Harvest Moon

Okay, gang.  The reveal.  Did you guess right?

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Draco shook off Luna’s hand and stalked over to where everyone else had gathered.  He stared down into the face of a serial murderer in disbelief.

“What the hell is happening here?” he snarled.

“I would think that was obvious, Draco,” Snape said.  It took a lot for him to be his normal, sniping self because he couldn’t begin to imagine how much this realization had to hurt.

“Why the dye job?” Draco asked to distract himself from the heartbreak that was just starting to seep in around the corners of the shock.

“I would imagine because your uncle always wondered what she’d look like with dark hair.  His preference was brunettes,” Lucius answered.  “Since we know who this is, I have a suspicion as to the last person’s blood she used.”

“Why exactly are you in a forcecage, Father?” Draco asked, looking away from the prone figure on the ground.

“It would seem that I’ve long underestimated her. Ara, if you please?  We need Draco’s blood to lift this,” Lucius said, trying to distract his son, though he doubted it would last long.

Draco gave Ara his hand and she made a very shallow cut.  He let the blood pool a little in his palm before turning and putting a hand toward the edge of the forcecage.  “I know this spell.  My blood, your blood, our blood.”  The cage flashed a wild succession of colors before dropping completely.

“Why?” Draco asked, looking at his father for answers.

“I wish I really knew, son.  Right now all I have are theories and guesses,” Lucius said.

Harry had shifted over to Hermione during this time and was visually checking the injuries around her throat.  Knowing his wife would kill him if he didn’t bring back a full report on everything.  Especially when she found out that Hermione had been injured.  She’d want details on that score.

“I’m fine, Harry,” Hermione said quietly. “Luna checked me over already.”

“I figured that.  Just checking for Gin or she’ll skin me alive,” Harry said.

“True.  Are you all right?” she asked, looking him over as well.  It felt familiar, coming through something harrowing and checking one another over for injuries. Almost like old times again.  She thought that maybe, just maybe, they could get back on solid footing with one another again.  She knew she’d never have Ron in her confidence again but Harry and Ginny were almost as good.

“I’m good,” he said, reaching out and giving her fingers a squeeze before letting go.  “Hermione?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks.”

“For what?” she asked, looking at him puzzledly.

“For letting me apologize the best way I know how.  Even if I didn’t get to be the hero in the end,” he said with a tiny grin.

“Well, really, Luna and Ara deserved a turn at that.”

“Think they’ll be okay?” Harry asked, nodding toward where Draco was standing, looking at the person on the ground.  His shoulders were slumped forward, almost as if he couldn’t quite bear the weight that was suddenly on them.  Lucius stood behind him, one hand on his son’s shoulder, squeezing gently in silent support.

“Of course they will,” Hermione said, smiling fondly at father and son.  “Not much on the planet is as stubborn or survival oriented as a Malfoy.  Except maybe a Potter.”

Harry grinned at her.  “Or a Granger.  So, are you . . .” he tilted his head toward the person on the ground.

“I don’t think I can bear to be the one,” she said, shaking her head sadly.

“Draco’s certainly in no shape for it at the moment.  I suppose it’s up to me,” Harry said.

Hermione gave him a sympathetic look.  “It seems that way.”

He sighed.  “I can’t begin to imagine the level of betrayal this has to feel like,” he said, shaking his head and moving toward the Malfoy family.  The woman on the ground was awake evidently and glaring at them all, even though the spells cast on her didn’t allow her any free movement.

Draco glanced up at him as he approached, his eyes looked flat and dead to Harry.  But he took a deep breath and let it out slowly before straightening and squaring his shoulders.  “I can’t do it, Potter.  Conflict of interest.  Get it over with.”

Harry nodded. It was best done quickly because he really wasn’t sure when the shock would fully wear off or how long Draco would manage to hold it together after that, even with his father and Luna with him.

Harry took a deep breath. “For the murders of Dawn Morris, Michela Ross, and Karen Whitby.  For the forcible restraint of Lucius Malfoy and attempted murder of Auror Hermione Granger, I do herby place you under arrest, Narcissa Malfoy.”

***Mad Ramblings aka Author's Notes***

Just two more chapters to go.  The fallout and end.  I really hope everyone has enjoyed even with my sporadic posting.