A/N: I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. I know how I was trying to make it sound, I know what I was trying to express, but I'm not sure how well it translates. I know there have been a few people who are uncomfortable with eleven year olds talking about having feelings for each other, but this story will have that. It is not uncommon. Hope no one hates the chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, and get no money for it. Just the happiness of someone reading my fiction of fiction. thank you.

Narcissa held the sleeping child in her arms. She felt… numb. Of course she'd known when she'd begun speaking to Hermione that there was a high possibility of these horrors happening to the little girl… but she'd hoped, Merlin, she'd hoped they hadn't. Now she sat, forcing herself to breathe calmly. If she didn't control herself, well… she would find those Muggles and destroy them. At the moment, calm or not she was still considering it.

The older woman sighed, and eased herself from underneath Hermione. She left the room, heading for the study her husband would most likely be in. As she came close, she could hear her husband and son speaking.

Her heart almost broke to hear her son cry out at the thought that Hermione might have been hurt. She also felt pride. Her son was confused, didn't understand anything going on really… they were so young, but he knew she was special. Knew she was his… well, one day he would realize, if the girl was the one for him, well, he would realize HE was more HERS than she his.

Narcissa opened the door and joined her family. She sat next to her son, placing an arm around him.

"And what are my two favorite men doing?" she asked as she rubbed Draco's arm affectionately.

Lucius met his son's eyes before speaking. He did not want to say anything if Draco was uncomfortable, although, of course he would tell his beloved later on. When he saw acceptance in the boy's eyes, he spoke. "Draco came to talk to me, my dove." Lucius poured Narcissa a small glass of wine, and brought it to her. "He wished to inform me that he feels he's found his special one."

Narcissa was not surprised. Well, she was surprised he'd spoken to his father about it so soon, but she was not surprised that Draco was feeling this way. It had seemed as if the two had been drawn together the moment they'd met in that shop. "And do I know who this special someone is?" she asked lightly.

Draco looked to his Mother, and when he spoke he was earnest. "It's Hermione, Mum. I… I just know that she's the one."

Narcissa felt for her child. The confusion, and frustration with not understanding these feelings, was so very evident. She understood the Malfoy blessing, but she just could not understand why children this young should receive it. Normally, a Malfoy didn't find their 'one' this early, and she was grateful for it. But she wished her child hadn't received it this early. Not that she was displeased with his chosen. She just wished to save him pain. "Is that so, my darling?"

He nodded, "You aren't angry, are you?"

Narcissa found herself astonished at the question. "Of course not, my dragon! Why would you think that?"

Draco shrugged. He didn't want to hurt his Mother's feelings, but… "I always thought you wanted me to marry a Pureblood. One who would honor our traditions." Now he wouldn't look at her.

Narcissa put her finger under his chin and lifted until he met her eyes. Lucius had taken a seat on a chair next to the sofa. "Oh Draco, of course I wish for you to be with someone who will honor, and respect our way of life. But I do believe that Hermione started doing that before we ever met her. And if she is the one, when the times comes for marriage, I'm more than certain she will know it by heart. But that is not the only thing that makes her special. She is also intelligent, and kind. Generous, and inquisitive, and quite lovely. If she is the one for you, then I will definitely approve." It warmed her heart to see his smile. "You will have to be gentle with her," she began instructing. "She will need your support and great caring." Narcissa didn't miss Draco's eyes flickering to his Father.

"Are you sure she is the one?" Lucius asked, not unkindly.

Draco nodded slowly, "Yes. Mother, Father, Hermione is my one."

Lucius stood and moved to the safe kept in his desk drawer. He drew out a small green velvet patch. "You should give her this at the right time. It is not a promise, and will hold her to nothing, but it is a mark. It was made for the last Malfoy who was blessed at your age. It's a symbol for the future."

77777777

Hermione sat on the garden bench and watched as butterflies flit between the different, fragrant flowers. She didn't feel as tired today as she normally did. When she'd woken up, that constant heavy feeling, didn't feel quite so heavy. Now, it was about an hour before breakfast, and she was just enjoying the peace of the gardens.

She opened her eyes when she felt the presence of someone on either side of her taking seats on the bench. Draco and Harry had joined her. All three were silent for several moments, and it was finally Harry who broke the silence.

"It's so peaceful here. If I was still at the Dursely's I would be making breakfast, and getting the paper for my Uncle."

"I would be in my room," Hermione shared. Perhaps hearing something in her voice, Draco reached over and took her hand in his. She gave him a smile in thanks. "I had breakfast in there. And then would pray. Then it would either be school, or over to the Reverend's home for more prayer."

"I'm glad you're both here," Draco spoke as soon as she was finished. "This is where you both belong. Neither of you will ever have to leave; ever."

"Really?" Harry asked, hopefully.

At the same time, Hermione said, "Draco, you can't-"

The blonde boy held up a hand to stop her. "Yes, Potter, really." Then he turned his full attention onto Hermione. "You NEVER have to leave. You belong here. Where I am." Even though he blushed, his voice was strong for his age.

Harry kept silent, and stood. He knew this would be a private moment.

Hermione was blushing and looking down. He was talking as if they would be together in the future. "Draco, one day you'll be married, and you won't want me around, always in the way…"

Draco forgot about Harry for a moment. "Hermione… when I grow up… when we grow up, I'm going to marry you."

Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock. "You don't know that! You have years before you have to decide that."

He noticed that she said 'you' and not 'we', and this gave him hope. "I know we're still children, Hermione. It will be six years until I'm seventeen… that's a legal adult in our world," he said stubbornly. His hope began to fizzle, maybe she didn't, or wouldn't, want to stay with him. Vulnerability entered his eyes. "I do know," he repeated softly. "In my family, we always know early… maybe it's earlier than most, but it isn't unheard of… But… if you don't feel the same…"

Hermione looked away. They were eleven. Of course she had a crush on the boy. How could she not? He was so sweet to her. But she knew that she wasn't the type of witch a wizard like Draco Malfoy would marry one day. "Draco, you'll marry a Pureblooded witch," she tried to keep emotion out of her voice.

Neither had noticed that Harry had walked slightly away. "Hermione," Draco's hands were shaking. "I know we're kids. Before I met you at the robes' shop all I could think about was getting home to fly on my broom. But everything changed." He shrugged. "I don't understand all of it. A lot of it doesn't make sense to me; downright confuses me. What I'm feeling when I see you, or think of you… or think of the bad things that happened to you before. What I do know is that you're my choice. That isn't going to change today, tomorrow, next month, or even six years from now."

Draco knew this conversation was a strange one for them to be having, but he wanted her to feel secure. He wanted her to know that he would always be there.

"In the Muggle world," she started slowly, staring out at the stables. "People don't talk about marriage until they're quite a bit older. And they don't make commitments, or even seriously date one another until their mid-teens."

His shoulders slumped. She was giving him the brush off. He would have to find some way to convince her.

Hermione scooted an inch closer to him, and looked over at him from under her lashes. "I don't understand everything that is happening either, Draco. But it is true. Since we met at Madame Malkin's everything changed."

"Even Ollivander said that our wands were a set. He picked mine out for me as soon as he gave you yours… because they went together," Draco stated strongly, hope once again rising. "And it isn't like we're getting engaged or anything. I just want you to know that you're who I pick."

"What… what if you meet someone you like more than me?" her voice was very small, and she wasn't looking at him again.

"Can't happen," he assured her. "You're the best. All of my friends like you and want you to be their friend. My Mum loves you, and when I told my Father last night, he was also pleased."

Her head whipped around to look at him. "You told your Father?"

He grinned. "Yes. I had to." Tears started to drip down her face, and Draco became anxious. "I didn't mean to upset you!"

"You didn't. It's just all so overwhelming," she sniffled. "Everything in my life changed in the blink of an eye. I went from miserable and unloved to happy and loved. I can do magic, and now live in a world where everyone can… I have a guardian who cares for me, and people who are always willing to listen to me, or hug me. Or try to make things better. I have loads of new friends, where before everyone hated me. Or they were scared of me. No one hurts me anymore," Hermione just continued, her voice filling with wonder at where she found herself. "And I have a brother, and I have you. You're my best friend, Draco. Being with you makes me happy."

Draco swallowed a lump in his throat. "I have something for you," he said gruffly. "It's… well, Father said it's been in my family for many years, and it's what we give to the person we have intentions towards… I think that's what he said," he finished in a mutter as he dug in his pocket. "It…" he shrugged and pulled out a small delicate ring. "Father said it's platinum, and the eyes are emerald."

Hermione cautiously took the small ring from him. She'd been reading on etiquette in the world she now lived in. Something like this was what a wizard gave to the witch he was claiming for his own. Draco was giving it to her.

The platinum ring was a thin circle, but on top was two snake heads. They met, and lay cheek to cheek. The small emerald eyes really were exquisite. Hermione took a deep breath and slid it onto the ring finger of her right hand. She felt a small tingle and gasped.

Draco was beaming. "That's the protection magic. Come on, let's go find Potter!" He grabbed her hand and they ran off to see where Harry had ended up.