Chapter Twenty-Nine
Severus Snape looked as though someone had spit in his breakfast, but Draco had long ago learned to ignore this expression as he continued to listen to Severus' instructions. "These series of potions are amazingly simple to create and will cause no harm to you and your...unborn creation--"
"Creations, actually," Draco interrupted. "I'm having twins."
Severus paused, his face turning a slight shade of green. "My greatest sympathies, Draco."
"Actually, I'm rather pleased," Draco said with a soft smile, which he quickly hid. It wouldn't do to suddenly be pleasant around people, after all.
"Indeed," Severus scowled, "Nonetheless, the potions I'm having you create are base components of a far more complex potion. I'm running a few experiments on this potion and need the base parts in order to fully test it. Therefore, your work must be very thorough and perfected, understand?"
"Yes, Severus," Draco replied. He paused, clearing his throat. "I take it we're no longer testing variations of the Wolfsbane, then?"
An actual blush threatened to spread across Severus' cheeks. "No, after observing Lupin with the last variation on the, uh, full moon, I have found it's new design to be suitable."
"Really?" Draco asked, feigning surprise. "But, Severus, didn't that potion turn him into a desperate and starved individual who would do anything to taste more of it?"
"Not that it really matters, but yes," Severus snapped. "However, on the actual full moon it appears Rem--Lupin can actually turn those desires, of a sort, toward new goals instead of drinking more potion."
"Oh, Severus, that's just wrong," Draco whispered, horrified. Severus refused to look at him. "He was a wolf at the time!"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Severus turned toward his supply cabinet and pulled out the ingredients Draco would need for his new assignment. "Honestly, ever since you got together with that Weasley prat you're mind has taken a full fledged dive into the gutter. For your information, I spent the evening doing nothing like you're insinuating with Lupin in wolf form."
"Then what did you do?" Draco asked, curious.
"We...had a game of fetch, is all," Severus said in a low voice. Draco fought down a bubble of laughter. "Now, if you'll excuse me...I have a meeting with someone."
Draco watched as Severus stormed out of the supply room and into his workroom. Draco smirked to himself and began packing the ingredients Severus had given him, keeping an ear out for Severus' visitor. His waiting paid off when, four minutes later, the outer door opened and a voice greeted Severus.
"Good afternoon, Severus," Remus said, his voice sounding a lot softer than it normally did.
"Yes, indeed," Severus replied, clearing his throat. There was a sound of silence. "Oh, honestly, Lupin, unhand me."
"You said quite the opposite last night, you know," Remus said in a soft, growl-filled voice. Draco's jaw dropped open as the image that sound caused flittered across his brain. He shook his head, hoping to get rid of it.
"Yes, well, Mister Malfoy is here, if you must know. I don't wish for him to hear more than he needs. It's bad enough he discusses his relationship with his husband to me, I refuse to do the same," Severus snapped.
"I think that's the closest I'll ever get you to admitting we have a relationship," Remus commented.
There was silence, followed by Remus' low chuckle. Draco rolled his eyes. Honestly, from the sound of it those two were acting like a bunch of teenagers. Draco couldn't believe he'd have to suffer through a few more hours of this.
Ron, on the other hand, was actually doing something a bit more productive than listening in on his mentor's love affair. He sat in the Ministry cafeteria, across from Ginny and Neville. Ginny was eating something made almost entirely out of red meat. "What's with the protein addiction?"
"My doctor says it's normal. It's all the testosterone I'm on," Ginny replied, chewing. She set down her fork. "What did you want to talk about, anyway?"
"Draco and I saw you two chasing that Death Eater look-alike the other day," Ron said after a moment's pause.
"Ron, you know we can't talk about a case," Neville told him.
"I know, but...I just want to make sure everything is okay. What with Draco pregnant now...I don't want there to be a reason for him to worry." Ron picked at his food. "Just tell me they aren't real Death Eaters."
"Not many Death Eater families survived the war," Ginny pointed out. She looked at Neville and they communicated silently for a moment. With a sigh, Neville nodded. "We've caught three so far."
"Three people for three deaths," Neville added. "They're not the children of Death Eaters, Ron. In fact, they're the total opposite."
"No way," Ron replied, shaking his head. At Neville's serious face, Ron gave a short laugh. "You mean to tell me that muggle-borns are dressing up like Death Eaters? Why? What would be the point in that?"
"We all lost something in the war. We learned something, too," Neville said. "Muggle-borns learned to fear the very society they should have felt accepted. It was bound to create some problems, though I never would have imagined them to go so far."
"That doesn't tell me why," Ron snapped. "What are they after?"
"Purebloods."
"This gets stranger and stranger, I know," Ginny said, "but it's true. They're targeting pureblood families, especially those known to be connected to anything Dark."
"Like the Malfoys," Ron said, bitterly.
"It was broadcasted pretty well that Draco was on our side during the war," Neville commented. "He shouldn't have any trouble." There was a moment of silence, before Neville continued. "I would, however, keep a close eye on him. If anything, it's better to be safe than sorry."
"Draco can't deal with something like this right now. He's pregnant for Merlin's sake!"
"And I have three Aurors pregnant as well that were supposed to be on this case. Don't think this is easy for everyone else, Ron."
"I don't, Neville, okay? I don't." Ron sighed and rubbed at his face.
Ginny glanced between the two men and swallowed the last of her meal. "I should get going. I still have to get that paperwork finished I promised Neville a week ago."
They said goodbye and Ginny walked off, leaving them both in silence. After a moment, Neville cleared his throat nervously. It reminded Ron of the old Neville, who had been skittish and unsure of everything. It didn't take Ron long to figure out what was making Neville act this way, because the man opened his mouth and spoke:
"How's Harry?"
"Driving us all bloody mad," Ron replied. "He's decided he's going to try women out. He's been on nearly three dates so far and each one is worse than the previous. He has no idea as to what he's doing."
"Has he ever?" Neville asked. He was obviously eating up every word that Ron said. Ron couldn't believe that there was someone out there this devoted to his best friend. They'd broken up and Neville was still lovesick for the guy.
"Probably not. And, hey, do me a favor? Don't tell Harry about the Death Eater thing?"
"I don't talk to him anymore, not since we broke up, but if I happen to speak with him I won't," Neville said.
"Good, because you know Harry," Ron sighed. "He'll be running off to save the day without a single thought of how dangerous it is."
Neville laughed, but when he spoke his tone was sad. "That sounds like Harry."
Ron couldn't stand to see Neville like this. It was almost worst than the time he had witnessed Harry breaking down after Voldemort was defeated. Ron wasn't good at talking about emotions, which had always been Hermione's job. Still, he had to say i something /i .
"You miss him, don't you?" Ron asked.
"More than anything." Neville shook his head sadly. "I know he cheated on me, but I can't help the way I feel about him. I'm willing to wait, though. Harry will realize he needs to grow up sooner or later and when he does, I'll be here."