Disclaimer: I do not own anything and make no monies writing this.

Notes: Let me first say that I am so, so sorry for not posting this chapter sooner! Life has been a real bitch the last few weeks and I forgot all about the story until I just got a review. Between our generator failing us, having at least one battery go bad (and having to figure out which one when my hubby's tester goes capoot), dealing with escaping puppies and trying to overload every electrical circuit from a plug being plugged in wrong (sending 240 volts instead of 120 volts into the house) and all this on top of the normal RL BS…yeah…I've been way too stressed to think of anything other RL. So, here's the next installment and I have one more chapter written before this site is caught with what I've posted on Ao3. I hope you enjoy it! :D

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Chapter 18

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Hermione walked back into the tent with a contemplative look on her face.

"What's up, 'Mione?" Harry inquired. "Was there someone really trying to break through your wards?"

"Yes, actually." Hermione answered pensively before looking up at the three men in the room before focusing on Harry, causing him to raise a brow at her hesitation.

"Well…who was it?" Harry asked.

"Malfoy" Hermione answered.

"Seriously!?" Harry exclaimed. "Malfoy was the one trying to come through the portal? Please tell me you didn't let him in? Please, 'Mione!"

"Well…" Hermione let her voice trail off.

"Ah, 'Mione. Why would you let him through to our new world? He's a prat, a spoiled boy who always ran to daddy when he didn't get his way." Harry whined.

"Of course I let him in, Harry. Why would I not?" Hermione snapped, already tired of Harry's attitude. She knew he wouldn't be happy about it but thought he might, just might, be a bit more adult about it. "You know as well as I do that he changed after sixth year and before the Final Battle. That he fought on our side when it mattered most. Besides, Malfoy wasn't as bad as he could have been and you know it! His life was no easier than ours!"

"But 'Mione, it's Malfoy!" Harry continued whining.

"Who is this Malfoy?" Godric asked while trying to control his humor at hearing Harry whine so much and his witch's irritation with said whining.

"He was a bully and a bigot during our school years that caused nothing but headaches and trouble for both of us. He was…" Harry started to explain before Hermione cut him off.

"Yes, Harry, he was a bully and a bigot but it was how he was raised, we would have been the same if the situation was reversed. But then he was forced to live with that despot and his fanatical followers for several years and had no choice but to continue his treatment towards us or be killed, or worse. You know bloody well he chose the right side at the right time. Grow up, Harry." Hermione chastised as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Still, 'Mione, why did you have to allow him through? It was a perk I was looking forward to being here. No Ministry, no Skeeter, no Malfoy." Harry pitifully said.

"Because everyone deserves a second chance, Harry James Potter and, so you know, he was potioned too! You know how I feel about others being forced to someone's will. He has promised to no bullying or bullshite and I will hold him to that or hex his arse into the next century." Hermione told her brother.

"And I will uphold my promise, Granger." Draco said as he stepped into the tent followed by Severus. "Potter."

"Malfoy." Harry replied stiffly. "You better or I'll help 'Mione hex your arse!"

"I'm sure you'll try but Granger, I know, would follow through and be successful." Draco retorted, smirking at the brunette. He shouldn't antagonize his crush but it was the only way to hide his nervousness.

"Like I couldn't take you in a duel!" Harry stated confidently.

"Right and the Dark Lord wore a tutu at night and danced for us!" Draco snarked back. As Harry dropped his wand down from his holster, Hermione stepped between the two wizards.

"Ok, ok, enough you two or I'll hex you both!" Hermione warned, twirling her wand between her fingers while looking pointedly at them both causing both wizards to pale and step back from her.

Severus, Godric and Eric chuckled at the looks both young men were wearing and the paleness of complexion of each. It would seem neither wanted to be at the wrong end of her wand and they couldn't really blame them. Severus knew how wicked Hermione could be with a wand while Godric and Eric had no doubt she knew exactly how to back up her threat. Oh, and her hair was giving off sparks, probably not a good sign.

"Now, that's better." Hermione stated before she turned to introduce her vampires to Draco.

"Godric, Eric I would like you to meet Draco Malfoy, a fellow castaway, former classmate and survivor." Hermione said, pointedly looking at her brother to contradict her words, before she turned to Draco. "Malfoy, this is Godric Nevii, vampire sheriff of Area Nine, Dallas, Texas and his child, Eric Northman, vampire sheriff of this area, Area Five of Louisiana." The two ancient vampires gave Draco a nod which Draco returned.

"Pleasure to meet you. Which name do you prefer to be called? Draco or Malfoy?" Godric asked.

"Either will work, I'm used to hearing both." Draco answered with a slight shrug. He really didn't care.

"Very well, which name would you prefer for us to call you then?" Eric asked with a smirk.

Draco thought for a moment before answering, "Draco would be fine, Sheriff Northman."

"Excellent. You may call us Godric and Eric unless in a formal setting." Godric informed the blonde. Draco nodded.

"Actually, you would be called Lord Malfoy in a formal setting, would you not?" Hermione asked as she turned to face Draco.

"I would but it's not really my preferred title." Draco answered.

"Too much stigma left from your old world?" Eric asked.

"You could say that, yeah." Draco responded, suppressing a shudder as he thought of his father.

"Would you prefer Slytherin Prince or Ferret?" Hermione teased to help lighten the mood making Draco smirk.

"Neither unless you want me to call you Bookworm or Sparks." Draco snarked back.

"Sparks?" Harry and Hermione both asked.

"Ever notice how her hair sends sparks off when she's really upset about something? Well, by third year most in Slytherin and some in a few other houses would call her Sparks because of it. It depended on the mood she was in in what she was called to let everyone know whether to get close to her or give Granger a wide berth." Draco explained.

"Fitting now that you mention it." Harry agreed, remembering many times her hair had shocked him because he had dared to be beside her when her ire was up.

"Huh, I never heard anyone call me that. Bookworm, yeah, but not Sparks." Hermione commented, more thinking aloud than anything else.

"Yeah, well, you wouldn't have heard it now would you? No one was brave enough to call you that to your face because we all knew to leave you alone when your hair was sparking. Even I knew better to harass you when you were pissed off that much." Draco told her with a smirk.

"Sparks…a very fitting name." Eric said, winking at Hermione when she turned to him causing her to blush. "I believe I will utilize that name for you."

"Well, I can't help if my hair has a mind of its own!" Hermione defended herself before chuckling at the new nickname. It did fit, even she knew that and coming from Eric, well, it wouldn't be so bad.

After everyone chuckled at her comment, Draco had a question to ask.

"So, Granger, how many rooms does this tent have?"

"Um, well, only three I'm afraid. You'll need to bunk with either Severus or Harry." Hermione answered.

"You may sleep in my room Draco until we can add another room." Severus told the blond, knowing the last place Draco wanted to be was sleeping in Harry's room, at least, not yet anyway.

"Thanks Sev, I appreciate it." Draco told him sincerely.

"Wait, I didn't know you could add a room onto this model." Hermione stated, a bit confused. She knew there were some tents that could be expanded but hadn't realized she had bought one. They were usually more expensive than what she paid for this one.

"You can, actually, several to be exact." Severus told her.

"Well, I wish I had known then I wouldn't have had to buy the small tent for my potions lab. Aren't those tents rather expensive though?" Hermione pondered.

"They are normally, yes. When did you buy this tent, Granger?" Draco asked.

"A few weeks after the Final Battle, why?" Hermione answered.

Draco grinned at her and looked over to his godfather for confirmation. Getting a small nod, Draco answered her, "It never crossed your mind that the store owner gave you a discount, did it?" at her head shake, Draco continued, "Your Hermione Granger, who better to advertise a mid-class tent than the heroine of the War?" Draco clarified for her.

Hermione did a face palm when she realized he was right. The store owner had been overly nice to her and had moved her through several sections until the one she picked this tent from. She hadn't seen any prices but had told the owner that she only had so much to spend. He had smiled at her and told her to pick which tent she wanted, that they were all within her price range. Just how much of a discount was she given?

"Malfoy? Just how much would one of these tents cost normally?" she asked.

"Most likely around five to eight thousand galleons." Draco said with a shrug. "This would be considered a small flat, so the price wouldn't be that high."

Hermione looked at him with a gobsmacked expression before sputtering, "I, I only paid two thousand for it! How could he cut the price so steeply? Dear Merlin!"

"Easy, if others see the great Hermione Granger in one of the tents they sell then that ups the sales for all tents sold. What's a few thousand galleons lost when your income would more than double or triple once you were seen." Draco answered.

Hermione shook her head as she moved to sit on the couch. She never thought her name would carry that much weight! Shaking off the surprise, she noticed everyone smiling at her.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"You really have no idea how much of a war hero you were, do you?" Severus asked her with a raised brow.

"Um, apparently not. That's just ridiculous!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Maybe, but true nonetheless." Draco told her.

Hermione shook her head once more before calling for Daisy.

"Mistress called?" Daisy asked as she warily eyed Draco.

"Yes, some tea would be nice, please." Hermione answered then added, "Lord Malfoy will be staying with us, Daisy, try to be nice to him."

"Daisy wills try, Mistress." The little elf answered before disappearing into the kitchen.

"Seems you have quite the reputation Draco." Eric observed.

Draco let out a breath as he ran a hand through his hair before answering, "Unfortunately I do. I wasn't a very nice person to most everyone during our school years and was expected to treat house elves even worse than my school mates."

"But you changed, Mal-Draco, you're not the same person we went to school with. I know it'll take some time to change how we see you but, here, we have that time." Hermione told him.

"Thanks to you allowing me through. I appreciate the show of faith, Granger. Of course, it'll take just as long to not call you by your last name." Draco chuckled.

"True, so don't make me regret it." Hermione gave him a pointed look which Draco returned with a nod. "And I'm not sure I could handle you calling me by my given name. It would sound so weird." She grinned at the blond.

Everyone settled in their seats after Daisy brought the tea service in and Draco used the time to fill Eric and Godric in on what his life was like, enlightening the two Gryffindors as well. Of course, he glossed over much, not wanting to divulge too many personal details to those gathered but enough that some things were cleared up for Harry and Hermione.

After a few hours of chatting, Severus showed Draco where he would be sleeping until the room was built. Harry bid everyone a good night shortly after and left Hermione with Eric and Godric.

"Draco seems to be as complicated a person as the rest of your group." Eric commented.

"So it would seem." Hermione agreed.

"I think…we could help him when he is ready." Godric added.

"Really? You would do that for him?" Hermione questioned.

"Of course, he is of your world, albeit a different part than you or Harry. Godric and I understand very well how cold and cruel people can be when they expect certain behavior from someone, especially those looking to rule the world. I feel the young man could do well here if given the chance. He seemed sincere in his wanting to start over, the same as you, Harry and Severus, Hermione." Eric answered her.

"That would be great, Eric. I mean, I learned a few things about Malfoy I hadn't known, though I suppose I should have."

"You knew, Sparks, or you wouldn't have let him through or defended your decision to your brother so passionately." Eric told her with a smirk and a wink making Hermione chuckle.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just weird to see Malfoy without all his posturing and arrogance. I feel good about letting him come over." Hermione said. "Wait, Eric, is Sparks going to be my name now?"

"It seems to fit you perfectly, why not?" Eric responded. "Do you wish for me not to?"

"Hmm, well I do suppose it's better than a lot of other names I've been called. You may call me Sparks if you wish." Hermione grinned at him.

"Well, as interesting as this evening has been, we need to return to the cabin for our day rest." Godric commented as he rose.

"Oh, is it that time already?" Hermione asked, her voice showing her disappointment.

"I am afraid it is, älskare. May we call upon you tomorrow?" Eric answered.

"Of course! I have a feeling I'll need a break from Harry and Draco by then." Hermione told them with a smile.

"No doubt you will, Sparks, no doubt you will." Eric agreed.

Godric was the first to reach her and, what had become his normal, gave her a kiss on the cheek and returned the hug she gave him. Eric was next as he gave her a tender kiss on her forehead while embracing their witch.

After everyone had gone their separate ways, Hermione stood in the middle of her living room a few moments just looking around in a daze. Who would have thought Draco bloody Malfoy would be willing to leave the wizarding world behind to join her and Harry, of all people, in a new reality. Although a bit much to take in in one night, Hermione also felt good about everything. She knew to her core that this was how things were supposed to be. She also hoped no one else wanted to come through, not sure she could take much more. As she tidied up the room, Hermione smiled a genuine smile of happiness. She also made sure the silencing charm was still on her sleeping quarters before falling into bed and drifting off into peaceful slumber…at least for a time, anyway.

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Translation: älskare means lover

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