Chapter 12
Having lost her hospital sanctuary following Draco's near miraculous recovery, Hermione had suddenly found herself with very limited choice of living arrangements.
"I love you, Blaise, but your one bedroom flat is not big enough for four people!" She protested on a Saturday about a week later while packing her things.
"She does have a point." Ginny tried to reason.
"And where are you going to go?" The wizard seemed lost to any points. "Cut all lands under your family name. Exclude anything too close to the wizarding society. Take away places far from us."
"I can't stay in hiding because an old school friend is suffering from PTSD and delusions! Neither will I do so because a pompous German princess decided to make my private life public. I'll sort myself out. But if I wake up one more morning to giggles and purrs coming from that room over there," Hermione pointed to the bedroom "I will lose my mind!"
Her cousin and friends had the courtesy to don at least slightly ashamed expressions. But only Daphne was actually blushing.
"Let's say I see your side. For the sake of the argument. Just tell me where are you going, Mia?"
"I… don't know exactly." Blaise threw the witch a scowl "But, I have it kind of figured out."
"Fine then, But I'm coming with you."
"No need." Hermione dismissed him absentmindedly, checking if she's gotten all her books.
"You are not leaving this apartment to go Merlin-knows-where on your own, Mia!"
"And you are not telling me what to do!" Hermione's eyes flashed and Ginny placed a hand on the man's arm. "I know you are worried about me, and I appreciate it" The Marquise said with a sigh "But you have to trust that I know what I'm doing."
"Well, if you would tell us what you were doing it would be easier to trust." Blaise grumbled slightly, resigning to the fact that Hermione was too stubborn for her own good.
"A friend's just gotten a flat in muggle London, near St. Mungo's and said I could stay over until things on my end settle. There is enough room for me, the place's got a permit for solid wards and I won't be completely on my own. We'll even get it connected to the floo within a week." The witch explained, although her cousin didn't seem convinced
"And who's that friend? Because this is the first…" Two pops of apparition interrupted him as Harry and Draco entered the room.
"You coming from the ministry?" Ginny asked.
"Aye" Harry nodded moving to give Hermione a hug.
"What's going on…" The witch protested "You have bad news?"
"There's been a sighting." Draco who had sprawled himself sideways on an armchair said.
Slight panic in the room rose.
"No one was injured…" Harry continued "But half of George's shop burnt down." A gasp from the witches and Blaise "There was also this." Hermione was given a note written in a familiar to her messy handwriting.
"This is for choosing him over me." It read on one side "You're mine" on the other.
"That's it!" Blaise threw his hands in the air. "You're not going anywhere! Not until that raving lunatic is apprehended! You can't be on your own."
"You're being unreasonable. And I told you won't be on my own."
"Harry back me up here!" The dark-skinned wizard protested.
"Sorry, mate, but I think her plan's pretty solid. And as much as I worry, she did fare it well through a war. "
"That is not an excuse… wait.. you knew!?"
"Yeah, of course. And, ugh, and I'm sorry, Mione, but I thought you'd lost your mind."
"No offence taken" The witch shrugged.
"All offence taken" Draco called.
"You stay out of it unless you're going to help me kill that prat, whoever they be." Blaise shushed his friend "I just found you, Mia, I am not letting you out of my sight!"
"You can't keep using this! You've known me for years. And 'finding' me was over a year ago!"
"And I can't stay out of it, or let you kill the prat" Draco piped again. "Cause if I kill me who's going to take care of her?" He pointed to Hermione.
Daphne and Ginny let out small gasps and shared looks as it dawned on them, as Harry and Draco smirked, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
Blaise wasn't getting it.
"I bought a new flat. Right across work. You know, to be sustainable if I do lose my inheritance." Blaise was still lost "And I sort of invited your cousin there to live with me for a bit."
"But why?" Zabini had shaken his head confused.
"Hey!" Hermione protested.
"No offence, but you've been only awake for like a week," Blaise pointed accusingly at Draco, "and before that accident I couldn't even really get you," he moved his finger at his cousin. "to be in the same room with him for more than five minutes. And don't let me draw on school years!" He threw glares at both.
"She's a good roommate." Draco said nonchalantly. "Already done that for over a month when I was in the hospital."
"You were asleep!"
"But I heard everything. And I will pretty much use the flat only between shifts at the hospital, so I will technically be asleep again. Not to mention I've a lot of ground to make up for."
"And we do work surprisingly well together." Hermione added. "I love you all, but none of you have picked an advanced spellbook beyond the school curriculum. I need someone to bounce off ideas from."
"And you know, had we stayed in school, we'd both been heads. That's practically two bedrooms and a living room to share."
Blaise's eyes were wide and still confused. He stumbled back and Daphne helped him sit down.
"I think it's a good idea" she said smiling back at the group.
"Weird, but, whatever." Ginny grinned as well.
Blaise was just shaking his head.
"You alright there?" Hermione asked with small concern.
"I… I just… I didn't think..." Blaise rubbed his forehead. "I'd lost hope that you two would name your first born after me." He managed with a dramatic sigh. And reveled in all the glares all eyes shot him. "Whatever, kids, go have fun."
Harry, Ginny and Daphne burst out laughing, whereas Draco seemed a bit lost, but Hermione sent a stinging hex at her cousin
"Yeah I saw that coming… Worth it though." he winked at Ginny.
"You're more than welcome to save me from them now." Hermione turned to Draco.
"Anytime." he grinned jumping to his feet.
"Malfoy." Harry called.
"Address as soon as the floo is connected." the blonde wizard nodded "Ladies. Blaise." he said with a smirk, before allowing his hand to be taken by Hermione so he would side- along the two of them away.
…
The two landed in a small alleyway somewhere is London.
"I already have the apparition ward up so we have to do it the muggle way." Draco said pulling out a set of keys. "How are your tracking skills?"
Hermione took the three keys on a small silver keyring. They looked rather inconspicuous. She tried to track them with several spells, but they just all just bounced off. Then she looked around to maybe find a door that suits any of them.
"I give up." She said after some minutes had passed without any result.
"Oh, now, it this the Gryffindor spirit?" Draco teased. "But I'm glad. I tried extra hard to make them useless to anyone who needed to find the place. This way." he turned to the door on his right.
It was very muggle, Hermione noted in her mind. They walked inside and the witch's thoughts kept trailing. It was a relatively new building. Maybe ten or so years. The hallway looked clean but distinctly empty. There was a lift, nothing special, and Draco pressed the top button. There were three doors on the floor.
"The one in the middle" He said.
"And the other?"
"Both empty, muggle owners, out for lease. This is us." They'd reached the door and the wizard opened it to a small entryway.
"Kitchen and living room are here, there is a small balcony; and then the bedroom and second bedroom slash study, both with their own bathrooms, but connected by another balcony."
"I have to say this is not what I expected, Malfoy." Hermione teased taking in the apartment. It was light, and clean, and simple, but homely. A muggle flat, through and through, unless you looked carefully.
"I surprised myself as well." Draco grinned "But as I told Blaise, I really wanted something sustainable. I sold some 'gifts' from my father and bought it in my name. So even if the Malfoy fortune is taken from me, I can live a calm comfortable life on my healer salary here. Speaking of, my shift starts in five so I will let you get settled." He squeezed her arm lightly before going back out the corridor. "And Hermione, you're in charge of your own dinner."
"I think I might manage" She rolled her eyes with a smile as she watched the man rustle through the coat hangers looking for his junior healer badge. "Hey, I was wondering if…"
"I already spoke to Una about bringing Nox later with your books, and Lux should be sleeping on Tenebris' perch."
"You really have thought of everything haven't you. It's actually rather sweet."
"I told you, I owe you one. And besides, I had a month to listen to you fuss over how the furball was doing." He teased and that earned him another eye roll "See you in 12 to 18 hours." he called dashing through the door and towards the lift.
"And try not to kill anyone!" Hermione called after him "Or die.." she mumbled closing the door behind her.
It really was a nice apartment, she thought wandering around. More than perfect for a young adult. Looking over at the living room balcony she saw Draco run through the street and into the building across.
"Wait…" She looked around and recognized where in London they were exactly. A brief panic crossed over her at being this exposed, but then she saw the flicker of a concealment charm and several wards. She was peaking over from the 6th floor like a little feline observing the world below. A world which had no idea she was even there, and therefore, she felt safe. Even if she was, indeed, right next to St. Mungo's in its fashion of the biggest wizarding hospital in Europe.
There was some anticipation in Hermione's chest when she finally went in and stared unpacking. Her bedroom-to-be really looked more like a study, but in her books, Hermione certainly counted that as a plus. The bed wasn't that big and the wardrobe would hardly fit much, were it not for extension charms, but two of the walls were lined in bookshelves and there was a desk with an expandable top. So not much more to ask for, really.
Once that she had put away her things, and Una had brought more wand-work books and a very pleased Nox, Hermione decided she should definitely give the place another look.
She didn't know how long she would have to stay here, but even if Ron got apprehended the following day, it would be at least a good month or so until social circles calmed down. And even if the French Minister and Kingsley both insisted that they could provide protection for her, being followed by aurors 24/7 was not the witch's idea of a good life. So as much as she didn't like it, laying low until the fuss over her identity settled, was the best idea.
If the Marquise was glad about anything, however, it had to be the deal her and Draco had struck several days prior when they'd met for that catch up.
They had sat down for lunch in the conveniently empty Zabini flat, and had chatted for longer than anyone could have possibly imagined.
Draco had, of course, apologized first, profusely, for being a git; then for forgetting the White Yule; and for getting himself betroth to that harpy…
".. Although now I feel pity for her." He had said on the topic of Catherine… "In pureblood society, marrying your daughter off to the Rosier family is a sincere kind of cruel punishment. All of their brides fall mysteriously ill, or rather get disposed of, if they don't carry a male heir within a year; and then another one within every two years. Mother has told me that their parents used to threaten her and her sisters with arranged marriages to the Rosier if they even thought about misbehaving; especially after aunt Andy ran off with Ted."
"That sounds horrible." Hermione had exclaimed. "I hate the witch, but I wouldn't wish anyone a death eater family. She would have probably been better off disinherited or something… Speaking of pureblood families and their barbaric rules." She changed the subject. "What are you going to do about your inheritance?"
The wizard had shrugged.
"Spend it before it gets taken away? I don't know." He'd dropped his shoulders. "I don't imagine myself lucky enough to find the love of my life… within 3 months. And her to be at least half-blood. Miracles like this don't just happen."
"What would happen if you don't?" The witch had asked, concerned at the look of defeat that had settled over the young man sitting across her.
"Well, obviously I'll lose money, land and all. But the Malfoy family name would disappear. Like, I will have to change my last name, to Spungen or something. No, wait! I remember! Tt was Spinks."
"Don't tell me there is a clause even for that?" The witch had been shocked as he had just nodded.
"If I could just take my mother's name that would be alright but unfortunately there is such a clause for 'familial traitors'." He sighed. "So, miracle, arranged marriage, or Draco Spinks are my only choices."
Hermione kept quiet for a moment and seemed thoughtful.
"Really? Not even a smile? Draco SPINKS!" The wizard grumbled and that shook the witch out of her thoughts
"Hahaha, yeah, that's something." She gave a genuine laugh. "I was just comprising a list in my mind. Eligible witches."
Shock flashed over the wizard's face.
"Why?"
"The wizarding world is not ready to lose its last Malfoy, I told you."
"That doesn't count. You spoke to a dying man, Hermione. I haven't allowed my mother to play matchmaker with me, what makes you think I will let you?" He said a stone cold expression on his face.
"I saved your life." The witch said, glint in her eyes, as his determination faltered. "Twice." She knew she'd won so she looked away and dug into her plate. "I will not let you waste said saved life as a Mr. Spinks. And I will not 'play matchmaker'. I'm thinking of far more scientific methods."
"Like what?" Draco's curiosity at the witch had picked up.
"Do you remember my family's soul searching spell I mentioned a while back?"
"Vaguely? Is that even a thing?"
"It is tied to our blood, so, no… But there are similar casts. I'll get the list of 'eligible maidens' down. And then we will work on compatibility from the top down."
The wizard eyed her, wondering how had she not been a Slytherin, or at least a Ravenclaw.
"What's in it for you?"
"You promised to save me from Blaise."
"He's not that bad."
"He's in love. And as much as I love him, Gin and Daphne… Sweet Circe, I cannot stand the sexual tensions when they are around! I mean, I thought hormones had to settle in after a year or so, but no…"
"Well you do make for a pretty nice roommate, and I was going to be looking for a place of my own anyway… Of course..." He smirked.
"Do not even dare think about adding up benefits to that sentence. I will gladly put you back in that hospital bed until I am free myself."
"Ah, only kisses and cuddles then."
"Malfoy!"
"Alright, alright. I'll pick you up on Saturday, say sometime after noon, if you can survive by then."
"And I will comprise the list and compatibility tracking by the following Monday. That sound like a plan?"
"You have yourself a deal, Granger" She rolled her eyes, "Now can we change the topic? I was amazed to hear that you'd gotten an apprenticeship with Ollivander! You've always been impressive, but that's a rather an unheard of achievement…"
Their conversation had went on from there. They had had over a year to make up for, since they'd last really spoke, and Hermione was surprised to note how easily they had fallen back into that afterwar pace of healing.
Now, back in the little flat across St. Mungo's, the witch wondered how much more she was going to learn about the Malfoy heir. How well would they actually fit with living in close quarters. In truth, she'd lived with so many 'roommates' throughout the years, that living alone, was by now, rather unusual. She certainly didn't mind the company. And even if living with Draco wouldn't be like living with Harry, Blaise or Charlie, it would still certainly beat Lavender's morning routine and Ron's snoring.
At that her thought's trailed to her old school mate and one time friend. Where was he? She did worry, against everything she knew of the man, there was still hope in her heart that all he did came from a place of care; that he was perhaps lost, scared and confused… And then came a flash of the note left after burning his brothers' shop. And then the ward full of healers and casualties from when he'd escaped. And then cottage La Rouge at that housewarming-esque dinner. And that hope was fleeting.
Hermione sat down behind the desk and wrote several owls. To George, because she couldn't not pay for the damage; and to Victor, and Charlie, because if the note was any indication, and she worried that the aurors would not have picked up on that, the wizards needed to be given a head's up to be a tad more alert. Then Hermione worked a bit more on that list of witches. She had added and scratched so many names in that week, checking back and forth with Draco, that she was beginning to worry his taste was narrowing them too closely.
Surprisingly, he had not noted any physical preferences aside from "Not Pansy and prettier than Goyle." With a shrug at that.
He did want a smart witch.
"Has to be top ten of her year. And maybe not a Hufflepuff. If I'm going to spend my old days with the witch I would like her wit sharp."
He wanted someone who wasn't a distant relative.
"If she's a tenth cousin, thrice removed, I may consider it; but here's the list of families I would like excluded for inbreeding purposes." He'd said handing Hermione the piece of parchment which was too long for it to be fair.
"And I have no interest in a child bride. No one still in school. No one who had to be evacuated during the final battle." That had crossed a couple more names. "And too much older than me would just be embarrassing. I mean if she was a witch back when I was a prat… that's not cool."
"You're being childish with this one, Draco!"
"Exactly! What's an older witch going to do with me?" Hermione resigned and scratched off a few more names.
"No muggleborns?" She'd asked and Draco had given a sigh.
"You know what? Let my ancestors burn. We can adopt if her core is too unstable. Or we'll have the kids perform acts of heroism from the crib. Anything to stop you from scratching off names!"
With a small smile Hermione added some names.
"Foreign?" Draco had shuddered.
"Please don't. I've had enough of the European Union."
"There were some nice French witches…"
"Not unless you're offering yourself." He smirked and the witch rolled her eyes.
"In your dreams." She walked off with her list.
"..if I'm lucky.." He'd mumbled after her.
She'd seen the wizard practically every day since he'd woken up, and Hermione had to admit that there was a certain way in which he was looking at her. His eyes always got big and their silver bright. He wasn't saying anything about it. He wasn't doing anything about it. And the witch would be damned before she brought it up (that was their friends' job and they'd been relentless).
"No way I'm acknowledging it!" Hermione told Nox that first Saturday evening. "You're the only boy in my life" she fussed over the kneazle. "Should we get to bed?"
Nox let an upset meow.
"Okay, okay, dinner and then bed." The witch's stomach complained as well with a small gurgle.
"Yes, alright, dinner for both of us."
…
Hermione hadn't slept well. Not a good start, she supposed, but new beds generally made her uneasy.
It was 5:07 and she was sleepily stirring honey into a cup of tea when the front door opened and a tired looking Draco stumbled in.
"That's 15 hours then?" She said and he jumped back with a small yelp.
"You scared me, Granger." The witch rolled her eyes and laughed.
"At least I know why you weren't a Gryffindor." She waved him another cup of tea. "And it is Marquise, if you insist."
"You don't have a choice. I could marry you and you'd still be Granger." He waved it off, eyes drooping with exhaustion, and taking the cup he stalked towards the bedroom ignoring the witch's wide eyes.
"Go go back to bed, Granger. Healer's orders." He called before shutting his door.
As if she was going to sleep! Giving a huff Hermione settled onto the couch with a book, and despite her outraged determination, the warm tea quieted her into sound dreams.
…
Their days started and rolled.
One after the other.
Quiet and peaceful.
Of course, he was practically living in the hospital, and she hardly ever came out of a book, but the few interactions they did share were on the whole, pleasant and friendly.
Matchmaking wasn't going too well, but it was going. Hermione now had a list of seven potential witches and three parchments with compatibility tests. Muggle and Wizarding.
"You know if wand making doesn't work out for you… " Draco had commented over his piece of toast when they had sat to review the list one morning.
"Shut up and go through this with me."
"Fine. Who we have first?"
"Eloise Midgen. And before you even think of saying it, her face has cleared up and she is pureblood." Hermione rushed "Tenth girl in our year, Gryffindor. I recall she had a crush on you in school."
"Alright. Next?"
"Isobel MacDougal. Ravenclaw. Second girl in our year. Third on the overall board right after you. Pureblood. She was my study mate for years."
"Sure I remember her." Draco said, expression implacable. "Next?"
"Sue Li. Ravenclaw. Half-blood. She was fifth in the year."
"The Chang wannabe? Next, please."
"Lilly Moon. Gryffindor. She was third in her year. Muggleborn."
"She did repeat two years though…"
"And she's got better OWL's than Pansy!"
"Okay, okay, next?"
"Sally Smith and Sally-Anne Perks…"
"Can we not?" Draco cut her off. "They believed Trelawney was the best teacher ever. Flint got one in bed by telling her the stars aligned for it."
Hermione shuddered.
"I knew they were a long shot. Sally Malfoy doesn't sound right anyway."
"Neither do Eloise nor Sue."
"Lilly?"
"Honestly?"
"Yes, yes, I know. What about Isobel?"
"I can't actually argue with you on that one." Hermione shot him a victorious smile "She was pretty quiet at school and I've not seen much of her, but that's probably a good thing."
"Great then! So I will send her your owl and you will meet her for tea on Saturday."
"What if she says no?"
"What if you don't meddle in my plans? So, she'll be over on Saturday, you dress nicely and be… don't be a prat." Draco rolled his eyes. "I will tie some of the spells to the wards so they will monitor both of you, but I will need your pensive for some of the other tests and you need to go through this…" Hermione handed the man a list of questions.
"I think I am a bit too old for talking points."
"Those are not talking points, Malfoy, this is research."
"What?"
"36 questions to make strangers fall in love. Answer them with Isobel and all will go well."
Draco raised a brow.
"I don't think that would work."
"It will. They're muggle but I've tweaked them a bit. It isn't love love, but they pump in adrenaline and serotonin and make people feel all hyped. And they make you open up and get close. They will instill at least friendship."
"I still don't see how this would be any good." The wizard trailed.
"Oh, you git, here." Hermione snatched the list and read. "Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?" Draco leaned back in his chair appearing thoughtful.
"Merlin and Morgana" He said after a moment. "Dinner and a show. Plus I might learn something. What about you?" He shot back and Hermione was thinking of an answer before she could begin to notice the glint in his eyes. He knew how to push her buttons.
"My real parents or anyone from my family…" The witch had said.
"That was a pretty standard question, what else is there." Draco picked the list back. "Would you like to be famous? In what way? Yeah, okay, answer that."
"Hmm.. I would like to be remembered for something good. But not famous, no." Hermione said frankly "What about you?"
"I want to be a world quidditch star." Draco said dramatically and the witch laughed, "Or at least be remembered for something better than my name." He added sincerely. "Next," He continued, "Before having a conversation over floo do you ever rehearse what you're going to say?"
Hermione flushed
"I actually do. Seeing someone's face in flames or embers is never a soothing image."
"It is why I prefer letters or face to face. Although, I have to admit practicing my words hadn't occurred to me."
"That's fair enough. Now you may actually try something new." Hermione smiled. "What's next?" she added. Her instinctive desire to answer all the questions had taken over.
"Besides" she thought to herself "I ought to get to know him and he needs the practice."
With that thought she started describing her perfect day to Draco, the books, the fire, the good food and all the stars. He in turn spoke about the seaside and summer breeze, about playing with baby dragons and about all the constellations he'd wanted to gaze at.
They went on through all the questions, peering into each other's dreams and lives. In the end they had asked more than the 36 questions, and they had laughed, and teared and sang, as both discovered a shared passion for music and a small talent in singing.
Draco now knew that Hermione wished she could speak to animals, and that she dreamed of overcoming her fear of heights, and that she was scared of losing any more loved ones. The witch, in turn, learnt that Malfoy loved his mother, that he wanted to change too much about his childhood and that she was afraid of being alone and hated.
And as their conversation went into the evening, Hermione had to remind herself that the test did not make people actually fall in love, while Draco, was not reminding himself anything. He was instead wondering how to get the witch to go out with him.
…
The plan had been in full swing by the time Saturday rolled in, and one Isobel MacDougal met a certain Malfoy in Florian and Fortescue's parlor.
Draco wore a pressed deep blue shirt and black pants under sleek steel robes and looked his best as the witch donned a smart grey tea dress and detailed with an intricate emerald pin.
The two smiled their greetings and sat down.
"I have to admit I was surprised by your invitation." Isobel dared first.
"Well, I am a man of many… surprises." Draco tried to play cool.
"I never imagined you as this forward. But I suppose you can't really waste your time after the fallen betrothal." Her forwardness left a sour taste in the wizard's mouth. She knew what she'd come for and that was a new last name.
"Oh, that is a factor, indeed. But let me know something more about you?" He offered her a chance anyway. She was a pretty thing none the less, big doe eyes and a warm smile. Pureblood, certainly, the way she carried herself. Of course, in his eyes she was rather plain, but it wasn't her fault when he knew who he was comparing her to.
"What would you like to know?" She took the bait.
"Hmm…" Draco pretended to think. "If you could have anyone in the world over for dinner, whom would you invite?" And with this Hermione's matchmaking truly began.
The wizard hadn't been too impressed that Isobel wanted Rowena Ravenclaw or her best friend over for dinner, but as the questions were asked, chemistry had its world and at the end of their meeting, as Draco sent the witch off, plans for a second date were already in motion, and he was getting more and more convinced that golden brown eyes were just as pretty as emerald green.
…
Two weeks had passed and much to Hermione's dismay she was still practically under house arrest.
Ronald had broken into the Romanian Reserve and had barely escaped the dragon tamers.
Charlie's patience for his little brother was plainly gone.
"He broke a horntail egg, Mi, just to make one of the interns cry!" The wizard had retold the story when he'd come to visit following the incident.
This time there hadn't been a note. But Ron's actions were getting more and more sporadic, and honestly rather concerning. Charlie had given Hermione a tight hug, to show some encouragement before for the witch before he left to visit his dad at the burrow, and she couldn't help but miss his warmth, and the sweet and spicy scent he had. His little dragon tattoo had slithered under the brush of her hand as she pulled away, and for a brief moment she wondered if she could apply Draco's matchmaking plans to herself.
But Charlie was gone, and the thought shaken away. Draco needed a relationship. She didn't.
She needed to finish yet another still-flame cored wand and review her Reliviate list of literature, for she hadn't given up on her future, or on her past. No matter how many set-backs she seemed to hit. Everything else seemed calm with family and friends so she was allowed her time to work.
…
Another two weeks passed, and Hermione sat at the kitchen table watching Draco transfigure some roses into big purple peonies.
"Another date with Isobel?" She said, pride at her accomplishment enough to hide the tinge of growing bitterness in her voice.
"That should be the one." The wizard called over. "All of your results came and she is a solid 79% match. I can't really ask for better. And the average is 62% so I call it a win. And I already have Catherine's ring so might as well…"
"Don't you think she deserves a ring of her own?" That thought startled Draco as if it hadn't occurred to him.
"I don't think she'll notice."
"Girls notice things like that."
"I don't have the time to look for another one." Slight panic rose in his voice.
"Wait." Hermione rushed into her bedroom and came back a couple of minutes later with a small sapphire and silver ring. "Harry had picked it back when he was planning to propose to Ginny under Molly's love potion. When he was free he threw it so deep in my purse that I had to accio it three times."
"It is really pretty, but are you sure he wouldn't want it back?"
"Oh, not a chance. He'd gotten it out of Black vault because it looked traditional and that hag had insisted on such. You could certainly buy it off him later if you insist, not that either of you will notice the difference."
"You're a miracle worker!" Draco's eyes lit up picking up the ring. "I'll be back to celebrate later." He gave Hermione a peck on the cheek and ran off.
"I'll be right here…" Hermione sighed, fingers lingering at where his lips had met her cheek. "Just me, my books and kneazle."
…
Why did she feel so bitter, the witch wondered. Her plan was working and her friend was going to get his happy ending.
"I should be happy for him, Nox. I want to be." She petted the creature, which promptly settled in her lap, as she sat on the couch. "But I feel like something is weighing in my chest."
"It's too late now." Hermione thought. "it was too late to begin with."
A sound of apparition startled her.
"Draco! What are you doing back? It's not been five minutes?" She looked at him but he didn't seem to be listening. "Is everything alright? Where is Isobel?" the wizard just shook his head.
"I may not be the smartest man out there Hermione, but I am not about to make the same mistake twice."
"What on earth are you talking about?!"
Draco cut the distance between them and kissed her.
The room seemed to be spinning. Somewhere in Hermione's chest a great ball of tension broke and she let herself be pulled into the moment.
"This…" Draco broke the kiss pressing his forehead onto hers. "This is what I'm talking about. And nothing can make me pursue another arranged engagement when this is right in front of me."
"Draco… I.." Hermione didn't know what to say. Conflicting feelings seeped over her. But then he kissed her again an all seemed right with the world.
She pushed closer and he held her tighter. Her hair ran between his fingers like a river of honey-gold, and in the still crisp March evening his skin felt burning hot against hers.
"You know…" Draco broke the words in-between kisses "You've been here a good five weeks and you still haven't seen my bedroom."
"You've never invited me over." Hermione breathed against his lips.
"Oh, then, Lady Marquise…" he kissed her neck softly leading her across the living room. "You are most cordially invited to my humble abode."
"My, Lord Malfoy," She followed him only too eager with every kiss. "How could I say no?"
And then they might have been lost to words. Or they might have said a lot, but it was lost to the world. Lost between kisses, lost between passions.
There was something in the way his fair skin brushed again her sun-kissed tan. Something about the way her body fit with his. Something about their movements felt so natural yet new. So passionate yet still calm.
Draco took pleasure in discovering every bit of the witch he'd spent so long dreaming of. Where his lips made her give a moan of pleasure and where they elicited a soft giggle.
Hermione on her end didn't want to let go of the man in her arms. Every bit of him felt like home. Warm and inviting. Pulling her in.
Somewhere before sunset the world found them laying in each other's arms, fallen as soundly asleep as ever.
Just like she had in the hospital, exhausted but calmed by his presence.
Just as he had so many times on the couch next to her, feeling safe and relaxed.
Somewhere outside of that little bedroom in that little London flat, there was a witch, not even remotely upset that her 'intended' had rushed off.
Isobel would have said no.
Even though she was a smart and practical witch she believed in love.
And she wanted someone to look at her the way Draco looked at Hermione.
She was lucky to be the child of marriage for love, she wasn't really going to settle for anything less, even if he had been a perfect gentleman.
Not to mention that Hermione had been her biggest rival and closest friend in Hogwarts.
For such distinct reason, when the Ravenclaw sensed that the Malfoy was about to do something as silly as proposing to the wrong witch, again, she'd played her part.
She'd told him that "roses transfigured into purple peonies" are the most special of flowers, that someone "absolutely had to" get her, if they wanted to impress her.
And lo and behold, the man had delivered, no questions asked.
That evening, when Isobel had gotten home, unbetroth, she had put away her lovely edition of 'Applied Herbology'.
Somewhere inside it, there was a chapter on rose to peony transfiguration.
"When-upon any flower of the rosae family is transfigured into a peony the charm frees the natural magical properties of the bloom." That chapter would read. "Altering the colour, would alter the properties of the carried charm."
"Purple peonies:" Isobel whispered to herself thinking of her favorite passage. "And every bloom thereof, to flower in unspoken love."
Someone had to do something about those two.
Someone had to set the world to rights.
…
Two thousand miles east from where happy hearts were resting soundly, a sharp cry broke the night.
Helena had lived.
And she had loved.
But she was no more.
And the proud, strong Viktor Krum crumbled holding onto the lifeless body of his wife.
This would be the third and last time a Weasley would take someone he cared for from him.
