A/N: I apologise for the delay, but Christmas was great! And then I hit a bit of a block with this one. I knew what I wanted to happen, but I just couldn't get the words out. Might have something to do with the Harry Potter Marathon on TV this weekend! Anyway, so this chapter is a little shorter, but it starts to make things progress a little more. Hope you enjoy it :) Big thanks to all my lovely reviewers who keep telling me they're enjoying every bit of this. I have big things planned for this story so stick with it!
Disclaimer: Also, once again, I do not own anything by J.K Rowling.
Chapter Ten: Hope In The Air
Harry's POV
It was a rainy Friday afternoon when Harry finally trudged his way up the steps, his home revealing itself before him. As he opened the front door he dropped his pack to the floor and took off his boots. It had been a long week of Auror training deep in the woods. Harry had worked with several other senior staff to create many different scenarios that they would then have to work together in groups to solve or get out of. Harry even participated in many of them as well, and now, he was beat. His body was full of bruises and aches in places he had never ached before. Not even while hunting Horcruxes.
Harry winced as he shrugged off his soaking cloak and hung it by the door. Quickly he glanced at the clock that Molly had made for him, and saw that Ginny was still at practice. He figured she probably wouldn't be home for quite some time, so he lumbered up the stairs to go change. As he walked by each room however, he froze at Sirius' door and sighed. Harry turned and entered the room. He picked up the photo album he had flipped through several times before and stood against the wall. Slowly, Harry slid to the floor, his back leaning against the wall, and opened the book. The front page held pictures of four boys, each in their Hogwarts uniforms, and their red and gold ties loosely hung around their necks. Harry traced his finger across his father's smile, moving along to Remus' nervous smirk and then finally Sirius' lopsided grin. Long ago Harry had gone into a fit of rage and burnt every section of every picture that featured the treacherous Peter Pettigrew. He couldn't help but glare at the black spot that hung beside Sirius.
Harry angrily flipped through the pages, stopping at his favourite of them all. James was standing with his arm around Lily and staring at her in awe while she grinned and waved to the camera. Sirius was in the background making goofy faces behind them. He couldn't help but laugh, despite the tears that filled his eyes. This was Harry's favourite not just because of how happy everyone looked, but he could also see just how much his father loved his mother. He could tell, just from one picture, that his parents loved each other more than anything.
Harry closed the book and put his head back against the wall as he shut his eyes, trapping the tears in his eyelashes. Harry may not remember his parents, but he felt he knew them in every possible way, which only made his heart long for them even more. He knew he would never wish his life on anyone, and yet, his godson Teddy was forced into having his own parents taken away from him much too young as well. Harry knew that without a doubt he would try to be there for the young boy, but every day he grew, the more of a reminder he became of his parents' deaths. It reminded Harry of everyone that had given their life fighting with him. It reminded him of each and every face that would never be seen smiling at Christmas dinners again. He couldn't help but recall the image of Sirius' face at slipped away from him. He remembered reaching out for his hands, unable to grasp as he watched Sirius fade away beyond the veil. He turned and punched the wall behind him, unable to take the pain that began to fill his heart. Finally, after a long week, Harry hung his head into his lap and cried.
That was how Ginny had found him later that evening. Still against the wall, his head in his knees, and tears upon his face. "H-Harry?"
Harry slowly lifted his head to the sound of his wife's voice.
Ginny gasped at the sullen expression across her husband's face and dropped to her knees. She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her hands through his hair. "Oh Harry," she sniffed.
He wrapped his arms around Ginny and pulled her close to him. "I miss them so much," he whispered, his voice on the edge of breaking. He tucked his head into the crook of her neck and placed a small kiss.
"I know, I know Harry," Ginny sighed. She sat with him for a few more minutes before pulling away. She got to her feet and held onto his hands. He stood as she tugged on his hands and followed her to the edge of the bed where they sat. "Harry?" Ginny said as her eyes locked into his. "I have something to tell you."
Harry looked up to his wife nervously, unsure of what she could possibly say. "Is everything alright? Nobody's hurt are they?" he asked frantically.
Ginny shook her head and smiled nervously, unsure of where to start. "Harry, I-I'm pregnant."
Those three little words echoed in his mind. Images of everyone he had ever loved and lost flashed across his eyes until they settled on her. His heart started to beat faster as it finally sunk in. He was going to have a child, with Ginny. He was going to be a father. The way he looked at his wife just then reminded him of his favourite picture of his parents. He thought he had never known anyone who could love someone the way they loved each other. That was, until right then.
"Uh, Harry?" Ginny stammered, but before she could say anything else, Harry had pulled her to his lap and placed his lips ferociously on hers. She let out a small giggle as he smiled against her lips.
"I love you Ginny Potter," he grinned, placing a hand on her stomach. "And I love our child," he smiled, fresh tears in his eyes.
Ginny had her own tears that started to form as she kissed her husband on the cheek. "I love you too Harry Potter."
Ginny's laugh filled his ears as he scooped her in his arms and twirled her around the room. His heart felt as if it were going to burst. He gently placed her back to her feet and placed his hands in hers. Harry wrapped one arm around her waist, and held their other hands up, interlocking their fingers. He started to rock side to side and placed small kisses on her lips. Harry twirled Ginny in his arms and laughed with her as he dipped her low to the ground. He grinned as she attacked his lips when he pulled her back up, and returned her kiss intensely.
Harry picked her up and wrapped her legs around his torso. He carried her out of the room that once held so many sad memories and brought her to their room where they spend the remainder of the night entangled in each others arms. Harry couldn't think of any other time where he was happier than he was right then.
Draco's POV
The following Monday Draco found himself in a position that two weeks prior he never dreamt he would ever be in. Yet here he was, sitting in the library at the Ministry of Magic, waiting for Hermione Granger. He scowled as he realized she was either late or not coming at all. He had made a list of potential books they could look through and when he noticed she was running behind, he put it upon himself to find those books, even flipping through some of the pages. After another ten minutes of waiting, he figured she had probably decided not to show up. After all, he was probably the last person she would ever want to work with. He was about to put the books away and leave when suddenly she came bursting through the doors, hair more frazzled than usual, and a glare on her face that could petrify even a basilisk.
"You're late Granger," Draco tried to sound unamused, but he couldn't help but smirk at the appearance of the witch before him.
"Shove off Malfoy," she snapped as she took her seat across from him.
He shook his head and laughed. "What's got your knickers in a twist then?" he smirked.
Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and got to her feet. "Fine, do this without me," she growled, but before she could leave she felt a hand on her wrist. "Let go of me ferret," she warned.
But Draco shook his head and smiled at her politely. "I'm sorry Granger, please, just sit?"
He wondered briefly if she was about to storm away from him as he reluctantly released her hand, but was pleasantly relieved as she sat back down in her chair. He nodded in her direction only to laugh in his thoughts as she crossed her arms in a huff. They sat in silence for five minutes and Draco noticed Hermione seemed to fighting an inward battle with herself. It wasn't until she finally spoke did he know that she was trying to decide if she should apologize to him or not.
"I'm sorry for being late and for being rude," she sighed, her hands massaging her temples. "Work has been… frustrating," she explained.
Draco cocked his head to the side and smiled. "Well if you need someone to vent to, I'm all ears," he offered as he sat back in his chair and spread his arms open.
He sat amused as he watched her clearly battle with herself in her mind. As he waited for a response he couldn't help but slowly rake over the flustered girl before him. She still had the same horrendously bushy hair, and still wore rather dull robes, but he noticed that she seemed to fill them a little more than she used to. While she didn't wear much makeup, if any at all, he thought she rather suited the fresh face look, and briefly wondered when she had grown into her teeth. He was shaken from his thoughts as she finally spoke up and cleared her throat.
"If you must know," she started with a sigh, "certain members of the Ministry haven't exactly been cooperating with my current job, which is making it rather difficult to get any work done. Especially since I've been at it on my own." Hermione wasn't sure why she added that last part but folded her hands in front of her so as not to show her nerves.
Draco tilted his head and asked, "what is it you actually do Granger?"
"I work for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Currently I'm in talks with a committee for the health and welfare of House Elves, I-I'm supposed to be organizing a fundraiser in just a couple of weeks to help fund a sort of support house for elves that have been abused and abandoned, or seek help. But without the support of the committee, I just don't see how this will be possible," she explained.
Draco watched as Hermione's spirit seemed to crumble before him. It was strange to see the girl who had never backed down to his torments in school suddenly seem to be so fragile. He could see the dark circles around her eyes and wondered just how much sleep she was getting lately. "When is this fundraiser?" he asked curiously.
"Saturday, June Eighth, why?" she asked, her brow creasing.
Draco raised his eyebrows and couldn't help but smirk. "My birthday is June fifth," he answered with a shrug. "Sounds like you've got a lot of planning to do anyway, so let's just get this out of the way so you can go back to whatever it you need to do," he offered with a disinterested wave.
"Right," Hermione declared, sitting a little straighter in her seat. "Now, I see you've found some books that may help?"
Draco nodded and pulled one book to the centre of the table. "The rest of these are rubbish, but I found something interesting in this one about prophecies and what certain symbols may mean. Have you brought the diary?"
He watched as Hermione rummaged through a rather tiny beaded bag. He was about to ask what on earth she was hoping to find in that remarkably small bag when he watched as her entire arm disappeared inside it. "Undetectable extension charm? I'm impressed Granger," he proclaimed. He knew he was bordering on dangerous terms by freely giving compliments, and knew he needed to stop himself soon before she suddenly got in her mind he actually wanted to be… friendly. He felt a slight cringe at the word.
"Thanks," she huffed, removing her arm. "Sorry, but I don't believe I have it. I must've left it on my night table," she explained.
A scowl formed on his face as he crossed his arms. "And what did you think we'd possibly work on without it?"
"I forgot it, so what? I'll bring it next time Malfoy," she replied with an annoyed tone.
"That's not good enough, now you've gone and wasted my time," Draco snarled, unsure of where his foul mood had appeared from, but couldn't stop it.
Hermione crossed her arms and got to her feet. "Well I apologize but perhaps I have more important things to do during the day, see some people have jobs Malfoy, something I don't expect you to understand."
Draco got to his feet as well. "Watch it Granger, you're bordering dangerous territory," he sneered.
"Oh is that so? And what are you going to do about it? Get drunk off your arse again I suppose?" she retorted.
Draco let out a low growl, "I'd rather be a drunk than a prude."
Hermione snorted. "Is that really the best you've got?" she laughed. "You're incorrigible, spineless, and honestly, I could not care less if you disappeared off the face of the Earth," she said plainly.
"I hate you," he spat.
"Funny thing hate, I used to think I hated you because of how you treated us in school, but to be honest, that's all in the past. I'm not even sure I really hate you anymore. If anything, I pity you Malfoy. It must be hard to have no friends, no family. So if you'll excuse me I've got better things to do than to waste my time with a pathetic, revolting drunk," she said with a frown.
Draco's hands shook at his sides but all he could do was stand there and watch as Hermione turned and stomped right out of the library. He let out a disgruntled scream as he threw the books to the floor. He glared daggers at the librarian as the woman cleared her throat, disapproval written across her face. "I know, I'm leaving," he said as he grabbed his things and made for the door. He knew Granger had hit a nerve in him, but what really shocked him was that a part of him seemed to care about her opinion on him. With that thought in mind, he knew he was definitely in need of a hard drink.
There was a chill in the air as a hooded figure moved through the night, glancing over their shoulder every few seconds. She watched as the person pulled their hood tighter over their head and made their way through the trees. "No need to fear darling," she cooed. She cackled as the figure jumped at her voice, whipping around to face her with their wand pointed in her face.
Bellatrix laughed as she lowered the wand with her own hand. "Now, now deary, we wouldn't any accidents would we?" Bellatrix walked passed them indicating they were to follow. Slowly the two made their way through the trees until they came upon a cavern embedded within some rocks. She entered the cave, the other following right behind. She conjured some light and beckoned for the newcomer to come closer.
"Listen here, I need you to bring me something. Do what you need to get the job done, defy me and you will never see the likes of your family again, do you understand?" she commanded. When her guest nodded she smiled, her crooked teeth shining in the light. "Wonderful, now here's what I need you to do…"
