Chapter 14 is here! A little more insight into Blaise's motivation. Enjoy :)

Chapter 14

The 13th moon was only 5 weeks away and they were no sooner to finding out how to stop the Obscurus than saving Draco and now Hermione. The pair found themselves one snowy evening walking the gardens of the manor, the cold having no effect on either of them.

"So, what are you going to do when this is all over?" Hermione asked lightly. She was hand in hand while he led her through the magical tulip garden. Draco smiled and looked up at the stars.

"Find a nice small home in the country. Create potions. Maybe start a family. Live a simple life."

Hermione laughed. Draco was anything but simple and she couldn't imagine him without his big castle and classic sneer.

"What about you?" he asked.

She thought about it for a moment. Would she want anything to change since before he came back into her life? She had a successful career and great friends. Sure, she wanted to have a family someday but was there any rush? Draco was right, simplicity would be the main goal.

"Same as you, I expect," she began. "A simple life. No more evil vs. good. No more fighting and death."

He turned to her and watched as her rosy cheeks flushed before him.

"I really am sorry. About all this. I owe you everything," he said.

Hermione shook her head. "Stop Draco, I meant what I said. You don't deserve this curse. We'll set it right."

He shrugged and continued their walk thinking about his life and all the things that led to this very moment, walking hand in hand with Hermione. He had to admit, she was beautiful with a heart of gold. She didn't have to help him but she did anyway.

He thought about the morning in her bed, watching her sleep peacefully. He wouldn't mind having that view every morning. But, would she want to have anything to do with him after all this? Would she ever trust again after what Blaise put her through?

He groaned inwardly. Fucking Blaise. What was he going to do about him? They were friends for so long it would be hard to just throw it all away. And perhaps Blaise felt the same because he hadn't told the Obscurus about his secret.

"Draco, you okay?" Hermione said lightly.

He turned to look at her again. Wiping a stray curl away from her eyes he smiled. "Yes, this is nice. And you, you're beautiful. I hope what Blaise did to you won't stop you from ever finding someone. We're not all bad," he finished smirking.

Hermione laughed. "Are you saying you want to date me Malfoy?"

It was half a joke and half a serious question. She couldn't ignore the nagging feeling of wanting to remain close to him and enjoying their time together. He was himself but he was someone else all at the same time that kept her on her toes and her heart racing.

She looked at him expectantly when he suddenly moved in, closing the gap between them. Their lips met and electricity shot through both of them. Draco deepened the kiss causing her to moan and open her mouth more, inviting him in.

His hands roamed around her body and she found her fingers entangled in his hair. Draco had been without human touch for a while now making this all the sweeter for him. It was ages before they finally broke apart, breathing heavily.

"That was um," Hermione began.

"Breathtaking," Draco said.

Hermione laughed, sending shivers down his spine. He loved her laugh. Why had he never noticed how nice it was?

They finished their walk and went back inside, hunger calling out to Hermione. Narcissa and Luna were seated at the table being served wine. Harry and Ginny had left them for the night to take care of some things at Hogwarts and Ron was still nowhere to be found.

Narcissa saw them and a glint appeared in her eyes. "Have a seat two. We are having my mother's special pasta tonight."

Draco groaned, "Why couldn't we wait until I can have it, mother?"

"We can have it then too dear," she said. "It's your father's favorite."

Draco nodded knowingly but did not respond. He held out a chair for Hermione before sitting next to her. Narcissa watched the two laugh over something she had whispered in his ear. Her plan seemed to be working. Not only had she wanted the girl around because of her knack for saving people, but she would be a perfect match for Draco. She was tired of seeing him waste his time with pointless acquaintances and loose women. She wanted him to have a family and a happy life.

As the night went on, Hermione had retired to her room, Luna went home and Narcissa went to rest with Lucius. Draco found himself wanting to go to Hermione but not wanting to seem desperate. He would have to plan something for her tomorrow. Deciding to go back to the Underworld not to raise suspicion, he sent a silent goodnight up to Hermione before disappearing.

Blaise was in a hurry. He didn't have much time to get this done before it was too late and he would be called back in anger. He took out a black stone from his pocket and magicked it into a locket on a gold chain. Checking the streets of London to make sure no one was around, he reached the jewelry store. It was closed of course but that was no obstacle for him. Saying a quick spell he made the locket go into the window display, front and center as if it were there all long.

Before he realized it, he was being pulled down back to it. He landed on his feet, quite used to the sensation by now to see the orb and a few Death Eaters watching him.

"Is it done?" the orb asked.

"Yes, master," Blaise answered.

"Well done. With that out the way, there will be no way to reverse the spell. Now, is everything almost ready for the 13th moon?

One death eater stepped forward eagerly. "Yes sir! I have it ready. But how will we get the girl to agree to the sacrifice?"

"I told you!" the orb yelled. "It is all worked out. She will say yes, I assure you. Just make sure nothing interrupts us like at Godric's Hollow."

The Death Eater stepped backward for fear of retribution and the Obscurus excused them. Blaise was about to leave when it called him back.

"You have been a good servant thus far Blaise," it said.

"Thank you, master, I live to serve you," he said.

"I know why you serve," the Obscurus replied knowingly. I will give you a taste of what is to come so you do not forget how far we've come and how far we still have to do. A yellow light flew out, hitting Blaise in the chest knocking him over.

"Use them well. There's more where that came from?"

Blaise got up and left. He could feel the power surging through him. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He felt like he could do anything, take down anything. He immediately apparated to his house.

Letting himself in, he saw a roaring fire and a small figure nestled into the couch.

"Blaise is that you?" said a struggling voice.

He sat down beside her after kissing her gently on the forehead. "Yes, mother it's me."

"Where have you been? Dinner is cold."

Blaise laughed. "I will warm it up. How are you feeling today?"

His mother shrugged. "Good now that you're home. Maybe one day you'll bring a pretty witch with you next time."

Blaise struggled with that. He knew she wanted nothing more in the world than grandkids but he had to make sure she survived first.

"The Greengrass' wrote the other afternoon. Astoria has two little girls. I bet Alberta is laughing on her thrown at me."

Blaise smoothed her hair, calming her. Even after the war, the petty grievances of pureblood life lived on.

"They aren't as handsome as your grandkids would be mother. Don't you worry."

She nodded in agreement, sleep overtaking her. Blaise said a small healing spell, not daring to give her too much of his new found magic. He would do more tomorrow. Kissing her again, he went back into the darkness.