I own nothing - it all belongs to JKR.
Chapter 1
Ten minutes ago a non-descript barn owl arrived at Draco's study window. The seal on the envelope was from Hogwarts.
"Dear Lord Malfoy,
I'd like to meet to discuss Phineas' performance in my class. I have a free period on Thursdays between 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please return your confirmation and I will ensure that the Headmistress' floo is open for your convenience at 1:30 p.m., this Thursday.
Yours truly,
Professor H. Kennedy
Potions Mistress"
Sending the barn owl away with his confirmation and a treat, Draco reviewed what he knew about his son's first three weeks of school. Phineas wrote every two or three days and from his letters it seemed he was fitting in and meeting his commitments. Phineas was proficient at potions prior to going away to school. Potions was a strong subject for Draco and Phineas often shadowed Draco in his father's lab. Sadly, to Draco's horror, Phineas could brew a hangover potion by the time he was six. Perhaps Phineas needed more of a challenge in the class and this professor wanted to discuss options. He'd find out on Thursday.
The Headmistress was waiting for him when he exited the fireplace. They exchanged pleasantries and then Draco was released to find the potions professor in what would have been Snape's old office.
Draco left Hogwarts the day after the final battle and never returned. When Phineas wanted to tour the school last summer, Draco asked Blaise to take him. Even fifteen years later, it all still felt too raw. Now, as he moved through the empty halls he could smell the battle and hear the screams. It was unnerving. Soon he was standing outside the potion professor's office. He felt like he was 16 and up to his eyeballs in Thestral dung all over again. His nerves were definitely on edge.
Draco knocked on the door and began to open it as a curt, "come in," came from the inside. Draco entered the room and was greeted with his son's professor's back. She was a petite thing with a waterfall of chestnut brown curls that fell to her waist. Slowly the professor turned around to reveal a face he'd not seen in nearly 15 years. The air in the room seemed to disappear leaving him light headed and weak kneed. He wasn't prepared for this…Merlin, it couldn't be. He was transported back to the last time he'd seen that lovely face. A younger version of that face but still so lovely.
She was a mess. Skinny and covered in soot and blood but she was also the most beautiful sight Draco had seen in months. Her arrival at the manor several months before, nearly stopped his heart. At the time, he thought she'd never survive the ordeal, much less make an escape. Draco should have known better. Granger, Weasley and Potter had an uncanny knack for getting themselves out of tight spots.
But now, here she was and his soul was crying out for a touch. He needed to feel her skin against his. It had been so long…Just then, like she'd heard his thoughts, she turned to look at the Malfoys. Narcissa, Lucius and Draco sat alone in a far corner of the Great Hall. Her eyes met his and a broad smile spread across her face. That's when Draco saw her wrist twist in a circle, their secret signal to meet in the Transfiguration classroom. Draco responded by wriggling the index finger on his left hand back and forth, indicating he would meet her in an hour.
Draco made some sad sack excuse to his parents and disappeared into the wreckage that was Hogwarts. The door to the Transfiguration class stood slightly ajar and as Draco pushed it open an arm snuck out and pulled him in, slamming the door shut and then she was pressed against his body, holding him tight. The memories of holding her flooded his senses, they just fit. She felt like home. His arms snaked around her. One hand settled on her lower back and the other dug into her mass of dark curls. He kissed her face and said all the things he'd chanted in his head for months. He told her that he had been wrong and weak and that he'd never stopped thinking of her. He told her that it nearly destroyed his sanity to watch Bella torture her. He was so impressed and awed by her strength – her magic. He told her over and over again how much he loved her and needed her and wanted her…Always.
Draco's tender kisses progressed to deep open mouthed snogging. The tongues meeting again for the first time in nearly a year, fought for dominance. She finally let him take the lead. His hands snuck up her sweater removing the barrier without resistance. He deftly undid the clasp to her bra and it too, fell to the floor. His left hand massaged her right breast while the other hand landed on her much less plump derrière, pressing her tight against his hardening cock. Her body felt at home pressed against Draco's but he could tell that the past year took its toll on her. The soft spots that made her womanly were bony and pointy. She was always a tiny thing but now she was nearly prepubescent boy in shape. Gone were her luscious hips and backside. But that was small potatoes; she'd get her shape back with some regular meals and rest. Thank Merlin it was all over.
Hermione was grinding herself against his leg trying to ease the tension building between her body's apex. Draco's hands undid the top button and zipper and he managed to slide her panties and cargo pants off at the same time. Hermione, fumbled with his belt and button fly and soon, he too was divested of his bottom vestments. Draco couldn't remember when Hermione had removed his sweater and oxford shirt but they had joined the rest of their garments in a pile on the floor. They were standing naked, holding each other their mouths and hands worshipping each other.
Draco grabbed her by the waist and lifted her upon the desk his mouth never leaving hers. Hermione's hand took hold of his cock and rubbed the head in her folds as her legs wrapped themselves around Draco's waist and then he was inside her. Oh my! It had been so long they both thought. She felt so good. Draco had to still them so he could regain control. Slowly, he began to move his hips and Hermione met him push for push. Their bodies coalesced in an ancient dance of need, desire and want. Within minutes they each met their peek tumbling over into an abyss of bliss, shouting each other's name in this primeval act of worship. They collapsed on what used to be the prim and proper Professor McGonigall's desk in a heap of sweaty flesh. Draco then dragged Hermione to the floor to sit against the desk. Hermione wandlessly accioed their clothing, they dressed and remained cuddled on the floor - exhausted, sated and safe.
When Draco awoke the next morning, he was alone. Hermione had left a note.
My Dearest Draco,
I'm so thankful that you're alive and that we both survived this awful war. It felt so good to hold you and kiss you and make love to you. I have missed you and worried about you.
I'm not sure what the future holds for either of us. The Ministry will in all likelihood investigate your actions. Whatever happens, know that I will do everything I can to make your circumstances known. I will not be able to assist you directly but I will be working behind the scenes to ensure that you do not face Azkaban.
My life is a crossroads Draco and I'm not sure where to go from here but know this; I love you…I will always love you.
Hermione
When I went to the Great Hall where I found my parents being interviewed by Ministry officials. I joined them and the three of us were taken into custody.
The throat clearing broke him out of his reverie.
"Good afternoon Lord Malfoy." She looked directly into his eyes, he blinked.
"Granger," he said in his clipped accent.
"It's Professor Kennedy, now," Hermione corrected.
"Right."
"Have a seat, please." Hermione motioned to the one of the two club chairs in front of her desk. She pulled out her desk chair and took a seat.
"May I offer you some tea, Lord Malfoy?"
"That would be nice, thank you."
"Certainly." Hermione snapped her fingers and an odd looking house elf appeared at her side. "Beau, would you bring us a pot of tea and some biscuits?" The house elf nodded and disappeared. A moment latter the tea trolley beside Hermione's desk was full with all the accoutrements for tea. Hermione began to fuss over plates and the tea, pouring a cup for him and fixing it just to his liking and another for her; one sugar and a spot of milk, just like always.
"Really Granger? A house elf?"
"Beau was my late husband's elf and I inherited him when he passed. Beau is free and he's paid. He knows secrets and things about my children's father that I was not privileged to know. He's also a treasured member of my family."
Draco dropped his head in shame. "I really stuck my foot in it, I'm sorry Professor." This is a nightmare, Draco thought.
"It's all right, you didn't know. Shall we get on with what you came here for?" Hermione looked directly into Draco's eyes and continued. "Lord Malfoy," Draco cringed at her persistent use of his formal title. "I asked you here because Phineas is not performing up to his capabilities. I know he understands the syllabus and the lectures but when it comes to executing and applying the lesson in practice, he seems distracted and makes careless errors. He's also missed the deadline on 3 assignments. These were not big assignments but that's not really the point, is it? He's not meeting his commitments. I've watched Phineas, I know he can do better. I've also spoken with his other professors and he's tops in all his classes. It is only potions where he is struggling."
"I see," Draco ground out. He thought he was being called because he son was advanced, not because he was falling behind!
"Is there anything going on at home that would impact this class? Is everything all right at home between you and Lady Malfoy?"
"Ah, well now you've gone and stepped in it Gr-err-Professor. Lady Malfoy died just over four years ago. She was a drunk and she drowned in the bathtub. Well, that part wasn't public knowledge." Draco was shocked at his own case of run-on-mouth and Granger looked stricken.
"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss." Hermione whispered, reminded of her own heartache.
Draco waved her off and continued, "Regardless, Phin doesn't miss his mother or brewing her hangover potions for that matter. So you see, he's an old hand at potions. I am a little flummoxed to tell you the truth. I'll have a word with him before I leave today, perhaps the Headmistress will allow me to take him to Hogsmeade for dinner and we can have a chat. Get to the cause of his distraction."
They were interrupted by a knock on the door frame. Hermione lifted her head and smiled and Draco turned in his seat to see who was at the door. There in the doorway was a girl of about fourteen with long golden blond hair that fell in smooth waves down to her waist. She had sharp features and pale skin and eyes so blue they reminded him of his mother's eyes. She was wearing Slytherin's house colours.
"Professor, I'm sorry to interrupt you but the Headmistress has a message for you, when you're done here."
"Thank you Isla. Once I'm finished here, I'll head up to her office."
The girl then whispered and rolled her eyes and said, "I think it's about Perry."
"Oh! Oh dear!" Granger gave a kind of rueful chuckle and then said, "Thanks again Isla and I'll see you at dinner"
"Not a problem, Mum…See you." And then she was gone.
All of sudden Granger looked flustered. "Um, where were we? Oh yes. Well, we were done I think?"
Bile began to rise in Draco's throat as he remembered the jealousy he felt after Blaise returned from a trip to The States several years ago. He came with news of Granger. Blaise Zabini ran into Granger in Salem a few years after the war. He said their exchange was stiff and awkward. Hermione was with her husband and young daughter and was expecting her second. She'd become a potion mistress, author and teacher, her husband, was an American Auror. Draco remembered that at the time, Astoria was expecting Phin. He remembered feeling robbed and jealous of a man 5000 miles and an ocean away. That was supposed to be my life, my wife, and my babies.
"So, that's one of them?" Draco said with a sneer.
"One of what?"
"One of your American brats," he spat out.
The spoiled, nasty boy she'd known between first and fifth year was back. Once again he was that awful, snotty boy who took the Mickey out of her and her friends whenever possible. She hated that boy. She was seething on the inside, barely able to contain her anger.
"Look, you're here to discuss your son, not my children. Let's leave Isla out of this, shall we? I think we are done. Please advise me if there is anything I can do to help Phineas improve his performance." With that, Draco knew he was being dismissed and he placed his tea cup on the side table and rose to his full six feet, bid Granger a good afternoon and left.
Hermione had to lower her eyes so as to not give herself away. Draco had grown at least two more inches after the war and he'd filled out putting on at least another two stone. He was still slim and lithe. But she'd fallen in love with a boy and Lord Malfoy was all man. An infuriating man who still pushed her buttons! And despite her anger, it was all she could do to not run into his arms and hold him tight. She had missed him so.
Hermione had been thinking about Draco for days, weeks really. She had received her class rosters in mid August and there in her first year potions class list was one Phineas Draco Malfoy, the Malfoy heir.
After the night in the transfiguration room she didn't see Draco again until the day of his trail. Three months had past and a lot had happened. Almost immediately following the final battle Draco was betrothed to Astoria Greengrass and by August he was married. His parents must have arranged for a quick union in order to secure an heir. Hermione shook her head and laughed little to herself. The irony of that logic, considering Astoria didn't conceive until three years later, was not lost on her.
Hermione made good on her promise to Draco. The Ministry knew that his actions during sixth year were under duress. She gathered evidence and presented herself and Potter to testify on his behalf. Her efforts were the reason why the charges against Draco were dropped.
When Draco's engagement was announced Hermione accepted her placement at the Wizard University in Salem. She stayed until the trial was over. Two days later she was unpacking in her new flat ready to begin her potion studies and a new life.
TBC
AN - I'm looking for a BETA. I've done my best to vet for grammar and spelling. I know this is not perfect. If you have to time to help me - I need fresh eyes to look at my work and to help me through the rough spots. PM me if you're interested. merci et bon nuit.
