I own nothing, not even this crazy off canon plot. I make no money off my fanfiction.

I had two amazing Alpha's for this chapter, which means it was not rewritten twenty times so please give them three cheers of appreciation to Missrissa81 and Slytherin's Destiny. Thank you, ladies, for picking me up this week and keeping me going.

Music is my muse:

Song of choice: Babe; Sugarland
Lyric of choice: 'We ain't getting through this babe.'

Riddle This

Chapter 36
Letting Go

Nagini hissed out a chuckle and uncoiled herself. "Brother and sister snake should stop fighting. Nagini is going to go hunting now."

Hermione graced the snake with a rare smile as it slithered off as Harry saluted his friend. "Don't terrorise Ron again, I know that was you who left a spider in his cell."

A hissing laugh was all they got as the snake slithered off.

"She is evil," Hermione said with a fond smile.

"She is? You are the one who dished about his fear of spiders, Hermione." Harry shook his head and then frowned. "When are they leaving anyways? I thought they were being sent back to England?"

It took three full days to finish their exams. Hermione was finally sitting down in the library to do a bit of pleasure reading when her fathers patronus rushed into the room. It was rare for him to communicate with her this way, so she stood up almost immediately as it hissed at her in parseltongue.

"Harry's room, daughter. Immediately."

She was halfway out the door before the wisp of smoke disappeared and running down the hall to the suite of rooms that Harry had not far from her own. Her heart was racing, and her stomach was in knots as she saw the cluster of people in the hallway.

Remus, Tonks, Viktor, Lucius and even Andromeda were standing around with concerned faces. They moved aside as she neared and she rushed in her eyes wild.

Harry was in a chair sobbing over Nagini, whom Tom was soothing. Hermione felt her heart stop. She couldn't be dead. Nagini had to be alright. She fell to her knees looking at her father helplessly.

"What's happened?"

Harry spoke his voice shaking and full of disgust. "It's all my fault. I went down to try and talk to Ron- and he, Hermione he stomped on her."

Hermione knew her eyes had gone wide, Ron wasn't a small boy anymore and could do a lot of damage.

"But, what was Nagini even doing that close to Ron?"

Tom spoke now, and his voice was cold. "Mr Potter left out that Ronald had him in a headlock and was choking the life out of him."

Hermione looked up from Nagini to stare at Harry who was flushed and did indeed have bruising around his face and neck. "Harry! Where was your wand?"

"In my pocket, he was trying to get to it when Nagini bit him. I'm sorry, okay. It's- it's Ron, and this is war, and I thought he would listen to me. Kingsley listened! I was just trying to talk to him. He was so calm at first, he let me talk, and we joked and smiled and then all the sudden he just- snapped. I don't understand, he was smiling at me like old times and then he grabbed me. Hermione, there isn't a spell on him to make him hate me or distrust me. I- I mean I really thought if I could just talk to him. I don't want him to go to jail; he was my best friend. Sure we have grown apart recently, but I hoped-"

"Enough, do not force me to give you a calming drought," was snarled by Tom, although he didn't look up or raise his voice.

Hermione swallowed down her anger at Harry and nodded unable to hide her frown she swallowed a few times before she finally couldn't keep quiet. "Why didn't you have me go with you? I could have disillusioned myself and made sure you were safe while you talked to him," she gestured at the door. "I am sure Tonks or Remus could have gone with you." Her voice was low but her eyes flashed her fear and annoyance.

Harry went pale and then red again shifting in his chair. "I didn't think of that."

There was a long sigh from her father who muttered, "stupid idiot lions just charging in before thinking things through."

Hermione started to speak, but Harry looked too upset, so she held her tongue and started whispering to Nagini in parseltongue. Now that her momentary rage at Harry was over she was back to being absolutely terrified over the fate of one large snake who hadn't spoken or moved.

"How is she, father?"

Tom sank back on his heels and stopped moving his wand as Severus rushed into the room with his potions kit. She noticed her father was sweating; he had never looked more human to her. She could see the worry etched on his face and in his eyes. It made her shake with fear. Nagini was in danger if her father was this upset.

"My Lord, I have the potions."

Tom took them and administered them before he fell onto his bottom on the floor and ran a shaking hand through his hair. He was taking deep breaths as if to calm himself.

Hermione looked up at Severus as he panted and then back at the snake. "Will potions work on Nagini?"

Severus nodded jerkily. "Yes, I had to dilute them, but they will work."

Tom snorted and pushed himself up levitating Nagini to her large pillow on Harry's bay window seat. Nagini had a spot in Hermione's room in the sun as well.

"She is sleeping until she is healed. She will be fine by tomorrow, and you, Mr Potter will owe her a tasty treat."

Harry looked over at the snake and took a shaky breath. "I- I am sorry she got hurt, Tom."

Hermione held her breath, her father still looked livid, and she wasn't sure he would forgive Harry for injuring his familiar. To her shock, however, he put his hand on Harrys' shoulder and squeezed it in comfort before he turned and left. His face was still troubled and his eyes worried, but he did look calmer.

Severus grunted and stood up glaring at Harry. "You, Potter, have just taken away my free evening. Stand up, stop snivelling, and follow me. You will be brewing an antidote for Mr Weasley, which will need to be administered before he can be portkeyed to England tomorrow."

Harry closed his eyes but didn't protest as Snape billowed out of the room; instead, he turned to Hermione with pleading eyes and gestured to Nagini. "Will you stay with her?"

Hermione nodded her face pale from stress. "Of course I will, Harry."

Harry gave her a weak smile and rushed after Severus Snape, who Hermione was sure would be an absolute bear all afternoon.

The hallway seemed to have cleared out, and Hermione moved the large chair close to the window seat so that she could touch Nagini. She was reassured by the snakes slow breathing and warm scales.

"Oh, Nagini. You brave, wonderful friend. Thank you for protecting Harry, but next time be more careful."

It was only after someone closed the door that Hermione let herself cry. She cried for Harry who had lost a friend forever. She cried for her father who had probably been terrified he might lose his familiar. And finally, she cried for herself because she didn't know what to do.

Ron wouldn't be the last person they cared about who was not willing to listen to their side at all. It wasn't like Nagini could bite all of them, although imagining that did have her laughing through her sobs as she lay her head down on the pillow and cried herself to sleep.

OooOOoOOoO

Tom Riddle slammed into his office and started breaking things. The ginger brat had tried to kill his familiar. Not that his familiar should have been anywhere near the young wizard in the first place, that was on Potter's stupid head. Never, in his entire life had he imagined he would be raising two bloody headstrong lions. First, Hermione tried to kill herself, and now Harry decided to have tea with a boy who would see him dead.

What a bloody mess. He had already been forced to send Remus in to alter the young wizard's memory of the entire episode. Severus would have the anti-venom ready, and they could administer it and send the lot of them back to England. It was long overdue. It was far too tempting to take out his anger, fear, and frustration on the entire family. Better they were out of his reach.

He also didn't wish to look too closely at the look of fear and horror on his daughters face when she learned that her friend had been injured. When she calmed down, and Nagini was no longer in danger, he was genuinely worried for the idiot who had bruised up Harry Potter.

"Stupid idiot bleeding heart Gryffindor!"

"Which one?" Severus asked walking into the room with Lucius on his heels.

"Potter," Tom bit out walking over to pour everyone some whisky.

"The anti-venom?"

"Potter is watching it and will add the next three ingredients. I will head back in three hours to make sure he has done so correctly."

"You trust him with a potion, Severus?" Lucius taunted accepting his glass of whisky.

Severus shrugged. "The boy won't die if Potter messes it up a few times before he gets it right."

Tom chuckled at that and then threw himself down in his chair. "The portkey is ready for them for tomorrow?"

Lucius nodded, "yes my Lord. My son also arrives tonight and should be able to keep your daughter from killing the idiot."

Severus grunted into his glass. "Should just let her."

Tom closed his eyes and tipped his head back; he was getting a headache. "She would feel remorse for any revenge she sought."

Lucius shrugged and smirked. "I am not so sure, she adores Nagini and the prat hurt her as well as Potter."

Severus rolled his head cracking his neck. "I think Lucius is correct. I doubt she would mourn if Ronald disappeared."

Tom shook his head and sighed heavily. "My job is to make sure she does not act on the righteous indignation she will feel as soon as she stops crying. I never thought I would have to do such a thing," at the raised eyebrow from Severus he waved his hand and scowled, "Parent. This is parenting. I don't care for it to be honest."

Lucius laughed out right before he sobered and nodded. "True, my Lord."

Severus gave a one-shoulder shrug and leaned back crossing his ankles and closing his eyes. "I am happy to say that I will no longer have to deal with your children anymore as they both finished their exams this morning."

"You will still be working with them on duelling, Severus," Tom said with a small smile.

Severus blinked open his eyes and then closed them again snorting, "as you wish my Lord."

Lucius hid his chuckle and stood up. "I need to find my wife who was preparing a feast for my son's return. I suppose we will be postponing that in light of the recent events. Your familiar will recover?"

Tom nodded and gave a grateful sigh. "Fully, however, I doubt you will pry my daughter away from her side tonight," his eyes twinkled. "Although if anyone could do so, it might be your son."

Severus groaned and threw an arm over his face. "I do not wish to hear this."

Tom rolled his eyes as Lucius chuckled. "We are not restricting their behaviour, my Lord?"

Toms' face morphed from cheerful to brisk in a heartbeat. "No, I don't believe we should. I have allowed them their own set of rooms, far from mine at least."

Lucius let out a long breath and straightened his robes before he bowed and left.

Tom glared at Severus who was not moving. "You had better pray to every God you know of that your contraceptive potion works, Severus."

Severus didn't flinch as he moved his arm from across his eyes and glared at the Dark Lord. "My research and brewing skills are impeccable. But, it is up to your daughter to use the potion correctly."

Tom was seriously considering hexing the man when he threw his arm back over his head and a few moments later started snoring. Shaking his head, he moved to the research papers in front of him. What had his world come to when his loyal followers were snoring in his office, and he was protecting a young wizard he would gladly see dead from his vengeful daughter.

With a disgusted snort, he set the alarm so that he could check on Nagini in an hour and silenced the snores from the dark-haired wizard in front of him.

OoOOooO

Hermione jerked awake and looked around the soft evening light. Harry was still missing; she assumed brewing the potion. She ran her hands down Nagini's body and threw up warming wards to keep her friends bed warm and toasty. Usually, Nagini would move to one of their beds and burrow under the covers or by the fire. She bit her lip trying to decide if she could risk levitating Nagini onto the bed. Not having enough information about Nagini's injuries, Hermione decided to leave her where she was.

There was a knock on the door, and she turned to see it open to her father who was frowning but didn't look worried.

"You will miss dinner, I have been unable to wake you all afternoon," he said in a soft tone. "Come, Hermione, let me sit with her, and you may go eat."

Hermione shook her head rubbing at her red eyes; she must have been crying in her sleep. "No, Father. I want to stay with her. I was thinking of moving her to the bed and crawling in; Harry won't mind."

Tom let out a disgruntled huff and shook his head. "Harry would not, but your fiancé might."

Hermione smiled at her father as she turned back to the snake still sleeping. "Draco would understand."

"I would, however, I would miss holding you tonight. I might not hate Potter anymore, but I have no desire to find myself cuddling with him in a bed."

Hermione whirled around and let out a gasp of surprise before she jumped out of the chair and hurled herself across the room into Draco's open arms. She was sobbing into his neck, so she didn't notice her father move forward to levitate the pillow with Nagini on it.

"I will move her. Make sure my daughter eats," Tom said with a resigned air as he left Draco to deal with his sobbing daughter.

Draco nodded at him and let out a small sigh of relief once they were alone. He pushed bushy hair out of his way so that he could lean down to kiss her face. "Stop, you will make yourself sick, love. It's okay, Nagini will be fine. Your father spoke with me. He is moving her to our room now."

This finally seemed to break through to her hysterics because she turned beautiful doe-like eyes up at him with an adorable frown. "Our room?"

Draco cradled her face in his hands and smiled at her tenderly. "Yes, our room. It was supposed to be a surprise; mother was going to tell us at dinner. Will you come with me? I had dinner brought there, and you can watch over Nagini all night from the comfort of our bed."

He watched as her eyes darkened with confusion and she bit her lip before she hiccupped as he wiped the tears from her face. Merlin, he had missed her. "Never again, Hermione. I will never be separated from you for this long again. It was torture, and I hated it."

Hermione finally smiled at him as she reached up to touch his lips. "You're really here?"

Draco knew his smile was wide and probably unseemly. "Yes, I am really here."

Finally, she laughed, and he felt he could kiss her. Once he had reminded himself of the taste of her lips, he pulled back looking her over critically. "You look thinner."

Hermione flushed and then ran her hands down his chest. "You feel fitter."

He shrugged and wrapped an arm around her steering her to walk beside him and out of Harry's room. "I had more time for Quidditch."

He shivered as her hand ran along his stomach and grabbed her wandering fingers before she started something in a hallway he couldn't finish. "Stop, we have our own rooms for this. I highly doubt your father is going to look the other way if I ravish you in a hallway, Hermione."

Her giggle was music to his ears, and he let out a deep continued breath. "What happened with Potter exactly? Your father wasn't very forthcoming with information."

Hermione clicked her tongue and cuddled into his side more. "I haven't gotten the full story, actually. I was upset about Nagini, and then Professor Snape pulled him out to work on an anti-venom potion."

"Why do they need an anti-venom potion?" Draco asked curiously.

"Nagini bit Ron."

Draco stopped walking and looked down at her in shock before he threw back his head laughing.

Hermione pinched him, "Draco it isn't funny. Nagini was hurt!"

He held up his hands before he hugged her back to him still chuckling. "I know, but that snake is welcome to steal the covers any night she wants. She will eat any delicacy she wishes for, and she is in charge of guarding all of our children."

When he peaked down, Hermione was rolling her eyes at him. "Oh, honestly."

Draco grinned and paused again to take her in his arms and kiss her soundly. "Nagini will be right as rain come morning."

Hermiones' eyes teared up again, and she nodded. "I love you; I haven't said that yet."

Draco stroked his thumb across her face lost in her whiskey-coloured eyes. "You didn't have to. I can feel it; your magic touches mine."

Her smile was brilliant as she tilted her head into his hand. "Is that what this is? I feel it too."

Draco couldn't resist kissing her again before he started them walking toward the set of rooms in the west wing they would now share. "Come on, let's feed you and I want to get you in my arms. I've slept like shite away from you."

Hermione grinned and with her arm wrapped around his waist as she allowed him to guide her down the hall eager to see their new rooms.

OooOooOooOooO

Hermione and Draco made it down to breakfast a bit late the next morning. With Nagini in the bed, their physical reunion was delayed. However, that didn't stop them from kissing and touching one another frequently. Hermione couldn't understand why she was shy, but she had flushed scarlet when Draco had asked if she wanted to share a shower with him that morning.

He had grinned and leaned down to kiss her winking at her and throwing a cocky, "maybe next time," over his shoulder as he moved to use the bathroom.

She had been surprised to find that there were two in suite bathrooms one off of each of their dressing rooms. And by 'dressing' she meant actual rooms full of their clothes. She had been stunned by all the robes and dresses she had found in the room as large as her childhood bedroom. It had a vanity and an entire wall devoted to shoes. There was a dresser that was nothing but jewellery.

"Mother," Draco said with a grin when he came to investigate her gasp.

Hermione had spent at least ten minutes that morning standing in her silk dressing gown turning in circles trying to decide what to wear. There was a selection of muggle trousers and fine cashmere jumpers and silk shirts that she finally gravitated towards out of desperation. Gone were her sturdy trainers and in their place were comfortable ballet style flats.

"Do you think she threw out all my clothes, Draco?" she asked worriedly as she had rushed out with her hair plaited.

He was buttoning a dress shirt walking out of his own dressing room his hair still damp. "I don't think so; you could ask an elf."

Hermione nodded absently and grabbed her wand shoving it into the holster on her arm. "Where is Nagini?"

"Your father came for her while you were getting dressed. He said to tell you she would be in his study with him until she felt like heading off on her own. I am sure you are welcome to go check on her after breakfast." Hermione had given a distracted smile and then squeaked as he pulled her into his arms. "No snake in our bed tonight, Hermione."

Hermione flushed and then smiled at him standing on tiptoes to kiss his chin. "Nagini wouldn't stay another night anyway. She knows how much I have missed you. Besides, Harry is probably worried sick about her. She can sleep with him tonight."

Draco leaned down and kissed her nibbling on her lower lip. "Good. Merlin, how am I going to keep my hands off of you today?"

Hermione smirked and then danced out of his arms heading for the door. "Who says you have to? We have our own room we can escape to!"

So, that was how they winded up late for breakfast. She had rushed out with Draco hot on her heels, and they had spent a good twenty minutes snogging in various hallways as they made their way down to the dining room.

Harry was the only one left, and he grimaced at them as he cradled a cup of coffee.

"Hello, brother of mine, you look like hell," Hermione said walking over to kiss his cheek and frown at the bruising around his neck.

He nodded absently and gestured at the food still on the table. "I haven't slept yet. Took me three times to get the potion just right. Saved you some berry crepes."

Hermione happily waved over the crepes and chuckled at Harrys' dazed expression. "Why did it take three times to get right?"

Draco smirked raising an eyebrow, "because he is an idiot, love."

Harry rolled his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck, "piss off, Malfoy."

Hermione rolled her eyes at the two and plated herself some scrambled eggs. "I imagine it was a mastery level potion, Draco. Please don't be rude."

Harry stuck his tongue out at Draco before he sighed. "It was the most complicated potion I have ever done. Snape said I needed to learn it if I was going to act like a hot-headed dunderhead, that way the next time Nagini had to defend me I can brew it myself."

Draco outright laughed at this while Hermione shook her head her eyes troubled. "Harry, what were you doing down there alone?"

Harry let out a heavy sigh as his face fell and an empty kind of sadness crept into his eyes. "I just couldn't imagine he wouldn't listen to me, and if he listened, I thought I had a chance, Hermione. He was my first friend before you even. I just, couldn't give up on him."

Draco looked at Harry and for once didn't sneer; instead, he let out a slow deep breath and then nodded. "I can understand that, Potter. I would have done the same with Theo I suppose."

Harry grunted and scowled at his empty plate. "But you don't have to, huh?"

Draco shrugged. "No, I don't. But, Theo is a Slytherin, raised by a Slytherin. Righteous anger in lost causes is not how we operate, Potter. We also try to make sure we have all the information available and weigh out the best planes for our goals. Theo doesn't care about the greater good; he cares about his interests. My goals align with his."

Hermione tilted her head curiously, "what if they did not?" she clarified, "your goals I mean, what if they didn't align with Theo's?"

Draco shrugged. "I would get the opportunity to explain how they benefit my interests and if he found that acceptable he would do everything in his power to help me so long as doing so didn't endanger his interests. Slytherins are selfish, certainly, but we also take care of our friends."

Harry pondered this for a minute and then said, "what if he didn't agree with you though?"

Draco tilted his head before he swallowed his eggs and sipped his juice. "He has disagreed with me frequently and still supported me. Theo never understood why I harassed you so much, yet never betrayed me because he thought I was an idiot."

Hermione snorted. "Happy that you understand how much of a prat you were, dear."

Draco grimaced and continued. "They have no idea why I am so obsessed with Hermione. I had to pretend she is my new best friend, although, after walking in on us floo calling I am sure they know that is rubbish. Plus, they have none of the backstory since I have not divulged it to them yet. Theo is confused, but trusts my judgment."

Harry sat back stunned, "he isn't demanding you tell him the whole story?"

Draco frowned affronted. "Of course not. When I am ready to discuss it with him, I will. For now, he knows that there is a good reason I am not, most likely for his safety. We seek information, but we also understand there are some things we are better off not knowing, Potter. Plausible deniability."

"Snakes," Harry grumbled while Hermione laughed.

"No, it's really a great policy to have," Hermione said smiling at Draco. "It shows great self-preservation. If you don't know something, you can't be blamed for it."

Draco gestured at Hermione with his fork and grinned. "Exactly."

Harry smacked his face with his hand and groaned. "You are turning my sister into a snake!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to her breakfast. "Oh, honestly, Harry. I sleep with a real snake most nights. Speaking of which, you are sleeping with her tonight so that Draco and I have some alone time."

Harry shoved up from the table looking a bit green. "Oh no, I don't want to hear another word."

Draco leered, "see, plausible deniability, Potter."

Hermione laughed as Harry shuffled out mumbling under his breath.

"Do you have to torment him so?"

Draco nodded decisively. "Yes, absolutely."

Author Note:

It's summer vacation so the kids are home. I think to be safe I will be moving the update schedule to bi-weekly. I might update more, but I don't wish to make promises I can't keep and I have been deplorable at the weekly update promise for a long time now. My apologies.

I want to thank you if you are still here, reading this story, update to update. It really means very much to me and I am grateful for your encouragement and support.

Up Next:
Back to your regularly scheduled 'what the heck is Dumbledore up to' story that got detoured by this idea that Nagini got hurt.
Muses...they do what they want.