It's My Life 2 - A New Lease on Life
Summary: Draco answers Hermione's summons and finds a new lease on life.
AN: Okay, sorry I haven't written anything in a while. The monsoon season is here and can make life quite miserable. When you're used to single digit humidity that suddenly goes to mid-range double digits, it is absolutely miserable! I have been trying to get my muses to return but they have been stubborn, not enough sunshine lately. LOL Anyway, I've been wanting to write this since I had a reviewer or two ask for Eric and Draco's story, especially Draco and Pam shopping together and Sookie's reaction to them being together. :) So here is the first part of their story. I am presently still working on this and hope to have it wrapped up in the next day or so. Oh, there is also a quote I used from Stargate: SG1, kudos for any who spot it. :) For those who are following/reading my two WIP stories, I haven't forgotten them but life is being a real bitch right now. Here's hoping this will lure the muses back. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this as much I am writing it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no monies from this.
DM-EN
Chapter 1
When Eric shook Draco's hand a jolt of energy shot up his arm; it was strong, like lightning. Eric eyed the young wizard and noticed he had felt it too. Of course, Eric knew what it meant…they were mates and he couldn't have been happier. As he watched Draco interact with Hermione upon his arrival, the slight tightening of his grip when he shook Godric's hand and the wary but interested way he was looking at him, Eric knew they wouldn't have a problem finding a common ground.
Even if the shock hadn't alerted him to Draco being his mate, Eric knew he would want to get to know the young man.
When everyone entered the house, Hermione sat next to Godric. Eric and Draco smiled when Godric placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, making Hermione smile softly as she snuggled closer to her vampire. Eric returned to his place on the sofa and Draco chose to sit at the other end.
Eric eyed the young blond, wondering what all his life had entailed. He was healthy looking, physically but with a wariness in his eyes; as if he really didn't know how to relax. Eric could relate to this. He was itching to find out more about his mate but knew he would need to pace himself, to not push the wizard too hard too quickly. However, he wondered if Draco would be as receptive to him as Hermione and Godric were to each other. He also wondered if Draco would have a problem with the close relationship he had with his maker.
As Eric pondered these things as well as others, he lost focus on his page and didn't immediately pick up on Draco observing him. After closing the book and setting it down on the coffee table, Eric stood and looked towards Draco.
"Care for a walk?" Eric asked him.
"Sure." Draco answered, standing.
As the two headed towards the door, they missed the looks exchanged between Godric and Hermione. The couple was happy that a smooth start had happened and started chatting quietly.
When Eric stepped out, he paused on the deck before walking towards the side of the yard. He wanted to start to get to know the young wizard, his mate. He was intrigued by the air the young man had. As Eric watched Draco from the corner of his eye, he noticed that he seemed more relaxed but still with a wariness to him. Eric took a moment to think of how to start the conversation but Draco beat him to it.
"So, Hermione? She's one incredible witch." Draco said.
"That she is." Eric agreed, nodding his head.
"You know, she thinks the world of you already, right?" Draco queried.
"Does she?" Eric replied, seeing Draco nod his head he continued, "Well, she is one in a million." He added while chuckling.
"Yeah, she has a way of disarming you and getting under your skin when you least expect it." Draco chuckled with fondness.
"That she does. Not sure how she managed it but I also cannot complain either. She is an amazing witch and she makes my Maker very happy." Eric commented.
"She always has been amazing." Draco said with a smile.
"You have known her for many years?" Eric asked.
"I have, although our past is checkered at best." Draco answered, casting his eyes to the ground. He still couldn't believe she was his friend after everything he had put her though when at school. "So…how much has she told you about me?" Draco asked.
"Not much, she told me she's known you since she was eleven, you went to the same school, you have an excellent intelligence, you fought in the War, you are powerful magically, and you've had a hard life. She wouldn't give me any details, saying it was your story to tell. She wouldn't even give me your gender." Eric told him with a laugh.
"I see. Does it bother you I'm male?" Draco asked, wanting to clarify that detail immediately or it would be useless to get his hopes up any higher than they already were.
"Not at all. Vampires, especially ones as old as Godric and I, have learned that gender really does not matter; it is what is inside that does. Beauty can be only skin deep, be it male or female. True beauty is what lies inside, body and mind, not just what is seen in appearance. Much like our mutual friend, Hermione." Eric answered.
"A point we can both agree on. The purebloods can be quite beautiful on the outside however, inside, they are some of the ugliest beings out there." Draco commented with a sneer and disdain dripping from the words.
"Which are you?" Eric asked, curious to what the answer would be.
"I am a pureblood." Draco answered. When Eric cocked a brow at him, Draco gave a mirthless chuckle.
"Yes, I was the epitome of a pureblood when I was younger. A rich, spoiled and entitled little boy." Here Draco paused and Eric sensing his need for a moment, stayed quiet by his side.
Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair before continuing, "I was a bully in school. If you weren't of pureblood descent, I made it my mission to torment you, to make sure you knew you were beneath me. I taunted, jeered and sneered at most of the students around me." Draco stopped for a moment, the shame plain to see on his face.
"What you need to understand, though it really doesn't excuse my behavior, was that my father was a pureblood idealist my entire life. He made sure to beat it into me from a very young age." Draco explained.
"He physically beat you?" Eric asked, when Draco nodded his head, he continued, "You cannot keep beating yourself up over something that was literally beaten into you. When did you change your way of thinking?"
"It was during my seventh year. Actually, I had started to doubt the "teachings" my father and his "friends" beat into me around my fifth year." Draco answered, then took a deep breath and continued. "You see, Hermione was top of our class from first year on. There was nothing she couldn't do and some of it was better than what the purebloods could do. It made me start to wonder if what my father thought was truly right. How could someone who had "stolen" magic be able to outperform all those around them? The only thing she didn't excel in was flying. Oh, and divination." Here Draco chuckled.
"I take it by the chuckle; she really didn't care for divination?" Eric asked.
"You could say that, yeah. She despised the professor that taught it too. Thought she was a charlatan and a lush. She dropped the subject after only a month of taking it. Fortunately, Divination was an elective." Draco shared.
"You said she also didn't do well with flying? Why is that? Is she afraid of heights? Is it a lack of control?" Eric asked, truly curious, she seemed fine on the plane.
"A bit of both, I think." Draco answered with a fond smile. He had teased her, after they became friends, about her lack of flying finesse.
"I see." Eric said with a small chuckle. He would have to take her flying to see what her reaction would be.
Draco eyed the vampire with suspicion before asking, "Why do I get the feeling you're up to something?"
"Might be because I am. You see, Godric and I can fly." Eric answered him with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Draco couldn't help the burst of laughter from coming forth. "Just make sure I'm around to witness." He finally said after calming down a bit. Eric smiled at him and gave a nod, enjoying hearing Draco laugh.
After a moment, Draco sobered and continued his story. "I can't believe, now, just how horrid I was to Hermione. She was one of my main targets. I never really hated her; I just hated that she would best me in every subject and cause me to get a beating and cursing from my father. If it wasn't her then it was Potter. The only thing Hermione didn't beat me at in grades, Potter did." Draco paused and looked across the yard.
"Neither of which made your father happy." Eric stated, at Draco's nod, he continued, "Am I to also understand that when you say your father cursed you, you do not mean bad language?"
Draco wiped a hand down his face and nodded. "Yeah, he would use the Unforgivables on me. He would use various curses and hexes too. He'd cast them after teaching me the counter curse, to make sure I learned them."
Eric couldn't help the tightening of his body when Draco told him that. He was beginning to want to find Draco's father and "teach" him.
Draco saw the brief flash of something in Eric's eyes and had to wonder what it was. However, his body language told Draco that if Eric ever came across Lucius, Lucius wouldn't know what hit him, he had to mentally smile.
"So what truly changed your mind?" Eric probed, hoping he wasn't pushing the wizard too hard.
Draco hung his head and took a deep breath before looking Eric in the eye. "Did Hermione share with you what happened to her at my Manor?"
"She would only say she had been tortured there, nothing more." Eric answered, eyeing Draco, who just nodded his head.
When Draco did speak, his voice was low with a slight quiver, "I still hear her screams at night, you know. When I close my eyes for sleep, I can still see her writhing on the floor of the drawing room. Still see my insane aunt grabbing her and holding a cursed knife to her throat. Shouting the Cruciatus curse at her over and over while screaming for Hermione to tell her what else they took from her. See the bitch carve into Hermione's arm the most foul and derogatory term. Watch her blood spill out onto the floor as she denied everything."
After trailing off, Eric watched the young man before him. He would never have known just how much that one night weighed on him before. Draco's body language was one of a beaten person, someone who had seen too much at a tender age. His eyes captivated Eric, for in them he saw just how much that one night, out of no telling how many atrocious things he had witnessed before, had and still haunted him. Eric stepped closer to Draco and pulled him into his embrace without any resistance. Knowing how difficult speaking of that night had been on him, Eric held him close to his chest and let his mate know he was there.
It took Draco a moment to realize he was in Eric's arms. He had been so caught up with that horrid night; he had lost himself and his surrounding to the nightmarish memories. It felt good to just be held. No empty words of platitude, no judgement, just silent strength Draco hadn't realized just how much he needed until then. Draco wrapped his arms around Eric's waist and hung on for dear life. He needed this, if nothing else came from their meeting, this would make it well worth it. Hermione was his best friend and her forgiveness and hugs were a balm to his soul but what Eric was giving him, this was a balm to his mind, body and soul.
When Draco tightened his hold on Eric and rested his head on his shoulder, Eric knew Draco wasn't as healed as he let on. Eric knew then, no matter how things went between them, he would help this war-torn and battered soul to heal. He vowed then and there that if he ever came across any who had done this to his mate, he would merrily tear them to pieces. No one deserved what Draco had been put through and he would do his damnedest to make sure it didn't happen again.
When Draco pulled away, to continue with his story, Eric saw tears streaming down his wizard's cheeks. As he reached up to wipe them away, Draco leaned into his touch with a small smile.
"I never realized just how much I needed that, thank you." He said in a quiet voice.
"No thanks needed and you are welcome." Eric told him, returning the small smile. "We do not have to speak anymore tonight if you wish to stop."
"No, I think I need to tell you. It's strange; I haven't felt the need to confide in anyone except Hermione. It's…liberating actually." Draco told Eric and at Eric's nod, continued with his tale.
"You see, my life really became a living hell at the end of my fourth year in school. That was when the megalomaniacal despot my father followed was brought back." Draco then asked if Hermione had told them of the Triwizard Tournament and when Eric said she had, Draco then explained what had taken place for the madman to return in detail. He then explained that his father had opened his home to the bastard and things had started to go downhill after that.
"Once Voldemort was given the Manor, he allowed his fanatic followers, DeathEaters, to reside there too. The sick bastard would hold revels that still turn my stomach to remember and give me nightmares. The DeathEaters relished the free reign he gave them to do unspeakable things to anyone they wanted to." Draco stopped here a moment as shivers racked his frame. Eric put his arm around Draco's shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze, which Draco very much appreciated.
"Draco, there is nothing you can share with me that will turn me away from you. I have been a vampire for over a millennia, do not think I have not seen just how depraved any being can be. You do not have to carry this alone anymore." Eric told him while looking into Draco's eyes, seeing the relief there.
Draco then went on to tell Eric in detail the horrible, depraved and repulsive things the DeathEaters would do to those they thought beneath them or who were against them. He told him of the times he was forced to participate. As Draco told his story to Eric, they had started walking around the backyard. At certain points in the story, Draco had had to stop and clean up the mess he would make from losing his stomach. However, by the time they had circled the yard a half dozen times, Draco had come up to his sixth year in school.
"The summer before my sixth year was when my life truly became a living hell. I was branded with the Dark Mark," at this, Draco showed Eric his forearm. "I had already started to doubt everything I had been raised to believe and this was the last thing I wanted. This was how the cold bastard controlled any who bore it. I had already decided I wouldn't join their ranks but then my father failed his master and I was punished for it. After receiving the mark, which hurt like hell, I was then tasked with two objectives.
"The first was to kill the Headmaster of my school. The second was to fix a cabinet that would allow DeathEaters into the school." Draco told Eric, his voice rising as the buried anger made its way up. He then went on to explain to Eric what all had entailed him trying to accomplish the tasks, all to save himself and his mother.
Eric listened to Draco's tale with barely controlled rage. How dare someone charge such unattainable tasks to someone so young? It royally pissed Eric off that this Voldemort had set his mate up for failure. Instead of showing his rage, he allowed Draco to rant and rave at him about what all that horrid year had been for him. Eric continued to listen avidly as Draco continued on about his seventh year in school, what all he had been put through and had had to do to others or he got worse. Eric's blood was boiling by the time Draco had finished with the War. He felt Godric send him calmness and strength and love through their bond and it helped tremendously. It was a good thing this Voldemort was already dead because by the time Eric would have finished with him, he would have been begging to die. He would have confessed where all those Horcruxes he had made were at, just so the suffering and torment would end.
When Draco finally finished his tale, they were both on their knees in the grass with Draco holding onto Eric for dear life with tears streaming down his face when the vampire had pulled him into his embrace again and just held tightly to him.
DM-EN
As Godric and Hermione were in the living room chatting, Godric felt Eric's emotions spike. Curious to what was the cause of such a strong reaction, Godric peered out the door. What he saw made his heart warm. Eric was holding Draco to him with a look of pure rage that the young wizard couldn't see. He wondered what it was Draco was telling his child for Eric to react so strongly and protectively. However, he knew that if what Hermione had told him, and Godric knew it wasn't Draco's entire story, then he could understand Eric's reaction.
Godric had felt the mate connection when the two had shaken hands earlier and was pleased. It would appear his little mate had an innate sense about such things. He also knew, that if Draco's story was anything like what Hermione had told him, mainly that Draco had had it worse than she had, then he totally understood Eric's rage. No young person deserved to grow up as they had. Eric's emotions seemed to settle down to a simmer and Godric continued his chatting with his mate.
When he felt Eric starting to lose his control over his anger at what Draco was telling him, Godric sent his child strength, love and calm through their bond. He knew it would be hard for Eric to hear what Draco was saying. Fortunately, Hermione couldn't hear the conversation outside but Godric had no problems. He continued to send calm to his child because from what Godric was hearing from Draco and feeling from Eric, his child needed the reassurance from him.
"Draco is telling Eric his story, isn't he?" Hermione asked quietly.
"He is." Godric answered.
"Good. I know he shared a lot with me but I also know he didn't share everything and I appreciate that he didn't. What he did tell me was horrid enough. I'm glad he has someone who can handle all he's been through." Hermione said as she snuggled closer to Godric, remembering that day in the gardens when they had spill so much to the other.
Godric pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head, "As am I, min älskling, as am I. The young man needs Eric as much as Eric needs him." He said then smiled at the sight of Eric embracing Draco as the young wizard poured his heart out. Now, maybe, Draco would truly start to heal. He could only hope.
DM-EN
Draco was amazed at how much lighter he felt. He had always thought he would be embarrassed if he broke down in front of anyone but he now knew, at least with Eric, that wasn't the case. Eric didn't judge him or scoff at him, instead he had listened intently and had embraced Draco when he needed it the most, which Draco appreciated immensely. He never knew just how much anger, hurt and betrayal he had been carrying around until he opened up to Eric.
He felt a thousand times lighter than before and felt he was finally, truly, starting to heal. He knew he would still have nightmares but with Eric by his side, he knew they'd eventually lessen and hopefully one day, truly go away. When Draco finally pulled away and looked at Eric, he realized that Eric would never judge him for his past deeds and mistakes. He would never berate him for being weak, for caving to a tyrannical father that followed a psychotic bastard. Eric, whether he knew it or not, had set Draco free with his quiet strength and understanding.
"Thank you." Was all Draco could manage to say in a quiet voice, nothing else seemed right.
Eric looked into his mate's eyes and gave Draco a smile, "You never need to thank me, I am glad I was able to help you release this burden you have carried for far too long." Then Eric cupped Draco's jaw and slowly started leaning in, giving the wizard ample time to stop him. When Draco tilted his head, Eric claimed his lips in a tender kiss full of promise and security.
When they each pulled away, neither really wanting anything more at the moment, Eric and Draco couldn't help the smiles on their faces from blooming. The kiss had been perfect for them both. When Eric sat back on the ground, Draco followed suit and they began talking again. This time it was Eric telling Draco about himself. He told his mate about Godric, growing as a vampire under Godric's tutelage, watching how the times changed, making his own child, being sheriff, dealing with Sookie Stackhouse and then to meeting Hermione. Draco listened with rapt attention to everything Eric shared. He was blown away by how much he was leaning.
After hearing about Ms. Stackhouse, Draco knew Hermione had been right in her opinion of the girl. She was definitely not a good fit. Draco already knew enough about Eric to know he was a man of his word; whether it was a promise or a threat. He knew Eric would follow through. So to have someone so indecisive and immature, yeah, not a good combination. Eric had commented about the way this Sookie had given his Bookworm unfriendly looks, Draco had agreed that he was just as curious as Eric to Sookie's reaction to him. He would show her how to handle someone like Eric and it wasn't constantly waffling over everything.
Then, when Eric got to his meeting and interactions with Hermione, Draco couldn't help but laugh. It sounded just like her and he wished he could have seen Eric's reactions first hand. When Draco commented about how Hermione could easily let someone in but it was damn near impossible to be let go, Eric had agreed with him; the fact that neither one of them was willing to let her go any time soon; it was a good feeling for them both. They both also agreed that they would do whatever they could to make sure she stayed happy and safe; Eric because of Godric and Draco due to her becoming his best friend and both because they just adored her.
Eric then brought up his child, Pamela. When he told Draco about her, Draco couldn't help but smile. He didn't mind in the least that Eric and Pam were so close, just as he didn't mind that Godric and Eric were so close. He loved it actually. Growing up in the family he had, he was a bit amazed at how easily he accepted the close knit family he was now a part of. It warmed his heart and soul and put his mind at ease. Yes, there would be times when Eric would have to be more formal around him than others but Draco knew all about that. He was just glad he could be himself finally and be accepted.
When Eric brought up needing to go to the bar the next night, Draco had asked if he could go with him, Eric had agreed. Apparently, Ms. Stackhouse was supposed to be there to check the crowd and Draco couldn't hold back the smirk, which Eric mirrored. Oh, Draco would have so much fun with the bint. The smirk and twinkle in Eric's eyes told Draco all he needed to know, his vampire would have no problems with whatever Draco did, within reason of course.
Draco had also admitted to Eric that he was indeed looking forward to meeting Pam. He hoped they hit it off and that they would get along splendidly. Draco knew one surefire way to get into her good graces…offer to go shopping with her. When he had commented to Eric about that, Eric had agreed and laughed a full belly laugh, making Draco feel good, almost as good as when Eric had told him he was his mate. That was something Draco never thought he would ever be blessed with.
Not only did they have so much in common, but they were made just for the other. It was a warm and wonderful feeling. Draco had also told Eric that if the time ever came that the only way to save his life was to turn him, then Eric had his permission to do so. Draco also extended his permission to Godric as well, knowing that sometimes, life just worked out that way. The surprise and then heated look in Eric's eyes told Draco he had sincerely sent Eric for a loop but one he appreciated deeply.
After being outside for quite a few hours, Draco and Eric finally went in. What they saw had them both smiling, Hermione was asleep with her head in Godric's lap as he ran his fingers through her hair while reading a book. After marking his place, Godric sat the book down and smiled at the new couple. This time however, when they sat on the couch, Draco sat next to Eric with his hand on Eric's thigh while Eric put his arm around his shoulders on the back of the couch. The three sat and talked quietly for another couple of hours, Draco having cast a spell so not to wake Hermione.
When Eric told Godric about Draco's decision to be turned, Godric's eyes widened a bit before a large smile appeared on his face.
"That is what you truly wish?" Godric asked, wanting to hear it himself.
"It is. If for some reason the only way to save me is to turn me then I give Eric permission to do so. I also want to extend that permission to you. Eric explained how that works so I am deciding this with full knowledge. So, Merlin forbid, Eric is not able to get to me in time and you are, you have my permission Godric to turn me to save me." Draco told them with a smile.
"Hopefully Eric will be able to turn you when you are truly ready and not to save your life but life does not always give you that opportunity. If it happens to be me, I would be honored to turn my child's mate." Godric told them.
"Has Hermione decided whether or not to be turned?" Draco asked, not really meaning to voice his question, "You don't have to answer if it's too personal." He added quickly.
Godric smiled at him and then answered, "She has actually. She has said the same as you, Draco. She also gives Eric permission if I am unable to for some reason.
"It is time for us to adjourn to our beds, sunrise is quickly approaching." Godric stated as he gently picked Hermione up and started towards the stairs. Draco cancelled his spell and followed Eric down the stairs. They had talked about sleeping arrangements earlier, so Draco knew he was wanted by Eric to share his bed with.
After they reached the room, Draco couldn't help but appreciate it. The king size bed took up much of the room but there was comfortable room for the rest of the furniture. When Draco peeked into Eric's closet, he gave a low whistle. Eric wasn't kidding about his child; his closet was full with all types of clothing for all occasions. Eric chuckled behind him and told him his turn was next. Draco smiled at Eric before excusing himself to the bathroom. After completing what was needed, Draco climbed into bed next to Eric. When Eric wrapped his arms around him and pulled him to his chest, Draco sighed at finally feeling at peace.
It wasn't that either of them was afraid of becoming physical, not at all. It was that Draco had had a trying last few days and especially that night, that all he wanted to do was what he was doing…be held by Eric, his mate. The really nice thing was that Eric was just enough taller than Draco that Draco could snuggle up to him comfortably. Being tall himself, Draco never thought he would have that luxury, he thought he'd be the one to be snuggled in to. As Draco was drifting off to sleep he couldn't keep the smile off his face when he felt Eric kiss the top of his head gently and pull him a bit tighter to his body.
DM-EN
Draco woke around noon and felt refreshed. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept for six hours straight. He thought he had been doing good with four hours after he started his friendship with Hermione. Who knew, maybe one day he'd get to sleep for eight hours? Wouldn't that be cool?!
As he made his way to the bathroom, Draco was impressed with Eric's choice in design. It was simple but luxurious and the shower totally got his approval. It had a sunken tub big enough to fit four people comfortably and six shower heads that completely surrounded the body. Each had a different setting that Draco left alone. When he got the water to the proper temperature, he stepped in and was in heaven. The varying sprays felt wonderful against his skin and, he was sure, whatever tension was left in his body was being pounded out. After spending way too much time under the spray, Draco finally stepped out and dried off.
He dressed and headed up to the kitchen to see if he could find something to eat. Eric had already told him that Hermione had his kitchen stocked and she had already offered to share what she had with Draco, which caused him to smile, of course she had. His Bookworm was nothing if not selfless. When he reached the kitchen he saw Hermione already cooking up a wonderful smelling meal.
"Hope you like pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and fresh bread." She said as she smiled at him.
"You know I do." Draco answered, inhaling deeply.
"You look well rested, nice to see for a change." She commented with a critical eye.
"Yeah, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders." Draco replied, noticing how healthy Hermione looked. She still had some weight to put on but she was definitely looking better.
"It's amazing isn't it?" she asked.
"What?" Draco questioned, momentarily confused what she was asking.
"How much of a difference it makes when you are able to honestly and truly pour your heart out to someone and they listen without judgement or scorn." She answered.
"Yes, it is. It's something I hadn't realized I needed until it happened." Draco said.
"I know. I mean, I told you a lot of what has happened to me but I have told Godric everything and it was like an invisible weight was lifted from my shoulders and conscious. And what's really great about it, they understand!" Hermione said while smiling brightly at Draco.
He returned the smile and nodded his head, he couldn't agree more. "It was quite cathartic for me. You're looking much better, I must say. You still need some weight put on but your eyes finally have their spark back and your smile reaches your eyes too." Draco told her.
"Thanks Dragon. I feel more like my old self since I came here. I know Godric and Eric play a lot into that. I'm so glad I apparated when I did; I couldn't imagine not meeting either of them and having them in my life. Godric is so wonderful and quite the prankster too." Hermione told him.
"Is he? Well, keep him away from the Troublesome Duo then!" Draco replied, laughing.
"I know, right?! What's bad is that I can't wait until I can introduce him to Fred and George. Also, Eric is wanting one of their catalogues. It would seem he and his child have pranking wars all the time and he would love to use some of their products." Hermione shared.
"Ah, well, then those two would be the ones to go to." Draco said. "Have you met Pamela yet?" he asked.
"Not yet. She was supposed to come by just before you arrived but something came up at the bar so she had to cancel. I'm actually looking forward to meeting her." Hermione told him as she plated their food and sat it on the kitchen island. Draco nodded his head as he inhaled the wonderful scents of the food she had made. They ate in comfortable silence, each enjoying the food and companionship.
After eating, Draco asked Hermione if she had been to the bar. She told him she hadn't yet. Eric wouldn't allow her to since she wouldn't give him any more information on the mystery person she wanted him to meet. When Draco chuckled at her pout, she threw her napkin at him. When she found out that he was going to the bar with Eric that night, she squealed and said so was she. Draco laughed at her antics and the two chitchatted for a bit before Godric joined them.
"Due to my age, the sun does not have the same pull over me." Godric explained when Draco gave him a questioning look.
"Ah, that's good, gives you two more time together. Does that mean that Eric will rise before the sun goes down?" Draco asked.
"It does. He rises an hour before sunset now. I must request that you not share this with anyone though. Most vampires keep to themselves their rising time." Godric said.
"I would never give away such information." Draco vowed, almost offended that Godric thought it necessary to state such a thing but he understood too.
"Very good. Did you have a nice lunch min älskling?" Godric asked her as he pulled her into his arms.
"I did and it was nice to have Draco join me." Hermione answered before asking, "Godric? Would you mind if we went to the bar tonight?"
"I would not, why?" he asked, smiling, knowing his little mate had been wanting to see Eric's bar since he told her about it.
"I'd love to go with Eric and Draco. Eric has no reason to not let me go now." Hermione answered with a pout making Godric and Draco chuckle at her.
"Of course, min älskling, we will go. I believe Eric said Ms. Stackhouse is supposed to be there as well. Should be interesting." Godric said, the last part while looking at Draco who gave the ancient vampire a smirk.
"Oh! Then I'm definitely going!" Hermione exclaimed as she bounced on her feet. She knew Draco would be able to put Ms. Stackhouse in her place with little effort, it would be fun to watch.
After cleaning up the kitchen, the three of them went to the living room to talk some more. Draco got a chance to learn more about Godric as Godric learned more about Draco. Godric was in the middle of wowing them with a tale when Eric was under a century old when the vampire himself appeared and groaned.
"Must you tell them that story?" Eric asked his Maker.
"Yes, I must. It is quite the comical tale to tell." Godric answered with a grin.
"Ah, the very young do not always do as they are told." Hermione piped in giving Eric a cheeky grin.
"Yes, and what lessons we learn too!" Eric replied, making everyone chuckle.
"So, when are we leaving for the bar?" Hermione asked.
"We?" Eric asked while raising a brow at her.
"Yes! We! You can't keep me away any longer Eric! You've gotten to meet Draco now I am allowed to go to the bar!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Do I not have a say in this?" Eric asked, looking at all three of them.
Draco and Godric gave him smirks as Hermione jumped into his arms.
"Please, Eric. I promise to behave." she asked him as she pouted.
"Very well, I suppose you can finally come to the bar." Eric answered, sounding put out and would have been convincing if not for the slight smile.
"Yay!" Hermione exclaimed, bouncing in his arms.
"Alright, min älskling, hop down so we may go get ready for the night." Godric told her as he exchanged Eric's body for his. As he carried her down to their room, Eric and Draco shook their heads at her laughter.
Translation: min älskling means my darling