A/N- Y'all are just the sweetest people ever. Thank you so much for all your positive and encouraging feedback, it keeps me going even though I have so little time to write. It's for this reason that it is taking forever to get chapters to you. Life in general is kicking my ass, haha. Anyways, big thanks too each and every one of you. Sidenote, FF is being stupid and not letting me answer reviews again. It's enough to piss off the Pope! Enough of the chatter now, and on with the show.

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Wish I did, but I don't, so there ya are. Not much else to say (:

Chapter 26

January 30, 1999

Hermione was biting her tongue as she ate her breakfast, doing her absolute best to not hex the individuals that she could hear whispering about her. It hadn't taken long for Adrian Pucey's attack/marriage proposal to become school-wide news. Since he was considered quite a catch, as was Draco, the female population in general had been less than friendly to her.

She seriously questioned the sanity of the female gender when she realized that the other girls were jealous of her because of Pucey. He had been rude, crude, had put words in her mouth, and manhandled her. In Hermione's opinion, there was nothing to be jealous of.

Draco had told her that he had told Pucey to back off and leave her alone, which Theo had told her a couple days later that he had reiterated to the Slytherin. Hermione hadn't asked, but from the tone of the conversation, it hadn't been in polite terms that Pucey had been told.

So far, the Slytherin had left her alone. He hadn't made any attempts to get her by herself or to speak to her in any of their classes. However, Hermione could feel his eyes on her throughout the day and this made her worry about his threat to her if she didn't tell her father that she she wanted to marry him. Would he really come after her? Could he be part of the attacks that were happening to her person? She wasn't sure of the answer to either question, but she knew for a fact that she would be continuing to keep her distance.

Draco hadn't left her side since Pucey had cornered her. Hermione knew that he felt guilty for leaving her alone in the library that day and was doing all he could to make up for it. She had told him that she didn't blame him at all, but that hadn't made any nevermind to Draco. Hermione could only let him follow her all over the school and hope that he felt better about the situation.

Hermione picked at her food while her friends laughed and joked around her. As the post owls came in, she kept an eye open for Harry's owl, Artemis, and Pig. She didn't recall much from her night in the Hospital Wing after what had been dubbed as "The Polyjuice Incident", but Draco and Theo both had assured the Head Girl that Ron had apologized for his horrid treatment of her and she had accepted it. She didn't regret her actions, per se, but she certainly wished that she could remember the apology. There was also a lingering suspicion that more had been said, but Theo and Draco had denied it when she asked. While her thoughts wandered, she didn't realize that Pig swooped down and fluttered around her head. She grabbed the tiny owl and removed the letter before she gave Pig a bite of toast. Opening the letter, she was happy to see that it was from Ron.

'Mi,

Glad to hear that school is going good for you. But then again, it always did. I hope your brother and the ferret are still looking after you since we haven't caught those Death Eater bastards yet. I know you're tired of having people follow you everywhere, but it's keeping you from getting hurt.

Life around here is still kind of crazy. I'm not supposed to be talking to you, my mum and Lavender say that I have more important things that I need to worry about, but I'm tired of having them tell me what to do. I don't want to marry Lavender until I know that the baby is mine.

I don't have anything against birds with kids but I don't want Lav trying to pass this kid off as mine if it isn't. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Anyways, I have a mission to head out for so I'll have to write more later.

Love you,

Ron

Hermione laughed quietly to herself as she read her letter. Ron was clueless as ever, but at least he wasn't being a complete prat. She wasn't sure how long that would last, but she'd enjoy it until the situation changed.

When everyone started to push away from the table, Hermione shoved her plate away and followed suit. Draco's arm wrapped around her waist and she smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. He began to guide her through the Great Hall towards Arithmancy when he spoke.

"You have to ignore them, Princess. When they know that it bothers you, they're going to keep on doing it." She nodded and she took her seat in Professor Vector's classroom.

"I know. It just wears on you after awhile." Draco gave her a commiserating look before he turned his attention to the no-nonsense professor that entered the room.

Hermione had always liked Professor Vector. She was generally fair in her classroom, not putting up with house rivalries, and made her students work hard. Professor McGonagall had always been Hermione's favorite professor, but Professor Vector had always come in second.

The lecture went quickly, Hermione thoroughly enjoying the subject matter. The class was becoming steadily more difficult so when it was time for the practical section of class, it took Hermione the rest of the class period to finish her assignment. Arithmancy remained one of her favorite classes, but it was Theo that truly had a talent for the subject.

When the class dismissed, Hermione realized that she was actually hungry for lunch. Her appetite as of late had been waning, which she attributed to stress, but not today apparently. She sincerely hoped that they were serving fish and chips in the Great Hall.

Hermione, Draco, and Theo all gathered their things and replaced them back in their bags before making their way towards the Great Hall. There were still whispers through the corridors but when Hermione was sandwiched between her boyfriend and her brother, she found it easier to ignore them.

When they reached the Great Hall, they found that the rest of their friends had already arrived and we're piling food high on their plates. It was with disappointment that Hermione began to serve herself shepherds pie. She supposed that she could hope for fish and chips for dinner.

The lunch conversation was usually centered around quidditch, but today, surprisingly, it actually began about academics. Draco was questioning Theo about a part of their Arithmancy assignment which spurred Neville to question Hermione about their upcoming Transfiguration class. Transfiguration had never been Neville's strong point and he had always needed extra help from Hermione to achieve the mediocre grades that he received. There wasn't anything special about the conversation, but it was most definetly a welcome change for once.

Hermione had Care of Magical Creatures next and Hermione was excited to see Hagrid. She felt a little ashamed of herself for not making time for tea with the half-giant, but she vowed to set up a time during class.

Hermione, Draco, Theo, and Neville cast warming charms on themselves before stepping out of the Great Hall. The end of January guaranteed that the weather was cold, blustery, and always carrying the promise of a storm.

Draco held her close as they made their way to Hagrid's cabin. She was grateful for his added warmth, she had always been much more susceptible to the cold. When she and Harry, and Ron had been on the run, Hermione had froze during the winter months. The boys had laughed at her mercilessly, one of the few things that they had to laugh about.

When they reached Hagrid's cabin, the half-giant immediately launched into his lecture on chimaeras. As they were extremely rare, there would be no animals to observe with this lesson, but Hermione found it stimulating nonetheless. When class finally ended, Hermione was frozen, but she had promised herelf that she would set up a tea date with Hagrid. Before she could make her way over to Hagrid, Pansy stepped in front of her.

"What are you promising Draco and Adrian to get them to want you? I know it isn't because they love you. They're getting something out of the deal." Hermione didn't even justify her words with a response. She merely rolled her eyes and stepped around the Slytherin and made her way over to her half-giant friend's side.

-O-

Draco saw Pansy sneering at Hermione out of the corner of his eye as he spoke with Theo. He couldn't hear what was said, but by the exasperated look on his girlfriend's face, it had to do with either himself or Pucey. He was happy to see that Hermione didn't say a word in response.

The Head Boy discreetly watched her as she walked over to Hagrid and began a conversation with the large man. It wasn't long and didn't seem to be overly complicated and Draco could tell that Hermione was pleased when Hagrid hauled her into a hug before she departed. He tuned back into the conversation with Theo.

"Merlin, she let me stick it in her arse last night, I couldn't believe she would be down for something like that." Draco really didn't want to picture his best friend fucking Weaselette in the arse, but they were friends. It was what friends did for each other. Thankfully, it was interrupted by Hermione rejoining them.

"I set up a tea date with Hagrid for later this week." Draco bent so he could press a kiss to her neck.

"That will be fun for you, Princess. We got out of Creatures early. Any plans before dinner?" She burrowed into his side, hiding from the cold.

"Just the library for a few books to help with Arithmancy." He wrapped his arm around her and felt her shiver as they started back towards the castle.

"You're always the first one to get cold, Princess. It's not even that cold outside today. " She gave him a small grin.

"I know. I've always hated the cold. When we were on the run, I was constantly freezing. The boys laughed at me constantly because they just couldn't understand it either." He chuckled softly and wandlessly cast another warming charm on her. Her eyes thanked him as they continued towards the castle.

Once inside, they split ways from Theo and Neville and started towards the library. Draco wasn't sure which books she thought that she needed, but there was no way that he was going to leave her alone like he had the last time.

He waited patiently while she browsed books for almost an hour. She went through several shelves of books looking for the one book that she was certain that she needed. When she finally happened upon it, she let out a whoop of triumph before she went to her tip toes to try to reach it. Before she could use her wand to levitate the book down from the top shelf, Draco stepped up behind her and reached above her to pull it down.

His chest and free arm caged her body in against the shelf and Draco felt himself harden against Hermione's peach arse. Unable to remain completely unaffected, he lowered his mouth to her shoulder where he nipped her softly.

"Merlin, Princess, the things you do to me." He didn't get a chance to say anything before Hermione spun in his arms and went to her tip toes so she could lave his collar bone with her tongue.

Leaving the book on the shelf, Draco wrapped both arms around his girlfriend and held her to him tightly. He groaned into her hair as he imagined her tongue and teeth working their magic on his cock. As if she had read his thoughts, Hermione dropped to her knees in front of him and began to fumble with his trousers.

Draco didn't have it in him to stop her and try to play the noble boyfriend. He wanted her hot mouth and sweet tongue all over his cock, swallowing him deep, and milking him dry. Her hands fumbled with the button on his trousers for a moment before his pants sprung open and she dipped her hand inside to grasp his prick.

After freeing his impressive length, Hermione gave it a squeeze as if she was testing how hard he really was. Before he could even chuckle softly at her innocent actions, she leaned forward and sucked the head of his cock inside her mouth. His hands flew to the side of her head to twine in her platinum locks while he let out a guttural moan.

Hermione began working him in and out of her mouth, using her tongue liberally as she sucked a little bit more of him in each time. She couldn't take all of him down, which he hoped would change with practice, but he was not complaining. Her mouth felt like heaven and he would never criticize anything she did for him.

Draco hands tightened in her hair as he felt himself ready to orgasm. His length became impossibly harder and his breathing stopped as he finally fell off the edge into pure bliss. Hermione choked a little for just a moment but then began working her throat around him, swallowing down his large load of seed. When she was finished, she pulled off his cock, dragging her tongue as she went as to clean him off.

Draco watched her wipe her lips with the back of her hand and then glance up to meet his gaze. Before saying anything, he tucked himself back into his trousers. Once he was buttoned up again, he wrapped his arms around Hermione held her close while he kissed the crown of her head. Her arms snaked around his waist and she burrowed her nose into his chest.

"I know it wasn't the best you've ever had, that you've had far better, but it was my first time. Please don't judge until I get a little more practice, I just want-." Draco cut her off with his lips hard on hers. He didn't hold the kiss long at all. When he released her from the punishing kiss, he smiled at her.

"Princess, that was phenomenal. Please don't think I wasn't just thrilled out of my mind with what you did." She gave him a shy smile as she rested her cheek on his chest once more.

"I've wanted to do that for a little while now, but I didn't want to push myself on you." He smiled as he reached up and retrieved the book that she had originally been after.

"Rest assured, Princess, you in no way pushed me into doing something I didn't want to do. " He enjoyed the light blush that stained her cheeks as he watched her gather her things so they could go to dinner.

They were, in fact, almost fifteen minutes late to dinner, so Draco hurried her along and shot Madam Pince a dirty look so she would speed up the checking out process. When the two left the library, Draco bustled her through the corridors and into the Great Hall.

The pair took their seats at their end of the Gryffindor table. Draco admittedly hated it there, couldn't stand the words and glares of the lions, but he would never abandon Hermione to them completely. While she greeted everyone politely and apologized for their tardiness, Draco took it upon himself to dish up her plate. She was still very slender and when he would notice her not eating much, it would worry him.

The chatter amongst their friends wasn't any different than any other meal. Quidditch talk was prevalent, but Neville did ask Hermione a few questions about their Care of Magical Creatures homework. There was nothing exceptional to note about the entire meal until the very end.

A black owl swooped down and let a roll of parchment fall down into the spot between Hermione's chest and the book she was carrying. She looked startled, but grasped it in her hand with a fiery determination in her eyes that he had only witnessed a couple times since she had come to stay with Theo. As if there had been a plan in place beforehand, Ginny leaned up and pressed a kiss to Theo's cheek and muttered something that Draco couldn't hear before she pushed him in Draco and Hermione's direction.

Draco held her close, arm possessively and protectively around her waist, as they made their way through the corridors to the Head dorms. Theo trailed behind them, wand in his hand and eyes alert. When they pushed through the portrait door, Draco spoke first before they even set their satchels down.

"Don't read it, Princess. You shouldn't have to get upset by what those pricks send you." She shook her head while smiling softly.

"No, I refuse to cower and avoid them because I'm frightened. I'm reading it." Draco knew that there wasn't anything that he or Theo could do to prevent her reading the letter short of stunning her and burning the letter. He was rather attached to his bollocks, however, so that would not be an option for this situation.

He watched with trepidation as Hermione took a seat on the couch and broke the seal on the parchment before reading it. And then reading it again. Then again. Her features twisted into disbelief, giving way to anger and then transforming before his eyes into heart-wrenching pain. When she finally burst into tears after dropping the offending parchment, Draco was already at her side so he could pull her into his arms.

She sobbed openly into his chest, muttering about how stupid she had been. While she shook in his arms, Draco picked up the parchment so he and Theo could read it.

Granger-

I feel that you have been led astray by those that you claim to love the most. Make no mistakes, we want you dead and will stop at nothing to make sure that happens, but we're tired of carrying all the blame.

In truth, your father is the one who sold you to his squib relation and his filthy muggle wife. He had discovered that his wife was having an affair with his brother Thomas and decided to punish them both. He wasn't even certain of the paternity of you and your brother. Your mother loved you so he sold you to take the very thing she loved most away from her. Then he threatened your brother with death if Alliana didn't torture Thomas for their indiscretions. When she found a way to give him a quick death, Theodore swore she would never see you again.

He has known your identity from the very beginning, as has Lucius Malfoy. Your father fears that when you discover the truth, they'll both be thrown back in Azkaban. They both promised to help us with this plot of ours to kill you, that we would play the part of being frightened and on the run now that they had snitched us out. They would become beloved because they had turned on us to help you and then you would die anyways, freeing us all to begin the war again.

Theodore Nott and Lucius Malfoy are in no way innocent in any of this. You're a smart girl. Why would they staunchly refuse to snitch on their comrades until you came along? Food for thought.

Happy we could have this enlightening conversation.

X

P.S. Your little body guards won't protect you for long.

Draco felt like someone had punched him in the gut. There was no way that any of this was true, that Theodore and Lucius had a plan to kill off Hermione. He was horrified at the thought of it and couldn't help but have a sliver of doubt in his mind if it was true.

Theo, however, was much more sedate in his fury. Draco knew for a fact that this wasn't true, he was simply trying to keep Hermione calm by example. The only outward sign of his true emotional state was his clenchest fists. Hermione, however, wasn't even watching Theo to use him as an example. She was still buried in Draco's chest, sobbing her heart out. Draco combed his hand through her hair and spoke softly.

"Princess, I don't think this is the truth at all. They know who gave them away now, they're trying to create discord for both you and your father. They think you'll be more open to attack if you're all alone in life. Or if you believe you are." Hermione had no response for him, just continued to mutter through her tears about how stupid she was for not seeing the truth. Once it was obvious that the words had no effect on her, Theo began yelling at her.

"Alexia Louise, stop acting like this this instant. Our father would never do the things that he's been accused of. If you can't believe that, then you don't trust me." It was as if she didn't even hear his words. This only furthered to incite his anger more.

"Why are you being so blind? Right now, you're being nothing but an ignorant fucking mudblood, just like you used to be. Willfully fucking stupid and blind." Draco cut him off before he could say anything more. Hermione was by herself on the couch faster than even Draco could believe and his wand was in his friend's face.

"Don't you ever say that fucking shite to her again. Not if you want to live because I swear before Merlin himself that I will kill you if you do." This seemed to bring Theo out of his rage-induced emotional breakdown. Without another word, he turned and left, slamming the door to their rooms behind him.

Draco turned back to Hermione and saw that she had turned inward towards herself, trying to curl up in a small ball. He picked her up as if she was nothing and set her back down in his lap where he continued to stroke her hair and murmur words in her ear.

In all reality, Draco had expected one of her magical surges. He didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing that one hadn't occurred. Her sobs had tapered off, but she was still crying and softly muttering to herself about how stupid she was. It was with complete surprise that he turned towards the sound of their portrait door opening. Theo emerged once again and on his heels were Theodore Nott and Lucius Malfoy. Draco couldn't believe his eyes.

Theodore's and Lucius' eyes came to rest on Draco and both seemed to realize that he was rocking a very upset witch in his arms. Both wore pained expressions, but neither were mocking. He gestured to them both towards the letter on the table, inviting them to read the words that had set Hermione off. Both men skimmed the letter more than once and Draco could see the obvious fury on both their faces. When they finally looked up to focus on Hermione, Draco wrapped his hand in her hair and tugged softly.

"Princess, our fathers are here. I think they want to speak with you." Her whole body began to quake in his arms so he held her tight while Theodore crouched in front of her and took her hand in his.

"Lexi, Baby, stop crying and listen to me." It was at this point that Hermione reacted. She vaulted out of Draco's arms and threw herself at her father. Draco watched, completely incredulous, as she began hitting him in the chest, abdomen, lower legs, and face. She seemed to have finally snapped and all Theodore did was protect himself from her attack.

"I can't believe that I let you in, that I let myself give a fuck about either one of you. I'm so stupid, everyone told me how stupid I was for forgiving you both and they were right, what the fuck was I thinking?" Finally, with no other options, Theodore rushed his daughter and wrapped her in a bear hug, refusing to let her go even though she fought him wildly. He was whispering in her ear, trying to calm her down.

"Lexi, I promise Baby, I'm not lying to uou. Neither is Lucius. Neither one of us have lied to you a single time since the war ended. I would never have sold you and I would never be trying to kill you. Theo told you how I've always treasured you, that I always missed you. If I had sold uou, I would have never even told Theo about you. We turned on the Death Eaters because we both wanted to do something right for our family, not always the wrong thing. Neither one of us want you dead." Draco watched as she began to calm in her father's arms. Her breathing was still erratic and though her cheeks were wet, her eyes were dry. When she spoke, her voice was soft and tentative.

"You didn't sell me? You don't want me dead?" Theodore let out a soft chuckle.

"Absolutely not, I promise to you on your dead mother's soul that I have spoke only the truth to you." All of a sudden, her legs went out from under her and Draco watched Theodore struggle not to drop her. Pointing towards the couch, Draco motioned for Theodore to sit with Hermiome. He watched with barely disguised amusement as the older man sat and arranged his daughter in his lap like she was five.

Hermione was still unconscious, but Draco wasn't worried. She would come around shortly and they could tell her again that everything in that letter was a lie. Theodore stroked her hair while he made eye contact with every person in the room.

"Who in the fuck knew that she had made nice with Lucius and I?" Theo shook his head.

"Nobody really knew aside from our friends, but everyone assumed it because of the papers sensationalizing the whole story. You've seen them. They're painting her as a turn coat now, saying she never really supported Potter or the Light." Both older men looked personally offended.

"Absolute rubbish. You would have to be deaf, dumb, blind, and stupid to believe that of her." Draco personally agreed.

"You should know though, Adrian Pucey is determined that she is going to tell you that she is done with me, wants to marry him, and that they'll start a new uprising." Theodore merely snorted.

"Like I would ever allow her to marry a worm like Pucey. I may let her win her way in marrying you, Draco, but never a man that acts and thinks like I once did." Theo nodded sagely at his father's words. Before anymore could be said, Hermione stirred lightly before lifting her head.

"Please forgive me, Daddy. I instantly believed those things of you and Lucius. Oh, Lucius, I'm so sorry! Merlin, they were right, I'm not very smart today." Theodore pressed several kisses to her forehead.

"Baby, there is nothing to forgive. Lucius and I have both done you wrong in the past and you were sweet enough to forgive us anyways. There is absolutely no shame in having some sense of self-preservation." Lucius nodded as well.

"No apology needed, Miss Granger. Please forget this whole thing." Hermione couldn't help but give Lucius a hint of a smirk.

"Lucius, do I need to hug you?" The older Malfoy's lips twitched for just a moment.

"That is quite alright, Hermione. Thank you for the offer." The room burst out in laughter. It was in this moment that Hermione seemed to recall that Theo had screamed at her as well. She didn't even get off her father's lap when she leaned forward and cast a bat-bogey hex on her twin.

"Don't you ever say that shite to me again, Theodore Edward Nott. Next time, you'll wish for the Cruciatus." Every wizard in the room was silent as they watched Heroine settle back into her father's embrace. Draco watched as his girlfriend's eyes became heavy as the words around them became more technical. Business obviously didn't interest her.

Their fathers stayed for several hours, Theodore obviously very content that his daughter was sleeping in his arms. When he and Draco's father made to leave, Theodore deposited her in her bed in her room before leaving her with a brief kiss on the cheek.

Both men left quickly, followed quickly and closely by Theo. Draco would deal with him the next day. Without a second thought, he went back into Hermione's room, shucked off most his clothes, and climbed in behind her. As she instinctively burrowed into his side, he wondered how the evening had started so well and ended in such a disaster. Draco allowed his eyes to close and he thankfully let sleep pull him under.

A/N- This chapter took so long to get to you and for that I can only apologize. Real life is kicking my ass, that's the damn truth. Thank you for remaining loyal. Leave me your thoughts, y'all. Next chapter, it's Valentine's Day, there's a Slytherin/Gryffindor quidditch match, and an argument of sorts.

Love,

A