Windbound 21/35

[herumtreiber]

Title: Windbound - 21/35
Chapter: Twenty-one
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 writing these stories.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Epilogue compliant? Epilogue complaisant
Chapter length: ~4,551 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 twenty

December 25th, 1998
Malfoy Manor

After they had breakfast in the dining room, the gang retired to a smaller, cozier room at the end of the North Wing, where a small Christmas tree had been set up. Susan and Justin directed the handing out of presents, claiming it was their solemn duty as Head Boy and Girl.

The others proceeded to throw cushions at them, when the original ones ran out, they conjured some new ones. At the end, Draco and Hannah handed out the presents.

Draco noticed that Narcissa and Antonia seemed to be missing from the festivities and decided to find out why as soon as possible.
As Draco opened a present from Terry, Lucius suddenly stood up. He looked nervous as he tapped his cane around the floor. A quick glance at Jason seemed to cheer him up.

Lucius told Draco to follow him. They went to the next room and Lucius bade him sit down. Then the elder Malfoy glanced nervously left and right as he started, "You know that after the First War and the fall of Voldemort, I had medical examinations, seeing as I couldn't father another child. The tests indicated that as the result of all that Dark Magic, I couldn't have any more children."

Lucius glanced at his watch as he continued, "But lately, there has been an opportunity. A chance for us to extend our family and have a wonderful addition to it."

Draco's face lit up. One of the things he wanted most of all was having a little brother or sister. Someone to care for, someone to order around. Well, better late than never!
"Mother is going to have a child!"

Lucius commented, "No, Draco. The Healers were right that time. Neither your mother nor I can have more children. However, your mother and I can raise another child."

The door opened suddenly. Narcissa and Antonia strode regally in, behind Narcissa, almost hiding in her skirts, was a small child, with brown hair and blue eyes. The child looked to be very timid. Narcissa sat down next to Draco, and put the small girl close to her, without touching her but at a safe distance.

She explained, "I found this delightful girl when I was going shopping. She was a Muggleborn, and she was being abused by her caretakers. I took her to St. Othilde's Orphanage, hoping she would find a nice home.

"Unfortunately the beatings left psychological scars, and she hasn't been able to find people who would honestly care for her. I've been visiting the Orphanage, and it just broke my heart to see this nice girl live an unnoticed life in the dark.
"I could not let it go like this. I consulted with Lucius, and we both decided we would adopt her.

"We filled the forms, and after a lengthy consideration, they consented in the adoption. Today she was allowed to come home to us.

"I'm convinced that love is what saved us amidst the horrible darkness we endured last year, Draco. When we were about to give up, love threw us to the other side, the safe side. If I hadn't had Lucius and you, I would have just let go and welcomed death.

"Our love saved us. When there is a chance that it can save another life, who am I to say no? So please greet your sister, Miriam Malfoy!"

Draco bowed deeply, but made no move to approach Miriam directly. He knew she would be distrustful of everyone at this stage. He had some experience dealing with cases of abuse, considering Harry and his year-long abuse at the hands of the Dursleys. There were certain moments when Harry had a faraway look in his face, and he hated to be touched in such moments.

Draco also recalled his own trying times with Voldemort, how there were moments when he wanted to rock in his chair back and forth and pretend the world did not exist.

So Draco ordered the house-elf Seymour to put a small desk within reaching distance of Miriam. He also requested a small chair and sat down on the other side. He unobtrusively waved his Hawthorne wand and conjured some parchment and quills of different colors. He also conjured a plushie, a brown dragon.

Draco started to draw, and he placed some parchments and colors suspiciously close to Miriam. Draco mused that he was really a bad artist, all the drawings he could finish looked like stick figures, and if he tried to paint faces, they ended up looking Cubist, when that was not what he intended to do.

Miriam got curious as she observed what Draco was doing. She seemingly took comfort from the fact that Draco drew so badly, even the children at the Orphanage could draw better!

Draco would have been secretly pleased at that small concession to Malfoy manners.
Eventually Miriam grabbed some quills and parchment and started drawing things. She would show that silver-haired boy!

Draco unobtrusively pushed the brown dragon in her direction. After some minutes, Miriam grabbed it possessively and clutched it to her chest.

Lucius asked Miriam, "What is the name of your dragon, Miriam?"
Miriam replied shyly, "He's called Conis."

Draco asked, "Why?"
Miriam replied, conspicuously rolling her eyes, "Because that is the name of a dragon, Draconis, got that?"

Draco nodded. It seemed Miriam was well on her way to becoming a little sister: having her older brother wrapped around her fingers and being obnoxious and irreverent to said brother. Things were going to be normal.

Things would also be tough. Miriam would have to work through the consequences of being abused. But she would not do this alone; she would do this in the company of her family.

As they left the room, Narcissa started talking with Antonia about a favorite project of theirs.

As a result of witnessing Miriam's abuse, and knowing about Harry Potter's bad history with those damned Muggles from Draco's sarcastic comments, Narcissa was deeply worried about it being a trend. She wanted a way to catch the abuse early on, before it damaged the children so profoundly.

Antonia had invaluable contacts and experience in social work. Together the women were working towards implementing a Muggle-Magical surveillance net that would make sure the children were treated all right. This net would watch over all magical children, no matter if they were Pureblood or Muggleborn.

Narcissa, Lucius and Draco showed Miriam to her room. The brunette girl was exhausted. After the elves brought food for Miriam, she and Draco had an early dinner. Then Narcissa read her a magical story and Miriam fell asleep.

The next day, Lucius and his children entered the room with the Christmas tree.
He proceeded to tell the others about the new addition to the Malfoy family. Miriam sat beside her big brother, still clutching fiercely the brown dragon. Draco proceeded to tell Seymour to bring the desk and chairs there.

Presently the set up was as before and Draco was drawing horribly. Miriam seemed to forget about the strangers and started her own drawing of a stringy-looking blond.

Meanwhile, Lucius was voicing his doubts to a sympathetic Jason, "I worry if the Ministry will allow this adoption to go unchallenged. You know how they hate the Malfoys now. They might decide to jinx things."

Jason said reassuringly, "I've got your back, Lucius! If they dare to disrupt this, I will simply ask how many Muggleborns are abused per year. How many children have to suffer before the Minister does something? They will not know what hit them!"

The gang had approached the drawing Malfoys. Hannah asked Miriam, "What is the name of the blond boy you drew?"
Miriam replied shyly, "Conis."

Draco snorted and replied, "Conis? Do you name everyone Conis? Here, take a look at my drawing." He motioned imperiously to the sickly-looking stick figures he'd drawn and said pointing at each one in turn, "Conis, and Conis, and last but not least, Conis."

Miriam snorted and stomped her foot, exactly as she had seen Narcissa do sometimes when she visited her at the Orphanage. She said calmly but irritably, "Only dragons have the name Conis!" She clutched her brown dragon, "You and Conis are dragons, so there!"

The onlookers just laughed out loud. Blaise kneeled next to Miriam and said, "Way to go! I can see you will make a great addition to the team! My name is Blaise Zabini."

"If you want to know a secret about him, I'll tell you." Blaise murmured softly in Miriam's ear. The girl giggled and a curious Draco wanted to know what the secret was.

Blaise observed the blond's concerned mien and commented, "Nothing to worry your head about, Draco. Just a personal weakness that we have been known to exploit." Seeing Draco get increasingly mad, Hannah whispered to him, "He probably told Miriam how ticklish you are. Now don't worry, we will not abuse that knowledge… much."

People introduced themselves to Miriam. The five-year old could not remember all their strange names. A dark-haired girl finally asked her, pointing towards the blond, "How do you know he is a dragon?"
Miriam answered sadly, "His mother told me she had a son called Draconis, the Dragon, when she visited me at the Orphanage."

Draco smiled as he looked at little Miriam, "Correction, Miriam. Our mother told you that. Just like very soon, our mother will take you in shopping sprees around Europe. I just hope you like them. Have I mentioned how glad I am that you are my sister?"

Draco was unceremoniously smacked upside the head by Astoria and Hannah.
Miriam watched this with an amused mien and essayed a weak smile.

In the Burrow, the mood was generally cheery, if a little subdued compared to past years. Mrs. Weasley bravely tried to put the best face, engaging strenuously against the pervading gloom.

The Burrow looked pristine, as always. The worn but clean furniture reflected the care put by Molly Weasley into creating a warm home for her children. The wood of the table and chairs gleamed brightly; from the walls, the pictures of the family looked at them fondly.

Earlier, they had opened their presents. Harry received a pair of dragonhide boots from Charlie, and a modified Sneakoscope from Ron, seeing as the old one seemed to go off every minute. The brunet also received a book from Hermione, a biography of Victor Hugo.

George gave him some pranks, of course. The redhead just smiled innocently at Harry as he insisted that the pranks were completely harmless and had no secondary effects whatsoever. George mumbled under his breath, "Unless if there are ferrets."

George hugged Harry as he said, "I am glad you are here, Harry. Seeing you, Ron, Hermione and Ginny reminds me of the good old times at Hogwarts. It hurts to be alone without my brother, but watching the gang; I know he would like me to go on. I'll never forget him, but I am honor bound to continue his life of mischief and pranks."

George moved a step away from Harry, as he surreptitiously wiped his cheeks with the palm of his hand.

Percy gave Harry a slim book containing Ministry regulations pertaining Hogwarts. It was a practical, if disappointing gift. Mrs. Weasley gave him one of her famous orange sweaters with his initial on it. Harry received from Mr. Weasley a portkey that would transport him to the Burrow. The portkey was a golden wrist watch.

Hermione received thoughtful gifts from the Weasleys, including a bracelet designed to counter malignant hexes, courtesy of George, and a beautiful sweater which Ron bought for her.

Ginny received great gifts from her family. Harry gave her a new Strato broom, which she would use in her Quidditch matches. Hermione gave her a book, a biography of Queen Elizabeth I. More importantly, after they'd finished with the gifts and were going outside to play Quidditch, a sleek owl landed on her shoulder and presented his leg, with a small box attached to it. When Ginny opened it, she found a breathtaking set of earrings. Each earring was a pearl mounted in an exquisite silver frame.

Ginny knew who had sent her that gift, and she promised herself to give something back to that person.

They played Quidditch amidst the snow, after casting Warming Charms. At first they played on teams, Harry, George and Ron against Charlie, Percy and Ginny. The competition was fierce and the game exhilarating to all the participants, including an Animagus who now could fly even better.

After Harry caught the Snitch two times, the others, grumbling, decided to gang up on him. Still the brunet Gryffindor caught the Snitch again.
Thereupon the Weasleys decided to play all against all. The game ended with an impromptu snowball fight, begun by Ron, who surreptitiously attacked Harry.

The Weasleys and Harry finally made it to the shelter of the Burrow, after they were thoroughly chastised by an angry Hermione. There a concerned Mrs. Weasley cast drying charms to get rid of the wet snow and plied them with hot chocolate and cookies.

The next day, Hermione was in the living room, sitting on Mr. Weasley's favorite couch and trying to read a book about History of Magic. Ginny walked in five minutes later, rolling her eyes and smiling sympathetically in Hermione's direction. Mrs. Weasley had directed her, as usual, to degnome the garden.

Charlie entered a little later. The Dragon Tamer looked dashing as always, his long copper-colored hair framed beautifully the sharp angles of his face. He was wearing dragon-leather boots and old denims, together with a button down shirt. Bill was visiting his wife Fleur in a little town in Normandy.

Charlie took a seat opposite Ginny and asked her to play Wizarding Chess. Ginny agreed and they started playing.

Charlie seemed to be in a bad mood because they had been left all alone to degnome the garden. Molly had promised the help of Harry, Ron, and Percy, but none of these gits had shown up! He'd gone to complain to his father, but the elder Weasley was also absent, probably having work to do in the Ministry. George had left earlier that day, still working feverishly to keep open the store he'd opened with his Twin.

Ginny sympathized with Charlie's mood. She also noted how determinedly her father fulfilled his duties at the Ministry. Apparently having won the war did not abate his need for excellence. She also suspected that Harry and Ron just sensed when there was work to do and disappeared when they were most needed. Just like Ron to disappear at will!

Percy was probably off, doing Percy things. All in all, they left the work of the many, on the hands of the few.
Two hours later the missing Weasleys and Potter returned, when there wasn't work to do, as an irritated Ginny noted mentally.

A while later a regal eagle owl tapped on the window, which was opened by Charlie. The owl flew to Ginny, bearing a thin box. After Ginny had provided the owl with a treat, he flew off.

Ginny proceeded to untie the string that held the package together and hoped that Draco – for this was his owl Osiris – would send her some refreshing news.

Indeed, there were several magical photos inside. One particularly caught her fancy: a breathless Astoria riding intrepidly what she surmised was a Pegasus. The blonde was laughing care-free and there was such an expression of joy in her face that gave Ginny pause.

The other photos depicted the gang doing common things – except the ones when they were riding pegasi – there were photos of them playing soccer, riding horses and a particularly interesting one of Pansy and Terry seemingly kissing.
As the other Weasleys watched the photos, she saw Ron snort and scowl as he watched Draco riding a Pegasus.

Ginny sat next to Harry and whispered, "Missing Draco?"

"Yes, you don't know how much. I miss his face, his touch, his scowl. I miss the fleeting touch of his fingers upon my cheek, his mercurial moods, even his drawling words. But I must remain here for a while."

Lucius invited Jason to his study after dinner. The blond poured each of them a glass of vintage Firewhiskey. Lucius sat down in his chair behind the desk, and Jason sat in front of him.
Jason asked, "What is the news about the Marriage Law?"

Lucius answered, "The news is not good. Apparently the Deputy Minister is determined that the marriages go through. He has not listened to any words of advice regarding the Muggles' utter disavowal of the Marriage Law and their injunctions against proceeding with the forced marriages. In short, he will listen to no one, as is his wont, and will inexorably drag us down with him. The Minister has seen the light, but he is unable to stop this juggernaut. I expect Shacklebolt will resign soon."

"So what will we do?"
"We'll pretend to comply. On January 12th, the people will be present to witness the so-called marriages, and then we will see if our research on the geas is correct or not!"

"What do you mean, Lucius?"
"The will of the people as expressed by Parliament is clear. It is also simple to see that the geas that the proud barons intended to cast on England in 1215 misfired, and instead of binding everyone to the barons, it bound everyone to the will of Parliament. The Deputy Minister of Magic is a fool if he thinks he can ignore that."

"Miss Granger believes that magic itself must bow to the geas, and I tend to agree with her. If all this is true, then the Deputy Minister doesn't have a clue about what will happen to him if he tries to break the geas."

Lucius continued on a different note, "Jason, would you be agreeable to keep working with me?"
Jason widened his eyes in surprise and then duly nodded. He said, "Sure, Lucius, I'd be honored to. It's been fun playing politics with you, if only I could drag you to the Commons!"

Lucius bowed and sipped his drink. He said, "That's wonderful. I think we could deal with politics from the Muggle point of view. I find it fascinating and increasingly more practical than our side. I also think our boys will need us."

Jason nodded and also took a sip of his beverage, he answered, "Yes, they will. I also think it will help the Wizarding side in the long run."

The next day, they were eating breakfast in the dining room. Draco noticed how Miriam sat slightly apart from them, still clutching her brown dragon.

He made a plan on the spot, and started to implement it, as was his wont. He said to Justin and Daphne, who were seating next to him, "Care to go for a ride in our brooms! It would be fun!"

Justin sat up and said, "It could be fun! Since we can't get the movie room right, this ought to prove interesting!"
Daphne interrupted, "But what about your sister?"

Draco answered lazily, "Miriam could come with us! It'd be her first broom ride, this would be great!"
Susan, Hannah and Astoria answered in a chorus-like manner, "You can't do that!"

"Why?"
Hannah answered, "Because it would be dangerous. It would be Miriam's first broom ride. She would be excited and could easily lose control. There is a reason they only teach it to us when we're 11 years old, you know!"

Draco replied, "But I learned flying so much younger!"
Daphne replied, trying to hide her smirk, "Yes, Draco, we all know about your adventures with the helicopter. The matter is that it would be dangerous for Miriam. Believe me; you don't want to see your parents mad at you over your kid sibling!"

Astoria continued, "Yes, Daphne knows what she is talking about. I still remember the time we visited Loch Ness and she gave me a handful of gillyweed to chew on. Supposedly we were going to look for the Monster, but our parents caught us before that. Poor Daphne was held responsible, and afterwards, she couldn't sit down for a week!"

Astoria smirked as Daphne visibly blushed.
Draco considered his plans carefully and decided to review them while there was still time. A while later, Susan and Hannah had managed to coax Miriam into having tea with them, which according to the Hufflepuff witches meant dressing up to the nines. Soon they had enlisted the help of the other girls, and Draco surreptitiously tapped Justin's shoulder and pointed toward the door.

As they were leaving, the Hufflepuff asked, "What is wrong?"
Draco replied, "You were about to be recruited against your will to become a tea drinker. Anyway, I also want to talk to you about something else, and now is as good a time as any."

Draco led him to his room and when they got there, the blond continued, "What are you going to do once we finish Hogwarts, Justin? I suppose you intend to become a barrister like your father."

Justin replied, "Yes, I intend to go to Muggle Law school and start working for a law firm."
Draco smiled and said, "What if we became partners, Justin?"

The Hufflepuff stared aghast at Draco as he demanded, "Explain!"
"Like you, I'd like to go to Law school. Unlike you, however, I'd want to study Wizarding law. It seems to me there is a fruitful field of study in the way the Muggle and Wizarding Laws interact with each other.

"We would not have prevailed against the Marriage Law if we had sought succor only in Wizarding Law, just as we would have failed if we had only used Muggle Law, without relating it to the problem at hand. Our fathers helped enormously to defeat the Law, but even they would have been powerless if they had not happened to meet and discuss the case. Together, their viewpoints complemented each other beautifully and they succeeded in that daunting task.

"Even if the Marriage Law is defeated, there are still many outrages going on in the Wizarding world, like their cavalier treatment of werewolves.

"While I was here, a virtual prisoner of Voldemort's, I had contact with his captives sometimes – and his helpers. Fenrir Greyback attacked many people, turned them into werewolves and made them work for their Lord. I could be as aloof with them as the Death Eaters and we struck an uneasy acquaintanceship.

"I've received news from some of those werewolves that the Ministry intends to proceed much harder against them. Citing the preoccupation with Dark Magic, they are ready to send them to a virtual encampment where they would remain prisoner, secluded from the world.

"I intend to work against this outrage and I have a possible way to accomplish that. I also want to work toward achieving Gay Marriage in the Wizarding world. But I can't do it alone. I'll need you. Together we will be unbeatable. Together we will convince our fathers to help us."

Justin tugged his curly hair as he said, "Are you always so intent on constructing plots, Draco?"
The blond Slytherin replied huffily, "No, only when I'm awake."

Justin Finch-Fletchley answered, "Then by George, count me in!"
Draco punched his arm and replied, "Good! I can't remain passive and let them do what they will. My cousin might be a werewolf. Teddy might need help, and I won't allow them to simply incarcerate him when he is a child who has done nothing wrong!"

When the day drew to a close, Draco wondered where his friends were. He looked for them in the North Wing but didn't find them. He finally found them near the westernmost windows of the Manor, observing the wonderful explosions of ochre and amber that colored the sky as the sun went down, promising to lift more of its burden, as the solstice had finally passed.

Draco saw Susan and Robert looking longingly at the sky as they held each other's hands, a room to the north he distinguished Hannah held in a loving embrace by Dean.

Snorting in disgust, Draco made his way to the North Wing, whereupon he chanced to glance upstairs at two figures gazing out the window at the sunset, a sickeningly sweet Pansy holding hands with Terry Boot.

Finally Draco took one of the shortcuts he knew so well and ended up at the intersection of the West and North wing, where he saw the curly-haired Hufflepuff holding Daphne's hand as if it would break. Please!

Draco made his way to a solitary window in a solitary corridor and mused on the imperfections of life, when a drawling voice said mockingly, "Pathetic isn't it? All that mushiness and fluffiness can not but make you retch, right?" The blonde figure of Astoria Greengrass approached Draco.

She continued, "I'll tell you what is really pathetic! That they have their partners and we do not! Only, I suspect we both have found them and they are not here yet."

"So would you join me in watching this marvelous sunset, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco nodded and offered his hand to the petite blonde, "I'd be delighted to, Miss Greengrass."

Chapter twenty-two