oo9: Today You'll Understand

Hermione saw little of Draco before their return to school. He was very rarely at the Manor; off on jaunts for the Dark Lord at all hours of the night. He certainly wasn't allowed in her Wing for the last weeks. Mona refrained from asking questions and saw Hermione off to school herself since Hermione's husband was absent.

"Sure you'll be alright?" Mona asked, still shaken up from their walk through the barrier into Platform 9¾.

"I'm sure Draco just got held up and had to come straight here," Hermione reassured Mona. She had become quite adept at lying for Draco in the months following their marriage ceremony.

"Okay hun…As a mother would say, have a good semester and I'll see you at Christmas Break," Mona said pulling Hermione into a hug. Hermione returned the hug and gave Mona another reassuring smile.

"I'll be fine, promise. Take care of the Manor for me."

"I will, promise."

"Bye," Hermione grabbed her trunk and headed for the train. She found the Head Girl and Head Boy's compartment at the front of the train and dumped her trunk there. She was already in her school uniform; it was short…Mainly because she hadn't bothered to replace it. She only had one year left at Hogwart's and up until the week before she wasn't even sure she was going to return.

But, a letter from the Wizengamot had reminded her that the charges were only dropped contingent to her return to Hogwart's. It annoyed her that she was required by threat of criminal charges to return.

She noticed another trunk in the compartment, so obviously her husband was aboard the train somewhere, and sighed heavily before collapsing into her seat. With all luck he would continue to avoid her, the entire train ride, and she wouldn't have to see him until after the sorting ceremony.

You shouldn't be so quick to write him off…You could still make it work, Hermione's conscience said. She had been fighting with it ever since that night but she couldn't quite suppress it. Deep down she knew that, in part, she had married Draco because of some form of love for him. But part of her couldn't forget the images she had seen that night. And since she couldn't forget, neither could she move on.

After the train starting moving she made her way down the aisle, glancing into the open compartments as she went. She passed Draco's and he looked up at her for a moment but she kept going.

Draco watched Hermione walk by, briefly glancing into their compartment and ignored her. She had avoided him the entire summer and he had been too busy to deal with her with all of the extra assignments Voldermort had been sending him on in preparation for Draco to return to school. His black mark had been temporarily removed – partially for the school year, partially because he would be removed from active duty while he was at school. He was to receive coded correspondence from his father of any complications that might compromise him while he was at school.

Hermione kept walking down the train until she reached Ron, Ginny, Faye and Harry's compartment. Ginny looked up and smiled, waving Hermione in.

"Hey Mione, it's great to see you. Married life must be treating you well." Ginny said brightly, patting the seat next to her.

Hermione only nodded and smiled.

Ginny looked great, modeling had given her a confidence she had never had before. And she was in stilettos, legs crossed carefully, her neatly pressed school uniform and a beautiful black pearl choker with matching earrings; things she never would have worn in the years before. Hermione wondered briefly at the jewelry – once again it displayed a wealth Ginny herself did not maintain, but ignored it. What Ginny did in her private life was her business, and Hermione wasn't about to get wrapped up in.

"Harry…Can I talk to you," Hermione asked softly. Harry looked up at her and nodded slowly. Hermione led the way back through the train to the Head's compartment.

Draco watched Hermione and Harry pass by his compartment in silence, but Blaise didn't miss it.

"I told you, she's not going to play nice," Blaise said snidely. However much she might have respected Hermione, her allegiances were first to Voldermort. As of right now, Hermione was under watch. On top of this Blaise had been instructed to make sure Draco didn't go so far as falling in love with Hermione again. She was to prevent this at all costs – why, she hadn't been told.

"I didn't expect her to run to Potter," Draco fumed. He stared at his hands. There had been a time, before his mother died, that he had thought he loved Hermione. But when she had snubbed him for Harry he had buried that thought, even sought to kill it. It had resurfaced briefly the night of the Yule Ball but the shock of Narcissa's death had robbed him of most emotions.

It was a surprise then, that he was so angry.

"You didn't expect her to turn evil for you Draco?"

"I didn't expect her to run to Potter," Draco repeated as he stood.

"What is it that you wanted to talk about Hermione?"

"I wanted to apologize…For what happened at my wedding…I don't even really know what happened."

"It's alright. You were upset, and you were right I shouldn't have come." Hermione stared at Harry in shock. He had actually admitted guilt.

"Did you mean what you said. When you said you loved me?"

"I was a little distraught Hermione. I'd rather we put that behind us. I'd rather we put everything behind us." Harry said softly. "I learned a lot after that team disappeared…Or…killed, as you probably assumed. I learned a lot when the new minister started and we had to start from the ground up with a new program. I was an asshole last year and if anyone caused you to fly into Draco's arms it was me. I just want us to be friends again. If that's possible."

"Of course," Hermione said. Harry held out his arms a little uncertainly and Hermione stepped into them hugging him tightly. He smelled like he had over a year ago. A year ago when she had waited to hear the words she didn't hear until it was too late.

She tilted her head up and unintentionally met his lips. Then, not sure why, she brought her hands to his head and pulled him into the kiss. And he responded.

Draco threw the compartment door open, completely pissed.

"What the hell do you think you're doing with my wife, Potter?" he demanded as Harry jumped back from Hermione.

"Something she obviously isn't getting from you," Harry responded, barely thinking.

"What are you playing at?" Draco demanded as he stepped towards Harry, easily drawing his wand.

"Draco, stop it. Harry you should go," Hermione said, pushing Harry towards the door and putting herself between Harry and Draco. Harry looked over Hermione's shoulder towards Draco.

"Sure you'll be alright?"

"I'm positive. I'll see you at the Sorting Ceremony," Hermione said as she shut the door, locked and warded it.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Draco demanded.

"It was an accident," Hermione said truthfully, meeting Draco's gaze.

"You're a Malfoy now Hermione. Malfoy's and Potter's don't mix."

"I am and always will be a Ravenclaw Draco, so don't pull that with me."

"Don't cheat on me, ever again." Draco hissed.

"Or you'll what. Make me wear another ring so I don't get pregnant again?" Hermione demanded. She pulled the ring out of her pocket and threw it into Draco's seat, still glaring at him.

"What the fuck do you mean again?" Draco demanded quietly as he picked up the ring and put it in his pocket.

Hermione wanted to say That's right Draco. While you were busy last year becoming a death eater I was miscarrying our first child. Not that you noticed or cared, not that you care now sccne you're still the asshole I knew when I first started at Hogwart's but remained silent.

"As if you'd care," Hermione spat.

Hermione could feel herself falling apart as she thought about the miscarriage. She had never told anyone, but she had miscarried in her third month, right before she started showing. She had hoped so much that it would be the babies to make the prophecy to come true. But instead she had lost it and fallen into herself after that. With no friends, and no one to comfort her over her loss she had simply fallen into the shallowness of Blaise and Pansy.

"If I ever see you with Potter again, you'll regret it," Draco threatened.

"Go to hell."

Draco turned and left the compartment after that, pissed. He didn't know why but somehow Hermione got under his skin like no one else could. He certainly didn't love her, the only person he had ever loved was dead now. But he had been fond of her last year, had even needed her before Narcissa had died. But that need had been replaced with duty somewhere along the line. With a sigh he returned to his compartment with Blaise, who gave him a knowing glance.

"Found her cheating didn't you?"

"Shut up," Draco replied, snidely.

"Told you so," Pansy said as she entered from outside. She brushed long blonde hair over her shoulder with a smile.

"You too."

"Should've stuck with our betrothal Draco," Pansy said with a smile.

Hermione watched as Draco left and collapsed into sobs holding her stomach. She let herself sit in her seat staring at the wedding band on her finger. Eventually she fell into a light sleep.

It's going to be alright you know, a voice was saying softly. Hermione woke up feeling someone stroking her hair.

Who are you, Hermione asked yawning. And where am I?

In between, their reply was. Slowly a figure emerged, a fair skinned elf with long blonde hair.

Who are you? Hermione asked again.

Your guardian. That's all you need to know so don't ask again. This is where elves go when they sleep. Your powers are growing stronger; we will meet face to face at that school of yours. I will be teaching you. You must govern yourself however; you let your emotions get the better of you.

I haven't been trying to let them control me, Hermione responded defensively.

I know dear, I didn't mean to make it sound as if you were. I apologize. But you will win the dragon over better if you show emotion like you used to. You weren't always this way remember

"Hermione," Draco said shaking her lightly.

"What?" Hermione said, waking up suddenly. She blinked rapidly, Draco was staring at her.

"We're at school," he stated.

"Oh…Alright."

Draco gathered his robes and turned with a half smile at Hermione. For a moment she remembered the elven women's parting words and half smiled in return.

"We have to herd the first years over the Lake," Draco reminded her curtly, pulling open the compartment door. "And don't you think you're skirts are a little short for a married woman?"

Hermione ignored him as she put her hat on tightened her tie.

"I didn't know you cared so much."

Draco caught her wrist as she turned to walk out the door.

"Don't talk to me like that," he hissed. Hermione turned to him and glared.

"Don't tell me what to do," she said pulling her hand out of his grasp. She hurried out into the aisle before he could retaliate further and made her way outside. Hagrid swept her into an enormous hug as soon as she stepped off the train.

"Congratulations 'Ermione. Even if it was to a Malfoy. Mighty proud you're 'ead girl this year. 'Ope you ride across the lake with me then."

"Of course Hagrid, I would love to." Hermione said loudly as Draco stepped off the train. She fixed him with a bright smile and turned to the first years.

"First years this way," Hagrid shouted leading the first years down towards the boats tied at the edge of the lake. "Four to a boat, all aboard."

When they were out on the lake Hagrid looked at Hermione.

"Now 'Ermione if you don't want to talk about it than don't but Dumbledore's been storming around the castle ever since your little announcement."

"It was because of the Wizengamot. They were calling me up on high treasons charges. But Harry and I talked on the train. We're going to work things out," Hermione said softly. There were first years in a boat near them watching her with interest. It was obvious they knew who she was every witch and wizard and Great Britain probably knew now.

"You come to me if he does anything funny," Hagrid said seriously and Hermione nodded despite her urge to laugh.

"I will Hagrid."

After the Sorting Ceremony Hermione stood to exit with the rest of the Gryffindor but Draco was at her arm before she could flee.

"Headmaster is going to show us to our rooms, darling," he said as he guided her by her elbow towards the front table. As soon as they were far enough away that she would not make a scene Hermione wrestled her elbow away.

"Hermione, Draco…I hope your summer was satisfactory." Dumbledore greeted them both before turning to Hermione. "I will show the two of you where the Head Girl and Boy's rooms are. Hermione, I would much appreciate it if you would meet me in my office at 10 sharp tomorrow morning. I have someone very important for you to meet."

"Of course, Headmaster."

"This way," Dumbledore said as he walked nimbly through the corridors towards where the two would be staying. Hermione hung slightly back at Draco spoke in low tones to Dumbledore.

"He we are…Married or not your position required a great deal of decorum. I will not hesitate to remove either one of you and return you to your original housing assignments if anything goes wrong."

With that Dumbledore disappeared.

"Fish sticks," Draco muttered and the portrait swung open. As soon as it was closed behind them he turned towards Hermione.

"I won't stand for you cheating on me," Draco said turning on Hermione. "I won't stand by and let you ruin both of our families' names."

"Oh please, like you haven't cheated on me in the past month. You didn't even come home to bring me to the bloody station."

Hermione glared at Draco, but he didn't respond.

"So who was it? A blonde maybe, was it that girl from my vision Draco? Did you run back to her as soon as I figured out your evil plot?"

"Don't you ever speak about her, ever again," Draco growled. He moved towards Hermione and she threw her hands up in defense. He went flying backwards, hitting the stone wall with a thud. After blinking several times he stared at her.

"Draco…I'm so sorry," Hermione said rushing towards him. She offered him his hand and he pulled her down next to him, squeezing her wrist.

"Let's settle one thing right now. You are my wife. Not Potter's, not Weasley's, mine."

"I'm not your property."

"You are my wife," Draco repeated again. He met her eyes, agitated. Hermione couldn't help herself, they were so tempting. She had tried so hard to keep from making direct eye contact – never sure when she was going to fall into someone's memories.

"Promise we'll always be together?" A blonde was asking sweetly, looking up at Draco from her spot next to him in bed.

"I've already promised you three times," Draco replied. And then he smiled a smile Hermione had never seen.

"I just want to know for sure. I love you so much Draco," she insisted.

"Okay, I promise."

"And that you'll always protect me, promise you'll always protect me."

"Always and forever."

"Promise," she insisted again.

Draco didn't reply, instead he leaned and kissed the blonde, pulling her closer and holding her tight. Hermione could see the pain etched in every feature of his body.

"Who is she?" Hermione demanded.

"None of your business," Draco said. He pushed Hermione away from him and pushed himself off the floor, loosening his tie he headed for the portrait.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your bloody business."