The Unseen

Heya! I updated a bit sooner than I usually do, because you all left such NICE reviews. So I going to reply to those reviews, and then I'm taking my fat ass to bed. I have to work tomorrow! (Hoorah eight hour shifts!!)

smurphy - such ideas you have! I can't comment on too many, but I will give a few comments. Ron has totally gotten himself fucked over. We're just going to say that Fenrir isn't somebody to mess with. But he makes my job so much easier...^_^ I must say, though, that you're not going quite in the right direction with the Ginny idea. Ginny quite loves James, despite all of his faults. Hermione did indeed get him Mr. Bigglesworth, but I think that he loved it more because it came from the heart. But think about it? If James were a real person, what would you get him as a gift? I certainly wouldn't get a half-dragon person a bear as a gift. Most people didn't give him things like a normal child would like. Hermione did, and that meant something to him. So he kept it.

Starrynite45 - THink about it this way: Hermione didn't go down overnight. The way this story is set, the 'Unseen' group is in their twenties. James is twenty-four years old. That means that Harry and Ginny have been married at least twenty four years. We'll say twenty-five. If Hermione and Ron got married at about the same time, that means they were married for twenty-five years. A lot can happen in twenty-five years. My mother was abused by her first husband, and she said that it started with a simple tap on her head. She said at first she would get back at him. SHe told me this HILARIOUS story about this one time when she put a snake in his bed after he hit her. I see Hermione doing something like that...at first....but then I think she would have eventually lost her spirit to fight. Sometimes its less harmful to just walk away.

LadyBlueEyes - Oh Ron is fucked. We'll just say that. But the extent of his fuckage has yet to be seen. I'm still conferring with Greyback. And it's going to be interesting when Harry finds out about this. And I have a feeling that by the end of this story, they'll have a better relationship. But there's going to have to be a lot of growing between now and then...and sometimes growing hurts....and I think you'll find someone you like in this chapter.

distinctlyME - James is thinking like a man: He's going for the physical first, the emotional later. James knew he would need force to take care of Ron, so he called for male backup. It's not that he didn't think Draca could handle it, but I'm sure he thought that if Draco found out he brought her into such a physical confrontation, he would use James' dragon bits for boots. I think that you'll find this chapter much more detailed, and there are some better choices made in this chapter.

LolaDiBlack - James is very flattered with your vehement defense of him and his Aunt. Ron will definitely get what's coming to him. I'm just going over some last minute details with Fenrir, and we'll let you guys know when we've reached a decision.

RyGirl824 - Wolfie-pup....that's cute. Phelan likes it. Draco says he'll be over tonight, by the way...

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Draca sat in the library, making a list of things she would need to pick up before she went in for her assignment at Hogwarts. She would need white healer’s robes. And not just any white healer’s robes would do! She was a Malfoy after all, and still needed to uphold an appearance with the public….even if the public was a bunch of snot-nosed brats who were going to do nothing but bleed, barf, and break themselves all over her robes.

Her father was reclining in his favorite chair, his dog in his lap. When he had first gotten Marshmallow, Draca had laughed at him, for the little dog was a teacup poodle. She was four pounds soaking wet, but she was adorable. She was pure white, and always kept immaculately groomed. And aside from Draca, she was Draco’s little princess. The little thing was spoiled rotten! Draco said that he’d gone in for something a bit more manly, like a Boxer or a Greyhound, but when he’d seen the tiny little poodle puppy look up at him with her big brown eyes, he said his heart melted and he gave in and bought her.

Draca looked up when Marshmallow barked, and saw a silvery dragon fly into the library. It was James’ patronus! The silver dragon landed on her desk, and sat on its haunches.

“Please listen in private.”

James’ voice made Marshmallow bark even louder. Draco shushed the little dog as Draca held out her arm, and the little dragon specter jumped onto her arm like an obedient bird. She carried it out of the room as she usually did.

Draco frowned behind her. She was always getting secret messages from James. He didn’t like it at all. James had a….unique…set of friends, and if the wrong people looked at them closely, they might see a junior Death Eater movement. With the exception of Potter, Lupin, and Black, the others that James buddied around with were the children of Death Eaters.

He set Marshmallow down on the ground. “Go find papa Lucius.” He said softly, and the little dog skittered from the room, the bells around her collar tinkling happily. Draco smirked. Lucius hated the dog…

He got up from his chair, and set the book he had been reading aside. Then he made his way to where Draca had left. He saw a swish of skirt disappear behind a corner, and followed with quick, silent steps.

Draca stopped in an old sitting room, and let the dragon hop from her arm onto a side table. Draco poked his head around the corner just as Draca ran her finger over the dragon’s nose, the signal that she was alone.

“Well, this is going to be a long story, my friend, so I hope you’re sitting down. Of course you know my Aunt Hermione, and that she’s married to my Uncle, Ron Weasley. Well it came to my attention recently that he’s an abusive bastard –pardon my French, dear lady- and she came to me for help. To make matters worse, he has my father playing into his hand, thinking that her battered form came from a random attack. Overgrown carrot!

Anyway…Aunt Hermione managed to get a nice whack in with her frying pan, and dazed my Uncle long enough to make an escape. She came to me for help. To me!! She trusted me enough to come into Knockturn Alley to get to me.

Well, I went to their house to make sure she hadn’t killed the worm, and had a…confrontation with him. The stupid hotheaded brute knocked a bookcase on top of me, and left me to suffocate! Then he went to my flat to attempt to convince my Aunt to let him in. I sent for back-ups for her and for me. To her I sent Phelan and Tobias, and to me I sent for Orion and Romulus.

Well…Phelan got himself a silver-burn at the hands of my uncle, and we’re all pretty sure Fenrir is going to rip him to shreds as soon as he gets a chance. My Aunt is having conniptions because we called the Aurors on Uncle Ron. We gave them some weak story about my Aunt coming to stay with me for a bit, and my uncle coming over, me not being there to ‘receive him’, and him getting into an altercation with Phelan, who was there on a visit. The Aurors looked a bit suspicious, especially since Phelan was involved.

Now to the point of my message. I need you to come to Hogwarts to attempt to calm my Aunt down. We’ve all tried it, even Phelan. The only staff members at the castle today are Flitwick and Snape. The women all went for a ‘girl’s day out’ and the others are off doing chores. You, being a woman, might have a better chance at calming her down. She keeps sobbing and going on about ‘He’s going to be so angry with me!’ and we can’t get her to see reason.

I trust you to the fullest, and that’s why I’ve sent you this message. Come swiftly.

Draca sighed as the dragon disappeared in a blue puff of smoke. So that was why James was with his Aunt at Hogwarts. He must have been taking care of her at that point. And she was upset? Well, Draca had spent a few semesters in a medical psychology course….

“I suppose I could…” she started.

“Absolutely not!”

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she whirled to see her father in the doorway.

“You were spying on me!” she hissed.

“You’re damned right I was!” he snapped. “You won’t be a part of this, Draca. I heard the entire message. I knew nothing good would come from that hot-headed pauper! He’s dangerous. And from what I understand he’s going to have a bone to pick with his wife when he gets away from the Aurors. And with Greyback on his tail I don’t want you getting mixed up in any of this business!” Draco said, tilting his head back and looking down his nose at her. It was his ‘I mean business’ stance.

“Father…James’ Aunt is in hysterics. She needs someone who she can relate to, and who knows what to say to her. I happen to be a female, and she’ll be more relaxed around me! And, I know a bit of medical psychology. She’ll be safe in my hands.” Draca said calmly. It was useless to argue with her father…he was too stubborn. But often she could reason her way out of anything.

“No. James said they weren’t alone up at Hogwarts. I don’t want you associating with Greyback’s whelp. He’s not safe to be around. People die when they associate with him.” Draco said, frowning at her.

Draca stepped towards her father, and put her hands on his crossed arms. “Father…I may still live at home…but I’m not a little girl. I can take care of myself. You need to trust me.” She said. Draco’s face didn’t change.

“I trust you, my princess….it’s those others I don’t trust.” He said. Draca decided to try a different tactic.

“Hermione needs my help, father. Would you deny help to a woman in dire emotional trauma because you don’t like her nephew, or the people he hangs around with?” she said, giving her best ‘puppy-dog’ eyes. They worked every time. She saw her father’s face soften, and gave a mental cheer.

“All right, my darling. But you won’t go alone! Even if it is at Hogwarts….you don’t know the horrors that place has seen…” he said softly. Draca knew that there was no point in arguing with her father. He’d made a great concession just allowing her to go. Ah well…you win some, you lose some.

Draca leaned forward, and hugged her father. “Thank you, papa. I’m sure Hermione will be so very grateful to you.” She said. Draco gave his daughter a small smile.

“Yes, well…when you pull that shiny little eye trick, I just melt into a puddle of paternal ooze.” He said softly. “Now go get your cloak, my young Healer. We have a patient to attend to.” He said, straightening up. Draca gave her father a salute, her face going completely serious.

“Yes sir!”

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Hermione was sitting in a corner of Snape’s office, her arms curled around her knees and her face buried into her legs. She was eerily quiet now, and James didn’t like it one bit. She had stopped crying only a few minutes ago, but then she had taken a look around at the concerned faces in the room, and backed into the corner. When James tried to engage her in conversation, she just slid down the wall and assumed the position she was in now. It was unnerving.

Headmaster Snape didn’t really know quite what to say. James had brought a hysterical Hermione Weasley into his office and all but dropped to his knees and begged him to allow her to come to Hogwarts early. He had been bombarded by his own son, James Potter, Phelan Greyback (for god’s sake what was he doing there?), and- of all people- Orion Black and Romulus Lupin.

Said men were now speaking in hushed tones on the other side of the office.

“If she is in danger, I need to know about it. I don’t want trouble following her through those gates!” Severus hissed softly. James looked rather desperate at this point.

“Please, sir. Her….situation…is rather private. I don’t think she wants it all over the school…” James started.

“I am not some gossip column in the Prophet, but if you do not tell me what sort of trouble she’s in, I cannot help her…” Severus said. Phelan nudged James.

“Just tell him, mate.”

James looked over to where his Aunt was sitting quietly, and sighed. “Fine.” He said, and turned back to the Headmaster. “It’s a rather dismal tale…it has to do with my uncle Ron-”

James was interrupted when the doors to the Headmaster’s office opened again, and Draco and Draca Malfoy stepped into the room. Severus looked up, and groaned.

“Merlin’s beard! Is this ‘Everyone annoy the Headmaster’ day?” he asked. Draca was carrying a purse with her, and she narrowed her eyes at the group of men.

“Um…I’d like to be able to work with her in peace. Everyone out.” She said, and pointed to the door. Severus looked at her as if she had spoken French.

“Excuse me?” he asked, drawing himself up to full height. This was his office, damnit!

“Severus, perhaps you should listen to the young lady.”

Everyone’s head turned to the portrait that had spoken. Albus Dumbledore’s portrait was as twinkly as the old man had ever been. And just as good at diffusing hostile situations. Severus glared at the be-twinkled old man, and then back at his godson’s daughter.

“Fine. Everyone follow me…we shall go to the Headmaster’s sitting room, and….sit.” he said, and stalked from his office.

The men walked from the office, and Draca was left with Hermione. Hermione’s head lifted slightly, and she looked at Draca. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and her face was blotchy.

“Who are you?” she asked, her voice croaking slightly.

“My name is Draca Malfoy.” Draca said softly.

“Are you Draco’s daughter?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am.”

“You look just like him.” Hermione said. And it was rather true. Draca was an almost exact female replica of her father, save her eyes were an icy blue, and her father’s eyes were a mercurial silver.

“Thank you. But I’m here to talk to you.” Draca said slowly. Hermione’s head went back down, and her face disappeared.

“I don’t want to talk. I just want to disappear.” Her voice was muffled behind her legs, but Draca was a bit alarmed at the sadness behind them. She opened her purse, and reached inside. From within the magically charmed purse she withdrew a large fluffy green blanket, a box of chocolates, a bottle of fine wine, and two glasses. She took her items over to Hermione, and sat down beside her, covering both of them with the blanket. Hermione’s head slowly rose again, and she looked at Draca strangely. Draca held up the bottle of wine and the two glasses.

“I think it’s time for some girl talk.” She said. Hermione’s gave her a small smile.

“James sent you to me, didn’t he?” she asked. Draca nodded, and leaned against the wall next to Hermione, setting the wine and chocolates between them. “James is an angel.” Hermione said, and took the glass of wine Draca poured her. The two sat in quiet for a few moments, enjoying the wine and chocolate like old friends, before the alcohol finally warmed Hermione up a bit, and soothed her frazzled nerves.

“I think we should start at the beginning.” Hermione said. Draca gave her a soothing smile.

“That’s a very good place to start.”
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Oh! I know! I left it at such an indecent place! But there's going to be some UBER details in the next chapter. Once we get past this, we'll get more into the plot against Hogwarts, and then our Dramione will start to develop. I know it's slow going...but I promise it will be all gravy in the hood (That's Americanese for 'very good.')

Now, I'd love to hear some feedback on this chapter. Good is great, but if there was anything that you didn't like, please leave a constructive comment. I haven't gotten a flame yet, but I would hope if you didn't like something, you'd leave the comment in a nice way. ^_^

You've read, now rate/review...better yet....do BOTH!!