Quick thank you for the reviews!
October 21, 1998
Hermione,
I've been hearing things about you and Malfoy. Please tell me this is not true! Please tell me they are lies! My heart belongs to you. I gave it to you long ago. I thought you loved me as much as I loved you!
You belong with me, not that fucking twat! He will never love you! He is filthy Death Eater scum! I will come and find you. You will see reason! You will be mine and mine alone! Do not do this to me!
Forever Yours,
Ron
The owl had come that morning. Hermione had read it numerous times, and each time she felt more and more uneasy. She paced her room, contemplating what to do. Should she ignore it, or should she respond? Should she show Draco? "Argh!" she groaned as she flopped across her bed. There was a knock at her door, so she used her wand to open it.
"Hey, Granger. Draco said you needed my help with something." Pansy came strolling in Hermione's room. She'd forgotten about asking her boyfriend to get her help in selecting an outfit for their dinner with Draco's mother the following night.
Hermione got up from her bed, "Yes. We are having dinner with his mum and her new boyfriend tomorrow night, and I have no idea what to wear." The two girls walked over to Hermione's wardrobe and looked through all of Hermione's clothes.
"Seriously, Granger. Is this all you have? Well, let's see. Ooh! What's this?" Pansy found a black A-line dress with emerald green vines embroidered across the bust.
"I'd forgotten about packing this! My mum bought this for me before, well, before I left with Harry and Ron to hunt the Horcruxes. I never got to wear it." She looked wistfully out the window, thinking about her mum. She didn't even realize that she was crying until Pansy pointed it out.
"You okay, Granger? You wanna talk about it?" Pansy didn't know what she was going through. "Here, take a seat. What's wrong?"
So, Hermione told her everything; about having to Obliviate her parents, finding them after the war, her mum leaving. "Damn, that's crazy. So, she just stopped talking to you both? Shit. I can't imagine if my mum left and never spoke to me again. I mean, I am closer to my father, but still. Damn."
It was nice talking with Pansy. Hermione had never had a real conversation with the girl. Once the dress was chosen and shoes and jewelry were selected, Pansy left to go meet Seamus. Hermione got her pajamas on and headed across the hall to Draco's room.
Seamus Finnegan was stressed. He thought he'd have a bit of fun with the pretty Slytherin girl by flirting with her. What he didn't expect was that he'd actually like the girl. "Calm down, Seamus. I don't understand what the big deal is. You like her and she likes you. It's easy." Dean had been listening to his best friend ramble on and on about Pansy Parkinson for at least an hour.
"I mean, it's not like I am looking to marry the girl, but what if she, you know?" He looked and realized Dean wasn't understanding him. "Falls in love with me?" Dean starts to laugh his ass off, "Fuck you man, I'm serious! If that happens, then when we complete our N.E.W.T.S, will she expect me to propose or some shit. Don't get me wrong, I like her and all, but..." he trails off and his friend looks at him.
Dean sees the worry on Seamus's face. "Wait. Are you falling in love with her? Is that what this is all about?" Seamus starts pacing the floor. "Seamus? Are you in love with Pansy Parkinson? Man, it could never happen between you two for real. I'm sorry, but she's a part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, buddy. Her family probably has her Pure Blood husband picked out already."
Seamus falls backwards onto his bed and groans out, "Fuuuuck!" Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. "Can you get that, mate?"
Dean answer the door, "Well, speak of the devil." he says as he sees the very woman they were just discussing. Pansy smirked as she entered the room. She saw an upset Seamus on his bed.
"Am I interrupting something? I can come back later." She asked as she watched Seamus comb his fingers through his hair. She looked over to Dean and he excused himself before leaving, closing the door behind himself.
Pansy walked over to Seamus's bed, "You, okay? What's got you so upset, Finnegan?" He liked that she never called him by his first name. Seamus sat up, pulling her to stand between his knees. He leaned his head against her chest so she cradled his head. "Did something happen?" she asked again.
He looked up and sighed. "I don't know if I should say anything. I don't want to ruin what we've got going on." Pansy took his head in her hands.
"Is there someone else?" she asked, sadness in her voice. Seamus chuckled softly.
"No, nothing like that. I've just been overthinking things. I don't want to scare you off. Just, um...fuck! I don't know how to say this without coming off as needy." He was at a loss for words and her blue eyes just bore into his brown ones.
Pansy realized that he must be trying to ask about her feelings for him. "We're having fun, right? You don't need to feel like you have to place a label on us. I mean, unless you want to. I won't pressure you. I will say this though," she placed a chaste kiss on his mouth, "I like you, Finnegan."
He smiled up at her, "And I really like you, Parkinson. Come here." He pulled her on top of him then rolled her over on to her back and kissing her with need. "Let me show you how much."
Draco was just finishing up his Arithmancy paper when he heard a tapping on his window. An owl he had never seen before was at the window. "Hello, now who do you belong to?" he asked the scrawny barn owl. He took the parchment scroll off its leg and gave it a treat. "What the fuck?" he couldn't help but say as he read the letter.
October 21, 1998
Malfoy,
Stay the fuck away from my girl! She is mine! I will fucking kill you if you ever touch her! Just being seen with you will ruin her future!
A fucking Death Eater and a war heroine? Makes me sick! I mean it! If I hear anything else about you being with Hermione, I will make your life a living hell!
-R-
Draco tossed the note and hastily wrote a response to Ron Weasley.
October 23, 1998
Weasel:
You're really fucking delusional if you think Hermione Granger could ever belong to anyone. She clearly no longer wishes to be with you seeing as she broke up with you this past Summer.
We are together! We are in love! And you're kidding yourself if you think by threatening me, I would give up the greatest thing to ever happen to me in my life.
I am sorry that you feel that I would ruin her because of something I was forced into as a youth. I am sorry that you feel that you still have some type of a claim on her. I am not sorry and will NEVER apologize for falling in love with her.
I will keep ahold of your death threat though. For a future Auror, you must be crazy for threatening to kill me. I will be sure to let my girlfriend know that her ex has attempted to break us apart though.
-Draco L. Malfoy
He tied the note to the barn owl and let it go. He heard a knock at the door and walk over to open it. "Ah, I was just about to come see you, love." Hermione looked exhausted as she trudged into the room. "Well, Ronald wrote me. He's insane, I swear!" Draco smirked.
"Agreed. He wrote me as well. Shall we exchange letters?" he asked as he held his out to her.
"Oh Merlin! What the hell is wrong with him?" she said as she took Draco's letter then handed him hers. She felt the burning in her cheeks reading it.
"So, not only has he threatened me, but you as well?!" Draco started pacing as he tried to stop the anger that was bubbling up to the surface. "That fucking Weasel!" Hermione dropped the note on Draco's desk.
"Draco, come here please. Calm down. I don't think he would ever do anything. He's just doesn't think before he says or does things." she said hoping to calm him.
"I don't care. I am going to report these letters though, just as a precaution. I know he's your friend and all, but I cannot just let this go. If he does try anything, at least he's been reported." He embraced her, "I just couldn't handle it if anything happened to you." He kissed the top of her head.
"Same here. I love how protective you are, Draco. I just don't want this to hurt his Auror training." He could see things from her perspective, he just did not agree at all.
"Tell you what? I will not report this to the Ministry, but I am going to talk to McGonagall about it. If she feels that it should be handled by the Ministry, then it has to be. I just don't want to push this off as nothing. I love you too much to not do anything, Hermione."
Hermione agreed, so they walked down to dinner in the Great Hall and waited to speak with the Headmistress. As dinner ended and most of the hall cleared out, Hermione and Draco approached the head table. "Professor McGonagall, could we have a word once dinner is over?" Draco asked.
The woman looked at them, silently scrutinizing the pair. "Certainly, Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger. Meet me in at my office steps in ten minutes." They nodded then walked hand in hand towards the Headmistress's office.
They stood there, Draco's arm wrapped around Hermione's waist as she worried at her bottom lip. "It's going to be fine, Granger." She leaned into him more as he held her tighter. They jumped when they heard someone clear their throat.
Professor McGonagall led them up to her office and had them each take a seat. "You both look pretty nervous. Please, do not tell me you have impregnated Miss Granger or I will truly lose my mind, Mr. Malfoy." McGonagall did not look pleased. Draco scoffed and Hermione's cheeks burned bright red.
"Of course not, Professor. No, we have both received rather threatening letters from Ronald Weasley. We've brought them here. Just to warn you, he uses rather vulgar language." Draco handed the letters over to her and watched as she read them. Her eyebrows practically flew off her face.
"Miss Granger, do you feel unsafe?" Hermione shook her head and answered, "I feel okay as long as I have Draco, but what if Ron comes on school grounds? Will he be allowed access or if I am in Hogsmeade and for some reason, Draco is not there. Those are the only things that bother me. I don't think Ron would do anything, but I also do not know what mindset he is in either."
Draco reached over and took her hand tracing small circles on the back of it to calm her. Professor McGonagall's eyes softened as she watched the interaction. "I will be sure to block entry to Mr. Weasley on school grounds. I cannot do much with Hogsmeade I'm afraid. I would like to notify his superiors at the Auror Academy though."
Although she felt bad getting the Aurors involved, Hermione knew it was for their safety. "Thank you, Professor." Hermione said as Draco stood and held his hand out for her. "We appreciate everything you can do."
Before they left, McGonagall said, "You know? When I heard the rumors of your relationship, I was quite skeptical, I must admit. But seeing you now? It just makes sense. You both have a lovely weekend. And Mr. Malfoy?" Draco raised an eyebrow, "Take good care of our girl." She smiled at them which caused Draco to smile back.
"Always, Headmistress. She's the love of my life."
Draco and Hermione walked to the Apparation point right outside of Hogwarts. They were meeting his mother and her boyfriend for dinner at a new French restaurant in Diagon Alley called Potion des Sorcières. "Are you nervous?" he asked as they walked down the cobblestone street. "You look amazing, by the way." He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed them lightly across her skin causing a warm sensation in her nether regions.
"Thank you, and I'm only a little nervous. We don't know how this 'boyfriend' of your mother's will feel about Muggle-Borns." she admitted causing Draco to start to become a little apprehensive about the dinner as well.
As they came up to the restaurant, Draco saw his mother. "There's my mum. She's alone. Wonder if the guy stood her up." His mother turned and saw the couple walking towards her and waved, grinning like Hermione had never seen before.
"Darling! Oh, how I've missed you!" she gave Draco a quick hug before turning towards Hermione. "Miss Granger, you look stunning, just gorgeous." She kissed both of Hermione's cheeks causing her to smile.
"As do you, Narcissa. Thank you. Is your date not coming?" Ever the curious one, Hermione thought she'd ask before Draco said something about the guy standing her up.
"Oh, he'll be here shortly. He says to go on in without him and order him a drink. Shall we?" Narcissa motioned toward the doors of the restaurant, and Draco opened the door. It was beautiful inside, bright and cheerful, with the ceiling bewitched to look like the night sky. Candles floated around the room giving an air of enchantment all over the dining area
As they sat, Narcissa ordered a glass of Dragon Barrel Brandy and a glass of wine. "So, do I know this guy you're seeing mother? You've been rather secretive about him. I just need to know if he will be okay with my love here being Muggle-born. I do not have time dealing with prejudice." Draco spoke with such seriousness that it almost made his mother laugh.
"You have nothing to fear. He is very tolerant and the total opposite of my ex-husband. Ah, here he comes now!" Narcissa stood up to wave her boyfriend over. Draco and Hermione both turned to see him and gasped.
Kingsley Shacklebot, the Minister For Magic, was walking towards the trio with a big smile on his face. "Sorry I was late, Narcissa dear. Got stuck dealing with a bit of trouble. All good now. Ah, Draco, Hermione. Pleasure to see you both." Draco still had a look of shock on his face face so Hermione squeezes his hand.
"You're dating? You and my mother? My mother and the Minister For Magic? This is not what I was expecting." Draco looked dumbfounded.
His mother giggled, "Well, I wasn't expecting this either. He sort of just fell into my lap or should I say I fell into his, literally."
And so they told the story of how they started. It started with their meetings before the trial of Lucius Malfoy. They would talk for hours, she'd confided in him about the rape and abuse, he'd promised to do everything in his power to protect her. Then a couple weeks after Draco left for school, they'd run into each other at a Ministry Gala.
"I was talking with some people and went to walk back to my table, but tripped on the train of my gown. I toppled over and Kingsley caught me, and I landed in his lap as we both fell over. It was not my most shining moment, but it did cause us to both laugh. That night he had invited me out to dinner the following night, and the rest is history."
Draco was impressed by the end of the night. The Minister For Magic was attentive to his mother, told funny stories about his days in The Order, engaged in stimulating conversation with himself and Hermione, and made Draco's mother smile and laugh more than he ever remembered her doing.
"Well, Draco, it truly has been a pleasure meeting you at last. Hermione, wonderful to see you as always." Kingsley shook Draco's hand and gave Hermione a quick hug. "And Draco, just so you know, I am growing quite fond of Narcissa. I want you to know that I am serious about her. I have never felt this way about anyone before. I would never, ever hurt her intentionally. Please know this." Kingsley had a serious look on his face, but it slowly turned into a huge grin as Narcissa joined them.
She stepped over and gave her son a kiss then turned to Hermione. "Thank you coming, dear. It was lovely to see you again. And," she leaned over and whispered, "between you and me, I have never saw my son as happy and relaxed as he is just being in your presence. Thank you." Hermione hugged Narcissa and thanked her.
Kingsley and Narcissa disapparated leaving the younger couple to walk Diagon Alley. "That was nice. Kingsley seems to be enamored with your mum." she offered up the conversation to fill the quiet. Draco nodded and they continued their walk hand in hand. After a few minutes, Draco stopped and faced her.
"Hermione, after graduation, I plan on buying a townhouse. I don't even know if you will still want to be with me by then, but I need you to know that I feel like you are the one I am meant to spend my life with. And, I'd love for you to share my home. I just want to lay my cards out on the table." She didn't know where this was all coming from, but it did not scare her like he probably thought it would.
"Draco, I love you. Graduation is still several months away, and I still need to figure out what I want to do after. That being said, I am not opposed to idea of moving in with you after we graduate. I just need to discuss it with my father first." She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss. He pulled her tight to him, deepening their kiss and making her moan out his name.
They walked to the Apparation point hand in hand, enjoying the quietness of the night. They had just passed Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes when they heard a noise. Draco pulled his wand out, "Who's there?" Hermione screamed as Draco fell to the ground in a Full Body Bind.
She went for her wand but quickly heard, "EXPELLIARMUS!" and watched as her wand went flying from her hand. She knew that voice too well.
"Ron! What are you doing!" she yelled as she dropped to her knees to check on Draco. "Draco! Oh gods, Ron! Do the counter-curse! He's bleeding!" The fall to the cobblestone street caused a huge gash on the back of his head. She pulled his head into her lap, not caring about the blood now covering her dress. Ron just stood there with a look of disgust on his face.
"I told you not to be with him. I warned him what would happen, and you both refused!" his voice was angry and for the first time in her life, Hermione Granger was afraid of Ronald Weasley. He stalked over and yanked her up by her arm.
"Argh! Ron! Let go!" She struggled to get free, but he overpowered her. Suddenly, she felt the pull of Apparation and they were at a cabin she'd never seen before. "Where are we? Draco! You have to bring me back! Please! He'll die! Ron! Listen to me!" Ron pulled her with him as he opened the cabin door and tossed her onto a couch.
"Stay put or I'll make you stay!" he snarled causing her to wince. Hermione could do nothing but cry. She was wandless and knew not where she was. She tried to implore to his better nature.
"Please, Ron. You can't just leave him there. Please. I love him." That was the wrong thing to say. He stalked back to her.
"You do not love him! You love me!" he held her wrists, shaking her. "You and me, Hermione, we were supposed to be together! Not you and that Death Eater scum! And I'm going to make you remember!" Then everything went black.
Til next chapter*