Prologue.
It had started while still in their seventh year at Hogwarts. He had gotten Head Boy, she, Head Girl. Neither was very surprising, even though they were such opposites. At first, themselves and their friends usually avoided the Head common room, seeing as it was prone to explosive fights and hexes.
Somehow, though, halfway through the first semester they were snogging in a broom closet. Of course, Voldemort still had not been overtaken yet and their relationship could not go public.
Hermione Granger continued to date Ron Weasley, and Draco Malfoy continued to date Pansy Parkinson. To others, their attitude towards each other had not changed in the slightest. Snarky comments. The occasional hex. Name-calling. All went as usual, and no one saw a difference.
No one saw the steamy nights on the Common Room couch.
"Draco…! Harry," She panted, "and Ron are coming by to work on homework. We should not be doing this now. What if they catch us? You know they certainly will not approve, and knowing Ron's demeanor, the entire school will know in mere hours."
Hermione was lying on her back, clothes mussed after a ravaging session of snogging. Draco Malfoy was out of breath as well, his platinum blonde hair sticking in all directions from her ministrations. Who knew Granger was such a wildcat? He sent her his trademark smirk, which Hermione had been steadily becoming fonder of.
"Hermione, love. Did you ever think I enjoy the extra adrenaline rush that brings me? One day, I swear, I will have the victory of seeing their faces when Voldemort has been defeated." He informed her, nipping her throat. If he continued like that for much longer, she thought she might just lose it. Again.
"Draco." She chastised. "They are my best friends, and I love you both. Now, I really…" Pausing as he began to kiss the base of her throat, she found she lost the ability to speak. Regaining her senses she continued. "…must go fix myself up. Please let me up?" She batted her eyes coquettishly.
Another smirk. "I think you might just be my undoing. But I suppose you're right. If my father found out, your life would be on the line and I could absolutely not have that." As he was lifting himself off of her, and then taking her hand to help her up, a knock sounded on the door.
"Hermione? Hermione!" Ron's deep voice called through the portrait hole. She cursed inwardly.
"Go to your room!" She ordered Draco, rushing to the mirror. Her wand quickly fixed the problem of a flushed face, and she straightened out her shirt and threw her hair in a ponytail.
Opening the portrait, she smiled in what she hoped was an innocent enough way.
"What took you so long?" The youngest Weasley son asked, looking around the room in an almost suspicious manner.
"Sorry, I was in the bathroom. Now was it Transfiguration you need help with, Ron?" He nodded in what he thought was a seductive smile as Harry was already settling himself comfortably on the couch. The red-haired boy leaned in to passionately kiss his girlfriend as the Slytherin around the corner seethed in anger and jealousy.
No one saw the two of them cuddled on aforementioned couch reading.
It was Saturday, and Ron and Harry had had Quidditch practice, so she was free for Draco that day. They were both still in their pajamas at eleven in the morning, not even having bothered to fix themselves up for the day. All that had been accomplished was breakfast –who knew Malfoy was a good cook? - And settling on the couch to read. Draco had found an interesting book on the history of curses, and Hermione was reading a history of the fall of dark wizards. He had his back against the arm of the couch, and she was seated between his legs, using his chest as a pillow. Somehow, they managed to read like that. Though, at the moment he was playfully peeking over her shoulder and twirling her wide curls in one finger, messily braiding them together.
Times like these were rare, Pansy was pushing for more time with the Slytherin Prince, and Ron was trying to figure out why Hermione would go no further with him than a good snogging. The truth was, even though Draco said it was okay if she did, she didn't think she could. It would feel….wrong. Anytime she thought of it, her stomach knotted and a feeling akin to nausea would overcome her. She and Draco had in fact done the deed two and a half months into the relationship, and she was happy she had. Now if anything came to its worst, she could at least know he was the one who had had her first. Draco's girlfriend had not been so willing to wait in their fifth year, back when the two lovers had been enemies still. And his father was not so happy about how his son was apparently staving off on the act with Pansy at the moment. It was looking suspicious, so Hermione too had given permission. Sure, she'd be jealous as hell, but she knew she would be the one he would actually enjoy it with later.
"Would you stop?" She asked playfully, as she felt his warm breath at her ear.
"Oh, but Hermione…" He breathed again, and she sighed.
"I really would like to read."
"I really would like to play with your hair." He smirked in that same exasperating way she knew she could not refuse. That was the day each of them knew they loved each other.
No one saw them hidden away in a far corner of the library working on homework together.
Draco sighed in annoyance. "This Ancient Runes is hell," He informed her petulantly.
"Really? I finished it ages ago. Want help?" Hermione immediately began to dig through her bag.
"No." He refused, stubbornly childlike. She smirked. It was seemingly a habit she was beginning to pick up from him.
"You realize, if you don't finish now, between all of this and rounds, we'll have no time to ourselves later." Winking at him, Draco groaned.
"Who knew the Gryffindor Princess was such a minx?" She gasped at him.
"I most certainly am not, Malfoy. I will have you know you are the first and only person I have ever gone past a snog with, and that…" The rest of her lecture in his direction was stopped by Draco leaning over the table to kiss her.
How he loved it when she got mad.
No one saw the stolen moments in broom closets when they simply could not be held off until later.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Hermione practically screeched at him as she was snatched away into a broom closet on her way to Potions. Her wand had been out and at the ready, predicting Voldemort himself for all she knew. His grey eyes were locked with her dark brown ones, though his were now darkening to slate.
"I'm sorry," He breathed. "Its just Potter and Weasley have kept you closer than usual and I haven't kissed you in ages…"
"Well you know because the war is drawing near, Draco. They know I'm a target." Truthfully, it hadn't been only her best friends keeping her away from Draco. She was scared of the upcoming war. What side was he going to take in it? She couldn't face him on the battlefield. She would not be able to bear to watch him fall…to watch him go to Azkaban for the rest of his life, or worse. He recognized the thoughts.
"How many times have I told you, love. When the battle is just about to begin I'm switching sides. You know they won't take me unless I have information, and I will then. We can then finally announce our relationship…" His voice was wistful, dreamy. Hermione's face softened.
"I'm just scared. I'll make sure they don't hurt you. But be careful. I don't want you killed before we can live our life together. Understand? Be. Careful." He smiled at her.
"You're so beautiful when you're worried." He kissed her, and although she was a full minute late and the new Professor Nesbytt was not happy with her about it, she felt happier than she had in ages, and even kissed Ron full on the mouth without her stomach turning.
Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy appeared to be business as usual to others.
But then the war exploded. It came without warning, and the Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor Princess were thrown into the thick of it. It also seemed Draco's allegiance on his side was being called into question, so while Hermione paced worriedly in her tent on the battlegrounds, Draco was in one on the opposite side, magically bound and suffering the Cruciatus. The War continued without any sign of the blonde Slytherin she had come to love, on the battlefield or off.
She assumed he was killed. So she eventually gave in to Ron's insistence on taking it further, only ending up feeling like she had betrayed Draco. Harry seemed to realize something was wrong, but of course he knew soon he would be facing Voldemort and did not put too much thought forward at the time. Instead the very next day the peak of the battle happened. The Golden Trio fought like experienced warriors, as Ron and Hermione had Harry's back so he could get to Voldemort unharmed. The two great wizards met in the center of the battlefield. Hermione watched with horror as Charlie Weasley went down, and Ginny was injured. Dean Thomas was being dragged off the field, and Colin Creevey fell moments after. She had actually cried out when Neville Longbottom was knocked unconscious, only to breathe in relief as Oliver Wood killed the Death Eater about to finish off the klutzy boy, and drag his former classmate to the Hospital area. It was finished sooner than anyone expected, as Harry merely summoned up all his courage and hatred, and sent a final Avada Kedavra. Of course, however, there were still the Death Eaters to contend with. One shouted a dark spell at Harry in vengeance, only to have it taken by Luna Lovegood, who apparently had had a crush on Harry for a while.
Hermione had been devastated by the losses and had retreated to the Hospital tent to help heal those in need.
"Hermione," Tonks whispered to her quietly, "You can't save everybody…"She was referring sadly to Katie Bell, over whom George was crying. It was obvious Harry's old Quidditch teammate was dying, a Sectumsempra had hit her and although George had fought his way back with her, she was clearly too far gone. The dark-haired girl smiled at her boyfriend one last time, and closed her eyes.
Although Hermione was not closest to the twins out of the Weasley clan, she went over to drape an arm over his shoulder anyway. Fred was out in one of the companies chasing after fleeing Death Eaters, and she knew how alone he must feel. With Draco having disappeared….
"Harry! Hermione!" Lupin's voice called from the entrance of the tent to each of the teenagers at their respective beds. Harry looked to Hermione, who nodded. Her best friend walked away from Luna's bed to Remus, and the three grouped together, wands out - just in case - toward the POW area.
"Your friend Seamus found someone he thought you guys would like to see. Apparently, Kingsley had to keep your classman off the prisoner." Remus smiled wanly. "How I wish this damn war would be over, already."
"Don't we all," Hermione smiled with a slightly more sarcastic tone as they entered and she grimaced at the captured Death Eaters and helpers. A couple begged for mercy, a couple glowered, a couple shouted vengeance. It was sad, really. They went to the very back of the magically enlarged tent, the very last cell away from the others. Seamus stood nearby, glowering in the general direction of the door. Kingsley was watching Seamus wearily, hoping he wouldn't have to take drastic measures to keep the boy away.
"Seamus…Dean's injured in the Hospital area. Go see him?" Hermione offered, and Seamus' eyes lit up in sad recognition. Their friend took off in a frantic run. Apparently this was new information to him.
"It's safe to go in, right?" Hermione then asked Kingsley.
"Yes. He's pretty harmless at this point. What we can't figure out, however, is why he's injured, and was being kept in a room. We're not certain what to with him at the moment, seeing as this means he could have possibly been trying to change sides." The tall, black man shrugged noncommittally, and whispered the password to the door, which creaked open, an inch or two. Hermione had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach, and as she and Harry walked in together that fear was confirmed.
Blonde hair was matted with blood to his head, and more was seeping down his face, into his eyes, onto the cot that served for a bed. He was either unconscious or sleeping.
"Shit. It's Malfoy, Hermione." Harry said, his upper lip lifting in what appeared to be a pitying sneer. Somehow it managed to be both. Hermione turned to face him.
"I feel bad for him, Harry. He obviously was meaning to change sides…like Kingsley said." Though her point was made with uncertainty, and Harry looked at her like his best friend had grown a second head.
That's when she felt the eyes on her. She turned her head minimally, enough to see the grey focused on her, and her only. His mouth moved slightly, as if talking to himself and Hermione felt a sudden swell of love toward him.
"Harry. Give me a moment. You're probably incredibly intimidating at the moment, and you most likely won't have any chance of getting information." Harry nodded hesitantly, eyed Malfoy, and exited with a whispered,
"Be careful now, 'Mione." When she heard the door clang shut behind her she rushed to him.
"Oh Draco. If only I could kiss all the injuries away…" Her eyes clouded with tears.
"So…you're real. This is real?" His voice was hoarse, uncertain.
"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Hermione smiled sadly, brushing a lock of blood damp hair away from his eyes.
"I was dreaming of you. In the tent. All the time. I thought…that the Battle was a dream. I didn't think it was real…until Yaxley came to finish me off…" His voice was becoming more distant.
"Draco, stay with me. What happened? I need to know."
"I was packing. Dolohov, he found me. Told my father. They locked me away…then I woke up in a different room. Apparently the tent your friend found me in." He attempted to smile. Hermione leaned forward and kissed him gently.
"I am going to have Harry move you to the Hospital area. I will take care of you, Draco. You'll get better, I promise." She stood and walked to the door.
"Harry, there are some things I need to tell you…now."
Now Hermione sat nestled I the corner of her favorite chair, book open to a page she had stopped reading ages ago, caught up in her vivid memories. Vaguely, she heard the door open in the background. A pair of lips caught hers, and she noncommittally kissed Ron back. It was three months later. She was working in the Ministry as a Healer, and Ron as an Auror, of course. Draco, upon finding out of the progression of the Weasel and Hermione's relationship while he was gone, informed her that he did not want them to break up because of him, that one day Ron would be a better father than he. So they had left the entire relationship under wraps, only known to two people. Honestly, she had no idea why she had even listened to him. It utterly made no sense. And she missed him, every day.
Since the Battle, Harry had married Luna, who was already pregnant. Ron had been trying to push for it, she knew. But she was steadily holding it off. And she had grown scarily close to the Weasley twins. Sure, it was an unlikely friendship. But she had loosened up a great deal, and their humor and pranks really livened up her day. They surprisingly accepted her reading, and she found herself working at their shop all the time whenever she got bored, or wanted to escape Ron. Fred was the other person, aside from Harry, who knew about Draco. He, even though Ron was his brother, wanted her to get away from his younger sibling. It was his personally opinion that it was extremely unhealthy for her. That all she and Ron did was fight, or Hermione would simply fake being happy with him. George had even extended the invitation that if she ever wanted to leave permanently, there would always be a room in their flat above the shop available. It was strange. They were almost beginning to replace Harry and Ron. Ron she just almost felt a permanent repulsion by, no matter what she did. And Harry had a wife and a child coming on the way. They would always be friends, but they couldn't spend every minute of every day together anymore. As selfish as it was, she missed that deeply. She sighed.
"What's wrong, 'Mione?" Ron asked dutifully, seating himself on the sofa.
"Nothing. Just a little tired from work, is all." She closed her book, and shot what she hoped was a happy smile in his direction.
"I'm fine." She assured, knowing full well the word 'fine' would come nowhere near describing her at that moment in the least. 'Fine' was for people who were decently happy, who were at least a little bit confident in their lives.
'Fine' was not Hermione.
A/N – I think this is the longest chapter I've ever written. Sorry about What If? I will get that updated soon, I promise. This story is an idea, or rather, a bunch of ideas I've had rolling around in my mind for a long time. Every time I read a Hermione pairing story, there's always something I wish that would happen, and doesn't. So this story is all my Hermione wishes put into writing. There will be jealousy, a decision between two men(which I would love if reviewers helped me decide who she ends up with), no Ginny(hehe), and Harry/Luna. Which I find adorable. Anyway, review!