Unexpected Love
Summary: A fic that takes place after Hogwarts. Hermione left the magical world behind after a messy breakup with Krum and became a muggle teacher. Years later she discovers that one of her new students is a Malfoy. What will happen when Draco enters her life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. The ones you don't recognize belong to me.
Chapter 17- Perfect
Footsteps pounded the stone floor of the Entrance Hall as Draco swung around, already aware of who was yelling. He had heard those voices extremely often before; how could he forget them?
A tall, raven-haired man and a tall man with fiery hair were running towards them. The man with the black hair locked eyes with Draco, concern etched in his emerald eyes. The redhead stared from a filthy Justin clutching to Draco's robes to the limp form of Hermione in Draco's arms, fear filling his own baby blue eyes.
"What happened?" asked Harry Potter in a small voice, not breaking eye contact with Draco. Draco opened his mouth to reply but Ron Weasley's panicked voice cut him off.
"Who cares what happened!! The important thing is is Hermione ALIVE?!?"
"Of course she's alive!" Draco snapped, but there was no anger behind his comment, just exhaustion. "Do you think Hermione Granger, the most powerful witch of her year, would let herself DIE? I don't think so. This woman is too wonderful, too compassionate, too brave, too perfect. She's definitely very much alive. Her bravery seems to have tired her out though so I suggest we take her to the hospital wing where she can rest."
Harry and Ron just nodded numbly at Draco and quickly followed him to the hospital wing, Dumbledore following behind. The young wizard surely never stopped caring for Hermione and right now they would do as he said.
Harry pulled open to the door to the hospital wing and Draco gently carried Hermione, still sleeping, through the doorway. He laid her peaceful form tenderly onto the starched white sheets and turned to lift his son onto the bed next to her. Madame Pomfrey hurried from her office to tend to her new patients, muttering to herself. She tucked Hermione into the large, squashy bed and placed a large chunk of chocolate on the table next to her for when she woke up. She then turned to Justin and started fussing over him, examining every inch of him for anything wrong but, miraculously, he was just a little bruised and shaken up.
"He should be fine with a little rest. He can stay here in the hospital wing or he can go with you Professor Malfoy. And Professor Granger should be fine with a little sleep and chocolate. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be getting back to my job so will you be taking young Mister Malfoy with you Professor?"
"Yes!" Draco responded immediately. "He can rest in my room for now; I'd like to be able to keep an eye on him for the time being."
"Very well," said the matron. "Hermione should wake up after a good night sleep so you may come back tomorrow."
"Can't I come back and stay with her later?" Draco protested, but Madame Pomfrey quickly refused. "Visiting hours are over. She's not going anywhere, Professor, but if you want, I can let you know when she's woken up if she arises tonight."
Reluctantly, Draco agreed. Carrying the now sleeping form of Justin, he headed for his room. Dumbledore started back to his office to give the wizards some privacy but Harry and Ron just stood outside the hospital door, hovering absently.
"If you'd like, I can tell you what happened after I put Justin here to bed," Draco said quietly to the two men. They seemed to hesitate for a moment but then quickly nodded and walked with him silently back to the teacher's dormitories. Draco whispered the password and the portrait of a drowsy Professor Merl swung open to allow them to enter.
Ron and Harry gaped at the grandness of this room. The professors had been living in the lap of luxury the entire time they had been stuffed into a tiny common room with numerous other Gryffindors. They stood at the door, looking around, before they noticed that Draco had disappeared into a doorway in the wall near them.
They walked over to the row of doors on the wall, examining them. They observed that the door Draco had entered was his own personal dormitory and next to his, on the door of the end room, they read Hermione's name on the door in cursive, loopy letters. Harry ran his fingers over the bright letters, extremely proud of his best girl friend and what she had been through and accomplished.
Draco suddenly walked back into the common room, closing the door of the dormitory containing Justin, tucked into the denim blue bed coverings. He motioned for Harry and Ron to follow him and together the three wizards plopped themselves onto squashy armchairs huddled around the warm fire.
"Where are Ginny and Lavender?" Draco questioned the men. "Are they not worried about Hermione?"
"Of course they are," Ron answered. "They were going to come but the Thomas' and Seamus and Padma weren't home and we couldn't leave the kids. McGonagall said she'd owl them as soon as we had any word from any of you so I expect they know by now. But right now we're just concerned with what exactly happened tonight." Ron looked Draco squarely in the eyes and waited, waited to hear what had happened to Hermione and how they had gotten Justin back.
Draco took a deep breath, not wanting to relive it already. Finding out Justin had been kidnapped by Death Eaters and seeing his son hanging limp and tattered from those chains with Death Eaters surrounding him sent fear and anger coursing through his veins. Seeing Hermione taking that curse for his son and watching her kind, honey eyes fill with unimaginable pain tore his heart apart. Battling who he had considered friends in his Hogwarts days and knowing that they were the cause of all of that had made his blood boil. And now he had to experience it again.
He closed his steel grey eyes and shuddered. But he knew that he owed it to Ron and Harry to tell them what had happened. They were Hermione's best friends and she loved them like brothers. Plus, they had accepted Draco so easily, accepted that he had changed with only Hermione's word and they hadn't gone back to hating him because of the horrid way he had treated Hermione.
Harry seemed to notice that this was a hard thing for Draco to do. He, of course, had done it many times before- reliving the Chamber of Secrets, that night in the graveyard, seeing Cedric die when he was fourteen….. the list was endless. He knew exactly how Draco was feeling so he leaned over and gently placed his palm on the man's forearm, seemingly startling him. Draco looked up into Harry's sympathy-filled emerald eyes.
"Draco, I know how hard this is. Trust me, I know. But also trust me on this: It feels so good to be able to tell someone and not be burdening yourself with the events that happened. You can do it, I know it."
Draco nodded and, taking a deep breath, began his story. He told the two men about the letter he had received, informing him that his son had been taken since he hadn't fulfilled his father's wishes. He told them of asking for Hermione's help and the two of them pleading that Dumbledore help them. He told them of traveling to this place that Dumbledore thought might be where they had taken Justin, and of the countless number of spells the trio had broken through, ending with the last. He told them of walking that endless, dark, dank, spider-filled tunnel under the tree and of finally reaching the door to the room. He told them of opening it to see the Death Eaters preparing to torture his young son, who was hanging from chains, weak, innocent, and defenseless. He told them of how they had meant to torture him with the Cruciatus curse but how Hermione had so bravely and selflessly taken the painful curse for Justin, exposing them but saving his son. He told them of battling the remaining Death Eaters, 'friends' and classmates from Hogwarts. Then he told them of their journey back to Hogwarts, cold, dirty, weak, and exhausted, but all very much alive.
Draco finished his story and looked up into the faces of Ron and Harry. Ron sat with his mouth gaping open, mixed emotions clouding his normally bright blue eyes. Harry sat incredibly still, his face stony and somber. As an Auror, he had let these Death Eaters do this; he had let them run amok.
"Bloody Merlin," Ron finally whispered quietly, looking at the floor. "That's some situation Draco. But I'm glad everyone is back safely: Justin, Hermione, Dumbledore, and you," he said, looking up and staring hard at Draco.
"Where did the Death Eaters go? You said you only rounded up three of them. Where are those three? And what happened to the other two?" Harry questioned, his voice strained.
"Yeah, two of them Apparated out before we had the chance to do anything or even see them. Three stayed behind to fight us, including the one who used the curse, and Dumbledore and I managed to stop all of them. They should still be down there now, unless Dumbledore has alerted the Aurors, which he most likely has."
Harry nodded slightly and said, "I would have gotten the message if Dumbledore sent one but I asked for the day off after Dumbledore owled us from Hogsmeade before you guys left. I expect they'll be able to take care of it alright."
Draco and Ron nodded at Harry's words and as Draco did this he caught sight of the time.
"Three AM!" he exclaimed loudly. "I must have talked for quite a while!" As he said this he stifled a huge yawn and Harry and Ron glanced sideways at each other and nodded.
"Draco, I think it's about time you got some sleep, you have to be exhausted from the past two days. You go on into your room and get as much rest as you can and Ron and I will settle ourselves in these delightful couches and wait for word on Hermione.
Draco started to protest but was cut off by another huge yawn.
"I guess I am a little bit tired," he admitted. "But promise you'll wake me if there's any word at all from Madame Pomfrey."
"Will do, Draco," Ron said, giving him the thumbs up sign. Draco grinned slightly and, with a yawn, turned and walked towards his room and towards his son, disappearing through the door and leaving Ron and Harry alone.
"Well mate," said Ron. "I'm a bit tired so I suggest you stay up and watch for Pomfrey's sign. You're good at this late night staying awake stuff; you do it all the time."
With a small yawn, Ron walked to a particularly squashy couch and settled into it, turning his back to Harry. Unfortunately, he didn't see the pillow that Harry had pitched at his head in mock anger. It hit him with a 'FWUMP' and Ron grabbed it, placing it under his head and muttering a quick, "Thanks Harry," before starting to snore loudly.
Harry grinned at his best friend and settled himself into his armchair, prepared to sit awake, listening to the beat of Ron's snores, until Pomfrey gave them the sign.
An hour passed, then two, then three. Harry's eyelids were unbelievably heavy as each blink took him longer and longer to reopen his eyes. He was used to this though, being an Auror and all, and he ignored this extraordinary bout of tiredness. Although he was tired, he expected he wouldn't even be able to sleep much worrying about Hermione.
Suddenly, after four hours and at seven in the morning, Harry was startled slightly by a sudden flash of bright red light. Ron jerked awake and tumbled from the couch, sleepily muttering at the rudeness of being woken up. But Harry just yanked him from the ground and pointed, smiling, at the symbol that had appeared in front of them. A bright red, glittering poppy had formed in their midst.
"Ron, look! It's Pomfrey's sign! Hermione's woken up!" Go wake up Draco! We have to go see her!"
Ron rushed over to Draco's door and pounded on it yelling, "Draco, it's Hermione, she's awake!" A grinning, extremely awake Draco appeared at the door a few seconds later followed by a drowsy, half-asleep Justin.
"What should I do about Justin? I don't want to drag him up to the hospital wing but there's no way I'm leaving him alone," Malfoy wondered aloud.
"Well, Professor, I could always watch him for you," said a woman's voice from the other side of the room. "Merlin knows half the castle is probably awake with you incessant banging and yelling going on."
"McGonagall!" Harry exclaimed, turning around to stare at his stern-looking former teacher in her flannel nightgown. "S-Sorry about all that noise, we're just sorta excited, you know?" He stared at the Professor guiltily, a sheepish grin on his face.
"Oh, just go. Hermione is waiting for you! And don't worry Draco, I'll watch Justin carefully. Seems that the little tyke has fallen back asleep anyways." The three men glanced around and smiled at the little blond five year old curled on the rug before the fire.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Draco whispered, so as not to wake his son.
The trio made their way quickly from the common room, up the endless marble staircase, and through numerous corridors, emerging outside the hospital wing entrance about five minutes later. They rushed hurriedly into the room to see Hermione sitting up in bed eating a chunk of chocolate. Startled, she looked up at the noise and grinned when she saw who it was.
Draco's heart skipped a beat when she smiled. He noticed that the colour had returned to her cheeks and they were now rosy red and glowing. Her previously dull eyes had regained that genuine sparkle in their soft, honey depths. When she smiled her eyes practically lit up. Her soft, pink lips, like two little clouds curved perfectly around her perfect white teeth. A chestnut curl fell softly in front of her face, escaping the wild mass of ringlets tucked behind her shoulders. She was absolutely beautiful. Perfect. How he had ever been mad at this beautiful creature was a mystery to him.
Draco, Harry, and Ron rushed over to where Hermione sat. Harry and Ron enveloped her in a huge hug, glad she was safe and alive. Draco hung back, suddenly feeling sort of awkward.
"Draco," Hermione said as the two men released her. "Draco, come here."
Slowly he walked towards her bed and sat down on the edge of it. Hermione clasped his hand with her small, warm ones and stared into his warm, steely eyes.
"I'm so sorry for giving us away to the Death Eaters. I know you said it was dangerous but I couldn't let anything happen to Justin. He's such a wonderful, innocent little boy and he's your son. I couldn't stand and watch anything happen to him, just to keep us safe. I had to disobey Dumbledore, I had to. Draco, I'm so sor—" She was silenced by Draco placing his hand gently over her mouth.
"Shhh, Hermione, you have nothing to be sorry for. Another few moments and I would have done the same thing. I'm so proud of you, you were so wonderful and you have nothing to be sorry for. You acted so selflessly and you endured pain beyond pain for my son. Thank you. Don't you ever think what you did was wrong. We handled the Death Eaters fine and we're all alive. Now no more apologizing. Be proud of what you did for a wonderful, carefree little boy. You did everything and you did it all wonderfully."
Draco was so sincere as he gave this little speech to Hermione that she nodded against his hand, tears spilling down her cheeks and splashing over his fingers. He pulled her into a tight hug, not wanting to let her go as Ron and Harry gave each other a knowing smile behind Draco's back.
As Draco and Hermione pulled apart, Madame Pomfrey rushed over and checked Hermione a final time to be sure she was alright. Seemingly satisfied, she smiled and said, "Well, I believe it's alright for Ms. Granger here to be released from my care. Just remember dear, rest is what you need. The substitute professor will take over your class while you regain all of your strength back so you needn't worry about a thing."
As the matron turned and swept from the room, Hermione smiled and threw back her covers eagerly. As she was still wearing her robes, she was instantly ready to get out of the hospital wing. She had never been the person to admit she was sick or admit she needed the hospital wing. And now was one of those times.
"I'm so ready to get out of these clothes into something more comfortable and just sit by the fire. I feel like doing nothing today she said with a carefree twirl around the room.
"Whoa," she said as she wobbled a bit. She grabbed at the wall for balance then realizing she was in the middle of the room she frantically grabbed at something to steady her wobbling legs.
"Easy there Hermione," Draco said, rushing forwards to hold her. "You're not in perfect health you know, after being hit by the Cruciatus curse and all. You better take it easy for awhile.
"I'm fine, Draco," Hermione argued but still let Draco keep a firm grip around her waist as he led her to the common room. Once there she quickly got changed and, emerging from her room, headed straight for the couch in front of the fire and plopped down into its mushiness, pulling a large book from a shelf on the table next to her and quickly losing herself in the writing.
Draco chuckled as he watched her then turned towards the table where Minerva McGonagall sat grading papers.
"Doing homework so early on a Sunday, Minerva?" Draco said with a grin.
"Why yes Draco. I, unlike you, do not procrastinate at everything I do. I should have done this yesterday but I was sidetracked quite a bit. Now, if you don't mind, I need to get back to my marking. Your son is still sleeping on the couch right there. Oh, and Ron and Harry," she said as Draco started towards the couch containing Justin. "Your wives have written back and they said they are glad to hear everyone is alright and to tell you that they hope you get home soon."
Harry and Ron thanked her before walking over to join Draco at the couch where Justin was now sitting, looking slightly awake.
"Say guys, you both must be hungry. What do you say we head down to the Great Hall for some breakfast?" Harry suggested to Draco and Justin. Justin perked up at the mention of food and nodded hungrily. Draco laughed and agreed also.
"What about you Hermione?" Ron asked loudly across the room as McGonagall frowned at him. "You must be hungry too! Join us?"
"I would, Ron, but this book is at an excellent part in the plot! Would you just grab me a few things? That'd be great!" she answered.
Ron yelled back and ok (with another frown from McGonagall) and Harry, Ron, Draco, and Justin headed to the Great Hall for some food.
They emerged back into the common room a half an hour later, laden with toast, croissants, and other breakfast foods, along with a huge goblet of pumpkin juice, all for Hermione. She eagerly took it, thanking them, and disappeared back into her book as soon as she had gobbled up enough food.
The morning and afternoon passed lazily with no one really in the mood to do anything. Harry and Ron announced at five o'clock that they had better be getting home and, with a long farewell to Hermione that consisted on endless hugs and see you soons, they two wizards waved a goodbye to Draco and Justin and left Hogwarts castle for Hogsmeade where they would Apparate home.
Dinner came next and Hermione once again opted to stay in her place on the sofa, nearing the end of the massive book. Draco took Justin down for dinner and returned once again half an hour later with a load of food for Hermione. She thanked him with another one of her dazzling smiles before devouring the delicious food and quickly returning to the last few pages soon after.
The sun had set at this point and millions of stars glittered in the inky blackness of the night sky, surrounding the moon. Moonlight glittered on the snow blanketing every aspect of Hogwarts' grounds. It was truly beautiful. But as Draco turned back to look into the room, he noticed something even more beautiful within the castle walls.
Hermione looked as beautiful as ever. The fire was roaring in the fireplace and orange firelight danced across her face and reflected in her eyes and she eagerly read the last sentence. She slammed the book shut with a contented sigh and stared down at the rug where Justin had once again curled himself up before the fire and fallen asleep. She shivered lightly in the winter coolness despite the fire and Draco hurried over towards her, grabbing a knitted blanket as he did so.
Without thinking, he sat himself on the opposite side of the couch. Hermione looked at him curiously and had to look twice as she really took in the man sitting before her. His pale blond hair hung across his forehead and into his arm grey eyes. An odd look passed through them as honey met steel, lingering for a moment. She then passed her gaze over his smooth face, firelight dancing across it just as it had been on hers. His lips… they were so luscious looking and she suddenly longed to feel them with her own. Her eyes then traveled to his body. He had removed his robes and was wearing a pale blue shirt. In the light of the fire she could see the rippling muscles beneath the thin cloth.
Moving her eyes back up to meet his gaze, she saw him motion for her to join him. Unable to resist, she crawled across the couch and into his arms as he wrapped the warm, fuzzy blanket around her. He rested his cheek on her head and they sat like this for a while, just content to be in this position.
But something had been on Hermione's mind. She had to know, she had to ask him. So she did.
"Draco?"
"Mhhmm?" he whispered in an answer.
"Why did you choose me?" she blurted out. She then realized how ridiculous that sounded and chose her words more carefully, continuing, "Why did you ask me to help you get Justin back. I thought you hated me. And we were in a school full of fully qualified teachers with years of experience. Would they not have been better choices? Why me?"
Draco was silent for a moment, thinking. He then answered slowly, "I never hated you, Hermione, and I never could. I may have held a grudge against you but I realize now that that was a stupid thing to do and I regret the time I lost getting to know you better. Secondly, I chose you because I knew you could do it. I don't know if you're aware of how powerful you really are. Sure you're good at magic but it's different, more than that. It's an aura of power around you. You're students noticed it on the first day of school, and they all worked hard to please you, and succeeded. And I noticed it over time. You're one of the most powerful witched of our time Hermione. That's why I chose you."
As Draco finished Hermione had tears in her eyes. Her heart had swelled at every word he had uttered and all of her feelings that had built up within her since her reunion with him a year and a half ago exploded within her.
Hermione turned to face him, tears still glistening in her eyes and Draco became short of breath. There was something, something he had never felt before. Sure, he had had feelings for her before but now, this was something much more, something fabulous. And Draco never wanted to stop feeling it; it was pure bliss.
The twosome stared into each others eyes, warm, steely grey gazing into light, honey brown, a look in both of their eyes that neither had seen before within the depths of those windows to the souls. Before Hermione knew what she was doing, words were escaping her lips, but they were beautiful words that she meant with all her heart.
"Draco, I love you." Her eyes were filled with nothing but love and sincerity and Draco knew he wanted to say it back.
"I love you too Hermione."
They were so close. Draco could smell the scent of her hair—strawberries. Slowly, Draco lowered his head towards hers, tipping her chin gently upwards with a single finger. Hermione closed her eyes and Draco followed just as their lips met. Draco pressed softly against her lips, feeling their lush softness, like two little pillows. It was a gentle kiss at first but then Hermione leaned upwards, pressing her lips more eagerly against Draco's to deepening the kiss. He answered back eagerly as a year and a half of pent up passion flowed between their two bodies. It was a wonderful sensation, to be in each others arms finally. Neither one wanted to end the kiss, neither one wanted to end their connection and become two separate beings once again.
Finally, they pulled away slowly, once again gazing into each others eyes. Neither said a word but both grinned at the other, relieved to have finally let out their feelings.
They broke their intense gaze and Hermione settled sleepily into Draco's arms, still wrapped within the warm blanket and slowly drifted to sleep. Draco settled his cheek against her soft, curly hair and let out a contented sigh. 'Everything is perfect now,' he thought as he too surrendered to his fatigue. His son was safe and he had Hermione. How much better could life get?
***** *** *****
AN- Yea! They FINALLY got together! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, the longest I've done yet at 10 pages on word. I know it's sorta boring at the beginning but I hope it picked up enough. Sooo sorry that it took so long for me to get this up but with school and projects and gazillions of hours of homework it was hard to find time to write. But I really hope you all luved this chapter! Thanks for all of the reviews last chapter, I luv you guys! :) And just to let you know, the story is winding down now, only a few chapters to go. I can't promise the next chapter will be up anytime soon because I'm not too sure when I'll find the time to write but I promise I'll go as fast as I can. Oh! I wanted your guys' opinions on something. I'm thinking of doing sortof sequels after this story involving the late Hogwarts years of Justin, Lily, Eddie, and Elisabeth, and Mackenzie, and James, and any other of the characters kids in those three years. So that would be possibly three more stories. So let me know what you think when you review! I'm not gonna beg since I did that last chapter but I'm gonna ask you very nicely. Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top review this chapter because I put sooo much effort into it. Thanks all! And while your waiting for the next chapter, go join my HP message board The Scribbling Quill if you haven't already! http://scribblingquill.proboards19.com/ :) ~*~Fiery Phoenix~*~
Summary: A fic that takes place after Hogwarts. Hermione left the magical world behind after a messy breakup with Krum and became a muggle teacher. Years later she discovers that one of her new students is a Malfoy. What will happen when Draco enters her life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. The ones you don't recognize belong to me.
Chapter 17- Perfect
Footsteps pounded the stone floor of the Entrance Hall as Draco swung around, already aware of who was yelling. He had heard those voices extremely often before; how could he forget them?
A tall, raven-haired man and a tall man with fiery hair were running towards them. The man with the black hair locked eyes with Draco, concern etched in his emerald eyes. The redhead stared from a filthy Justin clutching to Draco's robes to the limp form of Hermione in Draco's arms, fear filling his own baby blue eyes.
"What happened?" asked Harry Potter in a small voice, not breaking eye contact with Draco. Draco opened his mouth to reply but Ron Weasley's panicked voice cut him off.
"Who cares what happened!! The important thing is is Hermione ALIVE?!?"
"Of course she's alive!" Draco snapped, but there was no anger behind his comment, just exhaustion. "Do you think Hermione Granger, the most powerful witch of her year, would let herself DIE? I don't think so. This woman is too wonderful, too compassionate, too brave, too perfect. She's definitely very much alive. Her bravery seems to have tired her out though so I suggest we take her to the hospital wing where she can rest."
Harry and Ron just nodded numbly at Draco and quickly followed him to the hospital wing, Dumbledore following behind. The young wizard surely never stopped caring for Hermione and right now they would do as he said.
Harry pulled open to the door to the hospital wing and Draco gently carried Hermione, still sleeping, through the doorway. He laid her peaceful form tenderly onto the starched white sheets and turned to lift his son onto the bed next to her. Madame Pomfrey hurried from her office to tend to her new patients, muttering to herself. She tucked Hermione into the large, squashy bed and placed a large chunk of chocolate on the table next to her for when she woke up. She then turned to Justin and started fussing over him, examining every inch of him for anything wrong but, miraculously, he was just a little bruised and shaken up.
"He should be fine with a little rest. He can stay here in the hospital wing or he can go with you Professor Malfoy. And Professor Granger should be fine with a little sleep and chocolate. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be getting back to my job so will you be taking young Mister Malfoy with you Professor?"
"Yes!" Draco responded immediately. "He can rest in my room for now; I'd like to be able to keep an eye on him for the time being."
"Very well," said the matron. "Hermione should wake up after a good night sleep so you may come back tomorrow."
"Can't I come back and stay with her later?" Draco protested, but Madame Pomfrey quickly refused. "Visiting hours are over. She's not going anywhere, Professor, but if you want, I can let you know when she's woken up if she arises tonight."
Reluctantly, Draco agreed. Carrying the now sleeping form of Justin, he headed for his room. Dumbledore started back to his office to give the wizards some privacy but Harry and Ron just stood outside the hospital door, hovering absently.
"If you'd like, I can tell you what happened after I put Justin here to bed," Draco said quietly to the two men. They seemed to hesitate for a moment but then quickly nodded and walked with him silently back to the teacher's dormitories. Draco whispered the password and the portrait of a drowsy Professor Merl swung open to allow them to enter.
Ron and Harry gaped at the grandness of this room. The professors had been living in the lap of luxury the entire time they had been stuffed into a tiny common room with numerous other Gryffindors. They stood at the door, looking around, before they noticed that Draco had disappeared into a doorway in the wall near them.
They walked over to the row of doors on the wall, examining them. They observed that the door Draco had entered was his own personal dormitory and next to his, on the door of the end room, they read Hermione's name on the door in cursive, loopy letters. Harry ran his fingers over the bright letters, extremely proud of his best girl friend and what she had been through and accomplished.
Draco suddenly walked back into the common room, closing the door of the dormitory containing Justin, tucked into the denim blue bed coverings. He motioned for Harry and Ron to follow him and together the three wizards plopped themselves onto squashy armchairs huddled around the warm fire.
"Where are Ginny and Lavender?" Draco questioned the men. "Are they not worried about Hermione?"
"Of course they are," Ron answered. "They were going to come but the Thomas' and Seamus and Padma weren't home and we couldn't leave the kids. McGonagall said she'd owl them as soon as we had any word from any of you so I expect they know by now. But right now we're just concerned with what exactly happened tonight." Ron looked Draco squarely in the eyes and waited, waited to hear what had happened to Hermione and how they had gotten Justin back.
Draco took a deep breath, not wanting to relive it already. Finding out Justin had been kidnapped by Death Eaters and seeing his son hanging limp and tattered from those chains with Death Eaters surrounding him sent fear and anger coursing through his veins. Seeing Hermione taking that curse for his son and watching her kind, honey eyes fill with unimaginable pain tore his heart apart. Battling who he had considered friends in his Hogwarts days and knowing that they were the cause of all of that had made his blood boil. And now he had to experience it again.
He closed his steel grey eyes and shuddered. But he knew that he owed it to Ron and Harry to tell them what had happened. They were Hermione's best friends and she loved them like brothers. Plus, they had accepted Draco so easily, accepted that he had changed with only Hermione's word and they hadn't gone back to hating him because of the horrid way he had treated Hermione.
Harry seemed to notice that this was a hard thing for Draco to do. He, of course, had done it many times before- reliving the Chamber of Secrets, that night in the graveyard, seeing Cedric die when he was fourteen….. the list was endless. He knew exactly how Draco was feeling so he leaned over and gently placed his palm on the man's forearm, seemingly startling him. Draco looked up into Harry's sympathy-filled emerald eyes.
"Draco, I know how hard this is. Trust me, I know. But also trust me on this: It feels so good to be able to tell someone and not be burdening yourself with the events that happened. You can do it, I know it."
Draco nodded and, taking a deep breath, began his story. He told the two men about the letter he had received, informing him that his son had been taken since he hadn't fulfilled his father's wishes. He told them of asking for Hermione's help and the two of them pleading that Dumbledore help them. He told them of traveling to this place that Dumbledore thought might be where they had taken Justin, and of the countless number of spells the trio had broken through, ending with the last. He told them of walking that endless, dark, dank, spider-filled tunnel under the tree and of finally reaching the door to the room. He told them of opening it to see the Death Eaters preparing to torture his young son, who was hanging from chains, weak, innocent, and defenseless. He told them of how they had meant to torture him with the Cruciatus curse but how Hermione had so bravely and selflessly taken the painful curse for Justin, exposing them but saving his son. He told them of battling the remaining Death Eaters, 'friends' and classmates from Hogwarts. Then he told them of their journey back to Hogwarts, cold, dirty, weak, and exhausted, but all very much alive.
Draco finished his story and looked up into the faces of Ron and Harry. Ron sat with his mouth gaping open, mixed emotions clouding his normally bright blue eyes. Harry sat incredibly still, his face stony and somber. As an Auror, he had let these Death Eaters do this; he had let them run amok.
"Bloody Merlin," Ron finally whispered quietly, looking at the floor. "That's some situation Draco. But I'm glad everyone is back safely: Justin, Hermione, Dumbledore, and you," he said, looking up and staring hard at Draco.
"Where did the Death Eaters go? You said you only rounded up three of them. Where are those three? And what happened to the other two?" Harry questioned, his voice strained.
"Yeah, two of them Apparated out before we had the chance to do anything or even see them. Three stayed behind to fight us, including the one who used the curse, and Dumbledore and I managed to stop all of them. They should still be down there now, unless Dumbledore has alerted the Aurors, which he most likely has."
Harry nodded slightly and said, "I would have gotten the message if Dumbledore sent one but I asked for the day off after Dumbledore owled us from Hogsmeade before you guys left. I expect they'll be able to take care of it alright."
Draco and Ron nodded at Harry's words and as Draco did this he caught sight of the time.
"Three AM!" he exclaimed loudly. "I must have talked for quite a while!" As he said this he stifled a huge yawn and Harry and Ron glanced sideways at each other and nodded.
"Draco, I think it's about time you got some sleep, you have to be exhausted from the past two days. You go on into your room and get as much rest as you can and Ron and I will settle ourselves in these delightful couches and wait for word on Hermione.
Draco started to protest but was cut off by another huge yawn.
"I guess I am a little bit tired," he admitted. "But promise you'll wake me if there's any word at all from Madame Pomfrey."
"Will do, Draco," Ron said, giving him the thumbs up sign. Draco grinned slightly and, with a yawn, turned and walked towards his room and towards his son, disappearing through the door and leaving Ron and Harry alone.
"Well mate," said Ron. "I'm a bit tired so I suggest you stay up and watch for Pomfrey's sign. You're good at this late night staying awake stuff; you do it all the time."
With a small yawn, Ron walked to a particularly squashy couch and settled into it, turning his back to Harry. Unfortunately, he didn't see the pillow that Harry had pitched at his head in mock anger. It hit him with a 'FWUMP' and Ron grabbed it, placing it under his head and muttering a quick, "Thanks Harry," before starting to snore loudly.
Harry grinned at his best friend and settled himself into his armchair, prepared to sit awake, listening to the beat of Ron's snores, until Pomfrey gave them the sign.
An hour passed, then two, then three. Harry's eyelids were unbelievably heavy as each blink took him longer and longer to reopen his eyes. He was used to this though, being an Auror and all, and he ignored this extraordinary bout of tiredness. Although he was tired, he expected he wouldn't even be able to sleep much worrying about Hermione.
Suddenly, after four hours and at seven in the morning, Harry was startled slightly by a sudden flash of bright red light. Ron jerked awake and tumbled from the couch, sleepily muttering at the rudeness of being woken up. But Harry just yanked him from the ground and pointed, smiling, at the symbol that had appeared in front of them. A bright red, glittering poppy had formed in their midst.
"Ron, look! It's Pomfrey's sign! Hermione's woken up!" Go wake up Draco! We have to go see her!"
Ron rushed over to Draco's door and pounded on it yelling, "Draco, it's Hermione, she's awake!" A grinning, extremely awake Draco appeared at the door a few seconds later followed by a drowsy, half-asleep Justin.
"What should I do about Justin? I don't want to drag him up to the hospital wing but there's no way I'm leaving him alone," Malfoy wondered aloud.
"Well, Professor, I could always watch him for you," said a woman's voice from the other side of the room. "Merlin knows half the castle is probably awake with you incessant banging and yelling going on."
"McGonagall!" Harry exclaimed, turning around to stare at his stern-looking former teacher in her flannel nightgown. "S-Sorry about all that noise, we're just sorta excited, you know?" He stared at the Professor guiltily, a sheepish grin on his face.
"Oh, just go. Hermione is waiting for you! And don't worry Draco, I'll watch Justin carefully. Seems that the little tyke has fallen back asleep anyways." The three men glanced around and smiled at the little blond five year old curled on the rug before the fire.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Draco whispered, so as not to wake his son.
The trio made their way quickly from the common room, up the endless marble staircase, and through numerous corridors, emerging outside the hospital wing entrance about five minutes later. They rushed hurriedly into the room to see Hermione sitting up in bed eating a chunk of chocolate. Startled, she looked up at the noise and grinned when she saw who it was.
Draco's heart skipped a beat when she smiled. He noticed that the colour had returned to her cheeks and they were now rosy red and glowing. Her previously dull eyes had regained that genuine sparkle in their soft, honey depths. When she smiled her eyes practically lit up. Her soft, pink lips, like two little clouds curved perfectly around her perfect white teeth. A chestnut curl fell softly in front of her face, escaping the wild mass of ringlets tucked behind her shoulders. She was absolutely beautiful. Perfect. How he had ever been mad at this beautiful creature was a mystery to him.
Draco, Harry, and Ron rushed over to where Hermione sat. Harry and Ron enveloped her in a huge hug, glad she was safe and alive. Draco hung back, suddenly feeling sort of awkward.
"Draco," Hermione said as the two men released her. "Draco, come here."
Slowly he walked towards her bed and sat down on the edge of it. Hermione clasped his hand with her small, warm ones and stared into his warm, steely eyes.
"I'm so sorry for giving us away to the Death Eaters. I know you said it was dangerous but I couldn't let anything happen to Justin. He's such a wonderful, innocent little boy and he's your son. I couldn't stand and watch anything happen to him, just to keep us safe. I had to disobey Dumbledore, I had to. Draco, I'm so sor—" She was silenced by Draco placing his hand gently over her mouth.
"Shhh, Hermione, you have nothing to be sorry for. Another few moments and I would have done the same thing. I'm so proud of you, you were so wonderful and you have nothing to be sorry for. You acted so selflessly and you endured pain beyond pain for my son. Thank you. Don't you ever think what you did was wrong. We handled the Death Eaters fine and we're all alive. Now no more apologizing. Be proud of what you did for a wonderful, carefree little boy. You did everything and you did it all wonderfully."
Draco was so sincere as he gave this little speech to Hermione that she nodded against his hand, tears spilling down her cheeks and splashing over his fingers. He pulled her into a tight hug, not wanting to let her go as Ron and Harry gave each other a knowing smile behind Draco's back.
As Draco and Hermione pulled apart, Madame Pomfrey rushed over and checked Hermione a final time to be sure she was alright. Seemingly satisfied, she smiled and said, "Well, I believe it's alright for Ms. Granger here to be released from my care. Just remember dear, rest is what you need. The substitute professor will take over your class while you regain all of your strength back so you needn't worry about a thing."
As the matron turned and swept from the room, Hermione smiled and threw back her covers eagerly. As she was still wearing her robes, she was instantly ready to get out of the hospital wing. She had never been the person to admit she was sick or admit she needed the hospital wing. And now was one of those times.
"I'm so ready to get out of these clothes into something more comfortable and just sit by the fire. I feel like doing nothing today she said with a carefree twirl around the room.
"Whoa," she said as she wobbled a bit. She grabbed at the wall for balance then realizing she was in the middle of the room she frantically grabbed at something to steady her wobbling legs.
"Easy there Hermione," Draco said, rushing forwards to hold her. "You're not in perfect health you know, after being hit by the Cruciatus curse and all. You better take it easy for awhile.
"I'm fine, Draco," Hermione argued but still let Draco keep a firm grip around her waist as he led her to the common room. Once there she quickly got changed and, emerging from her room, headed straight for the couch in front of the fire and plopped down into its mushiness, pulling a large book from a shelf on the table next to her and quickly losing herself in the writing.
Draco chuckled as he watched her then turned towards the table where Minerva McGonagall sat grading papers.
"Doing homework so early on a Sunday, Minerva?" Draco said with a grin.
"Why yes Draco. I, unlike you, do not procrastinate at everything I do. I should have done this yesterday but I was sidetracked quite a bit. Now, if you don't mind, I need to get back to my marking. Your son is still sleeping on the couch right there. Oh, and Ron and Harry," she said as Draco started towards the couch containing Justin. "Your wives have written back and they said they are glad to hear everyone is alright and to tell you that they hope you get home soon."
Harry and Ron thanked her before walking over to join Draco at the couch where Justin was now sitting, looking slightly awake.
"Say guys, you both must be hungry. What do you say we head down to the Great Hall for some breakfast?" Harry suggested to Draco and Justin. Justin perked up at the mention of food and nodded hungrily. Draco laughed and agreed also.
"What about you Hermione?" Ron asked loudly across the room as McGonagall frowned at him. "You must be hungry too! Join us?"
"I would, Ron, but this book is at an excellent part in the plot! Would you just grab me a few things? That'd be great!" she answered.
Ron yelled back and ok (with another frown from McGonagall) and Harry, Ron, Draco, and Justin headed to the Great Hall for some food.
They emerged back into the common room a half an hour later, laden with toast, croissants, and other breakfast foods, along with a huge goblet of pumpkin juice, all for Hermione. She eagerly took it, thanking them, and disappeared back into her book as soon as she had gobbled up enough food.
The morning and afternoon passed lazily with no one really in the mood to do anything. Harry and Ron announced at five o'clock that they had better be getting home and, with a long farewell to Hermione that consisted on endless hugs and see you soons, they two wizards waved a goodbye to Draco and Justin and left Hogwarts castle for Hogsmeade where they would Apparate home.
Dinner came next and Hermione once again opted to stay in her place on the sofa, nearing the end of the massive book. Draco took Justin down for dinner and returned once again half an hour later with a load of food for Hermione. She thanked him with another one of her dazzling smiles before devouring the delicious food and quickly returning to the last few pages soon after.
The sun had set at this point and millions of stars glittered in the inky blackness of the night sky, surrounding the moon. Moonlight glittered on the snow blanketing every aspect of Hogwarts' grounds. It was truly beautiful. But as Draco turned back to look into the room, he noticed something even more beautiful within the castle walls.
Hermione looked as beautiful as ever. The fire was roaring in the fireplace and orange firelight danced across her face and reflected in her eyes and she eagerly read the last sentence. She slammed the book shut with a contented sigh and stared down at the rug where Justin had once again curled himself up before the fire and fallen asleep. She shivered lightly in the winter coolness despite the fire and Draco hurried over towards her, grabbing a knitted blanket as he did so.
Without thinking, he sat himself on the opposite side of the couch. Hermione looked at him curiously and had to look twice as she really took in the man sitting before her. His pale blond hair hung across his forehead and into his arm grey eyes. An odd look passed through them as honey met steel, lingering for a moment. She then passed her gaze over his smooth face, firelight dancing across it just as it had been on hers. His lips… they were so luscious looking and she suddenly longed to feel them with her own. Her eyes then traveled to his body. He had removed his robes and was wearing a pale blue shirt. In the light of the fire she could see the rippling muscles beneath the thin cloth.
Moving her eyes back up to meet his gaze, she saw him motion for her to join him. Unable to resist, she crawled across the couch and into his arms as he wrapped the warm, fuzzy blanket around her. He rested his cheek on her head and they sat like this for a while, just content to be in this position.
But something had been on Hermione's mind. She had to know, she had to ask him. So she did.
"Draco?"
"Mhhmm?" he whispered in an answer.
"Why did you choose me?" she blurted out. She then realized how ridiculous that sounded and chose her words more carefully, continuing, "Why did you ask me to help you get Justin back. I thought you hated me. And we were in a school full of fully qualified teachers with years of experience. Would they not have been better choices? Why me?"
Draco was silent for a moment, thinking. He then answered slowly, "I never hated you, Hermione, and I never could. I may have held a grudge against you but I realize now that that was a stupid thing to do and I regret the time I lost getting to know you better. Secondly, I chose you because I knew you could do it. I don't know if you're aware of how powerful you really are. Sure you're good at magic but it's different, more than that. It's an aura of power around you. You're students noticed it on the first day of school, and they all worked hard to please you, and succeeded. And I noticed it over time. You're one of the most powerful witched of our time Hermione. That's why I chose you."
As Draco finished Hermione had tears in her eyes. Her heart had swelled at every word he had uttered and all of her feelings that had built up within her since her reunion with him a year and a half ago exploded within her.
Hermione turned to face him, tears still glistening in her eyes and Draco became short of breath. There was something, something he had never felt before. Sure, he had had feelings for her before but now, this was something much more, something fabulous. And Draco never wanted to stop feeling it; it was pure bliss.
The twosome stared into each others eyes, warm, steely grey gazing into light, honey brown, a look in both of their eyes that neither had seen before within the depths of those windows to the souls. Before Hermione knew what she was doing, words were escaping her lips, but they were beautiful words that she meant with all her heart.
"Draco, I love you." Her eyes were filled with nothing but love and sincerity and Draco knew he wanted to say it back.
"I love you too Hermione."
They were so close. Draco could smell the scent of her hair—strawberries. Slowly, Draco lowered his head towards hers, tipping her chin gently upwards with a single finger. Hermione closed her eyes and Draco followed just as their lips met. Draco pressed softly against her lips, feeling their lush softness, like two little pillows. It was a gentle kiss at first but then Hermione leaned upwards, pressing her lips more eagerly against Draco's to deepening the kiss. He answered back eagerly as a year and a half of pent up passion flowed between their two bodies. It was a wonderful sensation, to be in each others arms finally. Neither one wanted to end the kiss, neither one wanted to end their connection and become two separate beings once again.
Finally, they pulled away slowly, once again gazing into each others eyes. Neither said a word but both grinned at the other, relieved to have finally let out their feelings.
They broke their intense gaze and Hermione settled sleepily into Draco's arms, still wrapped within the warm blanket and slowly drifted to sleep. Draco settled his cheek against her soft, curly hair and let out a contented sigh. 'Everything is perfect now,' he thought as he too surrendered to his fatigue. His son was safe and he had Hermione. How much better could life get?
***** *** *****
AN- Yea! They FINALLY got together! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, the longest I've done yet at 10 pages on word. I know it's sorta boring at the beginning but I hope it picked up enough. Sooo sorry that it took so long for me to get this up but with school and projects and gazillions of hours of homework it was hard to find time to write. But I really hope you all luved this chapter! Thanks for all of the reviews last chapter, I luv you guys! :) And just to let you know, the story is winding down now, only a few chapters to go. I can't promise the next chapter will be up anytime soon because I'm not too sure when I'll find the time to write but I promise I'll go as fast as I can. Oh! I wanted your guys' opinions on something. I'm thinking of doing sortof sequels after this story involving the late Hogwarts years of Justin, Lily, Eddie, and Elisabeth, and Mackenzie, and James, and any other of the characters kids in those three years. So that would be possibly three more stories. So let me know what you think when you review! I'm not gonna beg since I did that last chapter but I'm gonna ask you very nicely. Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top review this chapter because I put sooo much effort into it. Thanks all! And while your waiting for the next chapter, go join my HP message board The Scribbling Quill if you haven't already! http://scribblingquill.proboards19.com/ :) ~*~Fiery Phoenix~*~