Chapter 12: A Malfoy's Promise

Mary belongs to the words of a song

I try to be strong for her, try not to be wrong for her

Harry stared at Snape dumbfounded. So, what Draco had told him had truth to it—but could it be true that Snape had loved his mother? Could it be that she was the reason he left the Dark Lord's side? Harry couldn't believe it, yet, here it was—a confession from the professor he'd come to hate since he was eleven.

"Don't look at me that way, Potter." Snape growled, but his usual bite was gone. There was a deep sadness about him now, Harry realized, and underneath his bitterness, he found pity in his heart for the Potions Master.

"All this time." Harry breathed. Harry stepped across the clearing and extended his hand to Severus Snape. "Thank you."

Severus stared at the boy before him a while and looked as if he were contemplating not taking the hand after all, when, just before Harry drew his hand back, Snape extended his own, and clasp it firmly. "She was…truly good."

Harry nodded, finally having made peace with yet another enemy.

--

The tension broke over the group as Snape and Harry released their hands. Draco had run to Hermione and had his arms about her. He was telling her about how he encountered Bellatrix, and how Snape intervened. She told him about Dolohov, and how the others had all been picked off one. Finally, Ron stood and cleared his throat.

We left the school a wreck—now that this id finally over—we should probably get back and see what kind of damage has been done…" The other's nodded and Snape levitated the body of Voldemort as they picked their way out of the woods.

--

A great roar went up as they reached the barrier of the Forbidden Forest—the Centaur herd galloped in cadence behind them calling out praises to Harry Potter and his friends who'd destroyed the Great Evil.

The Death Eaters who were still fighting, when they saw Snape levitating the body of their Master, turned and fled. Some surrendered—but most feared the life they would inevitably serve in Azkaban.

There were several other groups of Death Eaters that lay hither and thither on the grounds of Hogwarts. They'd been killed by Aurors or professors; they'd been bound by students or crushed by Hagrid and his half brother Grawp. To those that were alive, it was the end of an era.

Professor Flitwick and Headmistress McGonagall raced across the grounds from where they were barricading the doors of Hogwarts to meet the ragtag group of students and ex-professor Snape. McGonagall was the only one who wasn't surprised to see Snape among the group.

"What shall I do with this?" Snape asked, indicating the body he was levitating behind him. His voice had once again taken on its uninterested quality that was so characteristic of Snape when he was a Professor there.

McGonagall hid a smile, "Hand the body over to the Aurors—they will deal with it at the Ministry." She informed him. He nodded, and began to make his way across the grounds toward Kingsley Shacklebolt and Mad Eye Moody and a few others, Voldemort's body floating behind him like some misshapen balloon.

Flitwick and McGonagall returned their attentions to the students before them. "Are the five of you alright?" Flitwick squeaked.

Hermione nodded, looking back and forth among her friends. "We're all alive, professor." She responded.

"Come to my office then," McGonagall said, ushering them all inside.

--

The halls of Hogwarts had all virtually been demolished. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco and Ginny witnessed the other professors, Aurors, and several students trying their best to help the castle mend itself as they passed several corridors that seemed to have virtually collapsed, and others that appeared to have gone up in flames. Several portraits were missing, damaged, or destroyed entirely, their occupants crammed into other frames nearby. There was rubble and debris every where—Death Eater masks, shoes, wands, bits and pieces of statues and bricks from the walls—and it made just getting to the Headmistress's quarters difficult.

The gargoyle that stood guard before McGonagall's door had no head. McGonagall only waved her wand and the headless statue stepped aside and allowed the group entrance. "As you can tell, this old castle has suffered terribly. It's going to take a lot of work to get it right again… luckily, there's a lot of magic in these walls—and the castle heals itself given time." McGonagall sighed. However, that means that the remainder of the school year will be cancelled."

Hermione started, and Draco had to grab a hold or her arm for her not to fly off the handle. "But Headmistress! What about our NEWTS!? What about graduation?"

The elderly witch held up her hand and smiled a knowing smile. "I have prepared for that, Miss Granger—and not to worry. You and your friends will be allowed to take a modified version of the NEWTS—a few days after Christmas—and it will count the same as if you took the exam in the spring."

"Modified?" Hermione snorted, "But what about all that we'd learn in the second half of the year?"

"Miss Granger, you've read nearly ever book in our Library. There is nothing that we could teach you that you couldn't find in a book—and I assure you—you'd probably already know everything we had planned anyway."

"Yes but—" Hermione began to protest…

"Love, let it go. You're the smartest witch of our age, remember? And this is War. You helped to defeat the most Evil Wizard in a century. You'll do fine on these NEWTS, and you'll get a great job and make everyone here proud of you." Draco soothed her. Hermione huffed but sat back in her chair. Ron, Harry and Ginny stifled their laughter.

McGonagall dismissed them to see Madame Pomphrey, and then instructed them to go to their dorms for rest. They found Pomphrey in the Great Hall along with the rest of the Weasley Clan and after they were bandaged, Harry, Hermione and Draco all headed back to their separate dorms. Ron and Ginny chose to stay with their family in the Great Hall.

--

Draco and Hermione were surprised to find that the floor their room was on was relatively undamaged. They'd seen the carnage on the other floors and assumed that it had reached all the floors and corridors of the castle. "Well, now I guess we know what those runes around our door are for, don't we?" Draco murmured, then said the password and pushed the door to their suite open.

"They're protection spells." Hermione said, "I could have told you that."

"Smartest witch of our age indeed…." Draco chuckled and closed the door behind him. "You have no reason to worry about your NEWTS, darling. You'll pass them with flying colors."

"I wish I were as confident as you were." Hermione grumbled, but allowed herself to be pulled into Draco's comforting embrace.

"Today was a trying day." She whispered.

"Yes, love, it was."

"And you fought your father and your aunt…" she sighed again, hugging him tightly to her.

"Let us not mention things past. I do not claim any relation to either of them." Draco looked down at her with an expressionless face. The day had been emotionally trying on him—but seeing Hermione in very real danger, hearing her cry out in the Forbidden Forest and being unable to run to her had been more than he could take. He had to know that she wouldn't leave him. He had to know that there was something real between them that she felt as much as he did. "Come." He began to pull her toward his bedroom.

Hermione followed willingly. Her bones ached, and she had several deep cuts and scrapes that Madame Pomphrey didn't have the supplies to heal—they were only bandaged with a salve to keep them clean— and they stung when her clothes moved against them.

He undressed her carefully, and wrapped her up in one of his oversized white cotton undershirts before laying her down in bed. He dressed down to his own undershirt and followed her.

They lay in one another's arms for a long time, both exhausted, but too tired to sleep, both afraid to speak and ruin the moment but wanting to say a thousand things to the other. Finally, Draco leaned up on his elbow and looked down at her with his clear, slivery blue eyes.

"Do you think it will always be like this?" he asked, looking down at her for her reaction.

"Hermione looked up at him and furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

"With us, Hermione. Do you think it will always be this way?" Draco repeated himself.

Hermione thought a moment, and then lifted her self so that she was propped up on her own elbow. "Do you ever plan to stop loving me?" she asked.

"Never." The answer was out of his mouth, before he realized what he'd said.

"I never plan to stop loving you either." She replied. "I want it to be this way forever." She said, offering him a small, tired smile. "Are you afraid something will happen?"

It was Draco's turn to frown. "I don't know." He said. "I still don't think I'm good enough for you."

Hermione stared at him a moment before leaning forward and kissing him. Then, she pulled his left arm from his side and lifted it up for him to see, "Do you see what I see?" she asked, smiling.

Draco's mouth fell open. "It's gone."

"Yes." Hermione nodded. "I saw it disappear the night you made love to me."

Draco blinked at her. "I don't understand. Did the Dark Lord know somehow and remove me from his service? Surely I should have felt it."

"I took your pain into me." She said. "I felt it."

Draco's face clouded over. "I never…" he didn't even know how to tell her how sorry he was—how sick he felt that when he took her—she felt the evilness inside him—that it was she who cleansed him with her purity.

"It was the most important moment of my life, Draco and don't you dare try to take it away from me." Hermione said her tone forceful.

Draco stared at her for a moment and it wasn't until her face softened, and she reached up with a small hand and wiped something wet from his cheek that he realized that he was crying.

"I felt the spell break that night—the Dark Mark can only stay on your skin as long as it has a place in your soul to hide. When we made love—you opened yourself fully to me—and there was no place for any evilness to lurk in you Draco Malfoy. I knew it wouldn't be long before the tattoo would fade away entirely, because the magic behind the spell was no long coursing through your veins." Hermione explained, looking at him lovingly.

"You're too good for me Hermione Granger." Draco said, leaning forward and capturing her lips before she could respond. "And I love you with everything I am."

--

Draco took her again that night. It was a celebration of the great victory they'd won on the battlefield and the great victory Draco himself had won against his father. IT was in celebration of their love and its power over the Dark Magic that had once tainted Draco's soul.

They rocked back and forth as two branches in a storm, and when Hermione finally cried out his name, Draco reveled in his ability to give her that pleasure. He treasured their connection above all others and he thanked the gods that he was able to hold her in his arms as they came down from the edges of their oblivion.

--

It was early morning when Draco woke. He was curled up behind Hermione, his body pressed firmly against her own. Their arms and legs were entwined in an impossible gnarl of limbs and he smiled as he inhaled the sweet smell of their lovemaking the night before. He was laying on his right side, and he reached his left arm up so he could see his unmarred flesh. His eyes roamed up and down the clean forearm and he felt his heart swell with love and gratitude for the woman lying beside him.

It was then that something struck him so hard in the gut that it almost scared him. He knew they were young but they were both of age. He knew they were both technically still in school—but they were going to take their NEWTS in less than a month and then they'd be adults in the real world. 'Why not?' his mind whispered to him, and he couldn't deny that he wanted to do it more than anything thing in the world. But he was terrified that she wouldn't like the idea nearly so much.

Malfoy rested in conflict for an hour or more before deciding on a compromise with himself. Lifting his right hand carefully, he slid the Malfoy crest from his pinky finger and slid it onto Hermione's ring finger of her left hand. The ring was magically charmed to fit the finger it was on, and it shrunk down to the perfect size. Draco held her hand in his for a while, looking at the intricate ring he'd placed there, hoping that she'd accept it, and hoping one day, it would be replaced by one far more beautiful. For now, though, his family crest would have to do.

Hermione woke shortly after and was greeted with a kiss on the forehead. "Morning." She whispered, smiling. She turned in Draco's arms to look up at him.

"Good morning, my love." Draco said, smiling brightly. "You're so beautiful." He whispered back, causing Hermione to blush.

Hermione raised her hands to wipe at her face, and a glimmer of gold caught her eye. "What's—Oh!" She looked up at Draco with questions in her eyes.

"A promise." He said. Looking at her hopefully. "That ring is an heirloom. It was given to me on my seventeenth birthday to give to my intended. My father had arranged my marriage to Pansy before the war—but, the ring now rightfully belongs to you." Draco spoke with purpose.

"Oh Draco! It's absolutely beautiful! I never expected such a thing!" she smiled and leaned in to kiss his face.

Draco kissed her back happily, "one day, I'll replace it with something much more…feminine. But for now—at least everyone will know you're mine."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Draco Malfoy." Hermione smiled kissing him into silence.

--

A few days later, after most of the debris had been cleared by the house elves and staff members, the seventh year students who'd elected to stay behind to take their NEWTS all assembled in the Great Hall for the exams.

It wasn't their first time out of their dormitories since the great battle had ended, but many had chosen not to venture as far down as the first floor. House elves made sure everyone received their meals in the common rooms, which had, luckily remained untouched—save for the Slytherin rooms, but there were no Slytherin seventh years present—and if any student did desire a bit of a walk, they either went to the Library or to the Room of Requirement.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco all took seats in the center near one another and they wished each other good luck on the exams. Draco and Hermione hadn't told anyone their news yet, though Hermione hadn't bothered to hide the fact she bore Malfoy's crest on her finger, but the fact that she was best friends with two boys, it didn't surprise her that they hadn't noticed yet. Ginny was taken back to the Burrow with the rest of her family—being a sixth year, she didn't have to stay for tests, and they all figured it was best to get her out of the castle and back home where things were a bit more normal. She, of course, protested all the way home.

The testing began at nine in the morning and, though they broke for lunch at noon, and had various breaks throughout the day, the testing didn't stop until four in the afternoon. Naturally, Hermione was the first to complete her written exam and was allowed to step into a side room where she went through the practical portion. Draco followed her soon after.

Harry and Ron joined them in the Head's common room much later, looking decidedly less enthused about their results. "Well, that was bollocks!" Ron grumbled, crossing his arms and flopping down in an over stuffed chair near the fire.

"I've discovered I'm pants at Arithmancy when I haven't had a chance to study." Draco muttered, running a hand through this hair.

"I'm sure it's not that bad you guys—it's been a long day and we're all tired, that's all." Hermione said, trying to sound sympathetic.

"The only thing I have even a blast ended skrewt's chance of passing is DADA." Harry muttered, but I think I have a good reason for that one."

Draco barked out a laugh.

"Hey Hermione. What's that on your hand?" Ron asked, changing the subject suddenly.

Hermione looked at Draco briefly, before smiling and fingering the Malfoy crest.

"My promise to her." Draco answered for her.

"Your promise?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. His lips fought to maintain a straight line.

"To love her for the rest of my life." Draco said, with all seriousness. "I figured I wasn't ready for… proposing, just yet… but that ring was meat for a Malfoy's intended. And so it's rightfully hers."

Harry was the first to move to accept Draco's hand. "Draco, six months ago, I probably would have fallen over dead before I shook your hand—but—things have turned out differently—and I'm proud of you and all you've done to win Hermione's heart. I'm also proud to call you a friend." Harry offered Draco a genuine smile as the blond haired boy took his hand.

"Thank you…Harry. It means a lot to me." Draco responded, saying Harry's first name for was probably only the second or third time in his life.

"Yeah mate—you've really turned yourself around," Ron said, standing as well and reaching to shake Draco's hand. You have my blessing—but you know—I have to say this—if you hurt her---I'll break your face." Ron smiled.

"I'd rather die." Draco quipped, shaking the red head's hand as well. Hermione giggled girlishly and pulled her two best friends into a fierce hug.

"My boys!" She cried, laughing happily for the first time in a long time.

--

Several days passed in the company of good friends once the NEWTS were through. The weekend before the New Year, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade, and prepared to board only a small portion of its usual load.

Hermione and Draco retired to the Head's compartments even though their position as heads was all but null and void. They were offered the opportunity to enjoy the car once more, and they took McGonagall up on it. Hermione stood looking out the picture window, her arms folded across her chest.

"What are you thinking about love?" Draco said, coming to stand behind her, wrapping his arms about her waist.

"What will you do now? Where will you go?" Hermione asked, him, not moving her face from the view of the country side.

"I was planning on going back to the Manner. I have given the Aurors and the Ministry permission to sweep through and collect any dark arts material they may find—so I was going to go home and… maybe redecorate a little." Draco said his voice far off.

"What about your mother? Where is she?" Hermione asked.

"She's in the same ward the Longbottom's are in." Draco said his voice low and sad. "I told you my father tortured the love out of her—he also drove her mad."

Hermione turned in his arms then, and looked up at him. "So you'll be in the house by yourself?"

"Well, it'll be me and whatever house elves I can't get rid of." Draco nodded.

"Get rid of?"

"Well—you know—pay off—get to go some where else? I never liked them cleaning up after me. I didn't let the ones at Hogwarts do their job the first few months I was there…" Hermione kissed him suddenly and he was unable to finish his explination.

"I knew there was more than one reason I loved you." She smiled.

"That's right, you and SPEW." Draco rolled his eyes playfully. "Why do you ask about where I'm going? I told you I'm only a floo away."

"That's still too far." Hermione said. "I was thinking… What if you came home with me for a week or two? You were interested in the Muggle life when we talked so long ago—do you still want to know how I live when I'm not at the Burrow with Harry and Ron and the other Weasley's?"

Draco smiled broadly. "Of course I want to know—I'd love to join you and your family… if it is ok with your parents, of course." Draco replied, hugging her tightly.

--

The Hogwarts Express pulled into Kings Cross Station at Noon. Everyone debarked, and Harry and Ron met up with the Weasleys. Hermione and Draco waved everyone goodbye—Hermione hugging several people and Draco shaking their hands and wishing them good luck in their future endeavors.

Hermione spotted her parents and took Draco's hand before smiling up at him and leading him over to the Grangers.

"Mum, Dad, this is Draco Malfoy. He's my—" Hermione paused, fingering the ring on her hand, and looking up to Draco trying to find the right words. She'd neglected to tell her parents about this new development—and she knew that the Draco Malfoy they'd heard about wasn't nearly so…pleasant.

Draco took over where Hermione left off, holding his head high, he offered his hand to Mr. Granger. "I'm the man who loves your daughter, sir."

"That makes two of us, young man." Mr. Granger replied, smiling, and took Draco's hand. Come, you'll have to explain this on the way home.

Mrs. Granger hugged Draco and her daughter and started firing off questions, having noticed the ring on Hermione's hand immediately.

As Draco got in the car beside Hermione, she took her hand. He finally felt as though he were part of something right. The Grangers listened to everything he and Hermione had to say, openly, asking questions about the things they didn't understand and asking about things Hermione had mentioned to them in the past. They were a bit shocked to find out that this was the same Draco Malfoy who'd nearly killed Dumbledore—but when they learned of the change he'd undergone, it was evident they were just as won over as Hermione was.

Hermione chattered with her mother about the battle and about school and Draco listened contentedly. As he watched out the window as buildings and countryside passed by, he felt lucky to know these people, people his father would have resented, people his mother would have called dirty, people the Dark Lord would have killed—Draco clung to them with every fiber of her being.

The Grangers, with their muggle car and their muggle house and their muggle lives… and their wonderful daughter who was the most beautiful, most talented witch Draco had ever met… they would be his family… And Draco couldn't be happier about it.

Author's Note:

I sort of altered the song a bit, cause I really like the lyrics in the verses rather than the lyrics in the chorus. So I reused part of the first one. Oh well. Full credit given to Yellowcard for the song, and JKR for the characters/places.

A battle ended, a relationship begun, now school is over! What will happen to everyone?

Epilogue still to go. Stay tuned!