Author's Note: All disclaimers apply. I do not own the characters contained in this story. They belong to J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Bros. Inc. Also thanks for all of the reviews. They are very inspirational and appreciated! Edited to add credit to Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and her plot from Shanna. This entire disclaimer applies to her work as well.

Some of you have asked after the last couple of chapters if this is the end. Not quite. There are

Chapter 20

Dangerous Suspicions

"You're sure Hermione isn't going to be home any second?" Neville asked while turning a full circle the middle of the Malfoy study. Old antique chairs and a rosewood desk graced the room and the floors were hardwood and impeccably shined. It wasn't completed yet, but the study was coming along nicely. Apparently Malfoy wasn't wasting time trying to refurnish his home. Neville never dreamed he'd be allowed or have a need to see the sinister Malfoy Manor ever, but things were changing everyday it seemed.

"She's with the Weasel brood so she won't be home for hours," Draco assured him, and Neville didn't miss the slight hint of jealousy and irritation in his host's tone.

"Hours you say? What could possibly take hours there? "

"Its either let her go shopping and Gods know what else she and the little She-Weasel do together or have the entire clan crawling about here," Draco replied, finally thinking that he might as well be gracious and pour Neville a drink. This was getting to be a habit, he realized, entertaining guests that popped in without notice thinking about how Ginny, Ronald, and the twins had made themselves daily visitors after the Grangers' funeral. However, at least Neville wouldn't put on a false act for Hermione. If Neville was angry or displeased with him he came right out and said so.

"They're a loving family," Neville remarked, surprised when Draco handed him a glass with amber liquid in it. "Anyone would be lucky to have them really."

"The twins are tolerable, however their brother Ronald is making himself a nuisance."

Neville's lips twitched involuntarily, and he already knew what Malfoy was meaning. "He offered to marry her you know, to get the inheritance."

"He's probably waiting right now for her to come to her senses and run off with him," Draco said darkly, getting a drink for himself and indicating that Neville should sit an arm chair against the wall.

"He's loved her since we were children, but he wants her to be happy. They're like oil and water in some respects. His temper always got on her nerves and her bookish ways always irritated him," Neville said, wondering when he'd gotten elevated to the status where he could share a drink and sit comfortably next to Malfoy

"Those bookish ways kept his grades up if I remember," Draco defended his wife without thinking. "He was always more interested in Quidditch, eating, and supporting Potter than actually applying himself." Draco stopped talking then and looked into the glass he held in his hand. "Dammit Longbottom, did you come here to reminisce about school or actually give me some useful information."

"Hetherington, that barrister of Mione's is dead," Neville said, bluntly.

"Well if I had to draft wills and codicils concerning that aunt of hers I'd likely die of boredom or annoyance myself," Draco shrugged, not sure why this meant anything.

"Dark magic Malfoy, not natural or Muggle means."

Draco's body tensed then and he sat the glass on his father's old desk. "Who would want to take the risk of using magic to kill a barrister? Why would he be so important?"

"That's what we're all wondering. However, the connections between the Grangers and Hetherington are too close to be denied. They were all killed in the same manner, tortured first with the Cruciatus then of course finished with the Killing Curse. The same description was given for the assailant, blond hair, tall, and light eyes," Neville explained, taking a small sip from his glass.

"Is this a courtesy call then before I'm arrested again," Draco wondered, his eyes darkening and narrowing at Neville.

"No, actually the Ministry hasn't even been considering you this time and I've been reading through your file. You weren't even near London the night those Muggles were attacked were you?"

"I believe I told both you and Percy that numerous times after I was brought to the Ministry. My guilt ended with the attack on Hogwarts," Draco said, but he was far away now, remembering the night in the tower despite himself.

"Well it doesn't make sense why most of the information about the description of the Death Eaters' leader that night has been either erased or charmed into invisibility. They were so certain at the time, and Crabbe and Goyle both testified that you were there. However, their testimonies were stricken from the record after you were found guilty. Things don't add up and we should have looked at this sooner," Neville stated, firmly thinking he was obviously leaning towards insanity for even considering looking into this for Malfoy, but doing it for Hermione's sake in the long run. "There's something else, did your mother ever tell you where your father was buried? Did she ever come and see you when you were being held at the Ministry?" Neville asked, leaning forward to hear the answer.

"I haven't seen my mother since I was sixteen and before Hogwarts was attacked. She didn't come to the Ministry and I only heard about my father's death because Percy was trying to make a point after the fact. Why would you ask?"

"No reason. It's a silly idea really," Neville murmured taking another drink from his glass. "It would ease a lot of fears though if we knew where Lucius was buried."
"What's that supposed to mean? Two Aurors killed him when he was trying to escape, it was documented, and Percy gave me most of the details. He was probably buried somewhere on that island near Azkaban. I doubt they even marked his grave," Draco said, with a twisted grimace. He did not respect the man any longer and blamed him for the downfall of their family name, but he had been his father and deserved a headstone, a marker, something to show that he had lived.

"That's the problem. After the Aurors killed him no one knows what happened to the body," Neville continued, earnestly. "They brought him back inside the prison but after that there isn't any conclusive evidence of where the body was taken or why. There aren't any records of where, why, or how the body was disposed of."

"That's not so unusual. He was a convicted murderer and he's probably in a shallow grave near the prison," Draco shrugged again, trying to appear unaffected, but nevertheless a chill had settled in the air around him.

"That's what I assumed but there were no burials, secret or otherwise on the island," Neville said thoughtfully. "I just thought you should know that there might be more to this than at first meets the eye. For all intent purposes your father is dead Malfoy, but someone might be trying to resurrect him for their own reasons. It's just a possibility, but someone might be manipulating records to make everyone wonder if he's alive."

"Well since you've put so much time and effort into looking for dead bodies has anyone been able to discover who it was that attacked Hermione in her own shop? Scrimgeour's so worried about publicity I would think finding the person responsible for injuring a Malfoy would rank fairly high on his priorities." Draco was changing the subject to steer clear of the topic of his father. Neville was right; someone was simply putting suggestions out there trying to either make him out a murderer or bring back the elder Malfoy's image to use for their own means.

"Scrimgeour has four on the case, but Malfoy I wouldn't get my hopes up. The Du Mariers have been to the Ministry recently and asked Scrimgeour to discontinue the search for their house elf. If they were responsible for her attack I doubt they're going to try anything else. They seemed very shaken up and they weren't their usual annoyingly nasty selves."

"Well whatever changed their minds I won't question it," Draco sighed, glancing at the clock that stood against the wall near the door. It was only a little past noon and Hermione had said she would be finishing Christmas shopping near dinnertime. She also said she would be staying at the Weasley's for dinner and had made it perfectly clear she was punishing him for refusing the invitation to The Burrow for Christmas.

Honestly, what had she expected? Yes, the Weasley's were making a supreme effort not to insult or outwardly ignore him, but that didn't mean he couldn't sense they weren't comfortable with his position in Hermione's life. Well, the twins seemed to be more accepting and possibly Ginny, but other than that he knew Arthur remembered his father every time he looked at him, as did Molly. Then, Draco had to contend with Ron making it glaringly obvious that he had every right to drape an arm about Hermione or kiss her cheek. Not every gesture of affection was brotherly.

No, an entire day under their scrutiny wasn't possible, especially since Potter would be there, staring and accusing him with his posture and his sharp gaze. It didn't matter to him how Potter felt, but the bastard knew it upset Hermione and Draco was sure he was trying to make her see how uncomfortable and useless it would be to stay in her marriage. The scar-headed prat was holding all of his hopes on the fact that she would eventually choose his friendship over her own husband and despite Hermione's reassurances to the contrary, Draco wasn't certain that wasn't such a incorrect assumption."

"I just came to warn you and I didn't want to upset Mione' further. She's dealt with enough as it is and so I wanted to keep this between us unless it becomes necessary to get her involved," Neville said, standing when he realized his host was getting a little irritated.

"Thank you I guess," Draco said absently, but he was staring into the fire across the room.

"The Ministry has agreed to allow you to open the manor again in the Floo Network. Just one mind you, but that's a victory," Neville said before stepping near the fireplace in the study. "I'll have it activated here in a few moments for you. That is if you want it in the study."

"The study is fine. Why didn't she marry the Weasel if he would have offered?"
Neville kept his back to Malfoy, but smiled again. "She doesn't love him that way and never really has. He's also realized that they really aren't suited. Ron and Hermione will always be close, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Right now the Weasley's are comforting he,r and drawing her into their nest so to speak. She's an orphan now Malfoy so she needs them."

"Of course I'm not worried," Draco snapped, glaring at Neville's back while the overbearing Auror went about his work. "Malfoy's don't divorce and Hermione knows that."

"I'm not particularly fond of you anymore than you are of me, but I can tell you want to physically harm Ron any time he gets within a meter of her. I'm just being friendly and letting you know there's nothing to worry about. Percy was your greatest threat and he's proven to the arse we all knew he was."

"I was never worried about Percy," Draco snarled, not liking how Neville insinuated otherwise. "The dead barrister, was that all you came to talk to me about?"
With a wry chuckle Neville finished opening the fireplace and realized he'd worn out his welcome. It was just as well, he didn't want to start feeling anything other than a passing civility towards the man. They weren't friends and never would be and Neville was perfectly happy with that fact. "Yes, tell Mione Happy Christmas for me."

"Yes, yes, now go on and see if you can Floo safely," Draco motioned with his hand toward the fireplace impatient for Neville to be gone. "I don't want to be the first to try it and end up maimed or halfway around the world from my actual destination."

"You think I can't successfully managed this?" Neville asked his face turning a bit purple from anger. He had actually come to help the condescending git and he was insulting his skills.

"I've seen too many cauldrons cracked and too many spells incorrectly cast for me to blindly go on faith alone. Besides it was also a subtle hint." Draco motioned again toward the fireplace, and with a final glare of indifference Neville stepped near the flames, tossed the powder, and disappeared, safely landing at the Ministry.

Christmas passed and New Years came and Hermione had turned into a different person again, or rather she was punishing Draco for his stubbornness. He had refused to go The Burrow for Christmas and Hermione had been forced to listen to Harry's numerous reasons why the holiday was much better spent without Malfoy. This resulted in a quarrel that at first only included Hermione and Harry but soon spilled over into a war between husband and wife. If it was any consolation for Draco, Harry's own wife was as put out with him as Hermione was with her spouse.

"You didn't really expect me to accept the invitation did you?" Draco finally confronted her one-day when she had decided to ignore him altogether.

Hermione knew she was being slightly unreasonable, but part of her had foolishly hoped that at least on Christmas everyone could put their anger aside. Molly had hoped that too and she was probably insulted that Draco hadn't been able to lower himself to come to her home. At least, that was how she felt now with Harry telling her that Draco hadn't wanted to scuff his new shoes and dirty his silk robes by coming to The Burrow. Harry's attitude was justified most of the time, but a comment on every little thing wasn't necessary.

"It's been a month Hermione," Draco snapped, when she still didn't acknowledge him.

"Molly's feelings were hurt and you're only making Harry's opinion of you seem warranted if you keep acting this way. I'm not asking you to forget everything and neither have they really, but the Weasleys are trying. You however couldn't either have been bothered or deem it important enough to simply have wished them a Happy Christmas."

"I wasn't going to sit there while everyone stared and accused me of things I haven't done. Potter can't wait to make a spectacle of himself and that Weasel friend of his enjoys making it obvious always touching you. Maybe you should have taken him up on his offer to marry you before you lowered yourself to marrying a common criminal," he shouted back at her, hating how she could so calmly act as though him sitting at the same table as the Weasley family in their own home was such an easy thing to do.

"First you're jealous of Percy, now Ron. Really do you think I'm that fickle? Besides who told you Ron offered to marry me? He just did it so I could get the money and it never went beyond a casual discussion. Ron and I weren't meant to be together. We'd kill one another in less than a week with his sloppy habits and my need to always be right," Hermione sighed, wondering if Draco would ever feel secure enough to trust that she was committed to their vows. She knew he'd been forgotten and cast aside a lot, or so it seemed, as a child, but she wasn't going to leave him on a whim or forsake her marriage because Harry was being difficult.

"Percy was too eager and too obvious, Weasel on the other hand acts as though he's being brotherly, so when he puts his hands all over you even you can't tell the difference." Draco didn't really think that Hermione encouraged Weasley in any way, but she was oblivious to his intentions. No, he couldn't sit idly by and let Potter made snide remarks while Weasley groped his wife. He'd curse them both to hell and back before poor Molly Weasley had gotten the first course onto the table most likely.

"Gods, Ron isn't acting like that, but see it that way if you want to," Hermione sighed again, realizing this was a useless battle and she had no hope of winning it at the moment.

"Where are you going?" Draco called behind her, as she walked away briskly going toward the study.

"I'm going to Floo to Fred and George's. They're going to help me clear out the rest of the shop and I'll be back later," she answered, without turning around or stopping.

"Another afternoon with the Weasleys," he asked, a little too pleasantly, so Hermione knew he was aching to finish their fight.

"You're welcome to come along. I know Fred and George actually don't irritate you as much as Ron and Harry. You might enjoy yourself, Gods forbid," Hermione drawled disappearing into the study.

A few minutes later Hermione and Draco appeared before George and Fred who greeted them both warmly. "Hermione, Malfoy," Fred said, nodding his head and smiling wide.

"Came to see if you still had the time to help me close up the shop properly," Hermione said, stepping closer and sniffing a bubbling concoction that George held out to her eagerly.

"Try it Mione'. Ron won't test things for us anymore and I know you'll like it," George encouraged.

Hermione looked once from George to the steaming mug in his hands and shook her head. "No thanks, I'm sure it's very nice, but I'd hate to ruin my appetite for dinner."

"Honestly, it isn't going to blow up in your mouth, set your tongue on fire, or make your eyes pop out of your head. We wouldn't do that to you. Those particular potions are especially reserved for Ron himself," Fred beamed, nodding enthusiastically.

Hermione turned to look at Draco who shook his head as if to say he didn't trust it for a second, but if she was insane enough she could suit herself. "Draco might try if for you," she said sweetly, flashing a brilliant smile.

"Okay, Malfoy go ahead. You know we couldn't give you anything that'd hurt you. Hermione'd have us hexed into the next month and beyond if we did," Fred said motioning for George to offer the mug to Draco.

Casting a searing glare at his wife Draco eyed the mug with trepidation, but took it realizing this was a test. If he refused and was rude Hermione would claim he wasn't trying to make amends or be polite. However, anyone in their right mind wouldn't simply gulp down something the troublesome twins mixed up. Even their own mother had given up on chastising them for their behavior. "What exactly does this do?" Draco asked, warily leaning to sniff the liquid, surprised when it didn't singe the delicate hairs in his nose. It was somewhat pleasant, some kind of berry with a hint of vanilla.

"Nothing that's embarrassing or at least not that we'd consider embarrassing," George said, almost too innocently.

That brought Draco's guard up immediately. The twins weren't embarrassed by nearly anything, and so this could have far reaching implications should he drink it. Glancing sideways at Hermione even her features had turned down somewhat and she was frowning at the twins. "What is in that anyway? Don't lie and say it's a secret recipe. What's this potion going to make him do?" Hermione asked cautiously, coming to stand at Draco's side and sniff the mug for herself.

"Would we give either of you anything that would make you sick?" George inquired, his face a mask of youthful innocence. That was what tipped Hermione off instantly.

"Draco, don't drink it," she said firmly taking the mug away and handing it back to George who finally gave into a pout at his joke being foiled.

"You're no fun sometimes Mione'. He only would've wanted to run around a bit, starkers probably, but we couldn't be sure so we had to test it," Fred explained, as though it was a legitimate experiment.

"What the bloody hell? Weasley you would've given her something to make her strip to her knickers and.." Draco started advancing on the twin, George, who was closest to him. He was fairly certain they had brewed something similar to this potion during school and wondered why they would try their hand at it again

"Actually, strip out of her knickers, but you were here you could've Flooed her home in time," George defended. "It's just a bit of fun. Some married couples need a little help you know, keeping things interesting."

In spite of herself Hermione started to laugh and at the sound Draco decided to give up pummeling the terrible twins for the time being. She hadn't laughed since her parents' death so he could forgive them their crude humor for now. "To think you might have drank it and ran around starkers in their shop," she giggled.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing, but I thought we came here to finish closing up your shop," Draco reminded her glaring once more at the Weasleys for good measure.

Really Fred and George weren't bad at all, and they had been civil to him even when Potter had tried to discount his worry about Hermione. The twins might not be bad acquaintances. Draco couldn't go so far as to call them friends, but they had quietly checked out certain leads, along with that sneaky brother of theirs Ron, concerning Hermione's threats.

"Fred I'll keep things going here, you take Hermione and Malfoy over," George said, and smiled when a little girl of maybe three or four walked in. As the other three were leaving Hermione grinned as George began offering the child a piece of chocolate.

"I wouldn't be thinking he's so wonderful for doing that," Draco warned her while they walked away. "There's live bugs in that chocolate."

Hermione only heard the shriek of the little girl and then a fit of giggles that followed before they reached her own shop.

"Entertaining Longbottom, taking afternoon strolls with a member of the Weasley family, and to make matters worse, dropping over half of your inheritance into the Ministry to keep that plain wife of yours out of prison. Why, I do believe I must have the wrong manor," Snape drawled lazily, as he sat in a chair facing the fire in the sitting room.

Draco had been expecting him, and since the house was quiet, and the elves already off in bed along with Hermione he decided to take his time with the professor tonight to ask more questions. "Where did my mother have my father buried?" Draco bluntly asked, leaning against the wall to the side of the professor.

"Why would you ask that?" Snape's tone grew wary and guarded.

"No reason, simply that someone is trying to make it appear that either I'm a career criminal or that my father's risen from the dead. Who would want to do that? You wouldn't be trying to exact some revenge now would you?" Draco inquired icily, his eyes never leaving the man slumped in the chair.

"Whatever is going on I have nothing to do with it. Miss Gran… Mrs. Malfoy's unfortunate encounter at her shop and the death of her parents and that barrister are regrettable, but I'm afraid I'm not involved."
"Why do you want my mother's diary so badly? Is she really sending you here or are you spying on us?" Draco had become suspicious of many past enemies, but Snape was the one that kept coming to mind. He'd been forced to take Draco's burden upon his own shoulders and perhaps now he was hoping for retribution.

"You mother wants it, that's all that matters. As for accusing me of spying I've given up that particular pastime. It never did me much good as you can see Mr. Malfoy," Snape growled under his breath. "I take it that you've found it then."

"Why should I give it to you? What's to say that you won't take it to the Ministry and use it against her or me? You need leverage and if you brought my mother to them for questioning they might show you leniency. Obviously there's something important in the diary and you want it."

"I can see that you're going to be difficult and unreasonable. Trust me, the diary belongs to your mother, and for sentimental reasons only she wants it returned to her. Would you be so kind as to retrieve it?"
"No, I don't think so. Search the manor if you want, skulk around and pry. You know the manor inside and out so you won't have any difficulty."

"Stubbornness is a trait you share with that overly opinionated wife of yours," Snape hissed, but stood and kept his back to Draco. "Your mother needs that diary. It's all she has of her past and she needs it to survive. If you're too selfish to help her when she needs you…"

"My mother never lifted a finger to help me until it was almost too late so what exactly do I owe her now?" Draco stated harshly his lazy stance disappearing instantly.

Snape sighed heavily and he turned to face Draco for the first time. His hair was even longer, more mangy and his face more drawn and haunted. "More than you know my boy. More than you know." Then he was gone, having Apparated before Draco's eyes.

Staring at the space vacated by the professor Draco felt conflicted. Surely Snape wouldn't have betrayed him in that way? Maybe he really meant it that his mother only wanted the diary back for personal reasons. What was so important other than a few pictures and daily logs of her life?

Since Hermione had given the journal to him he hadn't read it, only skimmed the dates to see how far the entries went. Now he wondered if he should delve into the pages a bit more, read and even sort through his mother's secret thoughts. So much had been taken from them all he had wanted to let her keep her privacy, but there might be something else that kept the professor so desperate to have safely in his mother's possession.

Then there was the mystery of not once by now three times someone fitting Draco's description had been the main suspect in murders investigated by the Ministry. At that moment he contemplated his sudden reprieve and admittance into a rehabilitation program. If he had been considered guilty of such a crime as leading an entire group of Death Eaters in a raid against Muggles why would he ever be given another chance to integrate into society even by means as an Indentured Servant?

At the time he hadn't thought too much on the subject and he'd focused on only Hermione's threats and their marriage in the last months alone. Maybe he'd ask Longbottom what else was in that file, and as to why he was so graciously given a second chance. There must have been a good reason if the Ministry allowed a Malfoy to receive any good fortune.

Deciding to go upstairs for the night he wondered if Hermione was still awake reading, or if she'd given up on him and gone to sleep. After their trip to Diagon Alley and short interlude with the twins she hadn't been as angry with him. He'd made numerous concessions for her, but though he didn't mind the occasional meeting with the Weasleys per se he wasn't going to lower himself and apologize to Potter. That was probably what she was waiting for, and there were just some things he couldn't do.

Closing the bedroom door behind him, Draco saw a candle still burning on Hermione's side of the bed, and she was propped up avidly devouring a copy of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. He liked reading himself, but she couldn't get enough it seemed. However, after listening to her explain the plot Draco wasn't certain he would have liked the book, and not only because it was written by a Muggle. Apparently this Anna Karenina was passionately in love with man who was not her husband. That particular theme didn't set well with Draco at the present. "You've only been reading that for a day and you're almost finished?" he asked when he saw that she was already to the latter part of the book.

"It's the most beautiful love story ever written. I don't normally go for fluffy rubbish, but this isn't just love and sweet nothings, it's passionate, intriguing. Can you imagine having to fight so hard just for a few moments with the person you love only to know that society and life itself will keep you from happiness?"

"Forgive me if I can't find sympathy for those who choose to break wedding vows and betray their husbands." Draco rolled his eyes but wasn't really listening to her exuberant account.

"What were you doing downstairs?" Hermione asked curiously, setting the book aside on the nightstand. "You weren't counting all of your galleons again were you?" She loved to tease him about how shrewd he'd become in investing, not only his money but also her own. It was a serious affair, and she knew that, but he made it an obsession. Only the most important and high yielding businesses received any money from the Malfoy's.

"You have your research and I have my investments. I don't bother you about the numerous pages you added to your journal about Divination and its nonexistent place in the Wizarding World now do I?" Draco walked over and began to discard his clothing near the chair pushed into the marble table. Snape's conversation and Longbottom's suspicions were bothering him more than he realized. His last intention was to come upstairs to fight with her after they had put some of their issues behind them following the visit with the twins.

"Thank you for coming with me today. I know you tolerate Fred and George much better than anyone else, but it meant a lot," Hermione said, sliding out of bed to walk over and stand before him. She was going to let his outburst go by because something was bothering him, and she wasn't sure what it could be.

"But it would mean more to you if I poured my heart out to Potter, told him all of the details about that night in the tower, and tried to make nice," Draco snidely hissed, having tossed his shirt over the back of the chair and working on removing his pants.

"If you ever choose to talk to Harry about the past that is your decision. I only want to be able to enjoy a holiday or special occasion with both you and the Weasleys. Draco my parents are gone and Molly and Arthur are all I have to, not replace them, but help make the emptiness go away. If they're willing to put the past behind them and move on then I hope someday you will too," she whispered, reaching out to take his hand.

To her surprise he squeezed it tightly and looked at her intently. "Do I look like my father? I mean if you saw both of us at a distance would you mistake me for him?"

"I only saw your father a few times but yes you resemble him," she answered confused where the sudden question had come from.

"Why do you think the Ministry pardoned me, reprieved my death sentence?"

Hermione froze and didn't like the topic of conversation all at once. She hated thinking that someday they might say they made a mistake and arrest him again. She knew Draco hadn't taken part in the London attack and had never been near Wales when her parents were murdered, but Percy wasn't as convinced and neither was Scrimgeour. The Minister might be leaving them alone for now, but what happened when he got angry and found a way to make Draco pay for getting her released? "I don't want to talk about that. Come to bed. I have an early morning tomorrow and…"

"Don't you think I deserved to be given another chance?" he asked severely, mistaking her indifference for mistrust.

"Yes, from the moment we were married I told you I didn't think you killed those Muggles didn't I. Now, I don't want to talk about it because if we act like it never happened then maybe the Ministry won't think about it either. You don't realize this, but everyday since you visited Scrimgeour I've been afraid he would try to reopen the case against you. It scares me to death to think that they might someday decide that it was only a mistake, a misplaced order, or something that kept them from executing you! Now, Scrimgeour is a fair man but even he would have to reevaluate the case if it was discovered you weren't meant to be spared!" Hermione turned and headed back for the bed hoping he would take the hint and not say anything more on the subject.

"Do you really believe I'd let them take me back now?" His tone was quiet and somewhat humorous, but he was also trying to comfort her again. Draco rarely came out and offered her soothing words but something as simple as that assurance was enough.

"I suppose not," she sighed and climbed beneath the covers.

Draco slipped in beside her and Hermione turned to face him immediately. "You should be more careful though. I haven't asked how you got Scrimgeour to drop the Du Marier case, but I doubt he'd be so willingly to overlook your attitude towards him a second time."

"Scrimgeour doesn't concern me, and you shouldn't worry about him either." Draco poised himself above her grinning and shaking his head. "I still don't know why you wear anything to bed."

Happy with the change of focus Hermione had to wonder herself why she even laid out a nightgown or pajamas any longer. Wriggling, she knew he was waiting patiently for her to remove the impeding garment herself and did so throwing it wherever it would fall. Anything at the moment to put from her mind the thought of losing him to Azkaban was welcome. Not that she would have complained even if the discussion weren't to her liking.

"Much better, and I didn't even need that potion from the Weasley's," Draco said, smirking arrogantly. "Maybe someday they think they'll need help as far as their wives are concerned, but I'm confident I'll never have any trouble."

Raising her eyebrows in mock outrage Hermione twisted swiftly threatening to evade him completely for the smug remark. This only succeeded in landing her sprawled atop her husband and her legs trapped with his own. Draco knew she wasn't truly serious about trying to get away, but didn't feel playful at the moment. There were too many things to think about, Snape, his mother's diary, if or when the Du Marier's would try and lash out again. True, Hermione was either with the Weasley's or himself at all times, but someday she would be alone and they could try again even if Longbottom's story about the family dropping their case was true.

"You're too confident and I shouldn't let you get your way all of the time," Hermione teased, her eyes sparkling but she turned her head sideways. "You're awfully serious," she said quietly and with concern leaning closer.

"Making sure our money is put to good use and invested wisely is a serious undertaking," he answered, but his gaze told her that wasn't exactly was he was thinking about.

Hermione knew Draco wasn't being completely truthful, but said nothing instinctively letting him have time before he shared what was bothering him. They were both alike in that respect, not wanting to burden others or unable to share without feeling feeble and useless. "Yes it is," Hermione agreed, still edging closer and purposefully rubbing her breasts over his chest.

Tonight he didn't want to talk and reveal everything he was thinking and Draco appreciated that she understood this. Hermione rarely let a conversation end without some resolution, but even she didn't seem to want to get into further detail about the possibility of the Ministry reopening his case. It didn't please him that she was upset, but to know that she was so disturbed at the thought she could lose him. Satisfied at another indication that she cared so deeply, Draco for the first time since returning to the manor felt a small sense of peace.

Hermione didn't protest when he roughly rolled them both again and her back was pressed firmly into the bed. Draco didn't speak but stared at her for a moment before lowering his head and took her lips in a hungry kiss. Yes, he could forget Longbottom's theory about his father, could forget that the Du Marier's could try to take his wife from him at any time as long as he lost himself in her tonight.

They didn't move for a long while after, and Hermione felt soothed instead of uncomfortable at the weight pressing against her. If they never moved from that position she would be content, and she muttered a small protest when he raised his head and appeared to think about pulling away. "You still need to be careful," Draco said softly, but not elaborating further.

"Don't move, not yet," Hermione pleaded in a ragged whisper tightening her arms about him and she could even forgive the self-satisfied smirk that was evident upon his face at her words.

"You haven't said the words again, not since the funeral," Draco reminded her, still unable to completely feel at ease with asking for her affections.

Normally she would have tormented him a little, made him come out and ask her, but not tonight. Tonight she lovingly brushed the hair from across his forehead, and kissed him gently. "I love you."

How three words could affect someone so Draco would never understand, but hearing her sincerity only pushed aside the darker images of his past life and gave him more determination to nurture the life he now had. Laying his head over her heart he sighed once and folded her in his arms more securely. When he spoke it was so quietly Hermione wasn't certain she heard him at first. "I love you, more than you'll ever believe probably. Never doubt that."

Hermione could not sleep until well into the night not distrustful of Draco's declaration, but worried about whatever it was that was haunting him now. Her qualms were growing, especially with the cryptic question about his father. Also, he'd never mentioned how or why he was pardoned and had never questioned it himself.

Tomorrow she would go and see Neville and make him look at Draco's file again. There had been nothing as to why he'd been spared his execution or who had given the order. It was considered classified information, as were most prisoners' documents from Azkaban. Still, Neville was very good at circumventing certain roadblocks. If there was something that could lead to Draco being taken to the Ministry for any reason, or his status as a free man revoked Hermione wanted to know about it, and stop anything before it could happen.