A/N: I have recently found out that Europe's schooling system is a bit different than that of my home of America, and that Hermione's older siblings would not be in college. I also have been told that America's football and Europe's are different, which I knew of, but what I was thinking (and maybe I should have specified earlier) that the siblings went to school abroad in America. That's why I specified that Bradin liked football, and described it the American way. I even had Draco say that he saw it being played on a television in America. I apologize for confusing, and perhaps offending some of my readers.
Recap:
'This is your house?' Draco asked.
'Yes, I know it's not nearly as grand as your home, but it's mine.'
'Where I live is not a home. It's just a place of residence.' Draco replied. He looked up at the home once again. 'It's great.'
Hermione squeezed Draco's hand. He turned to face her.
'Are you ready?' She asked.
'As I'll ever be.'
Chap. 38 Meet the GrangersDraco and Hermione walked up to her house. After she knocked on the door, she turned to Draco and smiled. She mouthed, 'It'll be okay.' Draco nodded and stepped aside, out of view from the door, waiting to be allowed inside.
The door opened roughly and quickly. An older woman with dark brown, wavy hair appeared with a large grin on her face.
'Hermione, dear!' The woman cried, walking out onto the patio, grabbing Hermione in her arms in a tight embrace. 'We've all missed you so much!'
'I've missed you all too!' Hermione replied, kissing her mother on the cheek. 'Mother, this…is Draco Malfoy.'
Anne Granger pulled away from Hermione and looked at Draco, who was standing a foot or two from the door.
'Ahh! Draco, so good of you to come! We've been longing to meet you!' Anne said, moving toward Draco to give him a welcoming hug.
Draco was a little shocked, but received the embrace happily, nonetheless.
'It is a pleasure to meet you ma'am. Thank you for allowing me to stay at your house during the duration of our break.' Draco replied respectfully.
'Oh! Call me Anne, Draco dear, none of this "ma'am" business, please.'
'Yes, ma'am…I mean Anne.' Draco said nervously.
'Well, come in! Come in! It's much to cold to be out here conversing!' Anne said happily, leading the couple inside.
Draco turned and snapped his fingers, and the luggage began to float from the trunk of the cab, but Hermione slapped Draco's hand, causing his concentration to stop and the luggage to fell back to the cab.
'Draco, this is muggle England, not Hogwarts, you cannot do magic out here in the open to let the whole world see!' Hermione scolded.
Draco rolled his eyes.
'You're right, of course little Miss Know-It-All. I'll go get the luggage, I'll be inside in a moment.'
Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek.
Draco walked back to the cab and heard Hermione call to him.
'Don't forget Mookie in the window!'
Draco rolled his eyes again in annoyance. He didn't turn around. He simply waved his hand acknowledging her wish.
'Stupid gnome…' He mumbled, 'Why can't I just leave the fucking menace in the car…'
He moved to the trunk and grabbed the luggage and brought them to the Grangers door. He then went back to the cab, and paid the driver, then gently grabbed Mookie, so he wouldn't wake up. He hid him in his coat, so others wouldn't see, because he knew Hermione would scold him again as usual if he let "the world" see.
He walked into the house, looking around cautiously. He removed his coat and set it on his trunk. He held the still-sleeping Mookie in his arms. Then he heard women's voices coming from the right of him. He walked to the noise. He found Anne and Hermione talking, in what he assumed to be their kitchen.
'Thank you for remembering Mookie, Draco.' Hermione smiled, taking him into her arms.
Hermione then turned to her mother.
'Mum, this is Mookie. He's Draco and my Defense Against the Dark Arts project. He's a gnome that will give advice when he's older and mature.'
Mookie slept soundly in Hermione's arms.
'Oh, he's cute.' Anne said happily. None could pry the smile off her face, now that her daughter was home.
'Wait until he awake.' Draco mumbled.
'Draco finds Mookie annoying.' Hermione teased, grinning at Draco.
Draco didn't reply.
Anne then looked at Draco's apparel, which was no longer covered by a long fashionable coat.
'Oh you look so nice, Draco dear!' Anne smiled.
'Doesn't he, mum?' Hermione smiled proudly, walking to him and putting her free arm around him.
'Well, Draco dear, tell me about yourself. I know nothing, I wasn't even sure if Hermione was bringing home a boy. Her father and I just assumed.'
'Where is Mr. Granger, and the rest of your family? Hermione told me she had two older siblings.' Draco said.
'Oh, well, Richard had to go to a meeting at the EDA, he'll be back in an hour or so. Bradin and Krista will be home soon from the airport.'
'EDA?' Draco wondered.
'Mum means the European Dentists' Association.'
'Yes, I should have specified.' Anne responded, 'Speaking of family, Draco, do you have any siblings?'
'No. I am an only child.'
'Mum, maybe we should wait for questioning until after I get Draco situated.' Hermione suggested.
'Yes, yes, do you think he should stay with Bradin in the basement?'
'Perhaps, we should wait until your brother gets home, Hermione, until we decide that?' Draco asked apprehensively.
'Pish posh!' Anne said, 'Bradin won't mind. It'll be nice for him to have a guy near his age to talk with.'
'Are you sure?' Draco asked.
'Don't worry, Draco, if Bradin minds I'll talk to him.' Hermione said reassuringly.
Draco nodded.
'Come on, Draco, let's get your stuff in there.' Hermione said to him. 'Mum, I'm going to keep Mookie in here until we're done. He'll sleep for awhile longer still.'
'That's fine, dear. I'll just prepare dinner for tonight.'
Hermione grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him away from the kitchen.
'How are you doing?' Hermione asked him quietly, leading him to the basement door.
'I don't know. Fine I guess. How do you think I am doing?' Draco asked.
'Brilliantly.' She smiled.
They reached the basement, Draco had his trunk in hand.
The basement room of Bradin's was decorated in an assortment of posters of sports and scantily dressed women.
Draco smirked as he looked around.
'Where did you say your brother went to school?'
'He goes to an university in America, in a state called Wisconsin.' Hermione said, moving toward a different part of the basement.
Draco continued to look around.
'What are the Packers?' Draco asked.
'They are Bradin's favorite sports team. I guess they play American football in Wisconsin.'
'Oh. What are you doing in there baby?' Draco asked her.
'I'm getting your bed ready.' She called.
'Ooh…for what?' He asked suggestively, making his way toward her.
He went through a hallway, and entered another part of the basement. A pull out couch was made into a comfortable bed. All sorts of muggle items were in there. He recognized the television, DVD player, and radio. Draco went around and pointed to other things, wondering what they were. He learned of contraptions called a "mini-refrigerator", an alarm clock, ceiling fan, and telephone.
'It's going to take a bit to get used to all of this.' Draco sighed. He then saw Hermione take his trunk and open it.
'Shouldn't we wait, love, until your brother says it's okay for me to stay.'
'It's fine, Draco. Bradin won't mind. I know he rather have you stay in than stay with me in my room.' She smiled.
Draco smirked and walked up to her and put his arms around her waist.
'It's a shame I cannot have you in my room.' He whispered huskily in her ear.
He then placed his lips on her neck, nipping lightly. She laughed quietly and kissed his chin, making her way to his lips. Soon their tongues were battling for dominance. Draco's came out on top…as usual.
After a few minutes the two heard a quiet "Ahem…".
Draco closed his eyes and looked down. His worst fears of this place had come true, he was interrupted and caught by a family member.
Hermione stepped away from Draco to look at their invader.
'Bradin!' She exclaimed running over to her big brother.
Draco turned to see a large, athletically built young man standing in the doorway. He had thick brown hair, but green eyes. He was good-looking…and Draco feared his wrath.
Bradin smiled at Hermione, grabbing her and lifting her.
'Not the way I wanted to see my sister for the first time after months, but I guess it's better than not seeing you!' He said, finally placing her back on her feet.
Bradin then looked over at his little sister's beau.
'And Mr. Hot Lips, who might you be?' Bradin asked, standing tall, intimidating Draco.
'Bradin, be nice to him. This is my boyfriend, Draco.'
Draco stepped forward, extending his hand out in welcoming.
'You are Bradin, Hermione's told me much about you.' Draco said.
Bradin shook Draco's hand firmly.
'It's reassuring to know you two do more than snog.'
Hermione hit Bradin in the stomach.
'Bradin, I know I am your baby sister, but do not mock me and Draco constantly while we are here.'
'I shall do that exact thing little girl, because I am your brother and that's what we do.'
'Bradin, Draco is going to stay in here, is that all right?'
'I guess. It's better than your room.' He sneered.
'I told you that's what he'd say.' Hermione said to Draco, grinning.
'Thanks, Bradin.' Draco said hesitantly.
'Is Krista home?' Hermione asked Bradin.
'Yeah, she's upstairs talking with mom and dad.'
'Dad's home?' Hermione asked. She then turned to Draco and grabbed his hand. 'Come on, Draco, you have to meet Krista and my dad.'
Draco followed Hermione to the stairs.
'Nice meeting you.' Draco called as he walked away from Bradin.
'You as well.' Bradin replied, not as whole-heartedly.
Hermione and Draco then reached the top of the stairs. Draco saw three people in the dining room area, a taller, older man, Anne, and then a bubbly blonde girl talking excitedly. Then the tall blonde girl turned slightly and saw them coming from the basement.
'Hermione!' the blonde cried.
Hermione saw the girl and dropped Draco's hand, strolling up to her quickly.
'Krista! I haven't seen you in forever.' Hermione sighed, once again embracing a loved one.
They hug a lot in this family. Draco thought to himself. It's gonna take awhile getting used to that...
Krista pulled away from Hermione and looked over at Draco.
'My, my, and who might you be?' Krista asked, smiling at him.
'This is my boyfriend, Krista, hands off.' Hermione joked.
Draco nodded and extended his hand.
'Nice to meet you, you must be Hermione's sister, Krista. I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy.'
Just as Krista was going to reach for his hand, another voice, a lower voice sounded from the kitchen, stopping the action.
'Malfoy?' the voice asked quickly.
The tall man came from the kitchen, looking at Draco hard. His soft features changed quickly to rough ones.
'Malfoy? As in Lucius Malfoy?'
Draco gulped.
'Yes, sir. As unfortunate as it is, the one whom you speak of so harshly is my father.' Draco replied.
'Daddy, aren't you going to greet me?' Hermione asked.
Her father looked at Hermione.
'You brought home a Malfoy as your new boyfriend?' Richard interrogated her. Then he turned to his wife. 'Did I not tell you, sending her off to that witch-y school would do no good?'
'Dad!' Hermione cried.
'Richard,' Anne spoke softly, 'I have been talking with Draco, and he seems to be a very nice young man. He doesn't seem to be at all like the Malfoy family you talk of.'
'You heard him, Anne, he said his father is Lucius. Like father, like son.' Richard spat.
'In all respect, sir, may I speak in my defense?' Draco asked.
'No you may n—' Richard began.
'Yes, Draco dear, please talk.' Anne finished.
'I know what my father is like and the horrendous things he has done. Hermione was nice enough to ask if I may come to stay here over break because of him. Hermione and I have to keep our relationship a secret at school and in the wizarding public because if my father found out, he would want to break us apart. I am not like my father, Mr. Granger.' Draco then looked over at Hermione, 'And it is your daughter I have to thank for that. So, please, sir, I do not want to spend this Christmas away from Hermione, or with her without your respect. If you let me, I will work for it.'
A sniffle was heard from the corner. Everyone looked over and saw Krista, blushing and wiping her eyes.
'What's wrong with you, Krista?' Hermione asked.
'That was so beautiful. Draco is so sexy.' She said sniffling some more.
Draco smirked at her and returned his attention to the angry father before him.
'Richard if you do not allow this nice young man to stay here, you will regret it…' Anne said in a song-song voice.
'You will work to earn my respect. Lucius Malfoy is a very deceptive man and for all I know, his son might be the same way.' Richard said.
Draco nodded as Hermione went to Draco's side and took his hand. She looked up at him smiling, he did not look at her, he just looked down.
'You've done two things so far that show me you are not like your father.' Richard said, 'You've held my muggle born daughter's hand and you've hung your head. Of all the times I've been unfortunate enough to meet Lucius Malfoy, not once as his head been lowered.'
Hermione released Draco's hand and walked up to her father and hugged him. He hugged her back.
'I love him, Daddy.' She whispered in is ear, low enough for only him to hear.
Richard did not reply, he just let go and turned to Anne.
'When will supper be ready?'
'You all can go wash up, and then it'll be done.' Anne said smiling.
Hermione and Draco walked away together.
'We can wash up downstairs.' Hermione told him.
As they walked down the stairs, Draco took a few deep breaths.
'Your father knows the Malfoy reputation I guess.' Draco sighed.
'He'll soften up, I promise.'
When they reached the end of the stairs, Hermione went into the bathroom. Draco waited outside. Bradin walked up to him.
'Draco? Was that your name?'
'Yes.'
'Well, Draco, meet me down here immediately after dinner. We should get to know one another.'
'Yes, Hermione told me you are a protective brother.'
'Did she? Well, then I'll be truthful with you. Come down here after dinner so I can scare the shit out of you, making you never even think about hurting my little sister, okay?'
Draco's eyes widened.
'No problem. Immediately after dinner.'
'Good. See you upstairs.' Bradin said.
