The Inspectorate for Elfish Labour Conditions

Chapter 11: Decision Reconsidered

Music: When Ginny Kissed Harry, Nicholas Hooper (Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince)

"Mr. Malfoy, how kind of you to join us on this special day."

"Of course, Professor. The honour is mine. Thank you for inviting me."

From above her small glasses, the stern eyes of Headmistress McGonagall looked at her guest as Draco respectfully inclined his head. The Malfoy heir had just arrived for lunch at Hogwarts, looking a bit uncomfortable as he stood in her office.

A furtive smile stole over her wrinkled features. She was pleased with what she saw. The troubled young boy had grown up to become a thoughtful man. Although he had yet to fully accept his role in the post-war wizarding society, Professor McGonagall knew he would eventually come to lead the way for those who had supported the Dark Lord and were willing to change. His eighth year at Hogwarts had sown the seeds for the firm and honest character he would need for that task, and she was grateful to see how beautifully it had come into fruition over the past seven years. Draco Malfoy had become a righteous person. Just like she hoped he would.

"I really am very pleased you were able to take time out of your schedule on this last day of the year. Mr. Selwyn will be pleasantly surprised to meet with you again before he leaves Hogwarts this summer. He keeps asking about you."

A grimace flashed over Draco's features as he nodded, and Professor McGonagall knew he blamed himself for not having agreed to it earlier. He had been avoiding meeting again with Andreas as if he'd been afraid to confront that dark part of his past again. But over the past few weeks, something had happened that had elicited a change of heart with the younger Mr. Malfoy and, to her surprise, he'd accepted her invitation for lunch on the 31st of December. She had a slight inkling as to what precisely. The quiet sadness she sensed with him had something to do with it.

"Thank you for granting me the opportunity, Professor. I very much appreciated you keeping me informed about his progress over the years."

The Professor sent her former student an indulgent smile. "Well then, I think it's time we go down to the Great Hall for lunch and meet with Mr. Selwyn."

As was tradition during the holidays, the House Tables in the Great Hall had been replaced by one table, long enough to provide room for the two Ravenclaws, two Gryffindors, a Hufflepuff, and a Slytherin who'd stayed behind over the holidays. For Draco, it was a strange experience to sit at the raised Head Table and have a panoramic view of the festively decorated Great Hall.

"I must say, Professor McGonagall, this view alone makes applying for a teaching position at Hogwarts worth considering," Draco said courteously when they took their seats. The Headmistress gave him an amused smile, but then his eyes were drawn toward the older student who had remained standing at the House Table below. The student looked at him with a tense expression on his features.

"Mr. Malfoy. Do you remember me?"

A silence suddenly descended on the Great Hall as all gazes were fixed on the seventh year boldly addressing the unexpected guest. Draco slowly got up again. The student had grown much over the years and his hair was neatly combed now, but Draco immediately recognized him.

Hope and fear of disappointment alternated behind the boy's dark eyes until Draco gave a curt nod. "Of course, Andreas Selwyn."

He turned toward the Headmistress. "Professor McGonagall, by your leave, I would like to have lunch at the students' table. I believe I have some catching up to do."

The boy's face lit up at Draco's words, and the Headmistress nodded approvingly. Stared at in marvel by the younger students, the blond former Slytherin sat down beside the boy he had once reluctantly but determinedly shown the right path in life to travel. Professor McGonagall only barely had the opportunity to speak with him before he'd left. But to her satisfaction, the young Malfoy accepted an old woman's advice. Granted, he looked a bit startled but it didn't keep him from doing the right thing, which was to Disapparate to the Ministry, where Theodore Nott would be waiting to direct him to Hermione Granger's office.

"Miss Granger, Hermione. It's so good to see you back at Hogwarts." Headmistress McGonagall gave Hermione an uncharacteristically warm hug when she entered the Professor's office.

"Thank you, Professor. It's wonderful to be back again." Hermione took off her cloak and looked around the room to see the portraits of former Headmasters looking down on the current one. Professor Dumbledore was dozing in a comfy chair and she smiled at the sight.

Professor McGonagall threw her a knowing gaze over the rim of her glasses. "My, my, that's a pretty dress you're wearing, my child. Let me look at you."

A bit shyly, Hermione looked down. "Orders from the Ministry, I'm afraid, Professor. We were not allowed to show up in work robes today."

"Only the better," the Headmistress found and opened the door when a bell magically chimed through the castle. "Shall we go? You're just in time for dinner."

In the Great Hall, Hermione was seated at the Head Table between McGonagall and Professor Slughorn. The ceiling above them was already lit up with sparks of fireworks against a dark night sky, preluding the festivities of later that evening. There were several students sitting at the single House Table and, for a moment, Hermione's eyes subconsciously searched for a tall, blond Slytherin with cool grey eyes that warmed up when they looked at her. Seven years ago, he'd been absent from the Great Hall, too, succeeding in casting a Patronus for the first time. Because of a memory of her. And tonight, he'd told her that he'd missed her. Hermione turned her gaze away from the House Table. She could only guess what he must be doing right now. She suddenly fiercely wished to see his Patronus appear with his message for her, just like he had promised. She was pulled from her thoughts by Professor Slughorn, who caught her gaze.

"It's good to see you again, Miss Granger. Good to see you, indeed." He cast her a meaningful look, and she smiled at the Head of Slytherin House, grateful for his distraction.

Professor Slughorn raised his eyebrows. "What has it been since you and the Slytherin eighth year graduated? Six years? Seven years? I've never had such a talented couple in my class again. Such a pity." He sighed and rubbed the expensive brocade spanning his wide belly as Hermione dolefully remembered those double periods of Potions Class of being trapped in a school desk with Draco Malfoy. What wouldn't she give to be in that position one more time and use the time to tell him how much she'd missed him too.

"You know he was here this afternoon, don't you?"

"Who?" Hermione responded automatically, reluctant to let go of the echo of the past.

The old professor raised his eyebrows. "Well, your Potions partner, of course. Mr. Malfoy."

A shock went through Hermione. Wide-eyed, she turned to look at the professor, her heart suddenly racing in her chest and too stunned to correct his assumption that Draco had been her Potions partner during their eighth year when, in fact, it had been Ginny. "He was?"

The Professor nodded with a secretive smile. "He was. Here on invitation by the Headmistress. It took her ages to get him here and see the boy over there." He gave an inconspicuous nod at the House Table below. On the bench sat a seventh year student with dark hair she vaguely remembered from seven years ago when he had only been a small first year.

She let out a small gasp. "Andreas."

Perhaps the boy had heard her over at the Head Table because he looked up, and she met with a pensive gaze in sharp, intelligent eyes. Then he returned to his conversation with the Hufflepuff sitting next to him.

"I see you remember him," Professor Slughorn remarked approvingly. "Splendid. Sadly, Mr. Malfoy had to leave us before dinner. He had another pressing appointment at the Ministry."

Hermione's mouth opened and closed again, completely at a loss for words, as she understood who his appointment had been.

"Such a pity you've missed him," Professor Slughorn chattered on, seemingly unaware of Hermione's shock. "It would have been wonderful to have you two brew me a nice little potion again...for old times' sake, of course." The Head of Slytherin House smiled at her, but Hermione could only nod. She was too overwhelmed by the unexpectedness of the situation.

Picking up the gold fork and knife, she began eating the no doubt delicious meal the Hogwarts house-elves had prepared for them without tasting it. If only she had had the presence of mind to ask him to come with her. Then again... He could have had other things to do than visit his old school tonight. It was New Year's Eve after all.

The former Gryffindor didn't notice when Professor Slughorn turned away and started a hushed conversation with Professor Vector. On her other side, Professor McGonagall quietly handed her a bowl with potatoes and gave her a meaningful look. "It was good to see Mr. Malfoy today. He's come such a long way. To see what he has become...is to see hope for change personified."

Hermione gave her a weak smile, feeling that the professor had seen her face fall, which of course she wouldn't understand. Because why would Hermione Granger feel this affected by missing an encounter with Draco Malfoy? This time, the professor passed her a bowl with caramelised chicory as she gave her former student a sideways glance.

"You know, seven years ago, I noticed that there was something going on with the two of you...something intangible that drove the both of you to excel at Potions Class - much to the excitement of Professor Slughorn, I might add - and which made you decide to teach Mr. Malfoy the Patronus spell."

A small smile played around McGonagall's lips as Hermione flinched. "You thought this had slipped past the teachers' attention, didn't you?"

To Hermione's embarrassment, a blush crept over her cheeks. She suddenly understood that the lessons at nighttime had only taken place because the teachers had allowed it.

"I thought it was important for the both of you," Professor McGonagall elaborated on the choice she'd made back then as the corner of her mouth quirked up in a smug little smile. "It seems that I was right."

Hermione averted her gaze to the seventh year Draco had provided support to all those years ago when the little boy had needed it most. "For the both of us?" she then slowly repeated the professor's words.

McGonagall hummed in agreement, her lips curling into an indulgent smile. "When you think about it, your motives weren't as different from Mr. Malfoy's, weren't they?"

Hermione's gaze turned pensive as her thoughts traveled back in time seven years. Nights on end they had spent practicing this one spell and she had been following Draco's every movement, the will to succeed as much hers as it was his. "I guess not..."

"You found a common ground in your mutual wish to break with the past, to prove that the world had changed for the better." The Headmistress nodded to the single House Table. "Mr. Selwyn here is proof of what your combined resolves can make possible."

She then caught Hermione's gaze. "I was surprised when Mr. Malfoy suddenly accepted my request for him to meet with Mr. Selwyn when he'd turned down the invitation so many times before. What happened?"

Hermione's first reaction was to say that she wouldn't know. After all, she had no official dealings with Draco Malfoy outside the inspection visits. But looking at her plate, she felt that she did know and that she wanted - no, needed - to tell someone.

"I think it has something to do with the Inspectorate for Elfish Labour Conditions reviewing Malfoy Manor," she confessed softly. "For the past seven years, I've been having nightmares about the drawing room in Malfoy Manor, where Bellatrix Lestrange used the Cruciatus Curse on me. I thought that perhaps they could be resolved if I could see that room again."

McGonagall's features darkened, and Hermione swallowed. "Malfoy Manor was included in the first round of compliance visits. So, I joined the inspectors and I persuaded Draco to show me the drawing room again, although he begged me not to. I... It didn't end well. I was overwhelmed, and Draco had to take me home. After that...he somehow taught himself to create a messenger Patronus. Which was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't believe my eyes when his Patronus appeared in my room and started talking. After that, it somehow developed into a continuing conversation through messenger Patronuses until I had to put a stop to it when The Daily Prophet started writing about us."

"Which was a horrible smear campaign by The Daily Prophet," McGonagall spoke up next to her, her Scottish accent sharpening her hard words. "A new low for this so called quality newspaper. I can only imagine what you have been through, my dear."

Hermione looked up with tears in her eyes, although she tried to put on a brave smile.

McGonagall's stern features softened. "I'm only an old woman with a lot of experience observing her students, Miss Granger, and I don't think I was wrong when I saw this special bond coming into existence between you and Mr. Malfoy during your eighth year at Hogwarts. A bond you've clearly renewed over the past couple of weeks. And instead of visiting your old school, you should be celebrating the coming of the new year anywhere else, as long as it is with him."

Hermione's eyes widened. "With...Draco?" she repeated as a blush rushed to her cheeks. "I...I don't know..."

"Child..." Professor McGonagall then said, placing a gentle hand on Hermione's arm. "Put a stop to this situation. Open your eyes."

Less than thirty minutes were left of the old year before the new year would be ushered in with loud bangs and streaks of brilliantly coloured light when the small group of teachers and students, dressed warmly in cloaks and scarves, spread out over the fourth floor terrace.

Hermione quietly followed the teachers, not participating in the cheerful banter and laughter around her. Just like seven years ago, her heart wasn't into it. Instead of looking forward to the upcoming fireworks display, all she could think about was the person who again would be absent from the fourth floor balcony tonight. Professor McGonagall was right. She should not be up here to witness the fireworks but wherever he was, celebrating with him. Seven years ago, with an owl landing on the balustrade, he'd reached out to her. This time, however, he would probably be at home or at a party with Theodore Nott.

On the grounds below, Hagrid put the finishing touch to the large rockets which were about to hit the sky in a few minutes. When the half-giant straightened up, he waved at Hermione. She did her best to wave back as cheerfully as she could.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to get everybody's attention. "Students and guests of Hogwarts. Within the next minute we will be going over to the next year. To celebrate this event, we have some fireworks prepared for you..."

She fell silent when the fourth floor balcony was suddenly filled with a bright light. Everyone on the balcony turned around and their eyes widened at the spectacle unfolding before them. On the fourth floor balcony, a small, glowing animal had appeared, sitting up before Professor McGonagall's guest. Her face had brightened in a tender smile as she knelt down before the light which pulled together in the shape of a glowing ferret.

"Hermione, Draco wishes you a happy New Year and he hopes you're having a pleasant evening," the animal then said with a tinkling voice.

The fireworks were completely forgotten. Gasps of surprise went through the small group of students as Hermione Granger petted the small animal form, oblivious to the eyes watching her. Only the Headmistress saw the love gleaming in her eyes in the light of the Patronus. Then the animal form disappeared in a small puff of smoke, and some students heaved a sigh of disappointment.

Professor McGonagall saw her chance. "What you just saw, my dear students, was a very advanced piece of magic. Only those with enough magical abilities and belief in the good inside of them can manage to perform - a corporeal Patronus."

A whispering went through the awed group of students. Many of them had heard about Patronuses but very few of them, if any, had ever seen one. Behind them, the Headmistress cast Hermione an encouraging gaze and mouthed smilingly, 'Go!' Then she spread her arms. "May I have everyone's attention, please?"

All eyes reluctantly peeled off of Hermione and turned towards Hagrid below. Hermione took a step backwards as a lone bell tolled across the castle grounds. Then brilliant fireworks lit up the dark sky. Streaks of red, blue, green, and yellow tumbled around each other, forming balls of sparkling lights to dissipate in gold and silver drops raining down on the Hogwarts terrain.

But Hermione missed them again as she ran down the stairs while drawing her wand. "Expecto Patronum!"

Her otter immediately appeared and swam along with her. "Squeaky, this is a message from Hermione Granger. I need to talk to Master Draco. If he's at home, will you let me in?" she asked. "Oh, and one thing - would you mind not telling Master Draco that I'm coming to see him?"

The Patronus disappeared as she ran down dimly lit corridors on her way outside. From there, she could Disapparate from the castle grounds. She had a clearance for one night. When she arrived outside, Professor McGonagall's last rocket burst into a quill describing a flaming H in the sky. Hermione smiled at the sight and whispered, "Thank you, Professor."

Then she Disapparated with a light pop.

Malfoy Manor was shrouded in darkness when Hermione Apparated before its gates. She hesitantly reached for the bell but to her surprise, she already felt the pull from the house beckoning for her to enter through the gate. Her heart leapt. This could only mean that the house-elf Squeaky had received her message and Draco must be at home. Once again, she followed the long approach to the stately mansion looming in the distance, while in the Muggle villages far away the last of the fireworks extinguished. The only sounds were made by her footsteps echoing against the high hedge, a feeling of anticipation electrifying her. When she finally reached the front doors, Squeaky was already waiting for her. He had his head popped around the corner and his ears bobbed in the chilly wind.

"Squeaky," Hermione breathed when he let her in. "Thank you so much."

The house-elf looked up at her with big, truehearted eyes as he took her cloak from her. "Squeaky was very happy when he received Miss Hermione's message. The Mister and Mistress aren't at home this New Year's Eve and Squeaky didn't say anything to the Master, but Squeaky is sure that Master would be very pleased if he knew that Miss Hermione was visiting. It always makes him happy when Miss Hermione is visiting."

Hermione went down on her knees, her heart fluttering at the possible implication of the house-elf's truthful remark. "You're worried about him, aren't you?" she asked softly.

The house-elf nodded shyly and with a grateful smile, Hermione extended her hand. "Will you take me to him?"

Squeaky silently took her hand and snapped his fingers. The following moment, Hermione was standing on an antique Persian rug in what she immediately recognised as Draco's study. It was lit only by a crackling fire in the hearth, which Squeaky must have stoked before her arrival.

Squeaky put his leathery finger to his lips and pointed with his other finger at the chair by the window. Hermione quietly followed his direction and her features softened.

In the chair was Draco, fast asleep. His head was inclined toward her, resting against the back of the chair. Sometimes his blond eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks, and his breathing was slow and regular. He looked like an angel dressed in contemporary clothes. Since Hermione had seen him, he'd changed out of the robes and was wearing the white oxford again with a pair of black trousers. He must have been reading before he'd fallen asleep. Resting limply between his fingers was a book that was in clear danger of falling to the ground. The Remains of the Day, Hermione saw. The book he'd to come to fetch this afternoon.

Squeaky raised a hand to shake his Master awake, but Hermione stopped him. "Thank you, Squeaky. Will you let me wake him up instead?" she whispered.

With big, unsure eyes the house-elf from the sleeping Malfoy to the Ministry official. "But... Master often has nightmares and...and Master gets spooked when Squeaky wakes him up, and..." he whispered back helplessly.

Hermione gave him a sad smile. Apparently, the house-elf had orders to wake Draco up when he was having nightmares and he feared for the young man's reaction to Hermione waking him up instead. She clearly wasn't the only one suffering from nightmares. However, this moment was not such a moment.

"It's all right, Squeaky. Look, he's not having any nightmares right now," Hermione told him softly.

The house-elf bobbed his ears upon seeing Draco's calm expression and when Hermione gave Squeaky a reassuring nod, the house-elf snapped his fingers with a relieved smile. He disappeared with a light pop.

In the quiet study, Hermione sat on her heels next to the sleeping Malfoy and carefully took the book from his fingers. She only averted her gaze from his face for a few seconds to establish that he'd reached the final chapter. He had clearly been reading while waiting for her response to his message, as was his habit. Mesmerised, Hermione drank in the sight of Draco's sleeping face. There was a peacefulness on his face she'd rarely seen with him. It added a delicate beauty to his regular features, which made something flutter in her stomach. Hermione gently put down the book on the low table beside the chair. He barely responded when the weight of the book disappeared from his loose grasp - his eyelids fluttered but he only gave a soft sigh in response.

A tender smile stole over Hermione's features. "You really are fast asleep," she whispered. "Wake up, Draco," she said a bit louder.

Lifting her hand, she tucked a stray strand of his blond hair behind his ear, her fingers trailing his jawline. His eyes flew open, and Hermione froze. Her hand hovered midair as she looked straight into a pair of confused grey eyes, staring at her in blank amazement.

"Hermione?" Draco whispered. "How...?"

"Squeaky let me in," Hermione said simply and waited patiently for him to process this and wake up properly.

"Squeaky," he merely repeated, clearly having trouble grasping the unexpected reality of Hermione's presence in his study. He blinked when Hermione gave him a tender smile.

"I thought I'd wish you a happy New Year in person."

Draco had woken up to a dream. He was sure of it. The fogs of sleep must be playing tricks on him, because he'd woken up to a sight that took his breath away. Kneeling before him was Hermione Granger. Illuminated by the fire in the hearth, she looked like a witch princess of old in her beautiful purple dress, her curls cascading down her shoulders and with an intense gaze in dark eyes. For a moment he didn't dare to move, afraid to be woken any time soon, slapped in the face by Squeaky because Master was having a nightmare again, and all that he would be left with was an empty feeling in his heart. Except this wasn't a nightmare. And although it certainly felt like one, this wasn't a dream either, he realised as he lifted his hand and his fingers curled around hers still hovering beside his cheek. Her beautiful eyes brightened in response.

"You're here. You're really here," he whispered as if acknowledging her presence only now. "No Patronus."

"No Patronus. Just me." Hermione swallowed. "If...you'll have me."

Her vulnerable words lingered in the air, and Draco's mouth suddenly became dry. Had he heard her correctly? It sounded as if she wasn't ever going to leave again. His heart leapt, but... "Are...are you sure? I mean...you could damage your reputation...with me."

Her eyes flashed with anger at this. For a moment, Draco thought he'd said something wrong and his heart missed a beat, but then she bowed her head.

"I can only hope you'll want to...after I've caused you so much misery," she whispered regretfully.

"No! Don't ever say that." Draco sat up straight and scowled. "Remember who I am. Look! Look at what I have to offer to you."

He yanked up his left sleeve and there, glaring up at Hermione, was the Dark Mark. Resembling a red tattoo, the symbol, though faded, still stood out against his pale skin, covering almost the entire inner part of his forearm.

"There it is. The symbol of the very darkness you fought during the war. I'll always carry this with me," Draco growled, pain and disgust dripping from his features as he extended his forearm towards Hermione. "This is who I am and why you should never want to be with me."

Hermione went quiet. It occurred to her that, up until now, she'd never seen him with his sleeves rolled up. Even when she'd caught him leaving the Prefects' Bathroom at Hogwarts or during hot days in spring when he'd been reading a book at the waterside of the Great Lake, his sleeves had been down. She'd alway attributed this to his impeccable appearance during their final year at Hogwarts. Only now did she really understand why, as the faint mark glared at her demandingly, silent proof of choices made in the past. She gingerly folded her small hands around his forearm, her fingers hiding the mark from view. His muscles trembled as his skin warmed up under her tender touch, but he didn't pull back.

"This is not who you are, Draco. He may have branded your skin, but that's all he managed to do. Like Bellatrix branded mine. He hasn't been able to prevent you choosing light over darkness," she said softly while holding his gaze. "Your Patronus is proof of that."

She looked down on his arm and trailed her fingers across the Dark Mark. "This is just a scar, inflicted on you because you once chose to follow the path of darkness. But you've changed since then. That's why you're able to cast a Patronus. Your Patronus is the very embodiment of the purest part of yourself. That's who you are now, and that's the only thing that matters to me."

Draco silently looked at her, his heartbeat quickening under the touch of her fingertips tracing the Dark Mark. She didn't try to play down his decisions in the past but simply put things into perspective in a way that a wonderful feeling of liberation washed over him. He carefully lifted her hand from his arm and laced his fingers through hers as everything inside him screamed for him to hold her and cherish her as much as he could. It struck him how unbelievably close she was. He only needed to reach out to her to finally kiss those beautiful lips lifted up at him. He couldn't take it anymore. Lifting his hands he cupped her face and leaned in. The moment her lips brushed his, stars exploded behind his closed eyes.

Part of him expected her to back out now, and he would even be fine with it if it left him with this wonderful memory, but instead an indescribable feeling went through him when her lips parted and she leaned into the kiss, returning the feeling. He pulled her closer and an absurd feeling of gratitude washed over him when her hands folded behind his neck and she granted him access. A small moan escaped him.

When Draco finally pulled back a little, Hermione's half opened lips angled to him sent a jolt of electricity through his core. Leaning in, he placed light kisses from her cheek to her jawline. There he hesitated, but Hermione inclined her head ever so slightly, encouraging him to continue. His heart thundered in his chest as he continued further down her throat until he'd reached her collarbone. She let out a soft sigh in response that drove him half mad.

"Hermione," he breathed, but then he fell silent when she wordlessly spread his knees and positioned herself between his legs while holding his gaze. The touch of her hips against his thighs made the world spin around him. He slowly slid down from the chair and went down on his knees for her in a movement of complete and utter surrender.

"I'm yours... I have been since our eighth year at Hogwarts." He swallowed when the truth finally spilled from his lips. "If...if you'll have me," he hoarsely repeated the words she'd said earlier, and an incredible feeling that was impossible to describe washed over him when the most beautiful smile lit up Hermione's face and she nodded wordlessly.

He reached out and pulled her against him. A surge of want rushed through Hermione when he closed the last distance between them. Furrowing her eyebrows, she slid her arms around his neck, burying her fingers in the silky blond hair she'd been longing to touch for so long. The feeling of the thundering beat of his heart finally made Hermione come undone. She pulled up his white oxford and slid her hands underneath, losing herself in the smooth texture of his warm, bare skin, which his shirts had been hiding from her for so long. In response, he buried his face in her hair, clearly holding back. Hermione pressed a single, tender kiss to his neck and she felt him shudder.

"Draco, please," she whispered, with these two words asking for so much more than just this as she opened her dress. He looked up, and Hermione met with a gaze filled with a burning devotion, the look in his eyes answer to her plea. Draco discarded his clothes and lowered them down onto the ground. Hermione closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the feeling of his body against hers. There was only the press of skin against skin, the touch of his warm lips and irregular breathing on the slopes of her body until his body was aligned with hers and grey eyes met caramel ones.

There was still a trace of disbelief in Draco's eyes as he leaned in and captured Hermione's lips in a deep kiss, revealing his passion and longing for her. His mind went blank when she wrapped her legs around him, pressing her body against his in a silent response. And as their silhouettes merged into one in the light of the glowing embers, outside gentle whirling snowflakes reclaimed the dark sky from the fireworks that had welcomed the new year.

Hermione had never felt so blissfully complete in her life as she did now that she was resting in Draco's arms. Her head was nestled near his collarbone and her hand lay sprawled on his well-toned chest. She marvelled at the beauty of him as she enjoyed the feeling of his fingers absentmindedly trailing up and down her upper arm.

"So, it's McGonagall we're to thank for this."

Listening to his quiet voice Hermione smiled and closed her eyes. "McGonagall, your friend Theodore, and a small house-elf named Squeaky," she acknowledged softly, then her eyes flew open when Draco unexpectedly let out a startled groan.

"Oh no, Squeaky." Draco put his hand over his eyes. "I have to go check on him and make sure he doesn't do anything to himself. Like ironing his hands or things like that."

He sat up quickly and his features softened when he saw Hermione's look of dismay at him leaving her arms. "I'm sorry, but since I'm with a Ministry inspector...I have no choice but to adhere to the rules," he said playfully and pressed a tender, regretful kiss to Hermione's lips.

Hermione rolled her eyes at this and propped herself up on one elbow, following him with secret contentment as he reached for his clothes. "Why would he do that?" she asked, inconspicuously keeping her eyes trained on him while he put on his trousers.

"Because he let you in by his own volition," he said, throwing her an amused look. He'd definitely noticed her stare and to her embarrassment, Hermione blushed. "House-elves at Malfoy Manor are strictly forbidden to open the gate to anyone without the family's permission. I've tried to change the rules but both the house-elves and my father are giving me a hard time."

He handed Hermione her dress, stealing an admiring look at her as she got dressed. He was still struggling to grasp this new reality where this beautiful woman had decided to spend the night and possibly her life with him.

When she straightened up, she established, "I think Squeaky has found a work-around for that... And I think him calling me Miss Hermione has something to do with it. Am I right?"

Draco raised his eyebrows. So she'd noticed that little detail after all. He should have known. "Oh well, a matchmaker for a house-elf is not something I can't handle," he sighed. "I just have to keep him away from other single witches and wizards, I suppose."

Hermione smiled and folded her hands behind his neck, reluctant to let him go even if it would only mean the attic or the kitchen. She felt like she wanted to keep him as close as possible after seven years of living in denial. He seemed to know what she was thinking and put his hands on her waist as he gently kissed the top of her head.

"You can come with me if you'd like," Draco said tenderly. "I'm sure he'll be all right. And perhaps later today, we could stop by at Hogwarts and thank Professor McGonagall."

It was the first thing that popped in his mind, hoping to give her a reason to stay with him for a few more hours.

Hermione chuckled. "What a surprise that will be for poor Professor Slughorn. He looked positively devastated at the realisation that he had been this close to locking us up in his classroom yesterday. We could ask if we may brew him one last Potion. For old times' sake."

She was absolutely adorable when looking mischievous like this. Draco couldn't resist. Tucking a curl behind her ear, he leaned in and gave her a lingering kiss. The prospect of spending another few hours in that narrow school desk with her sounded quite endearing to him, but he also knew that before that they had to face the inevitable.

Draco took a deep breath. "I'd say we go after breakfast. And...since I technically still live with my parents, I hope you don't mind they'll be there as well."

He tensed up all of a sudden. Though the situation practically forced his hand, Hermione knew that this was important to him.

"Of course I don't mind," she said warmly, watching as he relaxed visibly.

He kissed her with fierce gratitude. "Thank you."

She had never seen him this radiant before and she loved it. "Perhaps we should let Professor McGonagall know in advance?"

They both reached for their wands and Draco was the first to speak the incantation. He could probably perform the advanced magic in his sleep by now, Hermione acknowledged as pride filled her heart. For a split second, she wondered what memory he was using, knowing very well which new memory would be hers.

Within moments, an otter and a ferret tumbled through Draco's study, disappearing quickly upon receiving their messages. Draco and Hermione had an entire manor to comb out in search of the house-elf Squeaky.

"Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy. I will admit that I was surprised to see both of your Patronuses appearing in my office this morning. But of course you are always welcome at Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall's stern gaze was softened by a smile when she spotted Draco's hand lightly resting on Hermione's back. "I take it that you heeded my advice, Miss Granger?"

Hermione blushed.

"And you too, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco blanched.

The Headmistress smiled indulgently. "So, house-elves have brought you your happiness then."

Their eyes widened, and Draco flashed Hermione a gaze she couldn't quite pinpoint, but it had already disappeared when Professor McGonagall gave them a last, piercing gaze and spoke. "I think it's time to leave you in Professor Slughorn's good care. You can come in now, Horace."

The way she spoke suggested that the ostentatious professor had not been asked to wait behind the door to her office. The Head of Slytherin House stumbled into the office, looking particularly guilty, but when he spotted his former students, his face lit up. McGonagall cast a small, apologetic smile at Draco and Hermione.

"Headmistress, I came as quickly as I could when I heard..." He turned towards his former students. "Do I understand correctly that you've requested to use the Potions classroom...on New Year's Day?"

He wore an oddly hopeful expression on his face as he looked from one to another. From the corner of her eye, Hermione glanced at Draco, who had difficulty keeping his face straight as his glistening gaze met hers.

"If it's not an inconvenience to you, of course." Draco courteously inclined his head.

The professor let out a nervous laugh. "No, no. Of course not. Anything for the most talented couple in my NEWT-class for years."

"Off you go then," the Headmistress said encouragingly, and her guests felt as if they were students again as they followed the Potions Professor through the door.

It felt strange for Hermione to be back wandering through Hogwarts' dusky hallways with Draco Malfoy and, as she stole a quick glance at him, his expression was nostalgic, too. Draco turned his head when he felt her gaze on him, and the wistful look in his grey eyes made her pulse quicken. The Daily Prophet might have tried to sully the delicate memory of the Patronus lessons with their publications, but Draco recognised the special atmosphere of these magical few days during the holidays like she did.

While Professor Slughorn proceeded ahead of them, talking incessantly about his current seventh years, Draco silently took Hermione's hand, stroking it lovingly with his thumb as he smiled at her.

They had almost reached the entrance to the Ravenclaw Tower when Professor Slughorn paused in his steps. "I believe this is where that picture of you was taken, wasn't it? A beautiful picture, if I might say so," the professor asked jovially, scanning the corridor they'd just entered.

He turned around when a reply failed to come and fell silent. Mr. Malfoy had slid his arm around Miss Granger's waist and she rested her head against his shoulder as they looked past the old professor with a wistful expression. It had probably been the most magical time in their lives when they had been wandering these corridors at night during the Christmas holidays, oblivious to their young stalker who had taken the now world-famous picture of them. The picture which had changed their lives. The professor lowered his gaze, suddenly feeling ashamed for his callousness. These young people had obviously suffered a lot to reach this point where they could revisit this unassuming corridor at Hogwarts together as a couple. And a couple they very much were, although the Head of Slytherin House understood that he and Professor McGonagall probably were the only ones who knew about this at this moment.

His features softened, the teacher in him feeling a surge of protectiveness go through him. Also, the businessman in him recognised something very precious when he saw it. The awakening love between his former students was like a fragile new flower, still in need of sheltering so it could grow to great importance. And Professor Slughorn knew how to protect his assets.

"Follow me," he said quietly and without any further delay, he led them to the Potions classroom.

After two more minutes, the professor opened the door and stepped aside. Nothing had really changed in the seven years since they'd left, Draco noticed as he looked around the classroom. The cabinets filled with cauldrons and ingredients, the high windows above the school desks, the now empty blackboard in front of the desks - all was pretty much as he remembered it.

Professor Slughorn cleared his throat. "Well, as you can see nothing has changed in here since you've left Hogwarts. I..."

He trailed off when Draco unexpectedly crossed the classroom and resolutely opened a cabinet, taking a cauldron from it. At the same moment, Hermione was off to the bookcase and picked the Potions textbook from one of the shelves. As if it were the most normal thing in the world, they went to Hermione's old spot at the school desk in the front.

"If you're partial to a certain potion, now it's the time to let us know, Professor," Draco said dryly, a slight drawl in his voice as he took his silver school knife from his jacket in a business-like manner. He'd unearthed the knife from his old school stuff before they left home this morning. Meanwhile, Hermione opened the text book and looked up attentively. "We brought some ingredients we thought the school might not have in stock that we can use."

The professor's eyes began to glisten. Rubbing his hands, he crossed the classroom as well, feeling that this was his lucky day.

A minute later, Draco and Hermione found themselves alone in the classroom with a steaming cauldron in front of them. A couple in their late twenties, the wizard dressed in a smart, grey suit and the witch in an elegant Muggle dress, noses stuck into a secondary school textbook. They were surrounded by ingredients as they took to their old routine, with Draco cutting and bruising the ingredients while Hermione read the recipe and stirred. It felt like yesterday that they had been folded into this desk, discovering how much they liked working together in the boisterous classroom.

The only sounds surrounding them today were of their own making as they brewed Professor Slughorn his potion. They actually grew excited when they discovered a severe mistake in the recipe that would have ruined the potion had they followed it, discussing alternatives like it hadn't been seven years. But seven years ago, Draco would never have dared to brush a kiss over Hermione's lips when she came up with the idea of using the oil from the calendula flower. Now he did and smiled before untangling himself from the desk to get the ingredient. Much too soon, the potion took on a rich burgundy colour and was ready to be poured into several bottles. The potion would no doubt earn Slughorn many gallons on Knockturn Alley. Now all they could do was to sit back and wait for the professor to return.

"We should start a business in this," Hermione said dryly, her gaze focused on the blackboard at the front. It felt wonderful to be sitting here with Draco in this old school desk again. He smiled a little, though Hermione couldn't quite pinpoint whether he was smiling because of her remark or that he simply enjoyed being squeezed in this desk together. She closed her eyes and she allowed herself to relax in the warmth of his body seeping through the fine fabric of her dress through his right arm and leg. The times when the sensation had unnerved her were long gone. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder and smiled when he wrapped his arm around her, blissfully content to be held by him.

"Are you cold?" he inquired as he pressed a light kiss to the top of her head.

"No," she said quietly. "You're perfectly warm."

He pulled her a bit closer and with the back of his fingers he lightly caressed her cheek. "Good."

Unseen by Hermione, Draco looked down on her tenderly. What it was that he'd done right in his life to deserve this happiness, he didn't know and probably wouldn't know for a long time, but to sit here with Hermione in his arms made him the luckiest man in the world. She seemed to notice his gaze because she lifted her head from his shoulder and smiled at him.

"Caught you," she whispered and closed her eyes when he lightly pressed his lips to hers. His hand hesitantly went up to her face, and his heart leapt up when she did the same. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, briefly wondering what this would have looked like if they'd been surrounded by their classmates, knowing that this was what he'd wanted to do had he had the courage to do so all those years ago when they had been sharing this school desk in Potions Class. The sound of footsteps outside the classroom jolted them back to reality. Breaking away from each other, they immediately sat up straight in their desk as Hermione suppressed a smile at finally having been able to kiss Draco in their narrow school desk.

"Here we go," Draco said evenly, and Hermione idly straightened the textbook on the desk. She looked up when she heard Draco's hushed voice next to her. "Do you remember our last Potions Class together?"

Draco's voice sounded a bit odd and Hermione looked at him.

"Like it was yesterday," she said in a low voice.

"I remember I was thanking you, while what I really wanted to say was this." Suddenly, Draco's eyes were burning with passion for her. "I love you, Hermione. I love you so much." His voice sounded hoarse.

The footsteps came closer as an incredible warmth spread through Hermione. Not until now did she realise how much she had been longing to hear those words falling from his lips.

The footsteps stopped before the classroom door. "Miss Granger? Mr. Malfoy?"

She didn't have much time left before the professor would enter the classroom. Determined not to let this moment pass, Hermione cupped his face and finally allowed the truth to fill her up. "I love you too," she whispered. "Merlin, I've loved you for so long."

Draco closed his eyes, drinking in her confession as if he would never drink again. Hermione Granger loved him. And as Professor Slughorn opened the door, he pressed a tender kiss to her temple, knowing that he'd finally come home.

A/N: I would like to thank my beta Crimson Eyed Sakura for her wonderful work. Thank you very much for reading!