Wedding Bells

Draco waited to hear Hermione's breathing slow down to signal that she was asleep but they never did so he let out a few snores. After a while he felt the bed move slightly and realized that she finally relaxed into the mattress, a few minutes later she was asleep.

Draco got up from the bed and stood by the window. The gardens looked beautiful in the moon light. Thinking about the day's events he was trying to figure out a way to gain the trust of the older death eaters. They seemed to like Hermione, or should he say Bella as they have begun calling her, if she realized that they are calling her the same name they called his crazy aunt she didn't say anything nor did she let her emotions show, she really is a fast learner. Although, even if they were indeed taken by 'Bella' this mission will take longer than he thought it would. Plus he didn't know if he should tell Blaise who his help from potter really was, right now he probably thinks that 'Bella' really is an Italian beauty and not the famed Hermione Granger.

Draco turned around to look at her again, her hair was a mess of curls sprawled out over her pillow and her side of the bed. Her chest rose and fell with every breath she took. The moonlight reflected in her unusually pale skin. She had peaceful look on her face. Draco went around to her side of the bed and pulled down the covers, pulling her leg towards his he saw that her leg had healed completely, all that was left was a thin scar that ran about four inches below her knee, pulling the covers back over her body he returned to his side of the bed. After a moment of taking in her simple beauty Draco got back in bed pulled the curtains that surrounded the bed shut and fell asleep.

Draco walked into the kitchen the next morning getting ready to prepare breakfast he was thinking about making those pancakes Hermione seemed to like so much, when he heard Hermione scream. Without hesitating he ran out of the kitchen and into the main entrance where he saw the death eaters circled around her and casting one torture curse after another at her. He ran to her side with the intents of saving her but at that moment his body became difficult to control and before he knew it he was casting curses at her as well. Her screams were echoing throughout the hall, reverberating through his skull and piercing his soul.

Draco woke up with a start, all covered in cold sweat. He looked over the pillows and saw Hermione thrashing around the blankets trying to throw them off her and screaming bloody murder. Draco quickly threw the pillows that were separating him from Hermione to the ground and untangled the blankets from Hermione's body. She stopped screaming but instead she started sobbing. Draco wrapped his arms around her and pushed her hair out of her face.

"Shush, it's okay, it's okay, I'm right here nothing is going to happen to you, you're safe. I'll keep you safe." Draco was whispering into her ear.

Draco continued to stroke her hair and whisper soothing words into her ear until her sobs stopped and her breathing evened out once again. He sat there holding her body close to him as he watched the stars twinkle in the sky, the moon had disappeared. Looking over to his alarm clock he saw that it was close to dawn. Sliding down to a more comfortable position he tried to pull away from Hermione and give her some space when she abruptly held on to him and wouldn't let go. Instead of prying her small hands off his wrist he just held on to her and let sleep take over his worn body once more.

Hermione woke up around 6 am. She was about to open an eye to see if her wall of pillows survived the night when she felt something stir under her. She froze,without opening her eyes she tried to gain her bearings and figure out where she was. Then she heard a groan and a slight thump thump thump. She realized then that her head was on someones chest her right arm thrown around a hip and whom ever she was sleeping on was still fast asleep if their breathing and heart beat was anything to go by.

Opening her eyes just a crack she noticed the dark green curtains that were closed around the bed keeping out the morning light. She also noticed the view of; pale abs, a V shape that disappeared into shorts and a trail of blond hair that also lead into the shorts. Blushing slightly she wiggled out from the arm that was around her and pulled herself into a sitting position. She looked at Draco. They had both moved to the center of the bed and he was laying out with his left arm thrown haphazardly across the bed-the dark mark standing out on his pale skin-and his right arm over her pillow. His white blond hair was covering his eyes and his bare chest was slowly moving up and down as he breathed.

Hermione took one last glance at his sculptured abs before she pulled back the curtains and rushed to the bathroom.

Draco heard a rustling and then sunlight streamed into his eyes. Opening his eyes and sitting up quickly he caught a glimpse of Hermione's hair slipping into the bathroom. Draco sighed he was hoping he would wake before she did so he could set up the pillows once more and not have her freak out at having slept so close together last night. Letting out a deep sigh he went into the closet and changed into slacks and a dark blue button up dress shirt.

Hermione closed the bathroom door and slid down to the floor, with her back on the door.

"What was that?" she asked her self out loud, "Why was I hugging Draco Malfoy in my sleep?" Last thing I remember was setting up the pillow wall. I didn't want to disturb him with my nightmares. Come to think of it last night's was horrible. One of the worst, but is was interrupted" Hermione was thinking out loud as she slowly peeled off her clothes and jumped into the shower. Last nights nightmare seemed to have been shorter than any of her other nightmares.

"I have got to admit Draco sure does have a nice body, he looked so peaceful in his sleep. He looked adora- oh gods Hermione what has gotten into you? Thinking about Draco in that manner?" Shaking her head she rinsed off the last soap studs and turned off the water.

Once she was done she went back into the bedroom to see that Draco had made the bed and the balcony doors were open to let in the breeze, Draco was standing outside letting an owl go.

"Morning" she said when she stepped out on the balcony

"Morning" He replied, "I was about to send Harry a letter and I noticed you had a letter addressed to him as well, I sent them both, I hope you don't mind" Draco told her.

"No that, that was nice of you thanks." Hermione looked at the floor then at him, he was looking at her with a knowing look on his face. "Why were the pillows gone when I woke up this morning?" She suddenly asked.

"Because I removed them" He said simply.

"Well, umm...why did you?"

"You were screaming bloody murder, and it woke me up, so I took down the pillows and stopped you from killing my blankets, and calmed you down." He said

"Oh" was all she managed.

"Yeah" after an awkward silence Draco spoke up again, "No one got out of the war unscathed." This piece of information made Hermione look up at Draco again. He was leaning on the stone railing, looking at the roses below them. "I have nightmares too, your screams, they pulled me out of my own personal hell" he told her.

Hermione took a few steps forward and reached his side, looking over the railing and resting her head in her hands she spoke, "We were just kids".

"Sometimes I feel like we still are" was all he said in response.

"Well it's about time you two decide to leave your bed" Blaise told them when they met up with the rest of their guests at the breakfast table.

"You know how woman are, Blaise, they take hours getting ready" Nott responded

"Well I sure hope all my hard work and time was well spent" Bella told them with a smile gracing her features.

"It sure was worth it, love" Draco joined into the playful banter as he pulled out Hermione's chair and seated him self next to her, leaving the head of the table empty this time.

"Well I sure hope everyone slept marvelous last night judging by your moods." Draco told them as the food appeared in their plates

"It was alright, although it wouldn't hurt to have a lovely young lady to sleep with" Blaise joked

"Yeah man, why are you allowed a girl and I'm not?" Nott responded.

"I never forbade you to not have a girl" Draco smiled at him. "What about you, sir? Any woman that caught your eye?" Draco asked Nott Senior.

"I haven't planned on remarrying since the missus died"

"Dad, I think what Draco meant is; is there any girl whom you may consider pretty, not if you have found a new wife." Theodore asked

"Not particularly"

"Oh let the old coot be, if he doesn't want a woman in his life so be it, I do miss my wife something terrible though" Crabbe spoke up

"Thats right sir, have you heard from her lately?" Draco asked

"No, the ministry is keeping a closer watch on her, I can't send her an owl or they will find me." Was all the elder man said before looking down at his plate yet again.

"Right, umm so Draco I need to get some work done, I may not be in the office but my work follows me where ever I go." Blaise told him.

"Yeah, no problem man, you can use my office."

Blaise nodded his head stood and excused himself. Heading in the direction of Draco's wing, Theodore followed him just a few minutes after.

"Malfoy" Goyle spoke for the first time that morning."

"Yes, sir?"

"A word please" was all he said.

"Yes of course" Draco said looking down the table towards him.

"Alone."

Draco looked at Hermione and she stood setting her napkin on the table beside her plate and made her way out of the dining area. Just as she stepped out the doors closed behind her. Hermione almost jumped in surprise. What ever it was that the older men wanted to talk about, it must have been pretty serious because they even cast a strong silencing spell because even when Hermione put her ear against the door she couldn't hear a thing.

Hermione made her way to the gardens. Draco had told her that he was going to show her around but, because of their "guests" he has decided that it would be best if they just did that some other time. After walking for quite some time she found herself stuck in the middle of the maze.

"Oh great I should have just headed towards the rose gardens instead of the maze now how will I get out of here?"

Hermione looked around after hearing movement behind a bush. "Draco is that you? Thank Merlin I was about to freak out-" Hermione stopped when she noticed that the sound was coming from a beautiful white peacock.

"Great, it's just a bird. How the bloody hell am I going to get out?"

Hermione kept walking through the maze. After hitting five more dead ends she was desperate to get out taking out her wand she pointed it to the closest bush, "Sorry Draco for this but I will not stay in her for a second longer" with a flick of her wand Hermione blasted a small hole in the bushes until she finally made it out of the bushes.

"I am never going in there again," she said to herself. looking back she noticed how the bush had already regrown so that there was no evidence that she had blasted a hole in it.

Heading back to the Manor she saw a different path that was lined with roses. Huh this must be the way towards the rose gardens. Taking one look at the Manor and thinking that she didn't want to act like a pure blood until absolutely necessary she headed in the direction of the rose gardens.

When she got there she realized that when Draco told her about the rose gardens he was understating their beauty. There were roses of different colors, beautiful colors some solids and others that changed colors. She moved from on bush to the other, each rose had a different smell yet when she stood in the middle the smells mixed together nicely almost reminding her of the amorenta potion she recognized on the first day of potions in sixth year.

When Hermione finally listened to the grumbling of her stomach she decided to head back into the Manor. Once in side she instantly missed the sweet smell of the gardens and headed towards the kitchen. Right as she was about to open the blue doors she heard a crash and a string of profanities. Quickly Hermione pulled her wand out of the folds of her dress and opened the door.

"Granger are you planning on attacking my meal?" Draco asked

"Oh, I heard the crash, I thought you were in danger" Hermione told him as she put her wand away.

"Trust me Granger, I am in no danger in my home, at least not anymore." He chuckled as he motioned for her to sit on the stool she sat on the first time he brought her to the kitchen.

"Well I was trained to always be ready" Hermione took a seat. "You know Auror training and all that"

"Right" Draco cleaned off a mess that was spilled all over the floor. Setting the funny looking pan back on the stove he flicked his wand and more ingredients flew out of the pantry and fridge to the counter and into the pan. Hermione watched as Draco immersed himself in the work he was doing. He was in another world as he cut the carrots, broccoli and the beef. He placed all the ingredients in the pan and threw some sauces in the pan after much tossing he finally set up two plates on the counter and the food.

"Stir-fry?" She asked as she took out some forks and napkins.

"Yeah." he reached over her when she opened the drawer to grab the forks and grabbed chop sticks instead

"You know how to use those?" Hermione asked him.

"Yeah, it was kinda tricky but once you learn it's pretty easy."

"I have always failed at eating with those things can you just get me a fork?" she asked as she grabbed two cups and was filling them with ice.

"How about I teach you instead" Draco smiled at her when she pouted.

"Fine, but I still get to use the fork if I can't use the sticks" Hermione told him as she finally sat down and handed him the empty cups for him to fill.

"Umm. Hold on let me think about that" Draco poured soda in each of the cups and sat down. "How about if you fail with the chopsticks you can eat with your hands?" Draco teased Hermione.

"Gross, fiine I'll just go get a fork, I have legs I can do it my self" Hermione was jerked back into her seat after Draco pulled on her arm right when she was about to get up from her stool.

"At least try?"

"Fine"

Draco placed the sticks in Hermione's right hand. Putting the sticks between her thumb and index finger, he then showed her on what fingers to rest each stick and how to control the movement of each stick.

"Okay now try picking up the carrot"

"Alright" Hermione almost managed to get the carrot to her mouth when the door opened and the sudden loud voices made Hermione drop the carrot.

"Hey, Draco! We've been looking for you mate!" Blaise nearly shouted.

After a long string of profanities Draco tore his eyes away from Hermione's lips and towards Blaise who was approaching him along with Theodore. "Well you seem to have found me"

"Yeah, hey bella," He added as he caught sight of Hermione picking up the carrot that had fallen on her lap.

"Hi" She smiled at him.

"So why exactly were you two looking for me?" Draco asked the two boys that had a mischievous smiles on their faces.

"We wanted to know if you plan on having the annual Halloween ball in the Manor this year." Theo asked him while taking a seat on one of the tables chairs by the window.

"I wasn't planning on considering I have two guests that don't want to be seen any time soon" Draco told them as he covered both his and Hermione's food in order to keep it warm while they had unwanted company.

"Well it would be nice for things to go back to normal now that we are free don't you think?" Blaise told him.

"Yeah, and if you hide the three guests in the guest house across the grounds then we won't have to worry about them getting discovered" Theo threw in.

"Three? I didn't know I was hiding your father too, Theo" Draco told him

"Yeah, he got into some trouble after hexing a muggle" Theo told him.

"Well great" Draco sighed "I cannot believe the manor is turning into a hide out, now tell me who else is seeking a hiding place in my house?"

"Blaise says it wouldn't hurt if you can hide him from all the witches looking for him" Theo joked as Blaise threw him a frown.

"Very funny Theo" Blaise told his friend, "Anyway, back on topic, is the ball on?"

"Why exactly are you both pushing me for this?" Draco asked them

"Theo got a yes from Daphne." Blaise informed him.

"Yeah and Blaise has had a thing for her sister for quite some time so we could really use and excuse to let lose and party with some girls" Theo told him.

"I don't know I don't fancy planning a ball right now"

"Bella can do it" Blaise told him "Right you would help our cause?"

Hermione was laughing at the bickering that was going on Draco didn't seem to keen on the idea but the other two boys looked so happy about having dates even though she didn't really understand what Blaise meant by 'a yes from Daphne' but they seemed so eager to have fun. "I'll love to help" Hermione's answer was greated by a "yes!" from Theo and a smile from Blaise.

"But!" Hermione spoke up, effectively silencing them, "Only if Draco is alright with it and, if you tell me what 'a yes from Daphne means'"

"Right, well Daph and I have been engaged since we left Hogwarts, and I have been trying to get her to agree for a spring wedding since, but she insisted on a long engagement and this morning after Draco told us we were allowed visitors, I had Daphne floo over and got her to say yes to the wedding." Theo told her his smile almost taking up his entire face.

"Oh congratulations!" Hermione told him as she realized that the other two must have known that he and Daphne were engaged, she had no idea what happened to many of the people that graduated with her class, she was so caught up in work and the twins that she didn't even keep up with any social groups other than her own.

"Draco we only need your approval now" Blaise reminded him of Bella's conditions for helping with the ball.

Draco looked at the happy face of Theodore Nott and then over to Hermione who was nodding her head at him. "Fine, I'll do it but only if Bella here organizes the whole thing I'll help but most of it is falling on your shoulders I don't want to bother with much of details of a ball" Draco told them speaking to Hermione directly when he told her that it was going to be her project.

"Awesome man" Theo told Draco as he clapped him on his back "Hey you can also use this as a way to invite ministry members and we can start clearing our names little by little"

"Yeah alright" was all Draco responded with as he closed the doors to the kitchen behind his friends.

Sitting back down on the stool next to Hermione he spoke, "You're going to have to look at various more family trees tonight and learn them by Halloween."

Hermione just laughed, and surprisingly finished her meal without the help of a fork.

So I know this took way longer than I expected but it was pretty long compared to my other chapters. Remember reviews will gain you a cupcake!