Windbound 14/35

[herumtreiber]

Title: Windbound - 14/35
Chapter: Fourteen
Author:herumtreiber 
Genre: post DH, slash, romance, adventure
Disclaimer: The world and characters of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. Nor do I make any money from the writing of these stories.
Rating: PG- 13
Warnings: None
Epilogue compliant? Epilogue complaisant
Chapter length: ~4,279 words
Summary: Draco/Harry, Ron/Hermione, Hannah/Dean, Justin/Daphne, Ginny/??? My take on the Marriage Law. Should they obey the government’s edict or fight it the Muggle way? This leads to marriage equality. Plus there’s a twist exploring how a Horcrux operates. Good!Lucius, finally:) Hufflepuff house is amply represented here.



Table of contents



Chapter thirteen


Disclaimer: The world of Dune belongs to Frank Herbert and heirs, no profit is intended herein.

November 12th, 1998

St. Mungo's

Narcissa felt a small tear forming in her beige dress, probably from dodging the dark curses. So when they had hastily consumed some sandwiches in the cafeteria, she invited Antonia to go over to the Manor, so they could change into more comfortable clothes.

The blonde woman readily agreed, and Narcissa took out a portkey from her bag. It was a small paperweight, and as she and Antonia touched it, she murmured the password, 'mockingbird.' They were duly transported to the Manor.

Narcissa rapidly walked to their suite, Antonia trailing behind her. The exquisite marble stairs and floors, which looked resplendent to Antonia, seemed forlorn to Narcissa. She missed Lucius and thought it was so unfair that now, when he was starting to walk his own path, this should happen to him.

Narcissa choked back a sob and entered her wardrobe, motioning for Antonia to accompany her. "Just grab what you feel comfortable with; over there are the winter clothes. You have almost the same build as me, though thinner." Narcissa blinked back tears and continued, "I think you would look great in dark colors, like black or dark blue."

As Antonia found an ensemble of a dark green bodice with a large white skirt, Narcissa found a nice cerulean dress that Lucius had once bought her in Barcelona, in a flight of fancy unlike his usual self.

The memories of that day overwhelmed her and her walls came crumbling down. She started sobbing.

Antonia went to her side and delicately held her, as she said in comforting tones, "I'm here, Narcissa. Things will be all right, things will be fine."

Narcissa cried faster as she said, "You don't understand, Antonia, things will never be fine! People despise us for some of the things we've done, and maybe they are right! A year ago Jason and you would never have been our friends. How can you stand so close to one so dark?"

Antonia replied in a calm and warm voice, "All I see is the people we have become close friends with. An unruly blond teenager who likes to pretend he is the king of the world, but ends up doing the right things – mostly. Someone who's been great for Justin. These two blonds have become very good friends, and Justin does not trust people easily, so he must feel secure with your son."

"All I see is the woman I like to spend time with, planning our next shopping spree, speaking about the travails of being married to thoroughly political men. A friendly shoulder to rely on. I've never met a more devoted mother than you, and it warms my heart."

"All I see is the man in the hospital bed, the one who saved my Jason's life. Without Lucius there to put himself in harm's way, Jason would be dead. So we owe you a debt of honor. Now, we may not be up to par regarding all the magical rituals and traditions of these debts, but we do know enough to realize the great gift you have bestowed on us."

"You were bad once, so what! People change, and that change must be recognized and honored. My grandfather came back from World War II a completely changed man. He used to be so cocky and arrogant, according to grandmother, but after the war ended and he came back, he was contemplative, he led a rich inner life and married my mother, a girl he had once overlooked in his search for the next big thing."

"And it wouldn't surprise me if the Wizarding World treated you harshly! From what I've seen of that society, it sounds really harsh and feral, much more unfriendly and backward than ours!"

"You don't have to stay there and take their insults, you know. After the Marriage Law has been completely nullified, you and Lucius could move to our world. I've noticed that you and Lucius seem to use little magic, so it would not be a very big loss for you. Draco is grown up, and he would find his way. He would remain near you with this portkey thing you have."

Narcissa had stopped crying a while ago, and she hugged Antonia as she whispered, "Thanks, Tonia, I needed that."

With a sigh, the women changed their rumpled clothes, grabbed coats and robes, and portkeyed back to St. Mungo's.

After they arrived, Narcissa tried to order Antonia to stay in the suite the hospital provided to Malfoy guests. After Antonia adamantly refused, Narcissa used her Slytherin side and persuaded the other blonde that she needed to stay in shape when Justin and Jason returned. Finally Antonia was led to the suite and Narcissa entered Lucius's room.

She found Lucius looking considerably better, some color had returned to his cheeks and he appeared to be breathing evenly. She noticed Draco sleeping on a chair, tightly bundled in his dragon leather jacket. She took out her wand, flourished it and transformed the chair into a bed. She also took off her son's jacket. She noticed strange rips in the leather, which was odd considering that dragon leather was supposed to be impervious to everything.

Healer Sarah Bonafont entered the room; she came over and sat next to Narcissa, as she finished caring for Draco. Healer Bonafont started, "I have good news, Mrs. Malfoy. The latest check-up indicated that the toxin level had decreased considerably. We are now treating Mr. Malfoy so the residual venom is quickly eliminated from his body. We are baffled as to why this would be happening, considering that the spell caused permanent venom to flow in Mr. Malfoy's veins, and it could not be extracted by physical or magical means."

The Healer motioned towards Draco's once pristine jacket, and she concluded, "Although maybe we shouldn't look further into that. I wonder what is strong enough to ruin a perfectly good dragon leather jacket."

During the night, the door was forcefully opened as Jason and Justin came in. The curly-haired men looked exhausted and nervous as they looked around the room, towards Lucius's bed, where a seemingly peaceful Lucius lay; towards Draco's bed, where an exhausted looking blond appeared to be wrestling dragons in his sleep, and towards Narcissa's couch, where the blonde had tucked her legs comfortably under her long skirt and appeared to be engrossed in reading a novel, next to a brightly lit sconce.

Narcissa answered their unspoken questions and told them about the Dark curse used on Lucius, how the Healers despaired of saving him. She told them that Antonia was doing ok in the Malfoy guest room in St. Mungo's. She also shared with them the delightful good news imparted by Healer Bonafont. She intimated that Draco had something to do with Lucius's well-being – witness his ruined jacket.

Before they started with their report, Justin came over to the sleeping Draco and poked him in the ribs. Draco mumbled something and kept wrestling the conjured blankets.

Justin was forced to use major weapons. He sat astride Draco and tickled him. The blond Slytherin woke up instantly and started laughing uncontrollably.

His mission having been fulfilled, Justin got off of Draco and stood next to his father.

Draco looked anxiously at his father, and then met his mother's eyes. Narcissa said softly, "Lucius is doing all right, Draco. The toxin has mostly left his body. The Healers will continue treatment for some days, two probably. He's fine, and I suppose it is thanks to you."

The Finch-Fletchleys thus reassured, they started explaining how their testimony had gone. Justin said, "We arrived just at the right place. An unused corridor in Westminster. Dad knew where we were, and he led us to the room where the Law Lords would question us."

Justin continued proudly, "The Law Lords took my father's testimony first. Of course he knows most of them. They treated him with respect. It was obvious from the questioning that most of the Lords knew about the Wizarding World, only a few did not know about us."

"Then I spoke. They wanted to know if I had accepted to be married to Daphne Greengrass. I told them most adamantly that I had not! I spoke about why we were just reduced to unfeeling dolls when such important decisions were taken from us, how our basic human rights and freedom were being grossly violated by the Wizarding World and its rulers."

Justin concluded, "The Law Lords maintained their poker faces, but I could see a bit of hesitation among some of them. They are carefully considering their case, and hopefully they will do what they think is best for the UK."

Draco smirked as he fell asleep; still exhausted from the magic he'd performed earlier.

Jason left to get something to eat at the cafeteria. Truth to tell, he was also curious about this Wizarding hospital and wanted to see more of it. Hopefully the people would be too interested in what they were doing to notice he was a Muggle and attack him.

Jason had been gone for a while and both Justin and Narcissa were beginning to doze off, when the doors were forcibly yanked open and three men garbed in the Auror uniform stepped into the room.

Two approached the sleeping Lucius and the third stood by the door, directing the others. "Go, Jameson and Smiley, grab that Death Eater and let's portkey to the Ministry."

Draco shouted stentorian, "I demand to know what is going on! What are you doing here? What do you think you are doing?"

The Auror in charge smiled maliciously as he said, "Here is the Malfoy cub! You see, lad, my name is John Flux and we're here to take this miscreant to a holding cell in the Ministry. The Death Eaters we questioned tonight told us Lucius Malfoy was the one directing them! Of course we will question the Death Eater right…. Ouch!"

Justin had unobtrusively taken out his wand, and it was him who had shouted the spell at that git and sent him crashing to the wall behind him. Justin drawled menacingly, "That man, Lucius Malfoy, saved my father's life. Why would he do that if he was directing the attack, according to your asinine theories? If you behave like pigs, you need pig's tails."

Justin flourished his wand with ease and the three surprised Aurors realized they were now sporting pig's tails. Draco made a mental note to never piss off a Hufflepuff that much. He also noticed how Justin was tugging on his curls as he hurled insults at the cowed Aurors.

"Don't you ever dare to come up with such hare-brained ideas and then hurt innocent people! I will file a complaint against you three, and I will follow up that complaint with a newspaper interview if necessary. You will not do such stupid things again! Now get out!"

The cowed Aurors left the room. Draco and Narcissa heaved sighs of relief. Five minutes later, the door opened and Jason Finch-Fletchley walked in. The curly-haired man was completely awed. He said, "You will never believe what I saw, teapots being turned into humans, people with body parts which are not in their proper position, and men sporting pig's tails!"

Justin, Draco and Narcissa laughed warmly. Justin said, "Dad, you missed all the fun!"

On Saturday, Hermione stayed behind in the Library - although Ron wanted to go to Hogsmeade with her - so she could study further Ancient Runes. She had learned most of the Futhark Runes and could discern the motif interwoven by the Magical barons into Magna Carta: submission to the rules. Unsurprisingly, they were not as sharp as they thought they were and mixed up the runes' meanings. This led to a confusing stalemate. Where the original geas or vow of obedience would favor only the magical barons, the conditions created appeared to favor the whole, so that the rule of law would be upheld no matter what.

Hermione looked up from her veritable tower of books she needed to consult and she noticed Harry and Lavender entering the Library. They appeared to be in a good mood and Harry briefly put his arms around Lavender's shoulders. The bushy-haired witch bristled at the display of affection. It wasn't that she hated Lavender; it was that she just wondered what Ron, Harry and even Draco saw in her. Draco even took the fact that Lavender was a pureblood in stride! Obviously he still thought he could influence her away from the people who would strip him of his estate through legal means – through the Marriage Law.

She observed from behind her shield of books as Harry and Lavender spoke quietly for some minutes. Then the uppity Lavender stood up and walked away, while Harry made it to Hermione's side.

Harry said softly with a smile in his voice, "I know you are behind that, Hermione. Who else could read so many books simultaneously?"

Hermione moved a tottering pile of books away so she could see Harry and replied, "Come sit by my side, Harry. I need your help."

After Harry sat down, eyeing distrustfully the towering piles of books, Hermione gave him a sheaf of parchment. She said, "I followed Draco's advice concerning my parents and I wrote a story about that. It is set in the Dune universe. I want your criticism, Harry."

Harry read carefully the story, noting the excellent way the prose flowed. After a while, he looked up and said, "It's wonderful, Hermione. It's written with your heart, as well it should be. It depicts the human struggle, with good prevailing at the end. It holds the readers' attention and will surely help you on your quest."

Hermione blushed hearing Harry's wonderful words. She asked slyly, "Why are you so friendly with Lavender, she is going to marry Draco, you know?"

Harry replied earnestly, "She does it in accord with the marriage law. She is a wonderful person, who fought with us since the beginning. She could be a good influence on Draco, if he allows it. We are all parts of the whole, and we must all play our roles."

Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott were eating quietly at the Hufflepuff table. They missed Justin and Draco and hoped that everything had gone all right. They were interrupted by a regal owl, Draco's Osiris.

Hannah took the missive from the owl's leg and fed him a small cut of the steak she was eating. After he finished, he took off for the Owlery. Hannah opened her letter and read it.

She turned to Susan and explained that there had been an attack on both families when they were driving to Westminster. Lucius had been wounded but he appeared to be on the mend. Justin and his father had given their testimonies. Justin and Draco would be back in the afternoon.

After the meal, Harry approached them to ask about Draco. He'd noticed the regal eagle owl swooping down on the Hufflepuff table. Susan explained that Draco was away on some business with his father and he would return in the afternoon.

Harry was a little worried about Draco's absence. He asked Ron if he would fly with him to blow off some steam. After the Battle, Harry had been too stressed to care about Quidditch and therefore he did not participate in it. Something similar happened to Draco, so there was no heated Slytherin-Gryffindor rivalry to entertain the Houses this year.

Still, Harry liked to fly, so from time to time he coaxed Ron to accompany him and try some daredevil maneuvers. They flew for hours, although this time they cut the time short when Ron espied beneath him in the Quidditch pitch a figure he identified as Lavender.

Ron bid Harry adieu and descended to meet the buxom witch. The blonde hugged the redhead affectionately and they talked about their past, their lost friends and the future.

Ron said worriedly, "Are you sure you want to do this for the Cause, Lav? I am worried because I know how much of a git he is. All the time he spent torturing me with his insults, and he even tried to murder me!"

"If ever you need help before the fruition of the plan, come to me."

Lavender replied warmly, "I'm sure I know how to handle him, Ron-Ron! He has been very kind towards me, very understanding, not at all the monster you painted him to be."

Ron harrumphed and walked away, turning his face to look at Lavender one more time and saying, "Just remember, you know where I'm at!"

Lavender sighed. Ron was still a kid, still stuck in the concerns of the past, when the world was changing, had changed in fact, and it was not the same environment at all. It made her glad that she had kept her innermost thoughts to herself. 'I'm ashamed to be using Draco like this. If need be, I'll stand with the father of my future children.'

In St. Mungo's, Lucius finally woke up at around 3:00 PM. Narcissa wept with joy as she held Lucius. The elder Malfoy nodded at his son and the Finch-Fletchleys. Antonia had left shortly after 1:00 PM after being reassured by Narcissa that things were going ok. Justin Apparated his mother Side-along to their flat in London.

An exhausted Justin had come back, and with the help of Narcissa and Draco, had Flooed the Minister of Magic and encouraged – or demanded angrily - his help in handling the matter of his dad's car and the baseless accusations of the Aurors against Lucius.

So when Lucius woke up, they all related the events thus far. Draco even taunted his father, he said, "I didn't know you were such a Hufflepuff, father. I guess this time the Sorting Hat would put you into a House different than Slytherin!"

Lucius smirked fleetingly, and Draco had the sinking feeling that perhaps there would be retributions. He never knew with his father.

To transport Mr. Finch-Fletchley to his office, Draco clapped his hands and called for the house-elf Bisky. When she appeared with a pop sound, he told her to please take Mr. Finch-Fletchley to the place he wanted.

Jason grinned at Bisky and waved jauntily to his friends and his son as he disappeared with the house-elf.

Healer Sarah Bonafont knocked and entered. She gave some vials to Narcissa, indicating they were blood-purifying potions Lucius had to take for a week. Then she pronounced him fit to leave St. Mungo's. As she was leaving she turned to Draco and said, "And remember, Draco Malfoy, that you have a place in St. Mungo's if you want it. Your insight would be welcome here."

Draco puffed his chest as Narcissa and Lucius beamed proudly and Justin rolled unobtrusively his eyes.

When Draco and Justin returned to Hogwarts, they had with them notes from their fathers explaining their absence. Luckily for them, Lucius had proposed that to avoid Detentions. When they arrived to the stairs, the Hufflepuff waved goodbye to Draco. The Slytherin went to his room, grabbed some books and made his way to the Kitchen, intent on having a good meal so as to be able to finish the hard Ancient Runes homework.

After he tickled the pear and entered, he ordered the elves to prepare him sumptuous sandwiches. A few minutes later the door opened and Harry walked in. Harry's hair looked as scruffy – and adorable – as always. He wore his pajama bottoms, which featured flying hippogriffs moving about, and a haphazardly thrown robe. Draco supposed that Harry had been tracking him with the Marauder's Map. When he asked what he was doing there, Harry replied nonchalantly, "Just passing the time. Where were you?" As he grabbed the other half of his sandwich.

"Just helping my father with some things." Answered Draco vaguely to the bold sandwich-stealer.

Draco pointedly asked the elves to prepare for him another sumptuous sandwich, which he gave to a surprised Harry.

Draco asked Harry to tell him about movies he'd seen, and what his favorite one was. Harry replied easily, "I love the Star Wars universe. I'm looking forward to watching the first in the new series, when the Republic begins to fail. I also like some drama. Generally I like action films, and don't like romance movies, unless it is a period piece."

Draco promised Harry that they would go to many movies together, or get to watch them at home, whatever suited their moods. Draco stole half a sandwich from Harry.

When the brunet man saw that, he raised an eyebrow and said, "I would have never been able to do that with the Dursleys."

"What, make a sandwich?"

"No, silly. I meant steal food. If the Dursleys had caught me, they would have thrown me into the cupboard for a week at least."

"A cupboard for a week, what do you mean, Harry?"

Harry explained that to punish him for certain supposed misdeeds, the Dursleys often locked him in the cupboard. Under Draco's relentless questions, he admitted that most of the times that was ok with him, because at least it kept them from the Dursleys; but sometimes, the darkness of the little room felt too constraining and he suffered mild claustrophobia.

Draco hugged Harry lightly as he felt a fierce protectiveness rise up in him at the thought of the Savior of the Wizarding World being left alone to fend off for himself in the company of such people. He was of a mind to go and catch these Dursleys and enact revenge, but he knew Harry wouldn't like that, and besides, they were his family.

Draco asked, "Do you suffer from claustrophobia, Harry?"

Harry bit his lip and replied, "No. Sometimes, though, the strangest feeling comes over me. I feel completely trapped, like I've lost movement, like a stone."

Draco replied, "If you ever feel like that, come to me, Harry!" The blond mentally swore to always look out for Harry, no matter what.

Later Draco entered the Library and sat down next to a veritable worried-looking Hermione. She saw the smirking Slytherin and unobtrusively sighed in relief. She took out her sheaf of parchments and passed it on to him. She said as sweetly as she could, "Would you please read that and give me your honest comments? It's the story you wanted me to write, trying to entice my parents into my life again. I've already received the criticisms of Harry and Ginny."

Draco snorted and replied, "Let me guess what they said. Harry thought the story was inspiring, original, uplifting and great. Ginny thought that the men were let off scot free, they weren't punished enough for our vindictive Ginny."

Hermione gasped, "How did you know? It was not exactly like that, but very similar."

"I just know them very well. I'll read your story, which I see is quaintly titled: 'Princess in distress.'"

After an hour, Hermione nervously watched as Draco finished the last parchment. He sat up, rubbed his eyes and said, "Do you want my honest criticism, Hermione?"

Hermione nodded. The blond continued, "The language flows beautifully, there is a consistently good quality in the writing. The grammar is perfect. However, there are some things that disturb me, like the fact that you have the princess smuggle her parents out of Arrakis, also known as Dune. They hide aboard a Guild ship orbiting Dune and they meet some thugs. The princess, whose name is Irulan and not Mirulan, by the way, faces all ten of them and wins, after slapping the chief thug."

"Excuse me if I say this is just a little… unbelievable."

"You are writing for your mother and father. You will not catch them using these plots, but rather attracting their curiosity. Make it subtle; make the princess have a hidden signaling device and get hold of some friends and together, they take on the thugs. Make it believable, and you can lead your parents where you want them, towards you."

Hermione said, "You make it sound as if I have to seduce them."

Draco replied, "It is a seduction of the mind. You have to establish and develop the common grounds you have with them. You have to make them want to know you more."

"You would not believe how easy – or hard - it is to seduce someone. It's a craft that the most ambitious wizards have honed to perfection, like Voldemort, Grindelwald and others."

"Draco, you sound admiring!"

"I'm not, Hermione. I've lived most of my life under the thrall of Voldemort, so I know how deep his seduction schemes go. Believe me, it is a hellish situation to be offered something you desperately want in return for doing something odious."

"Like saving my parents' lives in return for launching the attack on Dumbledore."

"What I can tell you, Hermione, is to be aware of seduction. Don't let things guide you where you don't want to go."

Chapter fifteen

Comments

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

[pingback-bot.livejournal.com]

User nursedarry referenced to your post from Wednesday, 17 August 2011 (http://hd-prophet.livejournal.com/336501.html) saying: [...] [PG13]. updated Windbound with Chapter 14 [...]

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

I'm so in love with your Draco in this :)

[herumtreiber.livejournal.com]

Thank you! ♥

The war left him more mature.