((A/N)) Starting now, I won't be writing the disclaimer, summary, etc. in every chapter since you guys know the drill… Thanks.

Disclaimer: You know the drill… The champagne/strawberries part comes from Pretty Woman, which, again, does not belong to me.

Chapter Eleven

Twists and Revelations

"Draco Malfoy!" Joan's eyes lit up with mixed emotions as the information registered in her brain.

I've got to find Devon…

And with that in mind, Joan immediately got up from her position and ran to the Great Hall.

---

"Perfect." The man curled and uncurled his fingers. "The one weakness of the heir is also at Hogwarts. We shall get her once she returns home." He snapped his fingers to summon his henchmen.

---

"Malfoy, Draco."

"SLYTHERIN!" A worn-looking hat shouted above his head.

He glanced down his robes and saw a badge saying "POTTER STINKS".

He smirked.

He was making spirited imitations of Potter missing the snitch.

And he loved it.

"Our Head Boy for the year is Slytherin's Draco Malfoy." The headmaster announced.

He distinctly heard cheers from behind the Hall's door.

Slytherins…

He heard groans from behind the door.

Blasted Gryffindors…

He looked at the Gryffindor who was standing beside him. They were both told to stay outside and enter the hall only after both of them were introduced.

She, the Gryffindor beside him, was looking very much composed and nonchalant about the whole situation. Well, before she snorted when the Slytherins cheered.

He got irritated. "Got a problem, Mudblood?"

She faced him coolly and raised an eyebrow. "No. But I believe you do."

"Really? But I've got good looks, money and a nice pureblooded family line to go with it. So what is my problem, Mudblood?"

She rolled her eyes. "You're seventeen years old and you still settle for name-calling? Please…"

He scowled at her. "Filthy Mudblood…"

"Have it your way…" Then, her eyes lit up.

Oh no… Mudblood's got an idea...

"Well, if you want to play childish games," She furrowed her brow as though in deep thought. "And Professor McGonagall said we must compromise and set aside our differences and get along with each other. So…" He could almost feel his smirk being wiped away from his face.

She faced him with a triumphant grin. "So, I'll play with your games – FERRET FACE."

A voice resounded from inside the Great Hall. "Meanwhile, our Head Girl is none other than Hermione Granger from Gryffindor."

A roar of applause was very much audibly heard.

Hermione smiled sweetly to Draco Malfoy. "I do believe, Ferret Face, that's our cue."

The Great Hall's doors flew open and Hermione walked in a little ahead of a sulking Malfoy.

"Why does she have to reveal everything to Saint Potter and his pet Weasel?" He thought silently as he discreetly observed a certain brunette at the Gryffindor table.

"And she wanted to do it – tonight." He took a swig of pumpkin juice and continued to watch with something akin to jealousy the display of familiarity and friendship of the Gryffindor Trio. "Why can't we openly show our relationship anyway?"

He inwardly laughed in a hollow manner.

"Because my father will kill us to a bloody pulp."

He glared at a girl of his age who was draping her arms on his shoulders, and thus disrupting his thoughts.

He growled. "Let go of me, Pansy."

Pansy shrugged and slinked away scowling.

He resumed his reverie and focused on the bushy-haired Gryffindor, who was currently whispering something in the ear of Scarhead.

If he were not trained to control his emotions, he would have probably turned a nasty Weasley red and thrown himself at Potty's head. His eyes narrowed. "What in the world is she doing?"

Potter blushed scarlet.

He gripped his goblet tighter.

She smiled at Pothead after she had whispered.

Weasley interrupted the moment and draped his arm on Hermione's –MY girlfriend's, he thought sullenly - shoulder and said something, which made Potter blush redder.

Then, Weasley and Hermione shared a high five and Potter finally stood up.

He carried on with his observing from the Slytherin table. He smirked with relief as he saw that Potter was not at all interested in Hermione due to his next actions.

Blushing furiously, The-Boy-Who-Never-Seems-To-Die tapped the shoulder of the Weaselette and once she turned, he something said really fast. And he kissed her cheek and hurriedly went back to his seat. Weaselette was left gaping like a fish, touching the area on her cheek where Potty kissed her.

He turned his attention once more to Hermione, who apparently felt someone looking at her and had met his gaze.

She smiled at him and went back to talking to Pothead and Weasley.

Contented, he smiled to himself and finally started to eat his food.

---

"Hey, Hermione, looks like your boyfriend has zoned out again."

"Is he always like that?"

Hermione exasperatedly replied. "Ron – Harry, I hope you guys would just drop it, ok?" And she tried in vain to catch the attention of Devon. "Not a word." She narrowed her eyes at her best friends who were sniggering.

Nostalgia was obvious in the air as they were eating their fill at the Gryffindor table.

Devon was seated beside them, as they have no idea whether or not he even attended Hogwarts.

"Devon!"

Devon looked up and saw his panting daughter coming towards them.

Harry grinned as he whispered to Hermione. "Looks like you got competition."

Hermione hit him lightheartedly on his shoulder.

Joan regained her breath and stared at Devon with this knowing look. "Devon, you are -."

Devon's eyes showed panic. She found it all out –so soon?

Joan caught the look on Devon's face. "You ARE going to accompany Mom home right? I," Joan's brain reeled with excuses. "Just wanted to make sure she reaches her house all in one piece."

Devon was relieved but did not break contact with Joan's eyes. "Yes, don't worry."

Hermione watched with amusement this exchange between her boyfriend and daughter. "That bonding session must've gone better than I expected." She thought.

"Mom," Joan turned to her daughter. "I'd like to tell you something." She could feel her father watching her every move and listening to every word she says.

"What's that, honey?" Hermione replied.

"Look at your watch."

Hermione looked at her wristwatch. "What about it?"

"I have already deactivated that special feature that WE both absolutely love." Joan smirked at her mother.

"Feature - oh." Hermione recalled the feature that Joan was talking about. The feature that would tell Joan whether or not she was dating.

Joan continued to smirk. "Well, I took it off since I don't think we need it anymore and so, you would not receive my annoying and pestering messages for you to date since I hope this," She indicated Devon. "Would be for keeps."

Hermione could feel her face burning.

Harry and Ron continued to snigger and Ginny clapped her hands.

"Isn't that sweet?" Ginny said, smiling broadly. "You don't have to worry about Joan's reaction anymore, Hermione. You can continue with your relationship with Devon without those thoughts of Joan feeling betrayed and all that."

Devon muttered under his breath. "Are you all aware that you are talking about me with me around?"

Joan beamed. "Of course."

James could be seen whispering to Andrei. "Girls and women – I'll never understand them."

Unfortunately for him, Joan overhead him and smacked his head slightly.

---

"Be quick, Joan, ok? The ride is about to arrive in no time." Hermione called out to her daughter who wanted to have a word with Devon.

"Yes, Mom, don't worry!" Joan replied as she led Devon to the lake in the Hogwarts grounds.

Nightfall has come but the ground was well lighted due to fairy lights scattered around the place. The dinner had ended quite uneventfully and now, the visitors were waiting for the thestral drawn stagecoaches to arrive to bring them back to Hogsmeade where they could safely apparate to their homes. As they all know, no one can apparate in and/or out Hogwarts grounds.

"Devon," Joan started as they sat down on the ground near the lake, she picked up a rock and absentmindedly began to toss it up and down. "Are you my -."

Devon interrupted her. "Joan, thank you for not asking me in front of everyone."

Joan shrugged. "Sure, but are you -."

"Your father?"

Joan nodded as she tossed the rock into the lake and picked up another.

Draco inhaled and ran his hand through his hair. "Yes." He quietly replied. He definitely did not know how to react in these father-daughter conversations.

Joan threw the stone into the lake and looked up into the eyes of the man who is her father. "How?"

Draco smirked. "I don't think your mother would appreciate me answering that question. Care to rephrase it?"

Joan had shocked expression on her face but did not blush. "Oh." Her face slowly turned into a grimace.

Draco shook his head, smiling. "How about I ask you something first, young lady? How did you deduce that I'm Draco Malfoy?"

Joan recovered and immediately burst into telling Draco of her findings from the yearbook to the Patronus information.

Draco ruffled Joan's already bushy hair. "That's my daughter, smart, like her mother." He smiled sadly, knowing that he just can't tell Hermione now.

"Um," Joan carefully phrased her question. "How did you come to be like this? I mean, what happened?"

Draco slowly replied. "Well… I don't really know exactly, Joan. But," He threw his arms up exasperatedly. "I don't remember. My minds all jumbled up. I can't reveal to others, including your mother, who I am since I might put them into danger or ruin lives." It felt so good to get that out of his chest.

Joan placed a reassuring hand on her father's shoulder. "I understand." She said it with so much sincerity that was reflected in the brown eyes that she inherited from her mother.

As Draco gazed at his daughter, he was reminded of Hermione and how she was still waiting for them to return. "Joan, I let's go." He stood up and helped Joan stand up. "I think Hermione is worried about us."

Joan nodded.

As they walked towards the entrance of Hogwarts, Joan said. "One last thing."

Draco stopped and faced his daughter. "What is it?"
Joan bit her lip and said carefully. "Can I call you Dad?"

Draco beamed broadly and his heart swelled with happiness. "Of course." How long did he waited for this moment, to be called a father once more.

Joan hugged her father and said. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Joan."

"Take care of Mom, ok?" Joan smiled at her father.

Draco smirked. "Of course."

---

"Can't you tell me anything, as in, anything at all about what you and Joan discussed?" Hermione asked once more as Devon dropped her off at her house.

"Nope." Devon smirked. "It's a secret."

Hermione shook her head in defeat. "Ok then. But, anyway, I'm glad that the two of you definitely in good terms with each other."

"Yes, I'm glad too." Devon slowly inched closer to Hermione.

"You know, she rarely bonds well with the men I date." Hermione continued to talk.

"Really?" He gently placed his hand on Hermione's cheek.

"Really." Hermione whispered, realizing how close the two of them were.

Devon made his move and closed the space between their lips.

But before any of them could savor the moment, Devon felt a sharp pain at his back as a curse hit him. A figure in black pulled Hermione away from him.

"Devon!" She screamed and was immediately silenced by her assailant's spell.

Devon, having tumbled back as the curse came contact with him, groggily stood up.

"Leave her alone!" He pointed his wand waveringly at the figure.

He felt another curse hit him from behind as another black figure came from his back.

Devon tottered and fell flat on the doorstep of Hermione's house.

Hermione watched with soundless horror, as Devon did not get up from his position. She looked around frantically. She now regretted the fact that she bought a house in the remote area of the neighborhood.

Devon's assailant raised his wand to finish him off. "Avada –."

He was cut short by a quick kick from Devon and in a split second, Devon was up and holding both his wand and his assailant's. He swiftly petrified his assailant.

Seeing her assailant distracted by Devon's tactics, Hermione elbowed her assailant's gut. Thus she was released.

Devon immediately petrified the assailant.

Hermione grabbed Devon's hand and apparated to some place else.

---

"Mistress Her-!"

"Saddy, please, not now." Hermione waved the house-elf. "Listen, has anybody been around the Manor besides me, Joan and Devon?"

The house-elf bowed. "No, Mistress."

"Look, could you get me floo powder? I'll be at the study."

The house-elf bowed once more.

Pop.

"Who was that? What happened? What did they want?" Hermione rambled on and on as she, followed by Devon, to the study. She was obviously unnerved by the recent happenings.

"I don't have anything of much value." Hermione continued. "Why do these things always happen when I'm finally contented with my life? Why?"

Devon placed his hands on Hermione's shoulders. "Hermione, calm down."

"DEVON! HOW CAN I CALM DOWN IF SOMEONE HAD JUST APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE AND ALMOST ABDUCTED ME IN FRONT OF MY HOME?"

---

" – ABDUCTED ME IN -."

Saddy could distinctly hear her mistress shouting from the study. The house-elf hurriedly grabbed a pouch of floo powder and got into the study.

"HOME?"

"Situation bad, Saddy must stop arguing." Saddy thought to herself. "Saddy must stop Master Draco and Mistress Hermione fighting. Saddy knows what to do. Saddy will do it Master and Mistress Malfoy's sake."

---

"Mistress?" Saddy started.

Hermione turned away from blowing up on Devon and took the floo powder from Saddy. "Thank you, you may leave – by the way, please fix the guest room, he will be sleeping there."

---

"Situation very bad, Master and Mistress sleep in different rooms." Saddy thought. "Saddy must do what Saddy does."

---

Moments later, Hermione had contacted Dumbledore and was talking to him via Floo Network.

By now, Hermione had obviously calmed down and was sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace in the study beside Devon.

"Honestly, Hermione," The kind headmaster said. "I don't know what's going on but Severus has contacted the Auror department to take a look at your house."

Hermione nodded as she snuggled closer to Devon, who was completely understanding despite the fact that he was practically shouted at by Hermione.

"For the time being, I suggest that you start packing, I believe that there are still some essentials left in the Manor?"

"Yes Professor."

"Ah, Severus," Dumbledore turned to face someone in the room at his side. "I see, thank you Severus, you may leave."

Dumbledore once more appeared at the fireplace. "I'm afraid Severus carried bad news. The assailants were gone from the scene of crime but the Aurors advises you strongly not to go back to your house tonight. They are still investigating any motives for the said action and who are behind this. Anyway, Hermione, pack essentials for both Devon and you and by tomorrow morning, I'll be sending Severus with news on where you could hide while the investigation is going on, so you may be protected from the said perpetrators. That is," Dumbledore added with twinkling eyes. "If it would be acceptable for the two of you to have Devon look after you, Hermione."

Hermione blushed. "Of course, it's ok, Professor."

Devon solemnly nodded.

"Oh, I don't think that looking for a hiding place would be necessary. I know a place that no one from the magical world knows about. Only Draco and I know about it, but due to circumstances, only I know about it." Hermione recalled the place where they hid before Draco had gone to the war.

The Headmaster nodded knowingly. "I see. I believe I must be leaving the two of you to prepare for your long trip away from the wizarding world. Good luck."

"Thank you Professor." Hermione and Devon replied simultaneously.

"I guess we have to get to work." Hermione sighed. "Saddy! Saddy! Come here!"

---

"Saddy! Come here!"

Saddy was standing in front of what used to be Hermione and Draco's bedroom.

Her work was done and she headed towards Hermione's voice.

---

Pop.

"Yes, Mistress?"

"Saddy," Hermione started. "I would like you and the other elves to take a vacation – NO BUTS. I will be calling you all back when I need you. That is an order."

"Yes, Mistress."

Pop.

Hermione rubbed her temples as she, along with Devon, climbed the staircase towards Draco's room.

"Hey," She quietly said. "I'm sorry if I blew up on you awhile ago. It's stress and I don't know…"

Devon did not make a reply as memories started to rapidly fill his mind.

"Thank you for saving me – again." She gave a bittersweet smile. "Funny isn't it? You've saved me twice and I seem to always attract trouble."

---

"Father?" He cautiously entered Lucius Malfoy's study.

"Come in, Draco."

He slowly came in, playing with his pet snake as it slithered at his neck. "You called for me, Father?"

"Yes, Draco." Lucius Malfoy faced his son, no emotions at all. "You are now seven years old, are you not?"

"Yes, Father." He was not looking at his father for his attention was at the snake.

"DRACO! What have I taught you about etiquette?" His father's voice boomed.

Young Draco cringed. "Face the people you are talking to, sir."

Anger flashed in the eyes of Lucius. "I wanted to show you the Avada, and even teach you it today. But your mother would not allow it." He sneered. "But now, due to your impertinence, I have to change my mind. Put down that snake!"

Draco, shaking, placed the snake on the rug.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"Draco?" His mother peeked from his door.

He was sitting on the center of his bed, fighting the urge to cry. His father will get mad all over again if he cried.

"Draco?" Narcissa Malfoy repeated, this time entering her son's room, where there was no light at all since Draco did not turn it on.

She turned on the lamp on the bedside table and sat beside her son, placing an arm around the small shoulders.

In the soft light of the lamp, his mother looked like an angel to him – the only reason why he was able to go on with his life no matter how much he was being tormented by his father.

"I'm sorry." Narcissa told her son.

"Why does he do these things?" Draco blandly replied.

"I can't answer that, Draco dear." She looked sadly at her son. "I'm sorry you have to experience these hardships so early."

Draco was silent.

"Draco, listen to me," Narcissa placed a hand under Draco's chin and looked straight into his eyes, which were expressionless. "I don't want you to become like him. There is hope for you. And, don't you ever forget," She said the following words slowly. "I love you, Draco." She hugged her son close to herself.

Draco hugged his mother back.

---

"Ok, here. This is about all you're going to need." Hermione shove a pile of clothes on Devon's arms. "And here." She placed a bag on top of it. "You're lucky, you're about the same size as Draco, and I hope he doesn't mind you using his clothes…"

Hermione continued to bustle about in the room tidying up the things she had knocked over in the process of looking for clothes.

Devon looked at Hermione.

"I don't mind…" He whispered.

"I beg your pardon?" Hermione faced him abruptly.

He shook his head. "Nothing. I was just talking to myself."

"In that case, we must go to the master bedroom, where you can fit those clothes into the bag while I pack for myself."

Hermione opened the door of the master bedroom and they both entered. She headed towards the cabinet and flung it open while Devon laid the pile on the bed and started to pack.

Devon packed slowly since his headache was increasing by the moment and memories continue to flood him as he packed the articles of clothing.

The plain forest green turtleneck was the one that he had worn when Hermione, a three year-old Joan and he gone out skating on their first Christmas after the Downfall.

The light green polo shirt he had worn during the day that the Malfoy family had hosted the Commemoration.

The black robes that he -.

He looked up from packing and saw a very out of place set on the bedside table.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?" Hermione emerged from the big closet, with a pair slacks hung on one arm and a blouse on the other.

"What are those?" He pointed to the bedside table.

Hermione turned. "Oh, shoot."

On the bedside table was an elegant metal tray with a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket. A bowl of strawberries and another bowl of cream along with two champagne glasses were present. There was also a single long-stemmed rose.

Hermione strode over to the door and turned the doorknob. It was locked.

"I knew it." Hermione sighed and turned to Devon who was still staring at the tray. "I'm sorry, Devon. It's the house-elf, Saddy. She does this whenever Draco and I fight."

Devon felt his headache worsened and closed his eyes.

"She places a spell on the door which makes it impossible for Draco and I to open it and get out of the room during the day that we fight. The spell usually wears off the next day." Hermione's eyes appear to glaze over. "It started during the first fight when I got mad at Draco because, I don't remember why. Anyway, he connived with the house-elf to place the spell and leave that tray at the bedside table. The spell is not only to keep us in the room but also for others out of the room." Hermione started to turn red. "It was a way of Draco to patch things up between the two of us. Well, the idea sort-of stuck in the minds of the house-elves and it became almost like protocol for them to do this every time my husband and I fight." She paused.

Devon felt sick. He needed out. He went into the bathroom; he could feel his dinner coming up. He felt like vomiting.

Hermione did not realize that Devon had gone into the bathroom as she was reminiscing.

---

"I DON'T CARE FOR YOUR REASONS DRACO MALFOY!"

"Hermione, please! Listen to me! I didn't mean it!" Draco pleaded to his wife, who was near the door.

Hermione put her hand up. "SHUT IT!" She sighed exasperatedly. "I need out. I'm going to sleep beside Joan."

"Hermione -."

Hermione turned the doorknob. It would not budge.

"What's with the door?" She turned to face her husband, anger evident on her face.

"Hermione, I can explain -."

"WHAT DID I SAY EARLIER? I DON'T NEED YOUR EXCUSES!"

"Hermione," Draco repeated, inching away from his wife and getting the rose on the bedside table. "Look, I'm sorry." He offered the rose, sincerity unmistakably plastered on his face.

---

Hermione was now fingering the rose with the tray.

"He used to say that champagne should be drank with strawberries since it brings out the flavor of strawberries more effectively."

Unknown to her, she was not the only one recollecting memories.

---

Devon felt like vomiting but it just would not come out. Instead he washed his face with cold water. After he had dried his face, he felt his headache and sickly feeling leaving. This was replaced by shock as he stared at the mirror.

---

"…Strawberries more effectively."

Should I come out?

"Dev – are you ok?"

"Mmm, yes."

My voice is obviously different.

"Ok, want to drink champagne? Let's not put to waste Saddy's preparations, despite the fact that she irritated me. Of all the times to lock us in…"

---

Hermione took a sip of champagne.

"I wonder what possessed Saddy to lock us in…" Then comprehension dawned on her. "She still thinks that you're Draco." She softly said. "She thought I was fighting with Draco in the study, that's why she locked us…"

---

"…Us…"

His heart was beating wildly.

Breathe in and breathe out.

"Devon? I'm sorry for placing you into such a fix, for including you in my crazy life, and also for the constant identity crisis that my house-elf dealt on you."

I have to do it now, there's no escape…

He blinked and opened the bathroom door slowly while speaking.

"I've always wanted to be included in your life."

---

Hermione was sitting on the bed and facing the bathroom door when it opened.

The sound of shattering glass echoed as Hermione dropped her champagne glass.