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Liberation
Chapter 7
Hermione landed with a loud thud in the emergency ward of St. Mungo's Hospital. The attending Mediwizard was chatting with the night receptionist in the otherwise empty waiting room. They started loudly when they heard her arrive and jumped back from each other as if being caught doing something illicit.
"Hermione Granger!" the Mediwizard, who Hermione remembered was unfortunately called Ira, gasped in surprise. He rushed over to Hermione to help her stand.
"I need to get to the Ministry!" Hermione shouted trying to pull her arm out of Ira's grasp. She was weak and in pain but all she could think about was getting to the Ministry to speak with someone about Draco and to make sure Harry and Ron were alright. Her instincts refused to agree with what her eyes had just seen. Draco could not be dead, not on her account.
"No, Ms. Granger, you are seriously injured and need attending to," Ira forced Hermione through the door behind the reception desk despite all her struggling. "Jackie, call Susan Mainwaring. She will want to know that Hermione has returned."
Jackie immediately dashed a handful of Floo Powder into the fireplace and called for Hermione's boss. Five minutes later Susan was in Hermione's hospital room trying to convince the young woman that she needed to rest and could talk about her experiences later. Hermione vanished the sleeping draught that Ira had offered her three times before he had the good sense to take away her wand. She sent the fourth one flying out of his hand just as she'd done with plate of disgusting food Goyle had offered her the previous morning.
"I will not rest until I know that Harry is alright. I must speak with him. If you will not let me leave to the Ministry for news then go fetch someone to come to me!" Hermione shouted as she attempted and failed to stand on her own once more. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off she was beginning to think that weakened state of her legs was due to a seriously injured and possibly broken femur. Her left leg was killing her and she honestly could not remember standing without assistance since Lestrange had thought to plant his heavy boot on her thigh. "DAMN IT!" she screamed.
A nervous looking Jackie popped her head into the room and looked at Hermione wearily. Her night was about to become very interesting. "Mrs. Mainwaring, I think we are going to need more assistance tonight. Harry Potter is here with some Aurors who need minor assistance and Draco Malfoy who needs a lot. I told him to wait out-,"
Jackie's speech was cut off by a very irate Harry Potter as he stormed into the room. "What does one have to do to get help around here? This is a hospital for crying out loud! Where is everybody? Hermione!"
Harry bolted over to the bed where Hermione was stubbornly trying to stand up yet again. Susan sent Ira out to get help for Draco and the other Aurors.
"Oh god, Hermione, now that I see you again I can see how bad you look!" Harry pushed Hermione back onto the bed and pulled her into a bone crushing hug. He buried his face in her hair for a moment before planting a kiss on her forehead and looking in her eyes. They were slightly distant but unfocused with concern and Harry was relieved to see that she was still, Hermione. Maybe she hadn't been tortured beyond what he could see. Draco had not eluded otherwise.
"It's not as bad as it must look. Draco, Harry. Did you say Malfoy is alive?" she asked incredulously. "But before I left I saw the Killing Curse hit him!"
"It did, it grazed his hip and injured him badly but it did not kill him," Harry said his eyes still roving over Hermione's body for other signs of damage.
"Harry! Stop looking me over and tell me what happened. Nobody is supposed to survive that curse even if it grazes you," she said getting frustrated with his dawdling.
"We thought he was dead too, but when I went over to collect his body he was lying on the ground moaning. The curse hit him on his hip pocket and there was something in there that shielded the curse. Unfortunately it didn't stop the force of it from shattering his hip and pelvis," Harry continued still unable to let go of Hermione or tear his gaze away from her. "In a way it was you who saved him."
"Me?" she asked, stunned. "How did I help?"
"Diamonds and emeralds," Harry said dramatically. "He'd found the hair comb you were wearing the night you disappeared and it was in his pocket. The curse hit it, and we all know hard precious gems make excellent armour."
Hermione slumped back against the pillows absorbing the news. "Then you saved him too, Harry. You bought me the comb," was all she could think to say.
Susan Mainwaring was listening to the story with a hand over her mouth. Hermione imagined she must be out of her mind with confusion but she was too confused herself to care. Finally she looked at Harry and the love and concern in his face brought her mind back into sharp focus.
"Harry, what about you? Are you alright?" she asked reaching up and touching a short gash just below his right ear.
Harry closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. "I am fine, just grateful you are alive. Although, you are missing a tooth."
Hermione stuck her tongue in the hole along her gums where Goyle had knocked out her tooth.
"I will take care of it," Susan said finally regaining her ability to speak. "I will personally heal her, Mr. Potter. Then I want to know exactly what is going on and where you have been this whole time."
Harry nodded at Susan in acknowledgement and turned toward Hermione again. "I am going to go check in on Malfoy and then I will be back. I want to hear everything too, but it can wait until you have had some rest."
You don't want to hear everything, Harry. Trust me on that, Hermione thought. "I will tell you what I can."
Harry kissed her forehead once more and left to go see Draco. Hermione watched him leave sadly. She would never be able to tell him what it was really like for her. It would destroy him and make him hell bent on revenge and she could not do that to her friend. Neither was she virtuous anymore and she knew that Harry loved her and wanted to be with her, but she couldn't offer herself to him, or anyone. The thought filled her with a sadness she didn't believe possible and she neither spoke nor thought while Susan attended to her many injuries, beginning with the replacing her missing tooth.
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Harry found Draco choking down a large glassful of Skelegro. He was in a private room and the healers were more than happy to leave Harry alone with him. Draco Malfoy was not a pleasant patient.
"Potter," Draco acknowledged when Harry entered the room and sat by his bed.
Harry regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. Despite the pain Draco was obviously in he still looked calm, collected, and slightly haughty. Draco Malfoy was intelligent, rich, handsome, and now he was able to add hero to his resume. Harry was reluctant to admit that Draco Malfoy really was good Wizarding stock despite his rocky beginnings, and Harry couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Malfoy looked like a hero somehow.
"What asinine sentimental thing are you thinking about now, Potter?"
"Nothing," Harry replied quickly if not a little defensively. "You're alright then?"
Draco said nothing but gave a half nod. "How is Granger?"
"Better now that she knows you are alive. We are all grateful and if that curse had gotten you I would never be able to forgive myself, and neither would she."
"Of course, Gryffindors are martyrs as well as heroes," Draco drawled sarcastically but he did not put much effort into it. "Ironic how when I am about to take the curse for a good cause it is you who inadvertently saves me."
"I did not save you. You put the comb in your pocket, not me. Listen, this story is going to be plastered all over the papers within a day. Is there anyone you want us to bring to you so you can tell them the truth about where you've been? Your mother perhaps, or Eliza?" Harry asked, and then added as if an afterthought, "Can I see the comb again?"
Harry saw it when Draco pulled it out of his pocket at the castle. It was still whole but misshapen and the diamonds and rubies had melted together in the area where the curse had hit it directly.
"I lost track of what happened to it at the castle," Draco said without looking at Harry. "Would you please send a message to Eliza and my mother both to come see me? But not together, I want to see them separately."
Draco thought about Eliza and the last time he'd seen her. It felt like much more than two long days since he'd gone away. He had thought of her right before the curse hit, and Hermione. Eliza because he didn't want to die with the last thing he'd said to her being a lie about searching for the Ankh, and Hermione because it had hit him squarely in the chest in that moment that he was just as surely dying for her as well as anyone else. She was the reason he was there in the first place. They had hardly spoken while they were together at the castle but they had been very intimate and he found himself wishing he'd asked her more questions about her life. He wished he could have protected her from Goyle and Dolohov's brutality, but he knew she would recover. She was hurt, but she was not broken. Draco did doubt however, that the touch of a man was something she would be receptive to anytime soon.
He did want to tell Eliza the truth because he did want to be with her. She was a great person and deserved a chance and he had to be fair by being honest. Knowing her she would fall head over heals in love with him because of his new 'heroic' status.
Harry nodded his understanding and shook Draco's hand before leaving the room. Draco spared a moment to wonder what it would have been like if Harry had accepted his offer of friendship on the train their first day. Not for the first time, Draco truly believed that Harry would have been a good influence on him. But he would rather eat a Hippogriff alive, feathers and all, than admit that aloud to a soul. Draco did lie to Harry about the comb though. As soon as the door clicked shut, Draco slid his hand under the sheet to pick up the hair comb. He thought maybe he should return it, but he wanted to keep it as a reminder of how precarious one's life truly is. Draco was a collector, and this piece would perhaps become the most priceless in his collection.
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"There, there, Victoire. It is just a scratch," Hermione soothed the little girl as she healed a cut on her knee. She turned and glared at Teddy Lupin who was watching with an apologetic expression. He was only six years old but the boy managed to get in trouble worthy of any Marauder's son.
"I didn't think she would actually do it," he mumbled quietly. "I'm sorry, Victoire."
"It's okay," she sniffled. Hermione helped Victoire to her feet and picked up Harry's broomstick off the floor. Teddy had somehow talked the little girl into mounting it and of course it had taken off and crashed into the wall. Hermione was in the kitchen making the kids lunch when it happened and had ran into the room to see Victoire crying on the floor nursing her wounded knee. Teddy's normally vivid blue hair had turned a dull brown in his fear of punishment.
"Lunch is ready and Harry and your grandmother should be here any minute now. We will discuss your punishments then."
"Yes Aunt Hermione," they both said quietly as they made their way to the table. Hermione sighed as she put the broomstick away. She'd told Harry a million times to put that thing out of sight when the kids were around but Harry was determined that exposure to his racing broom would somehow make his godson a talented flyer by osmosis. The next time Hermione babysat she would just have to make it a point to make sure it was locked up. Hermione returned to the kitchen and settled into the seat across from the children. She poured herself a cup of strong tea and stirred in milk thoughtfully.
"Aunt Hermione," Victoire asked quietly. "Are we in a lot of trouble?"
Hermione smiled warmly at the little girl. She'd seen a lot of guilty faces on injured children at her job. Every now and then a seriously ill child came through the children's emergency ward but mostly it was kids who'd broken bones or needed stitches because of some normal childhood accident.
"I don't think you will be in much trouble, but that is for your parents to decide. I do think that Harry needs to have a long talk with both of you about broomstick safety and I am a little disappointed you touched something that is clearly not a toy. Victoire could have done herself a serious injury. I want to be able to trust you to be alone for a few minutes while I do things around the house. I know your parents would appreciate that as well," Hermione said in her best 'I am lecturing you but not trying to sound like I'm lecturing you' voice.
The kids ate in silence for a few more minutes while Hermione allowed her mind to wander. She wondered if she would ever have children of her own and found herself not really sure if she wanted them. She was around kids of all ages every day and had spent a considerable amount of time with Teddy over the years watching him grow up. Harry had the boy around frequently and Hermione was always eager to visit too.
Hermione thought wistfully of Harry. He had not pushed Hermione for a relationship with words but he had taken to acting as if they were a couple. She'd never told him everything that had happened to her two months previously when she was kidnapped and Draco had reportedly kept his mouth shut. Luckily or unluckily, depending on the perspective, neither Dolohov nor Goyle had survived to tell the tale. Dolohov was killed in the skirmish at the castle and Goyle had fought with prison guards in an argument that eventually cost him his life. That had happened before he was able to testify his part in the kidnapping. So, that left Draco as the only person who knew what had actually happened to her even if he only deduced it and she'd never actually told him. Her use of the bathroom to heal her wounds was all the confirmation he'd needed.
Hermione had been unable to face Draco after her rescue. She didn't necessarily feel sorry for herself and she'd been able to return to her life as normal, but she still had the nagging feeling that she was damaged goods and still had nightmares about rape and torture. She knew she needed to talk to someone and have some sort of therapeutic release, but despite herself she was not ready to admit to anyone that it had happened to her. To her immense relief she'd found out through research that many women felt that way, but it did not make her understand why she was being the same way. She understood with perfect clarity that there was nothing to be ashamed of, but all the same, Harry didn't know and she couldn't look Draco in the eye.
As if her consternation summoned him, Harry came swooping into the kitchen with Andromeda Tonks and Bill Weasley on his heels. Bill scooped up Victoire who squealed with delight and Andromeda leaned over to kiss her grandson hello. Harry went straight to Hermione and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Bill gave a small smile at the exchange. The entire Weasley clan and most of their friends were taking it for granted that Hermione and Harry were a couple. Hermione had said nothing to dispel them from their illusion and was always amiable when Harry publicly showed his affection. The time was coming when they would have to talk about where they stood though because it was clear Harry was desirous for more.
"I wasn't expecting all of you at the same time," Hermione said as she served tea to all the newcomers. "Although, you have good timing because we just had a little incident."
Andromeda and Bill listened with raised eyebrows to the story about the broomstick. Harry sat beside the children as if he was just as guilty as they, and in a way he was. At the end Harry took Victoire and Teddy aside to explain to them the dangers of riding on a broom without supervision or lessons. Hermione observed them silently wondering once again if she would ever want children. She wondered if she would ever want children with Harry. He wanted them and would make a doting father, but Hermione couldn't picture herself having children with him or anyone. The thought broke her heart because she knew Harry would be good for her.
After everyone left Harry flopped on the couch in exhaustion.
"Rough day?" Hermione asked sitting next to him. Harry reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. It was familiar and comfortable and Hermione appreciated the contact.
"Work was tiring what with all the field drills we've been doing lately. Ron invited you and me for dinner with Pansy and him this weekend," Harry said.
"Sounds nice," Hermione replied. Dinner with Ron and Pansy was never dull. She loved Ron before but with Pansy he was a much more entertaining host. Hermione turned her head to find Harry watching her intently. It was clear from his expression that there was more he wanted to say.
"They invited Draco and Eliza too," he said. "I know you have been kind of avoiding Malfoy since you came home."
Hermione managed to keep her body from stiffening. "I'm hardly avoiding him Harry. We didn't see each other very often before the benefit; we just haven't seen each other at all since."
"He thinks you hate him."
"Of course I don't. It will be great. I'm looking forward to it," she said sincerely. She was telling the truth. Hermione didn't avoid Draco on purpose; she simply had not seen him. On a few occasions she considered writing him and thanking him for everything he'd done, but did not. Something told her he understood her reticence. He in turn had not followed up with her although both had inquired on the other's well being through friends. "Does he really think I hate him?"
"Maybe not, but he did ask how you are. He mentioned that you hadn't seen each other," Harry rubbed Hermione's palm with the pad of his thumb.
"I don't hate him. I am grateful to him, eternally, and I will let him know if you think it would make him fell better," she said quietly.
Harry laughed, "I don't think it will make him feel better as much as it would make you feel better."
Hermione was surprised at how sage Harry was being because he was absolutely right. She was forcibly reminded for the third time that day how important talking about everything was.
"There is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about," Harry continued. Hermione gave him her full attention.
"Yes?"
"I want to attend dinner at Pansy and Ron's as an official couple. You know how I feel about you and you haven't exactly rejected what advances I have made. I know you are busy with work and recovering, but I think we should give having more a real chance."
Hermione looked into Harry's warm green eyes. He really was a very handsome young man and Hermione would be extremely lucky to have him. Hermione was very much in love with him as a first year experiencing her first crush, but that love had deepened into something much more and it would weather anything. Even a failed attempt at romance if that is what it turned out to be.
"Under two conditions," Hermione said to a stunned Harry who looked at her with a worried frown. "One, if something happens and we do not work out; we will always be best friends. And two, if you find that someone else comes along, you will not be afraid to tell me."
Harry gripped her hand, "Hermione, you make it sound as if you know that I am going to leave you. I don't feel comfortable making promises that foreshadow doom for our relationship."
"Then perhaps we should not officially declare ourselves a couple yet. There are reasons why I am afraid of it not working out that don't have anything to do with you, and I don't want to break your heart anymore than you want to break mine," Hermione reached for Harry's other hand so that she was holding both of them. "I care about you so much, Harry. I just get the feeling that you pity me and that you want to be with me because I don't date or get offers. I know you do get offers regularly and I don't want you to be with me because you think no one else will."
Harry pulled Hermione into her arms and held her tight. "Oh, Hermione. I love you and I have waited for you for years. Just give me a chance."
"Of course, Harry. I love you too," Hermione whispered into his chest. It was easy to say yes, the hard part would be moving forward with him.
Harry lifted Hermione's chin and kissed her gently. His lips were warm and slightly moist but they were soft and it was not at all unpleasant. Hermione feared that kissing Harry would feel like kissing her brother but it wasn't like that at all. It was like kissing her best friend, safe and comfortable. If life offered her no other prospects, she could have done much worse. But would he want to be with her when he found out that she had been taken advantage of in the worst possible way? Of course he would, but she wasn't sure she would want him. She had scars down there that she wanted no one to see.
"I wish you would talk to me," Harry traced Hermione's cheek with his knuckles, "you seem so secretive since you were kidnapped. Sometimes I think you aren't telling me everything that happened."
"I didn't tell you everything, but I will be okay. I'm really okay, I am just still getting used to everything is all. New job, now a new boyfriend, being the centre of media attention. I am a little bit overwhelmed," she hoped he wouldn't press her for more details because her resolve was weakening.
"Well, I am here for you always."
"I know."
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In the two months that had passed since Draco assisted the Ministry he still had yet to wake up next to Eliza. She was of course supportive of Draco when she found out where he'd really gone and more than revelled in the attention he got from the media. That actually disappointed Draco slightly because it reminded him of the many vapid women he'd dated who were always eager to be caught by a camera. Other than that she was her usual happy self and Draco still enjoyed spending time with her. But his heart still remained superficial. He even took to spending the night at her flat rather than she at the manor so that his excuses for not waking up next to her would be easier to come up with.
Eliza took it all in with good grace. She was a month away from taking her final exams for the term and had to decide if she would be returning to America to finish her education or stay in England. Draco believed he would be happy either way, however he feared that if she left he would do the cowardly thing and let their relationship dissolve, and that is not what he wanted to do. He wanted to make something work and prove to himself that he was growing. He wasn't sure if there was even such a thing as a soul mate or if Eliza would fit the bill but they were compatible and he felt he had no excuse for not making it work.
"Will you be spending the night tonight?" Eliza asked over dinner.
Draco shook his head. "I have to get up early to meet with my associates about scheduling an actual trip to Egypt."
"Ahh, the elusive Ankh. Really going for it now?"
Draco appreciated the fact that she didn't comment on his refusal to spend the night yet again. She wanted to, he could sense it as if it was coming out of her in waves, but she politely refrained.
"I truly believe I know where it is. If I could just find it, it would be the piece de resistance for my collection. It is such a fascinating story," Draco replied, excitement building in his voice. He loved the stories behind his artefacts. Eliza liked most of them too but she was political magical historian and focused on people more than things. Draco was fascinated with relics while Eliza tended to associate them with fairy tales. But he found them more real and important than the histories of politicians whose lives were filled with artifice and duplicity.
"We've been invited to Pansy's house for dinner this weekend with Potter and Granger."
Eliza smiled widely and clapped her hands together. Draco swirled the wine in his glass and watched her with mild amusement.
"Goody! I finally get to talk to Hermione. I've been wondering why you don't invite her over to talk about things. I am sure she wants to thank you for helping her."
"I don't want her to thank me. It is not necessary," Draco replied trying to decide if he found her Americanisms annoying or endearing. For the moment he was going to settle on endearing because she meant well. "I imagine you will have plenty opportunity to speak with her this weekend, but please do not press her for information. Those few days were rather unpleasant for her."
"Hmm, you are very protective of her. What did happen?" Eliza pressed Draco for information instead. It took a fraction of a second to go from endeared to annoyed. If anyone understood the importance of locking away one's demons and keeping another's secrets, it was Draco. Eliza didn't suffer through war like he did; she was too young and too far away. The girl was only nineteen after all.
"That Eliza, is absolutely none of your business. I will not divulge Granger's personal business to you or anyone," he replied, his steely eyes boring into hers.
Eliza was not daunted by his gaze which made Draco realise that she really didn't know him that well at all. "Not even Potter? He is an Auror, after all."
"Especially not Potter. It is entirely too personal and I would like to change the subject."
"Fine," Eliza said quietly, finally properly daunted enough to stop talking. She stood up and walked over to Draco's chair and sat on his lap. She plucked his wine glass out of his hand before bending over to kiss him deeply. "I can think of something else to do."
Draco kissed her lightly on the lips before gently pushing her off of his lap. "I really do have to go tonight, Eliza, perhaps tomorrow?"
She pouted slightly at the rejection but perked up when he suggested the following day. "Will you spend the night with me?"
Draco dragged a hand through his hair and stared at the ceiling for a moment. When he looked at Eliza she was watching him expectantly with a sad expression in her young blue eyes.
"Eliza, I enjoy being with you very much, but spending a whole night represents a level of intimacy I am not ready for. Please don't think it means I don't care."
"I don't."
It was clear she was lying but Draco knew the only thing that would reassure her was the one thing he could not give her yet, if ever. He leaned over and kissed her again before pulling on his coat.
"Good night, Eliza," was all he said before he Apparated directly outside the gates of the Malfoy Manor.
The Manor looked dark and unforgiving at night but in the daytime it was a stunning red brick Edwardian mansion with large white pillars along the front. The wrought iron gates flanking the front were shiny and creak free as he pushed them open. The lawn was patched with the remains of the last snow and Draco knew that soon rain would wash it away completely. Draco was a winter man. He didn't like the way spring was always muddy and made sure that the asphalt path he'd installed in the front garden was always free of whatever weather was visiting. It was magically charmed to repel rain and snow so that one may enter the house dry and with clean feet.
It was still fairly early and Draco was not surprised to see his mother in the sitting room nursing a glass of wine and reading a novel. He stopped in to say hello and then went up to his room summoning Tumnus along the way to bring a cup of tea to his room. Draco spent an hour or so reviewing his notes on the Egyptian Pyramids before putting them away. He had them memorised and was finding it difficult to concentrate. Lying next to his bed on a small table was Hermione's hair comb. He picked it up and turned it over and over again as he was wont to do more and more lately. The mangled hair comb had a complex history now, and Draco loved his stories, but something told him that this particular one wasn't over yet.
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A/N: Next chapter, Hermione and Draco finally see each other again.
This chapter has not been beta read because I am feeling impatient. All mistakes are of course, mine but I did send it off and will fix the nitpicky comma details and repost it. There will be no changes to plot or anything.
Thanks to my reviewers! It is amazing how just a few words makes a writer feel really, really good.
