Home To You (a Draco Malfoy Love Story)

Summertime and the Beginning of the End

"Come in!" Mel shouted from the water. Draco grinned, and jumped in off the cliff nearby. He popped up moments later, swimming over to Mel, kissing her as they treaded water. Swimming to the sandy coastline, they pulled themselves out of the water, wrapped themselves in warm, plush towels and laid in the sun. This had been their routine for the past two months - swimming in the morning, taking a walk through the town, reading on the grounds. Anything other than think about their real lives. The seaside cottage was their safe haven. Mel and Ginny Weasley kept in touch via owl, so she knew what to be prepared for. But there was no news yet dire enough to make them head home.

Things were better at the cottage. They were... good. Although Draco had frequent nightmares involving flashes of green light, and woke up Mel with his tossing and turning, he was okay. Spending time with Melanie in the sun, eating home cooked meals, getting some color back on his gaunt face - it had done him well. Melanie too - she'd stopped worrying about him so much, and her carefree nature, along with her freckles, blossoming across the bridge of her nose, had returned. It was almost enough to make him forget about the trauma of the last year. Almost.

"What do you think about baking some bread today? And then maybe we can get started on some reading for classes this year?" Mel asked as they walked back to the cottage, holding their clothes. Except when they returned to the cottage, to Draco's horror, they were not alone.

"Draco and Melanie, how lovely it is to see you," Voldemort said, Snape standing by his side. Draco's blood ran cold. He must have been found out - and now they were here to kill him. And Melanie. "What a happy home you've created here, playing house. With a little garden, whitewashed walls - a lovely summer holiday. But Draco, I'm here because I haven't gotten a chance to see you since Albus Dumbledore's untimely death. You did... an excellent job." Draco let out a breath he'd been holding. "What, you thought I was here to punish you? Why would I do that - although you weren't able to be the one that fired the final curse, you got everyone there. You've done well. And now, I want to talk to you about the next steps."

"Not here... my Lord," Draco added quietly. "Not here. I'll meet you back at the Manor - we can convene there."

"We'll go there now," The Dark Lord agreed. Draco felt despondent. He wasn't ready to leave here - not so soon after he was just starting to feel like himself, and Mel was starting to relax again.

"Draco..." Mel said, from behind him. He turned and walked back to her. "Don't go - I don't want you to. We're not ready."

"I'll be fine, love. You, on the other hand, should stay here. There's a few more weeks left before school - why don't you ask Ginny to come stay with you," he suggested. He turned to the Dark Lord, eyes cold. "They will be safe here." It wasn't a question. He nodded.

"Of course. You have my word." With that, Draco waved his wand, packing up his belongings and bringing his trunk beside him. Giving Mel a chaste kiss - even that felt weird in front of the two men - they apparated away, leaving Melanie alone on the lawn. Once Draco was gone, she went back into the garden, sat down and started to cry.

"The girl is very fond of you, Draco," Voldemort said as they sat in Malfoy Manor. "I trust her involvement in the upcoming weeks will not be an issue." He nodded.

"It's handled," he lied, knowing very well it was not. Melanie was about to jump right into the fire once she returned to Hogwarts - despite his best efforts to convince her otherwise.

"Very well, then. I wanted to discuss a matter with you all," he said, looking around the table at the inner circle. Lucius had been invited back once he'd assisted with Dumbledore's death. He sat alongside Rodolphus, Snape, Yaxley, Bellatrix, Wormtail and Dolohov. And him, of course. The newest member. "We have finally done it. We've infiltrated the Ministry," he said, baring his teeth in a horrific grin. The others around the table shouted jovially. "We've got Pious Thicknesse under the Imperius Curse. Now, all we need to do is kill Scrimgeour, and put him in charge. Any suggestions on when this should happen?"