Chapter 10: Unwanted Visitors

December 26, 1991

(present time)

"Theo showed me your Christmas present. He was so touched," Draco grinned the moment she entered her bedroom.

She grinned back and sat on the edge of the bed, facing Draco. "I'm glad. That one was easier to make, the artist said."

She gifted Theo a framed painting of the three of them, wearing their Hogwarts uniform. Theo was sandwiched between Hermione and Draco, and the background was Disneyland, the closest she could get to Hogwarts. Of course, in the painting, they looked like first-year students.

"He even placed it on his bedside table. His father never visited his room, anyway."

She lay on the bed and faced Draco. "I can't wait for Pansy, Daph, and Blaise to join us. I hope they will accept me sooner this time."

Draco pulled her closer. "I'm sure they will. Just give in to everything Pansy wants," he chuckled. "Just be kind to everyone, Daphne will love you. And Blaise? Just don't give up on him. Theo and Daphne didn't, that's why he became one of us."

She smiled against the crook of his neck. "How's Professor Snape?"

Draco sighed heavily, and Hermione thought she had already ruined his good mood.

She pulled away and gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry for bringing that up."

"There's no need to apologize. I just feel… tired," he replied gently. Then, he gave her a playful look. "Can we just destroy all the Horcruxes instead of going back to Hogwarts in January? And then Potter can kill Voldemort down the trapdoor? With Quirrell? Then, we can live in peace. Dumbledore and Uncle Sev will not die because of Horcruxes. We can live like normal teenagers. You and I will be the new war heroes, and my father would just have to bite the bullet and accept that I'm not going anywhere without you."

She chuckled. "Sounds good, but how can we get the Hufflepuff Cup from your crazy aunt's vault? And what about Harry? He's an accidental Horcrux. Also, where are we going to get a basilisk's venom? Or fang?"

"You're no fun. You should've been a Ravenclaw," he murmured, pinching her side lightly.

"Maybe some things don't have to change… But one thing's for sure. I will do everything I can to prevent you from being Marked. Voldemort will not have you. He will not lay a finger on you," she swore solemnly and fiercely. "You're mine."

Draco met her eyes with intensity, and before she knew it, he pulled her for a kiss.

.

February 14, 1999

(Hermione and Draco's past)

The six of them decided to have Valentine's dinner at Ivee's. Hermione and Draco left the Nott Manor in the morning after breakfast to visit her parents and tell them formally that they were dating. Mrs Granger looked genuinely happy for the two of them, especially for Hermione. On the other hand, Hermione's dad had always been a reserved man, so he just gave his polite greetings and approval. He would only show his affections to his wife and daughter privately. Hermione joked that her father was anti-social. Draco would have to learn how to get her father's heart.

Hermione and Draco spent a long time with the former's parents. They had lunch there; Hermione cooked with her mother, and Draco watched baseball with her dad; they had afternoon tea and watched a family show. Hermione's mum also showed Draco her baby photos, much to her chagrin and her boyfriend's delight.

"I would love to see your photo albums, too," Hermione told Draco when they were waiting for the others at the table Theo booked at Ivee's, and they talked about her childhood and home life.

"I didn't bring them to the manor with me, but let me see if I can ask Gus or Tenny to get them. We're not totally banned from the manor, as far as I know," he said casually, extending his arm on the back of the loveseat, eventually resting a hand on Hermione's shoulders.

"Do you think, one day, you'd visit your mum?" she asked carefully.

Draco shrugged. "Maybe, when I am ready. Time heals all wounds, they say. You're just lucky, Hermione, your parents forgave you sooner."

She nodded. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be there by your side, if you need me."

Draco smiled affectionately and kissed her temple.

After ten minutes, Theo, Daphne, Blaise, and Pansy came in. The two witches asked Hermione right away how their visit to her parents was. She filled them in, but her eyes went to the three wizards. Theo and Blaise were standing behind Daphne, who was across from Hermione and called Draco. They whispered something to him, her boyfriend nodded, and the three wizards left the restaurant without saying anything to the three witches.

When Draco, Theo, and Blaise returned, they acted like everything was normal. They chattered and ordered food. She didn't have the heart to ruin the mood of her boyfriend and friends, so she kept her mouth shut. She genuinely did her best to enjoy the moment with them. And she did. She had fun, like always, whenever she was with this group. She felt like a normal teenager, safe and cared for.

That night, an hour before Hogwarts curfew, Draco Apparated her to Hogsmeade and walked her to the Hogwarts gates. Theo stayed at the manor for a bit because Daphne was still there.

"Is everything all right?" she asked, giving him a side glance.

They were walking hand in hand, and Draco squeezed her hand and smiled. "Your friends saw us earlier. You and me," he informed her calmly.

She frowned and stopped walking to face him. "Who?"

"Potter and Ronald Weasley."

Hermione paused for a moment to think. Harry and Ron. She hadn't heard from them in a while. Truth be told, she had no interest in sending them an owl or visiting them, thinking it would be the same all over again – they would ignore her, and she would feel lonely. She was already happy with her new friends and boyfriend. Furthermore, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had not apologized for how they treated her. They'd never bothered to ask how she was, if her parents had total forgiven her, or if they could visit her at home already. They hadn't even visited her at Hogwarts.

It was as if they no longer cared.

"What happened?" she asked Draco.

Draco held both of her hands affectionately. "They saw us walking past the joke shop, so they followed us. They stayed outside Ivee's, just talking, or maybe debating, how to approach you. They were about to enter when our friends arrived. They heard them talking about you, wondering what you were doing with me, and agreeing to confront you. But Pansy stopped them at the door.

"What did she say?" she asked urgently.

"She said something like, we all knew they hadn't been in touch with you for months, and now that you were finally having fun with your new friends, they were just going to ruin it. She also said they should talk to you properly , not confront you as if you have committed a crime. Potter and Weasley, at least, had the decency to look embarrassed. But it didn't end there. They asked them for me, that was why I went out."

She could hug Pansy right now. She didn't know, so she didn't get to thank her. Her dark-haired female friend was caring and protective of everyone close to her. "And what did they say to you?"

"They asked me what I was doing there with you," Draco replied. "I didn't tell them we're dating. It would be better if you could be the one to break the news to them…"

She nodded and smiled appreciatively. "Thanks."

"Theo, Blaise, and I just told them you're one of us now. You're not just a new friend, a new member of our circle, but you're family. Don't hate Blaise, but he said we will not abandon you like what they did to you. And Theo said, after everything you did for them, they never bothered to ask how you were. They should know you were hurting, too, after the Final Battle, but they weren't there. Theo told them to fuck off because they didn't deserve you."

Hermione searched her heart. There was no disappointment or any negative feeling towards Blaise and Theo. Nothing. "And you? What did you say?" she asked curiously.

"I told them you are part of my life now, and I will not hesitate to hex them if they hurt your feelings again."

She grinned and buried her face in his chest. Draco released her hands only to wrap his arms around her. "Let's hope there will be no reason for you to hex the Boy Who Defeated the Dark Lord and the Boy Who Fought With the Boy Who Lived," she chuckled.

Draco snorted. "And what do they call you?"

"The Muggle-born Who Outsmarted the Dark Lord." She scrunched her face. "Frankly, I don't like it. It doesn't fit. But they have no idea what we really did while on the run, so we haven't said anything."

"You haven't told other people about… what you were hunting?" Draco asked in a whisper.

Hermione shook her head. "Only the five of you. And my parents. And, of course, Kingsley… We had to tell him why we needed to get into the Lestrange vault and steal something. But Neville, Luna, and the others, I haven't told them. During the battle, we only told Neville that it was important to kill the snake to defeat Voldemort. But apart from that, nothing."

"You trust us that much…" he said, sounding overwhelmed.

"Theo trusted me first," she smiled fondly. "And you lot are not that bad," she teased. "You deserve to be best friends with the Great Hermione Granger."

Draco laughed and tickled her sides. "Arrogant witch."

She smirked that could rival Draco's. " Your arrogant witch."

Draco bent his head to kiss her squarely on the mouth. " Mine ."

.

January 2, 1992

(present time)

"My-knee, give me another flan, please?" Theo requested; his hands and eyes were on the Nintendo again.

Hermione laughed, got up from the sofa she was sharing with Draco and went to the kitchen to give him some more of the Spanish dessert left from the Grangers' New Year's celebration. Her only grandmother (whom she knew would die before her sixteenth birthday) came over to celebrate with them. Rose Granger had Spanish ancestors, so growing up, both Hermione and her father got accustomed to Spanish dishes and desserts like paella, jamon, turron, and flan.

Flan was her favourite, even if it was a dessert. She loved the soft texture of it, and the taste of caramel, eggs, and milk together. Once, on her birthday, she requested a flan, instead of a birthday cake. But she always promised her parents she would brush her teeth diligently.

Today, Draco and Theo visited her again, and she let them try her favourite dessert. Draco liked it, but after just one serving, he was good. Theo, on the other hand, loved it as much as Hermione did.

"Hey," she heard Draco call, walking into the kitchen.

"Hey, you want some flan, too?" she asked.

"Nah, I'm good. It's too sweet, anyway." He sat at the counter.

"Well, do you need anything?"

"My-knee, my flan," Theo called from the parlour like a spoiled brat.

Draco rolled his eyes and huffed. Hermione laughed. "Give me a minute to bring this to your baby son, yeah?" she laughed, walking out of the kitchen with flan on a dessert plate.

"My-knee…" Theo cried again from the other room.

Hermione entered the parlour. "I wasn't aware that we have a baby in the house," she told him but not unkindly, placing the dessert on the coffee table in front of him. Theo was still holding the Nintendo but no longer playing.

He grinned at her playfully. "But I'm the baby of ten house-elves."

She raised an eyebrow. "And you need another one? I'm not your servidora (female servant), you know."

"But you like taking care of me and Draco," he reasoned and lay on the sofa, playing the Nintendo again.

"I'll tell my parents to ban you if you continue acting like a boss baby."

"You can't do that! You love me and Draco," he laughed.

She huffed. "You're lucky I like you both." And then, she went back to the kitchen, where she found Draco eating cinnamon rolls at the counter. She joined him and sat beside him.

Draco offered her a piece, and she took a bite, licking her lips. Her boyfriend stared at her lips and moved closer, but she gave him a little push on the chest.

"No kissing outside the bedroom," she reminded him.

Draco sighed, pulled away and rolled her eyes. "You mean to say I won't get to kiss you at Hogwarts?"

She shook her head. "I don't fancy being pulled into alcoves or behind tapestries."

"Well, what about the Room of Requirement?"

Hermione paused and considered it for a moment. "Maybe, but only until the third year. Fred and George Weasley will hand him the Marauder's Map."

Draco raised an eyebrow.

Then, they heard the TV – it was very loud, and the movie seemed to be something action.

"Dracooo! Heeeelp! There's a werewolf!" They heard Theo screaming.

Hermione and Draco exchanged looks and ran to the TV room. Theo was hiding behind an armchair, covering his ears with his hands. On TV, a werewolf was attacking a vampire.

Draco ran to Theo to calm him, and Hermione reached for the remote control to lower the volume. "Theo, it's just a movie."

"But the werewolf looked like a real one!" Theo said.

Hermione sighed. Theo was right. She could not blame him for being scared. The movie got every single detail of a werewolf and a vampire's physical appearances. Theo already knew how a telly worked. "Maybe it was just a coincidence, or maybe the film director is a Squib and had seen a werewolf in real life."

"I thought it was going to attack me," Theo said, standing up from behind the chair.

She shook her head. "No. They're not…" She was about to say 'real', but it wasn't the right term. "I mean, it's just a movie. And the telly's not a magical device. You're in a Muggle house."

"She's right, mate," Draco said in agreement, giving Theo a brotherly pat on the back. "Anyway, not all werewolves are bad. I knew – know… one who's very kind and gentle."

Theo turned to him. "Really? Who?"

"Uncle Severus's former classmate. I just saw him once, and Uncle Severus told me about him," Draco lied.

For the first time in a long time, Remus crossed Hermione's mind. She wondered where he was right now, what he was doing. From what she learned from Sirius, Remus took seasonal and low-paying jobs because of his condition, despite his brilliance. He even said that he could see Remus in her, Hermione. They were both diligent and book smart. They were both loyal friends, ready to break rules just to save someone's life.

"More flan, then," she heard Draco say. "I'll be right back."

Hermione broke from her musings and found Theo on the sofa, holding her Nintendo again, looking calm.

"You all right now?" she asked him with a smile.

Theo sighed in relief. "Sorry for shouting like that," he said apologetically.

"It's fine," she replied. "I'll just get some food in the kitchen."

"You're the best, My-knee!" Theo called out to her, and she grinned before exiting the TV room.

.

February 20, 1999

(Hermione and Draco's past)

"Hey, lovers!"

Pansy entered the library, carrying a Muggle battery-powered radio and laid on her stomach beside Hermione on the rug by the fireplace. On Hermione's other side was Draco, also lying on his stomach, reading a book while toying with her curls.

"Is that a Muggle radio?" asked Draco.

Pansy giggled. "Blaise is making a request."

"What? How?" she asked with a chuckle.

Theo and Daphne entered the library as well, and laid beside Pansy excitedly, grinning while listening to the radio.

"Where is Blaise?" asked Draco.

"Outside, calling using his cellular phone," Theo replied jovially.

The DJ started talking again and said they had another caller.

"Hello, can I make a request? Can you play Heal the World by Michael Jordan - I mean, Jackson."

The three witches giggled, hearing Blaise's voice. He sounded nervous.

Draco laughed. "He's more accustomed to the Muggle world but never gets it right. Jordan's the basketball player, prat!" he said as if Blaise was the radio.

Hermione giggled even more and slapped Draco's arm playfully.

"Sure," the DJ said kindly. "Who's this?"

"Blaise."

"Hi, Blaise! Where are you from?"

"Wiltshire. I also would like to say hi to my best friends - Theo, Daphne, Pansy, Draco, and Hermione."

"Wow! Your friends have unique names. All right, Blaise here's Heal the World by Michael Jackson."

And then, the beautiful song played on the radio, followed by footsteps and the opening of the library door. Blaise was panting - he obviously ran from the gardens to the library, just to catch the song.

"Hey, hey!" He slumped beside the radio.

"Hey, Jordan !" teased Draco. "You never get it right."

Blaise rolled his eyes. "They're both legends, that's why."

Hermione enjoyed the moment and the music. It was such a good song, and she first heard it during Christmas hols at home when she was a first-year student at Hogwarts. Her parents loved the song too, and it was often played at their dental practice.

"I wonder if there are Wizarding songs like this one," she murmured.

"Nah," Pansy groaned. "It would have been nice if there was, you know. Just to at least give us hope during the darkest hours."

"What about the Sorting Hat's song?" laughed Blaise.

"Yeah, try talking to the Sorting Hat," Theo snorted. "Maybe Hermione can go to McGonagall's office and talk to it," he laughed.

"Maybe Blaise, you can write something about the four houses uniting as one in the darkest times," Daphne suggested.

"Why me?" he asked.

"Because you like music?" Daphne answered, exaggerating a dumb look.

"Draco likes music, too. He plays the guitar and piano," Blaise waved a hand in Draco's direction.

Hermione turned to Draco so fast that she could have had whiplash. "Really? You never told me!"

"You mean to say Draco has never played for you?" Blaise asked in disbelief.

Hermione turned to her friends. "He has played for you?"

"Sure," Blaise replied. "He even sang an impromptu song once about how sexy his guitar was."

"When?" she asked curiously.

"Before I got the Mark," Draco replied beside her, sounding indifferent. He rolled to his back and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Oh," her voice faltered. "Okay..."

"Draco no longer has his guitar and piano," Theo reminded Blaise.

"What happened?" she asked her boyfriend emphatically.

Draco shook his head. "Just couldn't bring them here. Or maybe I forgot. I haven't been there since Easter."

He hasn't been to Malfoy Manor since after my torture… she thought.

"Told you, we could buy another one," Theo offered.

Draco shook his head. "You've already spent a lot, mate."

Theo snorted. "Don't worry about it. If I could spend money on this stupid game device for Pansy, I could spend a few more galleons on a guitar. More useful if you ask me."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at Pansy. But it was Daphne who reached for something inside her robes. Hermione's eyes widened.

"Is that..."

"Kon'nichiwa (Hello)!" Daphne greeted in a fake Japanese accent and started playing. "Watashi wa Mariodesu (I am Mario)!"

"Oh, Merlin, I can't believe my Slytherin friends are into Muggle things!" she laughed.

Theo frowned, eyes on Daphne's device. "I don't understand the fascination for such a game, though. I'd rather play Quidditch all day."

Draco laughed and sat up, abandoning his book. "Come on, let's fly for a bit."

.

January 2, 1992

(present time)

It had been half an hour since they had laid on her bed. They laid on their backs and held each other's hands. It was normal. In the past, there were nights they didn't even cuddle or kiss. They just lay beside each other and held hands. It was enough, especially when they were both tired.

"Drake..."

"Yeah?"

"I have a favour to ask."

Draco chuckled and shifted to the side to face her, then wrapped his free arm around her waist. "Yes, I know. You only call me that when you need something."

She shifted her head and smiled sheepishly.

"You know I'd do anything for you. What is it? Kill the basilisk? Destroy a Horcrux?" he said in a faked arrogant tone.

She laughed. "No, silly."

He tickled her. "Don't call me silly when you want something from me desperately."

She raised an eyebrow. "Who says I'm desperate?"

" Oh, Draco, please… Draco, Draco, don't stop ," he imitated her.

Hermione felt his cheeks blush, and she smacked her chest playfully. "Arrogant snake!"

"And now you're a badger," he smirked. "I preferred the tamed lioness."

She scowled at him. "I was not a tamed lioness. Blaise said I had claws."

Draco laughed even more and kissed her head, probably finding her adorable. "Only because he ruffles your feathers. But to me," he whispered, "you're tamed."

She gave him a smug look. "Now, I'm a badger. I prefer to be a honey badger; you know, the one that eats snakes."

"I'll take that. Just don't be a skunk, yeah?" he laughed. "So, what's the favour?"

She sighed and looked at him seriously. "Remus. We can help him this time by providing him Wolfsbane Potion."

"Of course," he said without hesitation. "Maybe if we help him this time, Teddy will have a better future."

"Speaking of… are you planning to reach out to your cousin this time?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah… Maybe I can send Aunt Dromeda and the entire family a late Christmas present. Mother doesn't have to know yet." Then, he let out his crooked smile. "My father will be furious if he knew I plan on spending money on the people he called 'half-breed' and blood traitors."

"My wizard is a good man," she said proudly.

He looked at her with equal affection. "You make me a good man," he replied, bringing her hand to his lips. "How do you suggest we find Remus?"

"Professor Snape?" she suggested tentatively.

Draco laughed merrily. "I'm going to be the death of him. Maybe I can ask him if I show him more of the future… for his own benefit, of course."

Hermione nodded. "I trust him. I know he will not betray us. He protected you until his last breath… I just hope it doesn't change."

"I hope he changes… for the better."

She nodded. "For the better."

.

February 22, 1999

(Hermione and Draco's past)

Hermione spotted Luna at the Ravenclaw table, eating breakfast silently. She joined her younger friend. "Hey, Luna," she greeted cheerfully.

Luna looked up and returned her smile. "Hello, Hermione. Your aura tells me you've been spending a lot of time with Slytherins," she teased.

She just laughed, already accustomed to Luna's choice of words. "How was your weekend? How's your dad?"

"He's getting better, thank you. He told me to stay at the castle for the weekend and just focus on my N.E.W.T.s."

Darn. Maybe I should do the same? I've been always away for the weekend. Maybe, I should hit the books harder. It'd be a shame if people saw the headline: War Heroine Hermione Granger Gets a D.

Maybe she would write to Draco about staying at Hogwarts for the weekend. Well, they could just meet for lunch at the Three Broomsticks, but she wouldn't be staying overnight at the manor. "So, are you staying for the weekend?" she asked Luna. Maybe they could study together. Theo, for sure, would just convince him to study in his vast library.

"Yes, Hermione," replied Luna. "Would you like to study together?" she offered.

"Of course," she grinned.

Hermione filled her plate with food and got her own book.

"So, how are you and Draco Malfoy?"

Hermione almost choked her food and turned to Luna with wide eyes.

Luna smiled and reached for her hand. "I saw you and Malfoy last night outside the gates."

"Oh… We're in a relationship."

Luna's smile widened, and it reached her eyes. "I knew it," she declared casually. "He has observed you for years, and you never noticed."

"You did?" she asked, surprised. Well, it shouldn't really surprise her because Luna was probably the most observant person she knew at Hogwarts.

"I thought the reason he always wind-up Harry and Ron were to be near you, to get your attention, and he looked envious. He always looked at you with longing. It wasn't really surprising Theodore Nott befriended you. I'm sure he knew."

Hermione nodded. "Yeah, all of his best friends knew."

"Are you happy?" Luna asked gently.

She nodded and squeezed her friend's hand. "I am, Luna. Thank you."

"I guess Harry and Ron do not know yet?" she asked tentatively.

She shook her head.

Luna squeezed her hand once more. "If you ask me, Hermione, I don't think they will handle it well. But no matter, I will be there for you. I may not be physically present all the time, but you always have my support."

"I really appreciate that, Luna."

"Sure. That's what friends are for."

She smiled. "You know what, I saw the painting in your room. Maybe you could invite me and Neville to your house sometime."

Luna looked more cheerful. "And you'll stay overnight? Just like what you do at Theodore's mansion. You know, I can charm my ceiling just like that," and she looked up at the ceiling.

"Oh, Luna! Of course! All you have to do is ask. But you should visit my parents' house, too," she offered, thinking that her parents would probably like Luna. "Have you ever been in a Muggle home?"

"I haven't. I'm looking forward to it."

The two of them walked to their class. They were sharing almost all classes now with Theo. On the other hand, her Slytherin brother waited for them outside the Great Hall and greeted Luna politely. By lunchtime, Hermione and Theo sat at the Gryffindor table, and she told him that she was staying at school for the weekend.

"You're mad!" Theo said rather loudly even though they were sitting beside each other. "You can have my library, Granger. If you need to really focus, I will kick Draco and everyone out. Just please, stay with us for the weekend. Draco likes having you around."

She gave him a fond smile. "Oh, Theo. That's tempting, but don't use Draco. I really want to study this time. But I'm still open for lunch at the Three Broomsticks."

Theo pouted like a child. "You're no fun, Granger. Don't let Pansy know in advance, or else she'd kidnap you the moment she saw you at the inn."

She chuckled at that. Pansy liked having all of them around. Hermione guessed that if only Pansy wasn't studying Muggle fashion, the two Slytherin witches, Pansy and Daphne, would probably just live at the manor like Draco.

The day went uneventful. As always, Theo walked her to the Gryffindor Tower after dinner. They wished each other good night, and when Hermione entered the portrait hole, she was greeted by two nervous-looking wizards.

Harry and Ron.

They came to visit.