OBLIVIATE
Draco Malfoy
Three weeks had passed since Hermione had started living with him. They had moved to the Malfoy House on last Monday and Draco was having the best time of his life. He could not recall the last time he was this relaxed. There was nothing he had to worry about. No OWLs. No Newts. No father to please. No Dark Lord breathing down his neck. No marriage contracts. Nothing. He was simply happy, an emotion that was unknown to him before Hermione had entered his life. He woke up every morning with her in his arms, breathing in her intoxicating scent, kissing her bare shoulders which usually ended in their passionate morning activities leaving him grinning like a lunatic throughout the day. His life was in a bliss.
Hermione was almost fully recovered. Her headaches had been reduced to none and she was eating regularly. Draco had called Healer Stokes to check on her and he had declared her fully healed. And now, the witch was insisting to start her work, which he was not happy about in the least. He had yet to ask her to move in with him officially. He was afraid of her refusal, relishing in the contentedness for now. However, he was aware that he had to address the issue soon. He could not imagine how the Malfoy House, which now he had started to call their home, would feel if the witch no longer lived in it. Her presence had brought liveliness to everything. The house was beautifully decorated, displaying her elegant taste.
He heard the door to his study open and smiled as Hermione's scent enveloped him as he felt her hand snaking around his shoulders. She had gone to visit the Potters at Grimmauld Place while he went through the company's latest reports.
"Missed me?" She whispered in his ears, hugging him from behind where he was seated. He took her arms and settled her on his lap.
"Always." He whispered back, kissing the crown of her head. "How was the afternoon with Potters?"
"Harry was at work. So, Ginny felt free to interrogate me about you."
"I will not ask what she interrogated you about. I know that I keep my witch satiated." He smirked at her, waggling his eyebrows.
She just huffed.
"Draco?" She asked after an extended pause.
"Yes, love?" He said absentmindedly, his eyes closed.
"Do you think that Scorpius doesn't like me?" She asked, her tone anxious.
He opened his eyes and frowned. "Why would you say that? Did he say something to you?" He had noticed his son's cold behavior towards Hermione at first. But he hadn't given it much thought, too consumed in his happiness over Hermione's return.
"He didn't say anything. He is cheerful when it's just me and him. It's when you and me are together that he turns unhappy. I don't want him to feel unhappy in his own home, Draco." The issue was clearly bothering her, it seemed.
"It's not you, love. We had a disagreement few weeks back. I think that he doesn't want me to be with you. He always hinted to me how happy Teddy's parents are. Theodore and Daphne Nott. They also had a marriage contract but it seems that they are amiable with each other. He wants me and Astoria to be like that." He sighed as he explained this.
"I can understand that. Any child would want his parents to be together, a happy family." He watched her expressions closely. "Do you think that you and Astoria would have been happy if it weren't for me?"
He scowled. "Stop that. It isn't your fault." He pressed his palm to her cheek. "I think that I would have died in sixth year, if it weren't for you. Whatever I am today is because of you. As for Scorpius, he will get used to the idea. He just needs time."
"I don't like that he is unhappy because of me. I think that you should talk to him. I have noticed that you haven't been very attentive to him since I came here."
"I have seen more of him these few weeks than I have in a year. I just don't know how to talk to him. I couldn't stand to be in the manor after the war. So, I hardly saw him since the day he was born. We grew apart." He exhaled loudly. "Are you disappointed in me, love?" He asked her, fearing the disappointment in her tone.
"I could never be disappointed in you, Draco." She reassured him pecking his cheek softly. "I know how hard it was after the war. I still have the nightmares sometimes." She pressed her palm against him as she continued. "My heart breaks for you, love. I had Harry and the Weasleys to help me through it. We all healed together, supporting each other at every step. I don't want to imagine how hard it must have been for you to cope alone. Not to mention, the added pressure of the marriage contract. We had the status of being war heroes, people worshipped us while I recall how badly you were treated after the war. Malfoy name was in disgrace. But you managed through all of it. Now, look at you. You are the richest wizard in the wizarding world. You took your company from nothing to one of the most successful ventures. You have helped countless people with large donations. People now look up at you. Young wizards dream of being as successful as you. If anything, I am proud of you."
He swallowed the growing lump in his throat, rapidly blinking his eyes to contain the tears. He hugged her tightly to him. His cheek resting over her curls.
"I am so proud of you, sweetheart." The contained sobs left his chest at her softly whispered proclamation. His tears ran uncheck.
He had always wanted his father to be proud of him when he was young. He had wanted so desperately to prove him of his worth that he would have done anything, even if it meant serving a psychopath. However, after his sixth year all the respect he had for him vanished. Hermione became his everything. She was the one who saved him from himself, from rotting away in depression. She gave him her love and he drank it like a parched man. He had received her warm hugs whenever he felt the strength draining out of him. Her affection healed him from the mental wounds his father's master had gifted him. He had hardly received more than a stiff hug and pat on his shoulder from his mother, even in the darkest times. So, when Hermione took in this broken man, she became his whole world.
He never, in his wildest dreams, imagined that she would ever be proud of him. How could an ex-deatheater, an almost murderer and simply a coward could make Hermione Granger proud. Someone who was brains behind the defeat of Voldemort (a name which even now he couldn't say aloud). Someone who had been nearly tortured to death and came out alive with her mind still intact. But his beautiful witch had not only forgiven him for everything but she was also proud of him. He did not deserve her. Hell! Nobody deserved her. But he was a selfish bastard, anyway and he was not letting her go again.
"You don't know, how much it means to hear you say that." He managed to say as the sobs wracked his body. It was the first time he had broken down in front of her after sixth year. She was the only one he'd allow to see him this vulnerable. "Merlin, witch! Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?" He leaned back to look at her eyes, which were also glistening with unshed tear. He pressed his forehead to hers. "You are my everything, Hermione Granger. You own me. Heart, body and soul." He whispered to her.
She inhaled deeply and kissed his tears which were now running uncheck over his cheeks. He brought their lips together and kissed her with everything that was his, pouring his love, respect, gratitude into it.
"I don't deserve you, Granger." He laughed as he drew back, breathless.
"We will agree to disagree." She said as she caressed his cheeks. "Will you talk to Scorpius? Listen to whatever he has to say. He loves you. Spend some time with him."
"I'll try." He took in a deep breath. "I want to ask you something."
"Ask away." She said not catching up with his seriousness.
"I want you to move in with me."
He felt her tense on his legs. "Draco, don't you think that we are moving so quickly. I mean, it hasn't been even a month since we became reacquainted."
"Don't think what we are supposed to feel like. Don't you want to live with me?" He asked her uncertainly.
"Of course, I do, Draco."
"Then what is the problem. We are not some randy teenagers. We are mature adults who are in love with each other. If we want to live together, we should do that."
She chewed her bottom lip and contemplated for a moment. Then turned to him with a huge grin on her face. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay. I will move in with you. Besides, I don't think that I would be able to live alone after spending so much time with you. You have spoiled me, Malfoy."
His answering grin barely contained his face. He had been prepared for persuading her if she was being obtuse but it seemed that it was not needed.
He grabbed her face and kissed her passionately. Kissing all of her exposed flesh. Nipping at her shoulders and neck leaving bites in his awake. She awarded him with her gasps and moans, making him even more aroused. He was one lucky sod to have this witch and he was planning to keep her. Even if it meant fighting the Dark Lord again.
As they laid awake in the bliss after their passionate love making, Draco contemplated on going to talk to his son. He knew that he was not the very attentive father over the years. But since his divorce he had made an effort to get to know his son. Draco knew that Scorpius was a mature boy for his age. He was kind and well mannered. So, he was perplexed by his recent behavior. Hermione was clearly bothered about it; she wouldn't tell him if it was a trivial matter.
He kissed the crown of curls that was laying over his chest and he noticed that she was breathing deeply. She had fallen asleep, it seemed. All the potions she had been advised to take made her doze off most of the times.
He cast a tempus charm and realized that it was nearly six in the evening. Perhaps, he should wake Hermione. It was almost time for dinner and on cue he heard his stomach grumble.
"Hermione?" He shook her shoulders lightly, pushing back the curls that had fallen on her face. "Wake up, love."
She groaned softly and opened her eyes, blinking them rapidly.
"Hey!" He chuckled at her annoyed expression. "Had a good sleep?"
"Hmm..." She hummed incoherently as she snuggled in his chest. Not that he was complaining.
"It's time for dinner. Come on. Wake up, Granger." He pulled her awake from the bed.
She went to the bathroom to get fresh, grumbling all the way.
They narrowly made it to the dinner. Scorpius was already waiting for them. Hermione went to the kitchen to help the elves. Since they had settled in the Malfoy House, she had taken it to help them in every way, much to their chagrin. He was happy with the change in her demeanor, though. She was more relaxed and comfortable here, treating the house like her own home and he couldn't be more pleased about it.
"Hey, Scorpius. It's nice to have you back home. How was your time with Teddy?" Hermione asked Scorpius as they started their dinner.
"It was good." Scorpius replied in a clipped tone.
"I was hoping you could come with me to watch this movie. It's called Avatar. Maybe we could even convince Draco to come with us, even if the movie is too juvenile for his liking."
He frowned as Scorpius ignored Hermione and continued with his eating.
"It's an animated movie you know. Harry took James and Ginny to watch it. James instantly loved it. So, maybe we could go this Sunday?"
Scorpius continued ignoring her.
"Scorpius, Hermione is asking you something."
"I am not interested in acting like muggles." He sneered the last word and turned his gaze towards Hermione. "Like some mudbloods."
Draco could not believe that his son could say something like this.
"Scorpius!" He slammed his hands on the table and sprung up from his chair. He was seeing red. He should have never allowed Scorpius to visit his mother and Lucius.
"You will not speak like that in this home." He yelled, breathing heavily from his almost controlled rage.
"Draco…" He stopped Hermione with a look. He did not want anyone interrupting him.
"Go to your room this instance. I will speak with you there." He told Scorpius with a voice that he had never used with him. It ensured no argument. That was a Malfoy voice. Cold and clipped. Something he had vowed to never use with his son.
He saw his son's eyes widen with trepidation. He abandoned his half-finished dinner and walked out of the room.
"Draco, sweetheart, listen to me." Hermione tried gaining his attention. "Remember what I told you. He is just a child."
"Stop, Hermione." He glared at her. He knew that Scorpius was behaving callously towards her for a while now. But he never guessed that it was this bad. "I know how to deal with my son. Finish your dinner. I want to clear some things with Scorpius."
With that he apparated to his son's room.
"I am sorry, father." He stopped his son's desperate attempt at an apology.
"How dare you?" He was seething with rage. "How dare you use that word in my presence? I never taught you this. Even if I was too deep in my shit to give you proper attention, I always taught you about the right thing." He was yelling by this point.
"I did not mean to say that, father."
"But you did." He snapped back. "I hate that word. What the fuck is your problem with Hermione? You don't like her? You don't want to accept that she is hundred times the witch that your mother could ever be? She has been nothing but kind to you. I have ignored the way you have been so callously treating her. I thought you needed time. But this. I never imagined this."
"Let's clear few things here Scorpius Malfoy. You may be my son but I won't hesitate to banish you to the manor if you even think of using that word in my presence again. Or is my son turning into a bigoted prick that I used to be at your age. But I had the pleasure of my father's supreme teaching for an excuse. What are your reasons?"
"You are not very different than Grandfather Lucius. At least he loved you enough to spend time with you." Scorpius said defiantly.
He was stunned by his son's reply. He laughed bitterly. "Oh! He really loved me. Enough to offer me to his master in a silver platter. Your grandfather did not tell you this when you were visiting him? How his son was tormented for his failure at pleasing his master. How the Dark Lord thought it was fun to give the task of killing the great Albus Dumbledore to a sixteen-year-old child? How his son had nearly died for protecting him. He did not tell you when he ran away from the battle like a coward when he feared for his life?" He sneered. "What lessons have you been taking from him, huh? I should know about this new development. Your dear old grandfather Lucius is brainwashing my son like he did his."
"That word just slipped from me, father. I did not mean to use."
"Then why did you?"
"I don't want Ms. Granger to live here."
"Too bad that it's not going to happen, then. Why don't you want her to live here?"
"She is not my mother. I don't want to her live in my house like she owns it."
"Listen here and listen good Scorpius Malfoy. I have tolerated enough of your behavior. Hermione is going to live with me whether you like it or not. If don't like her, you are free to leave my home, which now is also hers. You can go live in the manor. I will visit you, when the time permits."
"Are you throwing me out of the house?"
"If you continue treating Hermione like this, then yes"
Scorpius Malfoy
"Are you throwing me out of the house?"
"If you continue treating Hermione like this, then yes"
Scorpius was shocked. The tears he had been trying to hide from his father, now ran freely. He knew his father did not love him. How could he throw his own son out for a stupid woman?
"You are throwing out your own son for a stupid mistake, for using a random word. How could you?" He shouted back at his father. His eyes were brimming with angry tears, his fists clenched tightly by his side.
He could not recall the last time he had shouted at his father. He always respected him. He loved him but now his perceptions shattered like weak crumbling sand wall.
"A random word! That is what you think!" He flinched as he heard his father roar. "I will show you how random that word was."
Scorpius paled as he saw his father take out his wand. He was afraid that he would hex him. Goyle had complained how his father had tied him up for breaking into his study. Draco Malfoy could have been a neglectful father, but he had never punished his son. He never raised his hand, let alone a wand at him.
However, as his father muttered a spell pointing his wand at his head, Scorpius did not feel anything, at least physically. He saw a hazy picture. It was not clear at first what it was. There was no sound. But as the picture started to clear he could make out a form. His stomach lurched; his heart started beating so wildly that he was afraid it would burst. He saw Ms. Granger- Hermione. She was lying unmoving on a floor. He wondered, dreadfully, if she was dead. Her eyes were swollen and red to the core. Her left hand was laying nearly lifeless beside her. He felt the bile rise to his throat as he took in the sight of her forearm. The vile word was carved there. It was awful and Scorpius wanted to get out of that scene. He had recognized the room. It was Malfoy Manor without a doubt.
The picture slammed out of his sight in a wink. His legs gave away and he tumbled down. However, instead of hitting his head on the floor, he felt soft arms slowing his fall. He vaguely recognized the scent. It was Hermione. She drew his head to her chest and stroked his hair, calming him, soothing his hysterical sobs.
"What the hell, Draco." She shouted at his father and he flinched inwardly at their intensity.
"What were you thinking. He is a boy. A ten-year-old boy. I saw everything."
"Hermione…" He heard his father croak. Scorpius turned his head and looked at him. His eyes were red and he looked like he had been crying too. He breathing hard, his eyes filled with remorse. Scorpius forgave his father for showing him his memory, in an instant. He could not imagine that he had so casually said that word. His grandfather said it like it was nothing, but he had never dared to say it in his father's presence. Even his mother had said it once, when she was ranting how Hermione had been living in the manor as if she owned it. She had enquired him about her and father and he had told her every thing like a dutiful pureblood son. He was sick with himself.
"Get out of my sight, Draco. I don't want to see you, right now."
"Hermione, I am sorry…"
"Get out, Malfoy."
Scorpius heard his father breathing heavily and then after a moment he apparated away in a crack.
"Scorpius, love. Can you support your self to shift on the bed?" He felt himself hoisted to his bed. He didn't loosen his tight hold on her shirt, wordlessly pleading her to forgive him.
"Shh…I know. It's okay." She reassured him.
He controlled his sobs after a moment. He was hugging her by his side. He turned his gaze to look at her. She was a stunning woman. She was brave and kind and warm. He could not forgive himself of how he had treated her these past few weeks. He had snapped at her, ignored her, scowled at her. But she had never raised her voice at him. She had treated him like a misguided friend, like a misled son. He had been envious of her, cursed his father for loving her more than anyone. But he understood why his father was so protective of her. She was everything that he wanted his mother to be like. She embraced him like her son, gave her affection freely and forgave him for his every foolish mistake.
He winced as he remembered the hurt in her eyes as he said that awful word. She had recoiled back, her gaze turning down. Hermione did not deserve that treatment.
"I am so…so sorry, Hermione. For everything." He begged her with his eyes to forgive him.
"It's okay, Scorpius. I forgive you. I forgave your father, didn't I? And he was way worse, when he was younger." She comforted him. "You are just like him. He may have been a misguided prick but he had a golden heart."
"I saw that. It was your picture in the manor. I saw your arm." He stammered pitifully.
"I know. I guessed that when I entered the room. That is why I am enraged with your father. You should not have seen that."
"Is…is it true? Did it really happen?" He asked her, praying Salazar that it was a lie. How could anyone torture this wonderful woman?
"Yes. It's true." She whispered. "But that was years ago."
"I did not see everything. It was just a slightly blurred picture." He informed her. "But, if you don't mind me asking, who did that to you? How could they?"
"It was Bellatrix Lestrange. She was a deatheater. She would have killed me and my friends that day. It could have been worse if your father did not obliviate me. He saved us all that day. He called Dobby to us away from there and gave his wand to Harry."
"I am sorry." He was still crying soundlessly. His cheeks wet from the unceasing tears. "Why didn't you say anything to father? He could have shifted here sooner. You should not have to live at the manor."
"It's okay, Scorp. It was years back. I have moved on from that."
"I am sorry."
"Scorpius, I told you that I forgive you. It is okay to make a mistake if you realize that it is one. But promise me that you will never use that word again. Not with anyone."
"I promise" He said without a doubt.
"Is it still there?" He asked her.
"Yes."
"I don't want to see it."
"I know. That is why I glamour it when I am with you."
"I am so sorry, Hermione" He told her again as he hugged her tightly, drawing her strength.
"Enough of that now. Try to sleep." She murmured in his ear, stroking his hair softly. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. But he knew that he couldn't. Not because of that awful picture but because of his unresolved guilt over treating this wonderful witch so dreadfully.
He pretended to sleep, however. To reassure her that he was okay. She did not stop her ministrations, though. Continuing to sooth him with her warm touch.
He heard the door to his room open and footsteps drawing closer to his bed.
"Is he okay?" It was his father. Scorpius felt relived, hearing him ask about his wellbeing.
He had disappointed his father with his behavior. Even if Draco Malfoy had not been very affectionate, he had been proud of his son. Scorpius had heard him tell his colleagues how smart his son was. He had always praised him. He had once heard him tell Mr. Nott, proudly, that his son was nothing like he was at the age. Scorpius did not truly understand his meaning then. But he understood it now. He had wanted his son to be good and not like a prick that he was at his age.
"Yes" Hermione answered his father's question quietly. She had not stopped stroking his hair.
"I am sorry." His father said, equally quietly.
"If you are saying that to me, then I am not ready to forgive you. You will have to apologize to Scorpius after he wakes up."
"I will apologize to him tomorrow"
"Yes, you will."
"What about you? Please. Look at me."
"What do you want me to say, Draco? I told you to stay calm. He is just a boy. He did not have to see that. Do you realize, how I felt when I entered the room? To see you pointing your wand at your son. Your son shaking like he had seen a ghost."
"Believe me, I did not want to burden him with that. But when he said that word. I saw myself. I saw me hurting you. I had prayed to myself when I fell in love with you that I would never use that word. I would never allow anyone to hurt you. I wanted to kill Bellatrix that day."
"It does not excuse your behavior. You showed him that awful memory." She was whispering furiously. Scorpius wanted to tell her to forgive his father. He had aggravated him, driving him furious.
"I know. You know, he said that I am not that different from my father."
"He was angry at you, Draco."
"Hmm."
Scorpius wanted to say that he was nothing like him. He had never been that cold. But he didn't know how to deal with his father if he told him that he was awake. And he was exhausted.
"I hate seeing that word on your arm. I hate myself for not stopping that bitch from torturing you."
"You saved our life that day, Draco. She would have killed us both if you had showed any emotions."
His father did not reply. The bed dipped as his father sat beside Hermione. He nearly protested as she took away her hand that was stroking his hair. But then he felt a different hand on his head. It was bigger and stronger and firm.
"I have not been a good father, Hermione." His father whispered as he stroked his hair.
"You will be from here on. Because, I will hex you to hell and back if you as much as think of doing anything like you did today." She did not deny his accusation nor did she comfort him. She warned him in a very serious voice. Scorpius briefly wondered if anyone had crossed the witch seriously sometime. He almost pitied the person who had.
His father just chuckled. And Scorpius grew even more fond of the witch, if it was possible.
"I know you will, love." He drew back his hand from his hair. "You will have to teach me how to be a good father."
"You will always have me, Draco."
"I just hope that I did not scare him away. What if he doesn't forgive me?"
"He will. He is your son and he loves you, just like you love him."
"I love him." Scorpius almost cried as he heard his father agree. He had never heard those words from anyone. Aristocrats did not show such emotions. He wanted to hug his father to tell him that he forgave him, to tell him that he loved him too.
"We should allow him to sleep. Come, you should sleep too. You must be exhausted. Healer Stokes told me to not give you any stress." His father said after a while.
"I am fine. I am staying with Scorpius, though. He needs someone if he wakes up in middle of the night."
"I will stay with him. You go to the room and sleep."
"I don't think he will want to see you first thing when he wakes up. Give him some time to gather his thoughts."
"You have not forgiven me, yet?"
"Ask me again in the morning."
"Okay. Lie down with him. It's a large bed. Good night, love." They stopped their whispered conversation and bid goodnight to each other. Scorpius was ready to surrender to his sleep but his daze cleared as he felt a pair of lips kissing his head. It was his father; he would recognize the strong scent of his cologne anywhere. He felt an exhilarating shiver run down his body. He had been wrong. His father loved him. Hermione was right, his father was just like him. Both of them did not know how to share their affections freely, in front of anyone. His father trusted Hermione, though. And Scorpius, for the first time, was not envious of her. He felt thankful towards her. For helping his father through his darkest time. For loving him despite his ill status. She was an amazing witch and he wanted her to love him like her son. He wanted her to speak affectionately of him, like she did with that boy, James, her godson.
Scorpius Malfoy, despite his horrible day was happy. He felt loved. His father loved him. And Hermione cared about him enough that she was angry at his father for making him cry. He would show her, how he truly was. He would show her that he had read all the books that she had bought for him from Diagon Ally. He would tell her that he had secretly been the golden trio's fan for years since he had read a children's book on them. He would allow her to take him to the muggle amusement park that she had been prodding him to come with her and James. He would tell her how deeply he loved the picture of him and his father that she had gifted him. He would show her that he was not just a misguided boy. He wanted her to be his friend. And he'd be damned if he would allow anyone to call her that awful word.
Hi! I hope that you love the chapter. It took me a while to write it. Let me know in the review section what you think.
I have to repost this chapter for like 3rd time. There is a technical error so even if I am posting this chapter, it isn't being updated properly. So, I apologize if there are some false alerts.