After Party

Saving Draco

As a stiff breeze blew the cloud cover away from the face of the full moon, Nolan leaned on the stone balustrade of the patio at Malfoy Manor gazing up with a fervent prayer in his heart. Let the boy make it to Natalie. He stood in the cool night air, unmoving, heart heavy, thoughts swirling so madly that even a skilled Legilimens would have been hard put to follow his train of thought. Deep in the shadows of the pristinely manicured gardens, Severus Snape lurked, watching the Dark Lord’s newest favorite with a keen, distrustful eye. Baying hounds were heard not so far off in the distance.

******

Natalie half carried, half dragged the lanky teenager inside the stable. She kicked the sliding door open with one foot, while dragging the limp form with her, backing into the small set of rooms she called home.

She settled him as gently as possible on his stomach, on her bed. The change in position woke the young man, who moaned in pain. Natalie grasped his hand, forcing him to open his eyes.

“I will be right back with something to help the pains.” She spoke firmly, her assured tone calming the young man.”

She quickly rummaged through her medicine chest to find a small prescription bottle, still nearly full. She shook out a rather large pill, and poured a glass of water from the sink. Returning to her bedside, she helped Draco to sit up, instructing him kindly,

“Swallow this. It is a condensed pain potion.” She lied, not wanting the young wizard to argue with her over using muggle medicines. Draco obeyed unquestioningly. Natalie smiled warmly, stroking his matted hair softly, murmuring soft words of comfort until the Demerol kicked in, putting him to sleep, and stilling the convulsions left over from the cruciate curse. Natalie quickly checked his pulse, then seemingly satisfied, sprinted from the rooms to the nearby dog kennels. Jogging along the row, she released the baying wolf hounds into the night, exhorting them to keep watch over the horses. The large gray hounds bounded joyously into the night, singing praise to the moon as they cavorted.

Natalie paused momentarily to scan the open arena for any signs of intruders, and then turned to sprint at top speed back inside the barn. She headed first to her supply room, grabbing antiseptic, bandages, scissors, and other assorted first aid supplies. She dropped everything on the foot of her small bed, and gingerly began to cut through the blood soaked clothes of the Malfoy heir.

Swallowing down the bile rising in her throat, she retrieved a basin of warm water and began to cleanse his wounds as gently as possible. Luckily, he remained unconscious, only twitching occasionally as she worked along the deeper gash marks on his back. Opening a large tub of salve, she continued to work methodically working her way back down his back, coating each wound with the antiseptic, analgesic salve she normally reserved for the horses’ injuries. With a heavy sigh, she wiped her hands on her own denims, brushed the hair from his eyes, and whispered,

“I’m so sorry youngling.”

Natalie found a small vial of smelling salts in her first aid kit, snapped the tiny container open, grimacing at the pungent odor. She passed the opened vial under Draco’s nose, bringing him sputtering back to consciousness.

“Easy now.” She murmured, stroking his head much like she would have done to reassure a wounded animal. He stared into the strange rooms, wide-eyed and panicked.

“Are you Nolan’s friend?” He asked in a hoarse voice.

“Yes.” Natalie soothed. “You’re safe for the moment.”

He closed his eyes, relaxing a bit under her hands. Natalie moved to kneel on the floor at eye level with the young man.

“You are Draco Malfoy, right?” She asked gently.

“Yes.”

“Good. I need you to help me to help you.”

Draco’s eyes flew open at her words. He looked even more frightened.

“Nolan said you’d help me.” He stuttered just a bit.

“I will. But, I need you to tap this with your wand, nine times, quick.” She instructed him earnestly as she held her amethyst out towards him on the palm of her hand. He looked at her quite confused.

“Just trust me, Draco.” She reassured him. He bit his lip. Natalie handed him back his wand. His hand trembled as he tried to raise it high enough. Natalie placed her free hand over his to steady his hand, and began to count out loud, helping him to tap as she did.

“One, two, three … ,” with the ninth tap, her crystal glowed warmly, then vibrated in her hand before the glow faded and the crystal grew still. Natalie slipped Draco’s wand from his hand, smiling.

“Well done.” She smoothed his hair softly. “More help is on the way. Sleep now.”

Draco had no choice but to obey.

******

Spread across Europe, and one in the US, amethyst crystals vibrated nine times, felt by their wearers, but unseen by all those around. Nathan Monterichelieu, reading comfortably by a window open to the cool night breeze, reached for his wand, touching it to the still warm crystal, sending his unseen, unheard answer to his sister’s distress call. Just as he made his way to the hallway to head for the edge of Durmstrang’s anti-apparition wards, he was joined by his younger brother Noah, a determined fierce scowl in place on the normally jovial young man’s face. Together, they touched wands to crystal earrings, speaking only one word, “Natalie,” and disappeared in the crack of thunder.

From a high backlit window, Alexei and Ana watched as the two brothers sped to answer the call, leaning on each other for comfort and support.

“Godspeed.” Ana whispered softly, worries crowding her heart and mind.

To be continued ….