A Crown of Sacrifice
Hermione pressed two fingers against her temple in an effort to dissipate the beginnings of a headache, though she knew her ministrations would do little to help.
With the other hand she gripped the cushioned seat underneath her, bracing herself as the wheelhouse jolted with every bump on the dirt road they traveled.
Hermione always loathed riding in the rickety contraption, but that day it was not the journey that had her stomach swooping in nerves rather it was their destination.
That very morning, in the early hours, a letter had arrived at Malfoy castle, stamped with the Greengrass family's emblem.
It was a request for a meeting, hosted at Lord Greengrass's home during a momentary period of truce where they would be willing to hear terms.
Her husband had been ready to discard the piece of parchment into the fire, had she not stopped him and urged that they consider it with the rest of their counsel.
The Greengrass family was one of the wealthiest in Slytherin and though they did not have a penchant for war, it was suggested that was all the more reason that they join their side.
Their distaste for bloodshed meant that Voldemort's reign did not agree with them. Furthermore, their only advantage, their coffers, were steadfastly draining under his rule.
Many were in accord, that allying themselves with Greengrass would require little effort and negotiation and benefit their hand in the war, but her husband was reluctant and after persistent pressing, he finally revealed why.
Many years ago, Lucius Malfoy had arranged a betrothal between Draco and the Greengrass's youngest daughter, when they had only been but children. It had been a spoken agreement, but Lord Greengrass had been adamant on abiding by it. When the late Lord Malfoy died, Draco had broken the betrothal and Lord Greengrass had not taken the slight well.
It was Lord Parkinson who aided them into coming to a decision. He and Lord Greengrass were long-standing allies. He and his men would accompany her and Draco and their own men, and for further assurance the two sides would meet on neutral soil.
If everything went well, the goals they had originally set would be well surpassed. Hermione was hopeful, but as she rode in the carriage and they got closer, she could not help but feel squeamish, just as she had when they met Lord Bulstrode.
It could have been the wheelhouse, but she knew it was simply because there was possibility that danger was awaiting them. The uncertainty was maddening. She hated the idea of walking blindly towards possible enemies, but she reminded herself that she had done it before—and the outcome had been in their favor.
And this time, there would be a mediator of sorts. A common ally between the sides, in the form of Lord Parkinson and Lady Pansy.
Hermione thanked the gods that she was joining them. Lord Greengrass's daughters would be in attendance, and Hermione knew the women would be ushered away together and she would use it as a means to have their own peace talks of sorts.
As the hopeful thought crossed her mind, the wheelhouse suddenly jerked forward and then came to a halt. Hermione reached up and pulled the slat on the door to catch a glimpse of the outside. It seemed they had reached their destination.
The door swung open, and Hermione moved to step out of the carriage, taking Theo's waiting hand to land steadily on her feet. A crumbling tower stood not too far from them, tall and wide but left with a gaping opening on its side.
Hermione cast a look around, to find Draco speaking with Lord Parkinson and a few of their men, and Pansy stepping out of her own wheelhouse. Hermione exchanged a smile with the woman. Over the last few days, the two had grown closer during Pansy and Lord Parkinson's stay at Malfoy castle.
Only a few minutes later, the sound of thundering hooves in the distance broke the relative quiet. In the opposite distance, the Greengrass's and their men were arriving, headed by two soldiers who held white banners.
She looked for Draco among the men again, feeling the strangest urge to speak to him before they set out and began the proceedings. When her eyes finally found him, as if he sensed it, he met her gaze.
He raised an eyebrow, a question in his eyes and almost unbidden, she found herself taking a step towards him, catching herself before she could do so.
There was nothing she needed to say to him. They had planned it all out beforehand. He would persuade Lord Greengrass, whereas she would make allies of his two daughters, but the strange urge remained.
She wanted to wish him luck, or perhaps tell him to be safe, she realized. But instead, she shook her head and turned to mount the steed Theo had given her the reigns to.
Their group was headed by their own two soldiers who carried white flags. She urged her horse forward to follow them, as they began to make their way towards the tower, just as the Greengrass's did.
Once at the entrance, Draco and Lord Parkinson rode up to meet Lord Greengrass. A few short words were exchanged before the men dismounted and the signal was given to proceed as planned.
Hermione and Pansy were escorted inside by two of their soldiers. It was then that she was able to catch a glimpse of the Greengrass family together. Lord Arthur Greengrass stood tall and severe, and by his side were his daughters who bore a great deal of resemblance to him.
"The men will most likely take the dining hall, so I've arranged for us to convene in one of the rooms on the second floor." Pansy took her side as they walked towards the two sisters. "The blonde one is the older sister, Daphne Greengrass. A sweet thing, rather shy. The younger one, Astoria, you may need to keep in line."
Hermione surmised as much given the way that the brunette was eyeing her. Instinctively, she straightened her spine, and raised her head slightly, reminding herself that she was a ruler of Slytherin now.
"Lady Malfoy." They reached them, and Daphne was the first to speak, her voice not above a whisper. She curtsied, and Astoria followed suit.
"Lady Daphne, Lady Astoria." Hermione nodded at the two women. "I'm glad we could meet today."
"As are we." Astoria replied, shifting her eyes to Pansy. "It's been too long, Lady Pansy."
"Indeed." Pansy gestured towards the stone steps near them. "I thought since the men will be down here, we take the observatory room on the second floor. It will allow us to take in the view while we talk."
"That sounds perfect." Astoria said and gestured to one of the guards who bent and picked up a large chest before following the two sisters up the winding stairs.
She and Pansy followed suit, escorted by their own two guards and handmaidens. It was only a short climb before they reached the second floor. The observatory room was open, the servants had already prepared it under Pansy's instruction.
There was a slight draft, but it mattered little in the face of the view the room offered of the grassy meadow and distant rolling hills. There was a small table set up for the four of them, the candles were lit. The guards posted themselves outside the room, the handmaidens hurried and set out the provisions that had been brought, before leaving with a bow.
There was no doubt that the Greengrass's resources were expansive, the way that the two sisters, Astoria especially, doled out expensive and rare items with impressive laxity. They had brought a necklace with a rare gem at its centerpiece as a gift to Hermione, small delicacies from corners of the world took up the table, and lastly they presented a small bottle of ancient Elderflower wine.
"But that will be given after the proceedings are finished, as a celebratory gift." Astoria said and offered her a kind smile, before setting the small bottle aside.
"This is all too generous—"
"Consider it a peace offering of sorts."
"Still, it is truly too much—" Hermione tried again.
"My lady," Astoria laughed and reached over to place a hand over hers. "It is customary for the ruling family of Slytherin to receive such things."
"And since we were unable to attend your wedding, consider them belated gifts." Daphne added, raising her eyes to meet Hermione's before dropping them to her plate again.
"Well, I thank you sincerely."
Customary traditions out of the way, they moved on to other topics almost artfully avoiding the most pressing of them that they were there for that day. From family to past times, to Hermione's adjustment to Slytherin, there was no mention of war.
Hermione found she quite liked the two girls. Daphne was perhaps a bit unusual, as the woman did not meet her eye for most of their conversations, though Pansy had said she was shy. Astoria created a good balance, being rather talkative and spirited. There were some odd moments in which Hermione caught a glimpse of something akin to mania in her eyes but in a blink it would be gone.
Nearly an hour had passed, and Hermione was pleased with the amiable conversation they had had. She was certain they would be leaving the room that day having developed a cordial relationship with the Greengrass sisters.
She prayed Draco's exchange was going just as well though no news had come, despite it being planned that when an hour passed, the men would send word.
"Perhaps the talks will take longer than expected." Daphne said softly and gave her a quick reassuring smile. "Father can be a proud man, but he is also reasonable. Sooner or later, I'm sure we will receive good news."
Still, Hermione worried her lip casting a look at the doors before turning back to the women. Pansy gave her a comforting smile. "It is only expected when you put a group of stubborn men together that it take time for them to come to an accord." Dropping her voice, she whispered. "Lord Malfoy will be fine."
Pansy's words seemed to have caught both sister's attention.
"I do not wish to overstep Lady Malfoy, but the entire realm is astir and curious about you and Lord Malfoy." Astoria said leaning forward an inch.
Daphne glanced at her sister, as Hermione hesitated. At their reactions Astoria huffed. "Only if my Lady wishes, and if there are qualms because of our past betrothal, I shall tell you all, I hardly even remember it. I was a babe, and I don't believe I ever even spoke a word to Lord Malfoy throughout it."
Some tension in Hermione's shoulders dissipated. She was relieved that the girl seemed to hold no grudge on the matter. Remembering Pansy's advice from days ago, she put on a large smile as she addressed Astoria's previous request with more enthusiasm than she normally possessed.
"Well…as you all know Lord Malfoy is good leader. Intelligent, protective, considerate." At times. "I suppose it is fortunate the gods blessed me with such a husband as well."
She saw Pansy surreptitiously roll her eyes and she took care to hide her own smile.
"The circumstances of your betrothal…" Daphne said, the words coming from a place of innocent curiosity rather than malice.
It was a question posed often. At first, Hermione had not understood the fascination with her nuptials among the court, until she realized how long it had been since Slytherin and Gryffindor had been allied in such a way.
"We were certainly paired for greater purposes, but over the months as husband and wife, we've found we have common interests and I suppose above all, we've come to care for each other."
Daphne smiled though it seemed strained. Pansy raised her cup. "And may you two continue to do so, as Slytherin enjoys peace and prosperity under your rule."
"Indeed." Astoria raised her cup, as did Daphne.
Hermione followed suit, before joining the others to take a sip of her drink.
"Oh, my Lady, wait." Astoria raised a hand and stopped her, reaching for the forgotten bottle of Elderflower wine. "You shall celebrate with this, instead."
Hermione's protests were hushed, as Astoria picked out a clean cup and poured the wine, before shoving it in her hands. "It is the last gift we bestow upon you today, I promise." Astoria japed.
Hermione brought the cup up to her lips and hesitated. She knew rationally, the sisters were nothing but wonderful and had no inkling of malice towards her. But it had been ingrained in her, the often overlooked rule, to never drink anything that others in the room could not.
"Perhaps in the spirit of accord and togetherness, we should share this gift and all drink."
Astoria smiled wide and bright. "As my Lady wishes."
The elderflower wine was poured for the rest of them. Hermione took a sip of hers, after watching Astoria and Daphne drink. It was earthy and sweet, almost overwhelmingly so but overall, not an unpleasant drink.
"An hour and nearly a half has passed." Pansy mused as she took a sip from her own cup. "How long shall we give them, before we venture down?"
"I don't think we should interrupt." Daphne said.
Hermione herself was worried, feeling uncomfortably restless all of a sudden. "Shall we have one of the guards check the dining hall?"
"We should give it more time. After all, such a discussion is not a trivial matter." Astoria reasoned.
"I suppose…" Hermione said slowly, wiping a bead of sweat that trickled down from her forehead, "But there's no harm in checking."
They all jumped as a sound came from outside the doors.
"I'm sure it was nothing." Daphne said, eyes fixated on the table.
Pansy's brows furrowed as she glanced at the doors but nevertheless, she attempted a lighthearted jape. "For all we know, the men have already come to an agreement and simply forgot about us."
Astoria's nails drummed against the table, "That wouldn't be possible."
"Yes of course." Pansy shot her a good natured smirk. "Lord Greengrass would never forget his two precious daughters."
"No." Astoria said lightly, and Hermione felt a throbbing in her head as the younger girl's eyes fixated on her. "What I mean is that he would never come to an accord with a traitor."
Silence rung out throughout the room and Hermione felt a sickening feeling in her stomach, as she realized what was happening.
"You didn't know?" Astoria cocked her to the side as she surveyed the shocked unease on Pansy's face. "Your dear father and mine are right downstairs gutting each and every man disloyal to the King, including your precious husband."
The words were spat at her, but Hermione hardly cared, too occupied with the constant stabbing wave of pain in her head that had begun.
"Hermione, I swear to you I didn't know." Pansy said, "Father he wouldn't—" But the look of doubt on her face told Hermione that Pansy herself, did not believe her own words. Astoria would not lie. Lord Parkinson had likely betrayed them.
"You'd take her side rather than your own father—your own family? King Voldemort has done more for us, than any king that bloody crown has chosen. And she wishes to usurp him and put her brother on the throne!"
"Astoria, Voldemort is an unfit ruler who is only destroying Slytherin along with the rest of Hogwarts."
"Is that the lies Draco has told you?" Astoria screeched at Pansy, causing Hermione to wince at the noise. "He is a man of no honor, no integrity and yet you and all of Slytherin choose to follow him."
Hermione needed to leave. She needed to warn him. She stood from her chair and gripped the ends of the table as she felt herself sway.
"Please, Lady Malfoy, sit down." Daphne whispered and Hermione now recognized the look on her face as guilt.
"Don't call her that!" Astoria screamed. "He was promised to me! He was my intended. I wasted years of my life and then one day he broke his oath as if none of it had mattered. All to marry a Gryffindor whore."
Hermione pressed one hand to her head. Everything felt wrong. Her skin was clammy, but her body felt like it was freezing. Her throat burned, her head ached—she felt as if she was dying.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Pansy finally noticed her state and placed a hand on her elbow.
"I—I don't feel well, Pansy."
"Well, that's because you've been poisoned." Astoria said bluntly, and Hermione shut her eyes tight at the grim confirmation.
Gods, she had been foolish. She had let guard down, not been vigilant enough. She should have been more careful.
At the threat of danger posed to Hermione, Pansy had already hurried towards the doors, but at her horrified gasp, Hermione did not need to look to know that their guards that had been standing watch, were dead.
"What did you give me?" She whispered, but her words came out slurred. She felt her breathing quicken, and on her tongue she tasted a sickening metallic liquid. She swallowed only to feel as if she had just gulped down a spoonful of blood.
"What did you give me Astoria?" She tried to raise her voice, but it only caused her to break into a painful cough as her legs gave out underneath her.
"It doesn't matter. You'll be dead within the hour, faster perhaps if my father gets here before." Astoria took a seat beside her sister, as Daphne silently cried still not looking at Hermione, as if she could pretend she was not there.
Hermione coughed again, covering her mouth only to stain her open palm with blood. She cried out, for what she didn't know. She had only vaguely registered the conversation between Pansy and Astoria but knew of the betrayal occurring a floor below them.
The thought of Draco downstairs caused fresh tears to spill from her eyes. Gods, she didn't want to think about that.
She forced herself to catalogue her symptoms instead. She had a fever, a throbbing headache, she was coughing up blood, and her muscles were growing weaker. Even her mind felt groggy, so much so that she only barely registered Pansy's frantic voice in the halls and then the sound of wild commotion.
Shouts and the sound of several footsteps and then someone dropped to the floor next to her and she knew it to be Draco. Shaking fingers grasped her face and she forced herself to open her eyes.
He was covered in blood but somehow she felt an immeasurable feeling of relief at the sight.
He was there and not dead. She took a moment to thank the gods.
Draco was there with her. He would surely save her. He needed her—for something that she hadn't been able to figure out yet. But at least she knew he wouldn't let her die.
But he was scared, she could see it written plainly on his face. And then suddenly the look was replaced with the face of death as he looked across the room. Hermione followed his gaze to the two sisters, Astoria looked furious whereas Daphne simply held her head down.
"What did you poison her with?" He demanded quietly. "Tell me and I'll consider making your deaths a quick one."
The girls did not answer, and Draco snarled. "Your traitorous father is dead. I'll take your ill bed-ridden mother into consideration and allow you to go to her with your heads attached, if you tell me what you gave her."
Tears ran down Astoria's face as she began to struggle wildly in one of the soldier's hold. "Fuck you, you traitorous scum."
Draco turned back to Hermione, and softly asked, "Can you stand?"
Hermione shifted and tested her strength before nodding. He helped her on to her feet, grasping her waist to keep her up as she shut her eyes and tucked her head into the crook of his neck. She registered herself being passed off to someone else, cracking an eye open and realizing it was Theo who held her now.
Her eyes swept the room for Draco only to get a glimpse as he drove his sword through Astoria's stomach. Daphne cried out at the loss of her sister and finally screamed, "It was Moonseed poison."
Draco shoved the woman to the floor and raised the sword that still dripped with her sister's blood, to her neck. "The antidote." He demanded. "Or your head."
"I—I don't have it." Daphne stuttered over her sobs. "Astoria never got one—"
Hermione found she could no longer keep her eyes open. She vaguely heard the sound of sword hitting flesh, and Daphne's cries grow quiet.
Meanwhile, she was slumping, the last of her muscles beginning to give out as Theo's arm wrapped tighter in an effort to hold her up.
"Draco." She whispered and then suddenly he was there in front of her.
She moved towards him as best she could, feeling his arms practically crush her as they wrapped around her. It was comforting. As if he was going to hold her so tight that even Death's clutches would not be able to take her from him.
If she truly was going to die, at least it would be in his arms. She had come to terms with it. There was simply not enough time to make an antidote. They would need both Dittany and Moondew and it had been nearly fifteen minutes since she had drunk the poison. If it took an hour to run its course—
"What—Hermione, what did you say?" Fingers gripped her chin and forced her to look up. His eyes were frantic and grey and beautiful— "Focus, wife. Dittany and…?"
"Moondew, husband." She answered quietly, and then dropped her face into the crook of his neck, finally allowing herself to shut her eyes, and welcome the darkness.
Hermione awoke back in her bed at home, buried under a thick fur blanket. As her eyes slowly blinked open, she registered a dull ache in her head.
The pain served as a reminder of what had brought her there, her mind piecing together hazy memories and she became morbidly aware of how close to death she had come.
Pushing herself up on her elbows, she noticed Draco sitting in a chair by her bed, watching her, waiting patiently as she gathered herself.
"I—" She swallowed, finding the action greatly painful. "I'm alive."
It came out more of a question than a statement. Draco's lips quirked but she sensed a tension in him, a simmering anger held beneath the surface. He stood and carefully handed her a cup of steaming liquid.
Hermione was not certain what it was, but she drank for the soreness in her throat.
"Miraculously." He said quietly. "How do you feel?"
"Better." Her body felt weak, but the minor soreness was acceptable considering she had been on death's door. "What exactly happened?"
"Do you remember Lord Parkinson and Lord Greengrass's betrayal?"
She nodded, taking another sip, and relishing the way the warm liquid soothed her throat.
"You were poisoned. When we finally made it up to you, the Greengrass sisters told us what they had given you and you—" Seemingly despite his best efforts, a soft smile grew on his lips. "Even in half-coherency you managed to save yourself, by telling us what the antidote comprised of."
Once she had drunk her fill, he took the cup back and set it on the table. The back of his hand pressed against her forehead. Seemingly satisfied with the temperature of her skin, he brushed a few strands of her hair away from her face.
"My men were back within the hour, and you were given the antidote."
"How did you manage to fend off the attack?"
"There are very little people in this world I would place my absolute trust in, and Perseus Parkinson was certainly not one of them. Unbeknownst to him, a few of my men were instructed to follow our party to the tower. Very early on in the proceedings, they spotted Greengrass's soldiers locking the doors and attempting to dispatch our men who were on watch outside."
"They were somehow able to alert you?"
"They set off a warning bell and breached the doors before they could be shut."
Hermione nodded but there was still something that bothered her. "Our two soldiers who had been posted outside of the observatory room were killed. I don't understand why their killers didn't come for me?"
"The Greengrass girl wanted to poison you." A dark gleam passed through his eyes. "Vindicative cunt, that she was. A quick death was an undeserved mercy."
Hermione recalled watching the sword cut through Astoria, the sound of it slicing through Daphne. Having seen enough blood and butchery in her life, it did not shake her, but it was a sobering thing thinking of the gruesome bloodshed committed for this war.
"With Lord Greengrass and his two possible heirs dead. His wife has ceded control of their house to a distant cousin who has already pledged allegiance to our cause."
At least their efforts had not entirely gone to waste.
Then an alarming thought came to her, and she tensed. "What about Lord Parkinson? You said he died as well. What happened to Pansy?" Sharp panic gripped her heart. "Draco, she didn't know what her father had planned."
Draco's jaw set, clearly not happy about the matter. "Lord Parkinson had his wife sent to the King's court many days ago. Pansy will join her there."
"You sent her to Voldemort? I thought Pansy was your friend. You know she is not loyal to him."
"She cannot very well assume control of her family's house, not while her mother is alive and unwilling to give it up." His eyes softened slightly as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "She will be safe there. Lord Parkinson's story will soon reach the far corners of the realm, and there is no doubt that Voldemort will paint him as a martyr for his cause. Pansy and her mother will be honored and lauded at his court."
"There was no way to smuggle her mother out of the capitol?"
She knew she was grasping at straws and the look he gave her only confirmed it. "No one, not even a lowly peasant can go in or out without the permission of Voldemort's counsel and guard, you know that."
She was begrudged to admit it but sending Pansy to the capitol made sense. No doubt she would hate every second of it, but at least she would be safe. Still, Hermione was shocked at the turn of events and the sudden loss of her friend.
As if he read her mind, Draco spoke, "It is only a matter of months. She'll be free of it once we take the capitol and dethrone Voldemort."
He was right of course, and the comfort of the thought caused Hermione to relax slightly.
Draco still stood by the edge of the bed, watching her. He had been acting strange since she woke up. The severeness in his expression, the underlying tension that reverberated off of him. She couldn't believe she was admitting such a thing, but she actually missed the playful smile and the teasing glint in his eyes.
A finger trailed down her cheek. "Three days." He murmured. "Three days you remained unconscious. You did not move, you barely breathed. I waited three days here by your bed, wondering whether you'd ever wake up."
A sliver of guilt wormed its way into her chest. She had let her guard down, believing the sister's too sweet to have ill intentions.
But in her defense, she had truly tried to be cautious.
She now knew it was not the wine that had posed a danger, but the cup Astoria poured into. But what more could she have done? Pansy had been with her, and even her friend having known the Greengrass sisters longer and being a Slytherin had not expected anything.
"I'm sorry—"
"Don't apologize, wife." He cradled one side of her face, tilting it upwards so that she met his gaze. "I was the one who brought you there, put you in a situation that posed a risk to your life. It won't happen again. From now on, we won't be taking such risks. You will not leave the castle—"
Her heart fell and yet somehow she was not surprised that this would be his conclusion, "Draco don't—" His hand tightened its grasp on her face but instead of struggling she placed her own hand on top of it and used all her strength to push herself up on her knees.
He still had quite the bit of height advantage on her, but that had never intimidated her before. "Don't do this, husband. You know very well, I won't agree to it. If you wish to put blame, let it rest on the enemies shoulders. How could we have known what would happen, considering Lord Parkinson had been loyal to us thus far?"
She searched his unreadable gaze, hoping that her words had any effect on him.
"Perhaps my situation had been too risky, we should have taken more precautions, but I promise next time I will be more careful." She kept his hand over her cheek, making sure her eyes held every bit of sincerity she felt. "And—if it appeases you, you can keep me by your side, in your sights, every moment we are outside these castle walls."
A long moment passed in which he continued to stare, eyes trailing across her face, but then ever so slowly, his expression morphed into something familiar. She breathed a silent sigh of relief, watching as the severeness in his expression gave away and he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Do not make promises you don't wish to keep, wife. Outside these walls, you won't get a moment of reprieve from me."
The smallest of smiles tugged at her lips. "I'll bear it."
He smirked, his left hand coming up to cup her other cheek. He leaned forward and Hermione's eyes fell shut as she felt the softest brush of lips against hers. Her heart did a strange thump in her chest, and she clutched the fabric of his shirt over his chest, feeling dizzy all of a sudden.
He pulled away before anything more could come of it. His hands pushed her down to lay back in bed before he threw a blanket over her form. She was glad for it, not realizing how cold she felt until she was underneath the warmth of the fur.
"The healers say you must rest for at least a few more days."
"Days?" Her mouth dropped open. "I feel almost myself, there's really no need—"
"Consider yourself fortunate, wife, that I have heeded to the healer's words. If I had my way, you'd be in that bed for at least two weeks, doted upon and not having to lift a finger—I know, how terrible of me." She rolled her eyes at his sardonic tone.
"Do you need me to have them fetch anything for you?"
"No." She snuggled underneath the covers, eyelids already growing heavy. "I suppose I would like to rest a bit more." Though she had been unconscious for three days, her mind and body did not feel like it.
She heard him move and then resume his spot on the chair by her bed. She turned her head towards him and cracked an eye open.
"You don't have to wait for me to wake."
"I think I will." His reply was flippant.
She sighed and turned her head to the window. It was dark, presumably nightfall. She didn't doubt that Draco had spent most of his time by her side these past days, or that he'd leave that night either. Almost reluctantly, she turned back to her husband.
He returned her gaze, and when she did not say anything, his eyes squinted reading the unspoken question on her face. Almost instantly she regretted her decision, as a devious smile lit up his face.
"Are you inviting me into your bed, Hermione?"
"To sleep." She clarified firmly, watching as he made his way around the bed.
"Well of course, what else do husband and wife do on a shared bed?"
He slipped underneath the covers and immediately her heart began hammering in her chest as he settled in beside her. Turning so that her back faced him, she shut her eyes and prayed she'd fall asleep quickly.
But alas, even under the thick furs of the blanket, she had begun to shiver, and it did not help that her thoughts were focused on her husband and the fact that it was their first time sharing the same bed.
Draco it seemed, had noticed her shivering. She held her breath when she felt him move closer, his arm coming to carefully drape over her waist.
His breath tickled her ear as he whispered, "I know you keep that dagger on you, so if my arm offends you, I only ask you be quick with it."
Despite herself, a small laugh left her lips. "You'd risk losing a limb for this?"
"There are some things you simply can't put a price on."
Hermione shook her head and smiled despite herself, and then took his hand on her waist to curl his arm around her. She shifted ever so slightly so that her back was pressed against his chest, noticing as he tensed and then slowly relaxed against her. Shutting her eyes, she murmured. "I suppose it's fortunate I prefer my husband in one piece then."