Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

All of the characters are adults.

Magic in the Harry Potter sense, does not really exist here, to stay as close as the original as possible. Luna does have the gift of prophecy or seer.

This is written in Modern English and some plot/character choices will be very different than how the play goes. The characters may not act completely like the actual Macbeth characters or their Harry Potter characters, this is a blend, they may make choices that in the books or movies they wouldn't have.

Unlike Macbeth, no one has any young children in this version. Draco and Hermione are the focus couple of this work, side character pairings may not be very explored.

I may leave out or combine scenes to make the story make sense- so please don't use this as an excuse to not read Macbeth. (for example I'm probably not leaving in the Hecate scene for historical and plot reasons)

This is like a casting list? It's who the Harry Potter characters will be representing inside of the story, although that doesn't necessarily mean that they will make all the same decisions for all the same reasons.

Lord Macbeth (Thane)- Lord Draco Malfoy

Lady Macbeth- Lady Hermione Granger/Malfoy

Banquo- Neville Longbottom

The witches- Seer Luna Lovegood

King Duncan- James Potter

Malcolm- Harry Potter

McDuff- Ron Weasley

Scottish nobles- Pansy, Theo, Blaze

In case you are completely unaware of the story of Macbeth let me give you a little run down- basically King James 1 (formerly the king of Scotland) came into power and essentially bought Shakespeares company. Because James was telling people that he was a descendant of the legendary Banquo, Shakespeare writes Macbeth for him. The witches are added in because James is obsessed with witchcraft. Part of the witches prophecy is that Banquo's children will be kings, but the play doesn't show that, because the audience understood that it did come true eventually because James is on the throne. Basically this was a written as a propaganda piece because people didn't completely like James? (the gunpowder plot, etc)

Summary of Macbeth (skip if you wish to be surprised)- Three witches (I'm portraying them as the mother, maiden and crone) create a prophecy that Macbeth will be king and Banquo's kids will be kings. They go and tell Macbeth and Banquo this. Macbeth and Banquo don't believe them, but then part of the prophecy comes true when riders tell Macbeth that he has been crowned Thane (duke) of Cawdor. He writes to his wife and tells her that they have to kill the current king bc it's prophesied that Macbeth is to be king. Lady Macbeth gives a very famous speech where she doesn't think her husband has the balls for it. The King comes to their home. They kill him and blame the guards. The kings son gets suspicious of them so Lady Macbeth faints and then they blame the son for killing his father for the throne. Macbeth is crowned king. The Macbeths start to lose their minds. Macbeth goes to the witches and asks if he will stay king. They say yes, no man born of woman can kill you and you will not be defeated until the woods by your house knocks on your door. Macbeth is very relieved. But then he remembers that Banquo's children are supposed to be king, not his. So he obviously has them killed. Banquo dies, his kid escapes (depending on the production). The kings son and his friend (macduff) have gathered an army to march on Scotland for the crown. Macbeth has Macduffs family killed. The army comes to Scotland, disguises themselves with tree branches and approaches Macbeth. Macbeth is suddenly less confident. MacDuff corners Macbeth and tells him that he wasn't born of a woman (c-section sorta deal). Lady Macbeth kills herself. Macbeth dies. Malcolm is crowned king.

Chapter Text

Luna shivers, it’s dark out and the cold is seeping into her bones. She takes a step and winces as the crack of a stick sounds in the silent forest. A fog drifts toward her and quickly she realizes that she can’t see. Luna stumbles forward, cursing the Scottish weather. She hurries toward a faint light. A single lantern seems to glow in the air, suspended by nothing. Soft footsteps sound around her.

“Hello child”

Luna gasps. “Who’s there?”

A young girl appears, holding the lantern, behind her another woman, this one a bit older, helping an ancient looking woman walk towards her.

They all sit down and after a moment Luna joins them.

“Mother of Queens, wife of the Father of Kings” The youngest girl says, she takes one of Luna’s hands.

“We shall meet again” The oldest croaks.

“When?” Luna asks.

“When it’s all done. When the battle is lost, then won.”

“How can I be the mother of queens?”

“Hail Malfoy, Thane of Glamis” the three whisper together.

Luna nods slowly. “That he is”

The middle aged woman takes Luna’s other hand. “Hail Malfoy, Thane of Cawdor.”

Luna peers at them quizzically. “The Thane of Cawdor is well. How can Malfoy be Thane of Cawdor?”

The oldest leans forward. “Hail Malfoy, King of Scotland.”

Luna giggles. “And am I supposed to give Malfoy my children? Besides, how could he become King?”

“Hail Neville, father of Kings. Hail Luna mother of Queens and seer of all.”

Luna stares at them, a dozen questions flying through her mind, she opens her mouth and the woman pat her hand gently and fade from view. Luna looks around the forest, and slowly is covered in a dense fog. She wakes with a start, her heart racing. Neville reaches over and pulls her closer to his chest. She brushes hair off of his pale face and leans in, her mouth nearly touching his ear.

“Father of Kings.”

Chapter Text

King James casually relaxes, watching his son lead his men. Harry’s a good leader, he cares about the people he leads and it makes James proud to see his son with them.

“Your majesty.” A servant interrupts his thoughts. “A captain has come with a message for you.”

King James slowly stands. “Where is he?”

The servant leads him to a tent, where Harry and Theo are already waiting for him. The captain is practically panting, his breathing is so difficult. Blood has dirtied his uniform and he’s hunched a bit, holding onto his side.

“What man is this? Can he give his message in this state?”

“Father, this is the captain that has fought by my side. He’s the reason I am alive today, tell brave man your message.”

The captain takes a deep breath. “Inside the battle with the merciless MacDonald from the western isles, fortune turned on us and we were losing. Until the brave Malfoy, like some kind of angel, cut through the lines. He cut the rebel from navel to neck and fixed his head on our battlements.”

“Valiant man” James breathes.

“Mark, king of Scotland, mark, the Norwegians look to invade. They have fresh supplies and fresh men.”

Harry and Theo frown. “Were Malfoy and Neville not upset by this?” Harry asks.

The captain nods quickly. “Yes, they are sitting prey. They fight with an intense vigor, they’ve beat them back, for now. The battlefield..” he trails off and shudders. “The grass will grow back red after all the blood soaks into the ground.”

Theo flinches and the captain sinks lower toward the floor. Harry reaches over and helps support him.

“We need to get him to surgery right now.”

James steps out and motions to a few servants who hurry in and take the captain out.

Theo and Harry step closer to the King.

“Your majesty, the Thane of Cawdor was found to be consorting with the norwegians. I killed him today.”

James nods. “Good man Theo.”

“Father, perhaps we should reward Malfoy for his bravery.”

“Yes, we need the Thane of Cawdor to be loyal to us. Go, declare Malfoy, Thane of Cawdor. What the rebels have lost, he has won.”

Chapter Text

Malfoy groans. “Stop hitting me, I’ll be up when I’m up.”

Hermione hits him with her pillow again. “Now.”

Something in her voice urges him awake and he reluctantly opens his eyes. A pair of eyes is maybe a breath away from him.

“Neville, what are you doing in my bed?!?” Draco thunders. He shoves Neville off and sits up, rubbing his face.

Draco looks around the room and notes Luna staring out the window, lost in some kind of trance.

“Has she seen something?”

Neville nods. “Yeah, and you’re very lucky. I got to hear it at one in the morning. I waited till sunup before coming here.”

Hermione quietly stands up and approaches Draco. “My love, come and find me once you’re done. I have work to do this morning.” She leans in and kisses him before turning and leaving. Draco watches her leave, a smirk forming on his face.

“Uh, sir?”

“What Neville? I have had months away from my home and now I finally get to see my wife again and here you are, ruining that.”

“I’m sorry sir, it’s just, Luna’s seen something about you. It’s kind of important.”

Draco looks back over at the silent woman slumped against his window.

“Luna, what have you seen?”

Luna looks at him and Draco gasps, her normally blue eyes are a light gold. “Hail Thane of Glamis”

Draco glances over at Neville who nods encouragingly at Luna. She stands suddenly and hurries over to Draco, pressing her palms to the side of his head.

“Hail Thane of Glamis, Hail Malfoy, Thane of Cawdor. Hail Malfoy, king to come.”

Malfoy stares at her. “The Thane of Cawdor is alive and well, how could I be Thane of Cawdor? How am I supposed to be King? Our king is well?”

“Hail Malfoy, Thane of Cawdor and King to be. Hail Neville, father of kings.”

Malfoy turns to Neville. “What is this?”

Neville shrugs. “I wish I knew.”

A servant pounds on the door. “Come in” Draco shouts, stepping away from Luna.

A red-faced boy enters, out of breath. “Sir.. The king sends me.”

“The king? Is he well?”

The boy nods, gasping for air. “He asked me to greet you, Thane of Cawdor.”

“Thane of Cawdor..” Draco and Neville exchange looks, worry crossing Draco's face.

“Yes sir. The King is on his way, he wishes to spend the night here with the Thane.”

Draco sits down quickly as his legs give out. “The Thane of Cawdor is well though? How can I be Thane?”

“He was found to be a rebel sir. He was executed. The King heard of your valiance and wishes to reward you.”

Draco nods slowly. “Thank you. Fetch Lady Malfoy would you?”

The boy turns and leaves. Draco and Neville stare at each other in a kind of understanding silence and Luna begins to hum.

"I am to be King." Draco whispers.

Chapter Text

“Lady Malfoy.” A servant calls for her, yet Hermione doesn’t answer or even look up. She just continues her work. “Lady Malfoy.” Hermione sighs.

“Yes?”

“Lady Malfoy, Lord Malfoy requests your presence immediately.”

Hermione shakes her head. “No. I’m busy this morning restocking our medicine stores. I told him to come and find me.”

“Lady, it’s urgent.”

“What could it possibly be?”

The servant looks incredibly upset at Hermione won’t listen to him but tells her anyway. “Lady, the King sent me with word that the Thane of Cawdor was found to be a rebel and killed. The king has declared Lord Malfoy to be the Thane of Cawdor.”

Hermione stops grinding her dried herbs into a paste and stares at the boy. “Is this a joke?”

“It is not my lady. The lord bade me to fetch you.”

“Gods above.” Hermione stands up and begins to hurry towards her bedroom, where she left them.

She slams the door open and stares at the group. “Is it true?”

“It is my love.” Malfoy approaches her and she hurries to him, burying herself in his chest.

“Thane of Cawdor.” Hermione breathes. “It suits you.”

“Do you know what suits me even better, love? King?” Draco whispers in her ear.

She pulls her head away, staring at Draco in disbelief. “King? What?”

Neville takes over. “Luna had a vision last night that Malfoy would be named Thane of Cawdor and then King.”

Hermione's head whips back to Draco. “But Harry? The prince? James named him his heir?”

Draco shrugs. “Perhaps he will die in battle or something, perhaps he will flee. Either way, King has been promised to me.”

Neville and Luna slowly stand and leave the couple alone.

Draco sighs. “My love, I think I know how I will be King.”

“How?”

“I must kill James.”

Hermione shuts her eyes and moves closer. Draco pulls her in as close as she can be and begins to whisper in her ear.

“It is the only way I can see it happening. I wish there was a way around it, James is a good king. But if it is to be mine, it would be better if it was mine now.”

“I know, I just need to think about it.” Hermione steps back from Draco. “I’m going to take a bath, then we are going to talk about this.”

Draco nods. “The king will be here just after nightfall.”

“Then we must have decided by then, I suppose.”

Hermione collects her things and heads into the bath. Her maids have it filled and it’s still warm. Hermione strips and climbs into the relaxing bath water.

She looks out the window at the land surrounding their castle. “I worry that he will not have what it takes. He does not know what it is like to kill someone, at least, not the way he will have to kill James. James is his friend. Will he be able to stab him in the back?”

A long sigh comes out of her and she leans back, shutting her eyes. “Spirits come into me. Take away all that I have and fill me with cruel desire. Malfoy will not do it. I will. What he may lack in strength, let me make up.”

She slowly drags herself out of the tub and calls for Draco.

“Yes love?”

“Darling I have decided. We will kill James tonight.”

Draco nods, suddenly serious. “How do you want it done?”

“I want you to stab him. I will get his servants that guard his room very drunk and wipe Jame’s blood all over them. Then in the morning, he will be discovered.”

“Very well lady.”

Footsteps echo in their chamber and Draco steps out to see who is there. A maid helps Hermione dress and she hurries into her bedroom.

“The King is here.” Draco says, a solemn look on his face.

Hermione kisses him, gently. “Darling, tonight is fun. The king has made you the Thane of Cawdor, you must come celebate.”

“I need a minute. I do not know how I will face him knowing that he will be dead before tomorrow.”

Hermione sighs. “God with us. If you cannot face him when walks in your home, how will you face him tonight when he sleeps?”

Draco sighs. “I don’t know. I promise you, I will find the strength.”

Hermione nods and steps away from him and hurries out the door to greet their guest.

“James!” She exclaims.

“Lady Malfoy!” The King responds, he’s always been a great admirer of her.

“You are a good man King James, Draco has been beside himself all day. Thane of Cawdor?! Can you believe it?”

James laughs. “I can believe it. Draco’s always been a moody little bastard. Still, I hope that he’s not too overcome.”

Hermione shakes her head. “No, he will be fine. It was just very unexpected.”

Harry nods. “It was quite the shock to us as well, we had no idea that such a traitor was among our ranks.”

A gong sounds throughout the hall, echoing inside of the stone castle. Hermione smiles. “Dinner is being served my King, may I have the honor of escorting you?”

King James smiles back up at Hermione. “Of course.”

Hermione heads down the stairs and takes Jame’s arm, leading him into the dining room. A large wooden table sits in the middle of the room with a dozen smaller tables around it. Hermione takes him to the head of the largest table and Harry takes his right side and Ron his left.

“Welcome to our home, your majesty.”

Chapter Text

Malfoy paces around his library. He couldn’t go out there and watch King James laugh with his son, not knowing that today would be his last night.

“If it were done when it was done and if it’s done well, then it was done quickly.. If the assaination could still lead to my death, to my lady's death, is it worth it? Here and now, I need to decide. He’s here, in my home, trusting me. I am his kinsman, a distant one but still, and his subject, who should support his ruler more than I? Not only that, but I am his host, I should be the first one to defend him from a murderer, not carry the title myself. Besides James has been so good in office, his virtues stand above anyones. Should my ambition come before this? Should I carry the knife into his rooms and-”

“Where have you been?”

Draco’s head jerks up and looks at Hermione.

She sighs. “He has almost finished eating. Where have you been?”

“Has he asked for me?”

Hermione nods and Draco shuts his eyes and lightly bangs his head on the stone wall.

“Hermione. We will not do it. We will not even think about it again. He is here to honor me in my home.”

“You talk of ambition. You talk of your right to the throne. You talk of the mark that you want to leave behind- what you want to leave for our children. And yet, when it comes down to it, to take what you want, no, what you need, you are hiding in the corner. I have married a woman. No, worse, I have married a weak, little boy. Are you afraid of being great? Being great requires being bold. Are you afraid to be bold?” Hermione seethes.

Draco laughs a little and takes a hold of her, grabbing each of her arms to look her better in the eye. “Peace darling. I am a man, I do everything that makes one a man. Anyone who dares to do more, the things that we were planning, is not a man, but a coward.”

Hermione tilts her head. “Then who was it? What beast pretended to be you and came to me and promised everything to me? Who promised to make me a queen? It was you. You promised me more and I will not let you break it. I have given you everything to help make you and this army successful. I have known what it is like to hold a child of my own. I have known what it is like to bury that child. For you, I know this. I will not lose both my children and my future. I will not.”

“I don’t know if I can.” Draco whispers, lines forming on his forehead.

“If I had promised you that I would kill our child, then I would take it in my arms and bash against the wall until it died. You have promised me.”

“And if we fail..”

“We will not.”

Chapter Text

Neville strolls down the hallway, anxious to check with the kings guards. “Hey there boy- how is the night going?”

“It is late. The moon is down and yet, I do not hear the clock.”

“She strikes at twelve boy.”

“Yes sir.”

Neville gives the boy a long look. “Here, take my sword. A heavy feeling lies upon me, something bad will happen. I cannot sleep. Lord help me that I don’t kill the king myself.”

Footsteps sound in the hallway and Neville and the guard whip around. “Who goes there?” Neville shouts.

Malfoy slowly walks into the feeble light, his hands held up. “A friend.”

“Why aren’t you in bed? The Kings in bed- he’s been in a great mood. He even gave me this diamond to give to your wife for being such good hosts.”

Draco takes the jewel and carefully tucks it into his pocket. “If we are unprepared, it would only be our fault if something happened to our guest.”

“I think a lot about what Luna said. The prophecy.”

“Really? I don’t think about it all.” Draco does his best to try and keep Neville from seeing what must be written all over his face.

Neville stares at him, searching his face for something that he doesn’t find and turns walking back down the hallway, the guard following him.

Malfoy turns to the door of the King’s chamber and stares at the dagger floating in front of it.

“Is that a dagger I see? Come, let me take you.” He reaches for it but his hand closes in on air. “An illusion of the mind? Yet, I see it, clear as day. Nevermind, I have my own dagger.” Draco pulls his own dagger out and the bell for midnight rings.

“I go and it will be done. The bell announces that it is time. Don’t listen to it James, for it’s sound summons you to heaven or hell.”

Malfoy opens the door.

Chapter Text

“What makes men drunk, has made me bold, what quenches them, gives me fire. I have drugged the guards, they mock the king with each of their snores. I have laid their daggers next to him. Lord Malfoy could not miss them. If the King did not look like my father, I would have killed him myself, just to make sure that there were no mistakes.” Lady Malfoy says.

“Who’s there?”

Lady Malfoy smiles, recognizing Draco’s voice. “In here my love.”

“I have done it. Did you hear the noise?”

“I heard the owls and the crickets, my love.”

“Did you not hear? The guards outside the room woke. They woke and they prayed and I could not say it. I could not pray with them. I could not say amen.”

Hermione shakes her head. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

Draco begins to shake a little. “Darling. I could not say it. It is a word and yet, I could not pronounce it. Amen. I need the most blessing- the most forgiveness of anyone and yet it stuck in my throat.”

Hermione takes her husband by the shoulders and shakes him. “Look at me.” His bright blue eyes me hers. “We cannot think about what we have done. It will drive us mad.”

She looks down and sees that Draco has not left the bloody daggers with the guards as he was supposed to. “Thane of Cawdor, you still hold the daggers! If they find the king tomorrow, and the daggers are not with the guards, we will be blamed. Go, put them where they belong and finish this.”

Draco shakes his head rapidly. “I will not go back.”

Hermione snatches them out of his hand. “Fine. I will go. Wash your damn hands while I’m gone, they’re covered in blood.”

She strides out of the room and Draco hurries to the washbasin. He begins to scrub. “Why won’t it come off? My hands are as red as when I killed him!”

Hermione hurries back into the room. “I have done it. The guards are covered in blood and holding their bloodied daggers. Move, my hands must be cleaned too.”

They begin to scrub their hands in the water.

A knock sounds in their chamber.

“Come my love, we must go to bed. They cannot wonder why we are awake and not in bed at this hour.” Hermione says, Draco nods, following her deeper into the room. More knocking sounds. “You could wake James with all that knocking.” He whispers to his wife, who giggles.

“Darling?” She asks.

“Yes?”

“Take me to bed.”

Chapter Text

“Good morning noble sir!”

Draco glares at the annoyingly cheery servant. “Good morning.”

Ron steps forward. “Has the King woken up yet?”

“Not yet.”

Ron narrows his eyes. “He asked me to make sure that he was up this morning, we have to leave soon.”

“I’ll take you to him.”

Malfoy leads Ron through the maze of stone hallways. “Here’s the door, Weasley.”

Malfoy waits outside as Ron heads into the King's room to wake him up. A scream tares through the hallway.

“Oh god! Oh god! The horror-” Ron runs out of the room. “The King is dead!”

“What do you mean? In my home?!” Draco thunders.

“Go! See it yourself!”

Draco hurries into the room and stares at the massacred corpse. Morning light illuminates what he must have done last night. The walls are sprayed with blood. He hurries right back out.

“God help us.” He whispers. “Ron! Go find Harry! Does he live?!”

Ron’s eyes grow wide with panic and he takes off, quickly returning with a still sleepy Harry. Neville and Hermione follow.

“What is the meaning of this? I didn’t even get a chance to change!” Hermione protests.

“The King is dead!” Malfoy exclaims.

“Say it’s not so.” Neville whispers.

“Aye it is.” Ron confirms.

“Who was it that killed my father?”

Ron takes his lover by the arm. “It looks like it was his guards. They’re passed out in the corner of his room, covered in blood, holding their bloody daggers.”

“Good God.” Lady Malfoy says.

Ron leans in next to Harry. “Those guards were loyal to your father. Malfoy might not.”

“Then why don’t we ask him?”

“In his own home? He could kill us. We should leave.”

Harry nods and the two step away from each other. “Malfoy, what were you doing late at night by the king's room?” Neville questions.

Panic floods Hermione and she uses a skill that is very important to women. She faints.

Shouts of shock and calls for her maids quickly replace Neville’s questioning. Malfoy drops to his knees next to her. “My love, are you okay?”

Harry nudges Ron and the two leave.

Chapter Text

At Malfoy manor, nobles have gathered. The king is dead. His son has fled the country.

“Ron, how goes the world, friend?” Theo askes.

Ron sighs, looking exhausted. “Can you not see it?”

“Do you know who killed James?”

Ron sighs. “James’s servants. Draco executed them.”

Theo sighs. “The world is out of balance my friend.”

“Aye. Harry, the son, has fled the country. A lot of people are suspicious of him now.”

“Ambition will ruin the best of us. Without him, the crown falls to Macbeth.”

“I named him. He has gone to be crowned.” Dark circles under his eyes and gray starting in his hair give Ron a tired look. Everything is beginning to take its toll on him.

“Will you go to see Draco crowned?”

Ron shakes his head. “No”

Theo nods in understanding. “Then I’ll see you when I see you.”

As they leave Theo looks over a group of birds. An owl is killing a falcon. Theo shudders and continues on his path.

Chapter Text

Neville stares at Luna as she draws. “Luna darling, I’m worried.”

“Of what?”

“Malfoy. He’s gotten everything that your vision has promised and I must confess, I’m worried that he killed James. It doesn’t make any sense that Harry would kill his father but Draco.. I fear that he would kill him. The castle has been different lately. Can you feel it?”

“The sun has not shone and the birds have not sung.”

“It is colder and darker. Malfoy walks around like a ghost haunting his own body.. Here he comes.”

“Neville my friend, here you are!” Although Malfoy sounds excited, Neville notes that his hands are shaking. Malfoy quickly tucks them out of sight.

“We were worried we wouldn’t find you. It wouldn’t be the same tonight without you.” Hermione exclaims.

Neville narrows his gaze at her. Does she know? “Unfortunately, I cannot make it. Luna and I are leaving tonight.”

“Oh?” Hermione’s bright smile begins to fade a little.

“Yes. I’m taking her to her family’s home for a bit. Just until everything has settled down.”

Malfoy nods. “Yes, it would seem that Harry has fled to England. He refused to admit to having his father killed, but it seems rather obvious now.”

“It is time for us to take our leave.” Neville stands and helps Luna up.

“I wish you well brother.”

Draco and Hermione watch Neville and Luna leave. “What does this mean?” Hermione whispers. “Does he know?”

“My Lord.” A servant enters and bows before them.

“Speak.”

“The men are here for you. At the gate.”

“I must go my love.”

Hermione nods and Draco hurries off. Three men meet him at a back door.

“Have you thought about what I said? About the traitor, Neville, and his murder of our beloved King James?”

“Aye. We have.”

“Will you do it?”

“We will, my liege.”

“It is concluded. Neville, thy soul’s flight, if it will find heaven, it must try tonight.”

The men nod and leave, leaving Malfoy alone in the dark.

“I have killed James for this throne, I cannot let it fall to Neville. They have put a crown on my head.. A fruitless crown, it shall fall to the dogs. A barren scepter they have placed into my hands. The throne that I sit upon has no legs! But yet Neville will be the father of kings? He wears no crown but he has an orchard. He has no throne to sit upon but his children will not lack for generations. Curse Luna and her gods-damned prophecy! I will have children and they will sit upon the throne I killed for them. I did not damn my soul for Nevilles heirs.”

Chapter Text

“Has Neville left?” Hermione asks.

“Yes my lady.”

“Could you tell Lord Malfoy that I’d like to speak with him?”

“Yes my lady.” Her servant exits to find Malfoy.

“What did we do? This was supposed to make us happy” She paces back and forth until Draco enters. “Darling, why do you act so odd? What’s done is done.”

Draco gently takes her hands and forces her to stop pacing. “Calm down. I am scared. I fear that we have only made it worse. We have scorched the snake, not killed it. Now I fear that it will bite us. We have only angered it. James gets to lie, peacefully in the ground and yet we never sleep!”

“Come on Malfoy, pull yourself together. We have to look happy tonight. It’s supposed to be a celebration.”

“I know darling. I am scared too. It feels almost like there are scorpions in my mind. We have dug ourselves a hole and now we must keep digging to get out of it.”

“We must leave this.” Draco’s breath catches as Hermione pulls herself back together and becomes the fearsome woman that he married.

Draco begins to run his hand through Hermione’s soft red hair. “My love, as long as Neville lives we will never be free. The snake shall continue to hunt.”

“What’s to be done about it?”

A hint of sadness seems to wash over Malfoy's face, but he contains it. “I will worry about it, love.”

Hermione rests her head against Draco’s chest. “It is our own fault.”