Broken

Fortunes

Rolf led the group out of the tent, carrying Rose as they weaved through the buzzing crowds. Draco carried Scorpius and Hermione carried Hugo.

'I really don't think I should...' Draco protested.

'You are my wife's cousin.' Rolf said kindly but firmly. 'Nothing more. Nothing less.'

They walked through the nearby forest, away from the noise. Luna was humming happily as she lit up the darkness with her wand.

The trees ended at a giant clearing, which was illuminated by floating orbs of light. A herd of thestrals rested in a nearby pen. Hermione shuddered at the sight of them, but Luna drifted over to pet them.

'What she doing?' Scorpius whispered to Draco, unable to see the thestrals.

'Um...' Draco looked at Hermione for help.

'Look Scorpius, look how beautiful those caravans are!' Hermione pointed to the gypsy-style wooden caravans.

Each caravan was painted in bright colours, the flowers blooming and animals magically jumping around.

'The serpent and the lioness,' a voice smiled from a nearby caravan. An old lady wrapped in layers of shawls pointed a gnarled finger at Draco and Hermione. 'Come, come, I wish to read your fortunes.'

'It's rude to refuse,' Rolf muttered apologetically, as Luna took Hugo and Draco set down Scorpius.

Draco and Hermione walked reluctantly towards the woman. She grinned at them both, her eyes cloudy and sightless. She led them into her caravan, which was much larger on the inside, and pushed them into squashy armchairs next to a small table. Hermione was reminded of Professor Trelawney's classroom.

'Two sides of the same coin,' the woman stated, grabbing both of their hands in hers. 'One raised to love and one to hate. Both with terrible choices made for them. Innocence lost. Children fighting an adult war. Both marked and condemned.' She thrust their sleeves up, revealing their blemished forearms. 'But who are you, now you are free to choose?'

Draco struggled to pull out of the witch's grasp, disgusted by the Dark Mark on his arm. Hermione watched the woman warily, refusing to look at the slur carved into her skin.

'The mother, scared her children will suffer as she did,' the woman squeezed Hermione's hand gently. 'And the lover, too afraid to open his heart again.' Draco stilled, his face turning pink. 'The past has passed. Will you let it define your future?'

The woman placed her hands over their palms, staring blankly ahead. Draco and Hermione glanced uneasily at each other.

'Wounds heal,' she told Hermione. 'And tattoos fade,' she smiled, turning to Draco. 'Light can shine in the darkness. That which is broken, can be fixed. One simply needs to be willing to put the pieces together.'

The woman placed Hermione's hand in Draco's. He stared at his pale fingers, intertwined with Hermione's dark ones.

'I will not tell you your future,' she smiled cryptically at them both. 'Only you can do that.'

'That was...weird...' Hermione muttered once they were outside the caravan.

'Hmm,' Draco shrugged, noncommittally.

'Where did everyone else go?!' Hermione looked around the clearing, her face etched in panic.

'I take you!' A young boy bounced over to them. 'Friends this way.'

He took them both by the hand and led them across the campsite. Circus-folk lounged next to fire pits, cooking dinner as they watched the outsiders pass. Draco pointed out a Phoenix to Hermione, his sharp eyes spotting it perched on top of a caravan.

They reached a small lake, where Rolf was speaking in Mermish to the merman chief. The merpeople splashed and frolicked nearby.

Luna chatted to a pair of centaurs, while other ones played with Hugo. Rose was attempting gymnastics, under the watchful tutelage of one of the performers. Scorpius danced with the leprechauns, some of whom were attempting to tease the demiguises.

'They're never going to sleep tonight,' Draco commented, grinning.

'Thank you so much, for tonight.' Hermione leaned her head on Draco's shoulder.

'I can't take any credit for this part,' he laughed, slipped his arm around Hermione.

'Yes you can,' Hermione smiled up at him, eyes shining in the starlight. 'This has been the best night of my life so far.'

Draco grinned foolishly, feeling himself get lost in her dark eyes.

'Mummy! Look what I can do!' Rose shrieked, pulling their attention away from each other.

Draco sighed as Hermione slipped out of his reach, his heart beating uncomfortably fast.