A/N: Hey everyone! I Hope you enjoy this new story. I'm very proud of it even though I lost a chunk of it because of my demented computer. I'm not completely satisfied with some of the chapters because I'd written them better the first them but I've tried to re-write them even better. I'm really excited to get your feedback so lets get started.
Dedicated to…Him.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize doesn't belong to me except the new characters I'll be introducing to you very soon.
Full Summary: The word 'Golden Trio' is no longer uttered. It has long perished from the wizarding world. The hate Harry, Hermione and Ron created separated Hermione completely. Even after years of trying, the wizarding media is still in oblivion with what really happened. After their greatest victory came their greatest downfall. Now, 18 years later, Dominic Potter and Evangeline Malfoy continue a rivalry known to them since they were born. Watch them battle a war taken to levels Harry and Draco never tried. Here's the story that escalates old rivalries and takes a turn no one fathomed.
Chapter 1: Malfoy Manor
Majestic and Magnificent were the words to describe it. It stayed unchallenged to this day even though there were many mansions there to compete with its beauty. It remained the object you would never see enough of even after a day of staring. This was Malfoy Manor.
Standing grand on the outskirts of quiet Wiltshire for over six centuries, the estate occupied a staggering 205 acres of land. The mansion with its magnificence wasn't the only thing making people look back, the landscaping background added to the eye popping allure it held. A long driveway with nothing but snow covered grass and naked maple trees escorted you to the mansion. Perfectly trimmed hedges and stone statues welcomed you around a water fountain.
You'll hold your breath as you walk up the stone steps to the gigantic double doors with a swirled serpent knocker. A large foyer, an astounding library, two living rooms, eighteen bedrooms, nine and a half bathrooms, a ball room, a dining room fit for a king, a sunroom and two studies lay on the other side of that door. Not to mention the centuries old Malfoy artifacts worth too much to count.
If you're still not impressed, go around the back and take a look at what the Malfoy's call a 'backyard.' Clear grounds with lush grass cleared the way for meters in the summer. Now it was paved white with snow until it reached tall black forest trees. These trees walled the estate from the sides like walls, keeping the world away from this haven. The small forest tucked away a small pond, kept for swans.
On such a dark morning, the estate looked breathtaking, with the grounds white and trees ebony. You could tell, looking out the master bedroom window, as the snow fell softly on its sill but Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were a little preoccupied.
Hermione stretched and rose from the gigantic bed only to be pulled back in by her husband.
"Not quite yet." He grinned boyishly.
Hermione screamed in surprise and fell into his arms again.
"Mr. Malfoy, it might have slipped your mind but I'll remind you. You have work today." Hermione giggled, pushing away those strong arms and she knew, if once caught there was no escape.
"How about I remind you about last night." He whispered into her ear.
Hermione smiled and wordlessly began kissing him. Draco was in too much ecstasy to realize Hermione was lifting his hands off of herself. He loved it when she "took charge" as he liked to put it. Just when he was getting used to it she pulled away and ran.
He opened his eyes and saw Hermione get out of bed. He slapped his hands on his face. 'Fell for it again!'
"AARRGGHH!" he groaned as bolted out of bed.
Hermione screamed and ran into the bathroom. Just as he reached the door, it slammed on his face.
He pounded the door with a clenched fist but couldn't help but smile. She just simply drove him mad…and yet he still loved her.
"I hate you, Malfoy!" he said loud enough for her to hear. Wasn't this the line she said to him when they were at Hogwarts? Well, Draco took to calling her Malfoy, just so he could remind her she was one too, that was now her last name as well…and to proudly proclaim she was his.
"But I luuurrrrvvveee you, Malfoy." She said saucily as Draco rolled his eyes. A smile still played his face.
"I'm telling you, it's not fair!" Draco huffed.
They had just finished breakfast and now Hermione was tightening his tie as he set of to work. Draco became school governor (something he didn't really want since it was also what his father was but none the less he accepted when asked…or risk the silent treatment from Hermione) and president of their private hospital, Hermione Jane. He "gifted" it to her when she became a healer. If she was going to be a healer, she'd need a hospital, thought Draco. And St. Mungo's Hospital just wasn't going to cut it. Not for his Hermione.
"What's not fair, Darling?" Hermione asked innocently, trying so hard not to burst out laughing.
"Don't play stupid with me." Draco ground his teeth. "You not having to go to work, that's what."
Hermione smiled and giggled proudly, savoring the moment's picture. Him in work robes and her in pajamas.
"Well, I'm not the one that said, 'Hermione, this office of yours is much too small for you. I'll have it renovated.'" She said to him in a very Draco-like way.
"Well, its true." reasoned Draco, "Imagine seeing the head healer of Hermione Jane in a small office when the hospital is so successful."
"Small! How did it become small? It looked fine when you built the whole thing." Hermione said.
"Uh…I don't know. All your documents are taking up space…it just looks small after 10 years." Draco said.
Hermione sighed, nothings good until its perfect. "Alright, don't complain then."
"Besides, there are a ton of things to do here." Hermione sighed tiredly.
"Like what?" eyed Draco.
"…lying in bed ALL DAY!" Hermione cheered.
"AAARRRGGHHH!"
Hermione and Draco led busy lives. He handled everything about the hospital, except of course the hundreds of patients, which Hermione was responsible for. She had a staff of 150 healers who were to answer to her but she took the most critical of cases. And with Draco as school governor as well they barely had time for rest.
This dynamic duo made Hermione Jane the success it was today. Being the first private hospital in Magical history, the rich and famous were admitted there. After all, you were under the care of Hermione Malfoy, holder of the highest marks in Healer Studies; the fees weren't going to come cheap.
Now as Draco rolled his eyes and turned to leave Hermione pulled him back with his tie. He turned to face her but he wouldn't look at her.
Hermione smiled. "Draco, a wife doesn't rest when she knows her husbands out toiling."
Draco looked at her with a squinting temple.
"I'll make a special dinner tonight, candle light with all your favorites." Hermione said like a child.
Draco laughed. Hermione looked at him puzzled. "Love, you're brilliant. You really are. But you and cooking don't really go." He reminded her.
Hermione hadn't quite mastered the art of cooking yet. She found it complicated and too tedious. She never really liked it but she tried.
"I promise I'll go by the book and the elves can supervise." said with her right hand raised as though she was swearing.
Draco shook his head, smiling. "It's alright, I know you don't want to do it anyway but I appreciate your offer." He sighed as he put his arms on her shoulder and locked them around her neck, "Let the elves do their work. Go rest, take a long bath. When I see you tonight, all fresh and revived, I'll feel better.
He kissed her forehead and held her.
"I hate you, Malfoy." said Hermione to his chest.
"I love you too, Malfoy." He smiled.
"I love you more." She said.
"No, I love you more." Draco said.
"Draco, you're late." Hermione reminded him.
"Right."
With a passionate kiss left on Hermione's lips, he walked to the fire place and announced his destination. Throwing down some floo powder, Hermione watched the flames engulf him.
"No, I love you more." She whispered to herself as she stood still. She continued to stare at the fire place. She shook her head in disbelief; even to this day she couldn't believe he was hers. Even after 18 years of marriage she still turned in her bed just to see if he was beside her. And it wasn't all a dream.
Hermione shut her eyes and smiled, wiping her lips. They were 36 years old in the eyes of the world but from the inside they still remained the obsessed teenagers they were. Who else kissed like tomorrow was too far away?
They stayed teenagers; the teenagers who were hardly themselves…so much had changed.
"Lady Malfoy…"
Hermione spun around to see the head house elf standing behind her.
"Good morning, Dory. I trust you had a good day off. Do you need another or are you ready for some rigorous work today?" Hermione said as she made her way to the breakfast table with the skinny elf following.
Oh yes. When Hermione Granger married sole heir of Malfoy estate, Draco Malfoy, she didn't just become Mrs. Malfoy. It was tradition to address the Mrs. as The lady of the house and so she became Lady Malfoy.
Even though Draco said it wasn't, Hermione knew she had to change some things. She wasn't blind to the fact that the name Malfoy was going tarnished the minute she said her vows. So, she went out to prove to Draco's mother, his relatives and everyone else that doubted her that she could be as good as them. She vowed to be a proper Malfoy.
Despite Draco's constant disproval, she studied the Malfoys. She read through every book in their library about them. She learnt each and every name of the members of the family of the past 800 years, she upgraded her etiquette, learned what to wear and when to wear it, how to walk and memorized every Malfoy tradition.
Soon she became what she wanted. She dressed like them without the gaunt appearance. It was always tasteful, ranging from the most exquisite gowns to sophisticated wear. She stood at a new posture with shoulders back and walked better. She taught herself everything Narcissa wanted in her daughter-in-law. It was impossible to find a flaw in her after the transformation. It was like she was born to this family.
But not once along the way did she forget who she was and what to leave out. She reminded herself that Draco loved her for who she was and he was her first concern.
She morphed into a very "refined" Lady Malfoy. She was pleasant and never put anyone down with snide remarks, something that was unheard of in all the Malfoys. She mastered the art of running her mansion, controlling the house elves and at the same time changing the entire system and giving them days off and fewer hours. She went to the grandest balls and drank the most expensive wine but mostly she loved it when her husband took her out for ice cream.
She had become the first perfect Lady Malfoy.
"No, my lady. She is too kind." blushed Dory.
"Right then, make all of Mr. Malfoy's favorite dishes for dinner. I want it perfect." Hermione instructed, "But for now start with the left wing. I want the girls' room spotless. My babies are coming home!" she cheered.
Oh yes. It was that time of the year. Not only as it Christmas time but also, the young miss's would be returning from Hogwarts and the house would come alive.
Dory watched her mistress run up the stair in her tiptoes, still in her pajamas. She sighed, staring at the woman who came into this house a girl and looked a Narcissa Malfoy in the eye. Dory would never forget that day. When Master Draco became lord of the house and his young bride changed his world. Changed him as well. From the cold, ruthless, arrogant…well; still the arrogant but this one girl had changed Dory's master from darkness to light.
Dory always knew that all young Draco needed was some true happiness and soon Dory wouldn't even recognize him. And that's exactly what happened.
This girl was truly a charm. Only after her arrival did the Malfoy name prosper, going into the good books.
She had her own style, Dory noticed through the years. She came down in healers robes one day and some days, like today, she came down in pajamas. Sometimes, both husband and wife would talk about patients but sometimes they could be seen chasing each other on the second floor, laughing like children.
The atmosphere felt cold when she returned from the long bath Draco had prescribed. Still in bath robes, her hair untamed and wet she began straightening out their bed. You'd think after having a hundred elves working to her every call, one of them would do the bed. But no. No one was allowed in this room and touching this bed would be considered a crime.
As the years passed, Hermione became very possessive with this room. It was private and personal. These closets stored away all their fragrant filled robes. These Persian carpets comforted only their feet. These chairs cushioned Draco when he sat up late at night, watching Hermione sleep. These curtains kept the sunlight away when they needed each other. These walls hushed their cries of joy and pain. And this bed was where he loved her.
Who ever entered here would have hell to pay. And Hermione would make sure of it.
Hermione hymned to herself as she put away Draco's bathrobes. She loved to put it to her nose and breathe in. His scent…She stowed it away, along with his other clothes. Hermione then opened her closet and fixed her robes. Right at the top, she noticed piles of photo albums.
She smiled, pulling down a few. It felt like ages since she last looked at them. She reached for one particular one and pulled it down. She looked at quizzically and then the horror dawned upon her. She nearly screamed before throwing all of them back in and slamming the door.
Hermione ran to her bed and sat with her legs pulled up. Staring at the closet, she shook her head vigorously. 'No its not.' She tried to convince herself. Without her knowledge, tears started falling down her cheek. She wiped them away harshly and stood up, pretending to find something to do. She wanted to tidy her dressing table but she merely rotated the bottles of perfume.
But she couldn't restrain herself. It was as though it was pulling her. Something inside her really wanted to just take a glimpse in it but the other side kept saying 'Think of Draco. It's not fair to him.'
She slowly opened her closet door once again and retrieved the photo album. Hermione traced the simple patterns on the cover and a single drop of tear fell upon it. She sat on her bed and turned the cover. The picture stopped her breath and she snapped it shut. This time the tears spilt like rain as she held the album to her heart and cried her heart out. She cried out everything she'd kept inside, bottled up.
Opening it slowly, she looked at the picture again. 11 year old Harry, Ron and Hermione were waving at her. She smiled painfully at their joyous grins. She flipped the page and watched Ron and Harry play Quidditch at The Burrow. Why was it that Ron played so amazingly at the burrow but so horridly at school try-outs? She turned the page to an ecstatic Ginny and a blushing Harry in Hermione's sixth year. Slowly running a hand across the photograph, she wished she could be as happy at that moment as they looked. Next were a few Daily Prophet cut-outs. 'Harry Potter And Ronald Weasley Join English Quidditch Team' – 'Ronald Weasley Stays On While Harry Potter Leaves Team For Auror Training' – 'The Boy-Who-Lived Has boy. The Wizarding World Welcomes Dominic Potter' – 'Ron Weasley Remains Top Asset For Team'
The rest of the pages remained blank, picture-less. Hermione stopped keeping news of them as the years passed and her anger soared. They had forgotten about her. They had forgotten about her and lived their famous lives. So why shouldn't she? Remembering the years she waited for any word from them, Hermione shoved aside the album and got one of her own.
A more familiar album brought back joyous memories. The first photograph taken was when Hermione was staring into Draco's eyes and he into hers as they said their vows. It was the best day of her life. Wearing a simple white cocktail dress and white daffodils in her hand, Hermione knew, this moment was true. This moment was right. There were no mistakes. She stared at her dashing groom to be as he watched her with pride.
Watching the perfect picture, Hermione's attention fell to the bride's maid…the maid of honor. There were none. Ginny was supposed to be there. She looked at the chairs. Empty. Harry, Ron, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and all her friends were supposed to be there.
Hermione's eyes became blurred as tears threatened to return. Her mind went back nineteen years, to the day it all happened
"What! Are you out of you're mind! Do you even know what you're asking us!" Harry asked shocked.
"But Harry he really has chang…" Hermione began.
"Listen to yourself, Hermione! You're asking us to accept a traitor."
"I'm just asking you to acknowledge he isn't who he was." Hermione pleaded.
"And why is that? Something to do with Voldermort being gone and no one to protect him? That coward!" Harry spat.
"Harry!" Hermione yelled. There was suddenly a piercing look on her face. "You know as well as I do, Ginny wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him! He has proved himself."
"No, he knew the game was coming to an end. He needed a way out!" Harry yelled back.
"The ministry forgave him. He was on our side, not from the beginning but at least at the end. He has changed." Hermione reminded him.
Harry looked at her for the longest time.
"What happened to you? Since after the war you hardly spend time with us, you're never around. You're always gone somewhere for hours. When you're here, it's like you have something on your mind. And now you're defending that pathetic scum?" spat Harry.
"BECAUSE I LOVE HIM!" She screamed to them all.
Thunder struck outside. But that was nothing close to the riveting shock inside the house.
"No…wait." Hermione stammered. In all her anger she had said it! It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Ginny covered her mouth to hide her shock. Harry couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"What?" Ron asked in disbelief.
Hermione began crying. "I'm sorry, Ron. I'm really sorry."
Ginny ran to Hermione before Ron got to her. He shook her violently. "What!"
"Ron, let go!" Ginny screamed at him. He was bruising her arm.
When all she did was cry, Ron shoved her away and turned away, staring at the roof. He ran his finger through his ginger hair as his blood shot eyes shot from side to side. He prayed the girl he loved didn't just say that.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen, you have to believe me, Ron." Hermione begged as Ginny held her back.
But Ron didn't hear a word she said. He stormed out of the small living room and all that was heard was the breaking of the kitchen door.
Hermione cried sorrowfully, her face buried in her hands. He didn't deserve that. No. Not Ron.
"Then you have no place with us." said Harry.
Hermione's eyes shot up to him. Did Harry just ask her to leave?
"Harry, no!" Ginny said in disbelief, shaking her head.
In Harry's eyes, Hermione did this herself. She severed ties with them. Could she live under the same roof with Ron? Would anything be the same anymore? He wasn't being harsh; this was the only thing to do.
Hermione wiped her tears and walked to the stairs. Ginny caught up to her and begged, "No stop, Hermione. He doesn't mean it."
"What good are friends, Ginny?" Hermione looked at Harry, "if they don't help you when you need them the most."
Not once did they ask her how she was going to cope with the challenges that lay ahead for loving a boy whose world would never accept her.
Ginny shook in horror. Oh Merlin, how has this day faced us? Wiping her tears, she did the only thing that came to her mind.
Rain fell. There was no one foolish enough to sit under rain but him. He sat on the bleachers for the past two hours, with water splattering on his pale skin, telling himself she would come back like she said. Telling himself, she wouldn't let go of it all. She wouldn't break her promise.
A cold wind ran through him and realization came to him…she wasn't coming, was she? He had to laugh at himself. Did he honestly think this would work? Actually, he knew it wasn't going to work. He didn't want to do this. All he wanted was to take Hermione's hand and go, leave them to think whatever they wanted to. He didn't like the idea of "asking for permission" once. But it was important to Hermione and so he didn't stop her.
He knew the only the way to tell them is to make them believe he changed but again he hated the idea of "approval" from them. He didn't need it. Not theirs. He didn't want them to think he was going to join them or anything. Or wanted any part for them. He didn't know how it was going to work but he didn't want to be going to picnics in The Burrows with Potter and Weasley at the same table. Simply, he didn't want anything to do with them.
But he did, however, want the truth to be told. He hated having to spend so little time with her. Meeting up in this park for a few hours at a time when he wanted to spend all day with her. He wanted to walk out in the open, hand in hand, instead of worrying who would see them. He wanted to talk about other things other than how Pothead and Weasel beans would take it.
He could understand her frustration, however. She was in between it all. She wanted him but he could somehow tell she wanted them more. Maybe that's why he didn't want her to go in the first place. He already knew she wasn't coming back.
So what was going to happen to him now? He always told himself, "never fall in love with them, make them fall in love with you." Wasn't that the motto he had all through Hogwarts? What happened along the way? How could the most unexpected person set fire in his sole? How did she awake his heart with just one touch? How did he fall so fast, so hard that even if he tried…there was no going back.
And no, it didn't take long for Draco to find out about Ron. Sometimes it made Hermione laugh how possessive and angry he became. All it took was the word 'Ron'.
A few meters away Ginny apparated behind him. With his head low, he got up to leave. She wasn't coming back, was she? His condition was the reflection of Hermione's, Ginny noticed.
He jumped down the bleachers and began to walk when he heard her say, "She's coming. Wait for her…She's coming to you."
Draco turned to see the littlest Weasley stand there. He couldn't tell if those were tears or the rain drops on her cheek. She looked scared. But he didn't notice it; it became an everyday thing for him. Draco approached her.
"She's leaving us…for you." Ginny muffled her cry in her hands and shut her eyes.
She didn't know what to say to him, how to explain that he was about to become Hermione's only support from now on.
Hermione's best friends died today.
She turned to leave, too scared and pained to speak but then turned back, saying anything that came to her mind, knowing that if he had the same passion Hermione had in her eyes then he would understand. "Take care of her. Please. Don't make her cry a single tear. Love her as much as she loves you. Fill her life with so much happiness that she never looks back. And don't let go of her. She's leaving everything for you. She has no one else anymore."
Ginny knew it came out not even half as meaningful as she wanted it to be but she was a wreck. Instead she stifled another cry and almost laughed at the irony. She just asked her biggest enemy to take care of her best friend. What a day! She tried to smile before she turned away.
"I promise." He swore. He didn't know what else to say. He wanted to jump the minute she said Hermione was coming but the look on the Weasley's face kept him from his celebrations. He knew then, something had happened.
Ginny turned back again, this time in surprise and looked into his eyes. She knew right then she could trust him for he had that same look when he and Hermione found her in those horrid caves. She saw it in his eyes; the will to scream to the world, yell, shout, anything to get his happiness out. Yes, Hermione would be safe with him. She truly smiled at him and squeezed his hand before apparting before his eyes
She appeared with a pop in the kitchen at the burrow and could hear a suitcase being dragged down the stairs. Before she knew it, Mrs. Weasley was trailing Hermione down too.
"Dear, what happened? Was it Ron?" she asked frantically, "Tell me, I'll set him right."
Hermione stopped and turned around to Mrs. Weasley. "Thank you so much. For giving me a second home these many years." Hermione sniffed and got hold of Mrs. Weasley's hands. "Thank you for loving me as your own, like a daughter. I'll miss you so much." And she cried at the hands of a woman who had no idea why this girl was taking like this.
"When will you be back?" Mrs. Weasley asked silently.
All Hermione could do was shake her head. She didn't know. But she had high hopes that any minute now, Harry would stop her.
She wiped her tears and picked up her bag and rushed to the door where Ginny waited for her. Pulling her into a tight hug, the two girls cried long and hard, like one of them was going die.
"Do you love him so much, so much that you'd leave us?" Ginny questioned.
Honestly, Hermione didn't know. Was this true love? Or was this just a boiling anger because her best friend just asked her to leave? She couldn't believe he would just ask her to leave. Just let go of her. Like seven years of friendship meant nothing.
But Hermione nodded, she couldn't deny that these last few days with Draco was when she felt the most alive and besides, if Harry cared one bit about her happiness he would stop her right this instant.
But no, Harry stood facing the cracking fire, with his back to Hermione and he didn't stop her. He couldn't believe Hermione would choose that pathetic coward over seven years of friendship. And it even looked like she didn't want to stay. She gave it up so easily. He understood now that he'd lost Hermione a long time ago…
"Thank you for sharing your room with me." Hermione said.
Ginny shook her head, "No Hermione, this will all pass. You won't have to leave."
Hermione kept pulling her hand away, while Ginny kept pulling it back.
"Don't say goodbye to me." Ginny begged.
Hermione started crying. She pulled away her hand with great force and picked up her suitcase.
"No, Hermione." Ginny said frantically, "Not to me."
Hermione wiped her tears and descended on the rain. Ginny cried as she watched Hermione walk away in the rain until she vanished (apparated) from their lives.
They all thought it would be mere months. Of course! How could they not get back together? This was the golden trio!
But Hermione promised herself she wouldn't cry a single tear for them because she knew if Draco saw tears in her eyes once he'd ask her to leave and return to them. And that she could never do. It would be the death of Draco and Hermione.
And so love became hate, the trio that defeated the dark lord became a memory as a whole and their children continued what they began.
Those months became years…18 years.
A/N: YAY! So end of chapter. Sorry if it's too long. But it's because this will be the only chapter about Hermione and Draco. The story isn't about them but don't worry they play a MAJOR part in it.
I hoped you liked it. Please leave me a review, I thrive on them. And I will begin answering every one of them from now on.
- Obsession911