Chapter 57- There To Stay
The had at last said goodbye to the castle, and were on their way back to Platform nine and three quarters. Hermione, Draco, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Seamus shared a compartment, the couples sitting together in a deflated, dull manner. Though Ginny was not leaving Hogwarts, her closest friends, the last of her family, and her boyfriend were. She had already complained about being alone at school for a whole year, while they were all off on their new jobs.
Harry and Ron were the least depressed of them all, Hermione thought. They were laughing together, sharing kisses, and making fun of Hermione for being so emotional. "Draco, will you please say something?" she pleaded.
"Hey, it's not like they're being untruthful." He seemed to be too amused to stop them.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?" the lunch-cart witch had just come to their compartment.
A positively impish grin crossed Ron's face, and he got up and hugged the woman, pretending to bawl generously. "I'm going to miss you so much!" The witch was startled by this, and she patted Ron's back comfortingly.
In spite of herself, Hermione had to laugh with the others… if only because Ron looked so funny. It provided the much-needed release of their tension, and from then on, the train ride was more enjoyable. They bought a stack of everything from the cart, splitting it between the six of them and Neville, who had joined them. Everyone but Hermione and Draco started a game of Exploding Snap.
The two of them remained in their place, in each other's embrace, and discussed the way things were. "So, how does it really feel, Hermione?"
"Truly? I'm sort of glad I'll be out in the wizarding world, you know. I'll get my Apparition license-"
"Within three hours-"
"Get a job-"
"Minister of Magic-"
"Get married-"
"To some hot blond, no doubt, with pale skin and gray eyes…"
"Draco, I'm being serious…"
"Well, so am I."
"You really think I could be Minister of Magic?"
"Do you think you couldn't? I had always thought that was your ambition. You should have been a Slytherin."
"But then our story would not be so romantic, would it?" Hermione asked, smiling.
"I suppose not. And there are certain people I never would have ended up in a compartment with…"
"Not true," Harry called from over the heads of the Snappers. "You've come into our compartment every time since first year, and don't even try to deny it."
"It was all her fault," Draco replied, pointing to Hermione. "If she wasn't so pretty, I wouldn't have been trying to see and impress her all the time."
"It didn't work too well," Hermione commented tartly.
Draco looked at her, pulling a shocked and hurt expression. "How could you? Oh, my wounded heart!"
They all laughed again, and Draco brought his face down to meet with Hermione's. She sighed with contentment, then nestled into him. Thoughts of naps floated across her mind- a particularly nice one involving Draco as a body pillow was interrupted by his voice.
"Hermione?"
"What?" she mumbled, hardly coherent even to herself.
"This thing about you coming to live with me… that's going to work out, right? Your parents are all right with it?"
"Oh. Well, I haven't told them yet. I wanted to be able to explain to them why it will be a good thing, and I didn't want to do it by owl. So, I decided it could wait until I got home. Don't worry, Draco. They're good people, they will understand."
He smiled, a truly wonderful, warm smile. "If you say so. I'll send Ras to you in a week or so, and ask you how it went."
"I should hope so. I don't have my own owl, and it's terribly difficult finding an Owl Post Office where I live."
"Just make sure that beast of yours doesn't do anything to him."
"Draco! I don't think Crookshanks would like that very much, and remember, he's going to be living with you."
She heard the beginnings of a groan, then a yawn, as though he was trying to cover it, but it did not fool her. She told him as much.
"Oh well. It was worth a shot. Anyway, if you want me to, I'll try to stop saying things about Crookshanks."
She noticed he did not say "bad things", but dismissed it. "Thank you."
"Hey! Look at this!" Ron's voice rose above the rest, and they all grew quiet. He read off a short biography of an accomplished Auror who had given his life in the fight against "You-Know-Who", as the chocolate frog card said. What was special about this wizard was that he had been thought to be a Death Eater, spent twelve years in Azkaban, and then been cleared at last, when the true culprit was caught… but it was too late, he had died two years ago.
"It can't be-" Ginny said.
"It is," Ron interrupted.
"Sirius," Harry said quietly, taking the card from Ron's hand. He smiled sadly as the picture appeared to wave to him. "All he really wanted was to see his name cleared, and look at this."
They passed around the card. When it came to Hermione, she studied the picture for a while. It was an older one, where he had full, clean hair and some meat on his bones. He had been quite attractive, more so than any time she had known him in person.
"I'm glad they finally recognized him," Hermione said, handing it back. "He deserved it. He never did anything but love his friends… there is nothing wrong with that."
"You want this one, mate?" Ron said, offering the card to Harry. "I'll get one soon enough. You know, I eat these things all the time."
"Thanks," Harry smiled, pocketing the card.
And just like that, they had arrived at King's Cross. It was all too fast…
She said her goodbyes quickly, promising to visit the Weasleys and Harry as soon as she was settled in with Draco. Then, she piled her luggage into her parents' car, and slid into the backseat with Crookshanks's cage.
"So," her father said, a huge grin on his face. "Our little girl is all grown up. How does it feel to be out of school?"
Hermione forced a smile out. She was sick of crying, anyway. "It feels great, Dad. I'm going to miss my classes, but I'll finally be able to make a difference in the world."
She saw her mother and father exchange glances. "That's our Hermione, without a doubt."
"Um, mum? Dad? When we get home, there's something I need to talk about with you."
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After watching Hermione leave with her parents, Draco readied himself to return to his flat. He let Ras out of his cage first, and sent out his message to the Ministry. Then he shrank all his luggage with a spell and slipped in into his pocket.
"Diagon Alley, here I come."
In truth, he went to his flat first to put his things away, but he went to Quality Quidditch Supplies directly after. Nick was just opening a box in the back of the store when he arrived. "Long time no see," Draco said to him.
Starting, Nick turned and caught sight of the wizard standing behind him. "Draco Malfoy! Well, I guess I expected you to show up after the end of this school year. You're out of Hogwarts now, aren't you?"
"Yes, and looking for a job until the Ministry responds to my note."
Nick grinned. "I think I might be able to help you out there. Why don't you start with this shipment of brooms. I need them to be checked before I can sell them…"
"I'll get right on it." With a half-smile, Draco rolled up his sleeves and took out his wand. He was back where he knew precisely what he was doing the entire time.
Hermione's response to his letter was simple, and a relief to him. ~*Dear Draco, my parents agreed. They realize that I'm of age in our world, and I'll have to be leaving anyway. They're glad that I'll have a place to go to. They have one request, which is to meet you. Before I leave, that is. Tell me when you'll come to pick me up. Love, Hermoine. P.S. I got my Apparition license two days ago.*~
Draco wrote a quick note telling her the time and date when he would arrive, then sat back and watched Ras disappear. Very soon Hermione would be living with him… and then he would have no reason to be unhappy-
"Who is it!" he responded irritably to the knock on the door.
"Your cousin!" the response came.
"What?" Draco asked himself, going to the door, pulling it open. "Oh, it's you."
"Well, hello to you too," Nymphadora Tonks replied. "I need to ask a favor."
"What's with the luggage?"
"Well, that has to do with the favor. May I come in?" Draco moved aside to let his cousin in, and shut the door behind her. The result of the following conversation was that Draco would have two women living with him for a while.
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Draco stood at Hermione's front door, just nervous enough for him to notice and force it back down to some unknown recess of his mind. He raised his hand and pressed the doorbell, then knocked three times. "I am not nervous," he told a panel of the door.
It was Hermione's mother who answered, he could tell by the resemblance. "Well, hello. You must be Draco. Please, come in."
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger," he replied, stepping past her. He told the part of his mind that was still a bit haughty and stuck up to shut up if it wanted Hermione to be returning with them.
"Hermione is in the kitchen. We did not know you would be this early, or I would have fixed extra."
"I already ate," Draco said simply. So Hermione had not told her parents when he would be coming? He had stated it clearly in the letter…
"Still, if you're hungry let us know. I'm sure Hermione can *wand* something up for you."
Being in the lead as she was, Mrs. Granger did not see Draco raise an eyebrow. It seemed that Hermione had of-age-fever.
Only Mr. Granger was at the table when they arrived in the kitchen. "Where has Hermione got to?" her mother asked. He just shrugged and went back to his newspaper. "Hermione!"
"Coming!" Hermione called back from somewhere above them. A moment later, a few stacks of luggage appeared behind Draco, and Hermione then appeared in front of him. Mrs. Granger's reaction was the tiniest shriek you could imagine.
"Hermione, darling, I really wish you wouldn't do that." She turned to Draco. "She's been doing magic constantly since she got home. I'm getting better about it, but… do you know why?"
"Sure I do," Draco replied. "It's because she can. Isn't that right?"
"Your hair!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Don't change the subject."
"I'm not- well, I am, but that's not the point. Yes, it is right, and wow, it looks great." She ran her hands through it. About a week after he had gotten back to his flat, Tonks had asked him for some gel, and he had given her every hairstyling product he owned. Within two days, she had used it all. She had then told him his hair looked better without any gel anyway. He had gone to the mirror, which agreed, and then decided it wasn't worth the trouble to go out and buy more of the accursed stuff. Henceforth, his hair would be free.
"It's really soft this way," Hermione commented.
"Why, tha-" Draco broke off when he saw the look her parents were giving them. He cleared his throat. "Hermione, would you care to introduce me to your father?"
"Why, yes. Father, this is Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is my father, Thomas Granger."
Only then did he set his paper aside and get up from the table. "Hello Draco." He took the extended hand in a firm handshake. "I've heard many things about you. Only recently have any of those things been good."
"Dad," Hermione said, her cheeks reddening.
"I trust my daughter's judgment, but if I find that you have hurt her or mistreated her in any way, be sure I'll come after you."
"Good to know," Draco said. "I'm glad Hermione's family cares about her so much. Can I have my hand back now?"
Mr. Granger looked down at their ongoing handshake and made a relenting face. "Um, yes. Of course." Letting go, he bent down to give Hermione a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Remember what we talked about, Hermione. You can always-"
"I know, Dad. Thanks." She smiled tearfully at him, then turned to her mother. "Bye, mom."
Her mother could not speak, but pulled her into a tight embrace, which lasted a good three minutes.
"I hate to break up this beautiful moment," Draco said in Hermione's ear, "but are we going to leave? Ever?"
Hermione pulled away, looking her mother in the eye meaningfully, and then turned to Draco, smiling widely. "Let's go, then."
"Wait. Do you expect me to carry all this luggage?"
"Well, what do you propose we do with it?" Hermione wondered, a hand on her hip in a very Professor McNoNonsense way.
In answer, Draco took out his wand, spoke the same spell that had made his own luggage pocket-sized, bent down and placed Hermione's things in her hand. "There is a tiny Crookshanks in my hand," she said, amazed.
Draco laughed. "I'll turn him back when we get there. Hey, I promise!" She had taken all of the skin on his stomach that she could get between two fingers and twisted. It wasn't much, but it still hurt.
Hermione was facing her parents as they Apparated to his apartment. She was crying when they arrived there, but her tears quickly dried, replaced by joy. "I'm finally with you again! Oh, I missed you, Draco!"
"Hermione, do you know what we haven't done yet?" She nodded and stepped forward. Their heads came together in a long hello kiss.
"Ahem." A voice from the white and blue bedroom spoke. "And how are the lovebirds doing?"
Their kiss ended, too quickly for Draco's liking, as Hermione whirled in surprise. "Tonks!" She exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, my apartment is being invaded at the moment. By my father's sister and her husband. I had to stop all the permanent spells while they're there. It's going to be a nightmare getting them all back into place. Anyway, I could not stand to live with them, not be able to do magic while I'm there… I'd have to avoid them half the time anyway. So I came to see my cousin Draco and ask him a favor. I'm staying here for the next month." Tonks's hair was a shade of red so bright he could not look directly at it.
"Oh, that's right. Your mothers are sisters." Hermione said absently.
"Come on, Hermione. We should put your things away."
"Wait a minute," she said. A knowing smile was spreading across her face. "If Tonks is in the spare bedroom, where do you expect me to sleep, exactly?"
"The girl's got a point," Tonks pointed out.
"Thank you, Nymphadora," Draco glared. She glared back at the use of her given name, and went back into her bedroom. "Well, Hermione, I thought we might both sleep in my room. It's not like we're not used to sleeping together."
She smiled wider. "You're right, aren't you? All right, let's unshrink Crookshanks."
The aforementioned cat whined pitifully when he was put back to his normal size. "Oh, did the bad man hurt you?" Hermione cooed, scooping him into her arms.
Draco stared incredulously. "*Bad man*?!!! Hermione…"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot you were there."
"I can't believe this." He shook his head. "The cat gets more attention than I do."
"Draco, I have to make him feel better. How would you feel if you were magically one hundredth of your actual size?"
Draco chose not to answer, since that would have involved admitting a very closely guarded fantasy. Instead, he took her hands and led her into his- their- bedroom.
Hours and hours later, they lay in the black bed, breathing softly as they prepared to fall asleep. Hermione's head rested on his chest. It was comforting having her there in his arms, laying like they had so many times in their common room. Hopefully Eros wouldn't bother them here… but love was there to stay.
End Chapter 57
For people who may have gotten certain ideas from their wishful speculation, Hermione and Draco have not had sex yet. Surprising on his end, but there it is.
Lyra Silvertongue2- yay, my 500th review! You get some of those brownies you made for my birthday party. Those were really good. And you get them on that day, so they're still fresh. It's not like I have any left anyway…ahem. Yes. ~Hug~.
Review for bright, bright red confetti and be prepared for some really mushy mushiness in chapter 58.
The had at last said goodbye to the castle, and were on their way back to Platform nine and three quarters. Hermione, Draco, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Seamus shared a compartment, the couples sitting together in a deflated, dull manner. Though Ginny was not leaving Hogwarts, her closest friends, the last of her family, and her boyfriend were. She had already complained about being alone at school for a whole year, while they were all off on their new jobs.
Harry and Ron were the least depressed of them all, Hermione thought. They were laughing together, sharing kisses, and making fun of Hermione for being so emotional. "Draco, will you please say something?" she pleaded.
"Hey, it's not like they're being untruthful." He seemed to be too amused to stop them.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?" the lunch-cart witch had just come to their compartment.
A positively impish grin crossed Ron's face, and he got up and hugged the woman, pretending to bawl generously. "I'm going to miss you so much!" The witch was startled by this, and she patted Ron's back comfortingly.
In spite of herself, Hermione had to laugh with the others… if only because Ron looked so funny. It provided the much-needed release of their tension, and from then on, the train ride was more enjoyable. They bought a stack of everything from the cart, splitting it between the six of them and Neville, who had joined them. Everyone but Hermione and Draco started a game of Exploding Snap.
The two of them remained in their place, in each other's embrace, and discussed the way things were. "So, how does it really feel, Hermione?"
"Truly? I'm sort of glad I'll be out in the wizarding world, you know. I'll get my Apparition license-"
"Within three hours-"
"Get a job-"
"Minister of Magic-"
"Get married-"
"To some hot blond, no doubt, with pale skin and gray eyes…"
"Draco, I'm being serious…"
"Well, so am I."
"You really think I could be Minister of Magic?"
"Do you think you couldn't? I had always thought that was your ambition. You should have been a Slytherin."
"But then our story would not be so romantic, would it?" Hermione asked, smiling.
"I suppose not. And there are certain people I never would have ended up in a compartment with…"
"Not true," Harry called from over the heads of the Snappers. "You've come into our compartment every time since first year, and don't even try to deny it."
"It was all her fault," Draco replied, pointing to Hermione. "If she wasn't so pretty, I wouldn't have been trying to see and impress her all the time."
"It didn't work too well," Hermione commented tartly.
Draco looked at her, pulling a shocked and hurt expression. "How could you? Oh, my wounded heart!"
They all laughed again, and Draco brought his face down to meet with Hermione's. She sighed with contentment, then nestled into him. Thoughts of naps floated across her mind- a particularly nice one involving Draco as a body pillow was interrupted by his voice.
"Hermione?"
"What?" she mumbled, hardly coherent even to herself.
"This thing about you coming to live with me… that's going to work out, right? Your parents are all right with it?"
"Oh. Well, I haven't told them yet. I wanted to be able to explain to them why it will be a good thing, and I didn't want to do it by owl. So, I decided it could wait until I got home. Don't worry, Draco. They're good people, they will understand."
He smiled, a truly wonderful, warm smile. "If you say so. I'll send Ras to you in a week or so, and ask you how it went."
"I should hope so. I don't have my own owl, and it's terribly difficult finding an Owl Post Office where I live."
"Just make sure that beast of yours doesn't do anything to him."
"Draco! I don't think Crookshanks would like that very much, and remember, he's going to be living with you."
She heard the beginnings of a groan, then a yawn, as though he was trying to cover it, but it did not fool her. She told him as much.
"Oh well. It was worth a shot. Anyway, if you want me to, I'll try to stop saying things about Crookshanks."
She noticed he did not say "bad things", but dismissed it. "Thank you."
"Hey! Look at this!" Ron's voice rose above the rest, and they all grew quiet. He read off a short biography of an accomplished Auror who had given his life in the fight against "You-Know-Who", as the chocolate frog card said. What was special about this wizard was that he had been thought to be a Death Eater, spent twelve years in Azkaban, and then been cleared at last, when the true culprit was caught… but it was too late, he had died two years ago.
"It can't be-" Ginny said.
"It is," Ron interrupted.
"Sirius," Harry said quietly, taking the card from Ron's hand. He smiled sadly as the picture appeared to wave to him. "All he really wanted was to see his name cleared, and look at this."
They passed around the card. When it came to Hermione, she studied the picture for a while. It was an older one, where he had full, clean hair and some meat on his bones. He had been quite attractive, more so than any time she had known him in person.
"I'm glad they finally recognized him," Hermione said, handing it back. "He deserved it. He never did anything but love his friends… there is nothing wrong with that."
"You want this one, mate?" Ron said, offering the card to Harry. "I'll get one soon enough. You know, I eat these things all the time."
"Thanks," Harry smiled, pocketing the card.
And just like that, they had arrived at King's Cross. It was all too fast…
She said her goodbyes quickly, promising to visit the Weasleys and Harry as soon as she was settled in with Draco. Then, she piled her luggage into her parents' car, and slid into the backseat with Crookshanks's cage.
"So," her father said, a huge grin on his face. "Our little girl is all grown up. How does it feel to be out of school?"
Hermione forced a smile out. She was sick of crying, anyway. "It feels great, Dad. I'm going to miss my classes, but I'll finally be able to make a difference in the world."
She saw her mother and father exchange glances. "That's our Hermione, without a doubt."
"Um, mum? Dad? When we get home, there's something I need to talk about with you."
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After watching Hermione leave with her parents, Draco readied himself to return to his flat. He let Ras out of his cage first, and sent out his message to the Ministry. Then he shrank all his luggage with a spell and slipped in into his pocket.
"Diagon Alley, here I come."
In truth, he went to his flat first to put his things away, but he went to Quality Quidditch Supplies directly after. Nick was just opening a box in the back of the store when he arrived. "Long time no see," Draco said to him.
Starting, Nick turned and caught sight of the wizard standing behind him. "Draco Malfoy! Well, I guess I expected you to show up after the end of this school year. You're out of Hogwarts now, aren't you?"
"Yes, and looking for a job until the Ministry responds to my note."
Nick grinned. "I think I might be able to help you out there. Why don't you start with this shipment of brooms. I need them to be checked before I can sell them…"
"I'll get right on it." With a half-smile, Draco rolled up his sleeves and took out his wand. He was back where he knew precisely what he was doing the entire time.
Hermione's response to his letter was simple, and a relief to him. ~*Dear Draco, my parents agreed. They realize that I'm of age in our world, and I'll have to be leaving anyway. They're glad that I'll have a place to go to. They have one request, which is to meet you. Before I leave, that is. Tell me when you'll come to pick me up. Love, Hermoine. P.S. I got my Apparition license two days ago.*~
Draco wrote a quick note telling her the time and date when he would arrive, then sat back and watched Ras disappear. Very soon Hermione would be living with him… and then he would have no reason to be unhappy-
"Who is it!" he responded irritably to the knock on the door.
"Your cousin!" the response came.
"What?" Draco asked himself, going to the door, pulling it open. "Oh, it's you."
"Well, hello to you too," Nymphadora Tonks replied. "I need to ask a favor."
"What's with the luggage?"
"Well, that has to do with the favor. May I come in?" Draco moved aside to let his cousin in, and shut the door behind her. The result of the following conversation was that Draco would have two women living with him for a while.
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Draco stood at Hermione's front door, just nervous enough for him to notice and force it back down to some unknown recess of his mind. He raised his hand and pressed the doorbell, then knocked three times. "I am not nervous," he told a panel of the door.
It was Hermione's mother who answered, he could tell by the resemblance. "Well, hello. You must be Draco. Please, come in."
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger," he replied, stepping past her. He told the part of his mind that was still a bit haughty and stuck up to shut up if it wanted Hermione to be returning with them.
"Hermione is in the kitchen. We did not know you would be this early, or I would have fixed extra."
"I already ate," Draco said simply. So Hermione had not told her parents when he would be coming? He had stated it clearly in the letter…
"Still, if you're hungry let us know. I'm sure Hermione can *wand* something up for you."
Being in the lead as she was, Mrs. Granger did not see Draco raise an eyebrow. It seemed that Hermione had of-age-fever.
Only Mr. Granger was at the table when they arrived in the kitchen. "Where has Hermione got to?" her mother asked. He just shrugged and went back to his newspaper. "Hermione!"
"Coming!" Hermione called back from somewhere above them. A moment later, a few stacks of luggage appeared behind Draco, and Hermione then appeared in front of him. Mrs. Granger's reaction was the tiniest shriek you could imagine.
"Hermione, darling, I really wish you wouldn't do that." She turned to Draco. "She's been doing magic constantly since she got home. I'm getting better about it, but… do you know why?"
"Sure I do," Draco replied. "It's because she can. Isn't that right?"
"Your hair!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Don't change the subject."
"I'm not- well, I am, but that's not the point. Yes, it is right, and wow, it looks great." She ran her hands through it. About a week after he had gotten back to his flat, Tonks had asked him for some gel, and he had given her every hairstyling product he owned. Within two days, she had used it all. She had then told him his hair looked better without any gel anyway. He had gone to the mirror, which agreed, and then decided it wasn't worth the trouble to go out and buy more of the accursed stuff. Henceforth, his hair would be free.
"It's really soft this way," Hermione commented.
"Why, tha-" Draco broke off when he saw the look her parents were giving them. He cleared his throat. "Hermione, would you care to introduce me to your father?"
"Why, yes. Father, this is Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is my father, Thomas Granger."
Only then did he set his paper aside and get up from the table. "Hello Draco." He took the extended hand in a firm handshake. "I've heard many things about you. Only recently have any of those things been good."
"Dad," Hermione said, her cheeks reddening.
"I trust my daughter's judgment, but if I find that you have hurt her or mistreated her in any way, be sure I'll come after you."
"Good to know," Draco said. "I'm glad Hermione's family cares about her so much. Can I have my hand back now?"
Mr. Granger looked down at their ongoing handshake and made a relenting face. "Um, yes. Of course." Letting go, he bent down to give Hermione a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Remember what we talked about, Hermione. You can always-"
"I know, Dad. Thanks." She smiled tearfully at him, then turned to her mother. "Bye, mom."
Her mother could not speak, but pulled her into a tight embrace, which lasted a good three minutes.
"I hate to break up this beautiful moment," Draco said in Hermione's ear, "but are we going to leave? Ever?"
Hermione pulled away, looking her mother in the eye meaningfully, and then turned to Draco, smiling widely. "Let's go, then."
"Wait. Do you expect me to carry all this luggage?"
"Well, what do you propose we do with it?" Hermione wondered, a hand on her hip in a very Professor McNoNonsense way.
In answer, Draco took out his wand, spoke the same spell that had made his own luggage pocket-sized, bent down and placed Hermione's things in her hand. "There is a tiny Crookshanks in my hand," she said, amazed.
Draco laughed. "I'll turn him back when we get there. Hey, I promise!" She had taken all of the skin on his stomach that she could get between two fingers and twisted. It wasn't much, but it still hurt.
Hermione was facing her parents as they Apparated to his apartment. She was crying when they arrived there, but her tears quickly dried, replaced by joy. "I'm finally with you again! Oh, I missed you, Draco!"
"Hermione, do you know what we haven't done yet?" She nodded and stepped forward. Their heads came together in a long hello kiss.
"Ahem." A voice from the white and blue bedroom spoke. "And how are the lovebirds doing?"
Their kiss ended, too quickly for Draco's liking, as Hermione whirled in surprise. "Tonks!" She exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, my apartment is being invaded at the moment. By my father's sister and her husband. I had to stop all the permanent spells while they're there. It's going to be a nightmare getting them all back into place. Anyway, I could not stand to live with them, not be able to do magic while I'm there… I'd have to avoid them half the time anyway. So I came to see my cousin Draco and ask him a favor. I'm staying here for the next month." Tonks's hair was a shade of red so bright he could not look directly at it.
"Oh, that's right. Your mothers are sisters." Hermione said absently.
"Come on, Hermione. We should put your things away."
"Wait a minute," she said. A knowing smile was spreading across her face. "If Tonks is in the spare bedroom, where do you expect me to sleep, exactly?"
"The girl's got a point," Tonks pointed out.
"Thank you, Nymphadora," Draco glared. She glared back at the use of her given name, and went back into her bedroom. "Well, Hermione, I thought we might both sleep in my room. It's not like we're not used to sleeping together."
She smiled wider. "You're right, aren't you? All right, let's unshrink Crookshanks."
The aforementioned cat whined pitifully when he was put back to his normal size. "Oh, did the bad man hurt you?" Hermione cooed, scooping him into her arms.
Draco stared incredulously. "*Bad man*?!!! Hermione…"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot you were there."
"I can't believe this." He shook his head. "The cat gets more attention than I do."
"Draco, I have to make him feel better. How would you feel if you were magically one hundredth of your actual size?"
Draco chose not to answer, since that would have involved admitting a very closely guarded fantasy. Instead, he took her hands and led her into his- their- bedroom.
Hours and hours later, they lay in the black bed, breathing softly as they prepared to fall asleep. Hermione's head rested on his chest. It was comforting having her there in his arms, laying like they had so many times in their common room. Hopefully Eros wouldn't bother them here… but love was there to stay.
End Chapter 57
For people who may have gotten certain ideas from their wishful speculation, Hermione and Draco have not had sex yet. Surprising on his end, but there it is.
Lyra Silvertongue2- yay, my 500th review! You get some of those brownies you made for my birthday party. Those were really good. And you get them on that day, so they're still fresh. It's not like I have any left anyway…ahem. Yes. ~Hug~.
Review for bright, bright red confetti and be prepared for some really mushy mushiness in chapter 58.