Epilouge
Draco was sprawled out across the sofa. His head lay in Hermione's lap as she stroked her fingers through his hair. She was reading a book she had just recently purchased and he was skimming through the post.
It had been a little over a year since they had disappeared. A year of each other.
They had settled down in a small London town called Chiddingstone. It's a lovely place to live. Not too much foot traffic seeing as the nearest shopping center was located five miles out of town and there weren't too many local businesses bringing in the tourists. So it was the perfect place for them. No one would ever think to begin looking there. No one would even know it existed. That's what they were hoping at least.
Yes the thoughts of being caught came to mind every once and awhile, but they were blocked out quickly. Draco and Hermione didn't want to be bothered with worrying over what could happen. They just wanted to live each day with one another. To its fullest. Without a care in the world.
Draco had found work as a farmhand for one of the respectable locals. He would do labor for them in exchange for food and some payment when they could afford it. He wasn't exactly fond of his job title. Nor was he a fan of manual labor. Honestly though, it gave him a sense of pride. He was working for what he wanted so badly. To keep Hermione. To survive and build a life with her. Those thoughts helped him get through the grueling work days.
Hermione on the other hand was able to find a job she loved. She was an assistant to the owner of the local library, Mrs. Huddleberry. It wasn't particularly grand in size or inventory. It was quaint. She was elated every day when she went to work. She would get to categorize and organize the books. Also more often than not Mrs. Huddleberry would allow Hermione to read whenever the mood struck or a book caught her interest. It was wonderful. She didn't make much money working there. So she had a part-time job with the town hall. She would file their documents and also lent a hand in setting up town meetings. This enabled her to make enough money to help Draco with the bills.
They were happy. They were living their lives. Together.
"Draco? Did you shower after work today? You smell a bit-" She waved her hand in front of her nose and made a face as though she had just smelt a barrel of garbage.
"Excuse you, but yes I did." He put his paper down and rolled over so that he was on his knees. He grabbed her up into his arm and blew a raspberry into the nape of her neck.
Hermione was laughing so hard she had to take tiny gasps to make sure she was breathing still. "Drac- Draco stop it." She took one of her hands and pinched the side of his stomach. It didn't work though.
Instead he pushed her down onto her back and proceeded to tickle her. Hermione was almost in tears it tickled that much.
"Draco!" She could hardly get his name past her lips.
He popped up quickly at his name and looked at her with his brow raised.
"Something the matter?" He was trying to keep his taunting smirk at bay.
"Yes you tosser." She said trying to catch her breath and slapping her palm onto his shoulder. "I could hardly breathe." She was trying her hardest not to crack a smile. She had learned that no matter how heated their discussions or disagreements got, he could always make her smile with just one look.
"Awe Granger. I didn't mean to upset you. Just goofing around is all." Draco planted a kiss on her forehead and gave her a flick to the nose. He then lifted himself off of her and made way to the kitchenette. "Hungry?" He looked back over his shoulder at her and gave a little wink.
"No not really. Later probably. The aroma in the air isn't helping my appetite." She gave him a little smile as she picked her book up to find her place again.
He chuckled. "Suit yourself." Giving a shrug he opened the refrigerator door. There wasn't much to make a meal out of. So he grabbed the carton of eggs and moved to the stove. He went to the cabinet that contained the cooking pans. He reached up and pulled one down.
Draco just happened to take a quick glance out the window. That's when he saw them. It made his stomach drop in unison with the pan that just fell from his hand.
Hermione jumped at the sound. "Draco what on Earth?" She froze when she saw the paleness in his features.
He rushed over to Hermione. He cupped one of his hands over her mouth and placed his other index finger over his lips. He then began to drag her towards the back of their house. Their home that was now being invaded. Invaded by the people they were trying so hard to forget. Death Eaters.
There was no time to explain things to her. No time to gather anything. They didn't really have anything too important that they needed to take anyway. Nothing besides them. Nothing else really mattered.
Draco opened the back door and shoved her outside. It was eerily similar to their escape a year ago. This time he didn't bother closing the door. Instead he just grasped onto Hermione's wrist and yanked her towards the woods.
Hermione was petrified. Absolutely scared out of her mind. She had no idea what was going on. She didn't know what had caused Draco to become so startled. She did as he said though. She trusted him. She knew that he had her best interests in heart. That he would protect her.
Suddenly she heard glass shattering behind her and a loud explosion. She tried to peek over her shoulder to see what had caused it, but Draco was pulling her so fast. She couldn't focus on what was going on.
They ran full force into the woods. The branches from the trees were hitting them both in the face. It was leaving small scratches on their skin. The stinging didn't really register too much. They were just set on going forward. Far away.
Just as quickly as they got into the trees, they were not breaking out of them. There was a giant farm on the other side. It was the farm Draco worked at. He needed to get her somewhere safe. Somewhere that no one can catch them. He knew a place that he could take her. It would do long enough for her to disapparate them.
They came up to the small tool shed. Draco whipped opened the door and dragged her inside. He slammed the door behind them and placed a large barrel in front. He could hear the yells coming from the men hunting them. He turned around to her and grabbed her face. With urgency he kissed her like it was something he had to do. Like the contact would give him strength.
Hermione pushed him away and stared into his eyes. She couldn't just ignore what just happened. "Draco you tell me what just happened. You tell me now!" She demanded with force.
"Shhh. Shhh Hermione." He didn't want them to be heard. He explained to her in a quiet voice. "There were… there were Death Eaters. They were coming. I didn't know what to do. I needed to protect you. You need to stay safe." He let out a huge breath. Like he had been holding it in since they left.
He looked deep into her eyes. "We need to leave this place. We need to find somewhere new. For now though you need to take us out of here Hermione. Anywhere. Now." He pulled her in as tight as he could. "Now!"
She closed her eyes as hard as she could and held onto him with all of her strength. Only one place crept into her mind. She didn't know if it was the wisest choice. It probably wasn't. But it was the only one she could come up with.
So they disappeared into the air with a loud crack.
They stumbled into each other. Their minds were spinning. She hadn't improved her ability to perform that spell. She had no need to.
Draco opened his eyes and saw a familiar sight. The playground. A look of concern grew over his features.
"I'm sorry Draco it was the only place I could think of fast enough. I'm so sorry." Her fingers were digging into his back. The nails were practically breaking through his skin.
"No. No Hermione. Don't worry about it. Please don't. It's okay." He kissed the top of her head to reassure her. "We'll wait a bit and find somewhere else. We need to get out of plain view. Okay?"
She nodded into his chest.
Draco's heart stopped again. His breath was caught in his throat. He heard footsteps coming up behind him. Slowly he moved his left hand down to his pocket and wrapped his fingers around the end of his wand.
In a blink of an eye he had spun around with his wand at the throat of the intruder.
Again. His heart dropped to his stomach.
"Darling. Oh my darling boy." Narcissa stood there in front of them. She had tears in her eyes. Her lower lip was quivering slightly.
Draco couldn't breathe let alone talk. It felt like he was in a dream. Like nothing that was happening was real. He didn't know what to do.
"Draco. Oh I've missed you so much. Are you alright? Have you been staying safe?" Narcissa moved to touch Draco's face. She was startled when a feminine slap came from around her son. Hermione swatted Narcissa's hand away.
"Don't touch him." Hermione sounded very stern. She stood her ground. She didn't know where the strength had come from. She was going to protect Draco just as he would for her. "What have you done? How did you find us here? You sent them after us didn't you? I thought you wanted to protect Draco. To keep him safe. Now you send Death Eaters to our home? Now you stand here and try to get close to him? How dare you?" Hermione was shaking with rage. Her eyes were filled with disgust. She was afraid she might have taken another swing at Narcissa if Draco wasn't holding her wrist.
"Death Eaters? I did nothing of the sort." Narcissa looked past Hermione to her son. "Are you alright? Did they hurt you Draco? Did you see who they were? Who were th-"
"No mother I didn't have time to take names down." Draco placed Hermione behind him and moved a step closer to his mother. "We had to get out of there. It wasn't a concern to see which Death Eaters were knocking down our door." He took a deep breath and held it for a moment. "We got out fine. We weren't hurt."
Narcissa's face showed of relief. She quickly straightened her back and put on her stern face. She gave Draco a small nod.
"Mother. What is going on? What has happened? You look distressed. How did you find us?" He was sincerely concerned for her.
Narcissa wringed her fingers together. She looked very uncomfortable. "When you first left the manor, I traced you to here. I've kept an alert on this area. So if you were to ever return I would be noticed." She cleared her throat and looked into her son's eyes. "Something big has happened. Something very big Draco." She paused and took a seat at the closest picnic table. She looked at the two young wizards and motioned her hand for them to sit.
Draco looked back to Hermione and caressed her cheek. He nodded at her indicating it was alright and guided her by her lower back to the table. They reluctantly took their seats across from Narcissa.
Narcissa was clearly hesitant to speak about this with Hermione around. Glares were being cast back and forth between the two.
Narcissa rolled her eyes slightly and continued with her story. "Things did not go according to plan for the Dark Lord. Well that is quite an understatement." She paused to gather her thoughts.
"There was a battle. Both sides came to a head at Hogwarts. A lot of people were killed from both sides. The problem was the Lord was already weakened before the fighting began." She looked right into Draco's eyes. "He was killed son. The Dark Lord was murdered. He's gone Draco."
Draco and Hermione's faces were stunned. They were speechless. That was not what they were expecting to hear.
"How? Who?" Hermione managed squeaked out.
Narcissa squinted her eyes at the young girl. "Potter." She scoffed.
Hermione gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. "Is he… He wasn't…" She let out a small sob of worry.
Draco placed his hand on Hermione's thigh and gave it a little squeeze. He returned his stare to his mother.
"No he survived." Narcissa said very coldly. "He won." She looked back at Draco. "He won son. That means it is safe. It means he won't be looking for you anymore Draco." She gave him a tiny smile. It was quickly cleared away.
"Maybe he isn't mother. It's clear though that his followers are scrambling to have one last hoorah." He grabbed Hermione's hand. "It's not safe for us. I'm not sure it can ever be. I would never do anything to put her in danger. Ever."
"I realize that Draco. I certainly do not understand it. I promise I don't." She bit her tongue at the anger in Draco's face. "But… Loyalties have changed darliing. There are very few people that are still loyal to him. Very few. You'd be safe sweetheart." She let out a deep sigh and looked to Hermione. "The both of you would be."
Hermione then looked to Draco with hopeful eyes. This story was filling her with such hope. Hope that she might be able to see her family again. Her friends. Harry and Ron. She wanted it so badly. She wanted to be with Draco and not have to worry about someone coming for them one day. She wanted the life they deserved.
"That's all son. I just wanted to inform you of this progress. It's up to you what ultimately happens. Just know that I miss you. I miss you and I will accept all choices you make." Again Narcissa glanced to Hermione.
"Thank you mother." He kept his eyes shied from her.
Narcissa got up to leave. She was crossing the small pathway as she turned back to face them. "I love you Draco. I always will. No matter what."
With that Draco caught his mother's gaze. "And I love you too mother. No matter what." He squeezed Hermione's hand tighter. He needed to know she was there. This was killing him and all that was keeping him from breaking was Hermione.
Before he could say another word Narcissa was gone. A swirl of black material disappeared into the air.
That's when Draco's head fell into his hands. He let out a large sob.
Hermione rested her chin on his shoulder and kissed the side of his neck. "It's going to be alright Draco. It's going to be just fine." She kissed him again.
"What are we going to do Hermione? If we go back things will change. Regardless if Voldermort is alive or not… no one is going to accept us fully. It will kill your spirit to have all that negativity on you. All of your friends not understanding. I can't bear to see you hurt Hermione. But… But if we run again. Leave. There will always be that constant state of worry, because the remaining Death Eaters could possibly find us. Then the thoughts of what could have been. They'd nag at us." He rubbed the back of his hand against her face.
"Draco. I go where you go. You know that. But running? What is the point if there isn't anything to run from. Yes. It will be hard at first. It'll be really, really hard." She let out a deep breath. "But I don't care about what other people think of us. It doesn't matter to me at all. You only matter. Just you." She grabbed his face and pecked his lips. "There is no reason for us to hide anymore Draco. We can be free. Free to be with each other without the worry." She bit her lower lip waiting for his response.
He looked in her eyes. Like he was searching for the answers in them. He cleared his throat and ran his hand through his hair. "Alright." He sighed. "Okay. We'll do it. Let's do it. Let's go back."
Hermione looked at him in wonder. Never did she think he would agree so easily. He loved her that much that he was willing to go back to a world that would scrutinize their every move. She was so happy.
She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and kissed his temple. "Oh thank you Draco! Thank you! We can do this I know we can. It'll be easier this way. We can be happier this way. Oh I love you Draco!"
"I love you too Hermione. God I love you so much." He kissed her neck passionately and finally rested his face into the nape of her neck.
After a moment Draco stood up and reached his hand out for Hermione to take. "Let's go Granger. Let's go home." He gave a cheesy little smile to make her giggle.
She did. With a smile she took his hand and rose from her seat.
They walked back over to the edge of the pond. Draco squeezed her hand within his. He peeked at her from the corner of his eye. She was smiling at him. She was beautiful.
"Ready?" She asked quietly.
"Whenever you are." He smiled straight ahead.
So Hermione closed her eyes tight and clamped down on Draco's hand.
They vanished into the air. Gone with a loud snap and the leaves blew around where they once stood.
They went back to what they had left behind. To start again in a world that may never accept them. One that may never let them fully be at peace. But it didn't matter to either of them.
They had each other. That was where their home was. Safe in the Wizarding World.
A world where Hermione's blood status was not an issue any longer. A place where she would be safe wherever she went.
They were finally okay. Safe. Happy. Together.
It was the way things should have always been. How they will always be.
