p class="MsoNormal"Malfoy had led Hermione down the winding corridors of the Manor, had she been in a better frame of mind she might have stopped to take note of surroundings, but it was taking every ounce of her energy to stay style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Was he lying?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe wanted to believe he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMore than anything Hermione wanted to wake up from this style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe wasn't unkind to her, far from it, but this couldn't possibly be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYet the look in his eyes suggested all style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Malfoy paused by one of the doors and Hermione felt her heart drop to her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThis was the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""This is it."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy confirmed. Her nerves must have shone through, because he laid his hand on style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"We don't have to do this now."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanbr /Hermione snatched her hand style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, we do."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHer heart was back in her chest, thudding frantically, her head swimming as if she might be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, we do."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The nursery was picture style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPale cream walls adorned with paintings of flowers that moved with style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanToys and books were scattered everywhere: a dollhouse in one corner, a rocking horse in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe carpet was soft under her feet, but she felt rooted to the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"In the centre of the room was a little girl, one and style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe child was playing with some wooden blocks, laughing as the tower toppled style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was like looking in a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBrown curls were scooped up into two bunchies, a smattering of freckles over a button style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAs her brown eyes looked up, her small rosebud lips stretched into a huge style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Mama!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"It was like she was style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione found herself walking towards to the little girl who eagerly held out her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe warmth that hit her when the child snuggled into her arms was style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOne hand stroked the curls, while the other clutched her tight as if she would never let style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Her name is Elara."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy's voice shattered their style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"She's 16 style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanDo you remember her?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione felt the tears spilling down her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I remember that I love her."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I remember that she's my little girl."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Elara moved her face from Hermione's shoulder and smiled up at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFrowning slightly at the tears on her mother's cheeks, her chubby hand wiped them style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Happy."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione laughed, taking her little hand and kissing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, my style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI am so happy."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"She felt a hand on her shoulder, it was style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe urge to shrug him away was still there, though not as style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"We have one more."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe smiled down at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Come and meet Cepheus."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The baby boy was almost the spitting image of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBlonde hair dusted his head while his features leaned towards the sharp angles of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut it was indisputable, he had Hermione's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"When Cepheus saw her he kicked his legs and he too held out his arms to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanElara was still firmly wrapped around her legs, as if worried she might leave style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione didn't have too much experience with style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNormally if she held one she would be sat down while the overbearing mother placed them in her arms, watching like a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThis time she was the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Cepheus was heavier than expected, but as soon as Hermione had him in her arms, she knew he too belonged style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThere was no question about it, they were her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Malfoy gave the trio some privacy after style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione spent the morning marvelling at the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanElara delightedly toddling about picking up toys to show her, some she knew the names of, others she made up names style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanCepheus lay on his belly, propping himself up at the elbows and laughing at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhen he began to cry later, Hermione picked him up and put him to her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was only after he latched on did the action startle style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe'd done it without style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAn simple action like throwing a ball or using a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanClearly in the depths of her mind she remembered style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe sensation wasn't even strange to her as she'd expected it to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"A gentle knock on the door came when Hermione was changing Cepheus' style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy seemed almost surprised to find her doing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""You found everything?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Elara was very helpful."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione smiled at her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"She saw me looking in the cupboards and seemed to know what I was looking for."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Our daughter is very smart."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just like her mother."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"He grimaced when Hermione looked away style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's a learning curve for me style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm eager for everything to back to the way things style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI know it will take time."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The guilt pulled at her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm sorry too."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione meant style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I can't imagine how difficult this must be for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm willing to try if you are."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Malfoy's pale face seemed to burst into sunshine, he looked so style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Thank you, Hermione."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Thank you so much."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""No worries."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Draco."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"With the children in bed later that evening, Hermione and Draco sat in the lounge, both still smiling from a day with the little ones, but both still unsure of each style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The lounge was the typical ornate style Hermione had expected to see in the home of a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFine damask curtains shrouded the Baroque windows, ornate wallpaper with flecks of silver and gold adorned the walls and all sorts of trinkets lay beautifully on the mahogany style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHaving remembered what Draco had said about the house being full of fakes, Hermione was able to see defections where she wouldn't have been able to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTiny flecks of silver paint peeling off an old clock, paintings without the signature of the author and a hazy cracked style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I bet you still have a lot of questions."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I have no idea where to start."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione rubbed her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I feel like I'm going to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMy brain is desperately trying to get things in some sort of order."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Draco waved his hand style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just ask whatever comes to mind first."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Where are Ron and Harry?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanCan we go and see them?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The smile dropped, his face style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFor a moment she saw the face of Draco that she remembered, the angry petulant style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe boy who had tormented her for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe rose from his seat to stand by the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe watched him as he poured a glass of firewhiskey and knocked it back while staring into the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHer chest style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I want to see them."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You can't."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was almost a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHis back was to her, she wasn't sure if she wanted him to turn around or style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione had two style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe could change the subject and hope he played along, spending the next few weeks wondering when she would have her question answered, or she could be brave and pursue style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe latter definitely seemed style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why can't I see them?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Draco turned to face her, his hand running through his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe seemed calmer, though the hurt had not vanished from his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You won't like the answer."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe responded style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Fear rose in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They're not-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""They're alive."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe held up a hand to quiet style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They're safe and well."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione did not like the silence that hung in the air between style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe look on Draco's face as he looked at his shoes, his hands, anywhere but style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Then why can't I see them?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The look that crossed Draco's face could only be described as one of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHis pinched features grew tighter as he raised his eyes to the heavens, as if hoping for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhen he finally managed to look at her, he looked style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Your friends didn't like us spending time together."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHis words were soft, but she could tell he was fighting not to spit them out like style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They liked it far less when we began to notice feelings for one style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOur relationship remained secret for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI wanted you to be honest with them, but you still believed that one day they could grow to like me and then style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThat day never style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey found out about our relationship they gave you an style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMe or style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou struggled with that style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYour friends were everything to you, but you hated feeling style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI told you to choose style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut when you went back, they told you they never wanted to see you style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey've ignored you ever since."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"A tear slid down her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't believe you."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Please don't ask me to produce evidence."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanDraco style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't want to hurt you any more than you're already hurting now."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ron would be angry."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe could feel her voice style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Ron would be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut Harry would talk him style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe wouldn't like it either, but Harry wouldn't turn his back on style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe wouldn't turn his back on me."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""He did, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey all did."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"The feather seemed to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe downy barbs softly moving in the wind like a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe breath travelled down the vein bringing it gently to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt quivered with a nervous excitement and slowly began to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe effort seemed to exhaust it however, as it quickly fell down style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione leant back in her chair in frustration, cursing the unfamiliar wand in her grasp, desperately trying to ignore the niggling feeling of fear./p
p class="MsoNormal"The Healer opposite her gave an encouraging style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"This may only be temporary."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe offered style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I appreciate it must feel frustrating, but please give yourself style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYour mind needs to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's a journey, not a sprint."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione tried to return the smile, not quite able to meet his eyes as she cast the wand down on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe wasn't used to feeling so inept about her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was not a feeling she style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Would my own wand not work better?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's well known that wands choose their style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMaybe my magic is fine, maybe it's the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMaybe-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Maybe a lot of things."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Healer interrupted her, not style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Unfortunately your wand has been style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou know this, Hermione."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"It still didn't feel real to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt felt like she was missing a part of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPerhaps she'd feel better about her new life if she still had some connection to her old style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Let's stop with the magic for the day."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Healer interrupted her train of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"When your memory improves, I'm sure your husband will be able to take you to the wand shop and you can get a new style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPerhaps you're style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPerhaps a new wand will do you some style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut you have to focus on your memory first."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Wouldn't it be better for me to go outside?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione broached, knowing the answer style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Maybe seeing things again will help me remember?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSeeing people?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The smile the Healer gave her wasn't patronising, but she still didn't like it. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You know why, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt could be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanA sensory overload is the last thing you need right style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBetter to focus on your life in this house and eventually spread style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPlease don't feel the need to hurry style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe mind is style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI can't guarantee your safety if you leave the house."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Was he lying?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe wanted to believe he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMore than anything Hermione wanted to wake up from this style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe wasn't unkind to her, far from it, but this couldn't possibly be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYet the look in his eyes suggested all style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Malfoy paused by one of the doors and Hermione felt her heart drop to her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThis was the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""This is it."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy confirmed. Her nerves must have shone through, because he laid his hand on style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"We don't have to do this now."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanbr /Hermione snatched her hand style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, we do."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHer heart was back in her chest, thudding frantically, her head swimming as if she might be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, we do."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The nursery was picture style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPale cream walls adorned with paintings of flowers that moved with style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanToys and books were scattered everywhere: a dollhouse in one corner, a rocking horse in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe carpet was soft under her feet, but she felt rooted to the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"In the centre of the room was a little girl, one and style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe child was playing with some wooden blocks, laughing as the tower toppled style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was like looking in a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBrown curls were scooped up into two bunchies, a smattering of freckles over a button style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAs her brown eyes looked up, her small rosebud lips stretched into a huge style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Mama!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"It was like she was style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione found herself walking towards to the little girl who eagerly held out her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe warmth that hit her when the child snuggled into her arms was style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOne hand stroked the curls, while the other clutched her tight as if she would never let style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Her name is Elara."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy's voice shattered their style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"She's 16 style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanDo you remember her?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione felt the tears spilling down her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I remember that I love her."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I remember that she's my little girl."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Elara moved her face from Hermione's shoulder and smiled up at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFrowning slightly at the tears on her mother's cheeks, her chubby hand wiped them style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Happy."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione laughed, taking her little hand and kissing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, my style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI am so happy."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"She felt a hand on her shoulder, it was style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe urge to shrug him away was still there, though not as style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"We have one more."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe smiled down at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Come and meet Cepheus."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The baby boy was almost the spitting image of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBlonde hair dusted his head while his features leaned towards the sharp angles of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut it was indisputable, he had Hermione's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"When Cepheus saw her he kicked his legs and he too held out his arms to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanElara was still firmly wrapped around her legs, as if worried she might leave style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione didn't have too much experience with style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNormally if she held one she would be sat down while the overbearing mother placed them in her arms, watching like a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThis time she was the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Cepheus was heavier than expected, but as soon as Hermione had him in her arms, she knew he too belonged style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThere was no question about it, they were her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Malfoy gave the trio some privacy after style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione spent the morning marvelling at the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanElara delightedly toddling about picking up toys to show her, some she knew the names of, others she made up names style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanCepheus lay on his belly, propping himself up at the elbows and laughing at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhen he began to cry later, Hermione picked him up and put him to her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was only after he latched on did the action startle style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe'd done it without style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAn simple action like throwing a ball or using a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanClearly in the depths of her mind she remembered style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe sensation wasn't even strange to her as she'd expected it to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"A gentle knock on the door came when Hermione was changing Cepheus' style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy seemed almost surprised to find her doing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""You found everything?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Elara was very helpful."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione smiled at her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"She saw me looking in the cupboards and seemed to know what I was looking for."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Our daughter is very smart."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMalfoy style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just like her mother."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"He grimaced when Hermione looked away style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's a learning curve for me style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm eager for everything to back to the way things style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI know it will take time."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The guilt pulled at her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm sorry too."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione meant style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I can't imagine how difficult this must be for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm willing to try if you are."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Malfoy's pale face seemed to burst into sunshine, he looked so style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Thank you, Hermione."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Thank you so much."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""No worries."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Draco."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"With the children in bed later that evening, Hermione and Draco sat in the lounge, both still smiling from a day with the little ones, but both still unsure of each style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The lounge was the typical ornate style Hermione had expected to see in the home of a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFine damask curtains shrouded the Baroque windows, ornate wallpaper with flecks of silver and gold adorned the walls and all sorts of trinkets lay beautifully on the mahogany style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHaving remembered what Draco had said about the house being full of fakes, Hermione was able to see defections where she wouldn't have been able to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTiny flecks of silver paint peeling off an old clock, paintings without the signature of the author and a hazy cracked style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I bet you still have a lot of questions."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I have no idea where to start."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione rubbed her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I feel like I'm going to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMy brain is desperately trying to get things in some sort of order."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Draco waved his hand style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just ask whatever comes to mind first."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Where are Ron and Harry?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanCan we go and see them?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The smile dropped, his face style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFor a moment she saw the face of Draco that she remembered, the angry petulant style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe boy who had tormented her for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe rose from his seat to stand by the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe watched him as he poured a glass of firewhiskey and knocked it back while staring into the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHer chest style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I want to see them."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You can't."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was almost a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHis back was to her, she wasn't sure if she wanted him to turn around or style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione had two style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe could change the subject and hope he played along, spending the next few weeks wondering when she would have her question answered, or she could be brave and pursue style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe latter definitely seemed style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why can't I see them?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Draco turned to face her, his hand running through his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe seemed calmer, though the hurt had not vanished from his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You won't like the answer."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe responded style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Fear rose in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They're not-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""They're alive."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe held up a hand to quiet style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They're safe and well."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione did not like the silence that hung in the air between style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe look on Draco's face as he looked at his shoes, his hands, anywhere but style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Then why can't I see them?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The look that crossed Draco's face could only be described as one of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHis pinched features grew tighter as he raised his eyes to the heavens, as if hoping for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhen he finally managed to look at her, he looked style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Your friends didn't like us spending time together."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHis words were soft, but she could tell he was fighting not to spit them out like style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They liked it far less when we began to notice feelings for one style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOur relationship remained secret for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI wanted you to be honest with them, but you still believed that one day they could grow to like me and then style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThat day never style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey found out about our relationship they gave you an style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMe or style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou struggled with that style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYour friends were everything to you, but you hated feeling style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI told you to choose style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut when you went back, they told you they never wanted to see you style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey've ignored you ever since."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"A tear slid down her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't believe you."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Please don't ask me to produce evidence."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanDraco style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't want to hurt you any more than you're already hurting now."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ron would be angry."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe could feel her voice style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Ron would be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut Harry would talk him style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe wouldn't like it either, but Harry wouldn't turn his back on style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe wouldn't turn his back on me."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""He did, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey all did."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"The feather seemed to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe downy barbs softly moving in the wind like a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe breath travelled down the vein bringing it gently to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt quivered with a nervous excitement and slowly began to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe effort seemed to exhaust it however, as it quickly fell down style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione leant back in her chair in frustration, cursing the unfamiliar wand in her grasp, desperately trying to ignore the niggling feeling of fear./p
p class="MsoNormal"The Healer opposite her gave an encouraging style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"This may only be temporary."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe offered style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I appreciate it must feel frustrating, but please give yourself style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYour mind needs to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's a journey, not a sprint."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione tried to return the smile, not quite able to meet his eyes as she cast the wand down on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe wasn't used to feeling so inept about her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was not a feeling she style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Would my own wand not work better?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's well known that wands choose their style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMaybe my magic is fine, maybe it's the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMaybe-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Maybe a lot of things."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Healer interrupted her, not style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Unfortunately your wand has been style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou know this, Hermione."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"It still didn't feel real to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt felt like she was missing a part of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPerhaps she'd feel better about her new life if she still had some connection to her old style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Let's stop with the magic for the day."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Healer interrupted her train of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"When your memory improves, I'm sure your husband will be able to take you to the wand shop and you can get a new style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPerhaps you're style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPerhaps a new wand will do you some style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut you have to focus on your memory first."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Wouldn't it be better for me to go outside?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHermione broached, knowing the answer style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Maybe seeing things again will help me remember?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSeeing people?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"The smile the Healer gave her wasn't patronising, but she still didn't like it. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You know why, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt could be style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanA sensory overload is the last thing you need right style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBetter to focus on your life in this house and eventually spread style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPlease don't feel the need to hurry style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe mind is style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI can't guarantee your safety if you leave the house."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p