On the last day of their holidays, Hermione collected the majority of her books from the library. Lucius offered to bring them to the station.
"Why? Do you think I'm not competent enough to make it on my own?"
"Draco!" Hermione shrieked. She turned to Lucius. "Thank you, we would appreciate it very much."
He smiled at them before leaving the library.
"Why would you say something like that?" Draco asked, storing his copy of Ancient Rune Translation into his bag.
"He's your father, just talk to him already. Also, I might want him to take me to the station."
Draco huffed.
Entering the train, Hermione started to look for Ginny and Luna. Having found them she hugged them.
"How were your holidays?" she asked.
Draco looked confused. "Didn't you spent your holidays together?"
"Apparently, your father is a lot more interesting than me," Ginny said.
"I think you're talking about our library. Granger doesn't even leave it to sleep."
"Why can't you just call me Hermione?"
"Hermione?"
"I told you it's not that hard."
The following two weeks were filled with even more studying. The professors made sure that all of their students were at their very best for the upcoming exams. It was though. As the days went by their hygiene started to suffer.
It was another long evening of revising their notes. Luna had given up hours ago and was now drawing circles on her parchment. Ginny who was taking only a couple of NEWTs was reading the newest edition of Witch Weekly. The silence was interrupted by a tapping against the window.
Needing a break, Hermione was quick to get up and let the eagle owl in. Over the time the giant bird had warmed up to her. She crawled its head while removing the envelope from its leg.
Reading the letter a smile crept her face. "Your father asks how you're doing."
"You read my letters," Draco shrieked, tearing the paper out of her hand.
"Actually, your father wrote me," Hermione said taking the letter back.
"Why would my father write you?"
"Maybe because you're still not talking to him."
"I'm gay."
"What?"
"You know Granger, em, Hermione, I like to put my prick into a bloke's arsehole and fuck them."
"Urgh. I know what gay means, no need to be crass. I just don't get what your sexual orientation had to do with your father."
He sighed. "I don't know how muggles handle those things but wizards can't procreate without a female and my parents are going to be really disappointed when they find out that they're not going to be grandparents."
"You have options," Hermione said. "This is if you even want to have children. And if your father wants to have little ones running around, he can take care of that himself."
Ginny laughed. She hysterically slapped her flat hands against her laps and made undignified squeaking sounds.
"What did you just say?" Draco asked.
"Um, nothing," Hermione said sheepishly.
"No, no, I've heard you. You're talking about my father. Do you have any idea how revolting that is?"
Hermione bit her lip. "You know, your father is an attractive man."
"Granger! This is my father you're talking about. Urgh. Do you have any idea how old he is?"
"You're the one who pointed out that he should look for female company."
"I've been thinking more along the lines of paid services. Seriously, who wants to fuck a Deatheater well past his prime?"
Ginny wiped the tears from her eyes. "You know this whole Deatheater part is a big turn on."
"He's beautiful and has a good heart beneath his cold exterior," Luna said.
"What's wrong with all of you? It's my fucking father you're talking about."
"If you don't want to talk about your father's sex life, let's talk about yours," Ginny said swinging her arm around Draco. "Have you met any cute boys? I want to hear all the details."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Shouldn't we return to studying?"
"It's late," Luna said.
"Shouldn't you go to bed then?"
"I haven't finished my drawing yet."
Hermione looked at the parchment. She wouldn't have recognized her lines as art. She had a hard time concentrating on Arithmancy when Draco and Ginny were exchanging their sexual preferences. Was she the only one who wanted a stable companion?
As if she could read her mind, Luna said, "Neville and I went looking for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. It was great and he always made me feel wonderful."
"Good for you." Hermione yawned.
She hugged her friends and went to bed. Before she fell asleep, she re-read Lucius' letter. He had sent her a golden necklace with an emerald pendant, as a lucky charm for her exams. She smiled, quickly putting it around her neck. She wished the older wizard was there to do it for her. Hermione shivered just thinking about his big hands on her sensitive skin.
On the first day of the NEWTs, all the seventh years were extremely tense. Draco and Hermione had a particularly busy schedule. By the end of the third day, they were feeling like zombies. They hadn't showered in days and by now they were even too lazy to cast a cleaning charm.
Hermione couldn't remember how she managed to get to her quarters but all she wanted to do was sleep. Being very grateful to Professor McGonagall for scheduling a break day for all the students she wondered if it was terrible to go to bed in her uniform.
"How did it go?"
Hermione turned around to find Lucius smiling at her.
"I mistranslated a Rune and I confused two mushrooms."
"I am confident in your work. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"You could massage my back," Hermione said without thinking about how much her personal hygiene had suffered lately.
"With pleasure."
Hermione felt her cheeks burn. She couldn't find a word to say and nodded. He helped her out of her outer robes and placed her on the sofa. Kneeling next to her he started to work his magic.
She mewled as his thumbs loosened her shoulders. He stopped to let his finger slide over her neck. Leaning into his touch she felt him reach into the collar of her shirt. He found the chain of the necklace he had gifted her.
"You are wearing it?" he purred.
"Mm, Don't stop!"
"As you wish."
His big hands went back to her back. She moaned under his skillful administration. She relaxed wanting him to never stop. Lying bonelessly on the sofa she heard the door swing open.
"Father? What the hell are you doing here?"
Hermione exhaled loudly. Ever since she had been made Headgirl she had to share her room with only one person and he was still annoying her.
"Hermione asked me to give her a massage," Lucius said.
"You've never given me a message and I'm your own son!"
"Do you want me to give you one?"
"No thanks," Draco snapped, walking to his room.
"I should go after him?" Lucius asked.
Hermione grunted. "Tuck me in first."
He helped her up and lead her to the small sitting room. He covered her with the blanket and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
"Be nice to him," Hermione said.
"Of course." Lucius pressed a kiss on her cheek.
By the time Hermione woke up, it was already four. She took the bath she desired for so long. Putting on a fresh set of robes, she went down to the Great Hall for supper. She felt still worn down as she sat down next to her friends.
"Hey, sleepy, finally back to the living," Ginny said.
"I'm so tired. What did you do today?"
"Practicing Quidditch."
"I went to Hogsmeade with Neville," Luna said smiling.
Hermione yawned. She turned to Draco. "How did things go with your father."
"He's annoying and asks stupid questions."
"He's your father, he cared about you and wants to be part of your life. You should give him a chance."
"What for? So he can disown me when he finds out I'm gay?" Draco shouted, leaving the Great Hall.
"I'll go after him," Hermione said to Luna and Ginny.
"Draco! Draco stop!"
"What do you want Granger?"
Catching her breath she looked at the Slytherin. His eyes were tired and his shoulders hang low.
"Your father might not have a problem with your sexual orientation," Hermione said. "I could hint something if you want to test his views…"
"You won't talk to him!"
Hermione pressed her legs against each other. She froze. Surprised by his sudden outburst she didn't dare to move.
Draco looked at her and sighed. "Look Hermione, no offense but you're hardly subtle and I just don't want Father to know."
"But you'll talk to him eventually?"
"Yeah," he said, lacking conviction in his voice.
Hermione dropped her quill and let her head fall back. History of Magic was her last exam. She ought to read through her answers but she was simply too tired for it. Her vision was blurred. Draco had contemplated skipping it due to his exhaustion but realized that he hadn't invested all this energy for nothing.
She took a deep breath and handed her parchment in. Outside, she met up with her friends. Hugging them tightly, Hermione couldn't suppress a squeak any longer. This was it, they finally made it.
Ginny was doing her late brother all honer by withdrawing a bottle of Firewhiskey from her robes and handed the bottle to hr friends. They each took a large gulp of Firewhiskey. Not three minutes after the last exam had officially ended the fireworks were audible. Passing Flich in the corridor, he looked particularly grumpy, as if it was the fault of the four of them that the fifth and seventh years came unleashed.
Everyone wanted to celebrate the end of suffering. They chatted and laughed and both Ginny and Draco managed to get laid. Neville snuck in to celebrate with Luna. Hermione watched them arm in arm, kissing each other. Normally, such a public display of intimacy would make her uncomfortable, but today she didn't have a worry in the world.
Much earlier and less drunk than her friends Hermione crawled into her bed.