Disclaimer:- I do not own HP or any of the characters etc
It was just three of them left, she was sure of it, she remembers Theo glowing red as she dueled him before, it seemed like Theo and Astoria were paired up once again. Theo always tried to help his wife when he could when it was dueling, even though she was a pretty good herself. She saw Pansy glowing red from when Blaise had hit her, she was hiding to take a breather at the time and saw the two at it. Draco was too good to be out already, she wouldn't believe that he was taken out already. She's pretty sure that the 3rd buzz was for Astoria. Hermione was hiding behind a pillar, she could hear shuffling noise not far from her. Deciding to lie on the floor flat on her front, she peers around the corner and sees a pair of feet, it was a little dark where she was to see who they belonged to, just as she was about to pull back she hears Blaises voice behind her. Instinctively, she rolls around just dodging him. Standing up quickly she throws a few hexes his way, he was quick, now he was using the pillar that she was using to hide and she had to crouch behind a rock. Not forgetting the pair of feet that she saw earlier, she knew it was Draco's. Damn he was stealthy she thought, just as she looks up slightly she gets hit by a white beam, crouching back down she swears silently, that's her fifth hit, one more and she'd be out. She didn't see who it was that sent it.
Draco had three options, he could take out Blaise who was standing there hiding behind a pillar from Hermione, he didn't even see him hiding in the shadow behind. Two, he could take out Hermione with Blaise leaving the two and he was pretty confident that he'd win then, or last option, let them fight it out because either way he'd fight the last one that's standing. He didn't have to think about it, he raised his wand and sent a hex towards Blaise and ran behind a broken pillar not far, poking back round he saw Blaise run in another direction, guess he hadn't run out of hits yet. He knew that Blaise wasn't that far, nor was his wife, he quickly turns round and sends out a charm to make patches of black ice across the floor, he hears a thump and sends a hex towards where the sound was. It was dark so he couldn't see anything, but he was certain that he aimed at the right direction. A few seconds later a buzz rings for a few seconds, that's another person out. Leaving two of them left, was it Blaise or Hermione? Looking round, he runs and stands at the pillar that Blaise was at before, trying to listen to the surroundings but couldn't hear anything. Glancing around the pillar he sees nothing, just making out shapes that were in the distance, none of them looked like a human, taking a step out he felt himself trip over a line, falling onto the floor, quickly he rolls all the way to the next pillar, missing the hexes that were shot in his direction. Sat up leaning against the broken pillar again panting. Peering on the other side there's a slight beam of light, he follows it with his sight and sees it leads to the other side of the arena, sliding the wand with one hand on the floor round the pillar, he silently casts a shadowing charm, hoping that it'd be successful. As soon as he hears a feet movement he jumps out and throws a hex towards the direction and crouches behind a rock.
The low buzz rings, the arena lights up fully, as he stands he sees Hermione standing not far from where he was smirking at him. They look up as the light switches on in the monitoring room to see the other four standing there smiling.
" Remember what we betted on at the end of last time?" He whispers to his wife wrapping one arm around her waist as they head towards the door
" 10 Galleons?" She replies innocently
" I know you remember!" He chuckles in her ear tickling her.
" I don't know what you're talking about" She smiles at him sweetly, just before he could answer the other door opens and their friends walk over.
" Rope, Black ice? Where did you even get a rope from" Blaise asks Draco, who had his arm over Pansy's shoulder
" I thought the rope was you, I only did the black ice" Draco says putting his wand in his pocket
They all looked at Hermione who was looking away pretending she didn't hear, but smiling as she turns back round.
" I transfigured a small rock and used a sticking charm to put it up" She grins at them
" How did you get across from one side to the other so quick to stick the rope" Blaise asks
" Now how will I win next time if I let all my secrets out" She replies, the other two girls laugh
" How were you not in Slytherin?!" Blaise says making the others laugh again.
" Theo! It was a last man standing, I saw you helping Storie again!" Hermione says poking Theo in his side
" I didn't ask him to, he shows up next to me all the time, I got hit because of it" Astoria whines
" I was only trying to help" Theo pouts
" You helping got me hit! If you didn't try to defend for me I wouldn't have gotten distracted and gotten hit!" Astoria huffs
" It was and easy hit actually, Storie was standing there looking confused, I couldn't help it" Pansy smiles shrugging
" I'm sorry baby, I'll try to keep away next time" Theo pouts more putting his arm around her
" You said that last time" Draco laughs
It had been a very long day, they all had dinner back at Malfoy Manor, after the dueling they were all famished but felt a lot better to have released some anger. The other two couples had taken their children and gone back home.
As Draco and Hermione get ready for bed, Hermione couldn't help but have a nagging feeling inside, looking at the mirror as she brushed her hair out, she frowns at her image, for letting the nagging feeling get to her. Her husband comes behind and wraps his arms around her waist, nuzzling his face into her neck, making her relax and smile. Looking through his hair that had fallen into his eyes he looks at her using the mirror, smiling against her neck.
" You okay?" He asks
" I am now" She replies, pulling him out the bathroom
" Are you sure?" He raises an eyebrow at her, watching her climb into bed
" I just have a horrible feeling, everyone knows we're back now" She sighs laying down
" Don't think about it love, whatever happens you've got us, you've got me" He says climbing into bed next to her pulling her towards him, she rests her head on his chest.
" Now about that bet" He wriggles his eyebrows down at her
" Ah yes! I guess I should pay the piper" She smiles leaning in and kissing him gently, he pulls away slightly, their lips still touching, their eyes twinkling at each other, reaching out to his wand on the side and whispers "Nox"
The next morning came too early, the two barely had any sleep as Hermione was paying off her bet to her husband all night. Yawning to herself, she makes her way downstairs to the kitchen. Draco was already sitting on the breakfast bar with their kids, Scorpius eating with a book in front of him while Cassie flicks her new wand around but not doing any spells. Draco was frowning over the daily prophet with a mug of coffee. Hermione sits down next to her husband helping herself with a mug of coffee.
" Morning mum" Scorpius says without looking up from the book
" Morning mummy!" Cassie beams at her still waving her wand around, pretending to cast spells.
" Good morning, I hear you two were well-behaved last night for Grandma Cissy and Grandpa Luci" She smiles back at the two, the name grandpa Luci was something Scorpius came up with when he was a toddler, Lucius was never happy about it but over the years it stuck and now he's gotten so use to it he didn't want to be called anything else, of course only the children got away with it, Theo once called him Luci and nearly got a hex of him.
" Of course!" Scorpius grins looking up at his parents, his mother was raising an eyebrow at him but his father hadn't looked up from the paper.
" What is it you want?" Draco asks, he didn't miss the conversation as he was looking at the paper
" What makes you think I wanted something?" Their son questions innocently
" Because we know what you're like, hearing you behaving last night means you want something, so out with it" Draco says finally looking up at him, he had a grin on his face showing that there was no bite in his words.
" I want to go to Weasley Wizards Wheezes" He says daringly, him and his sister both look daringly at their parents.
" Pleaseeeeee! Trent and Parker both been there already!" Cassie begs
Parker is Theo and Astoria's son, he's the same age as Scorpius and Trenton, the three women had pretty much gotten pregnant around the same time, their husbands claim that they planned it that way always denied it.
Hermione looks at Draco who shrugs back in return. Sighing in defeat she turns back to the children.
" Okay" She replies
" YES!" The two children jump up and high fives each other making the two adults laugh.
" What is everyone so happy about?" Lucius asks as he walks in with Narcissa, they had both awaken earlier.
" We're going to Weasley Wizards Wheezes!" Cassie beams at her grandfather
" That's nice dear" Narcissa says, but eyeing the other two.
" Well you'll have to wait till later, I've got some work to do with Blaise" Hermione says biting into a piece of toast
" What about dad!" Scorpius asks, still jumping up and down on his seat with excitement
" Sorry champ but I've got a meetings most of the day" He replies finishing his coffee
" Oh, okay" His son replies understandingly
" Why don't you two get ready for Aunt Storie, when I finish my work we'll go diagon alley" Their mum said.
The two scramble off out the kitchen to get ready for the day leaving the adults to talk.
" Are you sure it's a good idea?" Lucius asks taking the seat that Scorpius just vacated
" They wanted to go yesterday but I told them no, Trent and Parker already been and I don't want them to feel left out" Hermione replies, Draco nods in agreement
" I can go with you if you like, I already spoke to the workers and I won't be needed this afternoon" Narcissa says
They were re-doing the manor, since they had left years ago, nothing was changed, now that they were back on a more permanent basis Narcissa wanted to change everything. Some of the manor was still in ruins and needed to be fixed anyway, and with a lot of spare time on her hands she decided it would be best if they re-did the whole place. The others agreed since she had a love for interior design and it was something to occupy her. Lucius was back running the Malfoy Enterprise, he didn't really have to work since the company was so well run even when he was in Azkaban, but he preferred to be doing something as the company was his.
" That would be nice Cissa, I'll floo you when I'm done" Hermione smiles at her mother in law.
" Have you seen the paper this morning?" Lucius asks getting him and his wife a cup of coffee
Frowning at the question, she looks over at Draco who growls, knowing that if he hid the paper from her, his wife would be more mad at him, debating what to do, Hermione pulled the paper towards her.
The front page had a picture of the scene from yesterday at the cafe, groaning at the headline.
War Heroine back from disappearance with the snakes!
" You would think that she would have come up with something more creative, everything still seems to revolve around our school houses" Draco grumbles
" It's Rita, no doubt her article will probably very creative, and not in a good way" Hermione replies folding up the paper
" Pet, whatever you read in the paper, remember that it's garbage, don't let it affect you" Lucius says with concern, patting her hand. Draco doesn't say anything but growls more while Narcissa fidgets in her seat.
" I'll read it later, I've got more important things to do...Biddy!?" She says standing up herself tucking the paper under her arm.
" Yes Mistress Malfoy?" A house elf pops in
" Where is today's mail?" Hermione asks, the elf shuffles a little not looking up
" No mail today missus" He replies
" Oh...okay" She said confused " Oh Biddy!"
" Yes Mistress Malfoy?" He looks up
" Please don't call me Mistress, Hermione or just Ms Malfoy is fine, Mistress makes me sound like I'm sleeping around" Hermione says giving the elf a slight smile
" Of course Mistre-Ms Malfoy, sorry Ms. Malfoy" He bows his head down
" It's okay Biddy, I just wanted to let you know" She says giving the elf a pat before heading out with her husband. Biddy pops out again leaving the kitchen.
" He's not a dog you know, you don't have to pat him on the head" Draco laughs but she could tell the laugh wasn't really a real laugh.
" Well, I don't really know what to do, the last time I hugged an elf they screamed and ran away" Hermione shrugs
" That's because they were so close to your clothes" Lucius smirks at her making Hermione frown, she had accepted that elves want to work and in 'setting' them free really made them upset. However she did manage to give them all a nice uniform to wear rather than the ragged pillow cases, they could at least dress smart.
" When will you be finished dear?" Narcissa asks
" I've got to meet the contractor with Blaise and then we've got to a meeting with the head associates from our Italy firm" Hermione replies
" Well no need to floo, just send me a message when you're done" Narcissa smiles waving her new phone while Lucius rolls his eyes at his wife's actions. Hermione and Draco both giggle at how excited Narcissa was.
It took Hermione a long time to get her in-laws to try out muggle technology, Lucius was the one that forbid it for years, however on one of his visits to Hermione and Blaise's firm in Italy, he was introduced to the television. He was hooked on watching many shows, it was a sight to see as he kept wondering why there were tiny people in such a thin box, they've caught him walking around the piece of technology trying to work out if Hermione had trapped people into the thing for entertainment purposes, which he first thought she was an evil genius. Blaise and Hermione had both laughed about it so much when they first saw him trying to talk to the people in the screen, and end up yelling at the screen as he was getting no response. After hours of explanation with the help of Blaise, Lucius merely huffs at them and leaves. It didn't stop him coming back to examine the television, after about a week, he was coming in nearly daily to watch something, and on the off-chance they would hear him laugh at something on the tv. Much to their surprise when he stopped coming in so often, they found out that he had purchased one for his study in Italy, and he would be found glued to the thing most nights.
Once Draco and Hermione introduced a mobile phone to them, Lucius was astounded as he could hear Draco talk from afar from the small piece of device that was in his hand, he asked what dark magic was involved and was more shocked as Hermione explained that it was another muggle technology. It didn't take long for him to grasp on how to use the device, and now Lucius changes phones every year once new models were out. Hermione beamed at how Lucius was getting use to muggle technology, but he still has problems with some devices, he would not allow an electric whisk into their house as it was a " loud dangerous piece of tool" he still thinks that it's a torture device.
Narcissa on the other hand was very open-minded and had always wanted to try muggle technology, she spent hours watching many tv dramas and soaps until her husband hides the remote so he can have his turn. Hermione found it funny how Narcissa would be addicted to such shows. She hadn't quite gotten the hang off how to use a mobile phone yet, and was forever randomly pushing buttons and cursing at it, she once dropped it in the garden and thought it was a good idea to wash it clean. When the elves had brought it back to her, she was so confused as to why the screen wouldn't come on and then continued to blame the elf for breaking it, it wasn't until Draco had returned home from work that day, that he mentioned the phone wasn't supposed to be submerged into water. The poor elf had an ear full before his return which Hermione wasn't happy about, but after letting the elf clean out their sitting room carpet, he was back to his happy self.
Before they left their room to get their children Draco pulls Hermione to him, wrapping his arms around him in a long hug.
" Are you okay?" Hermione asks returning the hug, she could smell his cologne from his neck making her relax.
" Yes...just...call me if anything happens okay? Whatever you need" He replies letting her go
" Of course I will" She smiles at him, Draco leans in giving her a soft kiss before opening the door.
She knew that Draco was worried about how she'd react to the article, but figures that she's had worse before, and waves off the thought about the article.
After dropping of Scorpius and Cassie with Astoria Hermione head off to work. Blaise and Hermione had just bought a new building site to open up a new branch of their firm, it was located in London's second wizarding commercial distract called Oblick Alley, the ministry had started on the foundations a few years after the war. As the main port key center was relocated there, Oblick Alley had become more successful in the last five years, the place was brings in more tourists. Draco and Theo were still in the process of discussing on opening an office in London, they already had an office France and of course their head office in Italy. For the time being they were holding their meetings at Theo's place.
Walking down the flat pavement, Hermione realises how glad she was that the ministry didn't use cobblestones like they did with Diagon Alley, it was much easier to walk on without looking like you were hobbling everywhere. Approaching the building, she sees their firm sign already put up. She stops and admires the golden letters that were hung up saying GMZ Attorneys at Law. Unlocking the doors, she walks into the lobby to find Blaise already sitting there on the floor, going through mounts of letters. The sound of her heels had already made Blaise aware of her arrival.
" Hey, you seen the Prophet?" He asks while opening another letter
" Not yet, I saw the front page. What's this?" She asks pointing to a brown sack next to him
" Mail" He replies frowning
" We haven't even opened yet" She replies fingering through the letters, they were a mixture of addressing to her and Blaise
" Most of them are hate mail" He says throwing another letter aside of what looked like the discard pile, and stands up patting the back of his pants
" Hate Mail?" She frowns
" Well I don't know if yours are hate mail, but the stunt that Potter and Weasley pulled yesterday sure attracted a lot of attention" He says waving his hand at the sack
" Great" She replies sarcastically
" You alright sorellina?" He asks putting an arm around her shoulders
" Never better" She frowns
" Hey, seriously" He scrunches his face in concern
" Yeah I'll be fine, it's just mail, can't hurt me" She sighs leaning on him
" Everything will be fine" He rubs her arm but not really believing it himself, it felt like a disaster was going to happen, he didn't want to mention that some of the mail that he read were death threats.
" Mrs Malfoy, Mr Zabini!" A male's voice calls behind them
" Mr. Cromwell, good morning" Blaise let's go off Hermione to shake the man's hand, as Hermione, does the same.
" You've done a great job on the ground floor" Hermione says to the contractor, looking around.
" Thank you , we try our best, the third floor is nearly finished, would you like to see?" He smiles at them, both nod in reply.
The man gives them each a hard hat before they head up together. After an hour of finalising the small details of the place they Mr. Cromwell takes his leave. The two head to the meeting room on first floor which was the only room that had furniture in. As Blaise goes down to pick up the sack of mail, he notices a flash of dark-haired man walking away from the front door, it was too far to see who it was but figured that it was a nosy pedestrian. A knock on the door stops him from walking to the lift, turning round he sees four figures standing outside, knowing it was the associates and their assistants he unlocks the doors with a wave of his wand letting them in.
" Lock the door behind you, we're on first floor" He calls out.
Hermione was looking through the floor plans when she hears people talking outside, rolling up the papers and putting them aside just as Blaise and the associates walk in.
" Welcome to GMZ Attorney of Law of England!" She smiles at them with her arms out, they all giggle at her statement before taking a seat.
" Okay, let's get down to business, Hyman, what have you got for us" Blaise asks one of the head associates.
After hours of going through the updates of their firms, they started on the employee transfer details. Blaise was rubbing his temples by the end of it all and Hermione's hair was coming loose from leaning on her hand so often. It wasn't that it was hard work, the updates were good, everything was still running smoothly at the firm in Italy, they had made two of their best associates partner and was running the place well. The transfers were a little more difficult as there were too many that applied for it and they couldn't have everyone relocating over. It wasn't even lunch and they were already tired.
Draco and Theo was going through a bunch of mail that they had received in Nott's drawing-room, both were not happy. Draco had never seen this much mail in his life, Theo's pile wasn't as big but still a fair amount to go through. If it wasn't for the fact that they were expecting mail from clients, Draco would have burnt the letters already.
" This is ridiculous!" Draco yells, Theo looks up from his letter giving him a questioning look
" Listen to this one ' Malfoy, you have disgusted us, you have tainted the pureblood community with that mudblood, you should have known better. Take this as a warning, we don't want to cause any trouble.' Don't want to cause trouble but threatening me? Who the fuck do they think they are!" He scowls balling up the letter and throwing it aside
" Who was it from?" Theo asks sighing discarding the letter that was in his hand
" Fuck knows! There was no name, that's actually a nice one compare to some of the ones I've gone through" He replies slouching back into the chair.
" Storie doesn't know, I saw the pile earlier and brought them here." Theo says leaning back
" I don't think Hermione knows either, I saw a couple of bags of mail when I walked pass fathers study this morning" Draco replies, there was a pause as Theo doesn't reply
" Why can't people just leave us the fuck alone" Draco yells rubbing his face
" Has Mia seen the paper?" Theo asks twiddling this thumbs
" I don't know...she didn't read it this morning, but she took it with her" Draco sighs running a hand through his blonde locks
" You think she'll be okay?" Theo questions with concern
" No, she won't be after she reads it, she's strong but that article will just break her..." Draco replies leaning on the table with his face in his hands.
Theo was worried too, Hermione may look strong on the outside but he knew that she bottled things up, she had gotten better over the years, as long as she talked about it and let it out, she was stronger than ever. There had been many times where either Blaise or Draco had caught her crying in the middle of the night and she wouldn't say anything. Hermione eventually started to talk more to Blaise, then eventually letting the others in slowly. One night during summer holidays from their first year in University, all six of them were at Zabini manor drinking, and for some reason the topic of their past came up, it was early hours in the morning before any of them had gone to bed. They had all opened up to each other, talking about their childhood, their dreams, the war, relationships, fears, embarrassing times, they all cried and laughed together through the conversation. After that big heart to heart talk, they had all become one, it was a friendship that was solid, they knew about each other in-depth. That was their first group hug from many. Theo would never forget that night, as it was the night that finally got him out of his depression, he had realised how lucky he was to have the friends that he has, and he swore to protect every one of them.
" Don't worry, Blaise is with her, you know she'll call if anything happens" Theo finally says reassuringly, Draco merely nods at him, frowning with concern.
" Come on, Flint and Jones will be here in a min, let's deal with this later" Theo says as he stands clearing the table, Draco grunts as a reply and follows Theo's actions.
At the ministry, Ron was pacing in Harry's office giving him a headache, he had a lot of paperwork to go through and Ron wasn't helping. Ginny didn't say a word after dinner the night before, she spent the night fussing over the children and mentioned she wasn't feeling well and head to bed. This morning she was around the children the whole time giving him no chance to talk to her.
" Ron! Please stop. You're giving me a migraine" He says leaning his head on his hand
Whipping his head to look at Harry he slumps himself into the chair across the desk
" We have to do something Harry! Hermione needs our help!" Ron said leaning forward
" She seemed fine yesterday. It didn't look like she needed any help" Harry sighs flipping through papers
" THATS because THEY were there, she wouldn't want anything to do with them bastards, you know that!" He slams his hands on the table making Harry jump.
Leaning back into his chair in defeat, knowing he wouldn't be getting any work done with Ron being around. He had thought about it the night before, he had lain awake in bed for hours thinking on what Hermione had told them, he didn't want to admit it but he really don't know much about her. It ashamed him that if they hadn't seen her, she wouldn't have crossed his mind, and it wouldn't cross his mind in contacting her again. It had been so long without her around that he didn't even notice, seeing her again made him realise that their friendship no longer existed, he had left it too long. He felt a slight twang of pain in remembering how close they once where to now being pretty much strangers. Her friends looked protective and caring, just like how he use to be with her.
There was nothing he can really do, after the incident the day before, this morning the meeting with the minister did not go well and they had an earful for being reckless, if it was anyone else the minister would have demoted them but he got let off with a warning. They were the ones to initiate a scene in public, pointing a wand at unarmed men, and pretty much accusing strangers. He had never been yelled at so badly since he was at Hogwarts, he felt like a child when the minister was laying into him. He couldn't risk his job for pulling another stunt like that again, he has a family to take care off.
" We don't know that. She's was right, we haven't seen her in years, let alone spoken to her. Maybe she's happy." Harry finally states
" HAPPY? How can anyone be happy with that bastard" Harry winces as Ron yells
" Look, I don't like the man, but she married him, there's nothing we can do! Kingsley would suspend us if not fire us for doing something like that again" He replies calmly
" It's wrong, she shouldn't be with him, she should be with me!" Ron growls ignoring his comment about the minister, and gone back to pacing making Harry groan out loud
" With you? You cheated on her remember, and aren't you dating that blond whatsherface" He says
" Yes I cheated, but it was a mistake, she should have gotten over it years ago and came back! We're meant to be together, everyone thought so, then she fucks off leaving me" Ron was huffing now with anger
" You didn't make an effort to contact her either. She's married Ron, don't do anything stupid!" Harry yells at his friend
" You're taking her side? REALLY? She's the one that ran off and got with a bunch of snakes!" He stood still yelling back
" I'm not taking her side, if anything I'm on your side, I haven't spoken to hear in years either. We don't know anything about her any more! I'm just telling you to face the facts" He sighs out loud again.
" We know enough!" Ron says before swinging the door open, making it slam into the wall
" Don't do anything stupid Ron!" Harry yells out as Ron storms out the room.
Ron was more pissed off than before, Harry couldn't see it, he couldn't see that Hermione needed their help. He had waited and waited for her to return, and thought that once she did, they would get married and live happily ever after. No he didn't contact her first, he didn't need to because she always comes back, she would always apologise first and then he'd apologise back and they would make up, that's how it always was, that's how it always had been. Hermione needed him, he knew this, she should know this. He had to figure a way out to get her away from them, if Harry won't help him then he will do it himself, however there is someone else that may help. Grinning to himself, he grabs his cloak and heads to the floo.
Apologies if this chapter is boring, I got too caught up in the dueling scene, also I know some have wanted to read the Daily Prophet, it's in the next chapter!
I'll be updating more frequently now as I'm on the last chapter for this fanfic.