When Your Parents Tell You Bedtime Stories

"Persephone?" Mirach said, making out the distraught girl slumped in the corner, looking startling at him. He slid his body over next to her and leaned against the wall, exhausted from the effort. "Are you alright? I saw the guy and...." Mirach trailed off realizing where they were definitely was not Hogwarts. "Oh."

"So that was you?" she asked, seeing he was in as much pain as she was. "I thought so, but I wouldn't have expected you to be out so late, Achernar."

"I couldn't sleep."

"I didn't have the chance."

"So, where are we? What's going on?"

"I don't know," Persephone said, hating the feeling of stupidity. "I wish I knew. What about you? Don't you Gryffindors know everything?"

"Granger, I think maybe, because of the situation, we shouldn't start house disputes right now," Mirach said, practically sending daggers at her, though it was mostly caused from the pain in his lower back.

"Fine," she said. "But Slytherin is better," she added quickly under her breath.

"Merlin, you are so immature, Granger."

"Oh, and like you're so much better. You know, just because you're mother was in the Order and helped 'save the wizarding world,' doesn't make you a saint."

"Your mother had a much bigger part then mine," he shot back at her.

Persephone's eyes widened momentarily before she regained control. "How do you know about my mom?"

"Like I didn't figure it out our first year here. Everyone else may be stupid, Granger, but I'm not. Besides, my mom has pictures of Hermione Granger all over our house. They were good friends, and she was the only one in the Order to die."

"Thanks for refreshing my memory," Persephone spat, her tongue laced with hate.

"Don't go calling me a saint," Mirach continued. "You have no room to talk."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I told you, Granger, I'm not stupid."

"I didn't say you were," she practically yelled, getting irritated now.

"How come you live with Draco Malfoy instead of your real father?"

"How do you know about that?! Been eavesdropping with extendible ears, have we?"

"It's painfully obvious. I suspected it before, but when he showed up at the Quidditch match...well, that put the icing on the cake."

Persephone racked her brain for a moment. How does he know who my father is? I mean...wait a minute, 'at the Quidditch match.' "Bloody hell," she nearly laughed. "You think my father is Harry Potter?"

Mirach looked up at her, surprised. "It's not? Don't try and tell me it's really Draco Malfoy! Harry Potter makes perfect sense. The black hair, he and your mom were best friends, and then the Quidditch match...."

"You're mad, Achernar. My father isn't Harry Potter. Potter was at the match because he's my dad's Auror partner, and because he was my mother's best friend. Him and...Weasley," she said, practically cursing the name.

"Who is it then? I noticed you didn't deny it wasn't Malfoy."

"My father is...none of your business."

"I didn't know Slytherins could be so touchy," Mirach commented, sighing lazily and pretending he wasn't interested, though it was tearing him up inside. Her father's not Harry Potter? Then who the bloody hell is it? I mean...Hermione Granger was only 17...it had to have been The Boy Who Lived. "I thought you Slytherins didn't possess feelings?"

"You sodding Gryffindors; always judging people. You're sinking just as low as Slytherins when you do that."

"I'm not a Slytherin in any way!"

"Suit yourself," Persephone said, a smirk crossing her lips with bittersweet victory.

"Who's your father?"

"Who's yours?"

"Granger...."

"Achernar...."

"Who is your father?"

"Well," a voice said, making them both jump. "He's a rather handsome man. Used to be the pick of the breed next to Draco Malfoy, back in the day. You look just like your father, don't you, Persephone, darling? You see, Mr....Achernar, is it? Tonks' boy? Hmm...interesting. Well, Mr. Achernar, her father is none other then your very own captor, Blaise Zabini. Surely, you've heard of me. I'm glad to see you two are getting along so well. I'll just check back in on you tonight. Have a lovely day."

The door closed tightly, and Mirach turned, wide-eyed, to Perephone, who was closely examining her hands.

"Your father kidnapped us?" Mirach asked.

"That's not the worst thing he's done in his life."

********

"Serverus," Dumbledore said, turning to the Head of Slytherin House. "Contact Mr. Malfoy. He won't be pleased with us losing his daughter twice, I don't assume."

"I'm sorry, Professor, that I didn't notice it," Aludra said quickly, fidgeting on her bed, Rigel next to her.

"It's alright, Miss Spica," Dumbledore replied calmly. "Mr. Malfoy won't be taking his anger out on us today. I actually feel sorry for whoever took his daughter." A faint smile crossed the ancient Headmaster's lips. Suddenly Minerva McGonagall came rushing into the room, much to the surprise of everyone else.

"Headmaster, I'm afraid there's been an incident."

"We're well aware of it," Snape said coldly. "We're handling it, Minerva."

"Not just that, Serverus. It seems Miss Granger isn't the only one missing. Bobby Weasley just reported he can't find Mr. Achernar anywhere in the castle." Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape rushed out of the room, concerned looks on their faces.

"She'll be fine, right, Rigel?"

"Of course, Aludra," Rigel replied, trying to convince himself. "It's Persephone we're talking about. Biologically Malfoy's daughter or not, she's still the best Slytherin I've seen, and the last person anyone would want to mess with."

"You...you don't think..." Aludra looked up at her friend. "You don't think the same person took them, do you? Why would anyone want Achernar?"

"If she's with him she must think she's died and gone to hell," Rigel tried to joke.

"Maybe she has."