A/N: This is it guys, the end is here. A big 'Thank You All' - to everyone who has been part of this Journey that started in June 2021.
You guys have been an absolute pleasure, keeping me encouraged through the process :) I hope that this is one of those stories you keep coming back too just like I do for my favourite fanfics.
After spending a heartbreaking week watching her parents in Australia, Draco had returned to London while Hermione had decided to go to Hogwarts. She had spent a month there in heavy discussions and debate with McGonagall and Snape. Finally at the end of the month McGonagall asked with a smile "What career options are you considering Hermione, because I could see a bright future for you in the Ministry…"
"I want to be a healer professor…" She smiled as she flicked her wand and filed away the last paper in the massive binder
"Many more years of study… are you sure you have not chosen the progression so you can simply continue to stay in school?" Snape asked with a smile no one had seen since Lilly potter had walked away from him…
Hermione and McGonagall who had gotten quite accustom to the smile were barely fazed but in her heart Hermione knew Draco, Ron and Harry would die if they saw this exchange…. She smiled and said "Not at all… It's something I truly want to do… besides, this" she said tapping the binder "is something that should help more people like me expand the horizons of the Wizarding World…"
—
Draco and Narcissa had been helping the ministry with what Narcissa called 'The Great Purification' of the manor and other estates. Draco was happy and sad at the same time, but when narcissa told him she was going to demolish and rebuild the entire west wing, he was nothing short of shocked.
"Mother are you sure?"
"yes… I am, I want no trace of that monster, ever single piece of tile, stone and gold will be destroyed by the fendifyre before we lay the foundation for your future there…" she said sadly as she touched the faded dark mark on his arm… "I am truly sorry.. Draco… I wish we'd done better…" she lifter her hadn't to stroke his hair and was amused to find that he had to bend to let her reach it.
Here she said as walked into her recently redecorated study and pulled a box out of a locked drawer "I had these made recently….Goblin made and imbued with protection spells." She said proudly opening the box and showing him a pair of rings. The lady's ring was set with a sapphire and the gent's ring was set with an emerald. Both of them had the Malfoy crest on the inside "The beginning of a era, deserves a fresh set of family jewels…"
"As much as I appreciate the gesture mother…" Draco said "Hermione is a muggleborn and a rather stuck in some of those muggle ways… if I try to get engaged before we have even finished school, she might consider ending our relationship for good…"
"I think…" Narcissa said gently "That she might be more open to it than you think…"
Flashback
Narcissa Malfoy had been a little surprised when McGonagall had requested she join her for a couple of days to discuss some urgent matters related to the curriculum of Hogwarts. She had been even more shocked to find Snape and Miss Granger there. When she left at the end of two days, Narcissa had not felt a greater sense of achievement in her life.
End Flashback
—
As a full moon rose into the night sky over Hogwarts, Hermione had packed her bags and was ready to leave for Grimmualud Place to spend the reminder of her vacation with Draco. She looked at their notebook fondly. They had still been using it to stay in touch. Suddenly the book grew warm. She opened it and read:
Come to the library… to our table in the corner… wear Hogwarts robes…
When she arrived at the entrance she found a path set with rose petals and and levitating candles leading the way to their table.
Draco was waiting there in his School Robes. She smiled and came close to him, He took her hand in his and said "Right here… was the first time I ever spoke to you without hate, or malice in my heart… in this very spot for the first time, you made me question my beliefs… in this very spot that I fell apart, I fell in love with you… Hermione Jean Granger, Lioness of Gryffindor…" He went down on one knee and opened the box "Will you have me and keep me forever?"
Hermione who had begun to smile, laughed and picked up the ring from the box and put it on his hand saying "Of course I will…" Draco got up and put her ring on her finger and they kissed deeply
"Let's go home…" He said with a smile
"Tomorrow…" Hermione said and then added with a wink "tonight… let's go take a bath…"
—
THE TRANSFORMATION OF HOGWARTS UNDER THE FIRST EVER HEADMISTRESS MINERVA MCGONAGALL
The headline caught the attention of ever witch and wizard in Europe as the article detailed the reforms in curriculum and policies were mentioned. It was received with great praise for the addition of the class 'Wizarding Customs and Traditions' as well as the change of Defence against the dark arts into two subjects 'Understanding of Elemental Magic' and 'Curses and cures'. At the same time, the addition of a centaur Firenze and known war hero and werewolf Lupin were met with a lot of debate. While it helped that 'Harry- The Chosen One - Potter' had stated it's many merits, there was still a long way to go for creature reforms to be widely accepted.
For the past month, everyday Sirius Black would don a fresh set of robes from his newly refurbished wardrobe (courtesy Narcissa Malfoy) and would arrive at his office in the daily prophet. He would spend all day meeting and shaking hands and debating the agenda's that need to be pushed. In the evenings he would meet advertisers and show them a good time. He had just about managed to fall into a routine, when Narcissa Malfoy introduced him to Mrs. Zabini. Sirius thought he had all but forgotten how to be the youthful playboy he once was but he was clearly very mistaken.
Waking up in the rumpled sheets of his own bedroom after just one date, he smiled at the with who was still fast asleep next to him. 'Still got it…' he thought as she began to stir
"Good morning Samara" he said with an impish grin as he slid back under the covers and pulled her flush against him…
"Lord Black… I am a lady and I never do this…" She said wrapping herself around him and grinding into his morning wood
"Oh I know…" He said nibbling and the whispering into her ear "We're just a pair of wrongfully disgraced people trying to live our lives…"
She let out an elegant tinkling laugh that made Narcissa who was sending outside with a breakfast tray smile. She hadn't heard her friend laugh so happily in years. She decided that breakfast and the embarrassment could wait. As she levitated the tray down the stairs she whispered to no one in particular "I still got it…"
—
In barely a month's time, Narcissa Malfoy had transformed Grimmauld Place into an elegant chic townhouse. Hermione almost didn't recognise it when she got home. The fact that they were all there and Molly and Narcissa had together thrown a party was something she was trying to wrap her head around. It was the perfect blend of Narcissa's elegance and Molly's home cooked goodness.
The celebration had been a wonderful dinner for everyone. Draco was a little shocked to see a cheerful Samara Zabini giggling with Sirius, but was put in place from shooting his mouth off with a look from Narcissa.
Hermione was pleasantly surprised to meet Daphne Greengrass and old acquaintance of Draco's who went to Beauxbatons and now Harry's secret girlfriend. She wondered how Ginny felt about this but it seemed like Ginny was too busy debating a product with Fred and George to care.
Bill and Fleur as well as Tonks and Lupin announced their wedding plans and it seemed like the summer vacations were going to full of celebration. Lucius had returned home and while Narcissa's joy knew no bound to have her family back together, she wondered why Draco and Hermione said nothing despite the rings on their fingers.
—
Snape really hated these big parties, but Narcissa had insisted. She said that Blaise was still travelling and she was going to be overrun by Gryffindors if he didn't come. The food of Molly Weasley had definitely lived up to all the praise he had heard about it over the years, but he still couldn't wait to leave. So when he said a stiff congratulations to the couples and an even stiffer goodbye to Sirius, he was not expecting to be stopped at the door by Harry Potter.
"Here…" Harry said handing him a wooden box "I've been waiting for a chance to give this to you… "
"What is this?"
"It's some letters… I happened to find them when I sorting through my parents things… My mother wrote them to her best friend whom she missed…" Snape's eyes grew wide as his grip on the box tightened. "I read only a few lines of the first one…" Harry added hastily… "you should have them…"
Snape nodded his head lightly in thanks and turned to leave as Harry said "Thank You Professor Snape… for everything…"
Snape didn't turn. He just stepped out of the door and apparated away. His legs nearly gave way as he landed in his own home. He sat down gingerly at the table and reverently opened the box.
That night Snape cried and laughed all at the same time. When he was done with the letters. He read them all over again. He read them till his heart felt a little lighter than it had in all these years.
—
The platform of 93/4 had never been more full. The balance of Magic had been restored, and it was evident in the celebrations that had taken place for almost 6 months.
Once the prosecution of Voldemort's Army had been done, it was time for reforms. With Sirius owning and running the Daily Prophet and Harry having the ear of the community, several bills in favour of Magical Creatures, Fae and other races of magic were put forth. Some passed with roaring majorities, other were debated endlessly until they were revised.
Harry, Ron, Draco, Hermione, Blaise and Luna sitting together was sight that had everyone except the first years a little shocked. They had read the stories in the papers but seeing it was something else entirely. The 7th years had an unspoken agreement of keeping the rivalry on the field and in the classroom. As the oldest students made efforts, the younger ones followed their lead.
By the time the snow began cover the turrets McGonagall was hopeful of the beginning of a new era for the school
—
To say that she was nervous was an understatement. Hermione had received an invitation to the Malfoy Manor for the Christmas Eve ball. Its don't scare her to go back to the Manor. It had been rebuilt and Draco was excited for Hermione to see it. It didn't scare her to face Narcissa. They had grown close as she was pulled into the preparations for the two back to back weddings. She wasn't worried about Lucius either who had apologised to her sincerely one evening over tea. She was worried about a big surprise that Narcissa said she had…
"I'm not ready to get married just yet Draco…" She said
"It's not about us… the surprise is just for you…" He said with twinkle in his eye. He had been taking great pleasure in keeping the secret while Hermione had been thinking of every single possibility
"Just tell me what it is?!" She begged
"My lips are sealed…" He said kissing her at the portrait of the fat lady "I'll see you tomorrow on the train…"
"You could come in for bit…" Hermione said "and if the girls are still out at Hogsmead, I could convince you to unseal you lips for me…" She said her fingers tracing his collarbone as she pulled off his scarf…
He kissed her lightly on the nose said "You can try lioness…"
"Uhg… fine… no touching until after the surprise…" She said as she whispered the password to the fat lady and she swung open
"What?! Why?! Christmas is two weeks away!" Draco whined but the portrait had swung shut
"You botched that one up good young man.." The fat lady said as Draco sulked
—
"Thank you so much for everything Giano" Narcissa said she led her guest to the floo
"Not at all Narcissa, it was quite the interesting request and you know how I love a challenge…" He smiled and stepped into the floo and was gone
—
The ball was magnificent, the decorations the food, the winter wonderland that Narcissa had created was an atmosphere in itself.
"Can we ditch the no touching rule just for tonight…" Draco begged for the 100th time "You'll know in a couple of hours anyway…"
"Fine…" Hermione said finally admitting defeat
"Good cause I really want to dance with you Miss Granger…" He said taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor.
Blaise was sulking in a corner as he watched his mother dance with Sirius and then laugh and walk off the dance floor
"He's not that bad once you get to know him…" Harry said coming to stand next to him
"I know…" Blaise growled
"Look, I don't get it, but I also get it… and I'm sorry… but they look happy…" Harry reasoned
"Shut up potter…" Blaise snapped and literally out of nothingness Luna appeared before him "Come on…" she said
"I don't want to dance…" Blaise sulked
"Neither do I…" Luna said and led him to the balcony where Sirius and Samara were talking. Blaise was frowning as Luna said "Good evening… I'm Luna… Luna lovegood, I thought it was time for us to meet" to his mother
"Hello miss Lovegood… Sirius has told me the most wonderful things about you…" Samara Zabini said politely but her smile faltered a little as she looked at her son.
Luna let go of Blaise's hand and took her mothers leading her away saying "Well, I'm not sure what he's told you but there is a clutter of Nargles here and I think you and I need to take a walk while they sort themselves out…"
Samara Zabini smiled as she was led away from her boyfriend and her son "Tell me all about these Nargles Luna…"
—
The next morning an elf popped into Draco's bedroom and poked him
"Ow… what is it?"
"Mistress is on her way up, young missus must go to her room…" it whispered…
"Shit! Yes! Can you just you know…." Draco snapped
The elf nodded seriously and in a snap the Elf, a very naked Hermione and all her clothes were gone from the room.
Flashback
"As much fun as it has been to see your room… I really must get back to mine…" Hermione said seriously trying to push past Draco who had locked the doors and was standing guard.
"No… and nobody will know… besides, this is what I truly want for Christmas…."
"You've gotten this.. several times…"
"That was a replica… this is my room…"
"Draco please…"
"Hermione…" He spun her and trapped her against the door, her arms up on either side of her head, he lowered his lips to her ear and said "Pleaseeeeee…." As the tip of his nose drew a line from under it all the way to her cleavage where he left a kiss.
"But your…" he silenced her with kiss and when she responded he carried her to the bed. His bed and tumbled on it… As she reached for her wand hostler in her thigh he put his hand on it. He kissed the inside of her legs as he removed it and dropped it on the floor along with his wand.
"Dim the…" He cut her off again with a finger on her lips…
"I want every detail of tonight seared into my memory…" He said and captured her lips.
The burning intensity of his gaze as he watched every little move she made, made her blush harder than ever. He kissed her with his eyes open, he watched as he made her cum with his fingers in her, he studied every moan she made as he licked, liked and twirled her nipples, he drunk her in as she rode him, he didn't for second give into his pleasure, but he watched satisfied as he drove her over the edge again and again and again. And only when she was exhausted that he closed his eyes and breathed her in as he finished….
When he finally dimmed the lights and pulled her close, she felt his heartbeat, it was strong and steady and like a beautiful lullaby it caressed her to sleep.
—
"Now Hermione…" Narcissa said gently as they stood outside the door to what was supposed to be her surprise "steady your heart… and open the door…"
"Are you sure that you or Draco don't want to come in?" Hermione asked a little worried and confused
"I'm sure you'll want a little privacy for this one…" Narcissa smiled and gave her a gentle nudge towards the door
Hermione opened the door and stepped into the Little cabin that Draco and Blaise had been hiding out in. But she stopped short as she looked at the occupants of the room.
"Mione… My darling girl…" her mother said getting up and walking to her with tears in her eyes…
Hermione was stunned and as she felt the hug the reality of the situation began to sink in. Narcissa Malfoy had achieved the impossible…
—
The final year at Hogwarts raced past them. Slytherin lifted the Quiddtich cup against Gryffindor and both the teams celebrated together. The house cup was raised by Ravenclaw and all the houses had politely applauded and no one ins Slytherin even twitched at the sight of Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy and a handful of first and second year Slytherins, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Neveill Longbottom, Ron and Ginny Wesley and a handful of others from Gryffindor, Zachiras Smith and the entire Hufflepuff quidditch team of men that was dating the all female Ravenclaw team standing up and cheering as Head Girl Luna lifted the cup.
McGonagall smiled and thought 'It's a start…'
—
"Draco?" Narcissa peeked in to see her son sulking in the library on his first day home after graduation.
Flashback
The graduation picture of the group had been all smiles for everyone except Draco who had on his trademark fake smirk and Hermione who had a cool and aloof look on her face. They were standing on opposite ends of the group as far away from each other
End Flashback
"Is everything all right?" Narcissa asked thinking back to the graduation day
"Yes…" He snapped and continued to stare at in anger without reading a word
"I see…. So this has nothing to do with the fight you and Hermione never had…" She said
"We are not fighting mother…" He said like a robot like had since they had left Hogwarts
"Okay then… Since you are not fighting, allow me to tell you about the time I threw your father out of the manor…"
"What?" Draco said looking up distracted
"Well, your father and I were in love and we were married but I wanted a lot of children, and then almost a year after our marriage, he told me about the curse… I was so upset that I let my fae side take over… He was blasted out the window of our room and beyond the grounds. I sealed him out of the manor with magic and he slept in a poor conjured tent for a week leaving me wreaths made of my favourite flowers in apology…"
"Umm…. okay…" Draco said a little awkward as Narcissa sat down and stared him down till he was ready to talk
"It's not my fault… she want's to complete her muggle education, take the the A levels or something and then apply to become a healer… She will have to train for 5 years with Giano and after that is done she says she will be the right age to apply to be a muggle healer… that's almost another 10 years before she graduates! And after that she wants to work for a couple of years before getting married… I told her it was ludicrous plan and I didn't know I was supposed to jut sit here and wait for her…"
"I see… " Narcissa said slightly amused "… but my dear boy, who asked you to sit here and wait for her?"
"Please don't speak in riddles mother…"
"Well, managing the estate is what keeps your father active, I'd hate for you to take that away from him… I have my charities so I'm busy too… why don't you just leave… It is customary for young wizards to train in different magical communities… so why don't you do the same…"
"Become a healer?" Draco asked
"Become anything you want to be…" His mother said gently as she thought 'I always believed 17 was too soon to be coming of age'
Draco paused for a moment and thought about what his mother had said. Suddenly he stood up and walked up to her. He gave her a kiss on the cheek as he kneeled on one knee in front of her and said "Mother, I won't be home for dinner… I have to go apologise properly for being a complete and utter selfish fool…"
Narcissa smiled at him. As she watched him go she wondered who her boy become…
Epilogue coming up...