The owner of a lonely heart.
The cruel, taunting laughter of Bellatrix Lestrange echoed off the stone walls of the cell. Again, she raised her wand.
"What more could I have asked for," she jeered, her wand pointing at someone huddled against the stone wall. "A Mudblood and a blood traitor to deal with, plus the ultimate pleasure of my Master, when his plan comes to pass."
The light of her wand fell on the two people against the wall, bound by thick, rough ropes. Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley.
"It won't take long," she sneered at them. "Potter will soon come to his senses and come to rescue his girl friend and Mistress!" Hermione flinched. Ginny patted her gently on the arm.
Bellatrix pointed her wand at Hermione's heart.
"Crucio!"
Hermione hit the ground, screaming in agony. The back of her head struck the wall she was bound to. Blood began to trickle down her face. Ginny instantly knelt at her writhing friend's side.
"You'll never win," said Ginny quietly. "You and your Master have no chance. Harry is so much stronger than either of you give him credit for."
Bellatrix sneered.
"Oh and I suppose you'd know all about it, would you, Weasley? You're a blood traitor if ever I saw one."
"Yeah, and I'm proud of it!" Said Ginny stubbornly, glaring at Bellatrix. Bellatrix turned her wand on Ginny this time.
"Crucio!"
This time it was Hermione who knelt down by her friend, as Ginny screamed and writhed in pain on the hard stone floor. Bellatrix's sneer became more pronounced.
"I am sure before long; the Dark Lord will be in here to give you some of this himself. He will have a lot of fun with you I'm sure, just until his biggest lot of entertainment turns up. Harry Potter and my Master is able to kill him."
"Why don't you just go and shag Voldemort!" Yelled Ginny, her fury just as clear on her face as her fear. "I doubt he'd say no to his dear Bella, now do you?"
Hermione put a shaking arm around her friend's shoulders. The ropes were tied around their backs, legs and chests, but their arms were still movable. Their wands, of course, had been taken.
Bellatrix's sneer turned to pure outrage, as she raised her wand and touched it to Ginny's face.
"Say that again, blood traitor," she said in a soft and deadly voice that seemed to carry more danger than the killing curse.
Ginny glared right back at her.
"I said why don't you just go and shag Voldemort!"
Hermione gasped. "Ginny, no!"
"If I was aloud to kill you," Bellatrix hissed, "I would. But the Dark Lord wants you both alive when Harry Potter arrives. Shame. Else, you be dead Missy!"
"Oh my God, you guys scare me so bloody much, because it's not like Harry's going to put up a fight, now is it? Also, what makes you think he's going to come? What makes you think we don't have a plan of our own?"
Bellatrix roared with laughter once more. She raised her wand and two small glasses of water appeared.
"There! That's all you get! I expect the Dark Lord himself will be here to see you later, so have fun!" She sneered at them, as the door slammed shut and the thick heavy bolts were drawn home.
Hermione and Ginny had been kidnapped that day by a group of masked Death Eaters. At the same time, Harry had received a letter from Voldemort, telling him where they were and that they would die if he didn't come and hand himself over by that evening at midnight. They were now being held in the big cell that was hidden in a secret part of Malfoy Manor. For one of the women, this made the situation a heck of a lot worse, but in a way she'd only tell one person. Her fellow prisoner, Ginny.
Both of them took a sip of their water and tasted that it was Luke warm. Both their throats were dry and sore from screaming in pain, but they knew they had to be careful how much they drank, that water was all they'd get.
"Bloody hell, Ginny." Said Hermione quietly, looking at her best friend. "I'm a wreck. I'm a complete wreck."
"Join the club," said Ginny darkly. "That Cruciatus curse bloody hurts!"
Both of them huddled close together, placing gentle arms around the others shoulders.
"You really shouldn't have said what you said to Bellatrix, Gin. I mean, we all know she'd like to, but…"
"Yuck!" Ginny wrinkled her nose. "Don't even go there, ok? Stop!"
In spite of everything, Hermione managed a faint smile, as did Ginny.
"Gin," said Hermione quietly. "May I talk to you?"
"Sure," said Ginny quietly. "It's not like I've got a hot date tonight or anything." Both women managed a smile again.
"I love you, Gin. You're keeping us at least sane."
"Oh Hermione, don't think I'm not afraid, because I am! I don't know if I've ever been more scared in my life. But trust Harry, he'll know what to do."
"I know," said Hermione with a small nod.
"It's just; I'm in another erm… Predicament which has nothing to do with our situation."
"Oh?" Said Ginny, raising her eye brows. "Nothing to do with the fact that we could be dead in a few hours?"
"No," said Hermione quietly. "It's to do with one of the so-called Death Eaters."
"Ok," said Ginny. "Shoot, I'm listening Hermione."
"Please," said Hermione faintly. "Please, don't interrupt me, ok? I just need to get this out, please don't stop me, else I may lose my courage."
"Ok," said Ginny nodding. "I won't, I promise. No matter what you say."
"Thanks, Gin." The two women kept close to each other, as Hermione began to speak.
Inside the main living room of Malfoy Manor, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy were sitting in arm chairs. Lucius had been killed only a week ago. Quietly, Narcissa stood up and approached her son.
"Are you alright, Draco?"
Draco tried to remain calm in impassive, but he was finding this very difficult to achieve. He looked into his mother's face.
"I don't like this, Mother. If I'm honest, I hate this damn war; I hate everything to do with it. Why can't Potter just kill him, now?"
"Draco," said Narcissa quietly. "Listen. You and I both know we secretly joined the Order a long time ago and frankly, I think we've hidden it for long enough. I think tonight, we should let our true selves come out. We were total cowards, letting Lucius rule us both like that. We still are being cowards, not showing our true selves."
Draco nodded.
"Yes, you are right," he said quietly.
"Draco, answer me this one question, please? Am I right that you do feel the way I think you do about a certain woman that… Let's just say, Lucius would not have approved of?"
Silently, Draco nodded.
"Then listen to your heart, son. Don't let her get away! Show her your true self, give her your love, give her your care, don't let her go!"
Again, Draco nodded.
"Thank you, Mother."
Narcissa stepped forward and hugged Draco tightly.
Suddenly, the door opened and Voldemort and Bellatrix entered the room.
"Are the prisoners quiet?" Asked Voldemort.
"Yes, my Lord," replied Bellatrix reverently. "Not a sound since I left them."
Voldemort sneered.
"Draco, what is the time?" He asked quietly. Draco looked at his gold wrist watch.
Ten in the evening," he replied. Bellatrix raised an eye brow at Draco, for not showing the correct respect, but Draco ignored it.
"The Weasley's really need to be careful who they cell their products to," Voldemort sneered, pulling a pair of extendable ears from his pocket. "Draco, I want you to listen in on the prisoners. You and your mother. Tell me if they say anything of interest. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Lord," Narcissa and Draco said together, their voices carrying no respect, or fear. Voldemort smirked, and left the room with Bellatrix right behind him.
"Can't we just let them go?" Draco said, and Narcissa couldn't mistake the longing in his eyes. "You say we shouldn't be cowards, let's just let them out!"
Narcissa, Draco was sure, wiped her eyes before answering.
"Draco, I wish we could, but we can't do it just like that. It would endanger their lives even more. I'm not thinking of ours, I'm thinking of theirs."
Draco nodded once more. Slowly, they lowered the extendable ears down through the trap door in the living room, which led down into the cell.
"Well, I don't know where to start," said Hermione quietly, sipping a little more water, then handing the tiny bit left in the glass, to Ginny, who drank it gratefully.
"Harry and Ron would have killed me if they'd ever found the truth out, but this is the worst place they could keep us in."
"What do you mean?" Asked Ginny.
"Gin, think about it, we're in Malfoy Manor. Malfoy Manor. Ginny, for the last year, maybe longer, I have been falling fast in love with someone in this house, and there's nothing I can do about it. It's true love, not some kind of trick."
"Hermione, are you telling me what I think you are? Are you telling me you're in love with Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione didn't answer.
"How, why?" Asked Ginny, after a while.
"I don't know, it's just, he's been so nice to me over the last year, while we were Head's at Hogwarts. We didn't fight hardly as much as we used to, he never called me… You know what and…"
"Do you suspect something?"
"No bloody way! Draco Malfoy," now Hermione's voice cracked. "Draco Malfoy would no sooner love me than the giant squid! Do you have any idea how much that hurts? On our last night at Hogwarts, I almost kissed him, almost went into his arms, but I was a coward at the last second!"
"Hermione, what if he's holding us, particularly you though, in Malfoy Manor for that very reason? What if he knew how you feel and is tormenting you with it?"
"Who? Draco or Voldemort?"
"Both, but especially the latter."
"Yeah, that's the kind of sick thing I could imagine Voldemort doing. He's never understood love, so it'd be just like him to mock it. AS for Draco though, I'm not sure."
"Did you ever call him Draco to his face when you were alone together at Hogwarts?"
"Yes and he called me Hermione. I started loving him, but what could I do? I couldn't tell anyone, it was breaking me apart and still damn well is!"
"Are you going to do anything about it if we get out of this?"
"Yes, you bet I am! If we get out of this, I want to tell him how I feel, even if he kills me for it! I can't go on like this; he's got to know, even if I die for it! I'm sorry, Gin. I know you thought I loved Ron and I know he loved me, but…"
"You can't help who you love," said Ginny quietly. "Hermione, I know that."
"Like I say, I know Draco will probably kill me, or get his Master to do it for him, but he's got to know! He just has to! I don't understand though, Gin. He has the Dark Mark and all, but, he's been so nice to me this last year, very nice by Draco's past treatment of us! I know Lucius was killed last week in the battle of Hogwarts, but why was he nice to me before then? Maybe now, if it had all been pressure from his father, I'd understand. But he's been nice to me all year."
"Hermione," said Ginny gently. "I won't pretend to understand it, but I won't judge you for it. AS I said, you can't help who you love. I think Voldemort worked it out. I mean, he's kidnapped us to lure Harry to him to kill him, and he's placed us in Malfoy Manor. I'm Harry's girlfriend and you're in love with Draco Malfoy. Couldn't have done much better, now could he?"
Hermione nodded grudgingly.
"Got to hand it to Voldemort," she admitted, "not that I want to, though!"
"Hermione, does Draco know how you feel?"
"Are you kidding? No way! That's why I said I have to let him know! I didn't even let it slip all year. I kept it to myself. I think it's just chance we've ended up here."
Ginny privately disagreed.
"Are you sure?" She gently persisted. "Are you sure you didn't mention anything about him to anyone else before now?"
Hermione thought hard.
"No," she said finally. "I'm positive I didn't."
"Hmmm," said Ginny thoughtfully. "Ok, but Voldemort's not stupid. Unless Draco guessed and has asked Voldemort to bring us here to torture you? Knowing he's so close yet so far? Maybe he's been nice to you all year, knowing this would happen? Maybe he was planning it all the time?"
"I don't want to think that," said Hermione quietly... "I just don't!"
"I know," said Ginny gently. "I know Hermione, but it's possible, you can't deny that."
"No," said Hermione quietly. "No, I can't. But it's not exactly a cheerful thought. Ginny, I have to tell you this, every time I think of Draco, I see the man I really want to marry, spend the rest of my life with, and I can't lie to you. I don't know why or how I fell for him, but it's breaking my heart! He has to know, even if I die for it!"
"So, if Harry comes tonight, are you going to stay behind just to tell Draco your feelings?"
"No, I'm going to try while Harry and Voldemort are dueling, if it comes to that. Like I keep saying Ginny, he has to know! He has to!"
"But, Hermione, why, why Draco? Just because he's been nice to you? How does that make you fall in love with him? How…"
"Ginny, I don't know! Ok? I just don't know! My heart just needs him! I'm the owner of a lonely heart; Draco Malfoy is the only one who can change that! Ginny, I told you this because you're my best friend, please, don't judge me?"
"I've already said I'm not going to, you can't help your feelings I know, but I… Hermione, let's put it this way. If you and Draco do somehow end up together, I'll be happier than you know. It would really prove he's changed, believe me, I'd be with you every step of the way! I'll never turn from you Hermione, I promise."
Hermione hugged Ginny tightly. The embrace carried real meaning for both. They could die tonight, but love still lived on.
"I love you so much, Draco Malfoy," Hermione murmured into the silent room.
Draco quietly pulled the string out of his ear, as his mother did the same. Draco looked close to tears, for one of the very few times in his life.
"She thinks I'm going to kill her," he said quietly. "I couldn't, never!"
Again, Narcissa stepped forward and hugged her son.
"Do you love her, Draco?"
"Yes."
"Truly?"
"Until the day I die."
"Then, trust me Draco, I have a plan."
A few seconds later, Voldemort and Bellatrix re-entered the room.
"Nothing to report," said Narcissa quietly. "Not a sound."
Voldemort smiled a satisfied smile.
"Good. Well Potter doesn't have long, it's quarter past ten now, if he's not here by midnight to hand himself over, and they are dead."
"My Lord," said Narcissa quietly. "Would you object if Draco and I went down to the cell for a bit? There's nothing we'd like better than to torture the both of them. They're held in our house, would you allow us? Sort of to honor Lucius's memory."
Voldemort smirked.
"Of course, just make it painful!"
Bellatrix yawned slightly.
"Master, would you mind if I got some shut eye? I'm falling asleep here."
"AS long as you're here, by my side at midnight, Bella."
"Of course, my Lord, thank you."
Bellatrix headed into one of the Manor's many bedrooms. Voldemort turned to Draco and Narcissa.
"I will be down there at five to midnight to collect our prisoners. I will kill them up here. I might kill them even if Potter does turn up. He's going to die anyway, so why not them?"
Quietly, Narcissa and Draco walked down to the cell, taking the extendable ears with them, just encase.
Narcissa pulled out the key from her pocket, and unlocked the door.
Hermione and Ginny were huddled against the wall, they looked up in fear as mother and son entered and closed the door behind them.
Hermione and Ginny rose to their feet.
"Please," said Ginny quietly. "Please, not the Cruciatus curse, please, no! We've had enough of that thing, we're half dead is it is! Please, don't!"
Hermione was looking straight at the stone wall.
"Or," continued Ginny. "If you're going to do it, please, do it only to me, not Hermione! Please, I beg you!"
Narcissa raised her wand. Ginny and Hermione both flinched in fear.
Ginny and Hermione weakly gasped, as fresh, cold water appeared in front of them. Narcissa spoke quietly, but clearly.
"Drink it, both of you. You may not believe it, but you can trust us. WE joined the Order of the Phoenix a long time ago, but couldn't show it. We're not going to hurt you; we're here to help you."
Hermione and Ginny sipped the cold water longingly. Hermione was keeping her eyes well away from Draco's.
"Hermione," said Draco gently. "Hermione, look at me, please."
Hermione raised her head to look into his eyes and couldn't believe it. Love radiated from Draco Malfoy's normally cold grey eyes. Narcissa raised her wand again and the ropes fell off both women.
"Can you prove it?" Asked Ginny quietly.
"We would be surprised if you didn't ask that," said Narcissa quietly. She pulled a blank piece of parchment from her robes. She gave it a few complicated taps with her wand and instantly, Dumbledore's slanting writing appeared on it. She handed it to Ginny.
Dear Draco and Narcissa,
It is with great pride and pleasure that I welcome you to the Order of the Phoenix. Take care, please. I know the risks you still take, spying for Voldemort. Harry will defeat him, this, I'm sure of. Keep up the good fight.
Albus Dumbledore.
Ginny read it quickly, and then handed it to Hermione. She read it, and then looked at Narcissa in disbelief.
"Oh, dear sweet Merlin…"
Ginny took a step towards Narcissa, just as Draco did towards Hermione. Hermione looked again into Draco's eyes. Yes, it was love, Hermione couldn't deny it! Love!
Narcissa smiled. Ginny saw it and in spite of everything, smiled too.
Suddenly, Draco put his hand into his pocket as he reached Hermione. Gently, he pressed her wand into her hand.
"Thought you might need this," he said gently to her.
"Draco?"
The love in the room was almost touchable. Ginny looked at Narcissa, who smiled. As she did so, Narcissa returned Ginny's wand to her. Gently, she took Ginny's arm, as Draco took Hermione's. In a second, they'd disapporated into Draco and Narcissa's private quarters.
"We don't let anyone through here," Narcissa whispered.
"Not even your, Master?" Said Ginny, with fake incredulity.
"Nope, no one." Narcissa replied.
"Come on Ginny, I'll take you for a hot shower. Help you get rid of some of the pain."
Ginny looked at Narcissa Malfoy and instantly trusted her. She stepped forward and hugged her.
"Voldemort is in for a bit of a surprise tonight," she whispered, grinning. "He won't like it much. That, I can promise you."
"WE only have until midnight," Hermione whispered, slowly getting closer and closer to Draco.
"Don't worry about that," Narcissa said gently. "I have a feeling you'll be kept completely safe, Hermione."
Gently, Narcissa helped Ginny walk painfully into her private bathroom and a few seconds later, they heard the shower start up. Hermione stopped, not daring to come any closer to Draco.
Draco stepped forward the final step, they were looking straight into each others eyes. Hermione could not mistake what she was seeing there. Love, true love.
"Draco?" She whispered, not daring to hope. Her heart was pounding very fast indeed.
"Shhh, Hermione." Draco answered closing the distance between them. Hermione felt his arms close gently around her, taking her close to his chest. Hermione leant her head into his shoulder, weary and in pain.
"I'm here, Hermione." Draco said, tenderly picking her up in his arms. "I'm here."
Tenderly, he carried her into his room. Hermione felt her ripped robes gently being removed. Underneath, was her ripped trousers and shirt. Her shirt had blood on it from where she'd hit her head. Shakily, she pulled out her wand and healed her wound. It had stopped bleeding, but it was painful.
She felt herself gently being placed into a warm bed. Draco lay down beside her.
"Draco?" Hermione said again, still dazed. The Cruciatus curse had taken a lot out of her.
"It's alright, Hermione. It's alright. I'm right here, right by your side."
Hermione wanted to ask him to hold her, but she was still unsure just how. Instead, it was her who reached for him. Her arms went around his neck, as he placed his arms around her to gently take her close against him.
Now, Hermione knew, was the big moment of truth. She raised her head and looked into his eyes.
"Draco, you know don't you?"
Draco didn't answer. Instead, he leant in and kissed Hermione. His lips met hers and they were so gentle and tender, Hermione's heart literally sped up. She raised her head as best she could, to sink deeper into his kiss.
"Ly still," said Draco gently, tenderly pushing her head back onto the pillow. He was the one who gently kissed her, gently showed her his love. Hermione couldn't move. Draco held her close against him and continued to kiss her tenderly. Her lips were bruised from her face slamming into the wall, but Draco's kisses were so gentle, they seemed to calm the swelling. Draco pulled out his wand and as he kissed her, began to heal her as best he could.
"I love you, Draco," Hermione murmured, she was half asleep, feeling such peace, in spite of everything against her and Ginny.
"I love you, Hermione," he answered, placing another gentle kiss on her lips.
Hermione gasped.
"Are you still in pain?" Draco asked, his eyes brimming with concern.
"No," Hermione gasped. "I'm fine, what did you say?"
Draco, still with his left arm holding her close, raised his right hand and stroked her hair, after placing his wand on the bedside table.
As he did, she at last raised her head to look into his eyes, full of such love and tenderness right now. Hermione never thought she'd ever see that look in his eyes.
Draco, as he stroked her hair, again placed his lips on hers.
"I said I love you, Hermione Granger. I love you, I love you so much."
A few minutes later, Ginny was gently helped out of the bathroom by Narcissa. Quietly, they looked through Draco's door. Draco was holding Hermione close against his side, gently applying kisses to her lips.
Narcissa approached Hermione quietly.
"Hermione," she whispered gently. "Do you want me to help you shower?"
Hermione opened her eyes weakly and looked at Narcissa.
"I'm ok, thanks." She muttered, drowsily, as Draco gently kissed her again.
"Are you sure, Hermione?" Asked Narcissa gently. "You will feel better if you do. I don't mind helping you at all."
Ginny stepped forward so Hermione could see her clothes. Narcissa had conjured up the exact same clothes she'd been wearing when they were both taken; they looked exactly the same, except they were clean and warm.
"Hmmm," said Hermione quietly. Draco gently helped her out of bed and towards Narcissa, who gently helped her into the bathroom, exactly as she'd done with Ginny.
Ginny smiled at Draco.
"Take it you knew then?"
Draco nodded. "Yes and I feel exactly the same."
"Superb," said Ginny, holding out her hand. Draco gently shook it.
"Just treat her right, please? If we get out of this?"
"Don't worry Ginny, that I will do. Just as you will get out of this. Both of you."
A few minutes later, Hermione was helped out of the bathroom, also in the same clothes as when she'd been taken, in looks at least. They were dry, clean and warm. Draco instantly stepped forward and took her close into his arms.
"Don't say it," said Ginny quietly, standing beside Narcissa. Hermione respectfully touched Draco on the shoulder. He kissed her tenderly.
"Darling, you don't need to do that, you can just tell me, or do anything you want. I'm yours, forever. You don't need to do that."
Gently, Hermione raised Draco's left arm to see his gold watch. Eleven fifty.
"You need to put us back in there, don't you?" Said Hermione quietly.
"Yes, but for minutes only. WE won't tie you up tightly at all. Ok?"
Draco tenderly kissed Hermione, Narcissa hugged Ginny.
"WE won't hurt you," Draco said quietly. "That's a promise."
"I don't want to do this," said Ginny in terror. "I really don't want this!"
Gently, Narcissa and Draco helped them disapporate back into the cell. The ropes were placed on them, but very loosely indeed.
"Can you move?" Asked Narcissa gently.
"Yes," said Hermione and Ginny together.
"It's just so dark..." Said Hermione in a whisper, then covered her mouth. Draco gently took her close again.
"I… I'm afraid of the dark. I… I always have been, I'm sorry, I'm stupid!"
"Hermione Granger," said Draco gently, "don't you ever, ever say that again. Do you understand?"
"I'm sorry, it's just so crazy, I'm a nervous wreck, I'm so scared, I…"
"Me too," said Ginny fervently. They were now being totally honest with Draco and Narcissa Malfoy.
"We're terrified. He's going to torture us, even if he doesn't kill us…"
"Oh no he's not," Snarled Draco and Narcissa together. "We'll make sure of that!"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the main door. Narcissa and Draco smiled.
"Take that, Voldemort!" Narcissa smirked.
Quickly, Draco sent an extendable ear up and Hermione and Ginny grabbed it. They were sharing one ear.
"Master," said a low voice. "I wanted to be here to see these prisoners die."
"Ok, Avery," said Voldemort quietly. "I must say, shame Potter didn't make it, he's going to miss such fun. Go into the Drawing Room, I'm going to get our guests."
Hermione and Ginny shivered. Draco held Hermione close and kissed her. Again, Narcissa embraced Ginny.
"Oh Draco, why do you have to let go, why!"
"Oh Hermione," said Draco, his voice cracking. "It'll be for a very short time, I promise. I promise you with all in me!"
They kissed, long and tenderly, and then Draco released her.
"Kneel," said Narcissa quietly. "Act like you're really suffering."
"I am!" Whispered Hermione, looking at Draco.
"So am I," he said gently.
Hermione and Ginny knelt against the wall, pulling looks of pain onto their faces. Draco and Narcissa began to smirk. Hermione shivered. She hated that look on Draco's face, but knew he had to, just for now.
The door opened and Voldemort and Bellatrix appeared.
"Oh dear, poor Mudblood," he spat at Hermione, who was shivering against the wall.
"You do realise, you're about to die?" Draco sneered.
Hermione didn't react. She just stayed close to Ginny. Draco was so convincing, for a split second, she wondered if they'd been tricked! Or, was there a chance he was actually talking to Voldemort?
"Get them up into the Drawing Room," Voldemort sneered.
"Draco took Hermione's arm, Narcissa Ginny's. They apporated up into the Drawing Room.
"Why not drag them," sneered Voldemort. "You're too kind!"
Avery was standing by the fireplace.
"Another guest to watch our little party," Voldemort smirked. "Sorry, pretty ones, but your lives are over."
"Not if I get there first," said Avery quietly. They all looked at him.
"Did you say something, Avery?" Said Voldemort softly.
"Yeah, I said you're a dead man!"
Two seconds later, Avery and Voldemort were dueling. Draco instantly ran forward and took Hermione into his arms. Narcissa stood in front of Ginny.
"That's never," whispered Ginny, "Harry?"
Narcissa smiled.
"It sure is. WE contacted him and gave him some PollyJuice Potion made up as Avery."
"Get them out of here!" Shouted Avery/Harry, Voldemort's and his wands flashing with the intensity of their duel.
"No chance!" Shouted Ginny. "You think we're just walking away from you?"
"Right on!" Yelled Hermione.
Suddenly, it happened. Narcissa hit Voldemort with a curse. He spun round to face her and Harry took his chance.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The flash of green light shot forward and hit Voldemort square in the heart. For a few seconds, he seemed unable to move, then, Tom Riddle hit the floor and the cheer erupted.
Bellatrix roared and stepped towards Harry. Narcissa ran forward and before long, the sisters were dueling.
"I thought you knew me, Bella," Narcissa sneered.
Harry suddenly started to transform. A few seconds later, Harry Potter was running to Ginny, as she ran into his arms.
Harry knew, that at that very moment, Death Eaters were being captured, families reunited, the innocent released from Azkaban, all because of Voldemort's death.
Bellatrix and Narcissa continued to duel, as Draco slammed Voldemort's body down into the cell.
Eventually, Narcissa's curse hit Bellatrix square in the heart and she too was dead. Her body joined Voldemort's.
Draco and Harry heaved the trap door back into place.
Then, there was total silence, as Harry held and kissed Ginny, who was crying for joy, as Draco did the same with Hermione.
A few minutes later, Ginny tried to wipe her eyes and looked up at Narcissa, Draco, Harry and Hermione.
"It's been one hell of a long day," she whispered faintly, cuddling into Harry's chest.
"Tell me about it," said Hermione quietly, as Draco held her tighter.
"Mrs. Malfoy,"
"It's Narcissa, Harry."
"Ok, Narcissa. Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Harry, still holding Ginny, held out his hand. Narcissa gently took it.
Ginny briefly released Harry to hug Narcissa.
"Well," said Narcissa quietly. "You don't even need to ask us, we easily have a room for you for the night."
Draco nodded.
"Thank you," said Harry, Hermione and Ginny together.
"Hermione," said Narcissa quietly. "Can I borrow you for a moment please?"
Draco kissed Hermione gently as she headed over to Narcissa's side.
Narcissa led her upstairs and into her room.
"Take a look at these," She said quietly.
Hermione looked at the beautiful diamond rings on Narcissa's table.
"Oh, Merlin!" She squeaked, as she saw the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen.
"Do you like it?" Asked Narcissa quietly.
"I… I love it! It's gorgeous!"
"Try it on."
"I couldn't, I…"
"Yes you could, go on."
"Which finger?"
"Which do you think?" Said Narcissa with a smile.
Hermione slipped it onto her left hand ring finger. It was a perfect fit.
"Oh, dear sweet Merlin, that is so gorgeous!"
"It really suits you, Hermione."
Narcissa then showed her beautiful earrings and necklaces.
"They're gorgeous, Mrs. Malfoy."
"It's Narcissa, Hermione. Unless you want me to call you Miss. Granger?"
Hermione smiled. "No thanks."
"What kind of ring is that, Narcissa? I want to make a note of that, encase I ever get married! I love it!"
Narcissa just smiled.
"I can't remember exactly, dear, I'll tell you when I've looked."
"Thank you," said Hermione quietly.
Slowly, they walked downstairs again. As soon as Draco saw her, he ran to her and she him.
They re-entered the Drawing Room and faced Harry and Ginny, who were both smiling.
"Harry," said Hermione quietly. "I don't want to ruin the mood, but, I just wanted to say, be glad you missed the Battle of Hogwarts while you were off finding Horcruxes with Ron. It was bloody nasty!"
"That's why I didn't call you, Hermione. I knew what had happened, I knew you wanted to stay and fight, so I destroyed the last one alone. Ron was adamant on going back once he heard the Battle was on. I didn't blame him at all. However, when I heard we'd lost him and all but one Weasley, it just made me even more determined to do what I've done tonight. Speaking of which, my tasks for tonight are not yet complete."
Narcissa smiled.
"Draco, give me two minutes, would you?" Draco gently kissed Hermione, and then joined his mother, as they left the room.
Harry held Ginny close as they and Hermione talked quietly.
"Draco Malfoy, whoever would have thought it?" Said Harry quietly.
"Yeah, he and Narcissa have so changed!"
"Tell me about it!"
A couple of minutes later, Draco and Narcissa reappeared.
Narcissa closed the Drawing Room door, as Draco and Harry kissed their loves.
"Ginny," said Harry quietly. "I'm so glad I got here in time, thanks to the Malfoy's. I'm so glad you're alive, because it means I can give you this."
He dropped to one knee on the carpet and both Ginny and Hermione gasped.
"Ginny Molly Weasley, will you do me the biggest honor a man could ask and marry me?"
Ginny couldn't speak. She gently took hold of Harry's face and kissed him deeply.
Harry pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.
"Oh Harry," said Ginny breathlessly. "Oh Harry, of course I will!"
Harry leapt up and kissed his Fiancé tenderly, as he placed the ring on her finger.
"Congratulations, both of you!" Said Hermione, running to hug her friends.
"Thanks, Hermione," said Ginny, smiling happily. "Even though we're experiencing so much grief, it's nice to have something good in the middle of it! Well, two, if you count the fact Voldemort's dead!"
"I couldn't agree more," said Hermione quietly.
"Come here, Hermione," said Draco gently. Hermione approached him and he took her close. He gently kissed her, and then looked into Hermione's eyes. Ginny smiled, pretty sure what was about to happen.
"Hermione Granger, I have never been more thankful to a Weasley in my life. They invented extendable ears, which allowed me to hear the words that I hope will change both our lives, forever. Hermione, I heard you tell me how much you love me, but it can't be anywhere near how much I love you. I'm so, so sorry about the way I've been treating you over the last few years, I want to make that up to you, as of this moment."
He dropped to one knee in front of her and Ginny gave an excited little squeak.
"Hermione Jane Granger, will you also do me the biggest honor a man could ask, by becoming my wife?"
He put his hand into his pocket and drew out the ring Narcissa had just told Hermione she should try on, the one she'd loved and wanted to make a note of, encase she ever got married!
"Oh, Merlin," Hermione squeaked. Narcissa smiled.
"Yes, Draco, I will! I'd love to, I can't wait!"
Draco stood up, took Hermione in to his arms and began to kiss her with true love in every kiss. He placed the beautiful ring on her finger.
"Oh, my dear Fiancé, do you have any idea how happy that makes me?"
"It's not as happy as it makes me; Draco. It can't be that's not possible!"
As it turned out, the weddings of Harry and Ginny Potter and Draco and Hermione Malfoy, took place the very next day. Ginny, Hermione and Narcissa had gone shopping during the day and bought beautiful dresses. Narcissa was going to walk both Ginny and Hermione down the isle.
They'd hired some Ministry decorators to make the Drawing Room of Malfoy Manor stunningly beautiful.
A Minister from the local church married them and the whole day passed without a hitch.
Harry and Ginny went to Australia for their Honeymoon for a month, Draco and Hermione to Canada, also for a month.
Harry, unknown to Ginny had bought a small cottage for two, by the sea, just before the Battle of Hogwarts. He'd bought it, for just that reason. For himself and Ginny.
Hermione and Draco returned to live in Draco's private part of Malfoy Manor. Eventually, Narcissa moved into a little cottage of her own and Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy had the manor to themselves. Draco had noticed how much Hermione had loved his wrist watch, so on their wedding night, he gave it to his wife, ignoring her protests.
"Draco," Hermione said, as they climbed into their marriage bed on their wedding night. "Draco, I can't lie, I'm a little nervous."
Draco took her close and began to gently kiss her all over her body.
"Don't be nervous," he said gently. "I won't hurt you at all."
"I know, Draco," Hermione answered, cuddling close to her husband. "I guess it's just, I've never been in love before, never given myself to a man and I'm so glad I've waited till marriage. It's just, now I have, it's a little scary."
Draco smiled and gently and tenderly began to kiss and touch her all over.
"Tell me if I'm moving too fast," he said gently. "I'll only do it the way you want."
Slowly and gently, not entirely sure how to please him, Hermione began to kiss her husband passionately, all over his body. She did things to him she'd never done to a man before. Eventually, Hermione felt her husband gently climb on top of her."
"Ok?"
"Yes, my darling, I've never been better. I'm by my husband's side, he's about to make love to me and I him, so I've never been better. Don't let me go, please Draco!"
"Count on it, my sweetheart," he whispered gently to her.
"Please, Draco, take me. I love you, I can't hold back any more."
"I won't hurt you," Draco whispered again, as he gently entered his wife.
When Draco first entered her, Hermione drew in a sharp breath. She'd never felt anything like this before. The blood at the loss of her virginity she expected, she knew there would also be some pain, but she wasn't sure how it would actually feel."
"Are you alright, my darling?"
"Yeah," said Hermione breathlessly. "Yeah, oh Draco, this is great!"
Draco smiled and began to gently move inside her. Eventually, Hermione found herself clinging to her husband, as she experienced pleasure she'd never experienced before.
"Oh, Draco," Hermione gasped, as they lay close beside each other a few seconds later.
"Darling?" He gently kissed her.
"That, that was amazing, I didn't know what to expect, but that…" Draco smiled and held her tight.
"Only for you, my darling. For you alone."
"My dearest husband, was that your first time?"
"In spite of rumors, yes. Yes, my darling, it was and I'm so glad I saved it for you."
Hermione smiled and kissed her husband long and passionately, their tongues entwining together.
"I love you, Draco Malfoy."
"I love you too, Hermione Malfoy."
"Draco, I know this may sound stupid, but will you say that again?"
"I said I love you too, Hermione Malfoy."
Hermione smiled and they kissed once more.
Draco and Hermione Malfoy and Harry and Ginny Potter, spent many happy years together. Emma Malfoy, their first child, was born just a week after Mark Potter.
One day, as Ginny and Hermione looked after Emma and Mark while Harry and Draco had gone to get some shopping, the two women were talking happily.
"Man, I hoped we get out of that cell, but never in this way!" Said Hermione, a huge smile on her face.
"I know," Ginny smiled right back. "I know the people we lost would be truly happy for us."
"So do I," said Hermione with a tender smile.
Hermione and Ginny had become Healers, while Draco and Harry had both become bankers; all of them were really enjoying their jobs.
"Hey, Hermione, I just have to say this, do you realise that you yourself said just the right words into those extendable ears and that it was them that changed both yours and Draco's lives?"
"Hermione looked puzzled.
"Really? What exactly did I say?"
Ginny smiled and hugged Hermione tightly, as she repeated the words Hermione had said, inside that cell, over three years ago."
"I'm the owner of a lonely heart and only Draco Malfoy can change that.""
