Circle of Love

Hermione stood silently in front of her childhood home. Last night's flames had consumed the structure, and it laid in a crumpled heap in its foundations. The light from the half-moon glared down at her as if in reproach of her intrusion.

She finally accepted the fact; her parents were gone. Dead. Murdered. She fell into a tangled mess of limbs as she broke down into tears. Her body shook with the force of her mourning as she cried.

“Hello, Mudblood.” A voice came from behind her. “The Dark Lord wishes to speak with you.” The elder Crabbe's laughter chilled her to the bones. She fumbled in her pocket before clutching her wand tightly in hand.

****

“Hermione!” Remus yelled as he entered number 12, Grimmauld Place. “Answer me, girl!” He ran through the house, a chilling fear filling him.

“Professor-” Draco came out of his room to see the wild eyed werewolf as he prowled the halls, opening and slamming doors.

“Draco, have you seen Hermione?” Remus turned to look at the Slytherin.

“No, I've been here since after the funeral. No one has entered the house all night till now.” Draco let the book he'd been occupying himself with drop to the floor, heedless to its now bent pages.

“She wouldn't have...” Remus's voice trailed off. He sat down quickly and scribed a note to Tonks. He gave it to his owl and sent it to the Burrow. “Hurry, Smidgey.” The owl flew off, his wings flapping furiously.

“She went home, you think?” Draco asked.

“I will check there, you stay-” Remus stopped as Draco raised his hand.

“I am coming also. I am still charged by Snape's orders to protect her.” Draco grabbed hold of Remus's tweed jacket. “It is time I showed the world and my father my true allegiance.” He had made his decision to follow Snape's advice at the funeral. He could no longer stomach the deceit his life had become. Plus, Snape had been more to a father to him then his own had been.

“You will be hunted down by the Dark Lord. Are you sure you are prepared for the ramifications?” Remus looked at the boy and saw a look of determination. The boy had gone from being a child to a man in the short months since he had joined the Order.

“Snape advised me not to return to the Dark Lord the next time he called for me. This will just precipitate the action.” Draco pulled out his wand and held it firmly in his hand. “I'm ready, sir.”

“You'll have to Apparate with me, I am correct to assume you have no clue as to the Grangers' house used to be?” Remus saw Draco's nod of affirmation and quickly they Disapparated.

****


Hermione pointed her wand at Crabbe's bulky figure. How could I have been so stupid, they warned me! She thought as she wiped the last tear from her cheek. She couldn't see any other Death Eaters around, but she couldn't be completely sure that all she would face was Crabbe.

She was scared to the very marrow of her bones.

Hermione mumbled the shielding charm as Crabbe's wand shot out the stunning spell. She rolled to the ground, and it barely missed her.

“Crucio!” Hermione heard him utter, and she rolled another way but it hit her, bringing her mind numbing pain. She cried out, unable to hold back her screams.

“Impedimenta!” Out of the shadows of darkness, Draco's wand shot out sparks at Hermione's attacker, stunning him and breaking Crabbe's spell.

“Petrificus Totalus!” Hermione heard through her pain as it subsided. She smiled in relief as she saw her saviors before passing out.

Draco looked down at the father of one his oldest friends as he pointed his wand. Crabbe's eyes looked up in disbelief as he saw one of his attackers to be none other than one of his own, a Death Eater. Blood Traitor, Crabbe's mind silently accused, his thoughts evident in his hard eyes. “Cruc-”

“Don't do it, Draco. He's not worth it.” Remus advised, interrupting his spell. He bent over Hermione and checked her over quickly. “She's alive, unconscious from the pain, but we got here in time to prevent too much injury.”

Tonks, Harry and Shacklebolt arrived a few moments later.

Harry ran to the the unconscious girl and gathered her in his arms. “Hermione, wake up!”

“What do we have here?” Lucius Malfoy said as he, Goyle and the Lestranges walked out of the darkness. Draco turned, his wand pointing at his father.

“Hello, father.” He sneered. Tonks, Shacklebolt and Remus stood beside him, wands pointing at the new arrivals.

“Harry, take Hermione out of here.” Remus ordered as the Order formed a wall between the Death Eaters and Harry with Hermione cradled in his arms.

“But, Professor!” Harry tried to argue.

“Now!” Remus repeated.

“Draco, come over here.” Lucius hissed through his clinched teeth. “How dare you disobey me!”

“No, father. What you and the Dark Lord desire is wrong. I cannot be what you want me to be.” Draco's wand pointed unwaveringly. The Phoenix charm on his mother's necklace he wore around his neck glittered mockingly at Lucius in the moonlight. The gem in its eye seemed to wink as it shined glaringly at him.

“Then you are no son of mine!” Lucius cried as his scarred face twisted as his wand hand shook with fury. He recognized the necklace as Narcissa's and still pondered it's significance.

“I am my mother's son.” Draco stared coldly into his father's eyes. “And you have no control over me anymore, I'm of legal age. You stopped being my father the day you chose the Dark Lord over your family. The day you followed the orders of that monster and killed my mother. Well, it back-fired, old man. Instead of drawing me into his seduction, it opened my eyes to the horrors of what the Death Eater's life is.” He sneered at his father's look of astonishment.

“How dare you speak to your father like this?” Bellatrix looked at her nephew in hatred. Those that left the Dark Lord deserved her scorn. “He's done nothing but try to train you to be the Pureblood you are, and to take the side of our Lord.”

“You defend your own sister's murderer?” Tonks exclaimed. “Aunt Cissa was worth more than one hundred of you, or that master you serve.” Tonks' wand pointed at the older witch's face.

Bellatrix looked at Tonks, “Ah, little Nymphadora, the pox on the proud house of Black. How's that mudblood who spawned you? And that Blood Traitor of a mother?” Bellatrix cackled in derision. “Maybe I shall pay them a nice family visit soon. That would be so nice wouldn't it?” She asked threateningly.

Tonks felt Remus's hand on her wand arm in warning. “She's just baiting you, my dear. Don't let her make you do something stupid in anger.”

“Love, she called me by that name!” Tonks exclaimed, understanding Remus's words for caution.

“You and the werewolf? What a charming couple you'll make on the full moon!” Laughed Bellatrix. “Maybe he'll save me the trouble of killing you by ripping you to shreds one night.”

“That will never happen!” Tonks shouted at Bellatrix, her wand quivering in anger. Remus's hand tightened on her arm in warning.

“Love,” Remus whispered. Bellatrix's words had startled Remus, and for a split second had him in agony over his nightmare. His greatest fear was Tonks' death, and he battled himself daily over it.

Lucius and Draco stood in a duel of the minds. Neither wanting to make the first move, but both waiting for the other to cast the first spell. Bellatrix decided for all of them as Remus barely got the shielding spell up before her curse bounced off it. Tonks faced off Bellatrix, while Remus took on Goyle. Rudolphus and Shacklebolt sent spells and dodged them in a macabre dance.

“Impedimenta!” Shouted Lucius, as he broke eye contact with his son. Draco dodged it as the spell flew harmlessly, hitting the ruins of the Grangers' destroyed home. The three older members of the Order quickly incapacitated their opponents and turned to watch as Draco sent one last curse at his father.

“Crucio!” Draco shouted, and watched as his father fell to the ground in pain.

The pops of ten other Death Eaters arriving had Remus saying “Time to go, let them lick their wounds after this.”

Draco looked down in disgust at the wizard writhing on the ground before him and spat out one last parting sentence. “Good bye, father.” And the Order members disapparated to the Burrow.


****


“How is she?” Remus asked as he and the others walked into the living room.

“Molly has her upstairs now.” Arthur Weasley replied. “She and Ginny know what to do.”

Harry looked at Draco with hate filled eyes. “Does the git have to be here?” He looked to Remus.

“The 'git' as you called him just saved Hermione. Draco is now one of the hunted, like everyone in this room is.” Remus waved his hand encompassing the room full of Weasleys and other Order members that stood there. “His fast action ended Crabbe's spell and probably saved Hermione's sanity. There is still so much you all have to learn before the final battle arrives.” Remus felt Tonks hand slip into his and her gentle kiss on his cheek soothed his anger.

Tonks turned to look at Harry. “Come on, Harry. Let's go for a forage in the kitchen. I'm sure we all could do with a snack.” She stepped away from Remus and pulled Harry towards the kitchen.

****


Snape watched as a very angry Lucius Malfoy walked into the Dark Lord's lair with his minions and the Lestranges.

“My Lord,” Lucius uttered as he bowed before Voldemort, fearing his news about Draco would earn him the ire of his master.

“Any report?” Voldemort looked at Lucius and smelled his fear.

“Crabbe caught the Mudblood but she was saved by the Order. Draco has joined them.” Lucius winced as he said this.

“Draco did what?” The Dark Lord stood, his anger apparent for all to feel. “How can you lose control of your own son, Lucius?”

“Severus!” Voldemort called him out of the shadows. “Hunt down young Malfoy and kill him for this insolence.” He dismissed Snape with a wave of his hand and turned back to Lucius.

“As for you...” He pointed his wand at Lucius. A scream of pain echoed through the lair.


****


Hermione opened her eyes and winced from the light pouring into the room from the window. Her head throbbed and her mouth was dry.

“Ginny,” She whispered to her best friend, asleep in a chair beside her. The girl's eyes popped open and she smiled brightly. “Water, please.”

“Anything, Hermione. I'm so glad you woke up.” Ginny poured a glass of water from the pitcher beside the bed and held it for Hermione to sip. “Here's a headache draught mum left for you also.” Hermione grimaced as she sipped the vile brew but felt immediately better.

“Harry and Remus are below in the living room, let me go get them.” Ginny hurried out of the room while Hermione leaned back onto the pillows and closed her eyes.

“Still angry with me, Hermione?” Harry asked as he stepped into the room, Remus and Draco behind him.

“Yes,” She admitted. “But I'll get over it.” And Hermione smiled at him. Harry walked slowly over to the bed and bent and gave her a hug.

“I'm sorry I acted so foolishly,” Hermione looked over Harry shoulder at Remus. “It was stupid.”

“You almost paid for it dearly, Hermione. Draco's quick wand saved your life.” Remus smiled at her.

“Thanks, Draco.” Hermione turned to look at him.

“I'll leave you all alone now. Glad Professor Lupin and I arrived in time.” Draco nodded as he turned to walk out of the room. He had needed to see for himself she was alright, but felt as an intruder by Potter's stares of hatred.

“The Ministry has released your parents' bodies.” Remus spoke, breaking the silence. “Is there anyone special you can think of to perform their funerals?”

“Pastor Davies, his sister Jackie is a Muggleborn like I am, so he won't be to shocked to see witches and wizards there.” Hermione decided.

“The Ministry is going to want to make it a spectacle like it did Ron's.” Warned Remus. “We might not want to tell them a place and time.” Hermione smiled sadly as she nodded her agreement. Neither noticed as Harry slipped out the door, Ginny following after him.


“Malfoy,” Harry whispered warningly. “Stay away from Hermione. You have her head so full of 'Malfoy's really good' crap and we all know it's a lie.”

A dark laugh echoed from Draco. “Do we now? Apparently you're the only one thick enough to still abide by those beliefs.”


Harry's jaw set, the angered look never faltering. He shoved Draco in the shoulder with one hand heedless of Ginny's whisper, “No, Harry!”

Draco looked mockingly at Harry and sneered. "That's all you've got? Merlin, could've sworn you of all wizards would have a half decent hit."

A low growl came from the black haired teen. "Malfoy," he warned again.

Draco looked at Harry and sneered. “Potter, I am just as much a part of the Order as you. I have lost just much as you. My mum died for this Order.”

"What a terrible loss," Harry spat, every ounce of hatred for this boy flowing through his veins. How dare he complain about his mother's death when Ron lay beneath the ground because of his foolish blond head?

It was Draco's turn to grow dark eyes, "One more remark, no matter what, about my mother and I swear on Weasley's grave that I will kill you," his voice dangerously low.

That had done it, the snide comment about his mate. Harry pushed Draco into the wall, his forearm pressed against the daring boy's throat. A funny sound came from Draco as Harry hissed, “You and Snape have cooked up something together, all for Voldemort's amusement. I don't trust you, I don't believe this sudden good boy act! What was in it for you to pretend to save Hermione tonight? What did Voldemort promise you for killing Hermione and her parents?” Harry barely felt Ginny as her hand pulled on his arm.

“The Dark Lord's promise?” Draco whispered as Harry's forearm dug deeper into his throat. “Well, Potter, same thing he has promised you! Death...” Draco looked into Harry's eyes. “Let me go!” Draco shouted as he pushed Harry off him. “You want to fight? Fair? Dirty?” He watched as Harry's back slammed into the other wall of the narrow hall. “Magic? Fists? Come on, big boy! I'm way past ready after tonight!” Draco could still see his father's eyes filled with hate. Once upon a time, before his father had been so totally taken in with the Dark Lord's lies, he had loved him as a father should. Draco mourned the 'death' of that man.

The image of those eyes faded before his head could focus on them anymore.

Pushing himself off the wall, Harry stepped forward, a determined look on his face, "Malfoy--" he was cut off as a fist sailed through the air, smashing into his pale cheek. The sound alone was painful, one could only imagine the actual feeling.

"Hit me back, you bloody coward! You can face Death Eaters but not me? I'm them, remember? This is all a trick, isn't it?" Draco sneered sarcastically. While Harry's veins held hatred for this Malfoy, Draco's held it for another. All those times he had been provoked by his father, controlled by his father were surging through his body. Those feelings of hatred and shame stood tall now, out on a platform and ready to fight back. Just towards the wrong person.

"What are you waiting for Potter? I'm here, ready for anything. Kill me now, make me regret what I've done and what I've said," Draco taunted, circling Harry. Harry, standing his ground, tightened his jaw even more, "Harry bloody Potter. I wonder why the Dark Lord was afraid of you--can't even manage to hurt me, let alone the most powerful wizard al-" a fist connected with his own jaw, knocking whatever insults he had next. The taste of iron filled Draco's mouth as blood poured out.


“Stop it!” They both heard Ginny finally and turned to look at the small red-headed girl. She had been standing there the whole time,observing and her face slowly turning an angry shade of red. They turned as one to look where she was to see Hermione angrily watching at Ginny's side, with Remus's arms holding her back.


Hermione looked up at Remus's face. “I'm going back to Grimmauld Place for some peace and quiet. When the boys grow up, I'll talk to them.” Then she laughed hollowly. “Though I think a duel would probably settle matters between them both.” She disapparated.

“Well, I think she's feeling better,” Harry mumbled. Ginny slapped him on the arm.

“Draco, come with me, please.” Remus ordered. He was tired but he had one more place to visit before bed and Tonks' loving arms tonight. “And, Harry.” He looked at the son of his best friend. “Remember that Draco is part of the Order as much as you and any of the Weasleys. You will start treating him with the respect that is due to him.” He heard Harry snort in disgust. “Don't hold grudges like your father and Sirius did. Look where it got both of them.” With that, Remus held out a portkey for himself and Draco, mumbled the activation word and they disappeared from the Burrow.