Disclaimer: I make no money, this is just for fun.
Twisted Roots
Chapter 7
Hermione stood in Draco's embrace for a minute longer than was probably necessary. Before she let go, she spread her palms wide and flat on his back and gave him a quick squeeze. His back was lean and heavily muscled, and Hermione felt a jolt of thrill shoot down her belly at the feel of it. She stiffened slightly at the sensation and stepped back quickly. It was such a simple touch, but it ignited something deep within her that she had not felt in a long time. Draco looked down at her with concern, a frown creasing his forehead.
"I'm sorry, Granger," he said, although he had no idea what he was apologising for. He was enjoying the feel of her hands on his back until he felt her stiffen and quickly back away.
"Why on earth are you sorry? I am the one who cried on your shirt," she chuckled weakly, pointing at the wet spot on his clean grey shirt. She did not even notice what he was wearing until that moment, and she noted how his unique eye color was even more pronounced against the grey of his shirt. His eyes were mesmerizing. She had never seen anything quite like them before. Most of her memories of those eyes were associated with taunting and malevolence. The genuine consideration she saw in them floored her.
"Are you really okay now? Do you need to go home? I can cover for you to your boss," he said. He hated seeing her upset over Weasley. Draco wanted to treat her the way she should have been treated by Ron, but he knew that he was going to have to take it slowly. They needed to continue to establish their friendship so that he could earn her complete trust, and he did not want to approach her with more than friendship on his mind before she had an opportunity to get over Ron. He realised that she didn't love her boyfriend, but it would still be an adjustment for her. Draco was absolutely sure he wanted more from Hermione than friendship, but he wanted to do it right, which meant that he would under no circumstances take advantage of her vulnerability or push her.
"I am really okay. I feel like a new person already now that the shock of it is wearing off. We should really get back to work, though," she said gesturing towards the entrance of the building. They slowly started walking to the door.
"So, what plans were Potter and Weasley making this weekend that you were so determined to stop? Is going to Diagon Alley with me going to interrupt something?" he asked.
"Oh no, it was nothing like that. I would be able to do that no matter what. Anyway, it is irrelevant now because I doubt Ron and I will be doing anything together for a very long time," Hermione said sadly.
"You don't have to come with me if you don't want to," Draco said praying that she would still want to come.
"Of course I will go with you," she said quickly looking up at him. "I have been looking forward to it since you invited me."
Draco beamed back perhaps a little too enthusiastically to be dignified, but Hermione appeared appreciative. "Good. I wouldn't want it any other way. And if you need to talk or anything let me know," he said sincerely.
"Thanks, Draco, but I am sure I will be just fine," she said waving to him as she walked away from the lift back to her office. She was telling the truth. She was not looking forward to dealing with the aftermath of her break up with Ron, but she knew that she was going to be just fine.
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"How is Ron holding up, Harry?" Hermione asked him Friday night. She was doing surprisingly well. The night of the break up Hermione slept more peacefully than she had in a long time. Harry had owled to tell her that he was going to stick with Ron for awhile but that he would be there for dinner the next day. Kreacher was bustling about putting dishes of delicious food in front of them.
"To be honest, Hermione, not so great. I kind of have some, uh news, I guess," Harry said while ladling onion soup in a bowl.
"Well, out with it, Harry. There is no sense in dragging it out," Hermione said calmly. She was worried though about the gravity of the news. With the Weasleys it could be anything from a strategy to win her back to a plot for her immediate demise.
"It might take a little longer for Ron and Mrs. Weasley to forgive you than we anticipated. You see, Ron was going to propose to you on your birthday. He bought a ring, and Molly invited the whole family over for it, so…" Hermione dropped her fork on her plate with a clang. She was staring at Harry wide eyed.
"Oh sweet Merlin! I mean, I suspected it was coming, but I didn't think Ron was really serious. Did you know? Please tell me you didn't know, Harry!" Hermione cried, dragging her hands through her hair.
"No, I didn't know!" Harry exclaimed. "Only his mother knew. They were going to make it a surprise for everyone, and they didn't want it to get back to you so they kept it a secret. Hermione, I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry? Why does everybody keep saying sorry to me? Say sorry to Ron! Oh Harry, I can't lie to you. I feel horrible about hurting him, but I am so relieved that I broke it off with him before the party. Can you imagine what a disaster it would have been to refuse a proposal in front of everyone?" Hermione was nearly hysterical. "They will never forgive me will they? Although, I can't possibly see why they think I would agree to a proposal right out of school with someone who clearly is not right for me!"
Harry got up and sat next to her. Putting his arm around her, he pulled her close and she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Ginny is not angry with you or surprised about the break up or the proposal. Apparently, Mr. Weasley proposed in their seventh year. In fact, you should be getting a letter from her any moment when the evening post arrives. I'm not upset with you either, Hermione. You had a very difficult choice to make, but I don't think you made a mistake. You know yourself better than anyone else and are much too intelligent to be wrong in this. Everyone will see it in the end. You don't want to be with someone you aren't happy with. In the long run, Ron would have been miserable, too." Harry said giving her a playful nudge. "Ah, see. Mail's here."
Sure enough, there were a few owls tapping on the dining room window. Hermione got up to go retrieve the mail with a heavy heart. She hated hurting Ron, and she was worried there might be a few Howlers in the mail, but there weren't--just the evening Prophet, the letter from Ginny, and a letter from her parents! Hermione had not heard from them since she returned from Australia, and she prayed the letter said something good. She really wished she could have her mother's support through all of this. Her wizarding family was unavailable to her now, and she really wanted some comfort from someone who would completely understand. Harry was being wonderful, but Hermione knew better than to believe that Harry wasn't hurt too. She just tore their group apart, and now he would be forced to choose sides, albeit temporarily. What was she going to do? Silently asking the letter from her parents to hold good news, she sat back in her chair and slowly opened it. Harry eyed her warily, but took the Prophet and started to read it.
Dear Hermione,
We would like to start this letter by wishing you a very happy birthday (If it arrived in time). We are terribly sorry that we have not been in contact over the last few weeks, but we have been deep in discussion about what we are going to do about our current situation.
You did a wonderful job covering our absence back in England, and it was quite easy to get in contact with our business partners so we will be able to reopen our practice within the next couple of months. We would like to relocate to our old home by the end of September.
Hermione, we realise that you have grown up and moved on with your life, and we know you are in a serious relationship with Ron,
Not anymore, Hermione thought bleakly.
but we missed so much of your life after you joined the wizarding world that we would like it very much if you would come home for awhile. We love you and we are proud of your strength and courage, but we would like to take care of you for a change. If anything, this is an opportunity for you to save money for your future. Please consider it.
We will be arriving home on 30 September, and we will give you your birthday gift then. We love you and miss you.
Mum and Dad
Hermione gave out a shuddering breath and carefully refolded the letter. It was exactly what she needed. Harry looked over the top of his paper at her.
"Good news?" he asked hopefully.
Hermione looked at him for a moment. She didn't want to put him in the middle of anything. He was such a wonderful friend, and they had been together through so much. She had been living with him, literally, for years, and it hurt her to make this decision just as much as it had hurt to break up with Ron. She believed, though, that at least for the time being it was best.
"Harry, I'm moving out."
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Draco paced nervously in front of the Leaky Cauldron waiting for the Goodwyns and Hermione to arrive. The Goodwyns (except for Jack, of course) would not be able to see the Leaky Cauldron, so he was scanning the street to make sure they did not walk by. He was really glad Hermione was going to meet him there because he was not sure he would be able to answer all the questions the kid might have.
"Hey, Draco," said a voice from behind him, startling him. He jumped and turned quickly, instinctively slipping his wand forward out of his sleeve.
"Sorry to scare you. Are you nervous? You look nice," Hermione said breezily. He had indeed put some extra care in his dress both to look professional and to hopefully impress Hermione. He didn't even know if she cared about that kind of thing, seeing as how Potter and Weasley were the poorest dressed wizards in England. All the same, he wanted to look nice for her. He had chosen a pair of black slacks and the blue shirt she complimented the day they had dinner. It was a slightly windy day, but warm, so he was carrying his light jacket.
"I'm not nervous," he lied, "and you look nice too." He felt himself begin to blush. She was not dressed up at all, simply wearing a pair of hip hugging blue jeans that made her legs look long and slender and a modestly tight green jumper, but she still looked beautiful. He thought she looked really good in green, and upon closer inspection, he noticed that she had a light film of green eye shadow over her eyes that made them sparkle even more. She looked in a good mood, which surprised him after all she had been through the last few days.
"Oh, you're just saying that. I am positively dressed down next to you," Hermione said cheerily. She wanted this to be a good day, a perfect diversion from all the negativity surrounding her, so she was determined to put on a happy face.
"No really, green is a good color for you. Poor Granger the Gryffindor looks good in Slytherin green," Draco teased. She was so easy to be with, and his stomach clenched pleasantly as she laughed back and playfully shoved him.
"Oh look, that must be the Goodwyns," Hermione said pointing toward the old bookshop next to the Leaky Cauldron. There was a young boy with delight in his eyes pointing toward the door of the Leaky Cauldron while his parents looked around feverishly trying to see what he saw. All they could see was a nondescript building that had been sealed up and abandoned, seemingly years ago.
Hermione laughed, "I remember trying to show my parents the door."
Draco and Hermione approached the small family and did introductions all around. Jack was practically quivering with excitement, but Draco could tell he was trying really hard to appear nonchalant. Draco recognized the symptoms of suppressed curiosity well; his own father had forbidden such childish displays of excitement. Once inside the Leaky Cauldron, Jack pulled out the list of things he wanted to see, and Draco explained the procedure for the day. First, they would have to visit Gringotts to exchange money, then they would go the bookstore and Ollivanders, and finally Draco planned to take him to Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes, Quality Quidditch Supplies, and Florean Fortescues for a treat.
Hermione was really impressed with Draco's professional calm. He interacted with the Muggle family very politely, and he masked his nerves well. The Goodwyns were having a more difficult time concealing their anxiety. Hermione was willing to bet her paycheck that Draco was uncomfortable too, but after the first few stops the group settled into easy conversation and everyone relaxed. Jack spent a considerable amount of time quizzing Draco about everything he saw, while Hermione focused on the parents. She tried to remember all the questions her parents had when she first got her letter and did her best to alleviate their worries. After a couple of hours the group found themselves in front of George's joke shop. Hermione immediately stiffened, and Draco felt like an idiot for not realizing that she might not be willing to visit Weasley territory. He just wanted to treat Jack because a trip to Diagon Alley was not complete these days unless you visited the Weasley's colorful store. Even Draco loved the place, although his pride would never allow him to admit it.
"Oh wow! Is that the joke store?" Jack exclaimed pointing at the spinning and popping items below the flashing signs in the window. Hermione looked in the window and saw the formidable form of Molly Weasley making her way to the door.
"Um, Draco, I forgot to pick up a book at Flourish and Blotts. I will meet you in the Leaky Cauldron, yeah? It was really nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get a hold of me," Hermione said smiling and politely, but quickly, shaking their hands. The smile immediately left her face, though, as Mrs. Weasley came bursting out the door. Draco immediately stepped protectively in front of her and told the Goodwyns to go into the store. It would not do for them to witness a scene during their first foray into the magical world.
Mrs. Weasley looked first at Draco, then at Hermione, with a scathing look that would melt a cauldron bottom. Both Draco and Hermione took an involuntary step back. Mrs. Weasley looked as if she might just stalk past them and walk away without a word, but she looked at Draco again still planted protectively in front of Hermione. He had unconsciously stretched a hand toward her as if to grab hers.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said with as much dignity as she could muster. Draco was impressed. He was about ready to mess himself over the murderous look in Molly Weasley's eyes, and he'd faced Voldemort himself, but Hermione's voice did not even tremble. Molly wore the same look that she had on her face when she had killed Bellatrix Lestrange. Hermione must have recognized it too because she took a few more quick steps away from her. Hermione thought Mrs. Weasley was being a bit overdramatic with her anger, but apparently her maternal instincts trumped all rationality when her children were scorned.
"So, is this why you ended it with my son?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a dangerously quiet voice, gesturing toward Draco.
"What? Mrs. Weasley, no! This isn't what you think it is!" Hermione said, gesturing between herself and Draco frantically.
"She is helping me with some work tasks, Mrs. Weasley," Draco said, beginning to feel angry at her accusations. But she ignored him.
"You're an ungrateful little girl, Hermione Granger after all we have done for you. You knew Ron was ready to marry you and now he is heartbroken, and you have ruined the best friendships you will ever have. I hope he," she said darting a look at Draco, "is willing to make your birthday as good as we would have, but never again, Hermione. I won't let you hurt Ron again," Mrs. Weasley said nastily before stomping away.
Draco turned toward Hermione in shock and put a steadying hand on her shoulder. What was she talking about marriage for? And today was her birthday? He didn't know that. What an evil woman to spoil her day like that.
"Hermione," he said consolingly. She was looking straight ahead of her with a blank expression on her face. Her heaving chest was the only thing that revealed her distress. Draco pressed on, "Hermione, it's over now; you can relax."
"Oh, I'm sorry you had to see that Draco. She can be such a harridan sometimes. I never would have admitted that out loud before today," Hermione finally said, fighting back tears. "You had better get back to the Goodwyns, I think I should probably go home."
"No, please don't leave. I want to talk to you. Let me make this up to you," he said moving the hand that was still on her shoulder down her arm. Hermione finally looked up at him as he was watching her intently. His face was so handsome. She was always aware of his eyes, but she never really noticed the perfect curve of his lips and the masculine angle of his jaw. He took his hand off her arm and raked it through his hair nervously, waiting for a response. Hermione's arm felt cold where his hand had just been a moment before, and she reached across her body to touch the spot.
"Okay, I will meet you at the Leaky Cauldron," she said, slightly dazed.
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An hour later, Draco had finally sent the Goodwyns on their way. Hermione was patiently waiting for him at the Leaky Cauldron. She had managed to pull herself together, but she wanted to go home, to her parent's home. She had not been in the house for ages, and she hoped that Draco would be willing to go there with her. She desperately did not want to be around a lot of people, but she wasn't ready to say goodbye to Draco yet, either.
"Well," he said walking up to her table, "do you want to go somewhere to talk?"
"Actually, I want to go to my parent's house. You see, they are coming back very soon, and I only just found out last night. I would like to go open the house back up. I was wondering if you would be willing to come with me. I really don't feel like being around a lot of people right now," she stated tentatively. She didn't want him to read too much into what she was asking.
"Of course, Granger. We can do that, but it doesn't sound like a very fun birthday celebration, does it?"
"I don't care about my birthday right now, Draco," she said leading him to the Apparition point. "We'll have to go Side-Along," she said holding out her hand. Draco placed his palm in hers and she immediately Apparated them away.
When they arrived in the backyard of Hermione's house, she regretfully let go of his hand. He had held on to her tightly, and she was beginning to love how sure and strong his touch was. It was so unlike Ron's. Draco looked up at her house. It looked fairly large. The house was white with a big back garden and a patio. It was simple but nice, and Draco liked it.
"It's not much compared to the Manor. I am pretty sure every dentist in England lives in a house just like mine," Hermione said opening the back door with her wand.
"Your parents are dentists?"
"Yes. They do well for themselves." Hermione was suddenly uncomfortable. He was used to things a lot richer than what she had to offer. Not that she wasn't brought up in respectable society, but it wasn't well, grand.
Draco looked around carefully as she flipped on lights and started pulling sheets off of furniture. "This place is perfect, Hermione. It feels like a home should feel."
He walked around looking at the pictures on the walls and the mantle. There were pictures of Hermione everywhere. In some she was alone and smiling, but in most she was with one or both of her parents. He noticed that she got her coloring from her father but her bushy hair and the shape of her eyes and mouth from her mother. He had never in his life been in a home that had so much love just in the air. His family loved each other, but they lived in the shadow of the Dark Arts and that wasn't exactly the ideal environment for familial affection. Draco's heart broke for her as he thought about the sacrifice she had made by sending her parents away. She risked everything for their safety. He knew he would never have been able to do the same thing, and he regretted it.
"Well, its home," Hermione said, snapping Draco from his reverie. She flopped down on the couch she had just finished dusting with her wand and let out a great sigh. Draco went and sat on the other end of the same couch.
"So, tell me what's going on, Hermione. Was Weasley really going to propose today?" he asked incredulously.
"Yeah, he was. Harry told me yesterday. I'm glad I dodged that one. I also got a letter yesterday from my parents asking me to move back home, and I decided to do it. I really messed things up with Harry and Ron, and I think it is a good idea for me to get away," she said.
"Is Potter mad at you for this?" Draco asked, his tone icy.
"No, it's just that I know it hurts him having our little group break up like that. We will always be friends, but I just need to get away. We have been together nonstop for a long time, and I need to live my life out of his shadow for awhile," Hermione replied matter-of-factly. She didn't want Draco to think ill of Harry. They sat in companionable silence for a minute. Draco wasn't really sure what to say.
"Well, I'm sorry that you had to go through all this, but I must admit that I am very happy you aren't with Weasley anymore," Draco said softly turning on the couch so that he was facing her. He was looking at her with such intensity that her heart started fluttering in her chest, and she was afraid he could hear it. She brought both her hands over her heart as if to stifle the noise. She barely knew him, but all he had to do was look at her and her insides turned to jelly. She had never had this with Ron. She definitely wanted more than friendship with Draco. It was too soon after her break up and she knew it, but she really didn't care. She could see in Draco's eyes that he wanted more, too.
"You know, everyone I talked to about breaking up with Ron asked me if you had something to do with it. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and now Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said turning her body to fully face him.
Draco sucked in his breath and clasped his hands in his lap. He wanted to reach out and touch a wayward curl, stroke her cheek, kiss her lips, but he needed to wait for at least another moment.
"Did I?" he asked, his voice husky.
"No. It needed to be done. But I am glad you are here now that it's over." She was staring at his hands in his lap wondering what it would be like to feel them on her body. She wanted him to make a move. With Ron, she always made the first move and she was finished with that. She needed a man that was so sure of his desire for her that he wouldn't hesitate to reach for her. She tried to put all of those feelings in the look she gave Draco.
Draco's heart skipped a beat. He could swear that she was asking for more with her eyes. Whether she was too afraid or too stubborn to ask with words, he didn't know or care. Finally giving in to the itch in his hands, he reached out and touched the wayward curl.
He traced his fingers down the curl pulling it straight for a moment before tucking it behind her ear. He then traced his fingers over her face, gently but with the kind of pressure that Ron neglected to exert when he touched her. Hermione closed her eyes and leaned her head into his hand. Sighing, she opened her eyes and looked at him again. His eyes were dusky with want, and he slowly brought his hand around the back of her neck and into her hair. With a quick movement he undid the clasp of the barrette holding her hair and watched as it tumbled around her shoulders. The mad fringe of bushy hair that Draco was used to seeing on her during their school days was gone. Her hair had grown long over the last year, and the weight of it had reduced the frizz and turned it into a mass of honey coloured curls that fell gently down her back. Hermione gasped as he wrapped his hand in her hair and pulled very slightly. He had wanted to get his hands in her hair since the first day he saw her at the Ministry.
Hermione felt herself melting at the sensation of his hand caressing the back of her head. It was new and wonderful, and she looked up at him questioningly. She wanted to know what this would lead to, what it would mean for them both.
"You're beautiful, Hermione," he said gazing deep into her chocolate eyes. "I want you to know that I want to be more than friends but only if you're ready. I want to take things slowly and do things right with you, but you need to know that I want much more than friendship."
Hermione's heart raced. She wanted it, too. Draco was confident in his expressions of affections. His touch was sure, and he was all the things she had been looking for in Ron but never found. "I want more, too."
"Good," Draco said slowly pulling his hand away from her hair and lacing his fingers with hers instead.
It was too soon for him to do more. He always rushed the physical side of things with girls, but with Hermione the anticipation was sweet and he wanted to hold out for as long as he could.
"Happy birthday, Hermione. I'm sorry it wasn't what it should have been for you."
"It's been more than I could have hoped for," she said sincerely. She was expecting him to kiss her and she would have welcomed it, but she was pleasantly surprised when took her hand instead. Hermione wanted him to set the pace, and if that was the pace he chose, then so be it. She knew that each next step they took would feel as right as the one they had just taken. Hermione wanted the butterflies in her stomach to last for as long as possible and was more than willing not to rush things.
They spent the remainder of the day talking about nothing and laughing at pictures of Hermione when she was a little girl before Hogwarts. Not one word was mentioned of work, or their friends, or the war. They just spent a day getting to know each other, and for Hermione, that was as blissful as any first kiss could be.
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"So, Mr. Malfoy, what historical precedents have you found regarding the Trace?" Philemon asked during their weekly meeting. He had been searching for something over the past six weeks with Hermione's help. He kept returning to the documents stating that underage wizards may not have proper control of their magic in order to be allowed to use it freely but had found nothing else.
"I have not found anything, sir," Draco said in defeat. Philemon gave him a smug smile as if that was the answer he had been expecting.
"And what are your conclusions?"
"I believe that the Ministry put a trace on every household that has at least one wizard living there as an attempt to appear fair to Muggle-borns. But what actually happened was they established a way of monitoring Muggle-borns in a way they could not monitor children in wizarding homes. Therefore, the Ministry discriminated against Muggle-borns regardless of intent," Draco replied. He had to admit that he was not surprised. Throughout all his research, the one thing he did learn was that legislation unfairly affecting Muggle-borns and Squibs went largely ignored and unchallenged. Even the proportion of Muggle-borns to wizards with at least one wizarding parent working in high ranking Ministry positions was extremely low.
"Why do you think this has been allowed to happen for so long?" Philemon asked.
Draco thought long before answering. He figured that it happened because people had been socialized for a very long time to accept things the way they were, which was sort of like Hermione's position on House Elf enslavement. But he also believed that thousands of wizarding families just like his had seen to it that the current establishment was maintained. Maintaining the Statute of Secrecy, he realized, also had a lot to do with it. The more time he spent around Muggles the more it honestly vexed him that Muggles were allowed to live their lives peacefully while wizards had to go into hiding. This realisation frightened Draco. It meant that he was beginning to understand where Voldemort was coming from when he began his campaign. The thought did not sit well with Draco's conscience because he didn't want to believe any of Voldemort's drivel just when he was starting to realise how good life could be without it.
"I believe there are several reasons, sir. Wizards resent Muggles for the Statute of Secrecy, but they also take it very seriously because the exposure of the wizarding world would jeopardise our way of life. Making sure Muggle-borns don't do magic at home is a way of protecting us from their unsuspecting relatives. Making them wait until they are of age is almost assuring that they will be fully assimilated into the magical realm before they are freely allowed to do magic. It reduces the risk, I suppose," Draco said. That was definitely not all, but he wasn't willing to share more with his boss just yet.
Philemon looked at him thoughtfully, "Now that you are beginning to understand the practical reasoning behind the Trace, are you still willing to petition the Wizengamot to have it removed?"
"I don't know, sir, to be honest. There might be an alternative but it will take more research."
Draco left the meeting feeling conflicted about the things he had learned. He wanted to talk to his father again, but he was worried that he would not be very receptive of him after their last visit. Draco cringed at the memory of himself storming out of the prison like a spoiled child. Hermione was always digressing on the unfairness of the system and how wizards should be more tolerant but he was beginning to think that as a Muggle-born she wasn't able to see the unfairness from his pure-blood perspective. She had a foot in both worlds and could comfortably live in either if she had to choose. What happened to Muggle-borns during Voldemort's short reign of terror was but a taste of what pure-bloods like Draco would go through if their world was exposed to Muggles. Draco had read about the witch trials. If Muggles could be so cruel and careless towards people who were only accused of doing magic, then their retribution to people who could truly do magic would be most severe.
Draco wanted to speak with his father again because now he had specific questions that Lucius just might be willing to answer. But this time he wanted his mother and Hermione there. His father might not be receptive to being interrogated by Hermione, but he wanted her to hear what he had to say. She would have different questions than he would and that would make Lucius's explanation all the more clear. He wanted his mother's perspective, too, on Voldemort, but there was one other reason why he wanted them both there. His relationship with Hermione had not progressed physically beyond her birthday but he knew that it would soon, and he wanted his parents to get to know her. He was hoping that her wit, intelligence, kindness, and beauty would win them over as it had him. He could envision a future with her, and he wanted them to get used to the idea sooner rather than later; especially if the rumors regarding his father were true.
Hermione had it from Harry that Lucius Malfoy might be getting released from Azkaban within the week. Apparently, there were more favors pulled just like there had been for Draco, but he could not imagine at this point who his father's friends in the Ministry were. And Potter was not letting on if he knew either, although Hermione told him Harry had spoken at Draco's father's trial. Lucius' lawyers had pled to have his jail term reduced to one year further under house arrest and a one year suspension on resuming operations of his Trade business. Draco knew that another year of halting his father's priceless artifacts trade would not hurt them financially. The family was wealthy enough to support the next several generations, even discounting the considerable fortune it had cost to support Voldemort and restore the Manor after the war. In any case, Lucius had made significant strides in convincing the Wizengamot that he was not interested in rekindling Voldemort's cause and just wanted to be with his family and carry on with his life. Knowing Lucius, there would also be a large donation to Hogwarts or some other institution deeply affected by the war in the works. Draco was not particularly bothered by that thought. Complete morals were for the pure of heart, and Draco knew as well as anyone that his father would never be whole in that regard again. The Wizengamot was to be making their announcement as to whether they agreed to the terms or not that day.
Draco was practically dying of anticipation of the decision. He had watched Hermione reunite with her parents after their return and when he watched them together his heart pulled for the moments when his own family unit had been whole. The Grangers were very affectionate toward each other, and Draco felt a little jealousy sometimes. His mother was very affectionate in private, but his father never was openly so. Draco had spent many long hours craving a fatherly embrace. And the times he was rewarded with a pat on the head, Draco would go to his room and bask in the glow of knowing he had done something to please his father. He would hold on to the memory of the touch as if it were the last one he would receive.
The last time Draco's fathers had come close to pulling him into a full embrace was when he had run into his parents' arms at the Final Battle. He wanted to hug his father again. When he had admitted as much to Hermione, she just laughed her beautiful laugh and told him that she was glad. It meant there was hope for him after all. Her jest was just what he needed to reassure him that he would never be too old to want his father's love. Until that moment, he was slightly ashamed of having such a childish and weak impulse. Hermione's Gryffindor trait of wearing her heart on her sleeve was one of the most endearing things about her. She had a way of putting things into perspective for him that left his head and his heart reeling.
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"Draco!" Hermione said breathlessly as she rushed into the break room at the end of the day. They had taken to meeting there almost every day when neither was working late. "Harry said that he just sent you a copy of the Wizengamot's decision. He wouldn't tell me what it said; he said I should ask you! Well?" she rushed out in one breath. She knew how important this decision was for Draco and as much as she disliked his parents, or at least just his father, she wanted what was best for him. She believed with all heart that having his family reunited would only be good for him.
"I haven't opened it yet," Draco said smiling at the mixture of enthusiasm and concern all over her lovely face. She plopped down in the chair next to him, sighing in exasperation.
"Well, what are you waiting for? You know your mother won't be waiting to open her copy. She'll be much too impatient," Hermione said reaching for his hand. Draco gratefully laced his fingers with hers and squeezed her hand as if to draw strength from her touch.
"I'm scared, Hermione. I want it to be good news. I really want him to be released, but I am afraid that he will be disappointed in me. He might not see all my changes as a good thing, and I want him to accept me, and you. Also, I haven't bothered to write or visit since the last time I saw him, and I imagine he is pretty angry. My mother says he is not, but he would tell her that just so she wouldn't worry, and then punish me in private. It wouldn't be the first time," he said his voice falling in shame the longer he talked.
"Draco. Look at me."
He slowly turned his head toward her but did not look her in the eyes. With her unoccupied hand she reached out to touch his face. She slowly stroked his cheek, effectively making him sigh and finally look at her.
"You will never know what the verdict is until you read it. And whether he gets released or not, you will still have the opportunity to mend things with him. He won't be able to avoid you either way, and I really don't think he is angry with you. Confused at your behavior perhaps, but not angry. I really believe you are worrying needlessly," she said.
"You're probably right. At least I hope you are, you bloody know-it-all," he teased. Letting go of her hand he slowly opened the envelope in front of him. He stared at the folded missive for a full minute before reading it. Hermione watched with barely concealed impatience as he read it twice, his expression impassive the whole time. Finally, he set it down and turned toward her again.
"Friday. He is getting out on Friday," he said, a mixture of nervousness and excitement in his voice.
"Well that's wonderful news, Draco!" said Hermione wrapping him in a big hug. She felt Draco take a couple of shuddering breaths before he let go.
"It is only wonderful news if my father has no plans to do anything stupid."
"Draco, I'm sure his intentions are good. The Ministry would never have released him without taking the proper Wizarding Oaths to keep him honest."
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions, Hermione. I should get home to my mother. She is probably going bonkers right now," he replied sounding as if he was about to go bonkers himself. "Let me Apparate you home really quickly first, though."
"Oh no, I can get there on my own. You need to rush home right now. This is a big deal, and you should be with your mother. Don't worry about me. You can always call me later." Draco had finally gotten a phone of his own just a couple of weeks before. The closer he and Hermione got, the harder it was for him to bear her absence when they went their separate ways. So to solve that problem, he had charmed a phone that only called her. He couldn't establish an actual phone connection the Muggle way because his house was not on any type of grid, and there was too much magic. The charm the Ministry used was simple enough.
"I will most definitely call you later," he said getting up and walking with her to the door. "I am glad you were here with me just now," he said softly looking deep into her eyes.
"I will always be here for you. Now go celebrate, or whatever, with your mother!" she said kissing his cheek and shoving him out the door.
Hermione sighed as she watched him walk away. Over the last couple of months, Draco had become one of her best friends. She was enjoying being with him so much that she never questioned the pace of their relationship. She was fully aware that he wanted to move forward but was patiently waiting for the time to be appropriate for her as well. It had been over six weeks since she had broken up with Ron and moved back home. Ron still didn't want to talk to her, but Harry said he was really embarrassed about the proposal. He admitted that proposing at their age was a little excessive and that the only reason he was going to do it was because he had felt her slipping away and was desperate to do anything to keep her. Hermione and Harry had joked about how Ron really didn't know Hermione at all if that was the case, and how it was definitely a good thing it was over. What Hermione was waiting for was for Ron to move on so she could too. She knew she was ready, but she was a little confused about what would be an appropriate 'mourning' period. She resolved to talk to her mother that night.
Along with Hermione's eagerness to move her relationship with Draco forward was a niggling anxiety about his father's release. She really did not think the Ministry had forced any sort of oaths from him and was curious herself as to what had taken place. The final thing that was bothering her, and she was not about to bring it up to Draco yet, was that Dolores Umbridge had been rehired at the Ministry as Percy Weasley's assistant. How that woman had escaped Azkaban after her cruel treatment of Muggle-born children the previous year had Hermione concerned that the head of the Ministry was a little more corrupt than she'd originally thought. Kingsley Shacklebolt had always been loyal to Dumbledore and the Order and Hermione refused to believe that he would willingly allow the Ministry to fall back to such tyrannical practises. Percy Weasley, on the hand, was not going to get any vote of confidence from her, particularly if he thought hiring Dolores Umbridge back was a good idea.
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Draco whooshed out of the fireplace in a flurry of ash. Dusting himself off, he left the floo room in search of his mother.
"Mother?" he called looking for her in the parlour and all the other rooms she usually frequented. He could not find her anywhere. Feeling a little disappointed, Draco headed to the kitchen for some tea when he heard his mother's voice. Hm,Draco thought, she never goes in the kitchens.Draco continued his path and almost laughed at the sight before him. His mother, who had been struggling to maintain her cool composure for the last few months, was back in full form. She was addressing the family's two remaining house elves in the authoritative manner that Draco remembered well. She was listing all the work she wanted done and all the menus she wanted planned in preparation for Lucius' return.
"I see you got the news then, Mother," Draco said walking into the room.
"Oh Draco! I'm so glad you're home. Yes, it's wonderful; we'll all be together again soon!" she bubbled excitedly, reaching for Draco to pull him into a half hug while she kissed both of his cheeks, just like she used to. Draco had thought he knew how lonely his mother was when he saw her crying or drinking by herself in the parlour, but he realised seeing her so exuberantly happy, that he had never gotten the full measure of her pain. He looked away from her quickly as the thought brought the prickle of tears to his eyes.
"Mother, he is only one man; I honestly don't think you need to order so much food," Draco said amused.
"Don't be ridiculous, Draco. This isn't just for him. Now that he is being released to his home, we will be hosting many dinner parties again, and I hope to have the first one next weekend," she said flitting around the house inspecting everything with Draco following along.
"Are you sure that's wise Mother? He might want a little more time with you first. Perhaps you should ask him," Draco suggested tentatively. He was always allowed more liberties with his mother than his father, but that didn't make her tongue any less sharp when she was offended.
"I am sure your father will be more than ready to reestablish himself in society. We have missed a lot over the last few years, and it is never too soon to start rebuilding connections. Also, you won't be working in the Ministry forever; it will do you good to start mingling with his business associates as an adult. And there is also the matter of finding a good match for you," she stated pointedly.
Draco sucked in a breath. The business associates he could deal with if he had to. He didn't particularly like them, but he did like his father's business and it wouldn't hurt to learn more about trade. The suitor part, however, he did not want to deal with.
"I told you mother. I am already interested in someone," he retorted.
"You don't mean that Muggle-born, Granger, that I hear you and Blaise going on about do you? She is just a phase, Draco. When you are finished with this nonsense in the Muggle Liaison office I am sure you will forget all about her. Out of sight, out of mind, after all," she said dismissing his comment, which only irked him more.
"She is not a phase, Mother. She is talented and beautiful person that I fully intend to court properly whether you like it or not. I would prefer if you would welcome her into my home just as her family has done for me. If she is willing to accept who my parents are and their role in her torture, then surely you can return the courtesy," he snapped with ill disguised fury.
Narcissa eyed him speculatively for a moment. The storm brewing behind his eyes disconcerted her greatly. If she didn't know any better she would believe that he truly was in love with the girl. Lucius would have a conniption for sure.
"I'm sure she's a lovely girl, Draco, but your father would not understand," she stated plainly.
"Then help him too if it is important to you because my father's understanding is no longer my concern. I don't want to have to choose, Mother, between Hermione and him, but I will," Draco said with steely resolve. Narcissa instantly believed him. She did not want to see her husband and son drift even further apart than they already had. She had firsthand experience with losing family members over them falling in love with people with less than Pureblood. With that thought, Narcissa had an idea. She could help him. Lucius was almost incapable of refusing Narcissa's wishes, and what he would give to her, he should be willing to give to his son. I think, Narcissa thought to herself, it is time to reconnect with Andromeda.
"Very well, Draco. You will invite her to our dinner party next Saturday. I will do my best to keep your father on his best behaviour, but you must tell him about her before he gets out of jail to give him time. It would be best if you prepared her for the worst."
For now, that was the best she could give him. Draco nodded his understanding and left for his room.
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"Mum, can I talk to you, alone?" Hermione asked her mother that evening after dinner.
"Of course, what about?" Juliette Granger said putting down the book she had been reading and giving Hermione her full attention.
Hermione curled up in the armchair across from the couch her mother was sitting on.
"It's about Draco and Ron," she said.
Her mother frowned with concern but waited for her to continue. Juliette was shocked to hear about the break up because the last time they had seen Hermione was when she was with Ron. They seemed very happy at the time. Hermione had explained the whole situation with her mother about how losing her virginity was disappointing, and how Ron was pushing her in all the wrong directions. She completely understood the reasons for the break up and fully supported her daughter as she would regardless of the circumstances. She was even more surprised to have Hermione bring Draco Malfoy home for dinner one night. It had taken them much more convincing to accept that her childhood nemesis would be a better choice. However, after observing them for a few weeks she saw that their friendship was very secure, and he was a good match for her daughter, despite their precarious beginnings. Hermione sighed, interrupting her mother's thoughts and kept talking.
"You see, Mum, I really like Draco a lot. Our friendship has really deepened to the point where I think we are ready to take it to the next step. I know he wants to as well, but he is holding back because he wants to give me a proper space between serious relationships." Hermione furrowed her brow in thought and then continued, "But I don't know how long is appropriate. I mean, I was pretty much over Ron the day we broke up but I wasn't ready to start a new relationship at the time. I know it hasn't even been two months yet, but I am ready to move on now. A part of me feels like I should give Ron a chance to move on first so that he doesn't get hurt anymore. What do I do?"
"Oh, Hermione you need to do what is best for you," Juliette said gently, touched by her daughter's compassion and regard for her ex. "I know you are trying to protect Ron's feelings, but when you broke up with him you took away his right to care about what you do, while at the same time freeing yourself to do what feels best for you. I know it sounds harsh, but the purpose of ending a relationship is to distance yourself from that person and their feelings towards you. You wouldn't be being you if you weren't concerned about him, but if you're ready to move on then you should. I have watched you and Draco, and it warms my heart to see you so happy with him."
"I am very happy with him, mum. I never thought it could be possible, but everything we do together just feels right all the time," Hermione said a wistful smile on her face. "Whenever he smiles at me or touches me I get butterflies in my stomach. He stimulates me intellectually and he always seems to know what mood I'm in and he tries to anticipate my needs. When I talk to him, I can tell he is listening, and he always seems interested in what I have to say. Nobody has ever made me feel so special. Harry and Ron have always been great friends, but Draco makes me feel…" Hermione paused as if searching for the right word. "He makes me feel cherished," she finished.
"If I didn't know any better, I would say you were falling in love with him, Hermione," her mother said with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Hermione grinned at her mother. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you are right."
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Special thanks to Blonde Gamer Girl who has given me some great inspiration for expansion. Future chapters will definitely be getting some help from her. Thanks to all for your reviews, and thanks for reading!
