Chapter 9 The Bond

"Thanks Luna. Why don't you get some rest. We will bring the team together in a few hours." Harry said. "Thanks Harry" Luna replied and left the room. Harry reentered Hermione's mind.

Harry.

Yes.

Are you sure that prophecy is about me?

It said Hermione Jean garner and Draco Lucius Malfoy.

Ok, do you think we can go over it piece by piece.

Sure. An act of anger and jealousy will bring the two together.

Right, that night Ron was angry and I made him leave. I couldn't go to you so I went to Draco.

Can you tell me what happened that night?

Of course, Hermione told of the story.

*Flashback*

Knock knock knock. "I'm coming I'm coming" Draco grumbled. He wasn't expecting anyone. When he open the door Hermione Granger was standing there. "Granger what th…" he stopped mid sentence, she was shaking her eyes were puffy and she was distraught. "Come in?" he said as he moved out of the way and motioned to the couch. He was staring at her, He had never seen her this upset. He had made her upset more times than he could count and this was beyond anything that he had ever done. He couldn't stand seeing her like this." Delia?" he called and a little house elf popped next to him. "Master Malfoy call Delia." She squeaked "Please bring some tea." "Of course," she bowed with a pop.

"You...don't...have...tttoo...doo...tthat…," Hermione sobbed each word bringing on more tears. Placing her head in her palms and her elbows on her knees she continued to cry. "I think I do Granger," Draco said kneeling next to her. "I..I..am sorry...I shouldn't ...have...come..".she said as she made to stand up. But Draco gently pushed her back down. "Why did you come?" he asked. His voice was soft, softer than Hermione had ever heard before. She looked at him. "I didn't know...who else to go to… "she was starting to come round a bit. Delia had placed the tea on the table beside Draco he offered her cup. "Green tea with a hint of lemon, if I remember correctly, that is your favorite?" He said. She just stared at him holding the saucer. He was correct of course, but how could he know her favorite tea when her fiance well ex fiance couldn't. "Yes, thank you" she said as she sipped the tea. She couldn't stop was looking at him, There was something in those silver eyes that made her relax. "Thank you," she said again. "You already said that Granger" Draco said with a smile and she smiled back. She hadn't felt this at ease in such a long time.

"So... what brings you to my lovely home?" he said as he waved his arm around. This was not the first time she had been there. They had used his library on many occasions to help with missions recon. "It's silly really" she said, and she was feeling that it truly was. She had just broken up with her fiance but it is what he said that hurt not the fact that they had broken up. It was almost like she knew it was going to happen. So she was not shocked by the break up itself. She had been called Mudblood so many times that she couldn't count and most were said by the man, well he was a boy than, in front of her."Silly enough for you to come see me? Did something happen with Weasley and Potter?" he asked "Harry, O no he is fine. I just can't talk to him about this." She had made up her mind before coming here not to tell Harry. She couldn't risk losing both her best friends in one night. So she decided to come and see Malfoy. They had been friends in school but no one knew about that and once they started working together their friendship became stronger. They become such good friends that Ron sometimes accused her of cheating on him with Malfoy. "So it has to do with Weasley?" Draco said and Hermione nodded. "What happened?" He asked. She shook her head and started to get teary eyed again. "Granger, I can't help you or even begin to understand whats going on if you want tell me" he said. "I can't, I can't...say it…" she starting crying again. Draco moved next to her on the couch now and placed a arm around her. She began to calm down a bit. "Would you be willing to show me?" he asked, she nodded. She would feel better having told someone about this, she knew that. Draco grabbed her hand and a warm sensation moved through her as Draco entered her thoughts.

He emerged a short while later and for once he was unable to hide his anger. He looked at Hermione and said "I am sorry." She looked at him confused, why was he sorry? she thought. He looked into her eyes and said "I know I have said those exact words to you and I never should have. The War is over no one especially a Weasel should ever say that the brightest witch of the century is beneath them. He is alive because of you and so am I." he got up and started to walk to the door. "Where are you going?" she asked "To kill him," His voice was cold and deep. "No don't he is not worth it" she sputtered starting to stand placing the cup on the table. "No, But you are!" Draco said grabbing the knob to his front door. She grabbed his hand, "Malfoy don't," she begged as she started to cry again "Why? Why should he get away with speaking to you like that? Tell me Hermione why is it OK?" he shouted. She was shocked, he hadn't called her by her first name since the final battle. Than memory's began to flash on her mind. Draco and her had been enemies in public at school, but decent to each other in private, they were even homework buddies. She looked at him again "You said my name?" She said. Draco stopped trying to leave. "I did." he nodded "Why?" she asked "Because you deserve someone who will treat you the way you should be treated. With respect and love." He stated. "Malfoy," she said and he turned again and started to make his way out the door. "Draco, Stop!" She shouted and he did. She looked into his eyes and noticed them moving as if he was reliving the past as well. "Draco don't do anything to him he is not worth it," He looked at her and his expression soften. He reached up and wiped a tear off of her check.

"Hermione, you know your worth more than what he said or did with Brown right?" Hermione blushed at his words, Lavender was always the pretty one in school. She wasn't surprised that Ron wanted her instead. "I mean it, stop doubting yourself." He was leaning in close to her now. They had only been this close once before on the stairs leading into the castle once the battle was over. She had realized by than she had developed some feelings for him and she thought that day he was going to kiss her. She looked into his eyes realizing the feeling had never gone away just pushed aside. "I should have done this years ago" he said as he closed the gap and kissed her. Ron's betrayal completely vanished as she wrapped her arms around him. When they parted she was slightly out of breath. "Thank you... for making me feel better" she said as she grabbed her coat and headed for the door. He called to her. "Granger" "YYes Malfoy." she replied "Go on a date with me?" She smiled at his question. "Yes". She said as she left.

Hermione had left out a few things in the story like the kiss and there past but Harry got the jist of it.

I never thought he would be nice to you.

People change. I didn't think so either to start with but we talked more and one thing lead to another.

Ok, here is the next part . They are destined to defeat the odds though they were once at odds themselves.

Well we ended up working together. I never thought I would really see him after Hogwarts. So I guess there was some extra magic behind that. And we were definitely at odds for years.

Her heart of gold will melt his of sliver with her forgiveness and love.

It took a while for me to break down his walls but I was there for him as he was for me.

Alone they are strong but together they are unstoppable. Now I know this one first hand. I have watched you to battle beside each other and sometimes I have to stop and watch. The way you guys work together is like you are one. Even when you argue you guys are in sync. Why didn't I notice before?

Hermione laughed. Sometimes the simplest things are right under your nose.

Well next time don't hide it. He said playfully "With their love they will bring out the best in others. You know you guys individually and together have brought this team together. I mean look how close you and Pansy have become And everything he worked on with Neville. Who would have ever thought he would do that?

I guess you're right, we all make a great team and I wouldn't have happened if we hadn't been able to work together.

His power will shine with the forgiveness they share.

I am not sure about that. He was always a great wizard. I mean he was second in our year at Hogwarts.

I don't know Hermione I have seen the way he magic seems to strengthen around you. I used to think he was just trying to out best you and maybe he was. But, even in school he seemed to have stronger magic with you around. I also think he feels stronger and more protective around you. I mean my best magic is done with Ginny around. Almost like she gives me extra fuel.

I didn't know that. Maybe you're right.

Don't sound so surprised, I can be right to you know. They laughed, They are bonded beyond most and it shines even among others.

Bonded beyond most. I can only think that means we are soul mates. Interesting.

They will fight with the ones they hold dear when the darkness surfaces.

Well I guess that hasn't happened quite yet. A darkness hasn't made its presence known. But there is no one else I hold dear more than you guys, you're my family , so I guess this will happen sooner than we thought.

If the bond is ever severed the darkness will become strong.

So it's not as strong as it could be. If I had married Ron it would have severed the bond because I would have been bonded to him magically, that terrifying, Whats next?

Sleep will but the bond at bay but death will make it grow.

Well I guess we know why they cursed me like this. With us not being able to reassure each other it puts a stain on the bond I guess, but what they don't know is that we can still communicate so maybe there is still some hope. This doesn't have the affect they think it dose.

Warning to the darkness for they do not knew the bonds true power.

Soul bonding is powerful in its own right. I wonder how strong we actually are.

The lion will protect the snake in death and the snake will protect the lion in life.

I will protect him in death. It might be something like what your mother did for you. Let's not dwell on that one too much. I have a lot to do before I even think about dying.

Harry snorted and continued They do not know how bonded they truly are and darkness will be defeated if discovered.

Well can't really do more with that it is pretty much a statement

Agreed. A friendship so true can keep the bond alive in the darkest hour.

Harry I think that last bit has to do with you.

O goody, I don't think the darkest hour has happened yet. Hopefully we will know when it does. Darkness beware that severing the bond may also be your doom, the bond will never truly die until love no longer excites.

Ok so if we truly stop loving each other the bond servers, but darkness may also fall if that were to happen. So the darkness has to make us think we don't love each other and our bond can't get strong while we are apart. Hence the sleep spell, Great.

We'll at least we have an idea on how to deal with this.

Have you heard anything from Draco yet?

No not yet. Sorry Hermione.

It's ok.

Well Neville has just shown up to do the next watch. I am going to head home for a bit. Will you be alright?

Not like I could really go anywhere anyway, Of course, I will be fine. Go you sound exhausted.

Thanks, I will talk with you soon.

Bye She said has he retreated.

Hermione lay there there thinking of everything the had just found out. This was not going to be an easy war to win. She thought as she drifted into sleep for a while.