It had been a relatively quiet afternoon inside the Manor and Lucius and Narcissa were just finishing lunch when they both felt a shift in the wards. Lucius recognized the magical signature of his Son immediately, as did his wife. Confused, they both stood and made to find their Son—but first, Lucius called for Tinny, one of their House elves.

"Tinny!"

The little elf popped into to room, her big ears flapping as she gripped her tea towel tightly.

"Master?" She squeaked.

"Is Draco here?"

The elf's head bobbed quickly and then she squeaked, "he's in the eastern drawing room."

Both he and Narcissa paled, as they rushed quickly from the room. Lucius had a fairly good idea just how Draco had arrived home, and his gut clenched as he took his wife's hand making haste towards the east wing.

Draco was standing there watching Hermione's Father, as he paced throughout the room, his eyes flashing white and electricity running through every part of him...then he stopped suddenly and stared down upon the floor with a look Draco could only describe as agonized.

Then the God's focus was solely back upon him, and Draco had to wonder if he was going to die in that moment.

"You watched my daughter being tortured in this very room in that very spot!" The God hissed, his voice crackling with vibrating intensity and Draco just nodded slowly—as there was no reason to deny it.

"And you expect me to allow you to not only live—but to court and marry my daughter?!"

Draco flinched back hard as the final word was spoken with a resounding boom like thunder echoing against every wall, surface and edifice in the room.

Including him.

Draco wasn't sure what to say, and his eyes widened in horror as he saw his parents walk into the room—both of their expressions fearful as they took in their irate guest.

His Father cleared his throat bravely and said, "My Lord?"

Zeus whipped his head around in righteous fury, his entire body radiating with pain and rage.

"You allowed my treasure to suffer by the hand of your family under this roof! Tell me Lucius Malfoy—should I not be allowed to take your own Son in recompense for the redress suffered upon my child?!"

Narcissa whimpered, but Lucius held her back as he shook his head at his wife and once she nodded in understanding, he slowly moved into the room. His gaze caught his son, and he put up a staying hand before he said calmly, "If you are looking for someone to blame, My Lord? Then I humbly request that you look no further than myself. This is my home, and I was the one who allowed that monster within these walls. I am the one who allowed my own son to be marked a servant of that madman. If you seek justice on behalf of Miss Granger—than I offer my life in exchange for my son's."

Zeus body bristled as he glared at the elder Malfoy, not unaware of the concession that was being asked of him. The God glanced at the son and wife briefly, and they both were stunned speechless by the request.

"And you would be willing to trade your life? To suffer any punishment I might see fit to enact?"

Lucius bowed his head humbly. "I would My Lord. Draco loves your daughter and I believe he always has, even if he could not show it. If not for my prejudiced views, he might've been free to pursue her as his own heart desired. What has been allowed to transpire is entirely upon my head, My Lord. I do not wish to see my son and wife suffer for my mistakes any longer. The fault lies solely upon me and I will accept any judgement you seek to give as a consequence."

If Lucius thought Hades radiated power it was nothing compared to the God of Sky and Ruler of Olympus. The heavy ozone that filled the air crackled with a searing intensity that he felt in every particle of his being. Where the the God of the Underworld's power lied in his darkness and malevolence—Zeus power was filled with a white, hot light of pure heat and an unfathomable force.

He didn't waste a second in showing humility as he dropped to his knees in submission.

Draco could feel, taste and smell the ozone in the air. Where his witch's power was sweet and fresh as the new spring rain—her Father's was cloying and heavy like being in the center of a swirling tempest—the force of its power unleashed without restraint.

Draco had to shield his eyes as the God's aura was beginning to manifest itself in his anger and he was frightened momentarily that if Zeus lost himself and morphed into his Divine Form—he and his parents would be burned to ash instantly.

And then Draco heard it...

The heavens outside began to roll and rage with the force of the God's pain and fury. The Manor grounds began to shake, and Draco tried desperately to stay on his feet and he noticed his Mother crouched on the ground—the shaking too much for her to bear.

Back at Hogwarts, Hermione had just walked inside the castle with her friend's when she heard the sky groan and then explode in a flurry of wind, rain, thunder and lightening. She turned her gaze up towards the heavens and then her eyes widened in awe.

Was this her Father's doing?

She moved to return outside and felt a strong hand on her arm halt her progress.

"You can't be surprised, Mine." Luke's voice echoed in her ear and she turned her head to glance up into his green eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Luke sighed as he stared into the heavens and then cringed when another crack of thunder and lightening lit up the sky. His worried gaze met Percy's over Mine's shoulder...and it was clear that Jackson understood too.

"I think I finally get it," Luke said at last, "and for what it's worth, I was wrong."

"About?"

Luke's eyes landed on hers and he flinched as the ground beneath them started to shake from the force of the storm and then he whispered, "Just close your eyes and listen, Mine."

Even though she was confused, she did as Luke instructed and allowed her heightened senses to listen to the cacophony outside and that's when she heard and felt it—the storm was no mere aberration—it was her Father crying out in pain and sorrow.

And her heart responded in kind.

Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head in confusion.

"I don't..."

"Where would he have taken Malfoy?" Luke interrupted and he grimaced sadly the moment his Mine figured it out. She immediately turned to Nico and demanded, "You need to take me to Malfoy Manor, now!"

"No way!" Both Harry and Ron bellowed in opposition.

The storm raged as the heavens buckled in fury and they all cringed away as lightening hit the ground in rapid bursts.

"Nico!"

Her cousin nodded and grabbed her arm, giving his boyfriend and shaky smile before shadow traveling them both back to Malfoy Manor.

When they arrived just outside the Manor, Hermione and Nico nearly tumbled to the ground as the Manor groaned and trembled beneath their feet. She desperately pulled her self up and yelled for Nico to take them to the drawing room but he shook his head and pointed in the direction she needed to go.

"I can't Mi. Your Father's powers are too much for me. This is as far as I can go."

Hermione nodded and ran through the broken front door and towards the stairs—crawling up them as she got back to her feet and then was flung against the wall. The foundations of Draco's ancestral home and the magical wards were nearly gone and she could feel the protections starting to fracture as she made her way towards the drawing room.

She didn't know how she remembered where it was, but when she got there the room was filled with dark hazy ozone and she could barely make out Draco and his mother—who were cowering in a corner of the room while Lucius was lying prone on the floor at her Father's feet.

When she took in the visage of her Father—she could taste his power, rage, pain, anger and she felt the wetness on her cheeks as she desperately called out for him.

"Daddy! Please don't do this!"

Zeus heard his daughter and turned his stormy gaze upon her—her face streaked with tears and his heart broke all over again. His hands clenched as the memories of her torture assaulted him, but as he heard her call out for him again, he screamed in rage and pulled back his power until only his eyes were whitened and the remnants of electricity crackled along his skin like a soft current.

A thousand miles away, Hera looked up into the sky and heard the heavens groan before the wind snapped and rain poured down like a flood. Her eyes watered as she felt her husband's pain as it ripped through her and was unlike anything she'd ever felt from him in all the millennia they'd been married. She grasped her hand to her chest and felt the place where her heart was—burn in agony as the skies cried in utter sorrow and despair.

She knew she should've been angry and felt cheated that her husband had allowed himself in a moment of weakness to love...truly love...but right now, all she felt was the emptiness that comes from the knowledge that her own choices had led to her husband's pain.

And she openly cried with him.

For all he'd lost and for all he'd suffered because he'd wanted something he shouldn't have—and loved his Hermione more than any of the children they'd borne together...and even those they hadn't.

And now she was banished here for a thousand years for her choices and her husband was suffering alone and somewhere—the fates were having a laugh at her expense.

She dropped to the ground and bellowed out her frustration and impotence as she pleaded for her husband to hear her.

Back at Malfoy Manor, Zeus stared at his treasure who was standing there gaping at him, her face filled with sadness. The God of the Sky and Ruler of Olympus, held out his hand for his daughter and she didn't hesitate to run into his embrace as he held her to him.

She was his greatest strength and his only weakness and not for the first time he silently raged at the fates—that it was unfair that he couldn't have protected her from the evils of the world.

That he couldn't just be her Father.

What kind of parent, who had the power of the cosmos at his beck and call? Doesn't protect that which is most precious to him?

He felt his daughter shiver, and then she whispered into his chest, "It's not your fault. There was nothing you could do, you said so yourself."

Zeus lifted his daughter's chin and he nodded as their gazes met and held in silent understanding. He then looked to the others within the room and sighed in resignation and regret.

"Are you angry with me?"

Hermione giggled softly and shook her head. "No, I understand."

Zeus kissed the crown of her head tenderly, before waving his hand and in that instant—Hermione gasped as the room around them shifted...groaned and then it was gone and in its place was a beautiful arboretum filled with flowers and plants of all kinds. Her eyes widened in appreciation as she took in everything and she could see the shocked looks on Draco's face as well as his parents.

"Did you just?"

"Yes...I banished the room and replaced it with this. I will not have my daughter be subjected to any reminders of..."

Hermione nodded as she gripped her Father's arm in thanks. "It's very lovely."

Zeus gazed around the room and mimicked the gesture. "A marked improvement." He then turned to face the Malfoy Family and his expression darkened considerably until he felt his daughter's anxiety and he sighed in defeat.

"Am I going to be required to approve of this?"

Hermione turned her attention back to Draco, and he just bowed his head. "If I asked it of you, would you give your blessing?"

Zeus groaned unhappily. "I am unsure how to do this, my treasure. I am unused to giving into my children's whims." His gaze softened as wide amber eyes looked up at him beseechingly and he placed another kiss on her head. "Understand this Daughter—for I will only say it once..."

Hermione nodded and then Zeus turned to her intended and his parents, his voice firm and resolved..."Should you harm my treasure in any way—I will strike...you...down. Am I to be understood?"

Draco swallowed uncomfortably and his parents looked like they were going to be ill, but the smirk from his witch had him grinning inwardly.

Little Minx.

"I understand, My Lord—and for what it's worth? There is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for Hermione. I know I am unworthy of her, but I will spend the rest of our lives together proving to you and to her that I am worthy to be by her side. I swear it on my magic."

"So mote it be." Zeus resolute words shook the foundations of the Manor and Draco bowed his head in thanks. The God of Sky the gazed back down at his daughter and said, "You need to return to school."

"Yes Father."

Zeus cupped her cheeks and then spoke silently into her mind. "Whenever you have need of me, just close your eyes and call for me. I will hear you and respond accordingly. I am never more than a thought away, my treasure."

"I know. I love you Father."

"And I you, My Daughter."

The room shimmered in front of her and then the next thing she knew—she and Draco were back standing on the walkway overlooking Hagrid's Hut.

He immediately enveloped her into his side and kissed her on her temple in relief.

"Your Father loves you."

Hermione's breath caught on a sob as she nodded her head into Draco's chest. "I know it." Her eyes glistened up at him and he cupped her cheek lovingly as he placed a gentle kiss upon her lips.

"Let's get you inside." Draco led her into the castle and then paused for a moment before asking, "Do we share what happened?"

Hermione shrugged. "Nico, Percy, Annabeth and Luke know where he took you and so does the rest of our friends. I'm sure they won't say anything though." Hermione paused for a moment before she said quietly, "I don't think anyone needs to know the rest of it, do you?"

"No love, I don't think it's anyone's business but ours."

"Good." She then looked up at her wizard and smiled lovingly. "My Father showed me what happened with Hera. Thank you for saving me."

Draco pressed another kiss to her temple and murmured into her skin, "I should've protected you from the start, my love."

"It's alright Draco, really. What's done is past and we can't change it."

He sighed heavily and nodded. "I know." They walked a bit further into the castle before Draco spoke again. "And Castellan?"

Hermione flinched slightly at the hurt tone in Draco's voice and she gripped him tighter into her side as she replied, "I need to talk with Luke."

"I see." Draco's voice was cold and Hermione just glowered up at him.

"You don't and you have nothing to worry about Draco. I love you, and only you."

His expression softened slightly as he sighed, clearly put upon and not wanting to be. He didn't like the fact that Luke Castellan made him feel fucking inadequate.

But he also knew he needed to trust his witch and let her say her goodbyes properly.

"I love you too, my stubborn witch."