Becoming Beta

Chapter 36

A/N: Eeee! I'm so excited! There are only three chapters left after this one! Technically two chapters and an epilogue. I can't wait to see what you all think of this one.

I know I've been gushing about her for months, but really, I cannot say enough nice things about brownlark42. This fic would be nothing without her and I am eternally grateful for all the time and hard work she has put into it.

I make a manip for every chapter, find me on Tumblr at crochetawayhpff.

"Uncle Rodolphus?" Draco asked as he walked into the small family dining room that Rodolphus seemed to prefer. It was September, which meant Hermione's birthday was coming up. It was the perfect time to ask Rodolphus for a favor.

Rodolphus paused and set down his fork full of sausages. He raised his eyebrow at Draco.

"I was wondering if you could help me with something," Draco began. He was exceedingly nervous about this, but he felt sure that Rodolphus would help. He'd helped in the past by protecting Draco's mother and keeping Aunt Bella away from him. He'd even helped when Greyback went a little crazy and tortured his Aunt Bella. He'd kept the truth of the matter from both her and the Dark Lord.

"What is it?" Rodolphus said sharply.

"It's Hermione's birthday. She'll be seventeen. I want to get her some jewelry, something traditionally given to purebloods on their seventeenth birthday. But there aren't any jewelers in Diagon Alley anymore..." Draco trailed off, trying to gauge his uncle's reaction.

"Go on," Rodolphus said impatiently and picked up his fork again, shoving the food into his mouth.

Draco took a deep breath, "So that means I have to find some family jewelry. The Malfoys and the Blacks have mostly cursed their jewelry in case it falls into Muggle hands. I don't think I'll be able to find a piece Hermione can wear."

"I see," Rodolphus nodded slowly.

"I know the Lestranges historically have been less strict about blood purity, not that you aren't strict now," Draco said quickly. "I'm just wondering if you might have pieces that aren't cursed against Muggles."

Rodolphus cocked his head at him and Draco kept his face sincere and slightly worried. He hoped his uncle bought the act.

"The Lestrange vault is one of the largest and oldest in all of Gringotts. I'm sure there are plenty of pretty trinkets you could find for your girlfriend. I'll get you the key," Rodolphus flicked his hand, dismissing Draco.

"Thank you!" Draco said brightly and quickly left the room. He headed back to the dueling court. That had gone much better than he'd expected. He thought for sure Rodolphus would either want to accompany him or grill him about it.

"Merlin's saggy balls!" Draco shouted as he helped Caleb out of the house.

It was another Muggle raid on another gone wrong. Caleb had been hit with an entrail-expelling curse. Draco knew that this was sabotage. Someone was deliberately fucking with their raids. And Draco was going to find out who.

"Back to the Manor!" he shouted to his pack as he Apparated himself and Caleb directly into the dueling court. He called for Tink as soon as he arrived.

"I need blood-replenishing potions and upgraded healing potions, now!" Draco shouted as soon as Tink had popped into existence.

Tink left immediately and Draco began repairing Caleb's abdomen. The blood smelled foul and Draco was afraid this was beyond his current skills, despite his intensive training since healing Bledig. Luckily, none of the intestines seemed to be pierced. He gathered them back into Caleb's abdomen, muttering healing spells as he went. Tink popped back into the room just as the rest of the pack began running in from the Apparition point on the grounds.