lanky git.

Professor Flitwick scurried over and touched Hermione’s forehead, “Oh dear me, Miss Granger is burning up. Mr. Thomas please carry Miss Granger to the infirmary.”

Dean nodded even as Neville helped him up, “Shay can you get our bags?”

Seamus dutifully began packing up their things while Neville packed up his and Hermione’s.

As they left, they heard Flitwick releasing their classmates early and assigning outside reading.

The three Gryffindor boys were quite worried, Hermione never fainted to their knowledge and she definitely was never so sick that she was soaked with perspiration and sticking to Dean’s robes.

While hurrying along the Third Floor Corridor to the Grand Staircase, Neville summoned a Longbottom elf to inform Harry about Hermione’s sudden illness and to send for his godmother Andromeda.

Whatever was wrong with their fellow DA member, it was likely beyond the skills of a mere medi-witch…

XooooooX

Harry had just finished his exam and Draco had escorted Healer Apollo out on his way to a scheduled floo call with Bill’s grandfather, when an unfamiliar elf appeared in the Hall’s library.

Harry swallowed, “Yes?”

The elf bowed, “I is being Jory, Master Harry sir. Master Neville be wanting Jory to tell Master Harry sir that Missy Miony be sick.”

Harry gasped, “Oh no!”

Fleur reached over to pat his hand, “I will go check on her for you, after all she is family.”

Harry hugged the pregnant Veela who had become a friend, “Oh thank you!”

Fleur twittered, “Et es no trouble. I ‘ave been wanting to visit a friend there.”

She called for an elf to take her Hogwarts just as Neville’s elf disappeared with a bow.

Harry leaned back on the settee with an arm over his eyes, what was wrong with Hermione?

XooooooX

Andromeda frowned when a Longbottom elf appeared in the Drawing room of Snape Folly. “Yes?”

“Master Neville be calling for Healer. Missy Mione be ill and faint. Master Harry sir be worried.”

Andromeda nodded sharply, waving her hand in dismissal.

Severus scowled, “I suppose that means that I ought to be returning to the castle as well.”

Voldemort nodded, “I will begin preparations on my side. Starting with announcing that Harry has been seduced to our side and claiming that Draco’s defection was not a defection but his following my real orders. Orders that Severus of course delivered in person to the young Lord.”

With that decided, the two younger former Slytherins rose and Andromeda portkeyed to the infirmary at Hogwarts, leaving Severus to escort the Dark Lord to depart safely.

Andromeda had a very suspicions of her own and wouldn’t be against a private conversation with the Dark Lord’s familiar if an opportunity presented itself.

Andromeda arrived in the infirmary to find Medi-witch Pomfrey panicked.

“Andromeda? Thank Helga! Miss Granger was in withdrawal from powerful potions and now is rejecting a new dose.”

Andromeda raised an eyebrow, this was unexpected…

She began casting diagnostic spells to determine which potions the girl was reacting to and cursed, “Salazar’s Cauldron! Someone has been giving this girl strong illegal potions. Pomfrey send for an Auror!”

Pomfrey scurried away like a mouse while Andromeda ordered her distraught godson to fetch Severus and his strongest antidotes.

Harry’s friend was in danger here and likely must be removed as well.

These potions were illegal for a reason and ought to not be mixed.

Severus arrived via the infirmary floo quickly; Neville must have run while she was distracted.

Andromeda barked at him for specific antidotes which he promptly handed over without question.

Andromeda cast them into Granger’s blood and stomach; it would take some time for them to take effect.

A slight blonde witch appeared, resembling her nephew Draco. There was Malfoy in the witch and with Draco an only child she was not his sister. The Ravenclaw emblem on her robes declared her Xenos’ child, which made her Draco’s third cousin…

 “Is Hermione alright? Is she safe?” the witch swayed slightly, “I didn’t see it, I didn’t know she was being drugged. I never saw it, I should have known…”

Andromeda cast a calming charm at the witch only to have her dodge it.

The young Ravenclaw sank into an empty bend, “I will calm myself, I can’t afford to rely on potions…”

Having delivered Harry, Andromeda recognised Lily’s magic on the girl. A god daughter? How perceptive was this girl?

The young witch calmed herself and then cloaked her magic before casting a memory spell on her fellow students.

When Severus raised a shield to protect his own mind, Andromeda ducked behind it.

Thank Salazar, as powerful a witch as she was, Mental magic was not something that she was highly skilled at. She did not possess particularly strong 0shields; they were only strong enough to prevent her from absorbing and feeling her patients’ paint.

The witch scowled, reminding her of Draco in a petulant mood, “This is dreadful, I did not intend to speak in such a manner as to reveal myself. I will answer the Professor’s questions in Salazar’s apartment, until then question me not.”

Severus’ confusion only peaked her own reluctant curiosity but the arrival of Kingsley and Nymphadora changed the situation.

Her daughter frowned, “Mother?”

Andromeda sniffed, “Miss Granger collapsed in class. It appears that someone was dosing her with Unctious Unction and Amortentia. As a Healer and a Potions’ Mistress I am appalled that anyone would be giving them to a child.”

Kingsley looked stunned while Nymphadora snorted.

“I do not make idle claims, I will be submitting my report to the Board of Governors.”

“While I am not close blood kin, she is of my House.” The Lovegood heiress announced.

Kingsley blinked, “I thought she was a Muggleborn?”

Andromeda snorted, “Do not be obtuse, Muggleborns are descended from Squibs. If our cousin says it is so, it is so. Now if you would like to take it up with Lady Lovegood’s Aunt Aurora,”

Kingsley flinched, “Not especially…”

Despite being a year ahead of her and Gryffindor, Kingsley no doubt remembered Aurora Greengrass who had the misfortune to have been in Bella’s years so she had been a first year Prefect when Andromeda had been Head Girl even if it had been for one term.

After that well-placed comment, Kingsley and Nymphadora took notes while Andromeda explained Miss Granger’s condition as well as her own interpretation of the situation as a healer. As a Slytherin with knowledge of Albus’ misdeeds, she was nearly certain that he was involved with this incident. Luckily after the Headmaster failed to convince Harry to end his pregnancy, Severus and her nephew had gotten him away before Albus could try to force Harry to end it by slipping him an abortion potion. Most wouldn’t agree that the doddering Headmaster would be capable of such things but with Miss Granger’s serious condition as well as his manipulating herself, Severus and the Dark Lord it was easy for her to believe…

Andromeda was also killing time as she waited for the potions to take effect as well as reporting what essentially had put Miss Granger in serious danger medically. If her godson hadn’t sent for her so quickly as well as Severus just happening to have the right antidotes, Miss Granger might be in St. Mungos with her blood boiling her brain rather than her temperature falling slowly. It was possible that the witch could go into hiding rather than ending up in St. Mungos’ under a glamour like she was concerned that Narcissa might end up. Luckily between Severus’ potions and her own skill, Andromeda was certain that Miss Granger would recover…

Flitwick peered through the open door, “Is Miss Granger well? Ms. Delacour-Weasley is here on behalf of her family.”

Translation- Harry was worried so Bill’s wife had come on his behalf.

Severus scowled, “What about your class?”

Flitwick sniffed, “I left it in the hands of one of my apprentices, Albus can eat his hat if it displeases him. I sent an elf to inform their professors about Miss Granger’s friends as well as herself missing class.” He frowned as he entered the infirmary and noticed Lady Luna, “Miss Lovegood?”

Luna crossed her arms, “I am here as a representative of Hermione’s House. I will take the punishment for leaving class abruptly as well as missing my current class if I must but her well-being is important.”

“What class was it?” Flitwick frowned.

“History of Magic.” Luna sniffed.

Flitwick snorted, “Of course, given that you share that class with Master Creevey, I am sure that he will be more than willing to give you his notes. Your current class is Herbology is it not? In that case, Miss Prewett who takes excellent notes will likely provide them.” He winked, “That is if Charity’s suspicions are accurate that is.”

Luna turned back towards Hermione, frowning, “Are the potions working? They aren’t exactly my best work although I am passable.”

Andromeda cast spells to determine this and nodded, “Yes, her fever is coming down. She was brought in quickly enough and Severus had the appropriate antidotes available so I believe that she will make a full recovery.” Then she addressed her godson, “Neville?”

Her godson looked up from his quiet but intense conversation with his Housemates, 

“Yes Aunt Annie?”

“Please escort Lady Luna to the Tower so she can pack Miss Granger’s things.” Andromeda said firmly.

Flitwick frowned, “Is that really necessary? What about her exams?”

Andromeda knew that there was still some time, a few weeks before they would begin for pre-NEWT students and waved her hand dismissively. “She can take them with Harry at the Ministry later. For now it is far too dangerous for her health to remain. I will not chance such a health crisis again.”

Likely Harry would worry himself ill if she left Miss Granger here and it would do him far more good to have her at his side like he had Mary Weasley and Miss Delacour.

Luna nodded, “She can stay with Harry if he will have her, if not the she is welcome at Ravenworth Minora. Grandmother Daria may disapprove but she ought to know that due to my being of age, she has no say really in how I chose to run my House.”

Andromeda was curious, what were the Lovegoods’ definition of being of Age?

Once the Aurors, or at least Kingsley was satisfied that they had all of the pertinent information that Andromeda could reveal, they left. Heading deeper into the castle to determine how such potions ended up where Hermione could ingest them.

Soon after Andromeda shooed Neville’s housemates out, when Lady Luna returned with Miss Granger’s trunk, Andromeda conjured a stretcher which she levitated her patient onto.

Severus took charge of the stretch, as Harry’s Secret Keeper it fell to him to deliver the still unconscious girl.

Andromeda claimed the trunk, promising quietly to keep the Lovegood heiress informed as to Miss Granger’s condition and to meet with her in person later.

Then the two former Slytherins headed for Severus’ office to floo to the Hall.

Miss Delacour didn’t stick around very long either, a very perceptive witch that one…

Likely she would be informing her Weasley in-laws about Miss Granger’s health, since Andromeda would be following Severus to the Hall.

If it was determined that Granger would safer elsewhere then that was fine but given how Harry had made room for Weasleys, it was unlikely that he wouldn’t do the same for his oldest still supportive friend.

XooooooX

Draco had left an excited Harry to floo Lord Weasley, normally a Malfoy according to his father who failed at it, avoided Weasleys but given Harry’s connection with the family of the House’s eldest son and presumed heir, Draco had no choice.

Besides, without his father Draco needed an older, wiser Lord to advise him.

At present, he was uncomfortable reaching out to any of his father’s intimates as it were.

He tossed in floo powder and called out, “Wellsley Hall, study.”

It connected quickly and he heard a booming voice, “Young Master Malfoy?”

Given the wizard’s age, Draco planted himself on a stool and stuck his head in the floo, “Yes sir.”

“Call me Septimus, Arcturus has admitted to paternal feelings towards Young Lord Potter-Black. As his consort by law, despite your own title, you are family by our estimation. There is also the fact that Black is strong in you, a trait that has passed to Arcturus and I am starting to come to terms with. Now tell me, what is it that you need? I was surprised when Bill mentioned your wish to speak to me about being mentored by myself.”

Draco swallowed, “Well you see sir, I am quite unprepared to manage my House. My education in such matters was not complete, yet circumstances required my assuming my Lordship early when I filed for my emancipation so I find myself in need of a mentor. With my choice in bondmate, I do not feel that any of my father’s close acquaintances in your circles would be beneficial. I had hoped that you would consider assisting me in finding my footing in the Wizengamot and the Board of Governors. I have done what I can with my meagre knowledge and require advice as to how to proceed further.”

“I see,” Septimus mused, “what about your academic education?”

Draco sighed, “We are being privately tutored and will be making arrangements to sit our exams at the Ministry for this summer. As for our NEWT exams, it is my hope that our tutors will instruct us at a fast enough pace that we can sit them early or at least the ones in the subjects where we are ahead of our yearmates. In Harry’s case, he shouldn’t need much help with obtaining his NEWT in Defence since he has a natural grasp of the theory and knew enough to teach it last year. As for myself that would be Potions at least, I had hoped to obtain a Potions Mastery but I am unsure if given my responsibilities to my House will allow it. Between us I have three Houses to familiarise myself with and two have not been managed properly.”

“Ah, your bondmate’s father spent more time as an Auror or in hiding to bother managing his Estate and his father passed to the Veil before he graduated. So he likely would have found himself in a similar situation, unlike Severus. That young man was quite lucky to have an Aunt who held the estate together until he came of age, he wasn’t politically inclined and perhaps was unwise to trust your father to vote for him. As for the Black Estate, it languished after Walpurga’s passing due to it heir being in dispute. By law it ought to have passed to her sole surviving son but his incarceration made that impossible and due to his living status his will was not consulted to my knowledge.”  Septimus shrugged, “The most well-held belief was that it would pass to a son of one of her brothers Alphard or Cygnus but other believed that it belonged to the descendants of Orion’s elder sister Lucida. In that case, it would pass to one of my grandsons due their mother being the only supposed living descendant.”

“Yet it ended up Harry’s and to his luck, I had the knowledge through my mother how to claim it on his behalf.” Draco shrugged.

“That only strengthens his claim among the more narrow-minded of our circles. He is by blood only the grandson of a Black, while you are the son of one.” Septimus said thoughtfully.

“Given that one Aunt had a daughter and the other barren, who was another likely heir?” Draco asked curious.

“Before Walburga died, it was discussed often. Especially since neither son was capable of inheriting at the time. Alphard’s eldest son Edgar and his sons were already perished along with my friend Drystan Prewett and his sons as well. That left yourself, young Ethan Bones and my grandsons through Arcturus. The Slytherin contingent of Governors preferred you, so not to lose their Bloc. The Hufflepuffs weren’t as militant about it but gaining the Black vote would be quite the coup. At that point my grandsons through Arcturus were already expected to inherit my title and the PRewett one as well, a third while not necessary would boost us socially after Arcturus’ scandal.”

Draco was surprised with how matter of fact Septimus was, he wasn’t like father at all. The elder wizard dealt with him plainly, politely and honestly.

“Surprised ya didn’t I? Not like your grandfather Abraxus or Lucius am I? Never crossed paths in Hogwarts with Abraxus, born twelve years apart we were. Same deal with Old Nott, I am older than he is but with his son and heir your age it stuck. It is Muriel’s fault of course, now I am not speaking poorly of the senior Lady Malfoy, your great-grandmother. I respect her highly and not because she is of age with my fathers, rest their souls, even if she is outspoken and sharp-tongue. Married on myself, my ‘Rella is very much like your Aunt Andromeda if truth be told. Two stubborn people can be a good match if you work at it.”

Draco leaned over and nodded, waiting to hear how.

“We were set up by my good friend Harry Longbottom and her sister Callie. I set her heckles up our first meeting and she showed me her sharp tongue. Rather than be angry with her for my treatment I was determined to have her, so I visited every jewellery store I could think of searching for the perfect ring. It was three days and I hadn’t slept when I showed up at her house to propose. That won her you might say, wouldn’t trade her for all the gold in Gringotts that’s for sure. It’s not easy to please her mind and we don’t always agree but sixty-four years later she hasn’t cursed me yet permanently mind and I haven’t made a choice that has her avoiding my company entirely.” Then Septimus coughed, “My age is showing, now shall we begin with issues with your shared Estates?”

Draco nodded, summoning the Potter Estate reports and began to explain the discrepancies with George’s grandfather.

With his head in the floo, his connection to the wards was dimmed and his elves couldn’t inform him of unexpected visitors…

 

XooooooX

Harry waited impatiently, he would have paced but instead he punched pillows in his anxiety.

Hermione fainted? She was sick? Did Pansy do this?

He didn’t calm at all until Dobby arrived to tell him that Miss Annie and Lord Sevy had brought Miss Mione.

Harry stumbled to his feet, only to be steadied by Dobby who blushed when he thanked him absently before hurrying to the first floor where the receiving room was.

He gasped, gripping the bannister tightly when he saw that Hermione was still and unconscious on a conjured stretcher.

“She’ll be fine, we caught it soon enough and Severus had the proper antidotes.” Andromeda said stiffly, “Knowing you would worry and not wishing to chance her being repoisoned, we brought her here where you can assure yourself that she is safe. I am sure that Remus can include her in your lessons.”

Harry hurried down to hug the elder Slytherins much to their discomfort, “Thank you! Thank you!”

Andromeda bore it better, after all she was bonded to a Hufflepuff and the mother of one both were far more physically affectionate than she would wish.

Severus hadn’t been embraced like that since Draco was a child and before that it was Lily just before he broke off their friendship to pave the way to being a spy.

Severus coughed, “I must return to the castle.”

He slipped away with Andromeda scoffing at his cool but ruffled demeanour before turning her attention to her nephew-in-law to-be, “Where are we going to leave your friend and her things?”

Harry smiled wearily, “I think she’ll be best placed near Remus where we can’t bother her…”

Andromeda shrugged, “Very well.”

She followed him to see that Hermione was resting comfortably before returning to her other duties…

 

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What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Poor?