Hogwarts Reunion
Chapter 16 - The Honeymoon
"Well, Mrs. Malfoy welcome to Malfoy Manor." Draco drawled as they stood out the front of the Manor. He swept her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold. Hermione squealed and clutched his neck.
"Draco put me down!" Hermione demanded though she was laughing.
"Come on Hermione, its tradition after all." Hermione shook her head but allowed him to carry her into the house.
"Oh Merlin, Draco what have you done to the manor?" Hermione asked looking around.
"I thought that it was time for the manor to have a little redecoration, if you want to you can finish the other parts of the house that I haven't gotten around to refurbishing yet." Draco put Hermione down and took her by the hand. It was their wedding night and he intended on romancing his bride. besides they had a child to create.
Hermione, knowing what Draco had in mind, needed to stop him. They had some things to discuss and she didn't want to leave them until later, like she had first intended.
"Draco," Hermione stopped and forcing him to stop moving as well. "We need to talk before we. well before we go any further." Draco sighed, he knew that she wanted to talk but he was hoping to put it off.
"OK," Draco changed course and led Hermione to his mothers violet room, a room that he hadn't wanted to change because Hermione liked it so much.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Draco sat on one lounge while Hermione sat down on the lounge opposite him.
"Draco there is something that I need to tell you, I only realised it a little while ago and I wasn't going to tell you because. well because I didn't think that you would want to and. I never ramble on like this," Hermione took a deep breath to compose herself and to compose her thoughts. She was normally very eloquent, but it goes to show you when you think that something is truly important you can never get out the words the way you want them to.
Draco looked over at her, assessing her. He had much that he wanted to tell her as well but he would wait to see what she had to say and then depending on that he would tell her what was on his mind. But before that there was something that he had to ask her.
"Hermione before you say what you have to say will you answer me one question?" Draco said quietly. Hermione nodded at him and waited for him to continue. "Why Hermione? Why did you save my life?" He looked at her directly, his gaze never wavering and Hermione looked thoughtful but didn't break his stare.
"At first. because it was my job. I was there to heal, and later it was something more I guess. I never told you this, back when we were at Hogwarts, before Ron and I were a couple I fancied you, only for a short time but then you got into that big fight with Ron and then Ron and I got together, well anyway. When you came to my hut all bloody like that at first I didn't recognise you especially as you were wearing your Death Eater robes." Hermione raised a hand and rubbed it wearily across her face, she closed her eyes as the memories of that night came flooding to the surface.
"When I lifted your mask and I saw who you were I must admit for a split second I entertained the thought of leaving you, perhaps sending you to one of the other healers but I knew that you couldn't travel, you were to injured. I told you at the reunion that I had second thoughts about healing you but I had to heal you. I saw something in you when we were at Hogwarts and it was that something that had me try to convince you to change sides in the war. I saved your life partly because it was my job, but mostly because I knew that there was something good in you, you just hadn't seen it yet." Hermione looked up at him, he was silently facing her taking in everything that she had to say without trying to interrupt her.
"When I agreed to marry you I only did so because it was the logical thing to do and you know me, I always look at things logically before I do anything. So I knew that by marring you I would be able to adopt the twelve children that I have come to look upon as my own, and you would get to keep your inheritance."
Draco looked as though he wanted to interrupt but Hermione held up her hand to halt what he wanted to say and continued.
"But even when I had looked at it logically, in that we would have a good marriage because we knew almost everything that there was to know about each other, we are good friends. We each were going into this marriage with both eyes open and no illusions of love. But there was something, even back then, that I wasn't willing to admit it to myself not until Hannah and Blaise came to visit us." Hermione paused again and once again raised her hand to keep Draco from talking. She had planed out what she wanted to say and nothing was going to stop her from saying it, besides she was a Gryffindor and they were known for their bravery.
"Hannah and I were talking that day, in the gardens and she brought to my attention something that I had always subconsciously known but didn't want to admit to because it made me feel guilty. Now I know that I can't feel guilty, I loved Ron completely while he was alive, and I know that he is dead and there is nothing that I can do to bring him back. I did love him while he was alive and there will always be a small part of my heart that will love him because he was my first love. However. I also have to be true to myself, and honest. If I am going to be honest with you Draco then there is something that I need to tell you."
Draco sat on the couch facing her, his hands in his lap were trembling and even though he told himself that it was foolish of him to hope he was. Inside him, there was a bubble swelling slowly with each word that she uttered. He kept his face in a cool mask, just incase she wasn't going to tell him what he desperately wanted to hear.
"Draco I." she took another breath, "Draco I love you." She finished quietly. She looked down at her hand clenched together in her lap, not daring to look up at him. When he didn't answer, she could not help but continue. "Look, I know that you don't love me, so don't think that just because I love you that I expect anything more from you, because I don't. But I had to be honest with myself and because of that I had to be honest with you." She still couldn't bring herself to look up at him and as his silence continued, Hermione fought back tears. She was about to get up of the lounge and go up to the room that she had occupied when she had stayed there with the kids, but Draco had come over and knelt in front of her and stopped her from moving.
"Hermione," Draco breathed and when she didn't lift her head, he put his hand under her chin and raised it so that he could look into her eyes. Her eyes were swimming with tears and Draco thought that he had never seen her look more beautiful. "Can you please say that again?" he asked quietly.
Hermione looked confused for a second and then a small spark lit her eyes.
"I said that I love you Draco," she whispered, not quite sure, why she was whispering but it seemed like the right tone to have. Her swimming cinnamon brown eyes looked deep into his clear crystal grey eyes, unflinchingly.
"Good." He said simply and then he smiled the brightest smile she had ever seen on his face. "I just wanted to make sure because. well." Draco who never lost his cool was tripping over his words, and Hermione began to smile. Draco took a deep breath not sure, why it was so hard for him to say what he wanted to say. "I love you to Hermione." Hermione smiled radiantly at him and then the tears that had been threatening to fall did, but from happiness. Hermione launched herself into his arms and held him close; Draco closed his eyes and pulled her tighter against him.
They stood like that for an age before Draco pulled back and lent down to gently kiss her upturned lips. What started out as a gentle kiss developed into something deeper rapidly. Draco tore his lips from hers and rained soft butterfly kisses over her face. When he pulled back Hermione kissed the underside of his chin and then trailed kisses down his neck. When Hermione reached the collar of his shirt and raised her hands intending to undo the buttons he took a step back and held her at an arm's length. She looked at him slightly confused.
"Why?" Hermione asked, but Draco just smiled at her, he took her and in his and kissed it before leading her up the grand staircase towards their room. Hermione smiled up at his back and tinkling laughter was heard through the Manor.
***************************************************************
"Thank you Draco." Hermione said much later as they lay entwined in each other's arms. He kissed the top of her head and she could feel him smile against her scalp.
"For what?" he asked drowsily.
"For everything." Hermione sighed and snuggled in closer to him.
"Well that certainly was specific." Draco said sarcastically but he was smiling. Hermione laughed softly. They were bathed in candlelight and Hermione had never felt as content nor been in a more romantic setting. There was a large fire in the grate, scented candles surrounded the room producing a soft rose smell, soft jazz music was playing on the wireless and she was wrapped up in the arms of the man she loved, 'life was' she decided, 'perfect.'
"You know I can't think of anything to say here that wouldn't sound corny so I thought that thank you would be enough." Hermione said. Draco laughed and then nodded.
"Sounds good to me, and thank you Hermione, for everything." They laughed together before falling into a deep slumber.
*****************************************************************
"Mione! Draco!" The kids ran up the drive of the Manor, Ginny and Harry following sedately behind. Hermione and Draco had spent their honeymoon getting to know each other a little better at the Manor. While they had enjoyed their time together they had missed the children, and the children had missed them.
"So do the kids behave for you?" Hermione asked Ginny and Harry when they were seated in the Violet room. Ginny was looking at them knowingly with a wide smile on her face.
"They were perfect angels." Harry nodded in agreement. The adults were downstairs talking while the kids had gone up to check out their rooms which Draco had decorated, with Hermione's help.
*****************************************************************
All of the children had quickly checked out their new rooms before converging in Jake's room.
"They are in love," Jake declared. While most of the children laughed Wills looked disappointed.
"Does that mean we don't get to do any of that stuff we planned?" He asked.
"Nope!" Jake said, "hey do you reckon we may have a new brother or sister soon?"
As the adults chatted quietly downstairs the children upstairs played games and speculated about any future siblings.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Hey guys!! I don't really like where that chapter ended, but that was the best place. When you read the next chapter you will see why! Well I hope that you enjoyed that chapter! For those of you who are upset that I didn't go into better detail about their wedding night, sorry! If you want to read a more detailed love scene written by me, read my story 'Life Beyond Hogwarts'.
Well I really do hope that you review and tell me what you thought about it so far! Can you believe that I am almost up to 300 reviews?!?!?!?! I am in shock about that! I am so happy though and I can't wait to (hopefully) make it to that many reviews!
Well there aren't to many chapters left. I'm not to sure of exactly how many chapters there are but there isn't going to be that many so I hope you enjoy the rest of the story! :)
Spaced Out Space Cadet :):):)
Thanks to Trinka as well for as always doing a great job on the betaing! :)
This chapter is dedicated to.
Azn-Sweetie - Glad that you liked it! I loved writing about the wedding! And I read reviews for all my stories, I always check them to see if new people are reading them! I'm glad that you liked 'Life Beyond Hogwarts'! Thanks again for reviewing it! :)
Pampers - Hope that you liked this chapter. sorry for making you wait! Are you from France?
Jenny - Thank you so much for the review!! Hope that you liked this chapter as well! I wasn't to sure that my descriptions were clear enough. but I guess that they were! So thank you again! :)
Rodrigo - Thanks for the e-mail! And a big thank you for making me smile!
Captain Oblivious - As always you make me laugh! Hope you got loose of the netting! Lol! Thanks as always! :)
Quello Bello - I hope that this chapter answered all of your questions!
Airotci - Thanks!
Danika - Queer eye rocks!! I love Jai! He is my fave!
Alexa - I thought that I was due for a cliffie, besides they keep people coming back! Lol!
Hallie Walker - I didn't realise that that song was sung by someone else as well!
Elfgirl - Thanks!
Meg - :):):) Thanks for the praise! It is great to hear!
Kili-2 - *waves back* Glad that your still around! :) Glad that you loved it!
Weirdo-loser-freak - Thanks so much! The only reason I can write romance is because I read so many of them! You should see my book self! Full of soppy romance stories! Lol!
Snowbear - You really think that this is the best that you have read? Awwww thanks!
DanceChic0869 - I'm quite happy that I made you cry. but somehow that feels wrong! Lol! Thanks for reviewing.
Firesprite101 - hehehe, ok I know that I'm mean. but I couldn't resist a cliffe, they are so much fun!
Mithua (Headwig Trelawney) - I don't think that I can thank you enough for your review e-mail as well as the three that were recorded on ff.net! I was so touched! I tried to be as original as possible when I thought of this fic, and I am trying to keep people in character as much as possible, but no matter how hard I try it will be different from how JKR would have done it. But I think that is a good thing! I thought that a polite Draco was a good way to go as well, besides I love the whole gentleman idea! Lol! I couldn't picture anyone other that Dumbledore playing vicar at their wedding, he seemed to fit. I hope that I didn't make you wait to long for this chapter. And a very big thank you again and a hug because you made me feel special! Thanks!! :):):)
Paranoia-shoujo - Thanks so much!
S A K U R A22 - I felt a little sorry for Draco as well, that is why I mentioned that he didn't have that many friends.
*~Inwe~* - Thanks for reviewing!
Hermione182 - Thanks!! Hope that you like this chapter!
Sweet-77-Thang - Thanks!
Gurlz Thang - You are so sweet! Read this as many times as you like!! :) I love hearing from you, and I can't wait for you to send me you stories! I am looking forward to it! Queer Eye is a great show!
Angelina Malfoy - Sorry to make you cry! I am delighted that you liked it though! Ta! Hope that this chpater answered your questions!
And last but not least.
Silent-Serpent - Thank you so much for your review! I was going to wait longer for Tate to talk but that seemed like the best moment! The song is an old one. but the first time I heard it I fell in love with it so I had to add it! Queer Eye is a great show! Lol!
Chapter 16 - The Honeymoon
"Well, Mrs. Malfoy welcome to Malfoy Manor." Draco drawled as they stood out the front of the Manor. He swept her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold. Hermione squealed and clutched his neck.
"Draco put me down!" Hermione demanded though she was laughing.
"Come on Hermione, its tradition after all." Hermione shook her head but allowed him to carry her into the house.
"Oh Merlin, Draco what have you done to the manor?" Hermione asked looking around.
"I thought that it was time for the manor to have a little redecoration, if you want to you can finish the other parts of the house that I haven't gotten around to refurbishing yet." Draco put Hermione down and took her by the hand. It was their wedding night and he intended on romancing his bride. besides they had a child to create.
Hermione, knowing what Draco had in mind, needed to stop him. They had some things to discuss and she didn't want to leave them until later, like she had first intended.
"Draco," Hermione stopped and forcing him to stop moving as well. "We need to talk before we. well before we go any further." Draco sighed, he knew that she wanted to talk but he was hoping to put it off.
"OK," Draco changed course and led Hermione to his mothers violet room, a room that he hadn't wanted to change because Hermione liked it so much.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Draco sat on one lounge while Hermione sat down on the lounge opposite him.
"Draco there is something that I need to tell you, I only realised it a little while ago and I wasn't going to tell you because. well because I didn't think that you would want to and. I never ramble on like this," Hermione took a deep breath to compose herself and to compose her thoughts. She was normally very eloquent, but it goes to show you when you think that something is truly important you can never get out the words the way you want them to.
Draco looked over at her, assessing her. He had much that he wanted to tell her as well but he would wait to see what she had to say and then depending on that he would tell her what was on his mind. But before that there was something that he had to ask her.
"Hermione before you say what you have to say will you answer me one question?" Draco said quietly. Hermione nodded at him and waited for him to continue. "Why Hermione? Why did you save my life?" He looked at her directly, his gaze never wavering and Hermione looked thoughtful but didn't break his stare.
"At first. because it was my job. I was there to heal, and later it was something more I guess. I never told you this, back when we were at Hogwarts, before Ron and I were a couple I fancied you, only for a short time but then you got into that big fight with Ron and then Ron and I got together, well anyway. When you came to my hut all bloody like that at first I didn't recognise you especially as you were wearing your Death Eater robes." Hermione raised a hand and rubbed it wearily across her face, she closed her eyes as the memories of that night came flooding to the surface.
"When I lifted your mask and I saw who you were I must admit for a split second I entertained the thought of leaving you, perhaps sending you to one of the other healers but I knew that you couldn't travel, you were to injured. I told you at the reunion that I had second thoughts about healing you but I had to heal you. I saw something in you when we were at Hogwarts and it was that something that had me try to convince you to change sides in the war. I saved your life partly because it was my job, but mostly because I knew that there was something good in you, you just hadn't seen it yet." Hermione looked up at him, he was silently facing her taking in everything that she had to say without trying to interrupt her.
"When I agreed to marry you I only did so because it was the logical thing to do and you know me, I always look at things logically before I do anything. So I knew that by marring you I would be able to adopt the twelve children that I have come to look upon as my own, and you would get to keep your inheritance."
Draco looked as though he wanted to interrupt but Hermione held up her hand to halt what he wanted to say and continued.
"But even when I had looked at it logically, in that we would have a good marriage because we knew almost everything that there was to know about each other, we are good friends. We each were going into this marriage with both eyes open and no illusions of love. But there was something, even back then, that I wasn't willing to admit it to myself not until Hannah and Blaise came to visit us." Hermione paused again and once again raised her hand to keep Draco from talking. She had planed out what she wanted to say and nothing was going to stop her from saying it, besides she was a Gryffindor and they were known for their bravery.
"Hannah and I were talking that day, in the gardens and she brought to my attention something that I had always subconsciously known but didn't want to admit to because it made me feel guilty. Now I know that I can't feel guilty, I loved Ron completely while he was alive, and I know that he is dead and there is nothing that I can do to bring him back. I did love him while he was alive and there will always be a small part of my heart that will love him because he was my first love. However. I also have to be true to myself, and honest. If I am going to be honest with you Draco then there is something that I need to tell you."
Draco sat on the couch facing her, his hands in his lap were trembling and even though he told himself that it was foolish of him to hope he was. Inside him, there was a bubble swelling slowly with each word that she uttered. He kept his face in a cool mask, just incase she wasn't going to tell him what he desperately wanted to hear.
"Draco I." she took another breath, "Draco I love you." She finished quietly. She looked down at her hand clenched together in her lap, not daring to look up at him. When he didn't answer, she could not help but continue. "Look, I know that you don't love me, so don't think that just because I love you that I expect anything more from you, because I don't. But I had to be honest with myself and because of that I had to be honest with you." She still couldn't bring herself to look up at him and as his silence continued, Hermione fought back tears. She was about to get up of the lounge and go up to the room that she had occupied when she had stayed there with the kids, but Draco had come over and knelt in front of her and stopped her from moving.
"Hermione," Draco breathed and when she didn't lift her head, he put his hand under her chin and raised it so that he could look into her eyes. Her eyes were swimming with tears and Draco thought that he had never seen her look more beautiful. "Can you please say that again?" he asked quietly.
Hermione looked confused for a second and then a small spark lit her eyes.
"I said that I love you Draco," she whispered, not quite sure, why she was whispering but it seemed like the right tone to have. Her swimming cinnamon brown eyes looked deep into his clear crystal grey eyes, unflinchingly.
"Good." He said simply and then he smiled the brightest smile she had ever seen on his face. "I just wanted to make sure because. well." Draco who never lost his cool was tripping over his words, and Hermione began to smile. Draco took a deep breath not sure, why it was so hard for him to say what he wanted to say. "I love you to Hermione." Hermione smiled radiantly at him and then the tears that had been threatening to fall did, but from happiness. Hermione launched herself into his arms and held him close; Draco closed his eyes and pulled her tighter against him.
They stood like that for an age before Draco pulled back and lent down to gently kiss her upturned lips. What started out as a gentle kiss developed into something deeper rapidly. Draco tore his lips from hers and rained soft butterfly kisses over her face. When he pulled back Hermione kissed the underside of his chin and then trailed kisses down his neck. When Hermione reached the collar of his shirt and raised her hands intending to undo the buttons he took a step back and held her at an arm's length. She looked at him slightly confused.
"Why?" Hermione asked, but Draco just smiled at her, he took her and in his and kissed it before leading her up the grand staircase towards their room. Hermione smiled up at his back and tinkling laughter was heard through the Manor.
***************************************************************
"Thank you Draco." Hermione said much later as they lay entwined in each other's arms. He kissed the top of her head and she could feel him smile against her scalp.
"For what?" he asked drowsily.
"For everything." Hermione sighed and snuggled in closer to him.
"Well that certainly was specific." Draco said sarcastically but he was smiling. Hermione laughed softly. They were bathed in candlelight and Hermione had never felt as content nor been in a more romantic setting. There was a large fire in the grate, scented candles surrounded the room producing a soft rose smell, soft jazz music was playing on the wireless and she was wrapped up in the arms of the man she loved, 'life was' she decided, 'perfect.'
"You know I can't think of anything to say here that wouldn't sound corny so I thought that thank you would be enough." Hermione said. Draco laughed and then nodded.
"Sounds good to me, and thank you Hermione, for everything." They laughed together before falling into a deep slumber.
*****************************************************************
"Mione! Draco!" The kids ran up the drive of the Manor, Ginny and Harry following sedately behind. Hermione and Draco had spent their honeymoon getting to know each other a little better at the Manor. While they had enjoyed their time together they had missed the children, and the children had missed them.
"So do the kids behave for you?" Hermione asked Ginny and Harry when they were seated in the Violet room. Ginny was looking at them knowingly with a wide smile on her face.
"They were perfect angels." Harry nodded in agreement. The adults were downstairs talking while the kids had gone up to check out their rooms which Draco had decorated, with Hermione's help.
*****************************************************************
All of the children had quickly checked out their new rooms before converging in Jake's room.
"They are in love," Jake declared. While most of the children laughed Wills looked disappointed.
"Does that mean we don't get to do any of that stuff we planned?" He asked.
"Nope!" Jake said, "hey do you reckon we may have a new brother or sister soon?"
As the adults chatted quietly downstairs the children upstairs played games and speculated about any future siblings.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Hey guys!! I don't really like where that chapter ended, but that was the best place. When you read the next chapter you will see why! Well I hope that you enjoyed that chapter! For those of you who are upset that I didn't go into better detail about their wedding night, sorry! If you want to read a more detailed love scene written by me, read my story 'Life Beyond Hogwarts'.
Well I really do hope that you review and tell me what you thought about it so far! Can you believe that I am almost up to 300 reviews?!?!?!?! I am in shock about that! I am so happy though and I can't wait to (hopefully) make it to that many reviews!
Well there aren't to many chapters left. I'm not to sure of exactly how many chapters there are but there isn't going to be that many so I hope you enjoy the rest of the story! :)
Spaced Out Space Cadet :):):)
Thanks to Trinka as well for as always doing a great job on the betaing! :)
This chapter is dedicated to.
Azn-Sweetie - Glad that you liked it! I loved writing about the wedding! And I read reviews for all my stories, I always check them to see if new people are reading them! I'm glad that you liked 'Life Beyond Hogwarts'! Thanks again for reviewing it! :)
Pampers - Hope that you liked this chapter. sorry for making you wait! Are you from France?
Jenny - Thank you so much for the review!! Hope that you liked this chapter as well! I wasn't to sure that my descriptions were clear enough. but I guess that they were! So thank you again! :)
Rodrigo - Thanks for the e-mail! And a big thank you for making me smile!
Captain Oblivious - As always you make me laugh! Hope you got loose of the netting! Lol! Thanks as always! :)
Quello Bello - I hope that this chapter answered all of your questions!
Airotci - Thanks!
Danika - Queer eye rocks!! I love Jai! He is my fave!
Alexa - I thought that I was due for a cliffie, besides they keep people coming back! Lol!
Hallie Walker - I didn't realise that that song was sung by someone else as well!
Elfgirl - Thanks!
Meg - :):):) Thanks for the praise! It is great to hear!
Kili-2 - *waves back* Glad that your still around! :) Glad that you loved it!
Weirdo-loser-freak - Thanks so much! The only reason I can write romance is because I read so many of them! You should see my book self! Full of soppy romance stories! Lol!
Snowbear - You really think that this is the best that you have read? Awwww thanks!
DanceChic0869 - I'm quite happy that I made you cry. but somehow that feels wrong! Lol! Thanks for reviewing.
Firesprite101 - hehehe, ok I know that I'm mean. but I couldn't resist a cliffe, they are so much fun!
Mithua (Headwig Trelawney) - I don't think that I can thank you enough for your review e-mail as well as the three that were recorded on ff.net! I was so touched! I tried to be as original as possible when I thought of this fic, and I am trying to keep people in character as much as possible, but no matter how hard I try it will be different from how JKR would have done it. But I think that is a good thing! I thought that a polite Draco was a good way to go as well, besides I love the whole gentleman idea! Lol! I couldn't picture anyone other that Dumbledore playing vicar at their wedding, he seemed to fit. I hope that I didn't make you wait to long for this chapter. And a very big thank you again and a hug because you made me feel special! Thanks!! :):):)
Paranoia-shoujo - Thanks so much!
S A K U R A22 - I felt a little sorry for Draco as well, that is why I mentioned that he didn't have that many friends.
*~Inwe~* - Thanks for reviewing!
Hermione182 - Thanks!! Hope that you like this chapter!
Sweet-77-Thang - Thanks!
Gurlz Thang - You are so sweet! Read this as many times as you like!! :) I love hearing from you, and I can't wait for you to send me you stories! I am looking forward to it! Queer Eye is a great show!
Angelina Malfoy - Sorry to make you cry! I am delighted that you liked it though! Ta! Hope that this chpater answered your questions!
And last but not least.
Silent-Serpent - Thank you so much for your review! I was going to wait longer for Tate to talk but that seemed like the best moment! The song is an old one. but the first time I heard it I fell in love with it so I had to add it! Queer Eye is a great show! Lol!