Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or her characters. I just like to take them out to play.
A/N: Words in italics in this chapter are thoughts.
Please forgive any mistakes as I have no beta. If you see any glaring ones or plot holes, etc., please let me know.
Chapter 31
After a quick shower the couple prepares to apparate to Malfoy Manor. Hermione expresses concern about the wards not allowing her access. Draco explains, "Well...after you and Shaklebolt inventoried the library I thought maybe you might want to come back." She's surprised when he actually blushes and somewhat stammers, "Not for me...but because of the books. According to the agreement after my trail, Shaklebolt had to have permanent access, I did that for you as well. I had hope the rare books would be enough of an incentive for you to want to return." He pauses again, it is still difficult for him to open up about his feelings. He quietly says, "I wanted to have a reason to spend time with you. As you know now, I have wanted to be a part of your life for so long. I wanted to be more than a coworker. I wanted your friendship, but at the time, I assumed that was more than we would become. I hoped your desire to learn would override your concern and you would ask to see the library again. I was disappointed when you never brought it back up during our training and after. Then when you confided in me that day at the Leaky Cauldron...I was stunned that you did. Your trust was so much more than I ever expected. Now, being with you, being allowed to love you, you loving me, it is still hard for me to believe." When she takes his hand, he finally looks at her. He sees understanding, acceptance and love in her eyes. He has allowed her to glimpse his vulnerability. For her, it is another affirmation of his love.
Hermione kisses him softly, pulling back she says, "You were right you know. That day, as soon as we entered the library, the fear and anxiety vanished. I did want to return, I just didn't know how to ask." She gets quiet and sighs, "I also knew they would both pitch a fit if I returned. Harry was furious with Kingsley for taking me that day. He didn't know that I was the one that asked him to go. I thought it would be my only opportunity to see it. After having access to the Black family library, I knew yours would be incredible." Draco frowns, "Did the weasel ... Weasley ... how did he react?" She shrugs. "Typically. He screamed at me for going and at Harry for 'letting' me." She rolls her eyes. "He cursed about Kingsley and his incompetence." Arthur heard the last part and told him to stop being disrespectful, so he stomped up to his room and slammed the door. He didn't speak to me for a week after. It was actually nice." She smirked with the last comment. He pulls her into a hug. Feeling better about taking her to the the manor, he asks, "Ready?" When she nods he apparates them directly into the library.
Hermione begins to look around, still a little in awe. "I had forgotten just how large it is." She hears a pop behind her back and frowns at the squeaky voice, "What can Mipsy dos for Master Draco?" The little house elf snaps her fingers and a fire begins in the empty grate. She turns to see an elf that is smaller in stature that Dobby, dressed in a ruffled pink dress. Her heart leaps, "She's free!" Draco nods and smiles. He places his hand on the little elf's shoulder, "Mipsy, I would like to introduce you to Hermione Granger. She is always welcome here, even if I am not present. I would ask that you attend to her with the same care you have always given me." She smiles saying, "Yes sir. I sees to it. Mistress Hermione what can Mipsy gets for yous?" She looks at Draco and smiles. "I would love some tea and a biscuit if you have any?" To her surprise, the elf hugs Draco's leg and he kneels down to return the hug before she pops away. She walks to him hugging him, "Draco, you just keep endearing yourself to me." He smiles. "I freed them all as soon as I took over as the head of the family. Many left, but Mipsy, who was my nanny, convinced most to come back when she explained I was like Mother. I would never admit it to him, but I was glad that Potter freed Dobby. Father was awful to him. The others were protected from physical abuse as they were bound to the Blacks and mother's magic would not allow it." He smiles, "She has always loved them, especially the females. She can now dote on them. She bought all their clothes when she realized I would free them. Seeing her so happy helped them all to accept being freed. Nearly all the Malfoy elves were gone due to mistreatment over the centuries. Only Dobby and one other very old one were left. Kipper passed away shortly before the end of the war." Draco's brows furrow, I do not know what happened to him. I hope his passing was peaceful. I was furious when I found out after the war that Mother's psychopathic sister killed Dobby. I would have hunted her down if Mrs. Weasley had not finished that bitch. Not just for Dobby, but for what she did to you." She kisses him deeply. Hearing a pop she breaks away. Mipsy brought in a tray. She thanked the elf and told her she hopes they would become friends. The elf blushed and said she would like that. After drinking her tea she returns to the bookshelf and has Draco pulls out Secrets of the Darkest Art by Owle Bullock. She flips through it and begins making notes.
Later that afternoon, after they ate a delicious lunch Mipsy brought them, they are sitting together on the small settee. Hermione jumps up and shouts, "This is it! We will be able to restore the souls when we find them! It's a pretty easy ritual, we will only need a bit of a relative's blood to do it." Draco loves seeing her this happy. She's practically jumping up and down. He's so proud of her, "You are brilliant my mentalist extraordinaire!" He pulls her still bouncing body into his lap and kisses her soundly. His hands have started to roam when the floo roars to life.
Draco is up in an instant pulling Hermione behind him melding her into his back with his left hand, blocking her with his body. His right, brandishes his wand toward the fireplace at the intruder. Hermione had been hurt once before here and he would be damned if he would ever let that happen again. He only slightly lowers his wand when Narcissa Malfoy exits the fireplace, brushing off the soot that clings to her emerald green robe. In an acidic tone he barks out in rapid fire, "What are you doing here? Why did you not owl me about your arrival? Where is Father?"
Hermione is shocked to hear his caustic interrogator voice directed at his Mother. She can feel the tension radiating off of Draco so she tries to soothe him by caressing his back. His left arm is still wrapped around her body, as he continues to pull her against him almost too tightly against his back. "I need to talk with him about this behavior later - I don't need his protection."
Hermione huffs and tries to shuffle away from him, but he won't let go. "Merlin, it's your mother, not a bunch of angry werewolves in attack formation. Plus she saved Harry's life during the final battle so I don't think she'll try to hurt me." She tries to step out from behind him he steps in tandem with her, tightening his grip on her. She tries to shift away from him again and hears without him speaking, "Hermione stop, I know you can take care of yourself but you do not have your wand!" Shocked by hearing him in her head she stills.
Narcissa shows her son her empty hands. Although Draco shields her behind him, she can she the brown curls and know she was correct. "Draco, darling, I would never hurt someone you care about. Your Father is not with me and will not be coming. He thinks I am in Paris shopping. Also I would like to be properly introduce myself to Miss Granger and apologize to her."
After the confrontation with his mother, Narcissa apologies to Hermione and thanks her for help in bringing that horrible monster Voldermort down. Their conversation is a bit awkward, but Hermione can feel her sincerity. She even says the name without stuttering, Hermione tells Draco to stay with his mum. She is going to go to the ministry to update Harry and Kingsley on the case. She reminds him of their plans with Harry and Ginny. He promises to be at their office before time to leave for dinner. She kisses him softly and sweetly on the corner of his mouth (a thoroughly unsatisfying one for both) and she floos to the Ministry.
Draco turns to his mother and she smirks, "I had a feeling it was Hermione Granger." Draco nods his head, "You really do not have a problem with her being muggle-born? Even if I want to marry her?" Narcissa tears up. She pulls him into a rare hug, which she plans to start doing so more often. "No son, I think she would is perfect for you and cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of you." She sniffles and he hands her his handkerchief.
After Narcissa regains control of her emotions she informs Draco, "I came so we could begin working on the patronus charm." After several hours they are both surprised he has a corporeal one. Because he has created so many new wonderful memories over the last few days, it had been easier for him than most. He is disappointed his is not an otter, like Hermione's. Narcissa sends her dragon to Zellina to ask if the forms have anything to do with the person they fall in love with, if it can change, or was it just part of them. Her peregrine falcon appears telling them that Lily Potter's was initially a wild cat and everyone was surprised when it changed to a doe after her parents death. They ended up contributing the change to her grief and her dependence upon James Potter. He was the only one at the time who made her laugh. His has been a stag and hers changed to a doe.
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Hermione decides not to go to her office. She can't imagine how it will look after she missed so much time. The memos alone will probably take her a week to wade through. She knocks on Harry's door a little concerned about his reaction. She had felt so confident with Draco at her side, but now she is unsure of his reaction. He hears his reply, "Come in." She takes a deep breath, and opens the door. His eyes light up when he sees her, "Hermione!" He jumps up and stumbles over some files almost knocking them both in the floor. He hugs her tightly and her tension dissipates. He pulls back, looking her over, and she smiles brightly. He's a bit stunned, "Hermione, you ... oh Merlin, you like like you used too. You're happy again!" His brow furrows then relaxes. He shakes his head. "It's because of Malfoy right?" He sighs. "I didn't want to believe it at first, but if this is the result, then good." She hugs him tightly, her voice almost a whisper, "Thank you, Harry. Thank you for understanding." He pulls back, looking down, quietly saying, "Well, to be honest, I didn't at first, but Ginny straightened me out." She smiles. "Speaking of Ginny, congratulations! Have you set the date?"He shakes his head "No, not yet, I think she wants you to help her to run interference with her Mum." They laugh, both knowing although Molly means well, she can be overbearing. "Well, we can discuss that at dinner tonight. I came in to update you and Kingsley on the case." He nods, "I'll find out if he is available.