From Venice with Love

Hermione was woken up by an elf bearing food. She shook her head and pushed the tray away. “I don’t want it,” she said.

“Please!” it squeaked at her. “Missus Malfoy must eat.”


“It’s probably poisoned,” Hermione muttered, sitting up.


The elf’s eyes widened. “Punky could not poison Missus!” it said. “Missus is married to Master Draco. Punky can not do harm to his Master’s wife.”

Hermione thought about this. She was starved. She began to eat, desperately hoping the elf was telling the truth. As she ate, the elf beamed at her. “Punky is so happy that Master Draco has a son,” she chattered as Hermione ate. “Punky watched Master Draco when he was a baby. Punky would be proud to watch Master Draco’s son as well.”

“You changed Draco’s nappies?” Hermione asked, finding that very amusing.

Punky nodded. “Yes, Missus. Punky hopes Missus will consider Punky for the great honour of minding the new Master Malfoy as well.”

“I’ll definitely consider it,” Hermione told the elf kindly. She finished eating and Punky took the tray and apparated out of the room. Hermione got up and went over to the window. She opened the curtain and surveyed the outside, trying to guage how far of a drop it would be if she jumped.

“Going to do us a favour and kill yourself?” a voice snarled from behind her. Pansy. “Please don’t let me stop you.”

“Do you need something?” Hermione asked, dropping the curtain back in place.

Pansy gripped her wand tighter as she bit her lip. “How dare you talk to me in that tone, you filthy Mudblood bitch! Who do you think you are?”

“I know who I am,” Hermione said, her own voice raising slightly. “I’m Draco’s wife. I have his son. And you’re so jealous you want to die.”

“Not for long.” Pansy said, hate laced into every word she spoke. “Soon, you’ll be dead, as well as that half-breed you call a son!”

“Don’t you dare call my son names, you evil hateful slag!” Hermione spat back. “No matter what happens to me, he’ll never love you, you stupid, spiteful-“


“Now, now ladies,” Lucius’ cool drawl cut her off. “No need for name calling. Pansy, you’re needed downstairs.” Pansy sent Hermione one last look of loathing and obeyed, leaving the room. “Now,” Lucius pulled out a piece of parchment from his robes and a quill. “I’ll be needing you to write Draco asking him to bring the boy to Italy.”


“Are you insane?” Hermione laughed bitterly. “I’d rather die.”


“Oh, you will die,” Lucius assured her. “I have need of you now, however.”


“He’ll never bring Dante here,” Hermione said. “I’ve made my wishes very clear on that matter. He is not to trade me for Dante. He knows that.”


“I’m sure he does,” Lucius went on. “That’s why you’re going to say rather, that we have reached an understanding. You and I talked, and I have agreed to accept you and the child as family. He’ll be thrilled.”

“He’d never believe it,” Hermione said.

“Then you will make him believe it.” Lucius’ voice was cold and firm.

“I have no incentive to help you,” Hermione said. “You already told me that you’re going to kill me.”


“If you do this, I’ll let Draco live.”

“Let him live? But Pansy said-“

“Pansy’s delusional,” Lucius laughed. “How could I let that traitor live? Bad enough that he married and impregnated you, but to side with Potter? To let that order into the Manor not once but twice? I’m sure it’s your doing but I’m afraid I can’t let that kind of betrayal go unpunished. No, unless you sign that paper, I’m afraid Draco will be joining you in your fate.”

Hermione felt her eyes well up with tears but she blinked hard to keep them from falling. “No,” she said quietly.

Lucius’ eyes flashed and he clenched his fists until they were white. “Then you have sealed his fate,” he said calmly, stalking out and slamming the door behind him.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Hermione was unsure of just how long she sat on the floor of the room until she heard a key in the lock once more. Standing up, she readied herself for either Lucius or Pansy but to her surprise it was Narcissa Malfoy who entered, carrying a tray. Narcissa closed the door behind her and hurridly put the tray on the bed. “I sent the owl to Professor Dumbledore last night,” she whispered.


“Thank you,” Hermione said, smiling at the older woman. Narcissa smiled back, slightly. “I’m so scared, for Dante.”

“I won’t let Lucius harm Dante,” Narcissa said in a surprisingly strong voice. “I’ll hide him myself, if need be. I’m deeply ashamed of what Lucius has become.”

Hermione felt a strong affection for her mother-in-law. “Thank you,” she said. “Please take care of him and Draco, if this ends badly he’ll need your help.”

Before Narcissa could respond the door opened again and Pansy walked in followed by Lucius. “I told you I saw her,” Pansy said in a smug voice. “Not very sneaky, are you?”


“Dear, dear, Narcissa,” Lucius said in a silky voice as Narcissa froze in terror. “You’re not helping her, are you?”

“Lucius, I-“ Narcissa’s eyes were wide in terror. “I was just bringing her lunch. That’s all.”


“I told you Narcissa, this must be done. You’ll have other grandchildren. “

“Pure grandchildren,” Pansy said nastily. She was close to Hermione, her wand hanging loosely at her side. Her eyes were focused on Narcissa, as were Lucius’, and Hermione edged slightly closer to her.

“There’s no need for this anyway,” Lucius said. “She’s of no use to us anymore. Why don’t you do the honours, Cissy?” he grinned. “Rid our family of this Mudblood once and for all.”

Narcissa’s eyes went from Lucius to Hermione. “I can’t…” she faltered.

“You can!” His calm demeanour gone, Lucius raged at his wife. “I can’t do it, she has my blood, but you Narcissa, are a Black. You can and will kill her, if you want me to spare your traitor son.”

Narcissa’s eyes filled with tears. “Lucius,”

“Do it!” he shouted, grabbing her wand from her robes and putting it into her hand. “Now!”

“I’ll do it,” Pansy said, gleefully, turning towards Hermione, wand raised.

“No,” Narcissa said in a resigned voice. “I know what I have to do,” She raised her wand. “Avada Kedavra!”