"Stop with the pacing, we'll leave in a minute." Voldemort snapped, glaring at Hermione his red eyes flashing dangerously.
"Okay." Hermione huffed, sitting down on a nearby chair.
She knew The Dark Lord wasn't really angry with her, he was frustrated by Bella going AWOL. The day after she had left Draco's bedroom muttering to herself, she had returned to the Manor to check on her nephew. After spending some time with Draco she informed Voldemort she had some things to take care of and would be back in a few days. That was six days ago and so far no had heard anything from the witch.
"Come on, we better be going." Voldemort said standing looking at the brunette.
"I've been ready for ages." Hermione grumbled as she stood up. "I hope we still have time."
"Don't worry they won't do anything without us." Voldemort reassured Hermione, holding his arm for her to grab onto.
"They better not." Hermione muttered, grabbing the proffered arm.
Healer Scott was so pleased with Draco's progress that he had decided to bring him out of his magical coma that afternoon. Hermione was nervous about missing it as she had spent almost every minute with Draco since the battle at Hogwarts. Today's surprise outing with Voldemort had not been planned by Hermione, but when he had insisted she accompany him she knew better than to argue.
Hermione stood waiting for Voldemort to apparate them wherever he was planning on taking her. Hermione was incredibly nervous about the outing. Since the battle she had been so concerned by Draco's health that she hadn't had any time to digest what had happened the night Voldemort defeated her former friend. Before Hermione had more chance to worry she felt the familiar swirl of apparition as Voldemort spirited her away.
"Ugh, I hate that." Hermione muttered when they landed. She hadn't decided if it was just side along apparition she didn't like or the inability to control her own actions.
"Stop complaining and come here." Voldemort chuckled.
Hermione went to where Voldemort was standing. He got his wand out and cast a disillusionment charm over the surprised witch. Hermione was even more surprised when he cast the same spell over himself.
"Come along." He said, grabbing Hermione's hand and walking away.
As Voldemort walked along, Hermione looked at her surroundings. She was gobsmacked to find herself in a muggle neighbourhood. Voldemort led her into a park and sat down on a wooden bench, making Hermione sit next to him.
"Why are we here?" Hermione asked, still puzzled by her surroundings.
"Watch that house over there." Voldemort pointed out a small house with a blue door just opposite the small park.
Hermione watched the house for nearly five minutes before the door started to open. When a man exited the house, Hermione watched still unsure of why. But then she saw him clearly and was suddenly confused. It couldn't be, it wasn't possible. Open mouthed Hermione watched as the man walked down the road and turned the corner.
"That's not possible." She whispered, stunned by the man's identity. "That was Oliver Wood."
"Yes, it was." Voldemort said, he had clearly heard Hermione even though she was speaking quietly and more to herself than him.
"Why? How? I don't understand." Hermione shook her head. Her usually flawless logic wasn't providing any answers to her questions.
"I'll explain when we return to the Manor. I just wanted you to see him first hand." Voldemort said. "Are you ready?"
Hermione nodded and the pair apparated back to Malfoy Manor.
"Why?" Hermione asked, still confused by the morning's events.
Hermione and Voldemort were sitting in the library and Voldemort had just finished explaining to Hermione about the magic stripping potion and his plans regarding the prisoners in the dungeons.
"Why what? Why not just kill them all instead?" Voldemort questioned, looking directly at Hermione.
"Yes." Hermione replied, not intimidated by the dark wizard in front of her.
"It's complicated. Some of the Order have too much magical ability and skill's for it to be wasted. But mainly it was for you and Draco."
"I don't understand?" Hermione was still bemused by The Dark Lord's actions.
"I figured the brutal killing of your former allies might be too much for you to handle. I worried you would turn against me and in turn Draco would as well." Voldemort said. "I'm pretty sure together you and Draco could cause my downfall. That was something I wasn't about to risk."
Hermione looked at Voldemort and nodded. While he had provided a logical reason for his decision, she felt there was also the emotional connection he had to Draco to thank for his decision.
"Whatever the reason, thank you." Hermione smiled, wondering if the likes of Charlie and Luna would now survive.
"That's not everything." Voldemort said, pulling a piece of parchment from the desk drawer and handing it to Hermione. "Read this."
Hermione read the document three times before the reality of what she was seeing sunk in.
"You're offering them a deal?" Hermione asked, lifting her eyes from the paper.
"Yes, they sign the document agreeing to abide by the laws I plan on installing and they go free with their magic still intact. If they refuse I administer the potion and they are re-housed into the muggle world."
"Do you think anyone will agree?" Hermione asked.
"Maybe." Voldemort shrugged. "They might if they value their magic. And if you talk to them."
Hermione laughed bitterly at The Dark Lord's suggestion. "I don't think that will help matters. They'll all hate me for what happened."
"I wouldn't be too sure. Quite a few of them were moved by your obvious show of love for Draco. Perhaps they will understand your motives." Voldemort said. He was fairly sure two of the people who were with Potter that night still cared about Hermione and would potentially think about signing the contract.
"What about those that the potion won't work on?" Hermione asked. Voldemort had explained to her about the age limit on the potion.
"Miguel is working on that as we speak. Until then anyone refusing to sign will be detained as a prisoner." Voldemort explained standing up. "I'm going to the dungeons to make the announcement. Tomorrow we start giving them the chance to retain their place in the magical world."
Voldemort swept from the room, leaving Hermione sitting in the library trying to digest what had just happened. Once again The Dark Lord had proved there was more to him than a cold blooded killer seeking power.
Hermione had just got up to leave when the library doors swung open and Bella rushed into the room.
"Bella, where have you been? We've been worried." Hermione gasped, surprised to see Draco's aunt.
"I've been busy, where's the Dark Lord? Cissy said he was in here with you." Bella said, her eyes scanning the room in case she had missed Voldemort.
"He's just gone down to the dungeons." Hermione said. She was wondering what had gotten the witch so hyped up, Bella was practically bouncing with glee. "Are you alright?" She asked Draco's aunt.
"Perfect." Bella smiled, a large beaming smile that was completely genuine and filled with happiness. "How's Draco?" She suddenly turned serious as her attention turned to her ill nephew.
"The Healer's bringing him out of his coma this afternoon." Hermione said, suddenly eager to check on her boyfriend.
"Lovely, they'll be two reasons to celebrate tonight." Bella said, turning to exit the room. "I'm going to find The Dark Lord, we'll see you later."
The excited witch then left the room leaving Hermione even more confused and bewildered. As Hermione headed to Draco's room she wondered what on earth had gotten Bella so excited. She had never seen the solemn woman so giddy and happy before, whatever it was, Hermione approved. Anything that could cause Bella to be that happy could only be a good thing.
"It might take a couple of hours, but Draco should be awake some time tonight." Healer Scott said, stepping away from Draco's bedside.
Once again the entire family was gathered in Draco's room, this time waiting for him to open his eyes.
"I'll leave you alone. I'll be back when he wakes, to check him over." Healer Scott said, backing out of the room and giving the family some privacy.
Once Healer Scott had left the room, both Hermione and Narcissa moved closer to Draco. Narcissa pulled a chair right up to his bedside and Lucius moved to stand behind his wife, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Over the opposite side of the bed, Hermione carefully perched on the bed next to Draco.
While the other three people in the room didn't move closer to the bed they still kept a close eye on the occupant. Severus sat in a chair by the fire, watching his godson and hoping for a happy conclusion to his desperate battle for survival.
Also sitting by the fire on a small sofa were Voldemort and Bella. Bella was still giddy and beaming widely when she arrived in Draco's room with The Dark Lord. She refused to tell anyone why she was so happy, instead she insisted that they wait for Draco to wake so the whole family could be told together.
Despite focusing most of her attention on Draco, Hermione couldn't help but notice that Bella and The Dark Lord seemed extra affectionate towards each other. Even now Voldemort had his arm wrapped discreetly around Bella's waist.
As they waited for Draco to wake up the six people in the room talked quietly amongst themselves. In the last few days Hermione had been surprised to find that she had bonded somewhat with Lucius. Draco's father had finally accepted that she loved his son and would be a constant part of their lives from now on.
Slowly Draco became aware of voices talking. His body felt stiff and he was in quite a bit of pain. Not wanting to move, he instead listened to the voices and tried to identify them. Within minutes he recognised the voices of his aunt Bella, Severus and his father. A few minutes later he had identified both his mother and Voldemort's voices. Draco continued to listen, straining to hear the one voice that was the most important to him. Suddenly he heard it, a small delicate laugh that belonged to his girlfriend. He could hear his father reciting some sort of story about his childhood and Hermione laughing at it.
Wondering if his father was embarrassing him, Draco opened his eyes ready to stop the story telling. Draco had barely opened his eyes when he heard his mother's surprised gasp.
"Draco. You're awake." Narcissa said, reaching for her son.
Draco became more alert as he saw that everyone he loved had gathered around his bed. Carefully he moved his head slightly so he could get a better look at Hermione and check she wasn't hurt. Before he had a chance to enjoy seeing Hermione a strange man burst into the room and ordered everyone out. Draco was shocked when everyone obeyed but he soon worked out the man was a Healer.
Healer Scott told Draco the extent of his injuries as he was checking his vitals and making sure he was recovering right.
"I'll explain everything to your family before I let them re-enter." Healer Scott said, after informing Draco of how his recovery was coming along. "Do you have any questions?"
"No, I don't think so." Draco said, wincing slightly as his shoulder ached as he moved it. "Thank you for everything you've done for me."
"It's my pleasure. But I'm not done yet, as I said it will take time for you to fully heal and return to normal." Healer Scott said.
Personally he was incredibly shocked that Draco had recovered so much in six days. He expected the type of damage the Malfoy heir had sustained would have taken at least three weeks to recover from while he was in the coma. Obviously the young man was extremely fit, or he had something very special to live for.
Healer Scott left the room to talk to his family, and within minutes the door re-opened and everyone trooped back in.
"Draco, darling. It's so good to have you back." Narcissa gushed, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Don't cry, I'm fine." Draco said, hoping to avoid the waterworks from his emotional mother.
Lucius quickly stepped in, comforting Narcissa before the tears could fall. He then proceeded to welcome his son back. Severus, Bella and Voldemort all expressed their relief at Draco being conscious again.
Draco then turned his attention to Hermione, she had been standing quietly next to Narcissa while he spoke with his family.
"Come here." He told her, patting the bed next to him.
Hermione cautiously sat beside him, looking as though she was close to tears as well. Being careful because of his injuries, Draco pulled Hermione to him for a hug.
"I've missed you." Hermione mumbled into Draco's shoulder. She was being extra careful not to hold him too tight as the Healer said he would still be in a lot of pain.
"I've got an announcement." Bella sang, interrupting the reunited couple on the bed. "You two can catch up later." She said when Draco glared at his aunt.
"So we're finally going to find out what's got you hopping about like a mad woman." Lucius drawled. His sister-in-law's mysterious actions had aroused his curiosity but he wasn't going to admit that to Bella.
"Yes. I've got a divorce." Bella announced with a smile.
"How? Daddy made the marriage contract unbreakable." Narcissa exclaimed.
Bellatrix and Narcissa's father had drawn up contracts for all of the sisters intended husbands while they were still young girls. The contracts ensured that each Black sister married a pure blood wizard who could never be unfaithful or abandon his wife. He had also included many more stipulations about how the husbands were expected to treat their wife, he loved his daughters and wanted them to be treated right. But the most important clause was that the marriage couldn't be dissolved, the only way the marriage ended was with the death of either spouse.
Narcissa knew all this information as her father had made both her and Lucius sign her contact. Narcissa also knew for a fact that Bella and Rodolphus had also signed Bella's contract. The only one of the three contract's not signed was the one belonging to their sister, Andromeda. Their father had disowned her when she announced she was marrying a muggle.
"Not quite. It took a lot of work and a lot of money but finally I found a wizard in New Zealand that specialises in breaking magical contracts. Yesterday he finally broke the magic and with it the marriage contract." Bella beamed. "This morning Rodolphus and I were officially divorced."
The whole room were stunned. No one was quite sure what to say but congratulations seemed the best thing as Bella was clearly thrilled by her news.
"Congratulations." Narcissa finally offered.
Narcissa was unsure if you should be celebrating the end of a marriage. She had been brought up to believe that marriage was a lifelong commitment and not something you could walk away from. Narcissa did suppose it was a different situation for her and Bella. She had married a man she loved and she would never dream of leaving Lucius, but Bella was stuck married to someone she didn't really like let alone love.
"That's great Bella." Hermione smiled at the older witch.
After the conversation she had had with Bella before the battle at Hogwarts, Hermione felt she understood just how important it was to Bella to be free from her husband and free to be with the man she truly loved. Hermione herself found herself in a similar situation, only instead of being free of a husband she was free of Harry and The Order.
A/N- A couple of reviewers have asked about a prequel, detailing Draco and Hermione's relationship while at school. It is something I will definitely be doing but it may be a while before I get round to it. First I plan on writing the sequel to this story but I also have pages of ideas for other stories I'm eager to write. So it make take a while, but it is coming.
P.S- I've just finished writing the epilogue for this story and will be going on to start writing the sequel in the next few days.
