Author's note: This is a bit of a buffer chapter. The first half is essentially a dramatic dream/nightmare sequence and the remaining half can be apltly renamed "Andromeda" but please do let me know what you think.

Thank you so much to all the reviewers I really appreciate your reviews and suggestions. The next chapter is more meaty with lots of Dramione but until then, please enjoy the drama.

Chapter 11

It was a beautifully sunny afternoon and the theme park was extremely busy. There were children running amid hot dog and ice cream stands that were completely inundated with orders. The fun rides had long queues and there were plenty of costumed mascots walking the park taking pictures with the various visitors. Hermione was in complete bliss. Flanked on either side by her parents, she skipped along the side path, leading them towards the roller coasters. She twirled around in her yellow daffodils dress, enjoying the way the skirt rose up. Her parents had gotten her this dress for her tenth birthday and this visit to the theme park was her birthday treat.

She looked around, careful not to miss any new ride or show. "Look Mum! It's Belle!" she exclaimed, pointing at a theme park worker dressed as her favourite Disney princess. "Can I get a picture please?" she pleaded, her buckteeth standing out as she flashed them a wide smile. "Of course darling", her mother replied softly, releasing her grip on Hermione's hand. Hermione ran towards Belle loudly exclaiming, "Please, may I have a photo with you". The Disney princess turned around, looked down at her and whispered, "of course Mudblood."

Hermione gasped as she stared into Bellatrix's eyes. She spun around and tried to run only to find that she was paralysed. She watched helplessly as Bellatrix in a yellow Belle dress, bent down and posed for a picture with her. Panicking, Hermione tried to call out to her parents, to warn them only to find that they had disappeared. In their place stood, Harry, Ron and Ginny, who appeared to be deep in conversation. Were they planning a wedding? She watched, rooted to the floor, Bellatrix grinning maniacally next to her, as Ginny described the floral arrangement to the boys. Hermione looked around in vain. If only, she could locate her wand.

"Looking for this?" a voice called out from her left. She found herself staring at Kingsley who was twirling her wand in his hand. "After you" he gestured, alluding to an open tent flap. She found herself walking towards it, pleasantly surprised that she could move now. She didn't dare to look back at 'Belle' as she hurried into the tent which was completely WHITE. The interior of the tent was covered in white paint. It was a shoddy, patchwork kind of a paint job that made the interiors look extraordinarily depressing. At the other end of the tent, stood...Was that Councillor Farringer?. He leered at her and waved her wand at her. "Where's Kinglsey.." she began formulating just as Farringer disintegrated into black smoke which rushed towards her.

In a blind panic, she turned back, straining to find a way out but the entrance was nowhere in sight. The black smoke wove itself into tendrils that gripped her arms and legs. She writhed against the tendrils in desperation, her anxiety worsening. She could hear laughter, Missy's voice whispering horrendous things, teasing her and wishing her and Malfoy dead. The room began spinning as she willed herself to find a way out. Reminiscent of her childhood bursts of magic, she felt a deep rush through her body, pulsating against her skin as blue flames burst through burning into the black coils against her body. Free of the dark magic, Hermione sprinted across the room in search of an escape route. She could sense someone chasing her although she couldn't be sure of their identity. She ran faster, loath to look around, when she spotted yellow light flashing from a quiet corner. She broke into a sprint, her sport shoes and track pants aiding her fast movement. When did she change her clothes? Momentarily surprised at the change in her attire, Hermione stumbled and fell. Just before she touched the ground, however she found herself floating.

She was in the air, riding a dragon. How did she escape the tent? They flew over Hogwarts, passed by Diagon Alley and they even flew past her primary school. Hermione could feel the adrenaline running through her veins. She needed to get out of whatever nightmare she was trapped in. She looked ahead and found herself staring at the looming silhouette of Malfoy Manor. The dragon dropped height and flew closer to the ground as if aware of Hermione's need to reach solid ground. Hermione shifted herself across the dragon's long body and dropped to the ground crashing into a well-maintained garden.

"Welcome Mrs Malfoy. How may I serve you today?" Hermione looked up, shocked and alarmed to see Dobby in a pink tuxedo with blue sock prints all over it. This must be the Malfoy Manor gardens. To her greater horror, she realised that Dobby was addressing her as 'Mrs Malfoy'. But before she could address the issue, a sudden large gaping red stain appeared on Dobby's side. "Dobby!" she wanted to scream but found herself voiceless. All she could do was stare in dismay as he fell to the ground in slow motion softly whispering "I am a free elf". She knelt to the ground, tears running down her face as she cradled his body in her arms. She blinked away her tears and shook her head a little. She tightened her grip against Dobby who's body only seemed to be becoming heavier and heavier. She craned her neck in the direction of the house, trying to see if she could spot anyone who can help treat the wound.

"Granger" a soft voice whimpered. She looked down only to see that Dobby had transformed into the familiar form of Draco Malfoy who was now draped across her lap in a vision similar to that at the Ministry, the only difference being that the blood from his chest wound had seeped all over her clothes. She opened her mouth in shock as Malfoy pleaded with her to help him. Even as she started into his shimmering silver eyes, she could feel the scenery around her changing once more. She was still looking into Draco's fearful eyes, but now he was standing over her body as she lay in the drawing room of the Manor, clutching her scarred arm. She heard a soul wrenching scream cut across the room and it was only when she saw Draco's pained expression that she realised that it was coming from her.

Hermione woke up drenched in sweat, her heart pumping, and the remains of actual tears that had stained her face. The visuals had felt so real. She was used to nightmares that didn't let her sleep but this particular one had been particularly excruciating. She needed a distraction, perhaps some hot cocoa.

She pushed the duvet away from her body and sat up. She found herself looking at the letters at her bedside. One from the Australian Occlumency MediLab (AOM) which detailed her parent's recovery. The gist being that they were still in magically induced comas but the mediwitches were working hard on returning their memories to them. Sometimes Hermione wondered if she did the right thing, obliviating them but she was more concerned about the ethics of returning their memories to them. They had been happy in Australia and now they were horizontally confined to hospital beds. Another tear rolled down her cheek. She shifted through the papers on her bedside, setting aside her Hogwarts eighth year letter and the thank you letter from Mrs Malfoy, choosing instead to stare at the photo of her standing at Disneyland, posing exuberantly next to Belle, her parents on either side of them. She had chosen this photo among many others, to send to the AOM to aid them in their treatment but after that nightmare, she needed to see the woman playing Belle. Even though she knew it was impossible, Hermione found herself searching for similarities between the woman and Bellatrix, satisfied only when she realised that the actress playing Belle looked about 16.

Hermione shoved the photo back into its envelope and made her way to the kitchen. Ron had predictably had a complete meltdown when they had returned from the Ministry and had packed his bags and dramatically made his way back to the Burrow. This had been over a week ago and Ginny told her that he was now spending all his time with George, even talking about turning down the Auror position in favour of helping George at the Weasley Wizarding Weezes. Hermione refused to take responsibility over this but she still felt a bit guilty. Moreover this also meant that Ginny had secretly replaced Ron as Harry's new roommate. Hermione was definitely happy for them but it didn't change the fact that she was now aware of how lonely and sad she was. To make matters worse, Harry was clearly feeling incredibly guilty about her situation, so Hermione had to pretend that everything was fine. She had taken to avoiding Harry by spending all her time babysitting Teddy or pouring over various books and documents regarding Poena Magnum.

She walked into the kitchen to a picture of serenity. Andromeda sat by the fireplace, singing to a sleepy Teddy in her arms. Hermione gingerly walked to the kitchen counter and sat on a stool with an acknowledging nod at Andromeda. The lyrics sounded latin and Hermione didn't understand the meaning behind the song but it sounded beautiful and serene but there was a vague sense of sadness underlying the tones of the music. She applauded silently when Andromeda finished the song.

"I just came to make myself some hot chocolate. Would you like some?"

"That would be nice dear. Teddy still hasn't learnt to sleep at night." Andromeda replied smiling softly as she threw a fond look at Teddy, whom she gently placed in a baby basinet by the fireplace.

"What was the song about?" Hermione enquired as she spelled the water in the kettle, "It was beautiful but sad.."".

"It's a song about forbidden love. The song follows the journey of two lovers who fight valiantly against their families to stay together but it has an unhappy end. Ironically, I learnt it from my mother. She used to sing it to Cissy when she was a Teddy's age."

Hermione added the chocolate powder and began stirring. "What happens to the lovers in the end?"

Andromeda stared into the fire stoically. She turned to look at Hermione and shrugged, "They died, in each other's arms. My mother never sang the final verse. I only found out years later, when I was singing to Tonks." Andromeda smirked as she continued, "Ted used to find the irony hilarious."

Hermione smiled gently as she handed Andromeda her cup. She sat on the rug by the bassinet and sipped the drink slowly. They both sat there, content to remain silent, lost in their own thoughts. It was one of the many things Hermione liked about Andromeda. She was never nosy or asked uncomfortable things. Instead she was smart, helpful and comforting.

Finally Andromeda broke the silence, "I plan to go back to my house once you leave for Hogwarts. I got a notice from the Aurors that they are done ransacking my house in the name of rebuilding."

"Oh, Harry is going to be so disappointed. He was looking forward to staying with you next year." Hermione whispered.

"I know" Andromeda sighed. "I expect him to be, but he is going to be so busy with his Auror traineeship that he will forget all about us. Plus, I don't think I can handle this house when you are all gone and all of Tonk's old things are still in at home...along will all the memories". Andromeda wistfully stared into space and Hermione was left with a feeling of pity and compassion.

"I'll come by in the holidays and help out. We all will" promised Hermione, when she realised that Andromeda had quite made up her mind.

Andromeda slowly leaned forward and looked Hermione in the eye, "My dear, I am not blind to the fact that you have your own problems right now." She continued to stare Hermione down, "This boy, is he really worth it?"

Hermione swallowed. "You mean Draco?" she clarified quietly.

Andromeda didn't respond but there was a slight nod.

"He isn't the nicest person but he doesn't deserve to die." Hermione blinked and took a sip of her hot chocolate. Staring into the depth of her cup, she whispered, "Strange as it may be, he saved my life now and in his own way, I don't think he ever wanted to harm Harry or me."

Andromeda nodded, obviously satisfied with her answer. "I know my sister. She was the quietest among us but also the most cunning. If you intend to meet her to discuss your impending engagement, I will be happy to accompany you."

Hermione looked startled. Sure the Daily Prophet had reported news about their engagement but she was surprised at how Andromeda could have know that Narsissa had cleverly sneaked a request to discuss the details of the engagement in person when she sent the thank you letter.

"Mrs Ma..Narcissa wrote that she's free during tea time any day I want and that she think we should have a large public engagement before we return to Hogwarts" Hermione confessed with a sigh.

Andromeda snorted. "Only free during tea time? Why, what other work can she possibly have. If you want my opinion, we should meet her for lunch tomorrow. That is, if you would like me to accompany you. Also never let her dictate the terms." Andromeda shook her head, in amusement.

"I agree" replied Hermione, surprising even herself. She had kept the contents of the letter from everyone, willing even herself to forget but now that she had Andromeda's support, Hermione felt an urgent need to complete the unappealing task of interacting with her potential future mother-in-law.

"And the public engagement? I saw that in Kingsley's statement too but how do you feel about it?"

"It was a condition placed by the Ministry. I think they want everyone to see their efficiency in passing judgement and they are using us for the task. It is something that I had to unfortunately commit too but I think it may be a good idea to get it done with openly. Anyway, it's going to be a farce, the real power was in the document we signed and literally bled over" she shrugged, thinking back to the blood bond they had created at the Ministry. "Actually I was hoping that the engagement could be on the Saturday, one day before we return to Hogwarts."

Andromeda nodded. "That's a sound idea. I would recommend that you get some sleep. We have a lot of strategising to do tomorrow. And am I to assume that Harry and Ginny will be accompanying us?"

Hermione frowned slightly, "I haven't discussed this with them" she confessed. "I don't want Harry to feel any more guilt over this and Ginny...I love them a lot but I don't think I can do this with them around. I am not so sure I even want them to know."

Andromeda peered over Teddy as she rearranged his blanket, "If we hide from the ones we love, will we ever truly live? Do you think it's wise to hide this from them given everything that has passed."

"Umm..."

"Perhaps this may change your mind but I love Cissy. She was there for me when I ran away with Teddy. A lot of things have changed since then but I have babysat for Draco like you are with Teddy now. I love my sister but I hate her too and while I promise to ensure that I will fight for what you want out of this engagement, I may be using this as an opportunity to touch base with my long lost sister."

Hermione blinked. This was the one thing about Andromeda that made Hermione wary, Andromeda wasn't just smart, she was a sly, manipulative Slytherin through and through but Hermione had gotten to know her well enough in the last few months to know that she would never cause her harm. Andromeda only used her slyness to persuade Harry into getting a haircut, Ron into going on a diet and apparently now she was manipulating Hermione to ensure she doesn't lie to her friends.

"I will tell Harry and Ginny about the visit but I would still prefer if it was just us tomorrow" she finally muttered.

Andromeda smiled, "Then all that is left to do is to write to my dear sister."

"Like right now?"

"Well, its half past one and she will be sleeping so, yes, definitely" smirked Andromeda.

Hermione's lips widened into a grin. Andromeda may be a Slytherin but when the said Slytherin is on your side, Hermione figured, they weren't so bad after all. This time when she went to bed, she slept soundly.

Author's note: Please review and let me know what you think. Next up we finally have some Dramione interactions. I am also still looking for a beta to check my work so please let me know if you are interested. Thanks for reading.