Magic-Shaphira: more Italy here! haha

HarryPGinnyW4eva: Oh thank you! I had a great summer and I hope you enjoyed yourself too! Hahaha the chapters are all in my head but it sucks that I have to sit down and write them lmao. Florence is a great city and Lucca too! Italy is such a beautiful country, I've been there twice and I can't wait to go back!

CallaRose4ever: thank you ^^

FlameWriter008: hahahah thank you! I'm glad you like this story :)

Unless something changes, this fic is going to be 40 chapters long - the end is getting close!

Thanks to all of you who have been reading it since I posted the first chapter, and also to those who have joined along the way.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Lucca

Hermione wrinkled her nose as the sun's rays hit her face, mumbling through her teeth and turning her head to avoid the light.

She moved a hand, searching for Draco under the sheets, and gasped as she brushed against his arm.

It was cold.

Her eyes snapped open and she sat up, blanching at the sight of his face. It was as white as it had been that horrible night and his breathing was too slow.

Hermione felt a lump in her throat.

"Draco? Can you hear me? Draco!"

She shook his shoulder, letting out a sigh of relief as she saw him open his eyes.

But something wasn't right.

"What's wrong?" she asked, helping him to sit up.

He leaned his back against the headboard and closed his eyes again.

"Potion."

"What?"

Draco winced.

"M-my coat," he murmured, pointing to the armchair by the window.

Hermione jumped up and searched through his pockets until her fingers closed around something cylindrical.

It was a vial filled with a golden liquid that reflected the sunlight. She returned to his side and sat on the edge of the mattress, uncapping the potion and offering it to him.

Draco drank almost half of it in one gulp and snorted through his nose, dropping his head back onto the pillow with his eyes still closed.

"Are you feeling better?" Hermione asked, watching him with a worried look on her face.

"Give me a minute."

The seconds passed too slowly as she waited. Slowly, the colour returned to his face and his breathing went back to normal.

Hermione placed a hand on his forehead.

"You're hot again," she sighed, pushing back the damp locks that were clinging to his forehead. "You scared me."

He blinked, focusing his gaze on her face.

"I forgot to take it last night," one corner of his lips curved upward. "Something distracted me."

That wasn't funny. She followed him with her gaze as he stood up and ran a hand through his blond hair.

Hermione held the half-full vial between her fingers.

"What is it?"

"Invigorating potion."

Hermione gasped.

Did he feel so weak that he needed to take it to move?

"How many times a day do you need to take it?" she asked in a shaky voice.

Draco stood at the table, filling a glass of water. He drank it slowly as he wiped the sweat from his brow with one arm, glancing sideways at her once he put it back down.

"Five."

Her heart shrank.

It wasn't advisable to take that potion more than twice a day.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

She looked down at the pillows, running her hand over the soft fabric as she closed her eyes and took a slow breath, trying to calm herself.

The reminder that his life was in danger had been a bitter pill to swallow. The full moon was only hours away, but she would have to keep an eye on him.

What if she had taken longer to wake up? Would he still be alive?

All she could remember was falling asleep in his arms after the best snogging session of her life.

His hands had squeezed her waist, running up her back and down to her arse as he devoured her mercilessly. And Draco had paused when Hermione hadn't been able to hold back her moans, murmuring against her skin that if they didn't stop he wouldn't be able to control himself anymore.

Hermione snapped back to reality as she saw his figure advancing towards her out of the corner of her eye.

"I didn't want to worry you," Draco knelt in front of her, cupping her face in his hands and looking into her eyes. "I'm fine, Granger."

She frowned, shaking her head and blinking to control her tears.

"You're not."

"I will be soon enough." Draco kissed her forehead and gave her a small smile. "Take a deep breath. I'm okay now."

Hermione nodded, instantly relaxing at having him so close. She glanced towards the lounge area, where a big breakfast awaited them at the head table.

"You should eat something."

He stood up again, pointing to the bathroom door with his thumb.

"I need a shower first."

Hermione smiled as she stepped off the train. The wall surrounding the small town of Lucca was visible from the station.

She laced her fingers with Draco's and pulled him towards the entrance. Just as in Florence, the streets were full of tourists, snapping pictures of anything they found eye-catching.

One of the tallest towers caught her attention and Hermione pointed at it.

"There are trees at the top of that tower."

"Weird, isn't it?" Draco replied with a chuckle.

She sought his gaze.

"Can we go up?"

After a glance at his watch, he nodded. They queued with the rest of the Muggles to go up the Guinigi Tower, and Hermione rested her arms on the railing once they were up, taking in the view and blushing when Draco came around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

There were several forests around the city, and Giorgio Malfoy had lived in one of them.

"Where is your family home?" she whispered, turning her head until she could see his profile.

Draco held her chin with one hand, moving it gently to the left.

"Over there, hidden from Muggle's eyes."

The forest he was referring to stretched along a valley and was so large she couldn't see the end of it.

When they walked back through the city Draco took her to Piazza dell'Anfiteatro and chose one of the restaurants to eat in.

After ordering dessert he got up to go to the bathroom, earning a look of hatred from Hermione when she discovered that before returning to the table he had taken the opportunity to pay the bill.

Draco promised that they would return to Lucca the next day to continue seeing the city and they both walked through the wall, following a dirt road that led away from the last of the houses.

Half an hour later Hermione spotted what looked like a villa. It had an iron gate around it, much like the one at Malfoy Manor, and as she got closer she felt the presence of magic.

Very old spells to keep Muggles away.

"Wow."

Draco smirked and placed his hand on the gate, which clicked and opened before them.

"Is this supposed to be small?"

Her smile disappeared from her face as he took another swig of potion.

It was already his third.

"It only has ten rooms," Draco commented, arching an eyebrow.

"Only?" she repeated with a snort.

"The Manor has thirty."

Hermione rolled her eyes and he laughed, grabbing one of her hands.

"Come on."

The gardens were manicured as if there were elves there too, and the sound of water was coming from the back.

A waterfall?

The doors of the house opened on their own as they approached, crossing the threshold together.

The house was as bright as the manor. Hermione pulled the two suitcases out of her pocket, returning them to their normal size and setting them on a cream-coloured sofa.

"How long has it been since you've been here?"

"Four years," Draco opened a cupboard, brushing the items inside with his fingertips. "Everything's still the same."

Hermione shivered at the sight of the chandelier that crowned the ceiling of the room. It looked too much like the one in that room in the manor that was now sealed.

Draco returned to her side, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Do you want a tour? There's a huge wine cellar on the ground floor."

She bit her lower lip.

"I think we should visit the forest before sunset."

No magical creature reacted well to strangers entering their territory after sunset. His expression became serious, his gaze lost in the farthest trees visible through the windows.

"Later, then. You'll choose our room."

"Is there one that's yours?"

He nodded, walking down the three steps to a small wooden shed.

"I want to stay in that one."

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of his grin. Draco's room at Malfoy Manor made her feel safe and she knew it would be the same for her in that house.

Her brow furrowed as she watched him emerge from the shed with a broom in his hand.

"No."

Draco lifted his eyebrows with an amused expression.

"No?"

"I don't like brooms," she muttered, crossing her arms.

His laughter made her traitorous heart react again.

"I know," he swung a leg over the handle, flying towards her and stopping at her side. "I won't let you fall, Granger."

Hermione sighed. The forest was too far to walk to and from and she was tired after walking around the city all day.

"Alright," she agreed, resigned.

She climbed on the broom, holding onto the handle with both hands and gritting her teeth. Draco released her grip, ignoring her protests, and wrapped his arms around her.

"Close your eyes."

Hermione complied and concentrated on his scent, relaxing against his chest as they rose into the air.

Feeling Draco's presence was so comforting. The cool breeze pushed her curls back and when she dared to open her eyes she couldn't help but smile as she took in the scenery.

"Not so horrible, huh?" he murmured in her ear.

Hermione snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Shut up."

Draco kept his speed steady and descended slowly as he reached the foot of the forest, landing softly on the grass.

He set the broom down against the trunk of a tree and turned to face her.

"Stay close to me."

She nodded and they both walked into the trees. Draco walked a step ahead of her, hiding her with his body.

"Wand at the ready, Granger."

"But they might see it as a threat."

He shook his head, squaring his jaw as he scanned the interior of the forest with his gaze.

"Take it out and defend yourself if you have to."

They had gone about ten metres when they heard movement around them.

Five fireballs shot towards them at full speed and Draco roared, instantly transforming and covering her with his wings as he crushed her against his chest.

Hermione conjured a protective shield and paled as she saw ten Veelas surrounding them. Unlike Draco, these creatures also had feathers on their shoulders and their faces ended in beaks.

Draco hissed angrily.

"Non toccarla!"

The Veela, who were about to pounce on them, froze as they got a better look at him.

"Un Veela?" asked the one closest to them, exchanging a confused glance with another one.

"Metà Veela," one of them growled in a cold voice, lifting his chin and sniffing the air. "È anche umano."

Hermione gasped in surprise. Their voices sounded human but had a guttural tone that made her hair stand on end.

Draco nodded without letting go of her.

"Sono un discendente di Giorgio."

The Veela blinked, frowning at him.

"Giorgio Malfoy?"

After Draco's confirmation, all the creatures relaxed and their bodies returned to normal. Beaks and flames disappeared, revealing faces so perfect they looked as if they had been carved from marble.

Hermione remembered perfectly what had happened at the World Cup when Harry and Ron had first seen them. They seemed to be under a spell, though she didn't notice anything like that when she looked at them.

There were both males and females and the one speaking seemed to be the leader.

"Sei il primo a venire qui."

Draco relaxed as well, though he didn't move an inch away from her. His silver wings fluttered as Hermione stood on her tiptoes, bringing her lips to his ear.

"What is he saying?"

The Veela smiled as he heard her.

"That Alessia was the last Malfoy to visit."

Draco furrowed his brow.

"Do you speak English?"

He nodded and took two steps forward, offering him his hand. Draco pursed his lips and released Hermione, spreading his wings to hide her from his piercing gaze.

"Draco Malfoy," he shook his hand for a second and wrapped his arms protectively around Hermione again, keeping his body between her and the Veelas. "I am the first of my family to be born with half of my blood being Veela."

The Veela narrowed his golden eyes.

"She is your mate."

Draco nodded. There was no point in denying it.

"You haven't completed the bond yet," the Veela added in a deep voice, his nostrils flaring. "And you have little energy left."

Did he just need to smell them to find all that out?

Hermione looked up and saw Draco running his tongue over his teeth. He was tense again.

If they decided to attack he wouldn't be able to protect her, and she doubted she would end up unharmed after facing so many magical creatures at once.

Glancing at their faces, though, they didn't seem to be on the defensive. Their expressions reflected curiosity and some mistrust.

"It will happen soon enough," Draco admitted quietly.

The Veela nodded and looked around. The other creatures all lowered their gazes in respect.

"A Veela's mate, whatever their species, is untouchable. It is our most sacred law," he announced, looking back at Draco and smiling. "No one will harm her."

Draco let out a long sigh and folded his wings behind his back. He staggered as he took a step back and Hermione held his shoulders to keep him from falling to the ground.

He hissed a curse under his breath and pulled the vial from his pocket, taking another sip. The transformation had weakened him.

The Veelas turned away, losing themselves in the trees. The leader extended an arm into the heart of the forest.

"Follow us."

The Veelas led them to an area where the trees were taller. They had built wooden huts among their branches, which were very well camouflaged.

Her breath hitched as she watched the sun set behind the mountains. The sanctuary was incredibly beautiful.

Draco's arms were crossed and he had reverted to his human form.

"I have questions."

The leader grinned, showing his fangs.

"And you've come looking for answers," he turned and began to walk away without waiting for him. "Come with me. We don't talk about our secrets in front of humans."

Draco hesitated, glancing sideways at Hermione.

"She'll be fine," he added, looking over his shoulder.

Draco sighed, squaring his shoulders.

"Stay here," he squeezed her hand gently and followed in the leader's footsteps, heading towards one of the larger trees. "I'll be back soon."

Hermione looked around nervously. Fifteen pairs of golden eyes were on her, watching her with interest.

The other males had moved away, keeping their distance, but the females were not afraid to approach her. One caught one of her curls, sniffing her hair and smiling as she said something Hermione couldn't understand.

Hermione snorted and pulled out her wand, casting a translator spell on herself.

She was reassured by the Veela's laughter. Despite having a wand, they didn't see her as a threat.

When she asked why they explained that a Veela's mate would never want to attack another Veela. It was unthinkable and that was the reason why they trusted her.

Hermione was about to ask another question when Draco's voice reached her.

"Has anyone else found their mate in the human world?"

The words died on the tip of her tongue and she turned her head to where they stood, watching the leader shake his head. Hermione clenched her jaw and cast another non-verbal spell towards them, amplifying the sound of their voices.

"Giorgio was the only one," the Veela folded his hands on his lap, curling his long nails. "He was my grandfather's brother."

Draco cocked his head to one side, confused.

"Veelas live longer than humans," the leader added with a feline smile.

"I thought so," Draco replied, clearing his throat.

Hermione looked away when he glanced at her, pretending to keep an eye on the other Veelas.

"What do you want to know?"

"Giorgio wrote a diary and there are several things I don't quite understand."

"Have a seat, Draco Malfoy," the leader pointed to the roots of the tree and Draco sat down, crossing his ankles.

"Do you have a name?"

"Enzo," the Veela stretched out an arm, running his fingers through his long silver hair. "Speak."

Draco leaned his back against the tree trunk.

"My powers are amazing," he murmured, raising a hand from which flames sprang up and licked at his skin. He held the silver journal in the other. "And it says here that they will increase with the completion of the bond."

Enzo nodded.

"So will your mate's," he said, jerking his chin in Hermione's direction.

She was hiding behind a tree, ignoring what the Veelas were saying as she tried to listen to the conversation, peeking out from time to time to watch.

"What?" asked Draco quietly.

Enzo let out a musical chuckle that echoed through the valley.

"You'll see."

Draco's face darkened as he asked the next question.

"According to Giorgio, Veelas are meant to meet them from birth," Hermione saw him clench his fists tightly. "Why didn't I realise it was her when I saw her?"

"You had to feel a connection the first time, something pulling you towards her."

Draco wrinkled his nose.

"I thought it was hatred."

His answer surprised the leader, who opened his eyes wide.

"You hated her?"

"She was dangerous to the wizarding world," Draco snorted as he shook his head. "Or so I was led to believe."

"I see," Enzo sighed and his white wings fluttered. "Your prejudices prevented you from seeing clearly."

Draco confirmed his words with a nod. The Veela turned his head towards Hermione.

"Who's older?"

Draco jerked his chin towards her.

"So your bond was born the same day you did," Enzo said, rubbing his cheek with his fingers. "Soulmates are bonded from birth."

"We have so much in common and I can't imagine my life without her," his answer made Hermione's heart pound in happiness. "What does it mean that she's my soulmate?"

The same question she would have asked.

"Your mate was made for you, and you for her," Enzo explained seriously. "You know each other from a previous life, a life where you loved each other so much that your souls have decided to unite again."

Hermione held her breath.

What had she just heard?

"A previous life?" Draco repeated, also looking very surprised.

"You must take care of her, Draco Malfoy," Enzo added, patting his shoulder before standing up. "If anyone hurts her, you'll both suffer the consequences."

Draco stood up as well, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I don't know how to tell her."

"Look her in the eye and tell her the truth."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"It's easy for you to say," he muttered, snorting in annoyance. "But she doesn't..."

The conversation cut off abruptly and Hermione closed her eyes, cursing inwardly. Draco had sensed her discomfort.

Two seconds later she had him standing in front of her.

"Granger?" he held one of her hands, pushing her curls away from her face. "Granger, what's wrong?"

Hermione opened her eyes and stared up at him. Draco flinched.

"You heard us."

A surge of anger heated in her veins at his reaction.

Wasn't he planning on telling her?

"Soulmates?" Hermione whispered, making fists.

Draco sighed, turning to the Veelas.

"Thank you for everything, Enzo," he bowed his head to the leader and walked towards the small path through the forest without letting go of Hermione's hand. "Granger and I are leaving."

She bit the inside of her cheek and followed him. It was best not to argue in front of such sensitive creatures.

"Both of you are always welcome in this forest," Enzo announced before they got too far away. "Don't forget that."

Draco nodded.

"I won't," he gripped her hand tighter and gave her a sidelong glance. "Come on, Granger."

It took them fifteen minutes to reach the tree where he had left the broom. Draco climbed on it and Hermione did the same, avoiding his gaze.

"Aren't you going to talk to me?"

His arms came around her again, wrapping her in his warmth, and Draco kicked the ground. The broom rose into the air, pausing when they were above the trees.

Hermione felt a knot in her stomach as she saw that the sun was already almost hidden behind the mountains. They had little time left.

"When were you planning on telling me?"

"Later, when I could understand it," his breath brushed her cheek as he sighed. "This is all very confusing."

"We met in another life?"

"It seems so."

The two remained silent as they flew over the trees around the house. His right hand let go of the broomstick and Hermione was about to protest when it grabbed one of her own.

"It makes sense, doesn't it?" Draco laced their fingers together and she sighed, dropping her head on his shoulder. "This feels easy, as if I've done this before."

He was right. In a very short time, being with him had become very easy.

"That's why we like the same things," Hermione murmured, lifting her chin to see the curve of his jaw. "Because we're soulmates."

Draco nodded.

"Though in some ways we are very different," Hermione detected a mocking note in his voice. "Your mate has wings and you don't like to fly."

She grimaced, settling better against his chest.

"I don't mind flying with you but I don't trust brooms."

"They don't trust you either, Granger. That's the problem."

Hermione pinched his thigh with her free hand and smiled at Draco's soft chuckle. The conversation with Enzo kept replaying in her mind and she decided to ask the one thing she hadn't understood.

"Draco... What did he mean about the consequences?"

"My life is going to be tied to yours," his arms tightened around her and the broom began to lose altitude. "They could attack you to try and hurt me."

That confirmed her worst fears. Hermione shivered and he kissed her cheek, whispering soothing words as they landed by the shed.

He waited for her to get off first and she watched him as he put the broom away.

"What if they hurt you?"

"You're completely human," he shrugged, placing a hand on her lower back and pushing her to walk beside him. "You won't feel a thing."

All the blood left her face.

Her life wouldn't be in danger, but Draco's would be. And doubly so.

"What I said isn't entirely true," Draco added in a whisper, shaking his head. "You'll feel it all, though you won't die."

She blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"You'll know what I feel every moment," he placed their clasped hands on his chest, just above where his heart was beating. "Just like me."

Hermione frowned. That was her least favourite thing about her bond with Draco.

"What an invasion of privacy."

She couldn't contain the smile that spread across her face when Draco let out a laugh. He pulled her into his arms, bending his head to kiss her.

"There will be no secrets between us, Granger," he whispered against her lips.

"None?"

"None. In fact..." Draco stepped back and opened his jacket, pulling something silver from his inside pocket. "This is yours. You can read it at dinner."

Her jaw dropped open as she held Giorgio Malfoy's diary in her hands. She caressed the cover with her fingers, looking up into his eyes again.

"Is there anything else I should know?" she asked, clearing her throat when her voice trembled. "Anything important?"

At his shake of the head, she set the old diary down on a glass table and returned to his side.

"Then I'll read it tomorrow."

Draco gave her a big smile and a warm feeling spread through her chest. She trusted him completely.

"I'll cook tonight, Granger," he said, opening a wooden door and letting her go through first. "Let's see what I can do with what the elves have brought from England."

Italian translation (Many thanks to Xeeen again for her help!)

Non toccarla!: Don't touch her!

Un Veela?: A Veela?

Metà Veela. È anche umano: Half Veela. He is also human.

Sono un discendente di Giorgio: I am a descendant of Giorgio.

Sei il primo a venire qui: You are the first to come here.