Chapter 8: The Meeting with Dumbledore
Hermione was very nervous and if Draco hadn't help her hand the entire walk back to his apartment she would have fallen over many times or in fact chickened out all together! Though Gryffindor's were supposed to be brave Hermione felt none of this as she looked up Draco. When they returned to his apartment Draco turned to look at Hermione trying to read something in her eyes. He opened the front door and led her in and told her to sit on the sofa.
"Hermione I know that I made us sleeping together a condition of my going to see Dumbledore, but if your not ready or you really don't want to, then I will understand, I mean I wont be happy but I will understand. I told you that this would not be a one night stand, I want a relationship with you."
"Draco, sit with me a minute," she gestured for him to sit next to her on the sofa, "I want to do this Draco but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't scared or a little but nervous. I can sense the change within you Draco and know this, if I didn't feel something for you, something more than just like then we wouldn't be having this conversation." Hermione was looking down at her hands and Draco lent over and took them both in his. It was only then that Hermione looked up into his eyes.
"Hermione, I care about you, I think that I always have, even when you were an annoying know-it-all at Hogwarts, in fact I think that I started to like you back in our fourth year when you slapped me, (Hermione blushed at this), I would never do anything to hurt you. Hermione I can't promise you marriage because I don't know what will be happening with my life yet, but once I know what life I will lead then we can decide together whether we still want to be apart of each others lives." Draco wasn't going to beg for Hermione to sleep with him but he knew that this was probably one of the most important conversations he was ever going to have.
"Draco I am sure now," Hermione smiled, the biggest smile he had ever seen on her face, "but before we do anything would you mind if I have a shower and. get ready?" Draco laughed softly and nodded, besides he had plans for the remainder of this evening and he wanted things to go perfectly.
While Hermione was in the shower Draco took out his wand from it's hiding place and magiced a roaring fire, he then turned off all of the lights and magiced some candles, though because of lack of practice with his wand he had to run around the room moving most of them because he almost set his curtains on fire in more than one spot. Moving his sofa out of the way Draco spread out some blankets and a mattress on the floor so that they could lie in front of the fire with out being uncomfortable. Draco looked down at his clothes and decided to change before Hermione came out of the bathroom. Taking of the clothes that he had worn all day Draco stood in front of his wardrobe wearing nothing but black silk boxer shorts with green and sliver dragons on them. Deciding that less was probably best Draco grabbed his black silk robe from the back of the door and put that on. Smiling he walked into the lounge room again and took a bottle of wine from the kitchen. While he didn't want to get Hermione drunk he thought that the wine would help relax her nerves.
Getting tired of waiting for her Draco decided to lie in front of the fire, and he dozed off. Hermione found him moments later and couldn't help the smile that came to her face. He was lying with his hands behind his head and his robe had opened up to reveal his boxer shorts and his tightly muscled chest and abs. The man was gorgeous, no other words could describe him, 'though' Hermione thought, 'perfection does come close'. Walking over to him Hermione dropped the shirt of Draco's that she had borrowed and walked naked over to him. Slipping down onto the mattress Hermione lent over and kissed Draco softly on the cheek, he moved slightly but remained asleep, Hermione then kissed his other cheek, and still he did not wake. Hermione continued to rain soft kisses on his face then she leaned down and pressed her lips to his. Draco responded immediately, though he was still asleep. Hermione ran her hand over Draco's body and only when she cupped him in her hand did he wake up.
Draco had been dreaming that he was in a field of flowers running to Hermione, however when he got close she disappeared, so he lay down in the field and looked up into the sky. Suddenly she was there kissing him and laughing until Draco felt a hand cupping him intimately and he woke up instantly. Hermione was in fact kissing him only this time they were in his apartment and this was no dream. He smiled at Hermione, and removed her adventurous hand. "Hermione I had planed on taking this slow, and if you keep doing things like that it will be over a lot quicker than I planed." Hermione giggled and sat back looking at him with satisfaction written on her face.
"Draco, you looked so good lying there that I couldn't resist. But since you want to take it slow and I feel a little underdressed I better put that shirt back on." Hermione make a move to grab the shirt but Draco
used his quick reflexes and grabbed her hand.
"Now you wouldn't want to do that, besides you look unbelievably spectacular just as you are." Hermione blushed and Draco chuckled at her.
He leant up and kissed her again and Hermione soon forgot her embarrassment. His kisses were making her bold and she reached over to him
and pulled his robe off of him and threw it across the room. His boxers didn't last much longer and Hermione pulled back so that she could look at him. Draco was a little shy but he let Hermione look her fill. She smile and whispered, "perfect," before draping herself on top of him and kissing
him again.
They each began to caress one another each caress became more and more heated until they were both panting with desire. Draco rolled Hermione underneath him and looked down at her, her face was flushed and there was a smile on her face, Draco knew that he must look the same and the smile on
his face widened. Her eyes were deep brown pools of desire and Draco couldn't get enough of looking into them. "Are you ready?" Hermione nodded and Draco pushed himself into her. He went as slowly as he could and once he was fully sheathed inside of her he stopped and looked at her. Her face held an expression of mild discomfort but that quickly passed and Hermione looked up at him and impishly said, "well? What are you waiting for?" they both laughed and the sounds soon turned to groans as Draco began to move,
each stroke taking them closer and closer to fulfillment until suddenly they both reached their peak at the same time and floated down together,
wrapped in each others arms.
Hermione looked at Draco and he at her and at the same time they said, "I love you." And both blushed deeply. Draco laughed softly and took Hermione in a deep hug. "I mean it you know," he said, "Yes I know, and you
know that I mean it."
Afterwards they slept, waking up many times during the night to make
love. They awoke much later than either of them had intended to however
that didn't seem to matter they were both blissfully happy and couldn't help but look deeply into each others eyes and sigh and smile. Because it was Sunday Draco didn't need to work and after cleaning up the apartment and putting away the forgotten bottle of wine they showered together before Hermione turned a book of Draco's into a portkey that would take them to
her apartment where she could change.
"Wow Hermione, I love your apartment, thought I must say that there aren't as many books as I thought there would be." Draco couldn't help but tease her.
"Well there isn't any room for another bookshelf is there. You can wait in here while I change, feel free to look around if you want to." So
while she was gone Draco did just that and laughed when he saw the book
that she wrote. He picked it up and flipped through it. When Hermione
finally emerged from her room dressed and skintight jeans and a tight fitting long sleeved v-neck top and a jacket over her arm, Draco couldn't
help but tease her. "I think that you need to add in a new chapter, you
know about making deals that involve nights filled with love making."
Hermione blushed and swatted his hand.
"Behave yourself Draco! And you know for a fact that I have never
done that before! Anyway I know you are just stalling for more time, we should and see Professor Dumbledore now." Draco nodded and the smile left his face, he was beginning to feel apprehensive though he knew that he had
nothing to fear from Dumbledore.
"Ok, lets go then." He grabbed Hermione's hand while she once again
turned the book into a portkey this time one that would take them to Hogwarts and with a familiar tug behind their navels they were transported to Hogwarts grounds. Draco caught Hermione before she could fall and they both began to walk towards the front doors.
Draco felt a little nervous as he walked with Hermione up to the giant doors of Hogwarts. Hermione had waved to Hagrid and called out that she would be over to visit him later on. Draco felt reassured to have Hermione's hand tucked into his. He thought that she would have regrets after the previous evening however she positively glowed and her happiness was rubbing of on him, even if he still felt nervous. It had been so long since he had last been here and he hadn't left on happy terms. Once again Draco couldn't help but wonder what Dumbledore wanted with him, but knew not to ask Hermione again because she simply did not know.
Hermione could feel his nervousness but knew there was nothing that she could do but squeeze his hand encouragingly and take him to Dumbledore. Hermione was blissfully happy after last night, she was in love with Draco and he loved her back, and even though he had not made her any promises she
could wait, because she knew that all good things took time.
Once they were inside they followed the familiar route to Dumbledores' office, however they had only taken a few steps before they
were stopped by a familiar sneering voice, "Ah, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Professor Snape stood in front of them and raised his eyebrows slightly at their entwined hands but did not
question it.
"Hello Professor, we are here to see Professor Dumbledore, if you
would kindly tell us the password or guide us we would be grateful."
Hermione said and had to hide a smile when a familiar sneer came to the
potion masters face.
"I shall take the both of you, follow me." Draco and Hermione looked at each other and this time didn't bother to hide their smiles. There were many young students walking around the castle and Hermione noticed the many stares that they were getting. Professor Snape acted like there was no one
else around him and walked briskly towards Dumbledores office.
"Ice Mice." Said Snap and the gargoyles moved aside so that they
could enter.
"Welcome back Mr. Malfoy it has been quite some time. Ah and yes
hello again Miss Granger."
They both politely replied and waited for Professor Dumbledore to
state the purpose of Hermione's mission to find Draco.
"Well I can tell that the both of you are extremely curious as to why I wanted to find you Draco, well I must confess two reasons. Your mother came to see me not to long ago and requested that if I could would I find
her son. She has missed you greatly since you disappeared Draco and now that the threat of your father has been completely removed she wanted you to know that you could safely return to your home." Draco nodded at this,
but he still had questions.
"Professor, I must ask you why this mission was deemed to be urgent I was not really that far I must confess that while I wished not to return there was a part of me that didn't want to move to far just incase one day I changed my mind. So I think that the first question I ask is why now?"
"Ah Draco, this news I deliver to you not without a heavy heart. Your mother is gravely ill, there is nothing that can be done for her condition and it was her request that she see you before she passes away that made it urgent that you be found." Draco looked alarmed at this news and Hermione placed her arm around his shoulder for comfort. "Draco I must say that any other questions be put on hold for a short while, while you go and visit your mother. She is here in our hospital wing." Professor Dumbledore stood up and grabbed a small pot of floo power, come here the both of you, take this and clearly say Hospital Wing and you can both see Narcissa." Each did as they were told and in seconds they were in the hospital wing and Draco was running towards his mothers bedside. Hermione stood back and watched
the scene with a tear in her eye.
"Draco honey, is that you? Is it really you?" Came a weak voice.
"Yes mother, it is me." Draco grasped her hand and brought it to his
lips.
"Oh, I never thought that I would see you again," she struggled to sit and with the assistance of her son she was able to. She leaned over and
gave him a large hug, which he returned.
"Mother, don't cry, I thought that you would be happy to see me, if I
knew that it would make you cry I wouldn't have come." He said half
teasingly half truthfully.
"Oh my boy, they are tears of happiness. I am so glad that you have come back, I wanted to make peace with you before I die. I was a horrible
mother, you deserved so much better."
"No, don't say that mother, you were the best you could be while under the control of father, and you still managed to do a good job, if I do say so myself." She half laughed half-sobbed and hugged her son again. "Mother, we have plenty of time to talk about the past, but at the moment I
would like you to meet Hermione Granger, she is the one who found me."
Draco turned and was surprised when he couldn't find her. Hermione had walked and sat down next to an empty bed a little way aways so as not to
disturb the two. "Hermione, what are you doing over here, I want you to
meet my mother." Hermione looked up and smiled.
"Ok Draco." He took her hand and led her over to his mother who was eyeing the two knowingly. 'This girl is important to my son,' she thought
and a genuine smile lit her face, 'it is about time my Draco had some
happiness.'
"Hello Hermione Granger." She said
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy, I hope that you are feeling well."
"Yes dear I am, though I suspect that I do not have much more time
here Dumbledore has seen to my care and I could not have better care. Though it saddens me to say this, I think that the two of you should return
to Dumbledore's office, I am tired and I think that I need some rest."
Draco nodded and lent down to kiss his mothers cheek.
"I will come and see you again later mother, rest well." Narcissa had
fallen asleep before they had left the room.
"You have seen your mother?" asked Dumbledore one they were in his office
again.
"Yes we have. What is wrong with her Professor? Why is there nothing that can heal her?" Draco was worried and even holding the hand of his love
could not ease the worry.
"Your mother was severely weakened by the Imperious curse and that made her immune system very low, so now all she has to do it catch a common
cold and she becomes gravely ill. There is no potion available that can
make her better and I have had Professor Snape look but still there is
nothing. Unless something is found soon the next cold that she catches
could be the one that takes her away from us." Professor Dumbledores
normally twinkling eyes had lost of all of their shine and with sadness etched into his face he looked very old indeed. "Now I believe that I told you there were two reasons that I wanted to have you found, the first has been explained to you, however the second reason involves the both of you." At this they both looked up at with surprise and the twinkle was back in
Dumbledore's eyes.
"The both of us Professor? You mean that there was a reason that I
was specifically chosen for this job?"
"Of course Miss Granger, if it had not been for me young Mr. Weasley would have sent someone else and that would not have done. Apart from the fact that you are the best tracker the Ministry has ever had that was not my only reason for requesting that you were specifically chosen. If I had told my reasons I could guarantee you that Mr. Weasley would have chosen someone else, he always protective of you." Hermione blushed at the praise from Dumbledore and he couldn't help but chuckle. "The reason that I wanted you Miss Granger was that, back when you were both students here I noticed a connection between the two of you, and if you couldn't only stop fighting for a moment that you would see it yourselves. However the two of you did not stop fighting and then young Draco here left before I could give you
both a helping hand."
"You were matchmaking?" They both yelled at the same time. Dumbledore
far from being alarmed laughed heartily.
"I must admit I am an old romantic at heart and I knew that the two
of you were perfect for each other, you just needed a little help in
realising it yourselves. I was not wrong was I?"
They both sat with their mouths open in shock until Draco laughed. Hermione looked over at him still in shock until she too began to laugh.
"Though I may not agree with your methods Professor I am grateful. You lead me to Hermione, I am able to see my real mother and I can return to the wizarding world a happy man. Thank you Professor." Draco put his arm around Hermione and kissed her lips. Dumbledore sat back in his chair and
the smile on his face was wide.
"I think that the two of you would benefit from a walk around the grounds, you must stay for the feast tonight, and that way you will be able to visit with your mother again after. You are welcome to stay here for the night, I think that the old Head girl and Head boy dorm is vacant and you
can use those if you wish."
"Thank-you Professor, a walk sounds lovely." Hermione said dreamily
as she and Draco stood to leave.
"The password is 'lovebirds'" Draco and Hermione both laughed as they left Dumbledores office hand in hand, walking towards the sun drenched land
surrounding the castle.
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A/N: Howdy! Well this is something new, posting twice in one day! I think that the next chapter will be the last of this story, let me know if you have any ideas for how you want it to end!! I don't have any dedications this chapter because no one has had a chance to review my last chapter! Now you can either send me suggestions for the next chapter and/or the end of
the story by reviewing or you can e-mail me at spaced_out_space_cadet@hotmail.com I look forward to getting some ideas!! I have a couple but if there is anything that you want to happen let me know, cause I aim to please those who like my story! Oh and look out for another
story I will be posting soonish, I haven't started writing it yet but I have a few ideas! Hope to hear from you soon ;o)
Hermione was very nervous and if Draco hadn't help her hand the entire walk back to his apartment she would have fallen over many times or in fact chickened out all together! Though Gryffindor's were supposed to be brave Hermione felt none of this as she looked up Draco. When they returned to his apartment Draco turned to look at Hermione trying to read something in her eyes. He opened the front door and led her in and told her to sit on the sofa.
"Hermione I know that I made us sleeping together a condition of my going to see Dumbledore, but if your not ready or you really don't want to, then I will understand, I mean I wont be happy but I will understand. I told you that this would not be a one night stand, I want a relationship with you."
"Draco, sit with me a minute," she gestured for him to sit next to her on the sofa, "I want to do this Draco but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't scared or a little but nervous. I can sense the change within you Draco and know this, if I didn't feel something for you, something more than just like then we wouldn't be having this conversation." Hermione was looking down at her hands and Draco lent over and took them both in his. It was only then that Hermione looked up into his eyes.
"Hermione, I care about you, I think that I always have, even when you were an annoying know-it-all at Hogwarts, in fact I think that I started to like you back in our fourth year when you slapped me, (Hermione blushed at this), I would never do anything to hurt you. Hermione I can't promise you marriage because I don't know what will be happening with my life yet, but once I know what life I will lead then we can decide together whether we still want to be apart of each others lives." Draco wasn't going to beg for Hermione to sleep with him but he knew that this was probably one of the most important conversations he was ever going to have.
"Draco I am sure now," Hermione smiled, the biggest smile he had ever seen on her face, "but before we do anything would you mind if I have a shower and. get ready?" Draco laughed softly and nodded, besides he had plans for the remainder of this evening and he wanted things to go perfectly.
While Hermione was in the shower Draco took out his wand from it's hiding place and magiced a roaring fire, he then turned off all of the lights and magiced some candles, though because of lack of practice with his wand he had to run around the room moving most of them because he almost set his curtains on fire in more than one spot. Moving his sofa out of the way Draco spread out some blankets and a mattress on the floor so that they could lie in front of the fire with out being uncomfortable. Draco looked down at his clothes and decided to change before Hermione came out of the bathroom. Taking of the clothes that he had worn all day Draco stood in front of his wardrobe wearing nothing but black silk boxer shorts with green and sliver dragons on them. Deciding that less was probably best Draco grabbed his black silk robe from the back of the door and put that on. Smiling he walked into the lounge room again and took a bottle of wine from the kitchen. While he didn't want to get Hermione drunk he thought that the wine would help relax her nerves.
Getting tired of waiting for her Draco decided to lie in front of the fire, and he dozed off. Hermione found him moments later and couldn't help the smile that came to her face. He was lying with his hands behind his head and his robe had opened up to reveal his boxer shorts and his tightly muscled chest and abs. The man was gorgeous, no other words could describe him, 'though' Hermione thought, 'perfection does come close'. Walking over to him Hermione dropped the shirt of Draco's that she had borrowed and walked naked over to him. Slipping down onto the mattress Hermione lent over and kissed Draco softly on the cheek, he moved slightly but remained asleep, Hermione then kissed his other cheek, and still he did not wake. Hermione continued to rain soft kisses on his face then she leaned down and pressed her lips to his. Draco responded immediately, though he was still asleep. Hermione ran her hand over Draco's body and only when she cupped him in her hand did he wake up.
Draco had been dreaming that he was in a field of flowers running to Hermione, however when he got close she disappeared, so he lay down in the field and looked up into the sky. Suddenly she was there kissing him and laughing until Draco felt a hand cupping him intimately and he woke up instantly. Hermione was in fact kissing him only this time they were in his apartment and this was no dream. He smiled at Hermione, and removed her adventurous hand. "Hermione I had planed on taking this slow, and if you keep doing things like that it will be over a lot quicker than I planed." Hermione giggled and sat back looking at him with satisfaction written on her face.
"Draco, you looked so good lying there that I couldn't resist. But since you want to take it slow and I feel a little underdressed I better put that shirt back on." Hermione make a move to grab the shirt but Draco
used his quick reflexes and grabbed her hand.
"Now you wouldn't want to do that, besides you look unbelievably spectacular just as you are." Hermione blushed and Draco chuckled at her.
He leant up and kissed her again and Hermione soon forgot her embarrassment. His kisses were making her bold and she reached over to him
and pulled his robe off of him and threw it across the room. His boxers didn't last much longer and Hermione pulled back so that she could look at him. Draco was a little shy but he let Hermione look her fill. She smile and whispered, "perfect," before draping herself on top of him and kissing
him again.
They each began to caress one another each caress became more and more heated until they were both panting with desire. Draco rolled Hermione underneath him and looked down at her, her face was flushed and there was a smile on her face, Draco knew that he must look the same and the smile on
his face widened. Her eyes were deep brown pools of desire and Draco couldn't get enough of looking into them. "Are you ready?" Hermione nodded and Draco pushed himself into her. He went as slowly as he could and once he was fully sheathed inside of her he stopped and looked at her. Her face held an expression of mild discomfort but that quickly passed and Hermione looked up at him and impishly said, "well? What are you waiting for?" they both laughed and the sounds soon turned to groans as Draco began to move,
each stroke taking them closer and closer to fulfillment until suddenly they both reached their peak at the same time and floated down together,
wrapped in each others arms.
Hermione looked at Draco and he at her and at the same time they said, "I love you." And both blushed deeply. Draco laughed softly and took Hermione in a deep hug. "I mean it you know," he said, "Yes I know, and you
know that I mean it."
Afterwards they slept, waking up many times during the night to make
love. They awoke much later than either of them had intended to however
that didn't seem to matter they were both blissfully happy and couldn't help but look deeply into each others eyes and sigh and smile. Because it was Sunday Draco didn't need to work and after cleaning up the apartment and putting away the forgotten bottle of wine they showered together before Hermione turned a book of Draco's into a portkey that would take them to
her apartment where she could change.
"Wow Hermione, I love your apartment, thought I must say that there aren't as many books as I thought there would be." Draco couldn't help but tease her.
"Well there isn't any room for another bookshelf is there. You can wait in here while I change, feel free to look around if you want to." So
while she was gone Draco did just that and laughed when he saw the book
that she wrote. He picked it up and flipped through it. When Hermione
finally emerged from her room dressed and skintight jeans and a tight fitting long sleeved v-neck top and a jacket over her arm, Draco couldn't
help but tease her. "I think that you need to add in a new chapter, you
know about making deals that involve nights filled with love making."
Hermione blushed and swatted his hand.
"Behave yourself Draco! And you know for a fact that I have never
done that before! Anyway I know you are just stalling for more time, we should and see Professor Dumbledore now." Draco nodded and the smile left his face, he was beginning to feel apprehensive though he knew that he had
nothing to fear from Dumbledore.
"Ok, lets go then." He grabbed Hermione's hand while she once again
turned the book into a portkey this time one that would take them to Hogwarts and with a familiar tug behind their navels they were transported to Hogwarts grounds. Draco caught Hermione before she could fall and they both began to walk towards the front doors.
Draco felt a little nervous as he walked with Hermione up to the giant doors of Hogwarts. Hermione had waved to Hagrid and called out that she would be over to visit him later on. Draco felt reassured to have Hermione's hand tucked into his. He thought that she would have regrets after the previous evening however she positively glowed and her happiness was rubbing of on him, even if he still felt nervous. It had been so long since he had last been here and he hadn't left on happy terms. Once again Draco couldn't help but wonder what Dumbledore wanted with him, but knew not to ask Hermione again because she simply did not know.
Hermione could feel his nervousness but knew there was nothing that she could do but squeeze his hand encouragingly and take him to Dumbledore. Hermione was blissfully happy after last night, she was in love with Draco and he loved her back, and even though he had not made her any promises she
could wait, because she knew that all good things took time.
Once they were inside they followed the familiar route to Dumbledores' office, however they had only taken a few steps before they
were stopped by a familiar sneering voice, "Ah, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Professor Snape stood in front of them and raised his eyebrows slightly at their entwined hands but did not
question it.
"Hello Professor, we are here to see Professor Dumbledore, if you
would kindly tell us the password or guide us we would be grateful."
Hermione said and had to hide a smile when a familiar sneer came to the
potion masters face.
"I shall take the both of you, follow me." Draco and Hermione looked at each other and this time didn't bother to hide their smiles. There were many young students walking around the castle and Hermione noticed the many stares that they were getting. Professor Snape acted like there was no one
else around him and walked briskly towards Dumbledores office.
"Ice Mice." Said Snap and the gargoyles moved aside so that they
could enter.
"Welcome back Mr. Malfoy it has been quite some time. Ah and yes
hello again Miss Granger."
They both politely replied and waited for Professor Dumbledore to
state the purpose of Hermione's mission to find Draco.
"Well I can tell that the both of you are extremely curious as to why I wanted to find you Draco, well I must confess two reasons. Your mother came to see me not to long ago and requested that if I could would I find
her son. She has missed you greatly since you disappeared Draco and now that the threat of your father has been completely removed she wanted you to know that you could safely return to your home." Draco nodded at this,
but he still had questions.
"Professor, I must ask you why this mission was deemed to be urgent I was not really that far I must confess that while I wished not to return there was a part of me that didn't want to move to far just incase one day I changed my mind. So I think that the first question I ask is why now?"
"Ah Draco, this news I deliver to you not without a heavy heart. Your mother is gravely ill, there is nothing that can be done for her condition and it was her request that she see you before she passes away that made it urgent that you be found." Draco looked alarmed at this news and Hermione placed her arm around his shoulder for comfort. "Draco I must say that any other questions be put on hold for a short while, while you go and visit your mother. She is here in our hospital wing." Professor Dumbledore stood up and grabbed a small pot of floo power, come here the both of you, take this and clearly say Hospital Wing and you can both see Narcissa." Each did as they were told and in seconds they were in the hospital wing and Draco was running towards his mothers bedside. Hermione stood back and watched
the scene with a tear in her eye.
"Draco honey, is that you? Is it really you?" Came a weak voice.
"Yes mother, it is me." Draco grasped her hand and brought it to his
lips.
"Oh, I never thought that I would see you again," she struggled to sit and with the assistance of her son she was able to. She leaned over and
gave him a large hug, which he returned.
"Mother, don't cry, I thought that you would be happy to see me, if I
knew that it would make you cry I wouldn't have come." He said half
teasingly half truthfully.
"Oh my boy, they are tears of happiness. I am so glad that you have come back, I wanted to make peace with you before I die. I was a horrible
mother, you deserved so much better."
"No, don't say that mother, you were the best you could be while under the control of father, and you still managed to do a good job, if I do say so myself." She half laughed half-sobbed and hugged her son again. "Mother, we have plenty of time to talk about the past, but at the moment I
would like you to meet Hermione Granger, she is the one who found me."
Draco turned and was surprised when he couldn't find her. Hermione had walked and sat down next to an empty bed a little way aways so as not to
disturb the two. "Hermione, what are you doing over here, I want you to
meet my mother." Hermione looked up and smiled.
"Ok Draco." He took her hand and led her over to his mother who was eyeing the two knowingly. 'This girl is important to my son,' she thought
and a genuine smile lit her face, 'it is about time my Draco had some
happiness.'
"Hello Hermione Granger." She said
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy, I hope that you are feeling well."
"Yes dear I am, though I suspect that I do not have much more time
here Dumbledore has seen to my care and I could not have better care. Though it saddens me to say this, I think that the two of you should return
to Dumbledore's office, I am tired and I think that I need some rest."
Draco nodded and lent down to kiss his mothers cheek.
"I will come and see you again later mother, rest well." Narcissa had
fallen asleep before they had left the room.
"You have seen your mother?" asked Dumbledore one they were in his office
again.
"Yes we have. What is wrong with her Professor? Why is there nothing that can heal her?" Draco was worried and even holding the hand of his love
could not ease the worry.
"Your mother was severely weakened by the Imperious curse and that made her immune system very low, so now all she has to do it catch a common
cold and she becomes gravely ill. There is no potion available that can
make her better and I have had Professor Snape look but still there is
nothing. Unless something is found soon the next cold that she catches
could be the one that takes her away from us." Professor Dumbledores
normally twinkling eyes had lost of all of their shine and with sadness etched into his face he looked very old indeed. "Now I believe that I told you there were two reasons that I wanted to have you found, the first has been explained to you, however the second reason involves the both of you." At this they both looked up at with surprise and the twinkle was back in
Dumbledore's eyes.
"The both of us Professor? You mean that there was a reason that I
was specifically chosen for this job?"
"Of course Miss Granger, if it had not been for me young Mr. Weasley would have sent someone else and that would not have done. Apart from the fact that you are the best tracker the Ministry has ever had that was not my only reason for requesting that you were specifically chosen. If I had told my reasons I could guarantee you that Mr. Weasley would have chosen someone else, he always protective of you." Hermione blushed at the praise from Dumbledore and he couldn't help but chuckle. "The reason that I wanted you Miss Granger was that, back when you were both students here I noticed a connection between the two of you, and if you couldn't only stop fighting for a moment that you would see it yourselves. However the two of you did not stop fighting and then young Draco here left before I could give you
both a helping hand."
"You were matchmaking?" They both yelled at the same time. Dumbledore
far from being alarmed laughed heartily.
"I must admit I am an old romantic at heart and I knew that the two
of you were perfect for each other, you just needed a little help in
realising it yourselves. I was not wrong was I?"
They both sat with their mouths open in shock until Draco laughed. Hermione looked over at him still in shock until she too began to laugh.
"Though I may not agree with your methods Professor I am grateful. You lead me to Hermione, I am able to see my real mother and I can return to the wizarding world a happy man. Thank you Professor." Draco put his arm around Hermione and kissed her lips. Dumbledore sat back in his chair and
the smile on his face was wide.
"I think that the two of you would benefit from a walk around the grounds, you must stay for the feast tonight, and that way you will be able to visit with your mother again after. You are welcome to stay here for the night, I think that the old Head girl and Head boy dorm is vacant and you
can use those if you wish."
"Thank-you Professor, a walk sounds lovely." Hermione said dreamily
as she and Draco stood to leave.
"The password is 'lovebirds'" Draco and Hermione both laughed as they left Dumbledores office hand in hand, walking towards the sun drenched land
surrounding the castle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Howdy! Well this is something new, posting twice in one day! I think that the next chapter will be the last of this story, let me know if you have any ideas for how you want it to end!! I don't have any dedications this chapter because no one has had a chance to review my last chapter! Now you can either send me suggestions for the next chapter and/or the end of
the story by reviewing or you can e-mail me at spaced_out_space_cadet@hotmail.com I look forward to getting some ideas!! I have a couple but if there is anything that you want to happen let me know, cause I aim to please those who like my story! Oh and look out for another
story I will be posting soonish, I haven't started writing it yet but I have a few ideas! Hope to hear from you soon ;o)