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.
*****correction #1- last chapter I said that Justin is five years old. He is, in fact, almost eight years old.
*****correction #2- well I made a huge mistake concerning when Draco's son met everyone so this chapter is the corrected one that I replaced the wrong one with. Thanks to Gilraen Telemnar for pointing out this mistake quickly! :)
!!!Now, on with the long-awaited chapter!!!
Chapter 18- Acceptances
The next couple of months passed by rather quickly. Dumbledore had happily suggested that Justin stay at the castle with them, so a bed was placed into the corner of Draco's dormitory.
The crisp winter days were filled with walks around the lake, snowball fights on the grounds, and visits to Hogsmeade. The blustery evenings were spent by the roaring fire, the seven-year-old boy sprawled on the rug, his nose buried in one of the many books Hermione had introduced him to, with Hermione wrapped in Draco's gentle embrace on the couch behind him, content to just sit and watch Draco's son learn the magic of reading.
Hermione had decided not to tell Harry, Ron, and the others about her relationship with Draco just yet. They had gotten off to a fresh start and she didn't want to jinx anything just yet. Christmas, she figured, would be an ideal time to tell them as they would be at Ron and Lavender's for Christmas this year, along with most of the Weasly family.
Shortly after Hermione and Draco had gotten together, Draco had pulled Justin aside to tell him cautiously, in case he didn't take the news of daddy's new girlfriend too well.
"Justin, I have something to tell you, and I hope you can take this in a mature way and not get angry or upset," he had begun.
Looking into his father's identical grey eyes, he had replied, "What is it dad? Is something wrong?"
"Well, no," he answered. "It's just… Hermione, well, Ms. Granger and I have decided that she's going to be my girlfriend. Now, I don't want you to get ups—"
"YES!!" Justin interrupted his dad, throwing his fist into the air.
"Justin! I certainly didn't expect this sort of reaction from you! What about your mother? Aren't you angry or upset that it may seem like I'm replacing your mother?" Draco said, shocked and his son's outburst.
"Dad, I've known all along that you and Ms. Granger should be together! You're the ones who took so long to realize it! As for mom, she never gave me the kind of love that I deserved growing up. I'd go to my friends houses and their moms would hug them, bake them cookies, do stuff with them. At home all I ever saw was you and mom arguing about her wanting me to follow in grandfather Malfoy's footsteps. She didn't care about me; she cared about what I became. She helped those Death Eaters take me to that horrible place, trying to force me to what she called the 'Dark side.' When I was in Ms. Granger's class, she showed me what it was like to have someone care for you like a mother should. You guys look at each other the way my friends moms and dads do, when they're in love. And they're a family. I've never really had one of those until Ms. Granger came along."
As Justin finished his speech, Draco stood stock still, frozen at his son's words. He had no idea his son had the capability to realize all those things. He would be eight in a few months and he was showing the maturity of someone much older. He supposed it may have had something to do with Justin being around Hermione so much; no one could have her as a teacher and not learn something important to do with not only books but real life. He didn't say anything to his son, just hugged him tightly and walked back towards the center of the common room, toward where Hermione was curled up on a couch, immersed in yet another huge novel.
As he approached, Hermione looked up and smiled, closing her book with a small 'fwump' and scooting over to make room for him.
"How did it go?" she asked, watching Justin cross the room towards Draco's dormitory.
"Hermione, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear that that boy was your son, not mine."
She looked at him quizzically but before she could question what he meant he got up from the couch and said, "I'm going down for dinner. Would you like to come?"
Hermione nodded her head, still watching him curiously as he yelled, "Justin?! Are you coming for dinner or must you finish that book and starve?!"
"I'm coming, Dad!" Justin yelled from the next room. He emerged a few minutes later, closing the door behind him with a soft 'click' and joined his father and his girlfriend near the rear of Merl's portrait. Justin pushed open the portrait and continued down the corridor, Draco and Hermione following close behind with their hands clasped and their faces smiling.
*****
Christmas arrived quickly for Hermione and she could be found sitting on the edge of her bed the night before her and Draco would be going to the Weasleys' and Potters'. She laughed aloud as she remembered bursting into tears at the prospect of spending the months leading up to Christmas away from her friends. She had even considered writing to Dumbledore and telling him that she had changed her mind, and she no longer wished to teach Charms. But Hermione knew that she had done the right thing. Teaching at Hogwarts was what she was meant to do. Sure, she had enjoyed teaching at the elementary school, but it paled in comparison to teaching magic.
She was still sitting on her bed, smiling with a glazed over look in her eyes when Draco walked in. She snapped out of her trance at the sound of his footsteps and grinned up at him, her honey eyes sparkling. Draco smiled back but it quickly faded when he caught sight of Hermione's trunk. It was empty.
"Hermione!" You're supposed to be getting packed. We leave tomorrow morning! That's only 11 short hours away!"
Hermione sighed, still smiling up at him.
"Oh, I don't mind. I have 11 hours left to pack. Right now I'm thinking about how completely and utterly perfect my life is," she told him.
Draco's playful scowl silently slid from his face as he sat down beside her on the bed, wrapping his arm around her small body. She leaned her head onto his strong shoulder, her chestnuts curls spilling across his body.
"So we're going to Ron's house tomorrow. Everyone will be there. Everyone will find about us. What will they say? I've been a selfish bastard lately and what if they don't approve? What will we do then?"
"Oh Draco," Hermione began. "It doesn't matter what they think, I'll still love you no matter what. And besides, they won't not approve. They know you have a temper that makes you act like that sometimes. Heck, I was friends with Harry and Ron for seven years and those two have some of the worst tempers I've ever seen. And boy did they hold grudges when they got angry. You have nothing to worry about. They know about this stuff. They're male too you know," she added with a giggle.
Draco grinned, reassured, and leaned down towards her, planting a soft, sweet kiss on her lips. He then got up and walked towards to doorway, turning only to say, "Oh, and don't forget, you only have 10 hours and 56 minutes left to pack. Better get cracking."
Hermione laughed and flung a pillow at his retreating back before dragging herself up from the bed and over to the closet. She might as well get the packing over with now.
*****
"Justin! Hurry up, will you? We've got to get up to Dumbledore's office to Floo to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's house before 9:00!" Draco yelled into the bathroom at his son, who was taking his time to get ready.
"Ok Dad, I'm just brushing my hair!" he replied, and two minutes later he threw open the door and ran out to join his father and Hermione at the portrait hole.
"Sorry Hermione," he said. "I just wanted to look nice so that these people will still like me and Dad," he added nervously.
"It's quite alright, Justin," replied Hermione. "Don't worry though; I can't see my friends staying mad at either of you. You both look so handsome! Two perfect gentlemen. Oh this Christmas is going to be wonderful!" she added, her eyes shining.
Draco, Hermione, and Justin proceeded along the corridors and up several flights of stairs, loaded down with their many trunks. Several minutes later, they came upon the huge stone entrance to Dumbledore's office and, after muttering the password, proceeded up the steps to the large oak doors. Dumbledore swiftly answered after a knock on the door and the three piled into the Headmaster's office.
"Ah, right on time. Well now, if you have everything gathered together, you can go right ahead. Just step right in and say 'RON WEASLEY'S!'
"Alright, Hermione, you can obviously go first, as I think they would be mighty shocked if I stepped into their living room. We'll follow right behind you," Draco told Hermione, so she took a handful of the fine powder and stepped into the fireplace.
"I'll see you there, and don't worry, everything will be fine!" she said reassuringly to a slightly nervous Draco before dropping the Floo powder, announcing her destination, and disappearing from sight.
Hermione spun around dizzily until she threw out her leg and stepped somewhat awkwardly into the golden living room of Ron and Lavender's house. Four heads snapped up at the sound of her and Hermione looked around to see the faces of Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Lavender beaming up at her.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, rising from the couch and advancing towards her to embrace her in a hug.
"Wait," Hermione said, and added quickly at the look on Harry's face, "before anyone says or does anything, I have a surprise. It should be along shortly."
As if on cue, two figures, one short and one tall, stepped out of the fireplace, wiping remnants of soot from their clothing. They looked up and the taller one stepped towards Hermione, snaking his arm around her tiny waist. A gasp was heard from Ginny as the four found themselves looking at Draco Malfoy and a small, blonde-haired boy, Justin, who was now standing in front of Hermione and Draco.
"Hermione, you little rascal! Why didn't you tell us!" Lavender exclaimed with an excited little squeal. "What a secret to keep! Well, come in, sit down, and please explain to us how this happened!"
The three sat down on in two chairs opposite the couches and Justin settled himself comfortably onto Hermione's lap. Hermione took a deep breath and proceeded to tell the story to her old friends. When she was done, she looked hesitantly around at them all. They, however, didn't seem too surprised at her words. Hermione inquired about this to Harry, wondering why her friends expected this to happen so much.
"Well, Hermione," he began, "Ron and I knew the minute Draco arrived back at Hogwarts with you and Justin back in November that it was only a matter of time before something happened. You weren't awake at the time, but we ran into you guys when you first arrived back. Draco's eyes gave it away. Never try to lie, mate, it won't work," Harry added with a laugh, addressing Draco as he spoke.
"Anyways," he continued, "We could tell that he cared deeply about you, and that whatever he had against you wouldn't last after what happened with the three of you and the Death Eaters. Not many people can save a man's son's life and not be forgiven by the man. And then, of course, we knew, no matter how hard you tried to hide it, that inside you, you returned Draco's feelings. After being best friends with you for seven years it wasn't really that hard to figure out."
"So basically, Hermione," Ron added, "we all here were just sitting around, waiting for someone to make a move. We just wish you would have told us instead of keeping us in suspense!"
Hermione laughed, apologizing the her friends, and then, passing Justin over to Draco, got up to receive a proper welcoming hug from all four of them. As she went to sit back down, Hermione was bombarded with hugs from Lily (who was carrying James), Mackenzie, Eddie, and Elisabeth, who had all been apparently sleeping at the time of her arrival.
"Aunt Mione!" they all exclaimed excitedly. Although Hermione was not their actual aunt, the children had taken to calling her that. Hermione saw Justin, sitting somewhat shyly off to the side, and beckoned him over. The kids smiled brightly at him as they recognized him from Hermione's going away party. Justin's nervousness faded as he laughed and went off running upstairs with his friends to play. Hermione smiled and returned to her squashy scarlet seat, chatting merrily about her time and Hogwarts, and listening intently to life at the Ministry, in the wizarding towns, and at the quiet homes by the lake.
Hermione perked up at the sound of the lake and pleaded eagerly, "Oh, please tell me that we can go skating on the lake again. That was so much fun last time, we just have to!"
Harry laughed and replied, "Well, Hermione, you're in luck. It's been so cold this winter and the lake is covered with a thick layer of ice. We'll probably be skating on it until summer! I think it's about time for breakfast so if you'd like, we can head on over there after."
Hermione nodded eagerly and stood up, heading towards the kitchen for breakfast. The kids joined them soon after and they gobbled down the breakfast of bacon and eggs, excited to get out onto the ice. After the dishes had been cleared, the adults bundled the kids up into warm winter jackets, thick snowsuits, knitted scarves, mittens, and a warm fuzzy hat each. The children then waited, rather impatiently, as the adults got themselves ready.
Hermione dug through her trunk and pulled out her dark blue snowsuit that she had purchased at a muggle shop a couple years earlier. She slipped into the crisp, white skates that Lavender had gotten for her and tied them tightly. To keep her warm, she wrapped a fuzzy white scarf around her neck, slipped her hands into her white knitted gloves, and tugged a hat over her wild brown hair that she had tied into two low braids in an attempt to keep it from blowing into her face.
Emerging back into the living room, Hermione's eyes fell upon Draco and she gaped at him. 'He looks so hot!' Hermione thought to herself. But it was true. He was dressed all in black, which contrasted so nicely with his pale blonde hair and his silvery eyes. Around his head he wore a thick black headband to keep his ears warm and here and there his short hair escaped it and fell across his eyes.
Ginny, who was watching Draco gape right back at Hermione, smiled to herself. She was so happy for Hermione. She deserved this, after what she had gone through with Krum. As she watched, the two lovebirds walked towards each other and clasped hands, giving each other a quick peck on the lips before gathering Justin and following the Weasley family outside.
Down on the lake, Hermione was in her element. She loved the cold, crispness of the morning, with the wind blowing across her face, turning her cheeks a rosy pink colour. She breathed in the cool air and soared across the ice, completely unaware of anyone but her. Of course, she quickly remembered Draco and made her way back to him. Justin had gone off skating with Lily, so the two of them entwined their fingers and just skated lazily along the slippery surface.
Draco suddenly stopped and Hermione looked around to see why. She immediately realized it when her eyes fell upon the mansion before her.
"Malfoy Manor," Draco whispered. "It seems so.... cold. I have no good memories there anymore. It holds my past, which I desperately want to forget. All I want to think about now is my future."
Hermione squeezed Draco's hand reassuringly and whispered into his ear, "The past is over and gone. You can never forget it, but with help from the ones that love you, you can push it aside and get on with the wonderful life you have now." Hermione's warm breath tickled Draco's ear as he lost himself in thought. He remembered the zombie that was Hermione sadly drag around the corridors at the end of their seventh year at Hogwarts. He knew that Krum had made her past a living hell.
Yet, here they were. Hermione, with her terrible past, and Draco, with his own. They were together, in love, and their future lay in front of them like a picture waiting to be painted.
As Hermione gently led him back to the other side of the lake, Draco made a decision in his head that he knew he would never regret.
*****
Christmas day dawned crisp and snowy, a perfect winter wonderland. As the cool wind blew softly outside, inside everyone was gathered happily around the Christmas tree. The adults were sitting back, watching the children open their gifts and exclaim gleefully at the sight of them. Hermione sat in a corner of the couch, bundled in a fleece blanket, her messy, coils of hair spilling softly over her, clutching a warm cup of hot cocoa.
For some reason, Harry, and Ron would not stop smiling crazily at her. When finally it came time for her to open her gifts, the two men smiled knowingly at each other. Hermione opened many gorgeous things: new robes, clothes, books, and multiple other fantastic things. But she soon realized that she had not received anything from Draco yet. By this time, Ron and Harry were on the edges of their seats, their matching grins splitting their faces into two.
"Well, Draco," she began, in mock annoyance, "I don't seem to have received anything from you! What kind of a boyfriend are you, huh?"
"Well you see, Hermione, there you are wrong. I did, in fact, get you a gift. But I expect you to ask me nicely for it, with proper manners," Draco answered, in the same mocking tone.
Hermione smiled and answered, "Pretty pretty please, with a cherry on top?" Draco got up from the couch and pulled Hermione to her feet.
"You'll have to stand up for me to give this to you properly." Hermione looked puzzled for a moment, until Draco stuck his hand into his pocket and bent onto one knee. An audible gasp was heard from Hermione, and tears began to fill her eyes as she looked at the sparkling diamond resting in the box in Draco;s hand and realized what was happening.
"Hermione," Draco began, looking deep into her chestnut eyes with his own warm, silver ones, "I love you deeply and know that together we can put our pasts behind us and begin a new life, together. I've never felt this way before about anyone, but it is a truly wonderful feeling, and I know that I'm doing the right thing. I want a future with you, Hermione. I want to hold you and never let you go. I want to protect you from all the hurt that you have endeared. I want to love you forever. So please, Hermione, will you marry me?"
Tears poured down Hermione's cheeks and an overwhelming feeling came over her. It was almost as if Krum had never happened, almost as if she had never felt pain in her heart that was now so strongly shouting out the answer to her.
"Yes, Draco," Hermione whispered, and as Draco's nervous face split into a bright smile, Hermione laughed and allowed herself to be enveloped by Draco into a tight embrace, followed by a deep, passionate kiss. Hermione vaguely heard her friends cheering and congratulating her.
Draco leant his forehead against Hermione's and looked deeply into her love-filled eyes, almost as if he were looking into her soul. He loved this gorgeous woman, gazing into his eyes, with all his heart, and he felt like the happiest man alive. Draco briefly glanced down at his son, who had snaked his arms around his father's waist. He looked back up at Hermione, who was smiling down at Justin, and caught her gaze as she looked back up.
"We'll be a family now, Mione. The first loving family I've ever known." With that, Hermione cut him off with a soft, sweet kiss. She was the luckiest woman alive; Draco had given her more than just an engagement ring. He had given her a chance to be a wife and a mother. He had given her a family too.
***** *** *****
AN- *cowers guiltily behind her keyboard* ummm.... well.... sorry? You guys, I am soooooooo sorry! I can't believe I went THIS long without updating! It will never happen again, I promise! I don't even really have an excuse for it, just an explanation. You all know that since my last update, school has started fully. I don't have the full days of writing like I used to; I just have homework-filled days where I might find a couple of minutes to write a paragraph or two. And my family doesn't know about me writing because then they'll want to read it, and I just don't feel comfortable with my family reading what I write. I don't know why, but all I know is that someone is ALWAYS home and the computer is situated right in the middle of where everyone always is. So it's hard for me to find time to right. But still, I shouldn't of waited this gosh-darn long to update! To those readers out there who have stuck with my story and believed I'd be back, have a cookie. *hands everyone a cookie*. So, about the story, isn't it cute? It's a cliché ending to this chapter, I know, but I can't think of anything more interesting at the moment. I hope this chappie was worth the wait, and I hope you'll all express your feelings on this chapter with a lovely trip to the review button! :) I'd really appreciate feedback, because for some reason, I struggled through this chapter. Anyways, review please, and I'll try my hardest to get another chapter up soon. In the meantime, go visit my HP message board (URL is in my bio). So until next time, happy reading! :) *FieryPhoenix
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.
*****correction #1- last chapter I said that Justin is five years old. He is, in fact, almost eight years old.
*****correction #2- well I made a huge mistake concerning when Draco's son met everyone so this chapter is the corrected one that I replaced the wrong one with. Thanks to Gilraen Telemnar for pointing out this mistake quickly! :)
!!!Now, on with the long-awaited chapter!!!
Chapter 18- Acceptances
The next couple of months passed by rather quickly. Dumbledore had happily suggested that Justin stay at the castle with them, so a bed was placed into the corner of Draco's dormitory.
The crisp winter days were filled with walks around the lake, snowball fights on the grounds, and visits to Hogsmeade. The blustery evenings were spent by the roaring fire, the seven-year-old boy sprawled on the rug, his nose buried in one of the many books Hermione had introduced him to, with Hermione wrapped in Draco's gentle embrace on the couch behind him, content to just sit and watch Draco's son learn the magic of reading.
Hermione had decided not to tell Harry, Ron, and the others about her relationship with Draco just yet. They had gotten off to a fresh start and she didn't want to jinx anything just yet. Christmas, she figured, would be an ideal time to tell them as they would be at Ron and Lavender's for Christmas this year, along with most of the Weasly family.
Shortly after Hermione and Draco had gotten together, Draco had pulled Justin aside to tell him cautiously, in case he didn't take the news of daddy's new girlfriend too well.
"Justin, I have something to tell you, and I hope you can take this in a mature way and not get angry or upset," he had begun.
Looking into his father's identical grey eyes, he had replied, "What is it dad? Is something wrong?"
"Well, no," he answered. "It's just… Hermione, well, Ms. Granger and I have decided that she's going to be my girlfriend. Now, I don't want you to get ups—"
"YES!!" Justin interrupted his dad, throwing his fist into the air.
"Justin! I certainly didn't expect this sort of reaction from you! What about your mother? Aren't you angry or upset that it may seem like I'm replacing your mother?" Draco said, shocked and his son's outburst.
"Dad, I've known all along that you and Ms. Granger should be together! You're the ones who took so long to realize it! As for mom, she never gave me the kind of love that I deserved growing up. I'd go to my friends houses and their moms would hug them, bake them cookies, do stuff with them. At home all I ever saw was you and mom arguing about her wanting me to follow in grandfather Malfoy's footsteps. She didn't care about me; she cared about what I became. She helped those Death Eaters take me to that horrible place, trying to force me to what she called the 'Dark side.' When I was in Ms. Granger's class, she showed me what it was like to have someone care for you like a mother should. You guys look at each other the way my friends moms and dads do, when they're in love. And they're a family. I've never really had one of those until Ms. Granger came along."
As Justin finished his speech, Draco stood stock still, frozen at his son's words. He had no idea his son had the capability to realize all those things. He would be eight in a few months and he was showing the maturity of someone much older. He supposed it may have had something to do with Justin being around Hermione so much; no one could have her as a teacher and not learn something important to do with not only books but real life. He didn't say anything to his son, just hugged him tightly and walked back towards the center of the common room, toward where Hermione was curled up on a couch, immersed in yet another huge novel.
As he approached, Hermione looked up and smiled, closing her book with a small 'fwump' and scooting over to make room for him.
"How did it go?" she asked, watching Justin cross the room towards Draco's dormitory.
"Hermione, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear that that boy was your son, not mine."
She looked at him quizzically but before she could question what he meant he got up from the couch and said, "I'm going down for dinner. Would you like to come?"
Hermione nodded her head, still watching him curiously as he yelled, "Justin?! Are you coming for dinner or must you finish that book and starve?!"
"I'm coming, Dad!" Justin yelled from the next room. He emerged a few minutes later, closing the door behind him with a soft 'click' and joined his father and his girlfriend near the rear of Merl's portrait. Justin pushed open the portrait and continued down the corridor, Draco and Hermione following close behind with their hands clasped and their faces smiling.
*****
Christmas arrived quickly for Hermione and she could be found sitting on the edge of her bed the night before her and Draco would be going to the Weasleys' and Potters'. She laughed aloud as she remembered bursting into tears at the prospect of spending the months leading up to Christmas away from her friends. She had even considered writing to Dumbledore and telling him that she had changed her mind, and she no longer wished to teach Charms. But Hermione knew that she had done the right thing. Teaching at Hogwarts was what she was meant to do. Sure, she had enjoyed teaching at the elementary school, but it paled in comparison to teaching magic.
She was still sitting on her bed, smiling with a glazed over look in her eyes when Draco walked in. She snapped out of her trance at the sound of his footsteps and grinned up at him, her honey eyes sparkling. Draco smiled back but it quickly faded when he caught sight of Hermione's trunk. It was empty.
"Hermione!" You're supposed to be getting packed. We leave tomorrow morning! That's only 11 short hours away!"
Hermione sighed, still smiling up at him.
"Oh, I don't mind. I have 11 hours left to pack. Right now I'm thinking about how completely and utterly perfect my life is," she told him.
Draco's playful scowl silently slid from his face as he sat down beside her on the bed, wrapping his arm around her small body. She leaned her head onto his strong shoulder, her chestnuts curls spilling across his body.
"So we're going to Ron's house tomorrow. Everyone will be there. Everyone will find about us. What will they say? I've been a selfish bastard lately and what if they don't approve? What will we do then?"
"Oh Draco," Hermione began. "It doesn't matter what they think, I'll still love you no matter what. And besides, they won't not approve. They know you have a temper that makes you act like that sometimes. Heck, I was friends with Harry and Ron for seven years and those two have some of the worst tempers I've ever seen. And boy did they hold grudges when they got angry. You have nothing to worry about. They know about this stuff. They're male too you know," she added with a giggle.
Draco grinned, reassured, and leaned down towards her, planting a soft, sweet kiss on her lips. He then got up and walked towards to doorway, turning only to say, "Oh, and don't forget, you only have 10 hours and 56 minutes left to pack. Better get cracking."
Hermione laughed and flung a pillow at his retreating back before dragging herself up from the bed and over to the closet. She might as well get the packing over with now.
*****
"Justin! Hurry up, will you? We've got to get up to Dumbledore's office to Floo to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's house before 9:00!" Draco yelled into the bathroom at his son, who was taking his time to get ready.
"Ok Dad, I'm just brushing my hair!" he replied, and two minutes later he threw open the door and ran out to join his father and Hermione at the portrait hole.
"Sorry Hermione," he said. "I just wanted to look nice so that these people will still like me and Dad," he added nervously.
"It's quite alright, Justin," replied Hermione. "Don't worry though; I can't see my friends staying mad at either of you. You both look so handsome! Two perfect gentlemen. Oh this Christmas is going to be wonderful!" she added, her eyes shining.
Draco, Hermione, and Justin proceeded along the corridors and up several flights of stairs, loaded down with their many trunks. Several minutes later, they came upon the huge stone entrance to Dumbledore's office and, after muttering the password, proceeded up the steps to the large oak doors. Dumbledore swiftly answered after a knock on the door and the three piled into the Headmaster's office.
"Ah, right on time. Well now, if you have everything gathered together, you can go right ahead. Just step right in and say 'RON WEASLEY'S!'
"Alright, Hermione, you can obviously go first, as I think they would be mighty shocked if I stepped into their living room. We'll follow right behind you," Draco told Hermione, so she took a handful of the fine powder and stepped into the fireplace.
"I'll see you there, and don't worry, everything will be fine!" she said reassuringly to a slightly nervous Draco before dropping the Floo powder, announcing her destination, and disappearing from sight.
Hermione spun around dizzily until she threw out her leg and stepped somewhat awkwardly into the golden living room of Ron and Lavender's house. Four heads snapped up at the sound of her and Hermione looked around to see the faces of Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Lavender beaming up at her.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, rising from the couch and advancing towards her to embrace her in a hug.
"Wait," Hermione said, and added quickly at the look on Harry's face, "before anyone says or does anything, I have a surprise. It should be along shortly."
As if on cue, two figures, one short and one tall, stepped out of the fireplace, wiping remnants of soot from their clothing. They looked up and the taller one stepped towards Hermione, snaking his arm around her tiny waist. A gasp was heard from Ginny as the four found themselves looking at Draco Malfoy and a small, blonde-haired boy, Justin, who was now standing in front of Hermione and Draco.
"Hermione, you little rascal! Why didn't you tell us!" Lavender exclaimed with an excited little squeal. "What a secret to keep! Well, come in, sit down, and please explain to us how this happened!"
The three sat down on in two chairs opposite the couches and Justin settled himself comfortably onto Hermione's lap. Hermione took a deep breath and proceeded to tell the story to her old friends. When she was done, she looked hesitantly around at them all. They, however, didn't seem too surprised at her words. Hermione inquired about this to Harry, wondering why her friends expected this to happen so much.
"Well, Hermione," he began, "Ron and I knew the minute Draco arrived back at Hogwarts with you and Justin back in November that it was only a matter of time before something happened. You weren't awake at the time, but we ran into you guys when you first arrived back. Draco's eyes gave it away. Never try to lie, mate, it won't work," Harry added with a laugh, addressing Draco as he spoke.
"Anyways," he continued, "We could tell that he cared deeply about you, and that whatever he had against you wouldn't last after what happened with the three of you and the Death Eaters. Not many people can save a man's son's life and not be forgiven by the man. And then, of course, we knew, no matter how hard you tried to hide it, that inside you, you returned Draco's feelings. After being best friends with you for seven years it wasn't really that hard to figure out."
"So basically, Hermione," Ron added, "we all here were just sitting around, waiting for someone to make a move. We just wish you would have told us instead of keeping us in suspense!"
Hermione laughed, apologizing the her friends, and then, passing Justin over to Draco, got up to receive a proper welcoming hug from all four of them. As she went to sit back down, Hermione was bombarded with hugs from Lily (who was carrying James), Mackenzie, Eddie, and Elisabeth, who had all been apparently sleeping at the time of her arrival.
"Aunt Mione!" they all exclaimed excitedly. Although Hermione was not their actual aunt, the children had taken to calling her that. Hermione saw Justin, sitting somewhat shyly off to the side, and beckoned him over. The kids smiled brightly at him as they recognized him from Hermione's going away party. Justin's nervousness faded as he laughed and went off running upstairs with his friends to play. Hermione smiled and returned to her squashy scarlet seat, chatting merrily about her time and Hogwarts, and listening intently to life at the Ministry, in the wizarding towns, and at the quiet homes by the lake.
Hermione perked up at the sound of the lake and pleaded eagerly, "Oh, please tell me that we can go skating on the lake again. That was so much fun last time, we just have to!"
Harry laughed and replied, "Well, Hermione, you're in luck. It's been so cold this winter and the lake is covered with a thick layer of ice. We'll probably be skating on it until summer! I think it's about time for breakfast so if you'd like, we can head on over there after."
Hermione nodded eagerly and stood up, heading towards the kitchen for breakfast. The kids joined them soon after and they gobbled down the breakfast of bacon and eggs, excited to get out onto the ice. After the dishes had been cleared, the adults bundled the kids up into warm winter jackets, thick snowsuits, knitted scarves, mittens, and a warm fuzzy hat each. The children then waited, rather impatiently, as the adults got themselves ready.
Hermione dug through her trunk and pulled out her dark blue snowsuit that she had purchased at a muggle shop a couple years earlier. She slipped into the crisp, white skates that Lavender had gotten for her and tied them tightly. To keep her warm, she wrapped a fuzzy white scarf around her neck, slipped her hands into her white knitted gloves, and tugged a hat over her wild brown hair that she had tied into two low braids in an attempt to keep it from blowing into her face.
Emerging back into the living room, Hermione's eyes fell upon Draco and she gaped at him. 'He looks so hot!' Hermione thought to herself. But it was true. He was dressed all in black, which contrasted so nicely with his pale blonde hair and his silvery eyes. Around his head he wore a thick black headband to keep his ears warm and here and there his short hair escaped it and fell across his eyes.
Ginny, who was watching Draco gape right back at Hermione, smiled to herself. She was so happy for Hermione. She deserved this, after what she had gone through with Krum. As she watched, the two lovebirds walked towards each other and clasped hands, giving each other a quick peck on the lips before gathering Justin and following the Weasley family outside.
Down on the lake, Hermione was in her element. She loved the cold, crispness of the morning, with the wind blowing across her face, turning her cheeks a rosy pink colour. She breathed in the cool air and soared across the ice, completely unaware of anyone but her. Of course, she quickly remembered Draco and made her way back to him. Justin had gone off skating with Lily, so the two of them entwined their fingers and just skated lazily along the slippery surface.
Draco suddenly stopped and Hermione looked around to see why. She immediately realized it when her eyes fell upon the mansion before her.
"Malfoy Manor," Draco whispered. "It seems so.... cold. I have no good memories there anymore. It holds my past, which I desperately want to forget. All I want to think about now is my future."
Hermione squeezed Draco's hand reassuringly and whispered into his ear, "The past is over and gone. You can never forget it, but with help from the ones that love you, you can push it aside and get on with the wonderful life you have now." Hermione's warm breath tickled Draco's ear as he lost himself in thought. He remembered the zombie that was Hermione sadly drag around the corridors at the end of their seventh year at Hogwarts. He knew that Krum had made her past a living hell.
Yet, here they were. Hermione, with her terrible past, and Draco, with his own. They were together, in love, and their future lay in front of them like a picture waiting to be painted.
As Hermione gently led him back to the other side of the lake, Draco made a decision in his head that he knew he would never regret.
*****
Christmas day dawned crisp and snowy, a perfect winter wonderland. As the cool wind blew softly outside, inside everyone was gathered happily around the Christmas tree. The adults were sitting back, watching the children open their gifts and exclaim gleefully at the sight of them. Hermione sat in a corner of the couch, bundled in a fleece blanket, her messy, coils of hair spilling softly over her, clutching a warm cup of hot cocoa.
For some reason, Harry, and Ron would not stop smiling crazily at her. When finally it came time for her to open her gifts, the two men smiled knowingly at each other. Hermione opened many gorgeous things: new robes, clothes, books, and multiple other fantastic things. But she soon realized that she had not received anything from Draco yet. By this time, Ron and Harry were on the edges of their seats, their matching grins splitting their faces into two.
"Well, Draco," she began, in mock annoyance, "I don't seem to have received anything from you! What kind of a boyfriend are you, huh?"
"Well you see, Hermione, there you are wrong. I did, in fact, get you a gift. But I expect you to ask me nicely for it, with proper manners," Draco answered, in the same mocking tone.
Hermione smiled and answered, "Pretty pretty please, with a cherry on top?" Draco got up from the couch and pulled Hermione to her feet.
"You'll have to stand up for me to give this to you properly." Hermione looked puzzled for a moment, until Draco stuck his hand into his pocket and bent onto one knee. An audible gasp was heard from Hermione, and tears began to fill her eyes as she looked at the sparkling diamond resting in the box in Draco;s hand and realized what was happening.
"Hermione," Draco began, looking deep into her chestnut eyes with his own warm, silver ones, "I love you deeply and know that together we can put our pasts behind us and begin a new life, together. I've never felt this way before about anyone, but it is a truly wonderful feeling, and I know that I'm doing the right thing. I want a future with you, Hermione. I want to hold you and never let you go. I want to protect you from all the hurt that you have endeared. I want to love you forever. So please, Hermione, will you marry me?"
Tears poured down Hermione's cheeks and an overwhelming feeling came over her. It was almost as if Krum had never happened, almost as if she had never felt pain in her heart that was now so strongly shouting out the answer to her.
"Yes, Draco," Hermione whispered, and as Draco's nervous face split into a bright smile, Hermione laughed and allowed herself to be enveloped by Draco into a tight embrace, followed by a deep, passionate kiss. Hermione vaguely heard her friends cheering and congratulating her.
Draco leant his forehead against Hermione's and looked deeply into her love-filled eyes, almost as if he were looking into her soul. He loved this gorgeous woman, gazing into his eyes, with all his heart, and he felt like the happiest man alive. Draco briefly glanced down at his son, who had snaked his arms around his father's waist. He looked back up at Hermione, who was smiling down at Justin, and caught her gaze as she looked back up.
"We'll be a family now, Mione. The first loving family I've ever known." With that, Hermione cut him off with a soft, sweet kiss. She was the luckiest woman alive; Draco had given her more than just an engagement ring. He had given her a chance to be a wife and a mother. He had given her a family too.
***** *** *****
AN- *cowers guiltily behind her keyboard* ummm.... well.... sorry? You guys, I am soooooooo sorry! I can't believe I went THIS long without updating! It will never happen again, I promise! I don't even really have an excuse for it, just an explanation. You all know that since my last update, school has started fully. I don't have the full days of writing like I used to; I just have homework-filled days where I might find a couple of minutes to write a paragraph or two. And my family doesn't know about me writing because then they'll want to read it, and I just don't feel comfortable with my family reading what I write. I don't know why, but all I know is that someone is ALWAYS home and the computer is situated right in the middle of where everyone always is. So it's hard for me to find time to right. But still, I shouldn't of waited this gosh-darn long to update! To those readers out there who have stuck with my story and believed I'd be back, have a cookie. *hands everyone a cookie*. So, about the story, isn't it cute? It's a cliché ending to this chapter, I know, but I can't think of anything more interesting at the moment. I hope this chappie was worth the wait, and I hope you'll all express your feelings on this chapter with a lovely trip to the review button! :) I'd really appreciate feedback, because for some reason, I struggled through this chapter. Anyways, review please, and I'll try my hardest to get another chapter up soon. In the meantime, go visit my HP message board (URL is in my bio). So until next time, happy reading! :) *FieryPhoenix