Cambridge
November 30, 2006
Draco collapsed as soon as he and Hermione arrived at the Apparition Zone in Cambridge. Hermione noticed the Corps officers headed in their direction right away, wands pointed and safeties clicking off. She hunched over Draco, wand in one hand and the Sword of Gryffindor in the other, and wordlessly formed a shield over them. She looked out at the incoming officers, focused solely on maintaining the shield.
"Freeze!" a non-magical Corps Captain called out, quickly approaching them. "You must drop your shield at once. You are wanted for desertion and aiding and abetting a foreign national."
"I will only surrender to Harry Potter or Daphne Greengrass," Hermione told them, recalling her conversation with Harry.
"That's not up to you," the Captain said. He turned and directed the wizards to begin bombarding her shield.
She felt spells coming at her from every direction, but somehow her shield held. The onslaught stopped after a few minutes and she looked up to see confused looks on the magicals faces.
"Call Longbottom," the Captain ordered and instructed the officers to keep up the bombardment.
Hermione wasn't sure where the strength came from, maybe it was the primal magic, or perhaps she was simply so scared of losing Draco again that she willed the shield to hold. Eventually, the four magic users stopped, themselves drained, keeping a wary eye on Hermione.
Colonel Longbottom approached them cautiously, no longer wearing her signature scowl and, instead, appearing considerate. The Colonel gave Hermione a once over and raised her eyebrows at the sword. "How did you get that?" she asked, instructing the other officers to back off with a wave of her hand.
"The sword will come to a true Gryffindor in their time of need," Hermione repeated from Hogwarts, a History. Apparently, that was the right thing to say because the Colonel's eyes went wide, and she immediately sent a patronus off somewhere.
"You can drop the shield," Longbottom told Hermione.
Hermione shook her head. "No — not until — I can't," she grunted out.
Longbottom looked conflicted but nodded, standing at attention and waiting. About ten minutes later, Hermione saw Daphne Greengrass running towards them and almost cried in relief.
"Hermione Granger?" she asked.
Hermione let the shield down and handed Daphne Greengrass the sword. "Give it to Harry Potter or Ginny Weasley — don't let anyone else have it," Hermione gasped before passing out, her entire being drained.
London
December 6, 2006
As she slowly returned to consciousness, Hermione felt like a truck hit her. "Ow," she cried, blinking her eyes open. She squinted, covering her eyes as the sharp fluorescents beamed down on her. She realized two things: she wasn't restrained, and she was fairly certain she was in a hospital.
"Hermione?"
She slowly removed her hand, turning to find Harry Potter sitting in a chair beside her bed, with a shit eating grin on his face.
"Where's Draco?" she groaned trying to look around, her muscles aching.
Harry pointed in the opposite direction and she let out another involuntary "Ow" as she whipped her head to see him lying asleep on a couch.
"He's okay?" she cried out.
"He was a bit banged up, but was given a clean bill of health a couple of days ago. He's been here ever since — refuses to leave your side." Harry smiled.
"Why are you so happy?" Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes.
"We destroyed all the Horcruxes. Since then, there have been reports of women getting pregnant globally. We're not sure how it's happened so fast but everyone's saying it's a miracle. You were right — somehow destroying the Horcruxes and making Voldemort mortal has resolved the birth rate issue," he said softly. She leaned her head back, an unexpected feeling of relief flowing through her.
"It's not over," Hermione told him sadly.
He nodded in understanding. "Because he'll just make more."
"Did Draco tell you? About the nexus and magic and everything?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "He told us all about your time in Hogsmeade."
"How are we not in jail?" Hermione frowned.
Harry laughed. "Well now, that's an interesting story. Ginny and I were actually arrested when we returned to London for illegal portkey activity. We were detained by Justice for four days until I was able to convince Minister Snape to listen to us." He shook his head. "That's why we weren't there when you Apparated."
"But Daphne was. And obviously she got the sword to you?" Hermione clarified.
Harry nodded. "A lot of people wanted that sword. Eventually, my father enlisted General Moody and some others and convinced them to listen to her."
"And they did?" Hermione looked skeptical.
Harry shrugged. "The Sword of Gryffindor is legendary. And it hasn't been seen in a long time; I think people were quite in awe of you."
"So that's why we're not locked up?" Hermione frowned again.
Harry wobbled his head back and forth, as if he couldn't quite decide. "Well... when they first brought you in, Alice Longbottom refused to let you be locked up."
"Colonel Longbottom?" Hermione's eyes grew wide.
"Yes."
"But she was the one who hunted us," Hermione pointed out.
Harry chuckled. "It's a — long story. But let's just say, a lot has happened when we last saw each other. The point is, Colonel Longbottom was a Gryffindor, so when she saw the sword, she listened to you. Once Ginny and I were released, I called together the Council of Parliament leaders, Major Generals, and Justice ministers. I told them everything — well, almost everything. As soon as reports of pregnancies started coming in… well, they're no longer concerned with things like illegal portkey activity."
"That's nice." Hermione exhaled, watching Draco's chest rise and fall. She was growing tired again. "Wait a minute. How long have I been unconscious?"
"A week," Harry told her.
"Oh, shit." She willed herself to stay awake, but her body betrayed her, and she once again lost consciousness.
When she next awoke, Hermione felt a large object behind her. She tensed before recognizing the pale arm wrapped around her hips. "Draco," she whispered, attempting to turn her body to face him. He stirred and wound himself tightly around her.
"Hermione," Draco whispered in her ear and she almost started crying again, but she found she didn't have any tears left to shed; she seemed to have used them all up when she thought Draco had died. She pinched herself, making sure this was real, that he was truly alive.
"You're here," she turned to face him, brushing her fingers across his face. "And you're not a ghost."
"I'm here." He smiled softly and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"How are you here?" she whispered, wrapping her hands around his torso and curling herself into him.
"No one knows," he explained. "They said all indications were that I was dead, and then something just healed my heart."
"Hmm." Hermione smiled.
"It was you of course," he told her.
"I don't care what it was," she said, nuzzling into him, basking in his warmth. "Just don't do that again."
"You can't take it back, by the way," he said sternly.
She froze. "What?" She felt his laugh, a soft rumble pushing against her cheek.
"You told me you trust me. And that you're in love with me," he said.
She couldn't see his face but she could hear his smirk. "I also told you I would never forgive you," she pointed out. But even as she said it, she did everything in her power to snuggle closer to him.
"Well, we can work on that," he told her softly. "I'm not planning on going anywhere."
"I think I'm about to fall back to sleep," she warned him, feeling her eyelids grow heavy. "Please stay."
"Always."
December 7, 2006
Hermione frowned as she woke the next day, her hand patting at the empty space behind her. She heard whispers coming from somewhere in the room and started panicking. She managed to push herself slowly onto her elbows, catching Draco and Ginny arguing at the foot of her bed. She sharply exhaled at the sight, drawing their attention.
"Hermione." Draco hurried over, with Ginny tentatively following. The woman was in standard Corps patrol uniform and looked nervous.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked, her eyes darting between them.
Draco looked like he was about to say something when a doctor entered the room.
"Ms. Granger," the woman started, a soft smile on her face, "my name is Dr. Patil. I'm sorry I missed you the last two times you woke up."
"It's nice to meet you." Hermione smiled, and winced. "Maybe you can tell me why I ache all over?" she asked.
Dr. Patil laughed, and Hermione smiled reflexively. The doctor pulled out a wand and conducted a few diagnostics before responding, "You used quite a bit of magic — you were in a sort of coma for about a week. Think about if you tried to run 100 miles — perhaps you could do it, but your body would likely go into failure when it was over. So, you've been recovering."
"How much longer?" Hermione asked.
"Until you're healed? I'm not sure precisely, but we're hoping you'll be able to get out of here in a few days." She smiled.
Dr. Patil left, leaving Hermione alone with Ginny and Draco. "So?" she asked them.
Draco sent Ginny an accusatory glare, and the Officer started, "There's been a bit going on. Major General Moody has asked to see you."
Hermione's eyes bulged, and she suddenly felt like she was back at her first day of Officer's training, watching the legendary wizard give them a speech on 'constant vigilance.' For a moment, she nearly forgot about the revelations of the last two months, and she was just a Lieutenant about to be seen by one of the Major Generals. "What? Why?" Hermione asked.
Draco frowned, but Ginny seemed to understand what was going through Hermione's head. She explained, "I believe he wants to speak with you about a few things, like the Event and your future in the Corps but—" she paused and gave Draco a glare "—there's a more urgent matter. Harry has effectively convinced the WEA Council that we need to retake Hogwarts, so the Corps has put together a war room. But they need you and Draco."
"Of course." Hermione nodded.
Draco flared his nostrils, glaring once more at Ginny before returning his gaze to Hermione. "You need to heal," Draco said softly. "And I don't trust him. Not after what he did to you."
Hermione shook her head. "This is too important, Draco. After everything we went through… we need to end it. When I think about Millie and Astoria — I don't want them stuck in that place!" She exhaled and smiled gently at Draco. "And while the General certainly made mistakes, I can't live in the past. I have to move forward."
Draco furrowed his brow but nodded, squeezing her hand.
"Can he come in now?" Ginny asked.
Hermione shrugged. "I guess. But don't blame me if I fall asleep before he gets here."
Ginny nodded, mumbling into a walkie talkie as she left the room.
Hermione managed to sit up for a moment, finally noticing the two magicalCorps Sergeants standing guard at the room's threshold. "So, we have guards at my door? Are they here to keep us in or everyone else out?" Hermione asked.
Draco shrugged, sitting on her bed and massaging her shoulders. "I assumed they were here for me. But honestly, I'm not sure; no one really seems to know what to do with us after everything that's happened. Or at least, that's what Potter's said."
She leaned back into his chest and closed her eyes. "That feels amazing. Can you just do that forever please?" she asked.
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her neck. "Maybe," he retorted. "What are you going to do for me?"
"Hmmm," she mumbled and let herself relax.
A few minutes later, Hermione heard the familiar click of boots marching on linoleum. She snapped upright, pushing Draco off of the bed. He narrowed his eyes, but took the chair beside her, arms crossed over his chest.
Major General "Mad-Eye" Moody walked in, flanked by two Sergeants. His lips were pursed, and his one good eye watched her carefully.
Hermione had never actually spoken with a Major General before, and she unconsciously saluted, her heart racing.
He smiled slightly and returned the salute. "At ease, Lieutenant."
She dropped her hand to her lap, eyes widening at his use of her title. Did this mean she still had her position in the Corps? Though, she was still considering if she even wanted it; this thought led to more questions about the future, which she did not have the time or information to consider at the moment.
"Lieutenant Granger. My name is Major General Moody," he introduced himself. His magical eye glanced over at Draco. "Mr. Malfoy." He nodded stiffly.
"Of course. It's nice to meet you." Hermione smiled politely.
"We have a few matters to discuss," he started. Hermione imagined he wasn't typically tasked with speaking to Lieutenants, though she acknowledged this situation was unique. "I understand that Sirius Black told you about the Event." He paused, frowning slightly. "I would like to apologize for sending you to the Uninhabitable Zone under false pretenses. I've come to realize that, once we learned about your impact on magic, we could have handled the situation differently."
"Thank you, sir," Hermione said quietly.
Draco shifted. "Aren't you going to apologize for removing her memories and her magic?" His tone was accusatory, and he glared at the Major General.
"I did what I thought needed to be done," he replied gruffly. He turned and told Hermione, "I didn't want to cause you harm. But your magic was unlike anything ever recorded. We couldn't risk another Event."
Hermione nodded, and she really did understand. Maybe she wished things had been different, but she also couldn't imagine living through her formative years with the guilt of causing the unrest and insanity of their world. She also understood that they could have done far worse to her after the Event, including locking her up or killing her.
"I understand," Hermione told him.
He nodded and straightened. "As I believe Officer Weasley mentioned, we are preparing to annex Hogwarts. We've established a war room at the London Corps offices and are hoping you will join us." He worded it as if she had a choice, and, perhaps in this new world, she did.
"Of course," she responded, feeling Draco's eyes boring into the side of her head. "Once they release me from here," she added.
"Good."
"Sir?" she started. "What's going to happen to me — after the situation in Hogsmeade is resolved?"
Moody shifted, frowning. "Mr. Potter and Representative Greengrass have argued that, given the unique nature of the events that resulted in your going AWOL, you should not be dishonorably discharged. But there is still the matter of your training. You're a magical now; if you wish to stay in the Corps, you will need to go through supplementary Officer's training."
Hermione let out a breath, feeling tangible relief at his words. But then she turned, catching Draco's gaze, and another fear hit her. "What's going to happen to Draco?" she asked.
Moody shook his head. "The Corps doesn't have jurisdiction anymore, so it's up to Justice now. As far as I'm aware, they have no plans to pursue any actions against him."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you," she said softly, her whole body relaxing as relief flooded through her.
"I'm glad you're OK," Moody told her. "I'll see you both soon." He nodded and turned, leaving as abruptly as he entered, with the two Sergeants following close behind.
Hermione frowned at Draco, who was moving back to her bed. "He'll see us 'both'?" she asked.
"Well, my assistance was required by the Corps, rather than requested. But I told them I would only help once you were healed." Draco smirked.
Hermione blinked in surprise. "And they were okay with that?"
"Well, no," he explained, "but apparently Harry Potter is quite influential."
"Draco," Hermione started, feeling her eyes droop, the adrenaline rush from the General's visit fading. "I'm going to pass out."
Draco lay her back down, pulling her to his chest, and she relaxed, succumbing to sleep once again.
When Hermione next regained consciousness, Draco was asleep behind her. She smiled, watching him for a moment, before noticing her wizard mentor reading a book on the couch.
"Remus," she whispered. She felt awkward, unable to sit up and wrapped in Draco's arms, but she was also unwilling to move.
Lupin put down the book and smiled, moving to the chair next to her bed. "It's good to see you, Hermione."
"You too." She realized she was genuinely happy to see him. "What are you doing here?"
"They've recalled anyone whose ever fought Voldemort as part of their strategy sessions."
"Must be quite the war room," Hermione mused.
Remus laughed. "It's shaping up to be just that. I figured I'd stop by and see how you're doing."
Hermione nodded. "I think I'm getting better — I'm a bit less sore, and I've been able to stay conscious longer."
He cocked his head to the side. "Alice mentioned the magic you produced was incredible."
"Colonel Longbottom?" Hermione clarified. "You mean the shield?"
"Yes." He frowned at her. "Did you ever get your answers?"
"I did. Thank you again for that. Who knows where we would all be had you not given me Sirius Black's name." Hermione smiled.
"Yes, I just saw him. He mentioned he had quite the menagerie camped out at his home." He chuckled.
"Sirius is here?" she asked, brow furrowed. She hoped he wasn't being held for questioning related to their time in Cambridge.
Lupin nodded. "He was a member of the Order a long time ago," he explained.
Hermione let out a long breath. "Thank you for checking up on me."
He frowned, nodding towards Draco. "Are you sure about him?" Remus asked quietly.
She laughed softly. "Do you know what happened?"
"Not everything. I understand you went with him to Hogwarts to figure out what was happening to the birth rate — and were evidently successful in reversing it. Beyond that, it seems the details have been rather... sparse. At least for those of us who are not Council members."
"Draco chose to help us, over all else," she explained. "So yes, I'm sure about him."
Remus watched her carefully for a moment before nodding. "Well, I'm glad you seem to be doing alright. I'll see you soon." He stood, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before leaving, offering a wary nod to the Sergeants who remained at her door.
"Draco?" Hermione smiled knowingly.
"Hmm," he grunted.
"I know you're awake."
"Fine." He rolled his eyes and turned her so they faced each other. "I'm glad you're sure about me."
She smiled and kissed him softly. "Of course I am."
"Though, that reminds me. When Potter was here before, he told me something interesting…" Draco trailed off.
Hermione frowned. "What is it?"
Draco hesitated for a moment before explaining, "That damn prophecy. Apparently, the Dark Lord was missing a couple of key words." He pulled out a paper with the full prophecy written out, handing it to Hermione.
She read it and frowned. "So after all that, it was never about me at all?" She narrowed her eyes. "Twice chosen... it was about you! Voldemort chose you as a baby to be a Horcrux and then again to go find me?" she questioned aloud.
"Yes, that's what we deduced," Draco said quietly.
"You realize it was entirely self-fulfilling? You only became twice chosen because of the prophecy," Hermione pointed out.
"I believe most prophecies are self-fulfilling." Draco shrugged, appearing unbothered by the revelation.
"I have to admit, I'm quite relieved it's over." Hermione shook her head. "It's nice to finally feel as if the future is fully within our control."
"Have you put any thought into what you want to do next?" he asked, swallowing nervously.
"A little bit," she admitted. "I think I want to continue researching magic, but more of the fundamentals. I believe research and discussion on magical theory is lacking, and it would be incredible to research and perhaps develop an understanding of what magic is more precisely. Now that we know that elements of magic can have an impact on non-magicals, perhaps there's more to it than we ever realized..." she trailed off.
"That sounds like more than just a 'little' thought," he quipped with a slight smile.
She brushed her thumb against his palm. "What do you want to do?" she asked.
Draco stilled for a moment, staring down at their entwined hands before lifting his eyes to meet hers. "I'm not sure. Beyond a magical education and my Death Eater military training, I don't exactly have any credentials."
"Would you consider joining the Corps?" Hermione asked.
He looked surprised. "You think they would want me?"
She shrugged. "I think they may feel like they owe us something." She had realized it when the Major General had apologized to her — something that, in spite of the circumstances, she never expected.
"Then perhaps that's an option." He brushed his lips against the top of her head, pulling Hermione in closer. She sucked on her lower lip and watched him, still amazed he was here and she was here and, for the moment, they weren't running or hiding or pretending. She rubbed her thumb against his cheek and reached out to kiss him, pulling him in closer as she did.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pushed their hips together. She groaned at the contact, opening her mouth further, deepening the kiss.
"Shit!"
Hermione jumped at the sound and practically rolled off the bed.
"I'm so sorry, I can come back!" Daphne Greengrass said from the room's threshold with a hand covering her eyes.
"Oh no," Hermione said, pulling back a respectable distance from Draco. "Daphne Greengrass, right?"
Draco frowned, tensing beside her.
Daphne cautiously moved her hand from her eyes and nodded, walking to Hermione's side. "I really am sorry to... interrupt."
"It's alright. Chances are, I'll fall asleep soon anyway," Hermione explained with a shrug.
"I'm sure there is quite a bit going on and that you have other priorities, but I was hoping you could tell me how my sister is." Daphne sat in the chair Lupin had vacated, fidgeting her fingers.
"She was doing alright," Hermione started. "I spoke with her at one point; told her about your appointment to Parliament. But—" Hermione looked to Draco, blinking nervously, before returning her attention to Daphne "—when we were escaping, she re-directed the Death Eaters away from me. I don't know why she did it, but I'm not sure what would have happened had she not been there."
Daphne nodded, looking torn between fear and relief. "Thank you. I was quite... confused when Harry mentioned seeing the two of you in Cambridge. I'm assuming you didn't actually marry Astoria, right?" Daphne asked Draco.
"No," he said quietly. "We were supposed to get married in a few days, I think."
Daphne smiled. "That's a relief. I'm hoping with our father in prison, she'll finally have the chance to do what she wants."
Hermione felt Draco relax beside her.
"Well," Daphne continued, "I'll leave you two to — you know." She gave them a suggestive look and left, but Hermione was already growing tired.
"Draco," she started, but passed out before she had a chance to finish.
December 9, 2006
"You seem to be doing much better," Dr. Patil told her, nodding at the magical tablet floating in front of her.
Hermione had been awake for a couple of hours without falling asleep. "I'm starting to feel a lot more like myself." She had now been eating solid foods and going to the bathroom on her own for 24 hours, two things she had never previously considered an accomplishmentfor anyone over the age of three.
The doctor nodded, pleased. "If you're okay with it, I'm willing to discharge you tomorrow. Assuming nothing comes up between now and then," she explained, raising her eyebrows.
Hermione considered saying she needed more time, knowing that as soon as she left the hospital, she would need to address more pressing matters. But she also knew the Corps needed her and Draco in order to assemble their assault, and she desperately wanted to see Hogwarts liberated. "Sounds good to me."
Dr. Patil smiled and left. Draco watched from the couch, pretending to read a magazine. Once the doctor had shut the door, he got up, muttering a brief incantation to lock the door.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
He smirked, sidling up to her on the bed and kissing her softly, murmuring, "I just wanted to do that. You know, before we have to deal with the world again."
She smiled and grabbed the back of his head, pulling him to her. Hermione pressed her lips to his, letting the kiss linger, so different from the frantic moments they had at Hogwarts.
But she sensed his unease in the way his fingers tangled in her hair and clutched at her sides. And she understood it; while it looked likely that they would, in fact, have a future, there were still many unanswered questions. For as long as they'd known one another, they'd been through one ordeal after another. Even when they had been at Sirius's house, and she had been forced to consider her feelings for Draco, she had never truly imagined getting to this point — a point where they might actually have a future together.
She grabbed at his shirt and pulled at his hips, willing him closer. He rolled atop her, carefully placing his elbows to either side of her head to keep his weight off her. She knew he was being mindful of her health, but she desperately wanted to feel him completely.
She brushed her fingers against the skin along his torso, playing with his waistband until finally she placed her hand beneath his trousers, teasing his length over his boxers.
He groaned, tucking his face into her neck, pressing his lips against her pulse point. His light stubble tickled her cheek, and his breaths quickened against her neck as she continued to tease him, her hand moving from the waistband of his boxers and back over him slowly.
"Hermione," he moaned, and she relented, tucking her hand into his boxers and wrapping her fingers around his cock. It was amazing, she realized, how easy this was. They no longer had to hide, or sneak around. They could have these moments without worry.
He kissed her again, his hips thrusting against her hand while she continued her ministrations. He sucked at her lip, his eyes squeezed shut, mumbling incoherently into her mouth. He pressed his forehead against hers as he came apart in her hand, collapsing to his side and pulling her to him.
He smiled, threading his fingers through her hair, his eyes darting over her face. He had that look again, the one that she associated with him saying he loved her, so she kissed him, roughly tugging him closer. He groaned into her mouth, while his hand gently traced along her torso and lower back. She moaned into him, urging him lower, and he chuckled, gently moving his hand to grab her arse.
Hermione pouted and suddenly regretted teasing him earlier, recognizing this as the revenge it was. "Draco," she whispered.
"Hmm?" he replied, eyebrows raised, his hand now gently tickling her thigh under her hospital gown.
"Please," she pleaded, grazing his lips with her tongue, wrapping her leg around his.
He grunted against her lips, meticulously pulling her knickers down. He chuckled when she squirmed, his fingers slowly grazing her leg, pausing at the juncture of her upper thigh.
She exhaled when he pushed two fingers into her, slowly sliding them in and out. She squirmed, pressing her hips to him, grunting in frustration. "You're killing me," she groaned out.
"Not quite," he whispered, gently pressing kisses along her neck, down her collarbone, before dropping his head between her legs.
"Oh." She closed her eyes, her knees falling to their sides as he gave her exactly the attention she was looking for. She grabbed at the sheets as she felt his tongue swirl and suck while his fingers continued to work in and out of her. Her hands moved to his hair as she unconsciously pushed her hips against him, her breaths quickening when she felt his movements quicken.
"Draco," she finally cried out, her body vibrating and core pulsing against him. Her entire body relaxed, her arms falling to her side. She was exhausted; the hours spent awake had finally caught up to her.
Draco sidled back to her, tugging her to him.
"Draco," she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"I'm so relieved," she started, focusing on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Hmm?" He smiled, cocking his head to the side.
"I finally feel like I'm free. After everything — the secrets and Hogwarts. Here, with you... I don't care if Corps Sergeants follow me for the rest of my life. I feel like I can finally relax. I'm finally free," she explained.
"I know what you mean," he mumbled into her neck.
"I'm," she started again but was stopped by the familiar feeling of her eyes drooping. "Falling asleep."
The last thing she heard before losing consciousness was his throaty laugh on the back of her neck.