Demeter\'s Embrace

Chapter 1:


"Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
the warning history shows,
for our Hogwarts is in danger
from external, deadly foes
and we must unite inside her
or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you...
let the Sorting now begin."

~ Song by the Sorting hat - 1995 ~


After the last battle, Hogwarts had been turned into part prison for all the still breathing Death Eaters and part mortuary for the families of the fallen could say their last goodbyes and arrange for the funerals. As if it wasn't enough punishment to be imprisoned inside what had been his home for the last 7 years, the Ministry seemed to think it fitting to keep the prisoners, which included Draco Malfoy, locked up next to the bodies and mourners. Tough the younger prisoners were allowed to wander through the castle, as there was no way to escape.

This left Draco trailing Hogwarts’ dark and empty corridors, in search for a place to be alone; somewhere where he could avoid the constant whispers and dirty looks.
He knew they had all the right. He had been one of the main reasons Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters had had the chance to take the battle into the castle. Still, it was almost too much for him to take; to be shunned when he needed someone to reassure him that he wouldn't be sent to Azkaban. He tried the handle of a door, found it unlocked and stumbled onto a macabre scene.

George Weasley had somehow smuggled his brother's cold, dead body out of the Great Hall, which was functioning as a morgue in the days after the final battle.
Now Fred lay encircled by candles on a low table, his body naked with red, mystical symbols written on his forehead, over his still heart, on his abdomen and down both legs. George stood at his feet reading an old scroll looking scared, pale and determined all at once.

"George…? Are you sure you know what you are about to do?" Draco asked with a puzzled look in his eyes. He knew that chant all too well!

"Fuck off, Malfoy! This none of your business!" George hissed. He was livid with grief and desperation. He began chanting with a shaky voice and his eyes fogged with tears.
This just had to work; he couldn't live without his twin. He kept seeing the wall coming down upon Fred. Sorrow flashed across his face at the memory. He cast a look at Fred's body and stopped chanting; the words seemed to be stuck in his throat.

"So, you have read the lines describing Her normal fee for bringing back the dead; the first born son, years of your life or, my favourite, wreaking your mental or psychical health or both if you catch Her in a bad mood!" Draco stepped into the room and closed the door. Leaning back against it with an empty look in his eyes, he added, "Or She might take your life for his!"

The pained expression in George's eyes made Draco turn his eyes to the floor and whisper, "you think it's smart, risking meeting Her when you're so shook up? There is another way, you know!"

George murmured that he had searched for another way that didn't require calling upon the ancient Goddess. Even if there were another way, there wasn’t time. It had to be performed before midnight on the third night of the deceased last breath, which was this night.

"It's the same evoking,” Draco explained, “but you don’t pay the price. It requires the caller is a blood-kindred of the dead, not necessarily from the same womb. So if you mixed your blood with someone they gain Weasley blood-status and you wouldn't be in risk of dying to bring your brother back." Draco still didn't meet George's eyes.

A small spark of hope flashed in George's eyes only to fade and leave him looking even more desperate. "I couldn't ask anyone to take part in this! I couldn't bear having the health, or worse, death of a friend or family member on me." Heartbroken, he looked to the cold body of his brother. "This is the only way."

"I'm still here aren't I?" Draco sneered. "I thought you were supposed to be the smart one!" He met George's gaze with a cold smile. "Don't look so surprised. I'm not doing you a favour. I prefer Demeter's Embrace than the looks of disgust and hatred I've been getting these last couple of days!"

George wondered if this was an evil trick or if Malfoy really meant it. "You're saying you would take my place in the ritual to save my brother, your enemy?" He asked; eyes narrowed in doubt, then they widened in disbelief when the blond wizard nodded in confirmation.

"Time is ticking, want my help or not?!" Draco's voice sounded harsh and revolted. His heart was threatening to burst out of his chest as he wondered what the Hell he was doing.

The redhead nodded. Draco smiled without emotion, grateful he had so many lessons in looking calm, for inside he was anything but. He slowly walked toward George, conjuring an Athame out of nothing.

Quickly, he grabbed its blade with one hand, pulling it away with the other. He grinded his teeth as the blood started to flow from the fine cut in his palm. He threw the Athame to George and watched as the ginger-haired wizard mimicked his move and then reached forth he hand.


"I call upon thee great Mother Goddess, Goddess of birth, death and rebirth, Goddess of the seasons. Hear my cry, oh Great Demeter, daughter of Cronus and Rhea, sister of Zeus, mother of Persephone. The blood of my blood has left this world too soon, please come forth and bring him back. I know the cost and pay it gladly!" Draco's voice rang through out the empty room.

George sat, leaning against the wall, hiding in the shadows. His eyes focused on the young wizard chanting the evocation, covered in much the same markings as Fred. He made a promise to himself that if Malfoy screwed this up he wouldn't see the next sunrise. He was about to stop Malfoy when a cold breeze flung open the window.

An icy-silver, shimmering mist drifted into the room through an open window. Draco fell to his knees, eyes fixed to the floor as a beautiful lady formed from the mist. She looked rather cross at the boy kneeling at her feet to the redhead lying encircled with candles. Sneering, she realized she had been tricked into coming and she began planning how to kill the blond mortal at her feet.

"Goddess Demeter, I beg you to look past appearances and into the blood, into my heart, Mother Goddess. Here lays my brother in blood, war-hero, jokester, loyal friend, beloved brother and son. He has been taken from a world that still needs him. Then look at me; traitor, coward and tyrant. Who of us deserves to live?" Draco didn't dare to look at the Goddess.

George could feel the coldness from Demeter's aura and was surprised to see the Goddess' expression go from furious to astonish. "Mortal, you mixed your blood to gain the blood status to deceive me to come. I would kill you for less! However, you surprise me. Why would you sacrifice yourself to bring back an enemy? Why are you not afraid to die?!"
Draco raised his slate grey eyes to meet the Goddess’,”what do I have to live for, my Goddess?" He said with so much bitterness that George could taste it.

The coldness in the boy's eyes struck Demeter’s heart. Never had she met a Mortal so desperate for death and salvation. "So be it! I'll send Hermes to the depths of Hades to bring back your blood-kindred!"

The room grew quiet as a tomb and made minutes feel like hours. Then, a golden mist drifted in through the window and a youth-like man formed carrying the translucent soul of Fred Weasley. With a solemn look on his face, he blew the soul back into the cold dead body and nodded briefly to the Goddess before he disappeared back into mist.

George's eyes were fixed on his twin's chest. Did it move or were his eyes playing tricks on him? As the deep sound of the first breath filling Fred's lungs echoed in the empty room, George had to press his hands to his mouth so as not to scream. He fought the urge to leave the shadows and run to his brother's reanimated body. It had worked. It had really worked!

Draco smirked at the irony. At the sound of Fred's first breath, he knew he would be taking his last in a matter of moments. Realizing he might not see the next day, he suddenly didn't mind the dirty look, the hissings and booing or even the knowledge that he would be scolded by every wizard and witch for the rest of his life. He realized he didn't want to die!

"Mortal, your blood-kindred will not awake from his unconscious state till you give me what is rightfully mine. Rise and let me embrace you!" Demeter had made her mind up on what the price would be and knew the mortal would be disappointed. By sacrificing himself for a former foe, he had triggered the ancient laws of faith.

With a last look in to the shadows where George sat weeping in silence, Draco rose with his heart pounding and his mind asking stupid questions; would it hurt? Would anybody miss him? Why had he never tasted a sherbet lemon? Inside, his soul screamed it didn't want to die but on the outside he looked calm and collected.

Draco suddenly remembered that Demeter was the creator of the first Dementor. His heart skipped a beat in fear of being demented and not just killed. So, as he walked into her embrace he trembled in outright panic, telling himself that this was by far the stupidest thing he had ever done. Then, slowly all light faded and all grew dark.


It took awhile for Fred to realize he could feel his heart beating. Soon he discovered he could hear someone weeping and calling his name. He felt cold and his muscles hurt as he tried to move. "This feels funny," he thought to himself. He tried to remember what had happened but it seemed foggy. Then it came back and his eyes shot open.

"The wall! Look out-- hey, where am I?" Fred blinked as he stared up into his twin's red eyes and saw the traces of tears on his cheeks.
"You came back! I got you back," George, whispered in a croaky voice.
Fred was confused, "back from where?"
George hurled his arms around Fred's neck bursting into tears yet again.
"You act like I've been dead or something!" George howled in sorrow and then Fred realised he had been. "Wicked!" he smirked. "How did I die and how did you get me back?"

George stopped crying and pushed Fred away looking in disbelief at his twin. "WICKED? You think it’s fun seeing your twin crushed under a pile of rocks, do you?!"

"Hey! It isn't nice to yell at someone who just returned from the dead!" Fred yelled back. The two glared at each other, then the corners of their mouths started to twitch as they grasped that it seemed a little stupid that the first thing they did after concurring death was fight. They burst into laughter.

Still smiling, Fred asked how "the bloody Hell" George had managed to bring him back. George murmured that he hadn't, he didn't have the strength, someone had helped him.

"Harry?" Fred asked. He looked around and was shocked to see Draco Malfoy laying a few feet away, his back to them and seemingly not moving.

"Ferret? No way. He's too much of a coward, right?!" Fred couldn't believe it. "Umm, is he all right?" Fred took the pants from George's hand, put them on and crawled over to Malfoy.

"Is he breathing?" George panicked, realizing that Malfoy might have died saving Fred. The twins turned Malfoy onto his back and it didn't look like he was breathing. He was pale and his lips were slightly blue, almost purple.

"I’ve sacrificed Draco Malfoy to Demeter; Lucius won't be too happy about that," George said in a strange voice, making Fred look up at his brother in disbelief. "You killed Malfoy?!"

They both jumped as a moan left Draco. However, they quickly realized it meant he wasn't dead. Silently they thanked whatever God or Goddess saved their arses. "Eh, Malfoy, are you all right?" George asked.

Pain strickened, Draco grimaced, fighting to regain full function of his mind and open his eyes. "What the--" Fred gasped. Draco’s once grey eyes were milky-white orbs.

Draco murmured that it would be kind of them to turn on the light; the twins looked at each other. Fred mimed to George that he had better tell Draco and George shook his head in panic, for how do you tell someone that it was morning and the room was full of light?


Draco was overjoyed to find that he was still alive and didn't really take notice of the silence from the twins at first. Then he realized that their hearts were racing. It wasn't normal for him to be able to hear other people's heartbeats! He turned his head, seeing only shadows and his own heart began racing.

"She took my sight!!!" Draco gasped; trying in vain not to let the panic overtake his mind and body. "I've gone BLIND!" he screamed. He sat up and began hyperventilating; losing what little control, he had over the panic. "How in the bloody hell am I going to be a wizard when I can't see my target?!"

Draco felt a hand on his shoulder. “Um,” George spoke, “we should get you guys to Madam Pomfrey but we can’t all go together. If people see you with me they’ll wonder why I’m helping you and we can’t risk someone finding Fred here, alive.”

"So you really didn't think this through!" Draco hissed, feeling utterly helpless. He suggested that George fetch Pomfrey while he and Fred waited. He could almost hear their jaws drop.

George coughed and said he'd be right back with the nurse and Draco heard the door open and shut. After a moment of silence, Fred coughed as well and mumbled, "Why did you help George?"

Draco could clearly hear how uncomfortable he was asking. "I had been thinking of jumping off the tower all morning but this seemed more glorious, saving you and all, even that didn't go my way." He couldn't help but laugh coldly as he thought of how pathetic he was and going blind just made it even more so. What good is a blind wizard?

Fred could see Draco spiralling down into a pit of despair and suggested that Demeter might have decided to give him a second chance in life. "Don't give up so easily, Malfoy. It might turn out all right, somehow." He gave Draco's shoulder a squeeze.


The door opened and Madam Pomfrey cried out, "good heavens!" shocked to see Fred Weasley staring back.

"It's all right Madam P, you're not seeing things. It is me, Fred Weasley back from the dead in need of a health check to see if I made it back okay!"

"Dear Lord Saviour, I have never--" Madam Pomfrey was shaking all over as she entered the room. Taking a deep breath she asked, "Does your family know? Dear, oh dear!" Then she saw Draco's milky white eyes and she shook her head, asking what dark magic they had been fooling with as she grabbed Fred's arm to check his pulse.

His pulse was perfect and even though it wasn't funny the twins couldn't keep smiles off their lips. It was truly wicked; to cheat death wasn't an everyday thing to do. They both looked at the blond sitting wearing only boxers, his knees folded to his chest, arms crossed and head hidden. They wondered how to ever pay him back for his help.

"Are you all right, Malfoy?" Fred asked.

With a sardonic laugh, Draco lifted his head. "Oh yeah, just bloody fine. I'm BLIND for Pete's sake! Would you be all right?!" He was answered by complete silence and sneered, "Didn’t think so." Sighing, he rested his chin on his arms, his sightless eyes gazing into the darkness.

"Umm, if there is anything we can do, just tell us and we'll do it," Fred said quietly.

"You can hand me my clothes for a start."

George almost fell as he jumped to fetch the clothes, placing the bundle in Draco's lap.

"Thank you," Draco sighed. He began dressing, realizing it was quite a job when you couldn't see. Frowning as he struggled with the buttons on his shirt, he finally gave up. "Have it your way, stupid shirt!" He put on his trousers not caring if he had to go down the corridors with an open shirt, it wasn't like he would see if someone stared at him.


"Let me see your eyes, Draco." Madam Pomfrey knelt down in front of him and he could smell the fragrances of her perfume; English roses, green apple and a hint of rosemary. He frowned, noticing once more his abnormally sharpened senses but in his melancholy state of mind, he didn't give it a second thought.

"Oh, sweetheart, what kind of magic have you been fiddling with? Your irises and pupils have vanished and I'm not equipped to dealing with this kind of strong magic." Madam Pomfrey looked at the boy with pity, as she had never heard of anyone regaining their sight after losing it by magic.

"Demeter," Draco hissed, making the elder witch gasp.

Fred and George both coughed and looked as if they had been caught stealing from Filch's office.

"It was my idea--"

"But he just wanted to bring me back--"

"Malfoy offered to help call on Demeter--"

"And she came and brought me back--"

"We are to blame." The twins looked uncomfortable as they felt guilt for the first time ever.

Madam Pomfrey looked puzzled from boy to boy, wondering where they had gotten the courage to summon the old Greek Goddess. With a sigh she stood up, "we better inform Mrs. and Mr. Weasley that they have their son back, don't you think?"

She ordered the boys to stay put and lock the door, as she didn't want any panic-stricken children running through Hogwarts. Left alone, the twins stared at Draco as he once more tried to button his shirt.

"Would you like a helping hand?" Fred asked. Grimacing, Draco nodded.

As Fred moved in close, Draco could feel the other boy's warmth. "I'm sorry 'bout your eyes, Ferret," Fred whispered as he buttoned the last one and just sat looking at the person he owed his life.

"So am I but I knew there was a price for being a hero!" Draco said with revulsion in his voice. Fred widened his eyes and murmured, "at least you're alive!" and then frowned as Draco closed his eyes and turned away.

George whispered to his twin that Draco had wished to die, so that he still was breathing wasn't that much of a comfort for Draco as it was for Fred.

At this, Draco slowly got to his feet and remembering how the room looked, found his way to a corner. He sat down once again coiling up, hiding his head in his arm.

Fred looked at his twin and mouthed, "Brilliant job!" George mimed "sorry" back just as the door slammed open and the entire Weasley clan came running into the room.

"FRED! You are alive!" Molly Weasley screamed and tossed her arms around George's neck. He grinned and gently patted her on the back and said, "I'm George, he's Fred!" She let go and turned to cling to Fred as she wailed, with Arthur murmuring, "but how… how?!" No one noticed Draco hiding in the shadows.

"Please let go, mum, you're suffocating me!" Fred cried making Molly jump back in fear of him dying again.

"But how is this possible?!" Arthur mumbled again as he wiped a tear from his eye. He looked from his two twin boys to his family hoping someone would tell him.

"It's a long story," George said, "but it involves Demeter, me, Fred and Draco Malfoy."

"Malfoy?" Ron cried out, "where the bloody hell does he fit in?!" Clearly, the rest wondered the same thing as they all looked flabbergasted.

George gave a tiny cough and explained Draco had stepped up to help, as he, George, didn't have the strength or guts to go through with the ritual. "We mixed blood and he tricked Demeter to come. She took his sight."

The room grew quiet and when Fred and George looked over into the corner, they all saw the crumbled form of the blond boy hiding in the shadows. The boy they all loved to hate, as he had been a part of Dumbledore's death; the same boy, who had brought their brother, son and friend back to them. The boy they now owed more than they could ever repay.


"Ma…Malfoy?" Draco recognized Hermione Granger's voice but he didn't react. He didn't want their pity. He knew they had a hard time understanding that he had pulled their loved one from the claws of death. They would just have to deal with it.

"Malfoy, are you all right?" This time Fred’s voice called out his name, very close by.

"Fine, just go!" Draco whispered. "I want to be alone." He couldn't face anyone right now.

"You need to get to the hospital wing. Harry, may we borrow your cloak?" Fred's voice was gentle and he placed a hand on Draco's shoulder.

Draco slowly lifted his head but kept his eyes closed. "Okay! I'll go."

Harry summoned his cloak and handed it without a word to Fred.

"Ready?" Fred asked as he stood as close to Draco as possible without touching him. When Draco nodded, Fred handed him one side of the cloak and placed his hand on Draco's shoulder.

They disappeared under the invisibility cloak and the group formed a protective circle around them.

Draco found it humiliating, to say the least, to be depending on others to guide him through the castle he had called home for six bloody years. He was glad to be left alone behind a screen in the hospital wing while the Headmistress contacted his parents.

Draco could clearly picture Lucius' reaction; "Blinded for saving a Weasley!" If his parents ever found out it had been a suicide attempt--, he grimaced at the thought.

His heart began racing as panic began pouring through his veins. Why hadn't Demeter just granted him his wish for death?! He heard someone step around the curtain and felt like screaming at whoever it was to leave him alone.

"Draco, may I please have a word?" It was Mrs. Weasley!

He knew she wouldn't take no for an answer and grunted his consent. He heard her gasp as she saw his all-white eyes. "Oh dear, dear boy, please tell me if there is anything my family or I can do to help you. We owe you so much. Thank you for saving my son!" At this, Molly broke down in sobs.

Sitting down on Draco's bed, Molly gently took his hand and patted it. Taking a deep breath she said, "Please, dear, don't give up on life. It's a wondrous gift. If you need to talk, please don't be afraid to call for me. I'll listen and keep all we talk about to myself." Molly sighed as she looked at the clearly desperate boy.

Draco felt his lips tremble and his eyes fill with tears. He didn't know if it was Mrs. Weasley's soft, concerned voice or her gentle caress of his hand but slowly a whimper of pain, guilt, sorrow and so many other feelings left his throat and he couldn't keep the tears from falling.

Mrs. Weasley pulled him into her warm embrace and he let himself cry, just this one time. Years of hidden tears flowed.
Tears of pain, of being rejected and disliked by almost everyone; tears of guilt for letting the Death Eaters into the castle; tears of envy that Potter and Weasley had the support and love from their family and friends, tears of grief over his own stupidity for following in his father's footsteps and tears of fear for being rejected by his family as well.

Molly tenderly rocked the weeping boy and she started to hum a lullaby, letting him cry all those bitter and painful tears. This wasn't an evil young wizard; merely a misguided young man who clearly felt sorrow and shame for how he had acted in the past, a boy in serious need of help. As she sat there, a plan started to form in her mind.