"Are you alright Hermione? You didn't hear me when I called you," Ginny said as she walked in her friend's dorm. She had been in the common room when Hermione had arrived through the portrait hole, obviously lost in her own thoughts. She was smiling and when Ginny called her, she hadn't reacted. So, Ginny had left Ron and Harry who were playing chess to go and talk to her friend.

Startled, Hermione turned her face to look at Ginny. After a few seconds, she grinned and nodded, her cheeks going pink.

Of course she was alright. She had just spent the afternoon in the library with Draco, they had kissed for the first time and they had talked as Hermione was playing with the fingers she had been holding. Most of all, they had both felt better than they had in days. It was still hard to believe. All she knew was that Draco was sharing her feelings. Ginny might have been right for quite some time, since she had said that he was interested by her after Christmas. If only she had had the courage to talk to him before that... And at the same time, Hermione wasn't regretting anything. Because in January, Draco may not have been ready for this kind of relationship, maybe it would have been too soon for him to accept that because of his family. Because at the time, he didn't know Hermione knew. A lot of things hadn't happened, actually. But that day, there were no more secrets. Draco could be himself.

Actually, there was one secret only, a new one. Their relationship. They didn't have to talk about it to know that they couldn't tell anyone for now. It was a bit annoying, but Hermione wouldn't betray Draco this way. And she wouldn't do that to herself either. It would be horrible with the other Gryffindors, or at least with Harry and Ron. They would hate her, ignore her... Ginny wasn't like that. Ginny was excited about what was going on between them, so maybe she could tell her? Hermione needed someone in the confidence. She needed to talk about Draco, she needed to share her feelings, to say how excited she was, how different he was with her. Plus, it would be hard to lie to Ginny and just tell her that she still wasn't acting on her feelings.

Because Ginny had been asking her how it was evolving, what was going on, how she was feeling... It was one of their main subject of conversation lately. Hermione wouldn't be able to look her in the eyes and tell her that nothing had happened before seeing Ginny's disappointed expression. She wouldn't be able to look her in the eyes and fake disappointment. For Harry and Ron, it was easier because they wouldn't be asking this kind of things, she didn't have to avoid the subject.

Hermione stood up and approached the door, looking outside at the stairs before she closed it.

"You need to promise me not to tell anyone anything, once again," she articulated before she turned around to face Ginny as she leaned against the door. Amused, Ginny used a finger to draw a cross on her chest before she raised her hand.

"I promise," she said and Hermione chuckled. Silly. She was acting silly but she was so happy. Every time she was thinking about it, a weird sensation was taking possession of her stomach. She walked towards her bed again, brushing her lower lip with the tip of her fingers. "Come on, what is it?" Ginny asked, now really eager to know. She approached Hermione who turned again to look at her friend. Their eyes met but it was a few seconds before Hermione talked. She whispered, actually, like it was weird to say it out loud.

"Draco kissed me."

"WHAT?" Ginny couldn't help but exclaim. Hermione laughed again as she nodded and Ginny put her hand on her mouth as she giggled. "Tell me everything!" She said after a moment, very excited now. She joined Hermione and they both sat on her bed. Hermione was really pleased by her reaction, but she wasn't expecting less from her. Ginny had never judged her for liking Draco, or even for takling to him, not once. It's not that Ginny didn't care if Draco was mean with her family, after all, he was a Malfoy. Her own father was fist fighting with Draco's father and she wasn't saying anything. It wasn't her business, she could defend herself when she needed to. And she was supporting Hermione because even if she couldn't really understand what she might see in Draco's heart at first, she had listened to her friend and what she had to say about it, about the way he was acting.

Ron hadn't been able to shut up. When Ginny came in the common room two days before, having learned about Lupin, he had to tell her about Draco. Maybe it was because he was angry, or maybe it was because he was just annoyed, but he hadn't been able to help it. Maybe it was just to tell one person he knew wouldn't go around to tell everyone, just because he needed to let it out, to be satisfied for a minute. Never did he try to tell anyone else than his sister yet, he was probably too afraid of Hermione, but Ginny had already overheard Ron and Harry whispering about it one of the next days.

But Ginny wasn't about to say anything to anyone. She liked Lupin, she knew that being a werewolf wasn't defining who you were. Lupin was really nice, he had listened to her during the year. It had been really hard for her to come back at school after what had happened during the year before. But she had started to work even harder to become better, and Lupin had helped her in his own way to make her feel good. She had learned a lot on herself and about magic in that one short year. She knew Draco wasn't a monster because he had something like that inside of him. She knew what it was like to be possessed by something you couldn't control, by something so strong and evil that it was frightening you. She could even understand why Draco seemed to be so bitter about a lot of things.

She was able to understand Hermione and why she was refusing to believe Draco was genuinely an awful person, even before she had learnt about him being a werewolf. Hermione was always seeing the best in people, even if they were working hard to hide that part of themselves. She had been a precious friend after what had happened with the diary. Hermione had listened to her, listened to things she didn't want to talk about with her parents or with her brothers. And when Hermione had needed someone to listen to her, she had then been there for her in return. They had grown closer during the year and Ginny had a weird feeling in her chest, knowing that she was the only one to know. Was it pride? Maybe. She was glad to say the least.

Hermione didn't tell Ginny what Draco had said exactly back in the library. She knew how hard it must have been for Draco to come and talk to her about the situation. She had never met someone with so much pride. And just thinking about it, about him coming to her to try and talk about it, about him hiding his shame and trying to look confident, which he didn't quite do, as he accepted to talk to her about something he was hiding and that was tormenting him... She felt special.

"I can't believe it..."

"Me neither, trust me," Hermione said. "He wants to see me tomorrow too... I mean, we just have a few days left so..." Hermione realized that they only had very little time left in the castle and felt a bit bad. She absolutely wanted to spend as much time as she could with him. "But the thing is... Harry and Ron will wonder where I am, I can't really use the library anymore, they will think it's weird," she was mostly afraid they would use the map to know where she was and see her with Draco.

"Where does he want you to see him, then?"

"The Clock Tower. He said he'd find a way to escape his friends," she added not without giggling again.

"I'll be your alibi," Ginny said at once.

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. We will leave together, just to be sure, then you'll go by yourself," Ginny said.

They kept talking for a while before going down in the common room, giggling together. When the boys asked them what it was about, they didn't say anything and just laughed again, sitting in an armchair and whispering.

.

Draco and Hermione finally understood what "time flies" meant when they ended up heading to the carriages to go back to Hogsmeade for the ride home. The last days at Hogwarts had gone by so fast, they felt like they didn't have enough time together. They hadn't even been able to get away of their own awkwardness, even if it felt more natural to hold hands at that point. At least, they were able to talk a lot, since they had done it all year already. It seemed like they couldn't run out of subjects, they just had to tell a lot to each other, now that they were able to talk freely about anything. Draco didn't have to act like he was annoyed by her and Hermione didn't have to act like she didn't exactly care about him, it was making everything way easier. And they were going to write to each other during the summer, which was a comforting thought for the both of them. Hermione was afraid that by being separated for too long, Draco might get back to his old ways of treating her, that he was going to think he had made a mistake by going out with her. And Draco didn't know why he was afraid that Hermione might forget about him during the holidays. It was silly. Still, he knew that this fear was stuck in his head. Maybe it was simply because it was the first time he was going out with someone? He had never felt this way, it was thrilling but scary.

Also, he didn't know how Hermione was doing to be able to spend so much time alone, the trio was usually inseparable but apparently, she had her ways to get to the Clock Tower to spend most of her time with him. Also, they were glancing at each other a lot in the Great Hall during the feasts, they couldn't help it. They were trying to not be too obvious but they couldn't help themselves.

Draco did everything he could to be close to her before going in the Hogwarts Express, they were walking just behind the trio. Still, he didn't know if he wanted to mock Potter just to make them look because he wanted to see Hermione's face. He was still very uncomfortable about what had happened and was spending the time he wasn't with Hermione avoiding Harry and the Weasel. Even Pansy hadn't said anything to them. In a way, Draco was glad Goyle actually mocked them loud enough for them to hear, even if he was frustrated to hear him talk about Hermione. He gritted his teeth but ended up smirking when he met Harry's eyes. He had to keep up appearances anyway or his friends would know something was different, even if they were quite stupid.

Draco knew Harry had actually helped him in the Forest, but he was only grateful to Hermione, really. Plus, they had promised so they wouldn't say anything, right? So, he played Goyle's game and just mocked Harry before he glanced at Hermione who didn't look as annoyed as usual. After all, she hadn't asked Draco to be softer with Harry and Ron. Firstly, it would have been too obvious, secondly, Draco would have probably never accepted and thirdly... Well, she didn't mind because she knew Harry and Ron wouldn't change, they didn't have any reason too. She was actually afraid it would get worse. It wasn't her business as long as they weren't going too far.

They parted ways once the trio had found a compartment. Hermione had been careful to climb in the train after her friends and Draco before his. Their hands briefly met before she walked in her compartment, hidden between their bodies and Draco just went to find one for him and his friends, repressing a smile. It would be the last physical contact they would have before seeing each other again after two months apart. What a great start for a relationship. Draco insulted himself. He should have talked to her before... But he didn't think that she knew about him at the time, it wouldn't have been easy. It would have been horrible, he would have never dared, too afraid she would reject him once knowing the truth. He was too proud to risk it. In his mind, he hadn't really had a choice. At least, she knew everything, and he had spend three of the best days of that school year with her.

He took his cold expression again when he opened the door where two first years Hufflepuff students were already. When he and his friends had chased them, he sat down, relieved as he sighed, looking out the window. It was only a few minutes after, when Pansy who was sitting next to him pressed his arm to make him notice they were talking to him, that he paid attention to what Crabbe was saying.

.

After the long journey, he got off the train, accompanied by Pansy. He was laughing with her when, looking up, he saw his parents waiting for him. He smiled before he said goodbye to Pansy, hugging her before she went to join her own parents. Draco walked quickly towards his and Narcissa hugged him, as always. Draco himself and his parents weren't displaying a lot of their affection in public, it was always by simple gestures, but his mother was always hugging him whenever he was coming back for the summer. He hugged her back, closing his eyes for a second as he smelled her perfume. Even that he had missed. When they broke the hug, Draco looked at his father. Ha, he wanted to hug him too, but he wouldn't.

"This was waiting for you at home, it arrived yesterday," Narcissa said and Draco looked at her again as she showed him the envelope she had in her hand. His name was written on it and Draco smirked. He didn't know he had get so used to so many things Lupin was doing during the year, but he recognized his handwriting. Draco felt joy in his stomach and he took the letter before he noticed that his father's eyes were drifting behind him. Draco looked over his shoulder only to see Harry, Ron and Hermione getting off the train. Like she knew, Hermione turned her head only to meet Draco's eyes. She didn't smile, though, seeing his father just behind him. She went to take her trunk with her friends and Draco felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's go home," Lucius said and Draco smirked, glancing one last time at Hermione's back. He turned around and started to walk with his parents, his father's hand going from his shoulder to his back for a moment, his own way of greeting him home in the middle of the station.

"We don't have much time, Honey, I want you to get ready when we get back, Severus comes for dinner," Narcissa told her son as she put her gloves back on. Right. Draco had forgotten that Snape was always coming for dinner on the last day of school. It was a way of thanking him for the help he was providing the family. And at the same time, it was more out of habit. Draco knew he would come over a few other times during the holidays. To see his father, or just because, oddly enough, his mother seemed to fancy drinking tea with him. And as usual, Draco would have to be present every time. Usually, he wasn't annoyed at all by that, but he still didn't want to see Snape. Or talk to him, simply.

But when they got back, he did as his mother had asked and he got ready for the evening after he had read carefully Lupin's letter. Glad to read that he was doing fine, he got dressed before he took some more time to write back.

The letter had been short, Lupin had seemed more concerned to know how Draco was doing than anything else, he had just written a few lines. Draco didn't even know how to call him exactly. Not professor anymore, that was for sure. Still, he couldn't bring himself to call him Remus. He skipped this inconvenience and wrote that he was doing better. That his wounds were healing really well and pretty quickly, that it wasn't hurting so much anymore. Well, his arm was still hurting him, because of the bite on his shoulder, but the other injuries were less painful already. Draco also wrote that he was right, that it wouldn't be the end of the world and that he was quite ashamed to have been so childish, crying about all of that. He felt like he had to explain himself, because he was really ashamed. He had lost it without wanting it. Too much anger, too much sadness and so little sleep, it had just been really nerve-racking. But he was fine, now. Especially since Lupin had directly written to him.

In the end of his letter, he couldn't help but ask about Lupin's situation, if he would be able to find another job. Then, he only put "Lupin" on the envelope, and gave it to his owl. When it would come back, he would write to Hermione. She had told him that she didn't have an owl outside Hogwarts, so she couldn't directly write to him, he had to begin. He just hoped Lupin wasn't too far away.

When he got downstairs, Snape was already there, talking with his mother and father, sitting on an armchair. He had to join them and he sat on the sofa near his mother, taking his own cup of tea and not even glancing at Snape. Lucius, who was sitting on another armchair, directly noticed that Draco seemed a bit tense but said nothing, he just glanced at him from time to time.

It wasn't the first time Draco was mad at Severus, even if the last time it had happened, Draco had been a kid. Still, Lucius could tell. Draco wasn't joining in the conversation, he wasn't looking at Severus, he was instead staring at his tea, not even at his parents. Draco had seemed to be in a really good mood when he had got off the train, he just seemed to feel better. Lucius could remember how Draco was acting during Easter and his son had worried him. He just thought that if he had to complain about something, he would have done so already. But seeing his behavior with Severus, Lucius wasn't so sure anymore. He narrowed his eyes as he glanced at Severus but he didn't do anything. He would have time to talk with Draco later.

He also saw Draco's eye twitching when Narcissa mentioned his low grades to Severus. Draco glanced at his father and was surprised to see him staring at him. He didn't seem angry about his grades at that moment, he could even detect an ounce of curiosity in his eyes.

"He had been a bit distracted this year, that is true," Snape said coolly before he sipped his tea. "But I am sure things will be different next year."

Draco couldn't help but wrinkle his nose as he stopped looking at his father.

"Only if he doesn't get too distracted by the tournament," Lucius said, putting his cup on the little table in front of the sofa. Draco turned his head to look at him again, showing for the first time some interest in the conversation.

"What tournament?" He couldn't help but ask. Lucius knew it would change Draco's mood immediately.

"The Triwizard Tournament, of course," he said in an offhand manner.

"Are you serious?" Draco asked, looking like he was about to get up. But he didn't, he just looked at his mother, his eyebrows raised before he looked at his father again. This one nodded, still looking very relaxed before he finally glanced at his son.

"Do I look like I am joking, Draco?" Still, Draco laughed a little. He had been right thinking the next year would be better than this one. "But, obviously, you will abstain yourself from talking about it to your friends before the end of the holidays," Lucius added and Draco nodded, still smiling.

"There's something more," Narcissa said as she looked at her son, sipping her tea. As Draco turned his head to look at his mother, he met Snape's eyes for a brief instant. This one had his lips curled up, but he wasn't displaying any kind of good mood. It was his usual cold smile and Draco looked away.

"What is it?" Draco asked, eager to know right away.

"Really, Cissa, right now? He's already so excited, he's not going to sleep tonight," Lucius said. Narcissa gave him a little smile and Draco frowned, looking at his father.

"Hey, I'm not a kid anymore, I can manage!" He said, actually sounding very childish. Lucius' lips curled up as he took his wand out of his cane, barely waving it. Something came at them to go in Lucius' hand. He handed it to Draco.

Draco took the tickets directly, almost spilling his tea.

"You got places for the World Cup?" He asked his father. And really great places too.

"You sound surprised," Lucius said as he leaned on his seat again. Draco chuckled and shook a bit his head. "Of course I got some, I understood you really wanted to go."

.

"So, what is it with you and Severus?" Lucius asked as he stopped at Draco's door, which was opened. Draco was almost ready to go have a great night of sleep and was already in his pajamas. Snape had left almost an hour before and he had gone in his room after having spent some time with his parents. He faced his father.

"What do you mean?" He asked before he walked towards his bedside table, removing his ring and putting it on the book he was currently reading. On it was already his ticket for the World Cup, he couldn't wait.

"I mean you being mad at him," Lucius said as he walked in his son's huge room.

"I'm not mad at him," Draco said, staring at the ring for a few seconds before he sat on his bed. Lucius considered him for a moment before he glanced at his right arm. Draco being in a black t-shirt, the scars on his forearm were visible and he could also see the bandage on his shoulder, showing that this injury was way more recent than the other one. Lucius looked down for a second. He had learnt to be "fine" with Draco's condition. At least, he had learnt to live with it, knowing it was most horrible for his son anyway. But knowing that he was hurting himself, that he was suffering every months, that he was struggling because of the situation... And that it was because of him, Lucius couldn't accept it, he had never been able to. It didn't matter if Draco had told him it would be fine from all of his ten years of age, because Lucius knew that he wasn't fine. And knowing that his son wasn't fine was the worst. Draco was the most precious thing he had in his life, with his wife. They were above everything.

When Narcissa had given birth to Draco, Lucius had cried. When he had held Draco for the first time in his arms, a bit clumsily but very carefully, he had promised himself he would make this little guy the most happiest boy on earth. When Draco had gripped his finger for the first time, his heart had exploded in his chest and when Draco had smiled at him for the first time, Lucius hadn't been able to know if he would be able to find something more reassuring in his life. And knowing that he had ruined his life...

He sat down next to his son.

"The last time you were mad at him, you were... Seven?" Lucius said, looking up for a second, trying to remember exactly when it was. A little smile slowly appeared on his face. "Yes. Almost eight, actually. You didn't want to stop pulling his robes," Lucius said, still a bit amused when he was thinking about Draco's face when Severus had told him to stop for the umpteenth time. But that had been the last one, because he had actually scared Draco. He knew how to do that, Severus. And even if it gave everyone a good laugh, Draco had been so mad at him that he had ignored him for the rest of the day, like he had done during the whole evening. But as a kid, he had also been pouting most of the time and glaring at him in a very non-intimidating way when Severus was mentioning him. Even if Draco had certainly grown up, he was still obvious when annoyed by someone. "Trust me, I remember how you were acting. I know when you're mad at him. So, what is it?"

"Why don't you ask the betrayer you call a friend?" Draco asked, annoyed again. He didn't look at his father, he even turned his head to stare at the wall behind his huge bed as he sighed heavily. Lucius narrowed his eyes and after a short second of hesitation, he raised his hand to place it on the back of Draco's neck. Draco took a deep breath and he tilted a bit his head, finally slowly turning it to glance at his father. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Alright," Lucius simply said. Draco raised his eyebrows as he met his father eyes. "But you will still have to deal with him this summer. And at school next year. And the year after. And-"

"I get it," Draco said quietly before he looked in front of him. He knew what his father wanted him to understand. Maybe he needed to face the problem, or at least talk about it, find a solution. But he couldn't tell his father about Lupin, could he? He knew he could trust his father, but the situation was... too special. If he was telling his father about what had happened, he knew how it would sound like. Like it was, really; Snape had so wanted to get rid of Lupin that he hadn't cared if the students were finding out for Draco at the same time. When he felt Lucius removing his hand from his neck, Draco directly muttered, "He's selfish..."

Lucius stared at him for a second before he looked away, thinking. He didn't touch Draco again, though.

"Aren't we all?"

They both stayed silent for a whole minute, Draco staring at the opened door and Lucius looking around the room without moving his head. Draco had always kept his room simple. Well, it was huge and clearly luxurious but you couldn't really tell what Draco's hobbies were by looking at it. He was very organized, he had learnt to be so when he was younger. On his desk were some books he had never wanted to add to the library. It was some he had bought himself, about his interests. About creatures, mainly. But they were forming a neat pile on the furniture, near his quill and three rolls of parchment.

"Why is there so many rules against us?" Draco finally asked, looking down. Lucius understood directly what his son had meant by "us". He also knew about the new legislation, of course, he was the one who had told Draco about it. He couldn't just say to Draco that it was because people thought they were all dangerous. Because Draco knew it already. Because Draco knew that they were dangerous when they didn't have the same treatment and environment as he had. And even with that kind of life, they were too unpredictable. The one that had attacked Draco was like him, sort of. Good family, he was locked for every cycle and had the potion. And still, he had been a real danger for Draco's life.

Lucius stared at his son for a few seconds before Draco looked at him too. "Why am I still here?"

Again, he felt Lucius' hand on his neck, but a bit higher. He felt his father's fingers in his hair and enjoyed the contact without showing it. It was making him feel safer, like every time his father was touching him. He knew he would always be there to protect him. He had had the same feeling with Lupin in the hospital, when Lupin had touched his neck to comfort him. Draco had had plenty of physical affection when he was younger, maybe that's why he was seeking physical contacts whenever he was afraid or distressed. He was used to his father or his mother keeping him in their arms when the night was too difficult, when he couldn't stop crying and that he couldn't stop shaking. Lupin had understood that, Draco was sure of it. That's why he had caressed his neck, that's why he had hugged him to make him calm down. Draco felt like an animal Lupin had been able to tame, but he didn't really care, because he knew Lupin was genuine.

"You know exactly why you are still here," Lucius said.

"Because you need an heir?" Draco muttered. Even though Lucius didn't break the physical contact between them, he looked at his son like he had been slightly offended. He narrowed his eyes.

"I will need to talk to your mother if she keeps thinking you've got her brains," he said quietly. Draco didn't really react, he just kept staring at his father for a few seconds.

"Then, why? I don't get it."

"What don't you get?" Lucius asked. He thought it was obvious. How could Draco doubt they loved him enough to disregard their beliefs when it came to him?

"You still believe in all of this, right? You still want me to marry a pureblood and..." Draco looked down for a second. He wasn't actually scared to talk about it, and at the same time... he was petrified. "Whatever we do, it will not change what I am. It's not the same, you know it, right? You know I'm not like you or like mom," he said. He wasn't saying "mom" a lot. Almost never, actually. He had stopped calling her "mommy" when he had started to grow up. When he was using this word, it was often when he was experiencing some kind of distress and Lucius knew that.

"What's your point?" Lucius asked, wanting his son to get the words out.

"It... It makes no sense..."

There was another moment of silence. Lucius used it to look at his son's face carefully. He had changed during one year. He was used to see his son really tired, but there was something more this time. The more Draco was growing up and the more he was asking questions about this kind of things, which Lucius and Narcissa could easily understand. But not easily answer. Like Draco had said, it didn't make any sense. They could disregard their beliefs for him, and at the same time, they couldn't get the idea of him marrying a pureblood out of their mind, because it was what was supposed to happen. And there was no doubt in Lucius' mind that Draco was doubting those beliefs. After all, why would he believe all of that, when that was one of the reason people like his parents were hating werewolves? Even simple wizards were very uncomfortable with them. His family wasn't supposed to accept him because of that.

Lucius could understand. But not really accept him marrying someone not worthy of the Malfoy's name. He also knew that it didn't make any sense because if they were still thinking that anyone who wasn't a pureblood was disgusting, deep down, they ought to think Draco was disgusting, even if they were saying that they loved him. Hence the fact that Draco thought he was just there because they didn't have any other kid.

"You don't believe in our blood anymore?" Lucius asked, rather calmly. Draco looked down for a second, trying to find the right words, before he met his father's eyes again.

"It's not really my blood anymore, is it?" he finally said with difficulty. His voice had sounded a bit strangled. Lucius didn't really look disappointed, he just sighed. He didn't look angry either. He had the same curious look as he had had earlier that evening and Draco didn't dare speak another word. In the end, and after long seconds that seemed to last forever, Lucius simply nodded. He could see where his son was coming from. He wasn't expecting less from a boy like Draco.

He had always seen him stuck in his own head, his mind always working. He was always thinking about everything, worrying about things he shouldn't worry about. No, he wasn't expecting less from him. But he never thought they would have this conversation that soon.

He knew what Draco had meant with this simple sentence. That he wasn't pure like the rest of his family. That whatever they might do, even make him marry a pureblood, they knew that he wasn't pure. It would never make him pure again. Narcissa, Draco and him would always know that it was only some kind of masquerade. And no pureblood worthy of the name would actually consider marrying Draco, arranged marriage or not, because it would make them traitors. And then, the word would be out, they would all know. Lucius knew that if they had to be honest with themselves, they were already blood-traitors, in a way. They were just pretending. They wanted to keep their privileges and they wanted their son to have them, they wanted their son to have the life they had always had, the life he had always deserved to have. Lucius always knew that. Narcissa always knew that. They just avoided talking about it with Draco, even if they had talked about it with each other more than once.

Narcissa had also talked about what Draco had said during the Easter holidays. And now, he seemed to be thinking about that even more than before. And like her, Lucius had said that it wasn't like he had to marry someone right away. That he wasn't even dating anyone yet. That they could at least pretend a little longer. They kind of knew how it would turn out, in the end.

It was inevitable.

But they just wanted him to enjoy their position until he would really think about getting married. Before he would really fall in love.

Lucius was about to talk when he heard footsteps and he glanced towards the door before meeting his son's eyes again. Draco gave him a very shy smile, visibly embarrassed and Lucius felt the urge to tell him that he wasn't mad at him, but he didn't. He just let his hand rest on the back of his neck again, pressed it softly and looked at Narcissa as she walked in the room, removing her earrings.

"Are you boys alright?" She asked as she saw her husband and son. Again, Draco only smiled shyly, at her this time, and Lucius slowly nodded before he glanced at his son again.

"Of course we are," he said calmly before he stood up, Draco quickly looking at him.

"I see," Narcissa said as she walked towards her son. "I wanted to say good night."

Draco smiled at her, more genuinely this time, as she leaned to kiss his forehead. Draco couldn't help but softly grip her wrists as he closed his eyes. Narcissa felt Lucius' hand on her back and she straightened up again, smiling at her son.

"Good night," Draco said quietly before he glanced at his father.

.

"Draco! It's time to go!" He heard his mother call from the Manor. Even if she was far away, he heard her perfectly at this time of the month. He got out of his reverie, blinking before he looked behind him. It was time to go to the World Cup. He looked at the creature at his feet and gave him a few more caresses before he finally got up and hurried towards the Manor. He heard the steps of the Curp behind him and he stopped running. He turned around as he chuckled and he kept walking backwards as he looked at the dog-like creature which was jumping happily behind him.

"You cannot come there, mate, Mother is not going to appreciate. Go," he said, waving his hand to tell it to go away. The Curp seemed to understand and it stopped, raising its ears like it was listening carefully. "Go on," Draco said as he waved again. The Curp didn't go away but it didn't follow Draco either. He had started to run towards his house again and walked only when he arrived near the opened French window. He walked in with the same little smile he had had on his face most of the time during that summer, which was kind of a change.

His mother had noticed as soon as he had got off the Hogwarts Express with Pansy before reaching Lucius and her. He just looked like he was feeling good, not like he had looked during the Easter holidays. Still, she had noticed he wasn't using one of his arm much and she wondered if something else, something bad, had happened. When she had asked if he had hurt himself, he had mumbled something about Quidditch but she wondered if that was it. Draco was really uncomfortable when it came to talk about his transformations but she also knew that he was a danger not only for the others, but for himself too during those nights. But Draco knew that if he wanted to talk to her, he could. He had done it in the past and he would do it if he had too. With this thought, Narcissa had left her boy alone with his secrets, knowing that growing up, he probably needed some privacy. And she didn't want him to stop smiling by talking about things that might annoy him, so she just didn't.

"What were you doing? You know we have to go," Narcissa said as she put her cloak on, not on a reproachful tone though. Draco smirked as he approached.

"Nothing, just walking, breathing the fresh air," he said, walking past his mother to go towards the big front doors. She was following him, the sound her high heels made at every steps resonating in the hallway. She narrowed her eyes for less than a second.

"Were you with that Crup again?" She asked and Draco smiled a bit more.

"It's not my fault if he keeps coming back," he said innocently. Narcissa let out a really small sigh. It wasn't annoyance, more like despair mixed with amusement. She knew what Draco had in mind and she knew that if he wasn't asking directly, it was because playing his little game was entertaining him.

"It wouldn't come back if you hadn't fed it all summer," she said. Draco shrugged.

"Or maybe he just likes the manor, you know. Why can't we take him in? I'll look after him."

And here he was. Narcissa shook her head. What was she going to do with this boy?

"Let me remind you that you are away during the year. I am going to have to look after it," she said, not really annoyed, as she stopped near her son. They just had to wait for Lucius and they could Apparate nearby the campsite.

Draco had had this conversation with his mother three times already during that summer, even if until there, he had never actually expressed his wish of adopting the creature. She wasn't one to say no to her son, never. Lucius and her had always spoiled Draco, had always said yes to everything and she knew this time wouldn't be different. Still, she thought it might be a bit useless to get him the Crup. He couldn't take it at school so he wouldn't really be able to take care of it. Still, she had almost proposed to take it in herself when she had seen the glow in Draco's eyes when he had come back in the Manor talking about this adorable puppy he had seen outside. Then, he got out pretty quickly to go give it something to eat, hoping it was still there. He had been in a good mood for the rest of the day, even after it left. Draco liked magical creatures.

No, Draco loved magical creatures. She hadn't been surprised when she learned he had chosen Care of Magical Creatures for his third year, along with another class. Hence, she hadn't been surprised to see him check out the window if he wasn't seeing something move outside. She hadn't been surprised to hear an excited "Look! It came back!" the second time the little Crup had been in the huge garden. And since it came back again, and that Draco was feeding it every time to make sure it would want to come back, her son had started to drop hints of how nice it would be to have it in their home. Lucius had grimaced and ignored him not to enter in the conversation at first, focusing on staring at his newspaper and leaving Narcissa to deal with Draco all by herself. She had put her cup of tea on the table and tried to talk Draco out of it. He acted like he hadn't asked anything before he left the room in a hurry, a quill in his hand and some parchments in the other. As soon as he had left, Narcissa had looked at her husband like she was about to reprimand him but she didn't. She saw the amusement in his eyes and she couldn't. Those boys were going to drive her mad. She had shaken her head and Lucius had told her that Draco might get over it after a week or two and that if he wasn't getting over it, he would see what he could do to get a license. Then, he had pressed her hand before drinking his own tea. Again, they would say yes. They would always say yes.

Draco deserved the world.

"Well, I only see the peacocks during the holidays and I don't see anyone complaining," Draco said as he shrugged again before he crossed his arms. Narcissa considered him for a moment before she pinched the bridge of her nose. The Malfoys men and their animals were really something.

"Yes, well... They are your father," she said and Draco couldn't help but snort. "Besides, those are just animals. You're asking me to take care of a Beast. You need a license."

"I'm just saying. It's really young and alone. It's not supposed to walk around alone, it's supposed to have a family," Draco said, trying to look as innocent as he was trying to sound. His mother didn't fall for it and sighed. "Father can get the license easily."

"Draco, please," Narcissa said and Draco smiled. She took a deep breath. She hated having to say no to Draco, that's why she was never refusing anything. His face looked too good when she was saying yes.

The glow in his eyes was too beautiful when she was accepting whatever he was asking for. It was reminding her of those moments they were spending together when he was younger. Sure, they were still doing things together, and Draco was still very affectionate, but he didn't need anyone to push the swing anymore. He actually wasn't using the swing anymore. But she had always loved going on those walks with him, watching him run around and laugh before seeing him coming back to take her hand and make her walk a bit faster, looking at her with those brilliant grey eyes he had. They didn't have that same glow since he had been attacked, but during those moments, she could swear nothing around them was existing. She was meeting his eyes and she could only hear his laugh, his voice, she could only feel the both of them. And she was feeling more proud than ever, because she knew her little boy was as happy as Lucius and her wanted him to be.

She looked behind Draco as she saw Lucius arriving, the man she loved as much as she loved Draco. She met her son's eyes again and slightly smiled.

"Look, I already talked with your father about the license, actually," she said. And seeing Draco's expression, she hurried to add, "But only-! Only if you do better at school than last year. Do I need to remind you about your grades?" Draco grimaced, even if they both knew it wasn't really a condition, he had won anyway.

"No, you don't," he said as he hid his hands in his pockets, a bit annoyed as he looked away.

Finally, she had been able to stop the conversation. Plus, even if she had upset Draco with this remark, she soon saw him smile at her again.

"Let's go now," she said when Lucius had reached them. She felt his hand on her back and she looked at him. Then, she felt Draco's tight grip on her arm and they all Disapparated. He was so excited. The only thing that was annoying him that year was that he would probably not play Quidditch during school. And at the same time, it wasn't so bad, he still hadn't figured out how he would change in front of his teammates.

.

Now, he just needed to wait for Hermione. In the miniature palace they were using as a tent, Draco was thinking about it all, laying on the bed he would use. He absolutely needed to see her, it had been too long. They had been writing to each other all summer long, of course, but they hadn't been able to see each other. They knew it would happen but they were both bitter about it. Officially, they had been going out for two months, now, but had only spent three days together. It was infuriating for Draco. But he kept thinking that it was alright, because that very day, the 25th of August, was their two months anniversary, and this time they would be able to see each other. At least, he hoped so.

They hadn't been able to talk during a few days already. Hermione had said that she was invited to the Quidditch World Cup by the Weasleys and since she would go there at least the day before, they shouldn't send each other letters anymore during the last week before school or Ron might recognize Draco's owl. He had been really bothered by the fact that she was going to spend the rest of the summer there. Not that he was jealous or anything, it was just some kind of disgust when he was thinking about this family, he couldn't help it. Fine, maybe he was also a bit jealous that they got to spend time with her when he couldn't, but he could live with it, he guessed. And at the same time, knowing that made him happy because he knew he would at least see her at the World Cup, maybe even be able to talk to her, if he was lucky enough.

So, he had answered to her letter for the last time, including a long and white feather in the envelope. He hadn't explained why in the letter, she would understand the meaning later, once at the World Cup. As soon as Hermione had received the letter, and even if she couldn't understand why he had sent this feather, she had found herself taking it with her at the Weasleys. She had packed everything for Hogwarts and had put the feather in her bag, carefully not to damage it, before leaving her place.

Once Harry, the Weasleys and her had arrived at the World cup, though, she understood. She understood because she was staring at all those tents and she noticed it. She noticed the little palace, she noticed the white peacocks in front of it. She understood that it was the Malfoys' tent. Her heart was beating fast, knowing that he might be only a few feet away from her, inside that tent.

When they got out of their own tent, later, Hermione couldn't help but glance to see if she wasn't seeing Draco anywhere. That's only after walking around for some time with Ginny that she saw him coming out of his tent. He seemed taller than the year before and Hermione stopped, catching Ginny's attention. When she looked at Draco too, the redhead grinned and took her friend by the arm.

"Come on, it's fine, act natural, wait for him to see you," she said, shaking her head as they walked not too far from his tent. Draco had stopped outside, apparently looking around. He spotted the girls after a few seconds. Apparently, Ginny was talking with Hermione but she wasn't paying too much attention, she couldn't help but glance at Draco. Their eyes met and Draco really wanted to walk towards them and kiss Hermione. Instead, after they had stupidly looked at each other for a moment, Draco walked away. He walked towards the woods, hands in his pockets. He walked away from everyone and hoped Hermione would follow. That's only after a few minutes that Ginny let Hermione go, not wanting her to be too obvious. The others knew that they were visiting the campsite together, so they wouldn't wonder where Hermione was as long as they didn't find Ginny, but Hermione still had to be very careful.

.

"Draco?" Hermione called quietly as she walked between the trees. He didn't answer. She looked around and kept walking, crossing her arms. "Draco?" She called again, barely louder. She walked past the tree Draco was hiding behind and the boy walked around it, ending up behind Hermione.

"You called?" He asked with a little smile. He almost fell when Hermione turned around and threw herself in his arms. He laughed, hugging her back, closing his eyes and resting his head against hers.

It took them longer than they thought to finally break apart. But Draco directly hold her hands, smiling at her. It was so weird, they were still so awkward. Hermione, beaming, grinned at her boyfriend.

"I missed you," she let out quietly and Draco tried to stop himself from grinning before he leaned to kiss her softly, holding her hands tighter.

"I missed you too," he whispered after breaking the kiss, looking at her again. She was so pretty, he could stare at her all day long. "And... Well, happy anniversary, by the way," he said. Was it stupid? Did he have to wish this kind of anniversary? He didn't even know, but the date had been stuck in his head for a long time. And when he heard Hermione giggling, he couldn't help but smile.

"It's so unfair we didn't get to spend any time together this summer..." She said. Draco tilted his head.

"I think it was to prepare you for what will come next," Draco said, freeing one of her hand as he sat on the ground, resting his back against the tree. Hermione immediately joined him, still holding his other hand.

"What do you mean?" She asked, frowning a little.

"You have an entire school year of Draco Malfoy waiting for you, starting in five days, I mean..."

"You're right, I need to be prepared," Hermione laughed before she shook her head.

"Right you are," Draco said with a smirk before Hermione leaned to kiss him briefly again. She really had missed him. He looked tired, she knew the cycle would happen three days after but she was glad he was able to watch the final. She was happy that he was there and that they were able to spend some time together, even if it was for only a few minutes, probably not more.

.

And she was right, they didn't stay there for too long, but long enough to talk a bit more, to exchange some kisses and hold hands as Hermione blushed in front of Draco's silliness. They ended up by kissing each other goodbye, knowing it was probably the only occasion they had had to talk. Later, the match would begin and they would all leave early the next day.

Hermione left the woods first, finding Ginny not long after and joining the others in front of the tent. And after a few minutes, Draco left the woods too, walking towards the campsite with his hands deep in his pockets again. He walked towards the tents, noticing the little group talking not so far away. Ron noticed him and gave him a nasty glare. Harry saw him too but didn't show any annoyance, nor any sympathy. Then, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George looked at him too. Ron glanced at the woods, then at Draco again, meeting his eyes. Draco smirked and, looking as arrogant as ever, he walked towards his tent under the group's gaze.

That's when Hermione noticed a woman who was apparently about to enter the tent but whose attention was caught by Draco. When he arrived, she put her hand on his back and let him go in first before she walked in. She had recognized her. She had never seen her before, but she had the same arrogant look Draco had been wearing a second before. If Draco was looking a lot like his father, he certainly got his attitude from his mother. He had mentioned her in two of his letters during the summer, and from what Hermione could tell, he was respecting her as much as he was respecting his father. He clearly adored his parents as much as they adored him and she felt weird, knowing that he was hiding their relationship from them because they probably wouldn't approve.