In Darkness There Is Light (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter Four, Bonding at the Château

Chapter Four, Bonding at the Château

Having such a wonderful, relaxing time, the mismatched family - now consisting of the three Montagues, Gwen, Remus, Cassiopeia, and Narcissa and Draco - had decided to stay on at the Potter Château until they go back to Hogwarts: completing their back to school shopping in Place Cachée and travelling back on August 31st. It was the general consensus that they needed it after the past few years, and they knew the hardships and troubles were only just beginning. The five adults sat on the covered decking sipping on cold drinks, plastered in Sun-Protecting Charms, watching with smiles on their faces as Gwen, Draco and Graham acted their age for once; playing, pranking each other and laughing without abandon.

"It's good to finally see Gwen truly happy." Remus sighed happily, after Sirius died he thought he'd truly lost the happy-go-lucky girl he used to know in what seemed like a lifetime ago.
"She's gone through far too much for someone so young." Rhea sighed sadly. "What're we doing about her heats? I forgot to ask earlier, we don't want her and young Draco to have children just yet."
"Don't worry, Gwen is a very responsible girl and the first thing she did after her birthday was grab the right potions. She's even made a little nest hidden within the château, buried in wards and protective enchantments, and rightly so; now no one knows where it is. Along with an extra nest within her room as a backup." Cassiopeia explained proudly, beaming in satisfaction before she turned her shrewd eyes upon her niece.

"I trust, dear niece, that when the time comes you will side with your family, as you and your eldest sisters should have done long ago, instead of siding with a madman and remaining neutral." She said firmly, her tone making it clear it wasn't a request. But Narcissa Malfoy wasn't fazed, not in the slightest.
"Of course Aunt Cassiopeia. I may have married a Malfoy but I am a Black. I regret my previous part in doing nothing but that won't be the case this time around. Not only would I not put my son in that position, but I promised Sirius that I would look after his daughter, plus I love Gwen. She definitely lives up to the Black name: fierce, dangerous and determined."
"As all Black women should be." Cassiopeia insisted, sipping at her drink to hide her shark-like grin.

"It's time the Wizarding world knew that you do not mess with a Black. We will come back stronger than before, and my dear young niece will lead the way." She added wickedly, a nod over to Gwen so they were aware of whom she spoke.
"Very well said." Elijah nodded. "They took her mother from us and hid her from us, I can't wait until the masks drop and they see Albus Dumbledore for who he truly is."
"It's about damn time too." Remus added darkly, thinking of all the wrongs Dumbledore has committed to himself, his pack and his Cub. But no more! He will hold true to his word he'd sworn to not only Sirius but Lily and James as well and it was about time he held his word. Hearing a scream, Remus jumped to his feet wand in hand only to relax, slumping back into his seat while stowing away his wand; shaking his head fondly.

Gwen, who was giggling madly in between screams and curses, was thrown over Draco's shoulder as he ran towards the ocean, while Graham collapsed on the ground cackling madly. It was a great idea to get away for a while allowing the three teenagers to be just that; teenagers. Away from responsibility of Heirship/Ladyship's while in the confines of Gwen's property they were currently housed in, away from the war, away from grief, and away from meddlesome old fools posing as Headmaster of Hogwarts.
'I promise Pads, Prongs, Lily. I promise I'll take better care of Gwen. She will know she's loved and cared for and I will protect her from the two madmen with my life.' Remus thought, as the Potter Family Magick infused within the very soil and sand of the property, and his own magic held him to that promise.

While Remus was making his promise, Gwen was resurfacing from the ocean where Draco had thrown her, a beaming smile on her lips as she wrapped her arms around Draco's neck pecking his lips, Draco giving her a beaming smile in return.
"I love you, Gwen." Draco whispered against her lips, uncaring of his silvery-blonde hair sticking to his face due to the waves thrashing against them.
"I love you too, Dragon." Gwen replied, leaning in to kiss him only for the pair to end up spluttering as they had a mouthful of salty seawater.

"Cousin!!" Gwen screeched, mock glaring at Graham who grinned innocently at them, acting like he hadn't just splashed them as they leaned in for a kiss.
"What?" Graham asked innocently, which fooled no one as his eyes sparkled mischievously. "I was doing my duty, your heat is the end of August and I won't have this horny bastard inducing it!" He added, glaring darkly at Draco.
"I would never!" Draco shouted, a pink tint colouring his cheeks. Sighing, Gwen left them to it as she knew this argument would go on for a while, she made her way up the beach towards her towel and laid down to sunbathe.

These last few weeks had been a novel experience for her as she enjoyed all the little things with her family that everyone overlooked and took for granted. She'd been to the theatre, shopping with Aunt Cassiopeia, Aunt Rhea and Cissy (that wasn't back to school shopping), she'd started duelling lessons with Uncles Remus and Elijah, created more investments for her Houses under Uncle Elijah's guidance, planned prank products over the mirror with Fred and George, pranked with Draco and Graham, and explored France with them.

She missed her Dad (Sirius) so much that it was like a hole in her heart, but her family supplied her with plenty of distractions, a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen, that it didn't feel like she was alone drowning in her grief as she had done a few months ago at the end of the previous year. Looking up at the clear crystal blue sky where she knew her father's constellation would be, come nightfall; she let a few tears escape her emerald green eyes, silent sobs shaking her prone form.
"I miss you, Dad. Both you, and Daddy James, and I miss you, Mum." Gwen choked, crying as she purged the grief from her system as if it were a poison.