Quite the Catch
MarcusxHermione; DracoxLuna
Rated T
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling
Quite the Catch
Chapter 17
Life went on for Hermione following the disastrous blowup between her and Ron. But that day had been fantastic as well, for she and Marcus had confessed their love for one another, a love that had been blossoming for years until it was finally in full bloom. After their passionate night together following their confessions, Marcus had tried to convince Hermione to move out of Grimmauld Place and in with him in his family home. However, Hermione refused saying it was too early in their relationship. That, and it wouldn't be long before she moved back into Hogwarts to finish her schooling.
That thought made her realize how three months prior, they had just been there and had seen students walking along the grounds, meaning the new school year had started without her. Panicking, she had hopped out of bed to write Professor McGonagall a letter to ask why she hadn't been informed. Well, she had tried to, but Marcus held her back and told her it could wait at least another hour, as he planned on worshipping her body once more. It hadn't been hard for Hermione to refuse. After another round, then the brunette wrote her professor. The letter she received in return stated that those students she had seen had been students that had to stay at Hogwarts following the war, as their parents had been killed and had no relatives to go to. Therefore, with nowhere to go, they had been allowed to stay until the new term started.
Satisfied with McGonagall's response, Hermione was content to wait. However, it did cause her to think about her living arrangements once more, knowing she couldn't live in Grimmauld Place forever, even if Harry didn't mind. And after thinking it over some more, Hermione thought about Marcus's offer for her to move in with him. The decision to say 'yes' wasn't hard, and a week later, Hermione was calling the Flint Manor her home. Marcus had been more than happy and had welcomed his girlfriend graciously.
While waiting for the new school year to begin, Hermione had taken the time to look through some of Marcus's old Seventh Year curriculum and study it to be prepared. While looking through Charms, she had come across the Charms test that she had helped him study for, and she couldn't help but smile at the passing grade Flitwick had written on it. The piece of paper made her think back to her Fourth Year at Hogwarts where their friendship truly began, and where her feelings for him had unconsciously began to bud. It had made her so happy, she had hurried to find Marcus to show him the old test and reminisce on their time together. Marcus had smiled and thanked her once again for helping him to study for the test, as well as admitting that of all the tests he had taken, he kept and treasured that one because she was a part of it. He had said so with a slight blush on his face, but it was still so sweet and Hermione had hugged and kissed him sweetly in response.
Marcus's training with the Falmouth Falcons was going well for him, his coaches very much impressed with his skill as a Chaser, believing him to be an exceptional addition and glad they had scouted him. Marcus too was happy with his progress with his new team, and his teammates liked him too, praising him immensely when he had scored an impossible throw into one of the Quidditch rings during his first official game before the Snitch had been caught a month later. He had been humble about it, but he couldn't help but think the Magpies had done him a favor letting him go. Of course, Hermione had been in attendance to his first match with his new team, cheering for him from a private booth that she sat in with Potter, the Weasley girl, and oddly enough Daphne Greengrass. Marcus had been confused at first, but then remembered his girlfriend had told him that Potter had begun seeing Greengrass three weeks after what they called "the incident", having accidently knocked her down in Hogsmeade one day and the two of them hitting it off.
The Falcons winning of their match was in the press, as well as a section dedicated to the team's newest Chaser that helped edge them to victory. However, it had also been written that Marcus and Hermione were dating, as one reporter had not only seen them together, but had even gotten a picture of Hermione giving Marcus a congratulatory kiss. That had been all over the press, many speculations of when their relationship began, how it began, and if it would even last. The couple had even received some nasty letter from a few witches and wizards still believing in blood purity and how Hermione was ruining one of the last few pure bloodlines. It had gotten worse when it had somehow gotten out that Hermione's address was that of Flint Manor. Marcus had been ready to make a statement in defense of his girlfriend, as well as file a couple of lawsuits against the Daily Prophet, but before he could, someone else came to Hermione's defense, as well as his own. And that person had been Draco Malfoy. Draco had said in no uncertain terms that Marcus choosing to date and live with Hermione was no one's business but his own, and that he was free to love whoever he pleased. And should the Prophet or anyone else try to defame the couple again, he would see to it that they were sued within an inch of everything they owned. After Draco's statement, nothing else was said against Marcus and Hermione; apparently the Malfoy name still held weight despite the major hit it took during the war. Hermione had been surprised and Marcus grateful, so much so that he wanted to thank his old Housemate in person and had invited him to meet them at the Three Broomsticks Inn.
Hermione had been hesitant to meet with Malfoy, as their bad past between them still lingered in her mind, despite his change of heart and not selling Harry out during the war. Even so, she had agreed and now here she sat with her boyfriend in the Three Broomsticks, waiting for the blond wizard to show up. Marcus could sense the brunette was slightly nervous and took hold of her hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze, he said reassuringly, "It'll be okay, Hermione. Draco is much different from when we were younger. And he's definitely changed since the war."
Nodding Hermione said, "I know that. It's just…I know it's not good to hold grudges, but it's also hard to forget why you have them. But I am willing to let the past be and start over with getting to know Malfoy."
"Thank you." Marcus pressed a kiss against her temple. "If it will make you feel better, he's bringing someone else along too. And it is someone you know well."
"Who?"
Before Marcus could answer, hands suddenly appeared over his eyes, obscuring his vision. He tensed from the action, but hearing Hermione's giggle made him realize he had nothing to worry about. A chuckle met his ears before a familiar voice asked, "Guess who?"
"Pucey, let go of me, you git," Marcus said without malice, a smile spreading on his face.
The hands left their position over his eyes, letting him turn to Adrian Pucey who was standing and grinning at the pair. Lifting a hand in greeting, Adrian greeted, "Hello Marcus, Hermione."
The brunette stood and moved to hug the other wizard happily saying, "Adrian, it's so good to see you! How have you been?"
Adrian returned the hug replying, "It's good to see you too, Hermione. You sure are a sight for sore eyes. Last I saw of you, you were in the paper for dating this bloke. But I'm fine, thanks for asking."
"That's good. What have you been up to lately?"
"Kissing up to the goblins in Gringotts," Marcus said, ducking from a swipe to his head.
The black-haired man glared at his friend before turning back to the brunette. "I'm a Curse-Breaker now, and work is hard but rewarding."
Hermione grinned and replied, "That's good, Adrian. Maybe you can help me get back in good graces with the goblins. They still don't like me ever since Harry, Ron, and I broke out of Gringotts with their dragon."
"So that's why they've put extra precautionary measures in protecting some of the vaults," Adrian mused. "Well, I'm sure I can put in a good word for you, but you know how goblins are. They don't make friends and barely like anyone, only tolerate."
"I'll take what I can get."
"Alright then. So, what are you two lovebirds doing here in Hogsmeade?"
Marcus took a sip of the Butterbeer he had ordered before answering his friend. "We're here to meet with Draco. To thank him for his statement in defending us, as well as a chance to catch up and allow him and Hermione to start over civilly."
Adrian nodded in understanding. "Give him my regards for me, then. I hope you all have a good time. I'd stay and chat longer, but I'm only on lunch for an hour and I'm due back at Gringotts soon. I'm off now, but we should get together sometime."
"Sounds good."
"Yes, it does," Hermione inputted with a smile. Hugging Adrian once more, she said, "Bye Adrian."
"Goodbye Hermione, Marcus."
The other wizard turned and left the inn, leaving Hermione and Marcus alone for a few seconds before Draco finally stepped inside. However, his companion that was accompanying him caused Hermione's brown eyes to widen in surprise at the sight of her. As they neared their table, she couldn't help but say in surprise, "Luna?!"
Luna smiled dreamily at her friend and greeted, "Hello Hermione. I hope all has been well with you."
"Um, yes it has been. What uh…what are you doing with Malfoy?"
"He asked me to come along for support in meeting with you and Marcus. That, and we've been seeing each other for two months now."
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Luna and Malfoy were dating? That certainly was surprising. But as she looked at the blond wizard that was currently conversing with her boyfriend, she couldn't help but smile seeing how Draco's grey eyes would move to rest on the blonde witch and linger, a familiar shine in them that she recognized from seeing it so much in Marcus's eyes whenever he looked at her. Looking from Draco to Luna, Hermione asked, "Are you happy with him?"
Luna nodded and took a seat next to the brunette witch. "I'm happy, Hermione. And Draco makes me happy as well. Though, he still acts nervously around me sometimes, but he is genuine."
"So long as you're sure."
"I am."
Nodding, Hermione turned to Draco who was finished talking with Marcus and greeted, "Malfoy."
"Granger," Draco replied. He averted his eyes briefly before looking back at her. "I just want to apologize for what happened to you back at my home. I never…I wouldn't have wished that upon you, and I'm sorry I didn't do anything to stop Bellatrix. I am also sorry about the way I treated you back during our school years. I never really believed it, but it was all I knew, and I acted out on it. It's no excuse, but I apologize anyway, and I hope you can forgive me one day. And…and perhaps we can start over our initial meeting."
Surprised though she was by his apology, Hermione also in a way felt it was a long time coming. Still, she could see he was serious and really had turned over a new leaf. He had to have if he was dating Luna now. Then again, that was neither here nor there as Luna saw the best in anyone that she or anyone else thought was a lost cause. Even so, Hermione could tell that Malfoy was serious about his apology and wasn't expecting her to accept it yet, if at all, but was still extending that olive branch.
With a kind smile, Hermione nodded and said, "I'd like that, and thank you. So then…" Hermione straightened up and held her hand out over the table towards the blond. "…my name is Hermione Granger; nice to meet you."
"Draco Malfoy, pleasant to meet you as well," Draco replied, shaking the brunette's hand.
Pleased with the turn of events, Marcus wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders and began asking in genuine interest how the two blondes came together, seeing as they've never had any interaction that he could remember. Draco replied saying they had run into each other in Flourish and Blotts first before actually spending time together, but Luna commented that it actually began at Hogwarts when he knocked her down going to class and how she had told him the star spirits would have them meet again. Draco flushed while Marcus smirked in amusement at him.
With no shame in embarrassing the blond man more, Marcus said, "So Luna is the one you said smelled like your Amortentia you brewed back at Hogwarts."
"Flint!" Draco hissed in embarrassment.
Hermione frowned for a moment before remembering what exactly Malfoy had said Amortentia smelled like to him. "Snow, lilacs, and plum. That's Luna?"
"Y-Yes. But if I remember correctly, you Granger said that Amortentia smelled like fresh parchment, chamomile, and the earth after a fresh rain."
"That sounds pleasant," Luna commented.
Draco nodded, then smirked at the brunette witch whose face had turned bright pink. "Yes, but before she said that, she had whispered Marcus's name, as if he was what she smelled."
Dark grey eyes widened in surprise and Marcus turned back to the brunette. "I smell like your Amortentia?"
Hermione's pink face turned red and she simply nodded. "I um, I still have your dress robe from the Yule Ball that you gave me. And…well, that also smelled like the Amortentia, though you had given it to me before we brewed that potion."
Marcus stared at the brunette for a moment before smiling and kissing her sweetly on her cheek. "I suppose we were bound to come together, after all."
Luna giggled at the couple and took hold of Draco's hand. Draco smiled softly at the other couple as well before taking over the conversation, talking about being invited back to finish their schooling. As they spoke, Marcus couldn't help but gaze lovingly at his girlfriend, amazed and happy to know that he had always been on her mind years prior and that she had always unconsciously wanted him before they really began dating. Hermione being with him and loving him still sometimes felt like a dream, but he was happy to know that it wasn't. He knew that his life wouldn't be complete if she wasn't in it.
A sudden thought passed through his mind, and Marcus wondered if Hermione would consider being his wife one day. Well, he had time to ask her, but not now. But someday soon in the future, he would ask her to become Mrs. Marcus Flint.