Three Wizards and a Little Lady

Chapter 7: Old Magic

April 2012

"What do you mean he found a way to get rid of the nightmares?" Hermione asked, looking at Draco with wide eyes. She knew that she should trust her husband. She knew that he would never put her in a position to hurt her, but she was scared and terrified to have any hope. It had felt like so long since she hadn't had a nightmare that the idea of finally being rid of them made her heart stop.

"He's been trying to find a way to deal with the dark magic since you were pregnant with the twins," Draco said taking her free hand. "And he has found it but we have to go now."

"But the children..."

"Go," Theo said quickly, shifting Theodora in his arms and taking Scorpius as well. "Charlie will be home soon and Missy will help with the children. I promise, go."

"Thank you, Theo," Draco said pulling Hermione close to him. "I don't say it enough but you are a really fucking good friend."

"And don't you forget it," Theo chuckled. "Now go."

Wasting no time, Draco pulled his witch to the floo with him and called out for Malfoy Manor. As they stumbled out of the floo, he didn't even waste time cleaning the soot off of either of them. Holding her hand tightly, he led them down the hall towards the library. As they entered the room. Hermione immediately spotted Narcissa and Lucius standing around a table looking at parchments that were spread out across the cherrywood.

"Sweetheart there you are," Narcissa said as she looked up and spotted Hermione and Draco. Making her way around the table, she immediately gathered Hermione into her arms and hugged her delicately.

"Hermione," Lucius started, looking up from the table. "I found something that should rid you of the residual dark magic. I would like to explain it before we start. I believe I am right in thinking that you would prefer it that way."

"Yes please." she said softly, Narcissa rubbing her back gently.

"It's very old magic," Lucius began clasping his hands in front of him. "Blood magic to be exact." Hermione looked at him, eyes widening. "We've had a discussion about blood magic before. I know you are aware that it is a very, very fine line when you are discussing the legality of it all. But this particular spell... this is to cut out the darkness and vanquish it completely. It's grey magic... neither light nor dark."

"It is entirely your choice," Narcissa said gently. They watched as Hermione stood there, thinking all of the possibilities through in her brain. What would happen if she went through with this ritual? What would happen if she didn't?

Stroking her hair, Draco held her trembling form as she attempted to recover from another nightmare. He knew they were taking a toll on her soul. He could see it in her eyes. He didn't know how to help her and it was breaking his heart. Hermione was the most important person in his life besides his children and after everything she had been through, seeing her like and not being able to help it... it was driving him crazy.

"Draco..."

Her soft voice broke him out of his inner thoughts, and he looked down at his wife who was curled up against his chest. "I'm here love."

"What if this never ends?" She didn't need to elaborate for him to know exactly what she was talking about. It was something that had been weighing on him for a while and clearly her as well. "What if this is what life will be like from now on?"

"We will figure something out Hermione. We will figure out how to fix this."

"I can't take dreamless sleep long term. It's highly addictive... and it's not just the dreams anymore."