Disclaimer-I do not own, obviously.
Author's Notes- All right here is the next installment! Hopefully another chapter will be posted shortly and the story is wrapping up pretty soon here. Enjoy!
Chapter 11
MR. AND MRS. MALFOY-MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Upon arrival Hermione turned to find Draco standing next to her. He took a breath before turning to her and nodding. She smiled and they headed for the elevator. The elevator moved quickly to the Minister's office where they exited and knocked lightly on the door. With a quick word of approval they entered and shut the door.
Hermione was the first to turn to the Minister of Magic and he smiled at his long time friend. Standing, Neville walked to her and gave her a hug.
"Hermione, Malfoy? What are you doing back so soon? I thought your honeymoon would last at least a month." He asked, looking between them. Hermione smiled kindly.
"Slight emergency Neville, we have a bit of a dilemma involving time…" Neville's face became shocked.
"Really? Who? From where?" Neville asked quickly, backing towards his desk and gesturing the two to sit. Sitting down himself he began rummaging through his desk.
"Uh, us actually. Ron and Pansy Parkinson are also involved; we were the first to arrive though." Hermione explained. Neville nodded, still with his mouth agape and his arms elbow deep in a drawer.
"And how old did you say you were? Ah, here we go." Neville grinned as he pulled a dusty, worn book from the drawer. Hermione leaned her head over the desk to view the leather bound book more closely. Unable to make anything out clearly, she asked.
"Nineteen, why?" Neville looked up at them from the book, with a smile.
"Because this will tell us everything we need to know. This is a record of every time travel incident known to wizards. If it's in here, which I believe it is, then we will have all the information we need." Neville explained happily.
"Seriously? So, even though we don't remember anything about it, the ministry kept a log book?" Draco questioned. Neville shook his head.
"Well, that's the idea, I've never actually had to use it until now though." Neville turned back to the book and continued thumbing through it. "Yep, here it is." He commented excitedly. "Mr. Draco Malfoy, Miss Hermione Granger, Mr. Ronald Weasley, Miss Pansy Parkinson and…" Neville paused curiously.
"And?" Hermione asked confusedly. Neville looked to her dumbfounded as well.
"You never mentioned Harry was here, right?"
Hermione snatched the book from Neville's hand. Looking over the information she gasped. Draco glanced over her shoulder before turning to Neville.
"Well, I'll be damned."
MR. POTTER AND MISS GRANGER-HOGWARTS
Harry and Hermione had walked to the potions room and gathered up the supplies they would need for the memory potion. They prepared everything carefully, double checking all of the ingredients before beginning the actual potion. As they began Harry glanced at Hermione and they made eye contact.
"Reminds me of old times, when we used to make potions together." Harry smiled. Hermione nodded. Harry's smile didn't falter as Hermione turned back to the ingredients without a comment. "You're mad I didn't tell you about Draco, aren't you?" That caught her attention. Hermione pursed her lips at first but Harry's continued stare eventually wore her down.
"Yes, a little. I'm mad at everything though Harry, so don't take it personally." She explained frustrated. Harry laughed lightly and nodded.
"Understandable. I do want you to know that I wouldn't have kept it from you forever, Draco had asked me not to share and I didn't see the harm at the time, so I am sorry it hurt you." Harry apologized sincerely. Hermione nodded and sighed as if the pressure was lifted.
"It's not your fault Harry, I am the only one to blame for my fate…that, I am sure of." Harry furrowed his brow.
"Why are you blaming anyone at all?" Hermione looked as if a bad taste had just entered her mouth.
"Has more than ten years really been enough time for you; for anyone really, to forget all that he's done?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed in all seriousness. "Yes, I believe it has. We're not kids anymore Hermione, the war is over and the good guys won." Hermione didn't seem affected by his words so he turned to give her his full attention. Gently putting his hands on her shoulders he turned her to face him completely. "Someday you won't have to fight anymore Hermione, all your dreams will have come true, everything you worked for will happen. I know you're looking forward to wiping your memories clean of this place but maybe before you do, you could take a good look at what this world is exactly."
Without another word between them, they continued the potion and Hermione was left to her thoughts.
MR. WEASLEY AND MISS PARKINSON-GREAT HALL
Ron and Pansy were locked in one another's embrace. He ran a hand through her hair, pulling her closer, kissing her intensely. Pansy wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders relishing the moment. She couldn't believe she actually kissed him and now, with his hands running through her hair and pulling her closer, he was kissing her back. She never expected such a reaction from a man clearly devoted to another woman. Deciding to break the fantasy, Pansy finally separated her lips from his.
Ron's lips were parted slightly. His eyes snapped open the minute her lips were no longer hooked to his. He stared at Pansy with a shocked expression, not letting go of her hair. "Wow…" He breathed, unable to find any other words. Pansy shook her head slowly to clear her thoughts and shake Ron free. Wow was right, and she wanted to kiss him again but she wasn't even really sure where the first kiss had come from, let alone trying to explain a second…
"You are a great guy…" Pansy separated herself further by looking away from him as she spoke.
"Why did you kiss me?" Ron asked suddenly, trying to catch her eye.
"You will find your wife, Weasley. I guarantee it…"
"Pansy, why did you kiss me?" Pansy ignored his question once more and continued.
"Just remember you have a choice, there are always choices and you have to…" Ron grabbed her shoulders lightly and forced her to look at him. Pansy's shoulders dropped slightly as she looked into Ron's eyes. "Because…" She didn't know what else to say.
"Because why?" He practically begged her to answer him.
"Because you're my friend and…and I care what happens to you." She explained confidently. Ron smiled.
"What happens?" he began, taking her hand. "Pansy, I don't even care anymore." Pansy nodded, placing her other hand lightly on top of his.
"Please, just listen to me." Ron nodded, realizing how serious she had become. "Do you trust me?" Ron was perplexed.
"Pansy…" He began but she shook her head and interrupted him.
"Ron, please, do you trust me, as your friend, that I would never do anything to hurt you?" Ron slowly nodded.
"Yes, what's this about?"
"If I asked you to drink this, no questions asked, would you?" She pulled out the vial and held it up in front of him calmly. Ron examined it in her grasp before looking into her eyes again.
"No questions? I can't know what it is? Are you taking it too?" He asked suddenly. Pansy's shoulders sank.
"There's only enough for one person and…and I chose you, okay? You deserve it." She explained with a wave of indifference. Ron examined her closely before nodding slowly.
"Okay, I trust you." Pansy smiled softly.
"Thank you." She said genuinely as she uncorked the vial and handed it to Ron. Taking another look at Pansy he tilted the tube back and the cool liquid traveled down his throat. Coughing, Ron made a disgusted face as the liquid went down.
"Ugh, oh wow, that's terrible. Yuck." He spluttered. Pansy didn't care as she jumped into his arms and hugged him, kissing his cheek briefly.
"You, you take care of yourself, okay?" She radiated relief and sincerity as she walked towards the oak doors to leave the Great Hall. The bad taste seemed to have subsided slightly because Ron turned to her curiously.
"Wait, can you tell me what that is now?"
"It's a gift Ron." She smiled as she closed the doors behind her.
MISS GRANGER AND MR. POTTER-HOGWARTS
Harry respected Hermione's wishes to work in silence. They didn't speak a word but surprisingly it wasn't needed for the potion's sake. They finished shortly after lunch and Harry turned to her.
"Time to test it then. I'll bring it to the Ministry but I'm pretty certain this is it. Did you want to come?" Harry asked.
"No, I think I'll just stay here, maybe go to the library." Harry nodded, suddenly wrapping Hermione in a hug.
"Thanks for your help Hermione." She nodded, hugging him back, thankful for the arms of her best friend. Letting her go, he headed for the door.
"Harry?" She stopped him and he turned to her. "I love you, and I'm sorry…" She didn't know what else to say. Harry walked back to her and embraced her in another hug.
"I love you too Hermione." Taking her chin he kissed her forehead in an affectionate way before heading back to the door.
MISS PARKINSON-OUTSIDE THE GREAT HALL
Pansy closed the doors behind her and leaned against the Great Hall. A frown took over her face as she looked towards the ceiling, lost in thought.
"Why would you do that?" A voice startled her as she jumped from the door and looked around cautiously.
"Who's there?" She asked confidently, standing up straighter.
"Relax, it's just me." A few feet in front of Pansy, Potter appeared out of thin air. Without a second thought Pansy grabbed Harry by the arm and dragged him away from the Great Hall. They rounded a few corners before reaching a deserted classroom.
"Potter? Well you pick a fine time to come rescue us, we're leaving tomorrow." Pansy crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the boy who lived.
"I know, I've been here the whole time, I followed you and Ron…" Pansy looked outraged.
"You've been here the whole…doing what? Spying on everyone?" Harry wiped off his glasses on his shirt and nodded.
As he put his glasses back on he spoke. "Why wouldn't you use the potion on yourself?" Harry asked bluntly.
"Why do you care?" She asked, glaring at him. Harry sighed.
"Well, thank you, he may not know what you did for him, but I do." Pansy's expression softened. Harry headed for the door.
"Potter?" Harry nodded, turning back towards her. "You know who his wife is, don't you?" She asked carefully. Harry turned to her fully. After a moment he nodded. Pansy mimicked his nod. "Just curious."
"I know." With one last nod, he covered himself in the cloak and left the room. Just before the door shut, Pansy shouted after him.
"You're lucky I'm going to forget about that invisibility cloak tomorrow!" Harry smiled.
MR. MALFOY-HOGWARTS
Draco was falling. He fell into the same dark pit that brought him to this strange world. On his way down he didn't bother to yell. Instead he took the time to look himself over. He wore a tuxedo and a top hat with a cane…he'd always wanted a cane. Admiring the blunt object he finally set it aside. It hovered next to him as he fell but he continued to ignore his surroundings and began digging through his pockets. In one of his back pockets he found the newspaper article of wedding announcements. Opening the paper further he realized the picture had changed from he, and Granger showing off her ring, to Weasley and Granger kissing passionately across the front page. Confusedly, Draco glared at the headline "Malfoy Dead, Granger Inherits Millions!"
Draco quickly searched his other pockets to find Hermione's wedding ring. He looked it over carefully and found an engraving on the inner side of the band. "In This Together."
"No, she's not in this at all…" Draco began to yell angrily. "What's happening to me?" He shouted outraged.
"Aww, what's the matter Draco? Pick the wrong girl?" Pansy's voice filled his ears as he searched frantically for her. As he fell a small light finally came into view, and as he fell towards it, he found Pansy in a beautiful wedding gown, grinning up at him. "Huh Draco? Marry the wrong one? Wish you could take it back…?" Draco shook his head as he began to slow in his decent.
As he touched down lightly Pansy grabbed him by the throat. Her makeup was running and she suddenly began sobbing.
"No, what the…" He tried to grab her hands to free himself as she continued to cry. Her nails were digging into his neck when suddenly he was wrenched free. Draco turned around to run, only to find himself facing a sea of brides all screaming his name in agony.
"Draco…"
"I'm right here…"
"I'll be your bride…"
"Marry me, Draco…"
"Over here Draco!" They yelled over and over. Draco couldn't seem to catch his breath as he was swarmed by beautiful girls, all crying and scratching to be near him. He swirled around their embrace, being handed off one by one until he was face to face with Granger. Her smirk turned into a malice grin as she grabbed his crotch unceremoniously.
"Sorry girls, these babies belong to the mudblood." Laughing maniacally she let Draco go and pushed him back against the ground into another hole. As Draco touched the hard earth he awoke with a start.
Sweat poured off his brow and down the back of his neck. He was panting and searching frantically around the bedroom for any sign of normalcy. Draco was thrown out of his thoughts when a soft knock was heard on his door. With a straggled cry he slipped out of bed and swung open the door, quite deranged.
Hermione took a startled step backwards when Draco opened the door. He was sweating and shaking as if he'd had the chills. His eyes were round as saucers and only got worse when he saw her. Backing into the room he began to yell.
"What the hell do you want? My millions! My balls! Well Granger, you can't have them!" Hermione's shoulders sunk and she rolled her eyes.
"Ah, taking a little nap there, Malfoy? Guess I should have warned you of the side effects from the hangover 'cure' you asked for this morning." She smiled harmlessly. Draco thought a moment before his face twisted into outrage.
"You did this to me?" He asked angrily. Hermione nodded carelessly as she shut the door behind her. "Well, what do you want then?" Draco asked, removing his shirt and walking to his sink to get a washcloth. Wetting the fabric he dabbed at his neck and chest allowing the chill to help him breathe more easily.
"Harry and I finished the potion." Draco turned to find her standing by the end of the bed, absently twirling a strand of hair.
"Let me guess, you want me to be the first to try it?" Draco glared at her, tossing his shirt and washcloth onto a pile of clothes.
"No need actually, we're all taking it tomorrow before we leave. Harry thought it might be a good idea if we…well, if I gave you a chance before that happens." Draco thought for a moment.
"And you agreed with him?" He asked, letting his guard down slightly. Hermione let go of her hair and looked to Draco. She nodded slowly. Draco's eyes perked with interest. "You're only here because you know you're going to forget everything tomorrow, am I right?" Draco questioned apprehensively.
"What difference does it make?" Hermione asked heatedly, crossing her arms defiantly. Draco frowned.
"Well it doesn't matter anyway, I'm not putting in some wasted effort just so it can go in one ear and out the other, like everything else I say." Draco said pointedly.
"Typical, but I thought for sure you'd want to hear yourself drone on…"
"Why do you care so much all of a sudden? It's over isn't it?" Draco blurted out angrily. "Am I just your amusement now, to pass the last few hours before your precious reality is right again?"
Hermione pursed her lips as she thought of something to say. "I don't understand you. You kissed me, you told me I didn't understand, now you don't want to talk? I am right in front of you trying to find out what I could possibly see in you, so explain it!" Hermione countered just as fiercely.
"You think I know? Granger, you're in love with Weasley! He is by definition the polar opposite of a Malfoy! You think anyone could convince you that I am the better choice?" Draco shook his head as he began to walk past her for the door. Hermione stepped in front of him defiantly before he could get by.
"I think you can shed some light on falling for your polar opposite, yes." Hermione stood firmly as his shoulders hunched and he shifted his weight to one foot and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Says the girl who doesn't believe I'm in love with her." Draco pointed out snidely. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him slightly.
"Oh, so you're in love with me then? The idea of being hitched to my wagon for the rest of your life suits you, is that the story you're going with?" She asked defiantly, taking a step towards him.
"Yes, for all intensive purposes." Draco took a step back and Hermione groaned, rolling her eyes once again, she sat on the foot of the bed. "Listen," Draco knelt down in front of her and reached for her hands but stopped himself. "I realized some things while I was intoxicated…"
"Oh this should be a lesson well learned." Hermione nodded sarcastically.
"I realized that the idea of marrying you doesn't repulse me. You are very intelligent and you've got amazing legs, so all in all, yea, I'm in love with you."
"Do you honestly believe that was charming? Really?" Hermione immediately began counting off the points he made on her fingers. "I don't repulse you, I have nice legs, and I'm smart. You realize all those qualities are skin deep, correct? You know nothing about me! You don't love me and you are just looking for nice traits to continue your stupid, overbearing, ridiculous, Malfoy family line!"
Draco sighed. "Fine, I was jealous of Weasley." Draco grumbled still kneeling in front of her.
"Great! Add that to your list Malfoy, I'm now a jab you can throw at Ron, 'hey sorry you didn't get the bookworm!' You two are idiots!" She tried to stand but Draco stopped her by placing his hands on her legs, holding her still.
"It's not a jab, Granger. I am honestly jealous that you want to marry him." Draco confessed. "I realized that you will never love me as much as Weasley and yea, it's a pride thing. I can't understand what he's got that…that a Malfoy can't provide." With his last thought he slowly removed his hands from her lap.
"It's not about who I would choose…"
"Yes it is. You came here wanting a scientific explanation for love, why doesn't Weasley want you, and what would possess me to change my mind so drastically? You didn't come here to give me a chance, you're bitter and no matter what I say, your mind has already been made up." With that Draco stood up and looked down at her. Hermione looked up at him slowly.
"Ron doesn't want me because of you." She whispered. She wasn't upset, or angry, just quiet and intense. Draco shook his head.
"I'm not saying this to hurt you, but if that were true, he'd still be here fighting for you…" Hermione nodded slowly in realization, as silent tears traveled down her soft cheeks. "…like I am."
MR. POTTER-MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Harry arrived at Neville's door and knocked lightly. Upon entering Neville grinned, taking the hand of his friend.
"Harry, thank goodness you've arrived, we have some pretty interesting information." Harry was perplexed but sat down in the seat across from the minister's desk.
"I take it Draco and Hermione arrived here alright then?" Harry asked, setting down the case of potion he and Hermione made. Neville nodded.
"Yes, we're all up to speed, but we discovered something very…interesting." Neville spoke mysteriously as he pulled out a leather-bound book and opened it to show Harry the crinkled, yellowing page. Harry took the book to examine the page.
'…Mr. Draco Malfoy, Miss Hermione Granger, Mr. Ronald Weasley, Miss Pansy Parkinson and Mr. Harry Potter…'
Harry looked up from the page quickly. "Neville, am I here?" Neville nodded, leaning closer to Harry.
"I'm not sure how we could have missed it Harry, but perhaps your invisibility cloak is at work?" Harry nodded then shook his head disbelieving, with a grin.
"So where have Draco and Hermione gone? In search of the invisible boy?" Harry laughed outright at his younger self. Neville shook his head.
"Draco felt it necessary to find a way back for the teens and find you later. Hermione didn't quite agree but I think as long as they are all gone tomorrow, which by the looks they will be, then it is what it is." Harry nodded.
"Well, I have the memory potion here and I've just got to get it checked out. Hermione helped me with it so I'm sure it's perfect but we might as well check." Neville nodded, taking his wand and calling for assistance. Harry bid his friend well and left, informing him he would keep him posted on the matter.
As soon as Harry left the room Neville grabbed the book and flipped back to the current page. He smiled and shook his head. What will we ever do with those three?
MR. MALFOY AND MISS GRANGER-MALFOY'S ROOM HOGWARTS
Hermione had finally stopped crying so Draco slowly walked to the bath and grabbed a box of tissues. Handing them to her, she looked up at him in thanks. They were lost in one another's eyes for a moment until Draco finally cleared his throat lightly. "Well…" He didn't know what to say. Hermione absently twirled a strand of her own hair again.
"Malfoy?" She asked quietly. He nodded as he waited for her to continue. "I…" She couldn't seem to continue as he sat down next to her on the bed.
"Yea, Granger?" He pushed lightly.
"Can I stay here tonight?" She never looked away from his eyes. His expression was of the utmost surprise but his tone never faltered.
"You want to? Why?" He asked apprehensively.
"Because I'm going to forget all of this tomorrow, and I want to give you a shot." Draco was still unsure. "Listen, I'm keeping an open mind, and you've been really sweet to me, don't go and ruin it by being yourself…" She teased with a wink. Draco nodded with a small smile.
"Alright Granger, you can stay." He stood up from the bed suddenly.
He went to the cupboard where he found the washcloth earlier, and grabbed another pillow. He realized as he rummaged through the towels looking for a pillow case, that he was nervous. Taking a couple deep breaths he finally found what he was looking for and turned to find Granger had crawled into the bed and was waiting for him. He thought she seemed nervous as well and possibly regretting her decision but before he could further delve in her unknown thoughts, she turned to him and spoke.
"Just getting it warm for you, I know how much you like that." She teased. Draco chuckled lightly at her joke. She was referring to his drunken nature the previous night where he had crawled into her bed and raved about the warm blankets.
"Thanks for that." He said back as he walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed. He handed her the pillow and she thanked him. Snuggling down into the covers she pulled her hair to one side and turned to him.
She smiled nervously, feeling foolish for the entire event. Draco slowly pulled back the covers on his side and climbed into bed as well. They each lay facing the ceiling, unmoving. Draco reached up for the light switch after glancing at her quickly, which did not go unnoticed by Hermione. They both settled in quickly after the light was gone.
"G'night Granger…" Draco was interrupted by soft lips on his own. Feeling the curls of Hermione's hair around his face he pulled her in closer with a hand to her cheek. Slowly she separated her lips from his, keeping her upper body on his chest. "What was that for?" He whispered with a smile she couldn't see.
"You really think I have nice legs?" Draco snorted lightly, surprised. He nodded even though their eyes were still adjusting to the lack of light in the room.
"Yea, Granger, you have amazing legs." Hermione nodded contently before rolling over and lying next to him.
"Malfoy, you know I won't have sex before marriage, right?" Hermione asked suddenly. Draco raised an eyebrow curiously, thinking back to the discussion he had with himself regarding their future sex life.
"Are you sure?" Hermione was red in the face as she swatted at him playfully.
"Of course I am!" She cried outraged. After Draco's chuckles subsided, silence fell over the room. "Did I say otherwise?" Hermione finally questioned, letting her curiosity get the better of her. Draco laughed lightly once more.
"Yes, but if it makes you feel better, I was also told I'm worth it." He grinned as Hermione nudged him with her shoulder and hip.
"Malfoy!" Hermione was thankful he couldn't see her blush as she considered this new information. "You better be." She whispered in his ear before rolling over and facing away from him. Draco raised an eyebrow at her comment as he felt her turn over. What a tease.
"Well played Granger, well played."
Author's Notes-R&R! I really hope you guys liked this chapter. It took me a little while to sort everything out but I'm pretty pleased with the romance that's blooming. Ah, springtime, gotta love it. Thanks to all reviews! You guys are the best! Next chapter up soon!
