A/N: Here's to the last, folks. I swear I'm not crying while posting this lol

Alphabet love to WordsmithMusings.

Acknowledgements and final words in end notes.

Chapter Seventeen

We miss you.

Hermione & Sirius

Hermione sighed as she signed off the letter and sealed it. Another day, another letter. She and Sirius tried to contact Draco for five days now, but they received nothing in reply. She hadn't heard anything about Narcissa, nor anything about Draco. She feared that her potion hadn't worked, but when she went to St Mungo's and asked, she was informed Narcissa had been discharged the day after they gave her the potion.

The only other explanation was that Draco no longer wanted anything to do with her and Sirius. But... Draco had said he cared for her. They were bonded. Surely that meant something to him. Surely she meant something to him.

"If he doesn't respond to this one, I'm going to march right over to the Manor and drag him out by his stupidly perfect hair."

Hermione laughed despite the pang of sadness that rang through her. She hadn't told Sirius that she had already tried two days ago but couldn't make it past the wards. "Harry said something similar."

Sirius leant down and pressed a kiss to her temple before taking the letter. His hands had a smudge of soft blue paint.

"You started on the kitchen without me?" Hermione pouted. They'd been renovating Grimmauld Place, replacing the old with new, replacing the bad memories with happy ones.

Sirius shrugged and led her from the library to the kitchen. They dodged various boxes of hardware, paint, and flooring. "The spell only takes a moment, kitten."

The crackling grey walls of the kitchen now shined in a paint colour called Beacon Grey—a colour she'd become recently fond of—and the cobblestone floors had been replaced with hardwood. It was brighter and softer, and Hermione instantly felt a sense of comfort wrap around her as she walked to the centre of the room.

"I do so love being able to admire you from a distance," Sirius said behind her.

Hermione smiled and turned to show him exactly what he could admire right there in the kitchen, but the sound of a small pop had her startling. A house-elf, specifically Malfoy's house-elf Tivy, stood in the centre of the kitchen, clothed in a Beatles t-shirt that dragged on the ground. Grimmauld hadn't had a house-elf in it since Kreacher left to work in the Hogwarts kitchens after the war.

"Excuses for interrupting," she said with a small curtsy. "Mistress will be here in a moment, and Tivy was sent early to prepare a proper tea."

Hermione was in disbelief, too astonished to form a reply as Tivy summoned teacups and tsked at their mismatched set. She turned back to Sirius, who only shrugged. The sound of a gentle knock on the front door had them both jumping. Sirius walked down the hall toward it while Hermione quickly fluffed her curls and—shit—she didn't have a bra or shorts on beneath her oversized shirt, just a pair of cotton knickers.

The door creaked open to reveal Narcissa, alive and well. She stepped into Grimmauld like she owned the place, brushing by Sirius and walking straight to the sitting room. An arched brow was all Hermione received at her attire as Narcissa passed by. Hermione's face heated, and she quickly Accio'd a pair of flannel pyjamas to slip on.

They followed Narcissa into the room as Tivy appeared to serve tea from a floating tray with their varied cups. It gave Hermione a bit of satisfaction to know that the Malfoy Matriarch would have to drink tea from a chipped cup.

Narcissa gestured for Hermione and Sirius to sit, and despite the fact she wanted to throttle the woman, Hermione followed directions. Narcissa looked healthy, still a bit frail—as she probably would be for the rest of her life with the amount of magic that left her. Her skin looked brighter, a bit more colour to her pale complexion. Hermione didn't know if it was from makeup or not at this distance, but from what she could tell, her recovery was genuine. She didn't even need her cane anymore.

"I am aware of your relationship with my son," She began, her face stoic as if to hide her true emotion. "But before we discuss that, I need to make you aware of an error that was made."

Hermione's heart leapt into her throat. So Draco told her of their relationship? Did he send Narcissa here?

Narcissa took off the black leather gloves on her hands, revealing aged skin and dark veins. She twisted them, knuckles turning white. "On the day of my incident, my son thought I was about to utter a very rude word. I would like you to know that he cut me off before I could finish; I was going to call you a muggleborn."

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but Narcissa raised a hand. "Regardless, I was callous and frightful, no matter my words. I'm sorry."

A beat of silence passed through the room. Hermione could only swallow the lump in her throat and nod. Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his solid embrace.

"Now, my son also made me aware that I owe you a life debt," Narcissa continued, striding slowly to the nearby window and looking at the Muggle street below. "I would like to repay it now."

A heavy knock sounded on the door. Hermione whipped her head toward it and back to Narcissa. Was it Draco? Had he come?

Hermione stood on shaky knees, Sirius right behind her as she neared the front entrance. The knob seemed to turn in slow motion as she pulled the wood open.

A familiar couple stood on the front stoop.

Hermione swallowed as realisation dawned on her—it was her parents. She did a double-take. No, her parents were in Australia, living without the memories she had stolen from them.

"Oh, Hermione," her mother whispered, reaching forward to pull her into a hug. Hermione closed her eyes, deeply breathing in the familiar scent of her mother's perfume as her mind whirled. Was she dreaming? Was this real? Was that really her mother holding her close?

She opened her eyes and met her father's gaze. His spectacled eyes twinkled with fondness and recognition, and he reached out to place a gentle hand atop her curls. They remembered her!

How had Narcissa done it when no one else could?

They all crowded back into the sitting room; the fire roared to life and enveloped the room in its warm embrace. Hermione couldn't help a chill sliding down her spine as a pang of sadness radiated through her. She was happy her parents were here, of course. Ecstatic and confused at the fact their memories were restored. So why did she still wish it had been Draco on the other side of that door?

"It's okay to be sad it wasn't him," Sirius whispered beside her on the couch as he sipped his tea.

Hermione gave him a soft smile and leant her head on his arm; Sirius always knew. She glanced to her mother and father as they spoke softly to Narcissa like old friends. It was an insane sight to see.

"How did you do it?" Hermione finally asked.

"I hired a specialist from France," Narcissa replied matter-of-factly. "It took him two days, but he was able to undo it." She sipped her tea as if she hadn't stated it took someone mere days when Hermione had tried at for months. Months of time researching, months of trial and error, and nothing she tried would undo her spell. But a specialist had undone it in days.

"Now, I'll leave you all to catch up. I'm sure there's quite a bit your parents need to know." Narcissa said as Tivy took her half-full teacup and floated it into the kitchen, helping Narcissa stand.

Hermione jumped up from her spot, "Wait! Draco—" She didn't know what to ask. She didn't know if Narcissa knew why Draco didn't want to see them. "Is-is he okay?"

She'd never heard Narcissa Malfoy laugh before. Instead of terrifying like she thought it'd be, the sound was light and airy. A laugh that had been honed by years of etiquette training. "Draco is well enough, considering the circumstances."

That was good. Right? Draco should be well; he should be happy. But that still didn't stop the sorrowful malcontent that welled in her chest. "I wrote to him."

"Ah. That," Narcissa shuffled and replaced her gloves. Hermione narrowed her gaze; Narcissa didn't shuffle. "Well... To tell you the blunt truth, I've been taking your letters."

A sick feeling filled her stomach. Hermione couldn't believe it. After everything, after all this...

"So he thinks we've just been ignoring him?" Hermione couldn't stop the tears that filled her eyes. "Why? Why would you do that!?"

At the very least, Narcissa looked guilt-stricken. She glanced everywhere but Hermione's eyes as she replied, "Draco was very upset when he came to collect me from the hospital. He told me everything that happened and when I saw that first letter come... Well, he needed time, Hermione." Narcissa finally met her eyes; they were filled with a type of sadness that gave Hermione pause. "He would've gone back to you both the moment he read that letter, but he wasn't ready yet."

"You don't get to decide that for him," Hermione snapped back, her treacherous voice warbling. She wouldn't cry in front of Narcissa.

Narcissa smiled sadly and dabbed at her eyes with a gloved finger. "You're right, but it's done now." She summoned a stack of papers in her hands—their letters.

Hermione snatched them from Narcissa's outstretched hand. They didn't appear to have been opened.

"I'm having a small dinner tonight at seven," Narcissa sniffed. "You're both invited, as well as your parents, of course. The Potter's will be there, too." She walked toward the front door and brandished her wand. "As will my son."

She stepped out the front door and Disapparated with a crack.

Hermione didn't know if this dinner was formal or not, but she certainly felt overdressed in the black, tight thing she squeezed into. Sirius had insisted on her wearing it, stating that Draco would adore her in knee-length muggle dress. It hadn't taken much more convincing for her to slip it on, and at least it had pockets.

Her parents would be meeting them there; they had spent hours catching up after Narcissa left, and though reluctant as she was to let them leave, Hermione accepted they needed to get ready. Without magic, everything took twice as long; Hermione had forgotten that in her years as a witch.

Butterflies erupted in her stomach as they Floo'd directly inside Malfoy Manor from Grimmauld. Hermione quickly spelled the soot from her skin and clothes and slipped her wand back into her thigh holster.

"I could watch you do that forever," Sirius muttered in her ear as they followed the sound of echoing voices. Hermione laughed, momentarily forgetting her nerves. Sirius was trying to distract her, but it only satiated her trepidation for a breath before the familiar deep vibrato of Draco's voice filtered down the hall. He was here. Did he know they were coming?

"He might be surprised, kitten," Sirius voiced her thoughts. "Knowing how much dear Cissa likes the dramatics, she probably didn't tell him we'd be here."

Hermione nodded as they stopped just outside the closed doors leading to the sitting room. Multiple voices, some laughing and all sounding like they were enjoying themselves. Sirius pushed it open, and the voices quieted.

A shock went through her as she stepped into the room, eyes instantly seeking Draco. He was there, dressed in an all-black suit, strikingly handsome; she could feel the draw to him, feel the snap of rightness. They were all together again: Sirius, Hermione, and Draco. It felt right and good, and Merlin—Hermione couldn't help the grin that split her face at the relief flooding through her.

"I forgot to mention I invited some other guests. I believe your parents have just arrived as well, Miss Granger. I sent a Muggle car for them," Narcissa said from where she sat in an ornate settee. Hermione suddenly felt quite underdressed as seeing her attire: diamonds dripped from her ears and neck. At least Narcissa seemed to be feeling better.

"You did this?" Draco turned a glare at his mother. "What's going on?"

"Maybe we should leave..." Harry voiced. Hermione hadn't even realised he was there; she only had eyes for Draco. She finally trailed her gaze around the room. Blaise and Harry stood nearby with a familiar witch. Pansy.

To Hermione's surprise, Teddy was there too, clinging to Pansy's well-dressed legs like a lifeline. They must have already taken him to see her. A man Hermione didn't know stood beside Draco, spectacled with red curls pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Draco still glared at Narcissa.

"I agree, Harry," Narcissa said, pretending to contemplate. Sirius was right; Narcissa really did have a flair for the dramatics. "Let's all take our places at dinner while the lovebirds talk this through."

"Mother, we aren't some pawns on your chessboard—"

"Sometimes the pieces need a nudge," Narcissa replied simply, patting Draco's arm as she left the room with the others. "Even in wizard's chess."

The door shut behind her, leaving Hermione, Draco, and Sirius in ear-piercing silence. Draco sighed and sat on the chair behind him while Hermione stood lamely beside Sirius. She didn't know whether to walk to him or stay put. She didn't know if she should say something or stay silent. Hermione feared one wrong move would have Draco dismissing them and out of their lives again.

"I'm sorry if she invited you under false pretences," Draco said flatly. He was pushing emotion from his voice; Hermione had learned to tell the difference.

"She didn't," Sirius replied. "We knew you would be here."

Draco furrowed his brow and met their eyes. He looked exhausted—like he hadn't slept once, if the dark circles beneath his eyes were anything to go by.

"Did you get your seats back?" Hermione asked quickly. She wanted to change the subject, wanted to keep Draco talking, distracted. He was going to kick them out; she could see it on his face at having discovered they knew he'd be here. Hermione didn't want this feeling of wholeness to leave again, not when it felt so right to be here with her men.

Draco took the bait. "Yes, and somehow I received all sixteen. I thought we agreed on ten?"

A mischievous smirk curled Hermione's lips, a final act of deviancy before she left. A forced, confused hum left her lips. "Must've fudged the paperwork."

Something flashed across Draco's face that Hermione couldn't discern. He fiddled with a ring on his left hand, a Malfoy signet that she had a sudden memory of Lucius wearing.

"Well," he started with a smirk, tugging the sleeves of his dinner jacket straight as he stood. "I would say I owe you one, but I believe I've already repaid the favour."

Despite the thrill that ran through her as Draco stepped closer, Hermione couldn't help but be curious. "What do you mean?"

"I believe you'll find a new name printed at the bottom of every Daily Prophet."

There was a beat of silence as they processed his words. Sirius suddenly let out a bark of laughter. "You didn't."

Hermione looked between Draco and Sirius in confusion. "What? What did I miss?"

"He bought the Prophet, kitten," Sirius replied with a grin. "For you."

"For us," Draco replied, staring at Hermione with dark grey eyes, glancing at Sirius, too.

Oh.

Oh.

Hermione rushed forward into Draco arms, pulling him as close as she could, pressing their lips together in a rushed kiss. Something snapped tight in her chest as she felt an overwhelming rush of unity. She knew it was the bond, but she didn't care. Hermione would pick Draco and Sirius a hundred times over, with or without it.

Her knees gave out, but Draco was there, holding her up and cradling her against his strong chest. Emotion overwhelmed her as her body called for him. She could feel his magical energy, could feel Sirius' too. It was like a warm pulse beating around her, mixing with her own. Together. They were together.

"I missed you," Hermione muttered against his lips. "We missed you."

Sirius snaked his hands across her back, giving her his reassuring warmth and steady pressure against her body. "We wrote to you every day, you know."

"I know," Draco whispered. "I'm sorry. My mother told me about the letters this afternoon. I was worried you two would be happy together just on your own... I didn't want to intrude. And when I didn't hear anything from you..."

Hermione held his face. "You are equal in this. We are equal. I love you, Draco, and if you'd have taken your head out of your arse for a moment, you'd have seen that."

They all laughed at Hermione's words. Draco cupped her face and pressed a soft, swift kiss to her lips. "You're right. I'm sorry, and I love you too."

Hermione grinned, her heart swelling at his words. "Oh," Her bag contained the letters Narcissa had returned to her, and Hermione quickly fished around for them. "They all mostly say the same thing, but...here."

Draco held them in his hands gently. There were five total, one for each day apart. It seemed like such a small number now, but it had been agony.

"Move back to Grimmauld with us," Sirius said. "Hermione and I have done some redecorating."

Draco crinkled his nose and tucked the letters inside his breast pocket. "I will most certainly be taking that over."

No what if's or buts, no questions asked. It was decided, just like that. Hermione laced her fingers in Draco's and squeezed, doing the same to Sirius on her opposite side. The same sides as when they were bound.

Sirius scoffed. "I do know what looks good."

Draco took in Sirius's attire: a black leather jacket over a loose white t-shirt. His eyes stopped on a large hole in his jeans. "Clearly."

Hermione couldn't help the laughter that bubbled in her throat at their bickering. She had missed them so much. Missed being together. Complete.

They walked to the dining hall, Sirius and Draco bickering the entire way over decor ideas. Hermione soaked it all between them, laughing openly and feeling freer than she had in days. As they entered the ornate room, whoops of excitement sounded. Merlin, they were cheering.

Hermione flushed as she took her seat, Sirius and Draco occupying the ones on either side of her. Her parents sat across from them, and her mother flashed her an encouraging smile. Hermione had tried her best to explain and fill in as best she could, leaving quite a few necessary things out. Her parents had tried their best to be supportive and understanding where they could, despite the unconventional nature of the relationship. They were a family again, and that was all that mattered.

Dinner passed by amicably. Narcissa, to everyone's surprise, had offered her parents patronage to restart their dental practice. Hermione had learned that Pansy did, in fact, begin working with Teddy and that he was doing wonderfully. She even helped Teddy process his feelings at seeing Sirius, preventing an explosion of accidental magic.

If that hadn't been impressive enough, Hermione was also shocked to learn that Pansy's husband was a muggle-born. And he had been the one to restore Hermione's parent's memories.

Hermione's head was dizzy with it all.

"I wanted to ask," Narcissa began, which was always a terrifying start to any sentence. "How did Kingsley react to you telling him you broke the bond?"

Hermione shrugged and sipped her wine. "He wasn't as shocked as when I quit my job."

Sirius and Harry—and by extension, Blaise—already knew this fact, but everyone else was surprised. Even Pansy.

"You quit?"

Hermione nodded her head at Draco. "After it all, I couldn't keep working for him."

Draco grasped her knee and gave a reassuring squeeze. He knew what she meant.

"So, what will you do instead?" Pansy asked. "I always thought you'd be Minister someday."

"I've thought about opening a law firm, representing people for Wizengamot trials, perhaps advocate for law reform."

"You'd be bloody brilliant at it," Sirius supplied. Draco quickly agreed.

Hermione waved off their praise. "I could never afford it."

There was silence, followed by a chuckle from Sirius. "Kitten, you've been on the Black vaults from the moment my citizenship was reinstated."

"And you'll be put on the Malfoy one's first thing tomorrow morning," Draco stated. "Use however much money you want to get started."

Hermione glanced between them, her shock and bafflement keeping her silent. She wanted to cry, wanted to kiss them, shit she damn well wanted to show them exactly how much their words meant to her right here on this table—

"And it seems I've come across quite a few seats recently…" Draco grinned, wrapping his arm across the back of Hermione's chair. His scent enveloped her in a familiar embrace.

"I'm going to quit, too," Harry said matter-of-factly. "I'll help you, Hermione. I know all the laws and the Wizengamot. We can do it together."

Hermione stifled a sob. Yes. Yes, that would be perfect.

"I'll be happy to see you safely behind a desk," Blaise stated, though he turned a mischievous smirk at his husband. "Do you think you can keep the uniform, though?"

They all laughed, and everyone began to go over the details of their imaginary law firm. Hermione sat back in her chair and watched as something warm blossomed in her chest. Love. Beneath the table, Draco wrapped their fingers together, and Sirius clasped her opposite. The faint remembrance of their previous bond gripped her wrists in phantom shackles. They weren't shackled together anymore, though. They were bound by more than ropes, yet freer than they had been.

She didn't know what the future would hold, if they really would open a law firm, move somewhere else, or have children... But it didn't matter.

As long as Draco and Sirius were with her, Hermione was complete.

A/N: Well... that's it.

Firstly, I want to give a huge thank you to Wordsmith. You have been invaluable to me both as a best friend and my alphabet. Your encouragement, support, and fantastic concrit made this story what it was. Anyone who enjoyed this story should also thank WordsmithMusings; this story would have never been finished without her. Love you, friend.

Secondly, thank you to FaeOrabel, one of my best friends and the originator of this story idea. She originally posted it on the Facebook post for the fest this story was part of, and my imagination spiralled from there lol

I want to send love to Firewhiskysoul as well. She helped me figure out ideas for this story(because I had a crazy brain block at around chapter 7, lol). Without her, the entire Narcissa storyline wouldn't exist.

And last, but certainly not least. Thank you to all of you—the readers. Your support and love for this story have literally held me together some days. This time spent working on this story, knowing you were waiting to see what happened next and being so excited to share it. I am truly going to miss this story, not just for the characters, but because of how much I enjoyed interacting with all of you.

All of the favs, follows, reviews. I see it all and know that I value every interaction this story gets, no matter how small.

While this is the end of Tethered, it certainly isn't the end of me. I've got some exciting projects in the works: A Loki/Hermione crossover set during Thor: Ragnarok called Lost on Sakaar (first few chapters already uploaded), a Charlie/Hermione marriage law, as well as some other fest oneshots. If you'd like to read more of my works, I highly recommend you fav/follow my author page to get alerts when I post new works!

I have so many more stories to tell, and I hope to see you all again.

-Kora