Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling and anybody else who either has a license or a copyright. I'm not one of them. Please don't sue. Don't have nothin' on me. It'll only be a big waste of precious time for both of us. Thank you! ;;
Spoilers: You'll know 'em when you see 'em! ov!!!
Apologies: I'm sorry to all my old reviewers! Vionella had trouble installing chapter 4 and had to remove the whole story so she could fix it. I've only learned about it this evening and I'm apologizing as well. I feel responsible for everything. I'll try my best to contact all my old reviewers to tell them I've updated. Sorry for the embarrassing inconvenience ;;v. (don't hurt us!!!!)
Author's Note ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: There's just something I want to clear up before I begin, guys. (takes deep breath)
DRACO IS DEAD AND HE IS NOT— I REPEAT— NOT COMING BACK TO LIFE IN MY FIC! ALL OF YOU WHO WANT THAT TO HAPPEN, BE WARNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank yous:
whisperinthenight: thank you so much for the positive feedback. Don't worry, I have no plans of bringing anyone back to life (where the hell did you get that idea?! Really, I was insulted you'd even think that of me! I said he was dead and he's STAYING dead, damn it!) Yeah, I understand the revulsion you feel over the other pairings that aren't HG/HP. Personally, I like pairing Hermione up with the older guys. It seemed a lot more logical that way, you see? In fact, I have two other ships going on…but you wouldn't be interested in them so, who cares? The one thing I'll never get into would be a HG/RW pairing, though. I am honestly disgusted by it. I don't think I can ever really forgive Ron for the Crookshanks/Scabbers debacle or the way he treated Harry in the Triwizard incident. Besides, Hermione would just be wasting that wonderful brain on Ron's ignorance! It's unthinkable!
Anarane Anwamane: can't argue with that love . By the way, I think your review was the funniest one I received this time, LOL . Thanks.
Midnight Lilly: I'm sure Hermione appreciates your sympathy for her plight, but I'm warning you that there'll be more twists in this story to come (what can I say? I've got a twisted sort of mind '). Anyway, do you really think Harry deserves to be unhappy? Or Hermione for that matter? I mean, come on!
patagonia: hi!!! I want to dedicate this chapter to you because I like you! From your reviews, I think you're a great person (correct me if I'm wrong, okay? ;v). I was so surprised that you still searched for this story even after the incident with Vionella (she said she was sorry)! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter (crosses fingers). Keep reviewing! Thank you again and I hope you are also doing well! Don't worry about me, I've managed to scrape enough to add into the payment of the debts and still have a fairly acceptable Christmas with my siblings. I hope your holidays are well. Happy Holidays!
Clavel: wow! Thanks. I'm really glad you liked it and I'm sorry I couldn't update as often as I would like. Hope you enjoy this instalment!
SycoCallie: Heh! Tried that but it didn't work. Apparently the money is her service charge for giving birth to me and raising all of us for the last lifetime. I just hope that, if she does come back, she'll come back with a conscience. Thanks for the advice, hon, you're well worth writing for . Anyway, your ideas coincide closely with my own though, not entirely (wink). I'm suspecting you like your romances that way, huh? Good luck with your friend. I hope he realizes the kind of person you are and accept you too. I think he'll be lucky to have you. Who knows…? Everyone deserves to be happy in my opinion. You're welcome to rant here anytime you like and I hope I can hold your interest until the inevitable end. Lots o' luck to you! v
Muse: Wow! Thank you so much! I'm really dumbstruck that you liked it that much! I'm thrilled at having a new reviewer and having you comment on this fic is enough to make me want to forgive Vionella for removing the whole story and losing me my old reviews! More drama here and I hope you like this. Sorry I can't update regularly, I'm a bit snowed in what with raising three siblings without any parents right now at the ripe old age of 23 ;;. Anyway, I know it's hard but I hope you can wait. Peace!
S.F. Gustafuson: LOL! Thanks! I appreciate it! I think it's rubbing off because I just received a raise (if you call ten bucks a raise) from one of my jobs. Good luck on your exams and I hope you do great (25 ain't bad. Look, my update was longer now. It means your luck is effective smirk)! God, I wish I can go back to school. Anyway, I hope this would make a satisfying read for you during the holidays. Thank you again and take care!
Parcheezie: thank you so much for your understanding and thank you for liking this story! Believe me, if it were up to me, I'd update every week, but I obviously can't. anyway, I hope you stick around till the end. Thanks!
no name: (evil smirk) he he he… not just yet, my fine, nameless friend… not just yet… BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
missradcliffe: what are you guys so worked up against Draco anyway? Aside from being evil, sadistic, arrogant and an all around prat, I can see nothing to be pissed about ;;v. I make sure that I double and triple check my work before I hand them over to Vionella. She says I'm freaky that way. Glad it pays off though!
Clavel: Yes he can, can't he?
Author's Note: Happy Holidays, Enjoy!!!
Chapter Five: To Keep Him From Hurting…
"Ron."
Harry continued to follow his hot headed best friend as the tall Quidditch player stomped away from the house towards the edge of the wards he set up around the property like an invisible fence. Ron was so furious, he wouldn't even throw him a look. It was making Harry livid. He stifled the urge to throttle Ron within an inch of his life for talking to Hermione like that. Inwardly, he sighed. He should have guessed Ron still had feelings for her. But after all this time, he thought— hoped— it wasn't so. That Ron had finally gotten over her and he would be free to acknowledge— at least to himself— his feelings. He was really sick and tired of lying to his own soul. And he really should stop this habitual wishful thinking. It was making him believe his fantasies can actually come true.
"Ron, wait up."
Still the red head kept on walking. Ron was a good foot taller than he was. That would have made him a great sprinter so Harry had to concede the point that, mad as Ron was, he wouldn't just be able to grab hold of the red head's bloody neck and choke him yet. Not in this state of mind anyway. And he was not going to waste time and suffer the indignity of running and bodily preventing his friend from stepping out of the wards. So, as they both neared the edge of the property, Harry stopped, calmly leaned against a nearby tree, and mentally strengthened the wards just enough to keep anyone or anything from getting across it. He watched silently as Ron started stepping over the barrier only to be halted by an invisible wall. He stumbled back and looked up at the air in front of him, confused. Harry watched as Ron prodded and poked at the barrier blankly, watching as the air that met him rippled like a steady wall of water, until he finally realized what was going on and threw Harry a glare.
"Very funny, Harry," he snarled. "Take this off, NOW!"
"I told you to wait." He told Ron calmly, still not moving. Watching with slight amusement at Ron's reddening face. "We need to talk."
In response, Ron took out his own wand and proceeded to try and undo the wards so he could get through. Harry sighed a little. He knew it would only be a waste of time and energy for Ron. Not to brag, but his magic was something not just anyone can undo especially when he was within thirty feet of the object he cast his spell on. He's tried to avoid using his abilities on anyone outside the Dark wizards he fought against. He especially disliked using them against Ron because the youngest male of the Weasley brood tended to be so damned sensitive about it. Ron has an insecurity about Harry's magic, feeling inferior whenever their magical skills were compared. Harry always thought it was unfair. It wasn't his fault he was born this way, after all. It's not as if he could help it. But somehow, he didn't care what Ron thought about him now. What Ron said to Hermione back there was unforgivable. He needed a little bit of suffering if nothing else.
"Let me go." Ron finally turned around and glared at him, furious. His voice was quiet and filled with a simmering malevolence that would have made any other man blink and back away to avoid the predictable explosion of temper that was typical in all things Weasley. "I don't want to be here."
"No. Not until you calm down enough to talk to me like an adult." Harry shot back evenly.
Ron growled at him before turning and kicking at the barrier furiously as he uttered a steady stream of obscenities that he wouldn't have let Mrs. Weasley hear. After exhausting his supply of swear words five minutes later, he turned back to Harry and screamed. "WE HAVE NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT!"
Harry crossed his arms over his chest without dropping his cool mask. "Oh yes we do."
"That's your opinion, not mine!" the red head growled.
"You hurt Hermione's feelings."
"Not as much as she hurt mine!"
"She didn't mean it."
"How would YOU bloody know?!"
"Because she didn't ask for any of this in the first place."
Ron swore violently again and alternately kicked at the barrier in sheer frustration and throwing Harry resentful glares as he paced across the grass like a caged lion. It was apparent that he didn't want this conversation right now. Harry let his best friend take out his frustrations on the invisible wall for a full minute more until Ron eventually calmed down and leaned on the barrier in sheer defeat. After taking a few deep breaths, he slid slowly down on the invisible wall, his elbows on either knee and his chin on his chest. They were enveloped in silence a minute more before the youngest Weasley male deigned to speak at last in a civil voice. "I've loved her for a long time, Harry."
Harry felt a twinge in his heart. He knew of Ron's feelings for Hermione ever since they were at school together. It was one of the reasons why he never really took a closer look at his feelings concerning her. Ron was so transparent in his regard for her that he practically wore a sign behind his back that said 'I LOVE HERMIONE GRANGER!' despite all the arguments and the bickering. When Hermione rejected him, however, and he saw how Ron was enjoying himself with his new girlfriends, he thought his friend's feelings have disappeared. It finally gave him the strength to admit what he felt about Hermione even though he knew she was inlove with Malfoy. It was better admitting a revelation like that to one's self when the competition wasn't one's best friend. But apparently, he was wrong to assume that. Hearing it now, he felt guilty of his feelings for Hermione. He loved Ron like a brother. And he'd never had a brother before. He felt as though he were stealing something very precious from Ron.
"I know." he managed to say quietly, swallowing the bitter taste his thoughts engendered. "I've always known."
"Then why did you let them talk you into this arrangement?! Why didn't you just refuse?!" Ron asked in an anguished sort of voice that Harry only heard from his best friend during that fateful war. The voice they both used when someone they knew or loved fell victim under the cruel strike of an enemy wand. It was associated as the sound of loss that only made Harry feel guiltier. "It's not like they'll ever force you into something like this! That article in the Prophet was proof enough that everyone will back you up every step of the way!"
"It's the best course of action there is at the time. It was the only acceptable option." He kept his reply as bland as he possibly could, keeping his feelings well hidden underneath the armor of his heart. "I didn't make the options."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT WAS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE OPTION?! Hermione is a war hero, just like us! There should be a world full of acceptable solutions to her problem!" Ron demanded, his voice rising again.
Harry kept his face impassable as he answered Ron back. "In a perfect world, she ought to be receiving the Order of Merlin, First Class with us, but she didn't. No one's acknowledged what she did and most of them has turned a blind eye on her sacrifices because she married a Malfoy. But you and I know different. You and I know what went on during the war."
"SO ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT MARRYING MALFOY WAS A SACRIFICE ON HER PART, THEN? ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT SHE WAS LYING WHEN SHE TOLD US SHE LOVED THAT FERRET?!" Ron shouted at him. "IT'S EITHER YOU'RE KIDDING OR SHE'S PLAYING ALL OF US FOR FOOLS!"
"You and I know Hermione enough to realize that she'll never be that good of a liar." Harry shot back coolly. It was taking a great amount of effort not to hex Ron. "She wouldn't say she loved him if it weren't true."
"WELL THEN SHE'S A BLOODY FOOL!"
Harry discreetly clenched his fists but his face remained emotionless. "That may be but she's still our friend. She's stuck by us all throughout these years. She's the voice of reason that alternately held us back and pushed us on. She's bled for us, she cried for us and she always did everything she can to help us win. I won't repay her sacrifices by allowing her daughter to be served as dementor feed. Especially not by Fudge."
Ron sneered. Harry couldn't help but wonder if most purebloods were taught from birth on the Subtle Art Of Sneering. "Like I said, she didn't have to marry the ferret in the first place. She shouldn't have born Malfoy's spawn in the first place!"
Harry's blood ran cold at Ron's words. His eyes flashed in his effort to let his mind think for him and not his fists. Letting his temper rule him could have cost him a great many lives during the war and he was determined to make a habit of it. "Are you telling me that she should have aborted the pregnancy?"
Ron met his eyes, his gaze boldly unapologetic and defiant as only a Gryffindor could ever manage. "That child is Dark begot. Anything the Malfoys produce are Dark begot. Dark begotten children have no place in this world."
Harry straightened and looked at Ron furiously but his words were deadly cold. "Vera is not Dark begot. I've held her in my arms, I've felt the energy she possessed and it didn't feel dark to me! And besides, Hermione bore her. I refuse to think of anything Hermione loved having any darkness in them. Especially not an innocent child who's not even potty trained yet."
"You don't know that—"
"I DO TOO!" Harry practically shouted. Birds nearby scurried off the branches as they felt the heavy magical aura surrounding the air coming from the young man who defeated the Dark Lord. "She's NOTHING like Voldemort!"
"It won't be long before she shows the signs, Harry, you can't fool yourself forever." Ron continued on, trying to hide the fear that suddenly clenched his stomach as surely as if Harry's fist was holding onto the collar of his shirt. "She may look innocent now but mark my words, when she comes of age—"
"It's MY JOB to see to it that she never crosses that line." Harry told him, his voice still a deadly calm breath of wind. "Hermione was there for me at the time when I needed her most. If I had listened to her back in fifth year, Sirius would still have been alive and even free today. If I had listened to her, I could have avoided most of the pains I endured back then. And if it weren't for her, I would have died right now or have you forgotten first year?! I refuse to repay her kindness by abandoning her daughter!"
Ron had the graciousness to look down at his knees but Harry could still feel the mulishness his red haired friend was so popularly known for. Ron may have the I.Q. of a great strategist but he can still be a git. His insecurity seemed to have only increased instead of disappearing after the war even though he was picked by the Chudley Cannons as Keeper. And he knew why. Harry didn't want to tell him, but, like it as not, Ron has acquired a darkness in his heart from the war also. It was something he could understand now. It was inevitable. The only thing mellowing Ron's darkness was his insistent simple mindedness when it came to attention. Not that he was going to say that out in the open, mind, but it was an unavoidable fact. It couldn't be changed except for the person involved.
"Most people won't be very accepting of her." Ron tried to warn him, still not meeting his eyes. "They'll know the Malfoy heir for what it really is."
"As long as she has me and Hermione, Vera will never be alone." Harry declared, claiming back his earlier calm.
Ron gave out a brief, bitter laugh. "Yeah. Lucky her."
Harry stared at Ron as the red head continued to sit down against the barrier silently, torturing a blade of grass he ripped from the ground. He knew there was something else here, something both he and Ron weren't willing to discuss but they both knew that they had to. And Harry knew he had to open this topic for Hermione's sake. Somehow, he knew that he was going to get the worst out of this discussion.
"There's more, isn't there, Ron?" he asked his best friend in a resigned sort of way, murdering the sigh that came with it as best as he could. "Spill it out. We have to clear things out for Hermione. Because I'm telling you now, I will not tolerate anyone talking to her the way that you did. She's my wife. And she's Hermione. She deserves more than accusations and insults. And if you love her as much as you say you do, you'll get over your flattened pride and be civil to her. You can tell your parents about that too."
Ron scowled at the piece of the grass he was rolling in between his fingers until he finally threw it away and spoke. His voice was soft and a bit hesitant. As if wary of the answers he might get. "Is it true… about what she said back there? That you only have a marriage in name only?"
Harry clenched his teeth against the urge to growl at Ron that it was none of his business. Unfortunately, that kind of response had the danger of gaining consequences and questions he wasn't ready to deal with at the moment, so he gritted his teeth and answered calmly. "That's our arrangement, yes."
Ron snorted and stood up, shaking his head mockingly as he dusted himself off before leaning against the barrier again, upright this time. "Yeah right. Good luck with that."
"What are you talking about, Ron?" Harry asked in a mixture of confusion and exasperation. Really, did he have to be so damn melodramatic about all this?
Ron laughed bitterly at his question, still not meeting his eyes. Harry noticed his best friends vision seemed to be shining with unshed tears of resignation and genuine dismay. It added to his guilt, this realization that Ron cared this much about Hermione's regard. "You don't understand, do you? You can't let your marriage remain unconsummated! After the duration of a year, it becomes invalid and it will be instantly severed without the required contract! It's the magic inside a hand fasting ceremony! There's no such thing as a marriage in name in wizarding society!"
Harry remembered the words Dumbledore told Hermione at the Minister's office all of a sudden, the old wizard's words taking on a whole different meaning.
'...As will your other children, of course...'
He closed his eyes and leaned back against the tree as though begging it to absorb him. He viciously fought off the images of Hermione's tears as they slid off her silky cheek… The softness of her body as she embraced him… The addicting warmth in her palm as she held his face… How he would have loved to kiss her tears away as he stood there on the threshold watching her with the child. How he would have loved to clutch her close and bury his face in her hair as she hugged him back. To kiss her palm and pull them to his chest so she'd stroke the ache in his heart away…
Harry gritted his teeth at the desire to bite his lip as he imagined her running her hands across his messy hair. Her lips on his chest as he clutched her close… To imagine Hermione kissing him with those soft, pinkish lips would be heaven! The idea of having her look at him with such open wanting would be… He swallowed as his breathing quickened and he tried to slaughter the images in his mind. He had no right to her, for all that she was bound to him… She could never want him that way. She made that clear before she agreed to marry him back in Fudge's office last night. It was a bitter pill to swallow but it was one he would have to live with. He wondered what Hermione would say if he told her this bit of information that was cleverly omitted from the both of them. Hmp, that would be easy…
"She'll never agree to consummate our relationship." He told Ron bluntly, not bothering to open his eyes. "She's made it perfectly clear that she doesn't think that way about me. Chances are, she would be working overtime to gain the wizarding world's trust immediately."
"In a year?!" he heard Ron blurt out. "That's mental! That's bloody impossible, that is!"
"Knowing Hermione, the more you say it's impossible, the more determined she'll be." Harry smirked then opened his eyes to look directly at Ron's face. "I'm willing to help her, any way I can. We had a bargain."
"Bargain?" Ron asked, confused.
Harry gave the red head a sheepish little smirk even though his heart wasn't in it. What he'll say here would make Ron an agreeable party that will give Hermione the added support she needed, but it will also mean that he was going to have to start denying himself even thoughts of what it would be like to be a real husband to her and let Ron court her. It would be entirely up to her if she divorced him for Ron or not. It would be just like their situation back at Hogwarts. Friends. Just friends. Nothing more… and nothing less. But as long as it helped Hermione, he'll do everything he can. Even if it means losing what he so wanted for so long the second time around. "We agreed to divorce as soon as we find ourselves other interesting partners. Like she said, we're married in name only. Only for Vera's sake. She's not restricting me from having lovers either. Had I even wanted to, I couldn't consummate the marriage because of the fact that she doesn't love me. And I refuse to force her."
Ron's face brightened and his blue eyes turned on Harry even before he stopped speaking, instant recognition hitting him straight in the face. Harry felt his stomach churn and his heart die a little at the wide smile on Ron's face. Full of the anticipation, full of the hope for the one thing that could give his life the direction he's been aching to grasp for all his life since Sirius died… But he said nothing. It felt like that first time in the Hogwarts Express again, sharing all kinds of treats with Ron as they smiled and talked and him feeling glad because he's never shared anything with anyone before. Only this time, Harry wasn't feeling glad. This time, he wanted to be selfish… But he can't deny his friends a shot at happiness. And he swore, a long, long time ago, that he'll do whatever it took to take care of them. Even if it broke his own heart…
Besides, Ron loved her first. If he got in the way now he'll just be… another complication. He'll just go back to being the innocent bystander again. Just as he always was… and always will be…
"You're right, Harry!" Ron exclaimed in excitement, oblivious to his best friend's suffering. "If I can convince her to marry me after a year, then we can finally be together! I'm sure I can make her see reason. And it's not like you're inlove with her or something, right?"
Harry didn't answer. He couldn't. Answering yes would be a betrayal… and answering no would be a lie. Either way— if he chose— he'd still end up losing. He would never betray his friends the way Wormtail betrayed his parents. He'd rather betray his own heart… How Snape would sneer at him if the old bat could see him now. His obnoxious, greasy mentor's old soubriquet for him came to mind, making him wince ever so slightly.
Yes. Welcome to the life of Harry James Potter— idiot extraordinaire…
Hermione was pacing across the floor in front of the front door, waiting for Harry to appear and aching to ask if he's succeeded in pounding some sense into Ron's thick head as she rocked Vera gently in her arms. A few minutes after Harry followed Ron, she went back upstairs and took Vera out of her cradle, touring her all through the house (the whole place felt like it was never touched by another human being before!). It helped her calm down. Even now, Hedwig watched her as she walked from one end of the porch to the other, with her baby sleeping in her arms, as she immersed herself in thought as only she could.
She didn't care what anyone else thought about her, but the regard of her two best friends were far more important to her than all the hypocritical opinions of the citizens of the wizarding world put together. It was embarrassing but, even after all these years, she still clung to them like she did back in school. Like she owed them because they befriended her. She felt responsible for them somehow. They saw to her when no one else would (even if it did have to involve being nearly mauled by a mountain troll). Mere friendship wasn't enough to describe the bond that held the three of them together. They've been through hell and back too many times to be ripped apart now. And, if she weren't so weak from her adrenaline hype last night, she'd be after Ron right now and force him to see reason even if she had to body bind him to keep him still long enough for him to listen to what she had to say!
It didn't matter if he hurt her with his turns of phrases. The words were spoken in a fit of impulsive pique so common to the whole of the Weasley brood, and it was easy to forgive him that. She's been doing that for years, after all. What bothered her the most though, was Ron's declaration of still having feelings for her. It's funny… Six or seven years ago, she would have given anything just to hear those words from him. She was attracted by his impulsiveness. That part of him that allowed him the courage to act as he felt without any fear of other people's opinions despite his insecurity about the state of his family's finances. It was just something that's so beyond her, his ability of thinking before he acted. She sensed the freedom behind it even though she knew the consequences can be heavy. Even though she sneered at his inability to think first and talk later, that kind of free emotion baffled her and she wanted to understand it. Few would understand why but, the more she couldn't understand something, the more it fascinated her.
But, as time passed on and they all got older, she recognized the infatuation deflating until there was nothing left but a sisterly kind of affection. It was more likely that she misinterpreted her feelings for Ron as romantic. She was an only child, after all, and having another child her own age and who actually acknowledged her existence in more than an academic sort of way, within ten feet of her, was very new. And she revelled in it. And she mistook it gravely.
Hermione sighed as she stopped pacing to stare at a pond nearby, obviously man made. The birds were peacefully singing to her and the wind breezed through with the hint of dampness that told her rain was coming very soon. The modest wildness that surrounded the house attracted Hermione. It gave all the appearance of being open and obvious but one just knew there were still a few mysteries hiding behind the trees. And if anything else, Hermione adored mysteries. They were like big fat puzzles and riddles just waiting to be solved by her. Just like the mystery behind Colin Creevey's puzzling hatred for her…
That was another thing that gnawed at her. She forgot that for a while but that article brought back the memories from last night and her instinct told her it was something she should be wary of. Why? Why her? Why Vera? If it weren't for her current situation, she wouldn't be so suspicious, she was usually so trusting (Draco took her to task about that often enough). But she knew for a fact that her child might be in danger at any moment of any day because of her family's heritage. And all because of Colin Creevey. Harry's little wannabe from Hogwarts. It just didn't make sense! No sense at all! When Harry comes back, she had to ask. Vera's life was at stake…
"Hermione?! HERMIONE!"
Hermione almost jumped in surprise as the shout reverberated through the house like thunder. Because the whole house was warded against Apparations, and due to the fact that she's lived in the wizarding world long enough, to know a floo call when she heard it, she knew that someone was calling from the fireplace. And there was only one man she knew in all of Christendom who could bellow her name like that. Seven years and another two and a half as a fellow Order member made her accustomed to it.
She half ran to the fireplace, placing a light and temporary deafening charm on Vera so she wouldn't be woken up by the impending conversation. Just as she expected, as soon as she came to the living room, the familiar face of her scowling former potions master was there among the flames.
"Professor Snape." She greeted cordially with practised calm as she knelt in front of the grate with Vera still snoozing in her embrace. "It's good to see you." She winced a bit and hesitated before continuing. "I assume you've read of the news this morning."
Snape was looking at Vera, his eyes as fathomless and cold as ever. If Hermione hadn't known him as mentor and Death Eater, family friend and spy, she would have categorized his gazes as ones of deepest disdain, just like those she received from him back when she was still at Hogwarts. However, she knew full well that Severus Snape had a fondness for Vera. She saw it the moment Draco named him godfather. It changed her opinion of him since, more so than it already was, and her respect for him increased steadily during the duration of the war even as she became his apprentice to attain her potions mistress degree. Of course, that didn't change the fact that he was still a bastard. But she learned that he was a bastard that had a soft spot for her daughter; although, she knew for a fact that it would take a miracle from Merlin himself to make him admit that.
After inspecting Vera, he cleared his throat and flashed his eyes at her once more in that familiar way she recognized when he was still teaching her. "The Headmaster told me everything last night after I questioned him about it. It was all over the Evening Prophet as well. He also told me where Potter will be taking you and so I made a measure of sacrifice in part of my dignity and lowered myself to floo Potter's residence and see if he was treating my goddaughter right."
Hermione couldn't help smiling a little as she remembered the transfigured crib upstairs and Snape's accustomed insults on Harry. "He's taking care of us well enough, sir. Harry won't let us down."
Snape narrowed his eyes at her as though trying to drill into her soul. If she didn't think it were possible, she'd have said he was using Legilimency on her through the floo. After a while, his deep voice spoke to her again. "You should have come to me."
Hermione looked down on the floor at his words. "I couldn't. We're all fresh out of the war and I didn't want to have your position in the Ministry compromised for our safety. You and I know you are still subjected to a lot of speculation from Fudge because of your double agent status. One word from me and they would have locked you away in Azkaban without the benefit of a trial. Besides, I thought they would just leave me alone. I thought tradition granted each pureblood family at least one heir to succeed the line. Since Lucius and Draco are both… unable to secure the family line, I assumed they'd allow Vera to survive."
Snape scowled at her words and Hermione could see that he wanted to dispute her logic but can't. He knew she was right. He frowned deeper even as he nodded. "It is tradition, I agree. But then again, Fudge is deranged and he has less common sense than an insipid dung beetle that has the common sense of a common garden ant. If you asked me, he should have his wand broken and be made to live as a Muggle, the ignorant dunderhead."
Hermione resisted her smile. Or tried to, at least. She'd grown accustomed to Snape's sarcastic sense of humor. At the time she lived in Malfoy Manor, she learned that an insult from him can be entertaining if you had common sense enough to appreciate it. He may never be nice but he can be tolerable. "I can't say that I don't agree though, unless you want to replace him, I should think you have sense enough not to say such things in the floo. This is a controlled network and people might be listening in on us."
He nodded jerkily and continued. Hs voice suddenly taking on a quieter note. "Have you informed him of Vera's situation yet?"
Hermione turned away slightly at the suddenness of the question. "No."
"Why the bloody hell not?!" he growled at her quietly.
"He doesn't need to know—"
"He's your husband! Your PROTECTOR!" Snape spat incredulously, baffled by a logic that no Slytherin can comprehend. "Of course he needs to know!"
"He does not need to be involved any deeper in this situation than he already is! This is my problem now." Hermione calmly defended her decision.
He sneered at her. "Is this another sample of your stupid Gryffindor logic? Because if it is—"
"This 'stupid Gryffindor logic' defeated the Dark Lord. Harry already has his hands full with responsibilities and I refuse to add among them." She calmly shot back.
"It's his job—"
"Keeping Vera from the clutches of the Ministry is his job, and he has fulfilled it admirably by marrying me. Putting his life on the line for us is out of the question." She turned her eyes back to his. "I will not have him harmed."
"You are trying to protect the 'Boy-Who-Lived' while it's you and your daughter who are the vulnerable ones here?!" Snape sneered at her.
Hermione's eyes flashed. "The Boy-Who-Lived, for your information, has his own life to make. Something he hasn't had since the moment his parents died. If nothing else, I want to give him this." Her eyes softened as she remembered the shadow's in Harry's face before she hugged him this morning. "I've already taken a part of is life, I will not take anything more."
Snape scowled at her and clenched his jaw before speaking again. "You are being foolish, you silly girl. Do you think that Vera's situation is that simple?! We both know that she—"
"I KNOW what she is!" she half shouted at him, her eyes flaming now. "And I will not allow them to take her. It's not her fault, do you hear me? And it's not Harry's either. I don't want them to suffer for something they have no fault in."
"And so you will start your marriage with a lie." Snape sneered mockingly at her. "Just like the first one, I see. For an intelligent woman and the youngest Potions Mistress in the isles, you can truly be a Gryffindor, Granger."
"Oh, shut up!" she hissed at him angrily. "Just… SHUT UP!"
Snape smirked infuriatingly at the fuming woman before speaking again. "Just be careful of Miss Chang, my dear. I believe she's out for your blood."
At those words, Hermione stopped and remembered her main topic of thought just before Snape called. "Wait… do you know of any reason as to why Colin Creevey would bear a grudge against me?"
The mockery instantly left Snape's face and was replaced by the haunted expression of someone who has been plagued by less than savory memories as only a war veteran can ever have. From the way he looked away from her, Hermione knew he was less than willing to answer her question. "I believe the better person to answer that question would be Potter. Excuse me, I must be off."
Before Hermione could nag him, Snape's head disappeared from the floo leaving her gritting her teeth in frustration. Apparently, she was going to have to do this her own way. Snape can sure be a role model for coming out in the open and all that, she thought sarcastically.
"Hey, what's up?"
Hermione turned to face the all too familiar tenor of Harry's voice and smiled at the question on his face. She removed the deafening charm from Vera's ears and stroked the girl's hair away. "Nothing. I was just talking to Professor Snape."
When he didn't answer after a while, she looked up and almost laughed at the mixture of incredulity and confusion on his face. It was a while before he said anything. "Snape? Flooing MY house? Whatever on Gaea's good earth for?!"
Hermione couldn't help laughing out at his reaction. It echoed through the house like music. Hale and hearty and sincere and she missed the anguish in the emerald eyes that watched her from the front door. "Don't worry, it's not because he wanted to know if you were still available, or to berate me for taking you off the marriage market and all that!"
She looked up again and saw Harry turn a delicate shade of green as he mock glared at her. "Not funny."
Hermione laughed harder, eventually waking Vera up and smiling at her mother's cheerfulness. It must have been the first time the baby had seen her laugh since the final battle, Hermione thought wistfully.
"Ma ma ma ma ma…" Vera gurgled happily at her as she reached for her mother's chin.
Hermione chuckled and kissed the tip of the child's nose, missing the wry look on Harry's face entirely as he looked on. "Professor Snape called because of us."
Harry's eyes flew up to his forehead in genuine surprise. "Why?"
Hermione smiled up at him as she bounced Vera on her knees lightly. "Because he's Vera's godfather and he was concerned. He wanted to know if you were 'treating her right'."
Harry's jaw dropped and Hermione watched in amusement as he sputtered at her. He looked both repulsed and intrigued now. "You're kidding."
Hermione fought off a smile. "Nope."
"But— but why HIM?!"
Hermione smirked at him at that. "Well… unless you're suggesting Walden Macnair, I can't see why NOT him."
"But, Hermione he's… he's SNAPE! He HATES children!" Harry protested, refusing to believe what he was hearing. "Don't you remember the rumours at school back then?! He eats first years for dessert!"
Hermione chuckled. "Apparently, not this child." At Harry's disbelieving look, Hermione sighed and settled the baby on the floor to let it crawl around and explore her new domain. "Look, I was surrounded by Death Eaters, Harry. I can't pick you or Ron as godfather and invite you over to the manor for her names giving. Snape was the only one I can trust with Vera that can easily be in reach if something happens to me. I needed her safe, and he was the best choice I can get. I still think he's the best choice. He's a good man, Harry, under all the sarcasm and meanness. And by bonding him to Vera, I know he will have to protect her."
Harry's lip curled up and his left eye twitched. "Whatever you say, Hermione."
Hermione just smiled. She'd wager Harry will need a bit more time to get used to the fact that Snape can like children if he wanted to. "Anyway, have you talked to Ron?"
A shadow fell across Harry's face, but before she could ask, he turned away and hung his coat on the rack near the door. When he turned back to her, the shadow disappeared, replaced by the Harry she was still trying to become used to. Wry half smile and all. "He's seen reason. I think. Anyway, he's okay with the marriage now that I had it cleared that were only married in fact. I… I didn't know he was still inlove with you Hermione."
Hermione shook her head sadly. "Nor did I. I don't even think love is the right word for it. I'm not sure if… what he really feels for me is love, Harry. I don't know why but it feels just… awkward to hear him talk about those things."
Harry sighed and sat on the couch. "There's one more thing."
Hermione raised her brows at him, telling him silently to continue.
Harry turned red and coughed a bit before going on. "Erm… it seems that went stay married for more than a year without consummating the union. After a year, it becomes automatically null and void and the contract we signed will destroy itself the moment the time is up."
Hermione blushed too and looked down at her baby. She didn't know that.
"But Ron's offering to marry you again after the year is out if you're still at odds with the Ministry. He'll take care of you then." Harry finished, averting his eyes from her carefully.
Hermione face turned a deeper shade of scarlet. She turned flaming honey brown eyes at the man before her. "I'm not a broomstick that can be passed on to another person just like THAT after being used for a number of times! How DARE he presume that way regarding my fate! Did the two of you arrange this?! Have you agreed to it, Harry?!"
Harry paled before her rising tone and swallowed. "I'm not saying anything like that. The decision is still yours, Hermione. Please don't be angry, we're just talking about all the scenarios regarding the pros and cons of this relationship."
Silence invaded them as they both averted their eyes away from each other and watched Vera crawl towards Harry's boot to intensely inspect the grass stained leather. Hermione couldn't help smiling a little at the memories of a different lifetime when the three of them sat in the Gryffindor common room, doing homework or plotting some scheme to sneak out after hours to solve some sort of mystery. It both struck her as unsettling and relaxing, this peaceful feeling she sensed in Harry's company. With Draco, there would always be this tense sort of silence between them as though, each was trying to see if tone of them was hiding something from the other. It could be frustrating sometimes and, often, the only thing that can resolve anything at all was sex. It was the bridge where they can always meet each other halfway. The bridge she held on to with all the determination in her heart. But can she do that with Harry if worse came to worst? Could she betray her husband's memory…?
"I'll drop by the Daily Prophet offices tomorrow so I can straighten this all out."
Hermione almost jumped at the suddenness of Harry's announcement. She looked at him and saw that he wasn't even looking at her. They were both staring at Vera with both their heads elsewhere, it seemed.
Hermione straightened a little as she sought to understand what he wanted to say and make a sensible comment about it. "No, Harry."
His eyes snapped over to her disbelievingly. "But, Hermione—"
"It's just Fudge's way to wreak havoc and revenge because he couldn't destroy Vera. Besides, it's just politics, Harry. It's also a way for the reporters to get you into their articles again." She told him reasonably. "If you go out there and demand that they stop publishing crap like that, you'll be media fodder before you can even say Gringotts."
Harry scowled, returning his eyes on Vera, his eyes angry. "Hermione, we can't let people go on thinking that you're some sort of blackmailing opportunist who forced me into marriage! I have to tell all of them the truth! This Howler will not be the last and you know it. Don't you remember that time in fourth year when someone sent you an envelope of Bubotuber Pus? No, I am not letting anyone think of you this way."
"I've already compromised your life, I refuse to lose you your privacy too." Hermione said with determined calm, watching his jaw tighten.
"So just like that? You'll just ignore everything they throw at you?" Harry asked her, his voice a study of barely leashed anger.
"It's for the best. Trust me." She told him gently. "Although, we'll have to act like a happily married couple in front of other people now, I suppose. After that article and what you found out about the consummation, any sign of estrangement between us will be duly noted and an inquiry will most likely be made. We can't afford to cast any doubt on us or our marriage for Vera's sake."
Harry lifted his eyes and stared at her, the most peculiar expression written across his carefully guarded face. Hermione wished she could read what he was thinking. When he looked at her like that, it felt like she was dangling a carrot he wanted very much to munch on in front of him and the wrong word from her would disappoint him heavily and take the carrot away. It was partly hopeful, partly lost and partly anxious. And she couldn't understand it. "What about our agreement?"
Hermione blinked at the question. "It stands, of course. I mean it, Harry, I will not restrain you from having lovers. But you have to do it at a discretion now. I'm sorry this has to happen, but we really don't have a choice."
Harry looked down at Vera again. Somehow, Hermione felt miserable, although she didn't know what she did wrong. It felt like a heavy weight on her chest. Another stretch of silence pervaded between them. This time, though, she was the one who broke the stillness, a few moments later. Her voice was soft, almost a reluctant whisper.
"Harry?"
"Hmm?" he responded just as softly, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. "What is it?"
Hermione bit her lip, looking thoughtful. "Can you tell me why… why Colin was acting that way back at the Ministry? He seemed so full of… hate and bloodlust. I hardly even recognized him anymore back there."
"Oh. That." Harry muttered. He fell silent again. It took him so long to respond that Hermione thought he'd forgotten she was there. When he finally DID speak, though, his voice seemed empty. Pained. It tore at her heart like claws. "You remember that he and his brother Dennis were Muggleborns, right?"
Hermione nodded and, recognizing that he wasn't looking at her, answered quietly. "Yes."
Harry nodded before continuing. "During a raid, some three months after you married Draco, Dennis Creevey was captured by Lucius Malfoy. He was missing for weeks. When we finally found him he… he was pretty much out of his mind, Hermione. He's at St. Mungo's right now… With Neville's parents."
Hermione felt her blood freezing in her veins at the news. She felt her heart stop beating at the horror of it.
"Poor bloke was mumbling like mad. We found him under an abandoned Muggle warehouse, huddled in a corner, twitching from Cruciatus. He was about to be buried alive. He was going to be doused over by cement when we rescued him. The mediwizards at St. Mungo's said his brain was damaged beyond repair and he had fractures and torture wounds all over. Much like what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom if Moody was to be believed.
"Colin was… devastated." Harry told her. "I think you remember how close he and Dennis were back at school? A few weeks before Voldemort was defeated, Colin was hired on as a photographer for the Prophet. Before that, he served under the Order too. He's one of the people who were backing the Ministry in their campaign to subject all Dark Wizards to the Dementor's Kiss."
Hermione went silent. Her arms trembled, and she was pale. So very pale. Harry quickly leaned over to her in concern, crouching beside her on the floor and placing his arm gingerly around her shoulders in a gesture of comfort. Hermione didn't even know he was watching her. She just felt so cold inside. "Hermione? Are you alright?"
She closed her eyes and buried her face in Harry's wool covered chest. "It's all my fault then…"
"What are you on about, Hermione?" Harry asked her in consternation.
"How come I didn't know…? I should have known about that!" she sobbed quietly. "It… it was my job to KNOW!"
"Snape told us that it was Lucius' own personal raid. Just a bloody whim. He couldn't do anything about it either because no one really knew about it in the first place. Not even Voldemort. Besides, you were only new to the family then." he said gently. "Bastard just wanted a little fun—"
"—to show how powerful he was, I know." Hermione finished for him as she pushed away and wiped her tears off. "Lucius always loved power tripping."
"This is not your fault Hermione." Harry told her, his voice firm.
"But—"
"We were at war. Even if we wanted to we cannot be held accountable for every casualty that comes our way. I know more than anyone else how painful the death or wounds of a loved one is, but it's something we can't help." He told her gently, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. "We can only thank God we're still able to wake up the next morning because of people like you. Especially you, Hermione. The situation you were in back at the manor was dangerous. One wrong move and you wouldn't lose you life alone, you would have lost the ones you loved along with you. Not many people knew that. You HELPED end this war. It's not your fault."
Hermione couldn't help swallowing the tears back and smiling at her best friend. As Vera crawled back to her skirts, she buried her hands and face on his chest in a sincere gesture of trust that set Harry's heart aching, wondering what she'd do without him.
"Thank you, Harry…" she whispered as she felt him hold her tighter. She fought off the tears that were threatening to break through again. "Thank you so much…"
"Insipid Muggles…"
Narcissa Malfoy, formerly Black and mistress of Malfoy manor, looked on as the bustle of people below her window moved like so many busy ants, hauling crates, pushing carts and hollering at the top of their voices in order to speak to one another from across opposite sides of the crowded street. She curled her upper lip in disgust at the primitiveness of such form of labor.
It was difficult but it was hard for her to believe that such people had raised her daughter-in-law and that her granddaughter had blood of such calibre. It was disgusting. Demeaning. Unworthy of the Malfoy line. Muggles should have been eliminated, like the Dark Lord promised. And yet, all because of a Muggle raised boy, she had lost not only this ideal but her husband as well. And to think that her daughter-in-law could beat her in any duel was humiliating enough.
"Now, now, Narcissa," a deep voice spoke to her in an oily whisper from her bed. "You know that we need their cover to hide us from the Ministry's sight. Don't worry, our time will come."
Narcissa turned her attention over to the sprawled figure of Rodolphus Lestrange atop her queen sized bed. A smirk covered his long face and appreciative ice black eyes looked over her form with obvious appreciation. Narcissa scowled back at him. "But when is that time? I grow impatient with this waiting."
Rodolphus smirked at her. Truly, the Black women were a thing of beauty. All slender figured perfection and exotic eyes. Narcissa was as golden as Bellatrix was dark but both wore the haughty vanity of deceptive beauty that only as mistress of glamours can accomplish. No red blooded wizard can possibly resist them. He always thought that Lucius was a fool, haring off after other women when this glowing specimen of womanhood has always been available to him.
Of course, it's not as if they married for love. Like his marriage with Bellatrix, Lucius and Narcissa made an arrangement, to keep their bloodlines pure and unsullied. After the requisite heir was born, taking lovers were always a foregone fact. They'd been lovers long before their spouses' deaths in the final battle and have escaped together when the Dark Lord was destroyed. The arrangement has been… convenient. They were now known as a married couple, living in a high rise Muggle apartment. Not their usual standards but it was far more acceptable than Azkaban.
He'd wanted Narcissa the first time he saw her, but he was already engaged to Bellatrix by the time he met her, and her to Lucius. That did not alarm him though. He'd always known he'd have Narcissa eventually. Too bad about Andromeda, though. If the brown haired chit had not married that Mudblood, she could have joined in on their little games. After all, he had no doubt that Lucius has been sleeping with Bella. So common was the swapping of bed partners in the Dark Lord's halls.
"My love, until we find Draco, we cannot execute the Reincarnation ritual. It is a complicated spell and only the child's parents can utter it." Rodolphus told his lover with seductive persuasiveness. Watching as the morning sunlight rendered the sheer silk lace robe she wore, almost transparent.
Narcissa pouted, displaying those soft lips to perfection and Rodolphus knew better than to think the gesture was innocent. Every move she made had a purpose, every word she said had meaning. Foolish is the man who let's down his guard in front of Narcissa Malfoy. "Well? Have you sent my letter to Lowe? My jewellery can only take us so far, Rodolphus. I will not work like a Muggle after my money is gone. I'd rather kill myself!"
Rodolphus' kept the bored expression on his face as he answered his lover. "Now, now, dearest, I'm sure my friend Lowe has received your letter by now. No one can read that message except him. He's the only one who knows how, after all. I told you, there is nothing to fear while I am here."
Narcissa pursed her lips irritably and began to pace. "I am growing impatient, Rodolphus. My son hasn't contacted me yet since the last battle and we have yet to complete the incarnation of the Dark Lord. Do you think he is—"
"Now, Narcissa, Draco is a powerful wizard. He knows how to take care of himself. What you should concern yourself with is the here and now. With me…" He stepped off the bed and stopped the blond woman's pacing with both hands and kissed the back of her neck. He smirked when he felt her shiver "I bet Lucius never made you shiver like that?"
Narcissa closed her eyes at the increased pressure of the touch and was only vaguely surprised when Rodolphus picked her up and carried her to the huge bed. She looked up at him as he leaned over her, her eyes glazed over with want. "Yes, you are right. No one has made me feel the way you do… But this must not deter us from our mission. I want my manor back. I will not allow a filthy Mudblood become sole mistress of Malfoy manor, no matter what Draco says."
Rodolphus buried his lips on her fragrant neck and began removing the robe that covered her from him. "After we're done with the Child, we can do anything we want with the Mudblood. I'll even make it look like an accident if you are so willing."
Narcissa sighed as she lay there, naked. "That would be… divine, my love…"
Rodolphus threw her robes aside and proceeded to kiss his way up her legs. His smirk widening as she parted her legs for him and invited him inside. "Divine indeed….."