Chapter 10

Over a month had passed by without any further developments. Draco was beginning to get frustrated. No matter how hard he examined the information sent to him daily from the ministry, he failed to find connection. Relatively few wizards from Britain had traveled abroad to other countries when the attacks took place, though he knew that there were ways of traveling without the ministry knowing. Draco was forced to conclude that perhaps Flint was onto something though being trapped within the confines of the fidelius charm he had no way to follow up on leads. Draco asked Harry several times to allow him to check back in with Flint and follow some of his other leads. Draco always got the same reply.

Malfoy,

I truly know how much it sucks to be trapped in a house with no answers. I promise you that I am taking every word of advice you are sending me and I am closely monitoring the situation. The minister is the top priority and we have to eliminate the threat before we allow Hermione to come out of hiding. I'll try and see if I can take some time to drop by; perhaps you can visit your mother.

Keep her safe,

H.P.

Draco grumbled and tossed Harry's latest reply in the bin. Hermione looked up from her typewriter, "What did it say?"

"The usual, he wants us to stay hidden,"

"That sounds like Harry," She went back to typing on her machine. Despite being trapped in the house, Hermione had settled in quite well. When Draco asked about how she was coping she replied, "It has been surprisingly nice just to relax and worry about myself for once. I've made a tremendous amount of progress on my manuscript and I think I'll be able to finish it soon." Over the course of the month the pair had chatted about their likes and dislikes and had learned a tremendous amount about each other.

On a cold mid-December day, Hermione and Draco had just finished a round of sex that burst the pipes in the bathroom and caused water to soak the carpet in the hallway when they heard a knock at the door. Draco groaned and slid out of bed. He waved his wand lazily and dressed himself. This had to be Potter. With caution, Draco opened the door and greeted Harry. Draco had his question ready.

"What animal was I turned into when Professor Moody attacked me?" Draco asked bitterly, hating the memory.

"A white ferret," Harry said with a smirk. Draco opened the door wider and motioned for Harry to enter. Hermione descended the stairs and ran to give Harry a hug.

"Hermione," Harry greeted. Neither Hermione or Draco noticed that Harry had smelled a masculine scent on Hermione as they embraced. She pulled back and smiled at him. Harry tried to mask his suspicions and pulled gently on one of Hermione's curls. Draco narrowed his eyes, slightly jealous.

Harry turned to Draco, "I dropped by so you could have some time off of duty. Your mother has written to me at least six times begging me to let you have some time off, though I haven't heard any complaints from you. I expect you to be back here early tomorrow morning."

Draco gave Hermione a fleeting apologetic look that Harry did not miss. "Sure, Potter, that sounds great. I'll just go pack a few items." And Draco slowly went back upstairs. He didn't bother to pack anything. His mother would make sure that he had all that he needed. Instead, Draco sat on his bed for a moment and thought about Hermione. He had never found anyone like her and he knew that he wanted her for the rest of eternity. No girl had ever been able to interact with Draco on an academic level or spend time together in comfortable silence. The time in bed was fantastic and Draco knew he would never want another woman. He knew that it was far too soon to pop the question but he longed to make it at least official.

Draco wasn't sure if his mother would accept Hermione. Narcissa seemed set on finding Draco a pureblood wife, but he thought it was mostly for status and tradition. Narcissa had begun to question the pureblood ways as soon as Lord Voldemort signed Draco up for death. She only ever admitted this to Draco. Since then, she had only stayed to protect her son. Draco's mother loved him far too much to deny him this one choice but the thought of actually telling her sent a swooping sensation in Draco's stomach.

After excusing herself from Harry, who looked at her quizzically, ran up the stairs and knocked on Draco's door.

"Draco? Can I come in?"

Draco snapped out of it and answered, "Sure," and Hermione entered. She didn't act surprised that Draco wasn't actually packing.

"I thought I might ask if you needed any help packing,"

"No, I think I have everything that I need. Promise me that you won't do anything crazy while I'm gone," Draco said and stood up.

"Not to worry, I'm just going to comb through my manuscript with Harry,"

"Don't fall into that book of yours," Draco said sarcastically and then he walked over to her and planted a soft kiss on Hermione's forehead.

Hermione whispered sadly, "I'll miss you even if you are just going to be gone one day".

"I'll miss you too."

"I hope you have a great time with your mother, Draco."

Draco opened the door, "We'll see Granger," and he left without looking behind.

Hermione took a deep breath, sank down onto Draco's bed and let out a heavy sigh. She couldn't believe how attached she was to him. She thought to herself, It's probably a very good thing we're getting some time apart. I've grown very attached.

When she heard Draco mutter, "Potter," and slam the door, she descended the steps and went straight to the kitchen to brew some tea. Her face felt hot. Harry walked over to the kitchen bar and picked up the page that lay drying next to the typewriter. "I see you've been busy," said Harry.

Hermione jumped and wheeled around to look at Harry, "What on earth makes you say that?" Her mind had instantly went to being 'busy' with Draco. When Hermione noticed the page in Harry's hand, she relaxed. Harry got the reaction he was looking for. Hermione was keeping a secret and Harry had a good idea of what that secret might be.

"Oh yes, I've been taking the time to work on my manuscript, it's almost done. Actually, it might be good to go over some of the facts while you're here. I don't want to get anything wrong," Hermione said, frowning in concentration as she whipped the paper out of Harry's hand and placed it neatly on the very hearty stack papers to the left of the typewriter.

"I'm sure it's all perfect, Hermione, and I'm more interested to hear about you and Malfoy. How long have you two been shagging?"

Hermione's face turned light pink and then transitioned to burgundy. Harry smirked and silently congratulated himself on his correct assumption.

Hermione spluttered, "But Ginny promised not to tell!"

Harry growled, "Ginny knew?! That blasted witch," but he recovered quickly, and said in a much calmer tone, "I figured it out on my own. You very subtly smell like him." Hermione sniffed her shirt. Ahh, there was a faint smell of Draco on her. She recalled him spritzing his wonderful smelling cologne next to her while she brushed her teeth in the bathroom earlier that morning.

"So, how did it happen?" Harry said looking at his nails in an almost bored way. Hermione was pleased to see that he didn't seem upset.

"Well its been coming on for a while now but nothing really happened until after the fundraiser. Draco kept fighting it. Then it kind of escalated from there. I suppose that we have more in common then we let on and cooping us up together sort of dragged it out of us." Hermione blushed all over again and then she gushed like a little girl, "I really have grown fond of him,"

Harry smiled, "Who would have ever thought? Muggleborn Granger and Pureblood Malfoy taking a liking to each other. It makes so much sense really, too bad he was a nasty little swot in school."

Hermione laughed, "Yeah, he was a mean little thing, but people change," and she smiled.

Harry smiled and said thoughtfully, "It's sort of a beautiful thing, you and Malfoy, I'm glad we can live in a world where the two of you can be together."

Hermione smiled yet again, "I suppose you could say its beautiful. It feels right. It seems a bit rushed though, we kind of exploded with the tension."

Harry shrugged, "Its alright that things seem a bit rushed. Its passion and passion doesn't like to take things slow."

Harry and Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about Draco and reading Hermione's manuscript. Harry kept bursting out laughing at all of the stupid and deadly things they managed to get away with. He hoped Professor McGonagall never read the book and started to get really nervous at the thought.

"Maybe we should personally send her a copy with a note that says 'Dear Professor, please don't ever read this book, you'll be so disappointed in us. We're really sorry for all of the stupid stuff we did. If you must read the book please try to remember that we were kids. Sincerely, Harry, Ron and Hermione,'"

Hermione laughed, "I'll make sure to do that. I do think that we need to send her a copy personally. Actually, I feel that anyone mentioned in the book deserves to have a copy delivered to them."

Hermione frowned and looked at Harry, "You know, this might be a bit premature but I think I want to do an epilogue that has something to do with me and Draco, even if we don't last."

Harry squinted and looked at Hermione funny, "How do you mean?"

A fire started to grow in Hermione's eyes, "Here, I'll type it out," and she raced to her type writer. Harry sank down on the sofa and picked up a book. It was going to be a while.

About an hour later, Hermione presented it to Harry. Harry began to read:

"I am so grateful to live in a world where love conquers all and I am saddened that it wasn'talways this way. Those of us who were taught potions by Professor Severus Snape would never have thought that he was so bitter because he had lost the love of his life. It's atragedy, but the tragedy does have a happy ending. We all fought in this war so we could love with all of our hearts regardless of blood status or anything else. I am currently sitting across from a beautiful white haired man with shattering beautiful grey eyes. I am of course talking about Draco Malfoy. This war paved a way for us to be together. Some of you might be shocked that we ended up together but if you think about it, you'll agree that we are a good match. Lily Potter and Severus Snape gave their lives so people like us could love freely. I am not a seer, and as you've read, I hate divination but I believe that we are meant to be together. If the two most unlikely people can be together, anyone can be together. Love wins. I guess that is moral of the story.

"It's a bit unrefined, but I think it'll shape up alright," Hermione said nervously.

"Its so beautiful, Hermione, people are going to cherish it," Harry said a bit teary. "It is all about love in the end,"

A/N: Sorry that its been months and all, please don't expect an update any time soon. I do plan on updating soon but I hate to tell you it'll be done by a certain date because the real world is important. It's areoccurring theme amongst fanfiction writers and I'm sure you understand by this point. Leave me a comment if you'd like, its very exciting and I do always reply. The next chapter will be about Draco and his mother. Stay tuned!