Author's note: Disclaimer. Ddsurvior you are making my day! Please don't hate me too much for this next chapter but I feel it had to go the way I wrote it or it would have been too long. Hope you enjoy it! R&R

Chapter 16

Blaise was getting extremely worried about his friends. Draco was supposed to come straight back after talking with Hermione. He hoped that Hermione hadn't killed the fool. Although she did hate when people treated her like a damsel in distress and that's what Draco had been doing for the last several years. Blaise let out a deep sigh and continued to check his wording.

He had always excelled in charms which had made him very good at creating his own which worked to their advantage in this moment. Blaise had created a spell that would check for any loopholes in the wording of a document. He had used it to get him and Daphne out of their unhappy marriage much to her family's despair because they had thought it iron clad. Every time he wrote a draft he would cast the spell and a copy would appear next to it with all the loopholes the document held. The tricky part was figuring out the wording to rid it of any of those pesky buggers.

Blaise had carved out a little empire in the legal world very largely due to this very spell and had managed to a mass a small fortune all his own. Of course no one knew this spell existed except Blaise and he had always been good at keeping his cards close to his chest. Still this document would be the best one he had ever put together in his life. It had to be because if any thing wound up happening to Hermione due to his neglect Draco wouldn't need to even raise his wand because Blaise would beat him to it.

Deciding he needed a break from going over the document as it seemed Draco was other wise occupied he turned his attention to Draco and Astoria's wedding contract. Luckily Draco had insisted on a non-traditional wizard wedding which made diviorce a possibility without one of the spouses dying. However, some of the wording was very strange to Blaise. There was part that mentioned that only Astoria could only birth a Malfoy's child which seemed strange. In most documents the husbands first and surname were used but not in this one. It made Blaise uneasy as he looked it over and thought back to Scorpius's birth. Astoria had managed to get pregnant right away and even though Scorpius was supposed to have been born 2 months early he was as healthy as any full-term babe. Could Draco not be the father? Could it have instead been Lucius? Draco had mentioned Astoria's uneasiness around Lucius and Blaise worried that he was on to something. Something that could very easily destroy his best friend.

His anxiety gnawed away at his nerves and Blaise just tried to wrap his head around what he had uncovered. Draco had never let him look over the contract, even before he got married, stating there was no point as he wouldn't put Hermione in danger and now Blaise was beginning to understand why Lucius had pushed him so hard and so quickly into marrying Astoria. He felt the bile creep up in his throat and he forced it back down as he remembered how venomously Astoria had sworn when they were younger that she would be Lady Malfoy no matter what it took.

Blaise forced his eyes off that portion of the martial contract and focused instead on the clauses that went into effect if they were ever to divorce. It stated that half the fortune would go to Astoria if any affairs were found and that she was entitled to her share of the Malfoy properties in Draco's name. Well that now meant all the Malfoy estates as he was head of his house now. Blaise waved his wand and said "Devorticulum incaris." And instantly another sheet appeared next to the original document. Blaise resigned himself to a tiring night of slogging through these loopholes to find the best one to use in case Lucius decided to renege on his portion of the deal. Draco deserved to be happy and finally he was giving Blaise the ability to help him ensure that happiness was actually fully achieved.

The following morning Hermione found herself awoken by her pillow moving. She sleepily hit it to make it stop and heard a deep sleep riddled chuckle in her ear. Her body shot up on its own accord as she registered the sound as one she recognized. She slapped her hands over her mouth to stifle the scream of surprise that rose in her throat as she turned her eyes on Draco Malfoy who was gazing at her through half lidded eyes.

"Well good morning to you too Hermione. I don't think I look so horrid as to earn you flying off me like you were laying in poisonous asps." Draco commented as he stretched his arms above his head and sat up.

"What in the world are you doing here Draco?! And why was I asleep on your chest? Did you drug me?" Hermione fired the questions at him as she glanced around her home looking for anything that could explain why last night was so fuzzy to her.

"I most definitely did not drug you although you did kind of drink yourself stupid last night. As for you falling asleep on me well you just looked so comfortable, so I figured why move you," Draco pointed out off handedly as he yawned and rose to head to her kitchen. "Coffee? We have a lot to discuss and if I recall correctly starting serious conversations before you've had your coffee leads to me fighting of your mean bat boogie hex and that is not a situation I wish to relive ever again in my life. One cream two sugar still right."

Hermione's head was reeling as she tried to piece together the night before. She remembered feeling sorry for herself and pulling out her secret stash of tequila and watching stupid rom coms to help improve her mood but after that everything kind of jumbles together. Then it hit her. She had told him about Gemini and Aries last night. Suddenly it was like all the air left her lungs and the world started to dim.

"Woah Granger don't you dare pass out on me. Take a deep breath. Hermione take a deep breath right now you infuriating witch or I swear to Merlin I will reorganize all of you books by meta-genre and you won't be able to find a single thing for months." Draco threatened as he grabbed her arms to keep her from falling. The threat got through the haze however and helped Hermione take a deep breath.

"You wouldn't dare Malfoy. You know how long it took me to organize those books and you also know that moving even one out of place means a penalty worse than death," Hermione gasped out as she regained her composure. Draco just smiled at her and shook his head as he remembered the many arguments they had shared over her ridiculous need to organize everything by author rather than genre.

"That I do Hermione, that I do." He murmured as he turned back to her kitchen. Hermione watched him as he moved eloquently around her space like he just fit there. It hurt to watch him find everything with the same level of ease she did. Everyone else who came over would ask her a million questions about where everything was, but Draco just knew. Like he always had when it came to her organization it was like he could read her mind.

She finally let out a sigh and walked into the kitchen as well and started pulling out the ingredients for omelets because she needed some food to help with the slight residual queasiness that came from a night of drinking as heavily as she had. Draco glanced over at what she was doing and instantly grabbed some bread and began to make toast to go along. Even though they didn't say a word as breakfast was made they seemed to move with such fluidity that it was like a professional kitchen. As Hermione sliced the veggies Draco started the bacon. After that was done Hermione started on the first omelet eggs and Draco made sure to get everything set in the order she would use it and began setting up the plates with buttered toast. As she finished the omelets Draco made sure there was jam on the table, poured them both a glass of coffee and added the necessary extras.

They both sat down on either side of her small worn kitchen table and started eating. They would look at each other only to quickly glance away when they saw the other looking at them. Draco knew he need to start the conversation, but he was terrified it would shatter this quiet simplicity that they had stumbled into. His nerves were getting the better of him as his right hand began to shake ever so slightly. Hermione on the other hand seemed so cool and collected to him as she ate her food and Draco didn't understand how she was so calm.

However, Hermione couldn't have been less composed inside. She felt like she was a quivering mess of nerves. Every time she would open her mouth to say something it was like it would get lodged in her throat and she would end up shoveling more food in so as not to look suspicious. How was she supposed to bring up Aries and Gemini now? He already knew thanks to drunk Hermione and now she was at a loss for where to start.

"Look Draco-. "

"Hermione- "They both started at the same time and then abruptly stopped when they heard the other's words. Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath and started again.

"Hermione I need to talk to you about something. Now I know its going to irritate you but I want you to please wait until I finish before making any comments okay?" Draco pleaded catching Hermione's gaze and holding it. Hermione struggled with her inane sense of curiosity and her need to say her piece. "Its not about the children but before we go into that I need to explain something to you. Something very important okay?"

At Draco's reassurance that it wasn't about Gemini and Aries Hermione let out the breath she had been holding and nodded.

"Do you have a pensive? This would be a hell of a lot easier if I could just show you the memories. I brought them with," Draco pulled out several small vials that were filled with a pale luminescent blue liquid and again Hermione nodded. She rose up and went to her bedroom for a moment. She returned with a portable pensive and set it on the table. Draco quickly emptied the memories and together they both stuck their heads into the bowl.

The world around them swirled and changed and Hermione watched as Draco's memories played out in front of her.

Draco stretched and felt Hermione snuggle closer to him. There wasn't a better feeling in the world than his witch pressed against his side. Things had been strained in every other aspect of his life but not with her. Hermione made everything so much better and as he stared down at her sleeping face with her wild curls all tangled around her he knew that this was how he wanted to start everyday of his life.

Hermione had to get to class early, so she insisted on taking a shower alone, much to his displeasure, so he instead busied himself with making her breakfast and making sure she had a lunch in case she got too swamped on campus to eat anything. As she swept into the kitchen of their small apartment with her wet hair flying behind her and dressed in a knit sweater and those muggle jeans that he loved so much. She smiled brightly at him and snagged a piece of toast before kissing him lightly on the mouth as she grabbed her lunch and headed out the door. Draco just gazed after her with the goofy grin of a love-sick dolt.

After breakfast Draco decided to go and pick out the ring. He knew exactly when he wanted to propose and that wasn't for a while, but he need time to find the perfect ring. No family heirloom for her because he didn't want anything that was associated with the blood supremacy that had ruled his life for so long. Him and Hermione would usher in a new chapter for the Malfoy name and he wanted a ring she would love and could hand down for generations to come.

He wandered down Diagnon alley and stopped in several of the higher end jewelry shops but nothing fit. The minute the shopkeepers saw him they started pulling out the gaudiest most expensive pieces they had and those just weren't Hermione. He decided to try the old antique store hoping that maybe something there would speak to him.

As he walked in he noticed several other patrons give him a wide berth because whereas the shopkeepers liked him for his gold most of the wizarding society still saw him as a blight they wished to have extinguished. Their reaction to him didn't bother him as much as it once had and now he was quite thankful for the avoidance.

A small gold band caught his attention in the display box. The ring was worn but on the top sat a bright red ruby flanked on either side by dazzling emeralds. It wasn't an ostentatious piece by any means, but it wasn't miniscule either. Draco could see it settled on Hermione's finger as she wrote her dissertation and he knew that was the ring he wanted and there was a matching necklace and earrings. He looked at the price and his mouth almost fell open in shock. 1000 gallons for that one set? It must have been a printing error. He quickly flagged down the staff and asked about the set.

"Yes sir, its 1000 gallons. This was supposedly the ring Salazar Slytherin proposed to Godric Gryffindor's sister with before Godric struck him down. The ring is said to be imbued with the ability to detect a true love bond. The necklace and earrings also have several protection charms and fertility charms as well." The shopkeeper stated proudly. Draco eyed him carefully and decided he was being sincere and hell if he wasn't it was still an interesting selling point. Hermione would definitely enjoy figuring out if it was true.

"Can you get it wrapped up for me and make sure that everything is wrapped separately?" Draco asked. The shop keep, who was practically jumping for joy, scurried to fulfill Draco's request.

As Draco waited for his purchases Astoria walked in and immediately glued herself to his side. Draco took a deep breath to quell the urge to shove the offensive woman away from him as she wrapped her arm through his.

"Drakey what are you doing here? This place is so stuffy and look at all the desolates roaming the aisles." Astoria whined in a tone he assumed she thought was enticing but came across as a high pitched warble.

"If you don't like it here Astoria why don't you just leave?" Draco pointed out hoping to be rid of her before the shopkeeper returned.

"Well come with me then we have so much to discuss about our wedding and you have been impossible to find lately," Astoria stated as she attempted a puppy dog stare to win him over.

"Ah so this must be the lucky lady then. I must say your fiancée just bought the most amazing piece in our entire collection for you wedding set. For quiet a steal if I may say so." The shopkeeper stated as he handed Draco the pieces.

"Well from the look of most of your stock that wouldn't be very difficult and Draco you know that I expect the Malfoy diamonds for my wedding set not some cheap knock off," Astoria hissed glaring at him.

"I apologize for my companion's rudeness truly you have a wonderful store," Draco stated to appease the man and then turned to Astoria, "For the last time Astoria we are not getting married. I have no interest in having anything to do with you much less spend the rest of my days with you prattling on in my ear like a shrewd harpy. Now if you will excuse me I have somewhere I need to be." With those final words Draco pried Astoria's arm from his own and stalked out of the shop.

Astoria was not an easy woman to get rid of however and she raced out of the shop after him. When she caught up to him she quickly yanked him around, so he was facing her.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy how dare you speak to me that way! That was beyond rude and I know for a fact your mother raised you better than that. How dare you say you aren't marrying me. Why your father is filling out the contract with my father as we speak so you better get used to the fact that come this time next year we will be married. Your little rebellion needs to end now." Astoria growled at him in a low voice so as not to be overheard.

"I love Hermione Astoria okay? This isn't some late born rebellion. She makes me a better person and I am going to spend the rest of my life hoping to be half the man she believes me to be. I know you have had this fantasy of becoming a Malfoy since we were small children but please for all that is magical in this world listen to the words I am say right now: I WILL NEVER MARRY YOU!" Draco made sure to bellow the last words so anyone in the nearby vicinity could clearly hear them. Then it hit him what Astoria had said about his father drawing up a contract. He wrenched himself away for Astoria and apparated just outside the Greengrass estate.

He quickly stormed into the building throwing his coat at the house elf who greeted him and headed towards Mr. Greengrass's study. Upon arriving at the door he threw it open viciously rejoicing in the loud crack of it hitting the inner wall.

"Draco what a pleasant surprise. We were just finishing up your betrothal contract and you are just in time to give us your signature." Lucius stated with a grin that resembled a cat who just got a bowl full of cream.

"That's very humorous father but could I possibly speak with you out here in the hall for a moment?" Draco asked as he gritted his teeth.

"But of course, You should know this is a very fine match I've made you and now we can put aside all that other ugly business with your mudblood." With those charming words Lucius stepped out into the hallway with Draco who closed the study door with an overzealous yank which caused echoes through the empty hallway. He quickly cast a non-verbal silencing charm so no one would overhear their conversation.

"I am not marring Astoria father. You know this. If you push me on this you will have to disown me. I am marring Hermione whether you like it or not." Draco stated in confidant steady tone.

"I do believe you are sadly mistaken my son you will marry Astoria and I will not hear another word about that girl. She is not fit for our family and I will not have heathens as grandchildren." Lucius shot back in a bored tone.

"There is nothing you can do to stop me and if you try and force me into signing that ridiculous document I will be married to Hermione faster than you can wave a wand." Draco pointed out as he reclined against the wall feeling as if he had won.

"Well it would be a very short first marriage then now wouldn't it?" Lucius replied as he examined his fingernails on his left hand.

"You wouldn't be able to lay a single finger on her and you know it. Hermione could beat you with her hands tied behind her back and blindfolded." Draco snarled as he began to lose his temper.

"Oh you may be right on that fact but do you know how many remaining death eaters are out there son? Do you think the ministry even knows? Most of them aren't even hiding anymore and almost all of them owe me favors," Lucius sly glanced at his son's paling face and gave a soft chuckle. "Look Draco your options are as simple as this: Marry Astoria and live a long and fulfilled life with the correct kind of wife or marry Hermione and see how quickly you both end up in the ground."

Draco quickly whet his lips because he knew things weren't going to be easy with his father when he came here but he had expected to be threatened with being disowned not killed.

"They wouldn't take the risk to kill Hermione would paint a target on their backs that could be seen from Neptune. They may owe you favors but I doubt any of them owe you that much." Draco pointed out hoping he could hit the nail on the head as to why Lucius hadn't just killed Hermione right away. He watched as his father's features tightened ever so slightly and knew he had been right.

"That may be true. Killing her would cause quite the scuffle but what about her friends? What about Remus and his family? Or maybe Lavander Brown? I hear she's marring the red head that girl used to run around with. Or what of her parents? Tell me are they still in Australia?" At Lucius's words Draco's blood ran ice cold.

"You wouldn't risk going back to prison father we both know that. Give up with your petty threats you aren't scaring anyone. Now if you don't mind I am heading home to see my wonderful girlfriend. Soon to be wife. Perhaps I will invite mother to dinner as she certainly enjoys Hermione's company. Have a wonderful day father and remember the marriage contract is null and void without my signature as I am of legal age." With those final words Draco left the estate.

When he arrived home, he collapsed on then couch and tried to calm his racing heart. Empty threats that's all they were. His father didn't control him anymore and that made Lucius strike out with over blown ridiculous threats that had no merit whatsoever. Draco removed the jewelry boxes from his pocket and quickly stashed the ring in his sock drawer. He set the necklace and earrings on the table so Hermione could open them when she got home and started dinner. Everything was going to be fine. Maybe if he thought it enough it would be true.

Hermione was pulled out of the memory and just looked at Draco trying to figure out what he had wanted to show her. If everything in that memory was true why had he still left her and married Astoria?

"I have more to show you, but I wanted to lay down the groundwork and prove to you that I have never in my life wanted to be married to Astoria. When you're ready I have the next set of memories to show you, but these will be much more difficult so please take a moment to prepare yourself." Draco stated and Hermione felt a deep sense of dread start to fill her. This was going to be a long day.

Author's questions: How badly do you hate me? Should I finish with the memories or give you a glimpse of less drama by flashing back to Hogwarts? Will Blaise tell Draco what he found out? Is Blaise even right? All the answers to the last two questions to come. R&R