Chapter 4: Wandless Magic

Draco sat watching the scenery fly past through the train window as Hermione slept against him. Meeting her family was slightly frightening to the pureblood, but if they were anything like Hermione he would be fine, but then again she probably hasn't told them anything good about him. Things could get interesting rather quickly. Draco saw that they were coming up onto the station so he kissed her softly to wake her.

She smiled and said she would be back as soon as she was changed. Draco smiled and waved his wand around him and then he pointed to his empty suitcase. Within seconds, he was dressed in grey slacks and a white silk button-up shirt; he even had on a pair of nice dress shoes. He opened his suitcase and smiled. It was filled with similar clothes. A wide variety of coloured shirts and three different colours of slacks: khaki, grey and black, were neatly folded, with an anti-wrinkle charm, in the medium luggage.

When Hermione walked back in she whistled softly in approval. Draco smiled, this type of Muggle clothing didn't bother him, jeans and cotton-shirts did. "Drake, you look great. Now I feel underdressed."

Draco frowned. "Honey, you don't need to feel underdressed, I can't ware jeans and t-shirts bother me. Just tell your mom and dad that I am allergic to… denim, was it?"

"All right, you win," Hermione told as Draco chuckled when the train stopped. He was more easygoing since he had started to date Hermione. They grabbed their things and went onto the platform.

Draco smiled and retrieved a trolley for both of their trunks and other bags, then with everything loaded they exited the platform to search for her family. "Should you be wearing your ring, Herm?" She gasped, shaking her head, and placed it on her right hand.

"Hermione," her father's voice asked a few moments later from her right. She turned to look at him to see he was facing the other way. She chuckled and whistled. He spun and looked at her, smiling. "There you are." He walked over and hugged her, and then he looked at the trolley to see that her things were accompanied by someone else's. "Did you bring a friend?"

Hermione gasped, shocked. "Mom didn't tell you?" she beckoned to Draco. "Dad, this is Draco Malfoy, my boyfriend. Draco, this is my father, Charles Granger."

Draco extended his hand and shook her dad's firmly. "It is a pleasure to finely meet you, Dr. Grange, Hermione has told me so much about you." Hermione covered a grin with her hand. Being a pureblood had left Draco with an excessive amount of courtesies and formalities.

"I'm afraid I haven't heard anything about you, Mr. Malfoy that I can remember; though I believe I was introduced to your father."

Draco smiled. "Please, don't hold it against me." Draco sighed as they began to walk; everyone always held it against him. He smirked slightly. Therefore, Hermione hadn't told her father anything about him or else nothing bad enough to stick to his memory; had she told her mother.

They loaded one trunk into the back of the car and tied the other on the roof. The rest of the bags could fit into the back seat with Draco, who had insisted for Hermione to take the front seat. After a short drive they pulled into Hermione's home; it was small and looked cosy. Draco jumped out of his door, then went to Hermione's door and opened it. He held out his hand to her and helped her get out; she smiled. Her dad watched with fascination as Draco was being the perfect gentleman.

Hermione reached over to grab one of her bags when Draco shook his head. "My dear, why don't you go inside and I'll get our things."

"But, Draco, you're my guest; you shouldn't have to do all the work."

Draco smiled. "Honey, I'm your boyfriend; that gets rid of guest status, besides I would rather get your things then make you get them." Hermione smiled and walked inside. Draco and Charles started to grab the bags and trunks. In three trips all of their things were brought in and Draco was standing in the foyer. He felt a little out of place.

Hermione's mom walked over with her daughter and smiled. "Mom," Hermione started, "this is Draco Malfoy, my boyfriend. Draco, this is my mother, Jessica Granger."

Draco smiled. "I can see where your beauty comes from Hermione." Both Hermione and her mother blushed. "It is an honour to finely meet you; your daughter is always talking about you."

Her mother smiled. "I hope some of it was good. Mr. Malfoy," she began, "may I have a word with you, alone?"

"Yes, of course," Draco replied, "Hermione, by your leave, then?"

Hermione smiled, Draco was in courtier mode. "Yes, of course, Draco."

Jessica raised an eyebrow and lead Draco into the kitchen. "Mr. Malfoy, being that you've just arrived, I'm sorry to start this so soon, but…" she paused, "Hermione hasn't told me very good things about you. She's told me many actually disturbing things that you've done…" her voice faded off.

Before she could continue, Draco sighed. "Most of what she has told you is most likely true. I wasn't a very nice person to your daughter in our first, second, third, and fourth years, fifth year wasn't as bad, but this last year was wonderful. Your daughter has changed me for the better; everyone we know says it too. I would like the opportunity to prove my sincerest feelings towards your daughter before you judge me."

"Very well," she replied. "However, there is one matter my daughter and I have discussed that I require you to be apart of since you are here."

"Of course, when would you like this discussion?"

"Now," she said as she looked at the door, "Hermione come in."

Hermione came in, shoulders hunched, looking defeated. Draco took a deep breath, fearing this was about Hermione getting pregnant in fifth year. "You called mother?"

"Yes, sweetie, I did." She and Draco sat while her mom stood glaring at them. Draco reached under the table and squeezed Hermione's hand for reassurance. "Hermione, I am going to ask you one more time before hell will pay. Understand?"

"Yes, mother, I do."

Jessica took a deep breath. "Who was the father of the child you aborted in fifth year?"

Hermione paled. She started shaking, fearing her mother's wrath but not wanting to hurt Draco. 'I don't have to worry,' she told herself, 'and I have to tell her something.'

"I was the father, Dr. Granger," Draco's voice sounded from besides her, soothing and in defeat.

Jessica gasped, shocked. "What?"

Draco sighed. "I was the father of her child…" Draco paused.

"YOU…! And you want us to trust you?"

"Let me tell you about what happened and you can judge for yourself." Jessica nodded, trying to stay calm. "Your daughter and I were dating in the beginning of fifth year," Draco lied helping Hermione slightly, "and we got carried away, one occasion. The next day we tested her to see if there were any consequences but the charm mustn't have worked, it said she wasn't with child. A few weeks later, she and I got into a fight and we separated. In that time afterward, she found out that she was pregnant and was scared. I had no idea she was with child until she told me when we got back together at the beginning of this year." Draco sighed. "I wish she would have told me, though, I don't like the thought that she had to deal with it by herself and at least then I could have taken more responsibility for what happened." Draco cast his eyes to the floor, summoning a look of defeat in his posture. Draco knew that with the slight white lies, the story seemed safer and more believable.

Jessica just watched Draco as he spoke. Shocked that her daughter wouldn't have told him when it happened and shocked that Hermione hadn't told her that story, she had always just said 'It was an accident, mom, leave it at that.' She frowned. "What would you have done, Mr. Malfoy, if Hermione had told you that she was carrying your child?"

Draco glanced up, eyes weary. "I would have done whatever it would have taken. Be it to pay for the abortion or to marry her and raise the child…" Draco sighed, thinking, 'not that I'm not planning to do just that anyway, but…'

Jessica seemed satisfied with that answer. "Why didn't she tell you that she was pregnant?"

Draco smiled ruefully. "It's my family, Dr. Granger, even though we'd been dating for a few months before it happened, she still thought I was like the others. With any pureblood family, something between Hermione and I would be dishonourable, and if a child was brought forth… anyone else would have said good luck and walked away. I'm not like that. I love your daughter, no matter what the rest of the purebloods think."

Jessica just looked at Draco and her daughter; he was willing to completely leave his family for Hermione. She thought. Wasn't that willing disownment in the wizarding world? Would he be able to get everything that Hermione needs, if they ended up marrying? Would they lose their daughter completely to the wizarding world?

Draco watched Jessica's thoughts, the change of emotions playing across her face, her fears. Draco smiled and indicated the door for Hermione. She nodded and left, slightly frightened about Draco's safety. "Dr. Granger, please tell me what troubles you."

"I'm worried about her marrying a wizard who won't be able to supply everything that she'll need… and about said wizard taking her away from my husband and me. We don't want to lose her completely to the wizarding world because we can't follow her there."

"If I were to marry her, Dr. Granger, you have my word that I will treat her like royalty, I have not been completely disowned by my family, and that you will still be in her life," Draco said honestly. On the rare occasions Malfoy's married for love, the woman was like a queen in her own right.

Jessica smiled, than her husband walked in. He looked furious. He hadn't heard the entire story about Hermione being pregnant and Draco being the dad; he had heard that he hadn't been there and yet she was still with him. Missing 2/3 of the conversation, Charles was beyond furious. "You got my baby pregnant and you didn't do anything about it!"

Both Draco and Jessica flinched. Hermione ran in hearing both the tone and the sentence uttered. "Dad no, it's not like that."

"Then how is it, my dear?"

"I hadn't told him that I was pregnant, I just took care of things myself."

Charles glared at his daughter. "You didn't let him take responsibility? Maybe you didn't tell him because you didn't know if the child really was his, you little whore." Draco sat up and was ready to jump Charles when Hermione shook her head.

"Dad, think what you will if you don't believe me but never call me a whore, ever again." Hermione walked around Charles and hugged Draco, trying to calm him. She frowned and with her mom and Draco, they left into the living room. "Don't let my dad get to you Drake; he's a jerk most of the time."

"Please excuse my husband, Mr. Malfoy; he doesn't see things like everybody else does."

Draco took in a ragged breath. "Of course, Dr. Granger… it is an unsettling topic for him to miss most of the conversation." Hermione and Jessica smiled at Draco and relaxed in the living room. They talked about Muggle things that Draco didn't understand that a Muggle took for granted. He was fascinated by the computer and the DVD player… and DVDs or CDs in general.

Two weeks had passed, and with only small mishaps between Draco and Charles, to reveal that everything was fine. Hermione was sitting in the large arm-chair and was cuddled into Draco's arms. Jessica was reading and Charles was off at work. It was peaceful. Hermione was absently playing with her engagement ring, looking at it and smiling or sighing in contempt.

Jessica looked up to see the sparkle of the diamonds and frowned. "What is that, sweetie?"

Hermione jumped, as did Draco. "It's my ring, mom." Hermione said innocently.

Jessica just raised her eyebrows at her daughter and smirked. "Where did you get it, sweetie, it must have been expensive."

Draco smiled softly. "I gave it to her."

Jessica grinned, she wasn't as stupid as her daughter would like. "You two are engaged, then?"

Hermione hung her shoulders. "Yes, mom, we are." Hermione knew Jessica didn't want her daughter to marry a wizard but she also couldn't lie about it either.

"That's wonderful!" she exclaimed, truly happy. "When did you get engaged?"

"During the middle of the school year, Dr. Granger; I wanted to meet you and her father and ask your permission to her hand in marriage."

Jessica thought a moment. "You are a pureblood are you not?"

"I am," Draco answered with worry.

"Then wouldn't you already be engaged to another pureblood by now?"

Hermione smiled. "Yes, mom, he was. But he's not anymore… you see he didn't like her and refused to marry her, we liked each other and so we thought of a way to brake the betrothal." She smiled. "Well, actually I thought of a way. You see, we made everyone think that he…."

Draco smiled; Hermione couldn't say it to her mother. "You see," he started, "with a special spell and potion everyone thinks I cannot have children due to an accident, which was planned, with me falling off my broom during a Quidditch match. If I can't have children then I am worthless as far as my father's concerned. But, I can have children and I used my freedom to date and ask Hermione to marry me."

Jessica frowned. "Wouldn't your father disown you, if you couldn't have an heir?"

"That's what I thought he would do as well, but he didn't." Draco took a breath. "When we decide to have a family, my father will rename me as heir apparent. Until then though, I have the Malfoy Hall and with what I saw a rather extensive Gringotts account and trust fund. I was hoping that after everything was arranged here, you would allow me to take Hermione to the Hall, so she could help get everything in order. Being that it will be her home as well."

Jessica smiled and sighed. "You have my blessings, Mr. Malfoy." Jessica blinked back tears. "If any wizard was going to marry my daughter I am glad that it is you… but please, call me Jessica."

Draco and Hermione sighed with relief as Hermione moved her ring back to her left hand. "Thank you… Jessica."

"You might want to get your things together so you can go to the Hall; I'll have Charles drive you if you need."

Draco smiled. "That will not be necessary, Jessica, I'll have my carriage pick us up this evening after dinner; if that is all right?"

"Of course," Jessica replied softly. "It is going to be an interesting dinner tonight; we'll have to tell your father, Hermione."

Jessica spent a good portion of the day with her nose in a recipe book and in the kitchen cooking to the special occasion. Hermione helped her mother after she was kicked out of her room by Draco packing the things she wanted. He being so courteous and formal was starting to drive Hermione crazy but she knew he was just treating her with what he felt was how she should be treated… 'like a queen,' her mind supplied softly. She grinned as she sliced the basil. She wasn't even thinking about cutting and her mom jumped when she realized that her daughter's mind was elsewhere and she was holding a knife.

Jessica walked to her daughter's side to stop her hand when Hermione looked at her mother. "Can I help you, mom?" she asked without missing a single slice.

"How are you doing that?"

"Doing what, mom?"

Jessica looked at her hands and sighed. "Slicing the basil with your mind elsewhere?"

Draco walked in at that precise second and laughed. Jessica jumped, but Hermione didn't even start, then she turned so she was now looking at Draco. She was still cutting. "Simple, Jessica, she doesn't have a choice after six years of Severus Snape constantly nagging her and her friends to learn the art of cutting without thinking. He did it to us all at some point… maybe to the Gryffindors more then the rest but he has always had a thing about Gryffindors and potions, they scare him."

Hermione laughed as she finished. "That's an understatement. Given my ability with potions, Professor Snape thinks I should have been placed in a different house. Gryffindors are usually terrible potions makers." All three of them laughed as they all helped finish making dinner. Charles walked into the dinning room right as Draco placed the last plate on the table. Jessica was fighting the lighter, and the matches, in trying to light the candles.

Hermione smiled and looked up towards her room, where her wand was resting… wishing that she could light the candles the easy way. Draco saw her glance and smiled. "Let me," he offered, "I hate candles…" he muttered as the four candles suddenly lit without fire or wand present.

Hermione and Jessica jumped. "How did you do that?"

Draco smiled. "It's a wandless magic I've learned."

Hermione gasped. "The Ministry will give you a warning for using magic."

He smiled. "Only if I had used wand magic, they can't detect wandless magic because wandless magic is in everything." Draco thought a moment smiling. "It's like what…that green guy said in that movie; it's all around us, in the tree, in the rock, in us…"

"Oh, you're talking about the force from Star Wars. Green guy is Yoda, right?" Draco smiled; Hermione was always good at realizing what he was talking about. He nodded as Charles cleared his throat. "Hi daddy," she said merrily, "dinner is ready so why don't you go wash up?"

He stalked out, glaring at Draco. About ten minuets later everyone was seated around the spherical table: Hermione, Jessica, Draco, and then Charles. About halfway through the meal Charles spoke, "Why did you fix such a nice meal, Jess?"

She paled. "I thought it would be nice to have a nice meal while Draco is here."

"He's leaving?"

Draco smiled. "I have matters to attend at home that I shouldn't put off any longer."

Hermione smiled. "Not to mention we have to go shopping for George's wedding, remember?"

Draco chuckled. "George's I thought it was Fred's?"

Hermione sighed. "I can't remember; I've the invitation up stairs if you would like me to look?"

Jessica smiled; "What of you two, huh? Any wedding bells in your future?"

Hermione blushed. "Mom…!"

Draco, who was less afraid of Charles, smiled. "Yes, but we haven't picked a date yet… I was hoping for a wedding in perhaps next summer, but winter weddings have always been my favourite."

Hermione laughed. "That's because you love the snow and the cold!"

"Well, there is that and that most winter weddings I've gone to have been enacted in a summery exotic place like Egypt or Greece."

Jessica smiled. "That would be exciting."

Charles slammed his fist onto the table. "There will be no wedding between my daughter and that… that… bastard!"

"Dad!" Hermione roared, standing up. "I demand you to apologize to my fiancé this instant!"

Charles got up and went to stand next to his daughter. "And I'll say it again; you are not marrying that irresponsible bastard!"

"Fine, I'll marry him without your consent, I didn't ask for your approval… only mom's opinion." Charles raised his hand and slapped Hermione hard across her face. The force of the hit flung her into the wall and crashing into the floor. Draco was up in an instant. Jessica was already at Hermione's side.

"How dare you hit her, you son of a bitch," Draco's best Slytherin voice drawled. Charles advanced on Draco. Both fists rose.

"You can only fight back in our ways, magic will get you expelled you piece of shit."

Draco dodged the wild punch that was tossed to his head and luckily avoided the punch directed into his stomach. Charles turned and as Hermione rose punched her again. Draco's eyes snapped and Charles tumbled to the ground, frozen in position. The petrify curse took immediate effect. Draco knelt down next to Hermione.

"Hermione, are you all right?"

Hermione nodded and got up. She looked at her dad and gasped. "Draco, how did you petrify him?"

"Wandless magic, Hermione; I've been raised to fear for my life in certain situations, I had to learn a way to protect myself without pissing off the ministry." Draco paused, "We should leave before it wares off." Jessica frowned. "Are you going to be safe when he wakes up?"

She shivered and looked at Draco. "I don't know. He's never hit either of us before so I have no idea."

Hermione hugged her mother as Draco asked, "Would you like to come with us?"

"But isn't your estate in the Wizarding community?"

"Yes, but it is also in London near many Muggle homes, you'd be safe until you knew that coming home wouldn't hurt you."

"I'd need to pack some things."

Draco smiled. "We've no time to do it your way. Envision everything you want to come with you and hold still." Draco ran his hands next to her temples and smiled as the doorbell rang. "Come on, your things are with ours on the carriage." The three exited the house and boarded the carriage. Draco smiled. "Take us to the Hall." They heard the driver say something like as my lord wishes.