Chapter 25

"Hey," Hermione said when the door opened.

"Mione. Hi," Ron looked over her shoulder and then smiled down at her. "Come on in. What brings you here so early?"

"I'm sorry. I've been walking around a while. But, I needed to talk to Snoop, I didn't expect you to be here. Shouldn't you be at work?"

He watched her wring her hands and answered, "Actually, I just got here before you did. I get off at three UK time. Georgie's in the shower."

Hermione glanced at her watch and saw that it was ten in the morning, "Oh, well, I don't want to intrude, I was just hoping Snoop was free and I…"

He saw the tears start to form and reached for her, "Mione, what's wrong?"

The tears began to fall and he just pulled her close and held on. When they had been in school, she hadn't lost it often, but he had learned that when she did she wanted to be hugged. Then she would babble out whatever had gotten to her and he would nod and agree. Then she would be better, even though he usually had no clue what had been wrong. This time though, he figured he knew. And, he prepared himself to be there for her now that Draco had finally hurt her the way Ron had always known he would.

"Come on, sit down. Tell me what arse did," he said.

"Don't call him that," she sniffled.

"Sorry," he mumbled, clearly not.

"He…I…"

"Hey, HG! I didn't hear you come…what's wrong?!" Snoop said as she hurried across the room in her robe, a towel around her head.

Ron let himself be pushed to the side as his wife took over hugging duty and led Hermione to their sofa.

"Snoo…Snoo…He…I…I…I talked to Ginny about it…living together…she said we should talk…it's all so fast, you know…and went back to that awful place…strangely beautiful now though…I did it and he doesn't even understand how hard it was…and, now he's there like it's not a big deal…tried to talk to him this morning…and he didn't even care!" she wailed.

"Okay, HG, calm down. Breathe." When Hermione calmed down enough to breathe easier, she asked again, "Okay, now tell me what happened."

Her breath hitched every few moments as she told her story. Ron and Snoop listened without interrupting as she filled them in on everything.

"And, finally, this morning I was talking to Ginny about how he and I are living together, but we never really talked about it, you know. And, she suggested that I talk to him about it because even though it feels right I think it's too fast. So, I tried to talk to him, but he was just so blasé about it. Like it was no big deal. He didn't even try to understand!"

"Is that all?" Ron asked from behind them. Both women turned to look at him and he shrugged, "What? I thought he did something to you."

"You hoped," Hermione mumbled under her breath.

"No, Mione, I didn't," he answered. "I don't want you hurt by him. Not by anyone. And, I hate that you went to that damn house alone. I hate that you felt like you had to. But, this isn't about me. And, I hate to agree with him on anything, but all this? I don't get it either. What's the big deal? So, you're living together. You claim to be in love with him. What's the problem?"

"The problem is that we never even talked about it!" she seethed. "One day we're just starting to date, the next we're living together. How did that happen?" Hermione cried.

Ron had had enough. He had missed out on some very important parts of his best friend's life and it sickened him that Draco was the cause of it. Now, the part that hurt almost as much, he wasn't even understanding her. "Look. I'm sorry, I'm not getting this. Maybe it's a woman thing. Why don't you two talk? I'm going to go change."

Hermione harrumphed as he left and Snoop shook her head, "Men."

"Am I wrong here?" Hermione asked.

Snoop looked away before she answered, "Well, HG, I have to tell you, I think you're over-reacting here just a bit."

"What?"

"What are you really upset about? That you're living together? That you didn't talk it to death before you did? Or, are you still all mixed up from having to go back there? And, you had to deal with his parents." Snoop then stopped and tilted her head a little, her eyes smiling, even as her face remained concerned. "Or, Hermione Jane Granger, are you panicking because you finally figure out that this may be the real thing and it's with the man you once referred to as Ferret Boy?"

Hermione flounced back against the sofa and closed her eyes, "Gods, I hate that you can do that."

"Sorry, babe, but that's the reason you love me," Snoop laughed. Then she asked softly, "Seriously, why does this scare you so much?"

"That's just it," Hermione whispered. "It scares me that it doesn't scare me."

"Okay. What?"

Hermione spent the next twenty minutes telling Snoop about her time at Malfoy Manor.

"I mean, I, Hermione Granger, muggleborn extraordinaire, best friend to Harry 'Boy Who Lived' Potter, am actually considering hanging out with Narcissa Malfoy! And, while I was out walking just now, I was thinking about how the hell I'm going to be able to handle sending my children to that house, with that man who would be their grandfather, on holiday without me there to protect them. And, it hit me that I am actually planning a future with Draco Malfoy. And, it just happened. No discussion, no planning, just bam! I'm in my first serious relationship ever and it could be FORever. And, he doesn't even get why I want to talk about it!"

Snoop smiled at her, "Wow, HG. You're really in deep. I didn't have this meltdown until Ron and I had been together for almost two years."

"Gee, thanks! What am I going to do?" she cried.

"Do? What's there to do?" Snoop asked softly. "You accept it. You love him. You get married and grow old and fat together."

"Accept it," Hermione repeated. "So, what, we never talk about it? I just let this keep happening."

"What do you think is happening, HG?"

Hermione looked at her in anger for a moment, then with confusion and finally in awe, "I'm really in love!"

"Yes, I think you are," Snoop smiled softly.

She watched the smile turn to a frown and then saw Hermione burst into tears again.

"What's wrong now?" Snoop asked with a laughing sigh.

"I left and didn't even say goodbye or tell him where I was going. He probably hates me. I acted like an idiot and blew up on him for nothing. And, then I just left."

Snoop laughed, "Well, the good news is men aren't that deep, HG. He's confused, so he's pissed. But, an apology and a blow job go a long way."

Hermione laughed through her tears. Then she blew her nose and hugged her friend, "Thank you."

"Any time, you know that. Now, go have make up sex."

Hermione laughed and apparated back to her apartment.

' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

"Draco!" she called as soon as she popped in.

"You're back," he said quietly from the bedroom door.

She turned quickly and ran to him, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

He hugged her and then pulled back to look down at her tear-stained face, "Mi, please tell me what's wrong. I don't even know why we're fighting. What did I do?"

She laughed a little as she cried, "Nothing, Draco, nothing at all. I just had a realization that I overreacted to, I guess. And, I took it out on you. And, I'm sorry. I love you."

"And, I love you, Mi. But, can you tell me what this realization was that made you so upset. And, what on earth does it have to do with me living here? Do you not want me here?"

She saw the sad look in his eyes and put her hand to his face, "Yes, I want you here. More than you know. More than I knew."

She laughed and put her arms around his neck, "You're girlfriend is a nutjob, that's all. She realized today that she loves you, a lot, and that we're living together. And, she freaked a bit."

"You freaked because you love me and we're living together? Did I miss an owl?"

She laughed and smiled up at him, "No, but as Ginny and Snoop pointed out, I seem to have."

He looked like she was speaking in a foreign language, so she took his hand and led him to the sofa.

When they were both seated she explained, "As I am sure you would have guessed, I have read a lot about relationships and how they're supposed to go. What you're supposed to do and when. But, this all just came so fast. And, it's wonderful. Perfect. And, I love you. And, wonder of wonders, you love me. But, then I started thinking about all those books, all those experts, and none of them said it could be this right this fast. I panicked because all of a sudden I thought that everything was moving too fast; dating you, loving you, moving in together. Being back at the Manor. Meeting your mother. Things just seem to be falling into place, you know. Like it's all just right. And, it was easy. So very easy. But, then I thought, maybe too easy. Maybe I had done something wrong. Maybe we weren't supposed to be here yet. So, I picked a fight with you because you weren't upset about it. Of course, you didn't know about it, but I wasn't really thinking about that at the time. But, Ginny told me to stop thinking about all those books I've read on how things are supposed to be and just live. And then Snoop said I should just let it happen. When it's right, it's right. And, even Ron said I blew things out of proportion. So, here I am. And, I'm sorry I left like that. And, I promise not to do it again. And, I…well, I love you. Can you please forgive me and forget that I'm insane?

At the same time as she rambled away, Draco was having his own silent conversation.

You read about relationships? Hell, what am I saying, of course you did. So, what? I'm supposed to live up to some damn book? What do you mean fast? We've known each other forever! But, you've never been in the Manor before. What? Huh? You think it's perfect? Yeah, me too. Why are you still so surprised that I love you? You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. You panicked because we're living together, and things are right? Damn, women make no sense. There are no set rules to these things, Mi. Oops, sorry about accusing you Ginny. Guess I got that one wrong. And, thanks Snoop. Damn, the Weasel agreed with me?! Wow. Of course I can forgive you, you crazy, beautiful idiot.

Hermione saw him staring at her and wondered what he was thinking. He hadn't said a word and he appeared to be in deep thought. She thought of Snoop's recommendation and leaned over him.

"I really am sorry, Draco," she whispered against his lips. "Say you forgive me."

Before he had a chance to respond she kissed him. Moving her hands in to his hair she ran her fingers across the nape of his neck and felt him shiver against her. With a tiny smile she licked his lower lip before diving back in to tangle her tongue with his.

When his hands slid up her hips to pull her against him, she pulled back and looked at him in question.

He smiled, "Yes, I forgive you. You're insane, but you're mine."

She laughed and kissed him again. But, she didn't want to let things go too far, as she was, regardless of her stretching with Narcissa, a bit sore from their day and evening before.

With one last soft kiss, she pulled back, "So, what do you want to do today?"

"I have an idea," he grinned wickedly.

"Give me at least a couple of hours," she laughed. "We could…"

They jumped as an owl pecked on the window, interrupting their conversation.

Draco picked her up and put her beside him, "That's Father's. I'll get it."

Hermione waited as he took the message and gave the owl some treats. When the owl didn't leave, they realized it was waiting for a reply.

"Guess this means I can't wait until later to read it," he sighed and broke the seal on the envelope.

Hermione got up to leave him alone as he read his letter, but was stopped when he laughed, "Mi, it's for you."

"What? Why?"

He laughed at her immediate panic, "Calm down, love. It's from Mother."

Hermione actually felt her knees give a little in relief, "Oh. Okay."

He walked over to her, handed her the letter and chuckled, "But, you may want to sit down anyway. You're still looking a little panicked."

She sighed as she fell into a chair and opened the letter.

Hello, my not-so-little dragon,

Thank you for coming yesterday and bringing Hermione. I enjoyed getting to know her a little. And, I am pleased that you found someone who fits you so well and makes you so happy. I know you never thought she of all people would be the one you fell for, but I am proud of you for growing up enough to let it happen. I miss you already. Come home again soon. And, write me. I love you. Now, the rest of this is for Hermione, so please give it to her. Thank you.

Your Mother

---

Dear Hermione,

I hope this letter finds you well and recovered from your trip. First, thank you again for attending my party this weekend and for your gift, as well. I am wearing the very lovely necklace as I write this. It matches perfectly with a pair of earrings that Draco gave me last year. Lucius asked me to tell you to say hello to Draco for him, but I know him, so that was his way of saying hello to you. Isn't that wonderful?

I can tell you now that he was ready to call off the whole party at first when he found out you were indeed coming. We've never actually had a muggleborn witch or wizard here voluntarily, you see, and he was slightly put out. But, as he practically always gives Draco what he wants, he acquiesced. Then, you did the impossible, Ms. Granger. You made him think about why he didn't like you. That's not to say he's come around completely, but he's no longer growling around the house. Ha ha ha Just think, one day soon, we'll all be one big happy family!

That brings me to the other reasons I am writing. First, I wanted to arrange a little dinner party here for you two, and your parents. I think it's high time we meet, don't you? And, the second, I wanted to find out when we can begin my cooking lessons. I hear muggleborn children like their grandmothers (oh my, me a Grandmother! I can scarcely believe it), anyway, I hear they like them to bake cookies and such when they visit. And, I wouldn't want to let them down. I don't know how long it takes to learn these things, but I think we should get started rather soon, as it could take a while. I've never even been inside a kitchen. Now, I don't want you to think I am trying to keep this from Lucius or anything, he will know eventually, but for now I think it best if we start off these lessons in your flat in your kitchen. Draco tells me you only have one, and I assume it's a bit smaller than the ones here, so you might be more comfortable. Just owl me back and we can arrange a time and day to get started.

Now, I must stop as I have quite a few more thank you notes to write. But, write back darling and I hope to see you soon.

Narcissa Malfoy

Draco watched her face as she read and wondered what his mother could have said. She had gone from smiling softly, to smirking with an arched brow, to looking slightly sick.

"Mi?" he ventured.

She closed her eyes and took a breath, "Read this and tell me again that I'm the insane one!"

Draco took the letter and read from where he had stopped. At first he felt himself go through the same emotions he had seen on her face, but smiled when he realized it didn't sound so bad after all.

"Well, I can see why you'd be a bit shocked," he said.

"Shocked?! She's got us married with children! She's met me once. Once! What did you say to her?!"

"Whoa, I didn't say anything. And, what's so wrong? Didn't you just tell me that you were going to relax and just let things happen?"

Hermione looked at him as if he'd just sprouted fangs and horns, "Are you kidding me?!" She saw the look of hurt on his face and took a breath.

"Look, Draco, I love you. You know that. But, seriously, our parents having dinner together? Me teaching Narcissa Malfoy to cook. Lucius Malfoy all of sudden not wanting to see me dead, just because I didn't freak out at one damn party?! One big happy…ARGH!!! Grandmother?!?! Come on! You can't tell me you don't feel like things aren't going a bit quickly here."

She had gotten up and started pacing as she spoke and he watched with a bemused expression on his face. Then it hit him.

She's scared! This is real and she's scared. Wait. Shouldn't I be, too? Well? Guess not. Oooookay.

He got up and folded his arms around her to stop her pacing, "Mi, breathe, love."

She listened and collapsed against him, "I'm sorry. I don't want you to think I don't want those things. I do, someday. But, what do I say to her? I don't want her planning my whole damn life after knowing each other for one evening!"

"She won't," he laughed. "She's just excited. She gets this way when things go well."

He pulled her back down next to him on the sofa, "Mi, she's had so much go wrong. And, she's handled it with grace and a backbone I didn't know she had. Since The Fall, she's just been trying to keep it together. At first, my father was on a crusade to prove he hadn't been wrong, and she was swept up in it all again. Then, when things fell apart completely, she's the one who held us together. I don't know if we'd still be a family if it wasn't for her."

Hermione stroked his chest and nodded for him to continue.

"Look, she likes you and she's happy for us. And, the fact that Father isn't screaming mad anymore has got to make things easier for her. She gets a bit, uh, detached, when he's upset. I'm not saying she's right in rushing us to the altar or anything, but just give her a chance. She'll calm down eventually."

Hermione was still a bit put out, but she didn't feel like fighting about it anymore. And, she didn't really know what she would be fighting about.

I love him. I see a future with him. Why am I freaking out like this? Oh yeah! Lucius. Narcissa. Dinner with my VERY muggle parents. Children!! He hasn't even asked me to marry him and she's got us…marry him…oh God this is too fast! Breathe. Breathe. He isn't asking yet. Just breathe.

She grumbled her answer, "Yeah, okay. But, what do I write back to her? I don't mind getting to know her better and all, but I don't want her to see this as some sign to start enrolling her grandchildren in Hogwarts already."

He joked, "They could be squibs, you know."

Hermione looked up at his smiling face and remarked, "Yeah, that would be just perfect, wouldn't it. Something else for your father to hate me for."

"Nah, he'd forgive you. Eventually." He laughed when she pulled a face, "No worries, love. There's no way the two of us would produce anything but the world's most perfect little witches and wizards."

She nodded, but didn't look completely over it. "Mi?"

"I'm okay. Really. I just…how many did you have in mind? I mean, you said witches and wizards. Like plural!"

Draco laughed and pulled her up to her feet, "Okay, this is going no where. And, you seem to be in freak out mode today. So, how about I just say, as many as we both want and whether one or more, they will be perfect."

She looked at him solemnly for a moment before she nodded and relaxed against him. She was exhausted from the past four hours of losing her mind. "What did I do to deserve you?"

"You waited for me and forgave me," he answered before he took her face in his hands and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Of course you do," he teased.

' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

A couple of hours, more than twenty pieces of muggle paper, ten tossed pieces of parchment, five broken pens, and 3 broken quills later, Hermione had finished her response to Narcissa. Draco had tried to help, but in her frustration, she had snapped at him and he had retreated to the living room to watch television.

"Draco?" she called.

"Yeah," he answered.

"I think I'm done." She got up and walked out of the second room/office, "Wanna read it?"

"Are you sure you want me to?" he asked without looking away from the TV.

She tried to joke, "Yes, Mr. Pouty, I want you to read it. I did say I was sorry."

"I know," he mumbled. "But, the remark about me being as overbearing as my father…"

She sat down on the arm of the sofa and put her hand on his chest, "Draco, I really am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I was just really frustrated and you kept…helping. Look, I know we weren't friends in school, so you didn't get to see me in deep concentration mode, but Harry, Ginny or Ro…uh Harry or Ginny could tell you, I'm just a bit of a monster when I feel like I need to get something right. If it makes you feel any better, Snoop used to yell at me for it, too."

"I bet she did," he laughed.

"Come ooooonnnnn, I'm sorry, okay?"

He looked up at her and teased back with a smirk, "Yes, Miss Intense. Let me see this letter."

She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss and then handed him the letter.

He glanced at it and then asked, "So, uh, what kind of response do you want?"

"What do you mean?"

He arched a brow at her, "Well, do you want my honest opinion? Like if I have a suggestion or something. Or, do you just want me to read it and shut up?"

She made a face at him and said, "Just be honest, PIA!"

"Pia?"

"Pain in ass," she remarked smartly and got up to go make a late lunch.

He laughed behind her and looked over the back of the sofa to admire the view of her swishing tush in her short shorts before looking back at the letter.

Hello Narcissa,

I am glad to know you liked the necklace. I did pick it out, but I guess great minds think alike, because when I brought it home, Draco told me about the earrings. I was very happy to hear you would have a matching set.

Now, since you confided in me, I will put the same trust in you. As much as your husband did not want me there, I must admit, you were correct, I didn't want to come. I did so with GREAT reservation, but to make Draco happy. But, I am very glad I came. I learned more about Draco, got to attend a lovely party, made a new friend in Blythe Zabini, and I got the chance to get to know you. I am very happy about the last one especially. I honestly look forward to us slowly getting to know one another better.

As to your reasons for writing me, first thank you. It is a great compliment to me that you want to get to know my family and I think we can arrange something like you suggested. I do think it best we wait a while though, as I am sure your husband has had quite enough of me for a time, and seeing as my parents are muggles, he might not be happy to have them over any time soon.

Last, your cooking lessons. You should know that I don't think it will take as long as you seem to think to have you cooking at least a few basic things. With my current work schedule and Draco just starting work, we will need a couple of weeks to get things on a schedule of sorts, but I think you should be able to come for a visit any time after the second week of July. I would say the first week, but the US celebrates a holiday called Independence Day that week and things will be very busy here. Please let me know what weekend day works best for you and we'll call it a date.

I am glad to know you had fun on your birthday and thank you for your tips both before and after the party. They were very helpful.

Take care,
Hermione J. Granger

Draco refolded the letter and went to the kitchen.

"It's perfect," he said as he handed it back to her to send. "What tips did she give you after the party?

"It's not too much?" she asked nervously as she tried to avoid his question. "Not too formal? Or, informal? And, should I take out the part about Blythe? I don't want to get her in trouble or anything."

"It's fine, love," he silenced her with a kiss. "Now, what tips did Mother give you?"

She stepped out of his grasp and smiled up at him, "Oh, okay, thanks. I should send the owl back. I made sandwiches, if you're hungry."

He watched in amusement as she ran from the room. By avoiding his question, she had made him want to know even more. He glanced at her half-eaten sandwich and knew she would be back soon.

Hermione stepped back in the room a few minutes later and saw the way he looked at her. She groaned and took her seat across from him. When he quirked a brow at her, she took a huge bite of her sandwich and pretended she didn't know what he was questioning.

"You can only eat for so long," he reminded her with a smirk.

Hermione didn't look him in the eye when she answered, "She, uh, just showed me how to stretch my face and stuff after the party."

He laughed and asked, "And, you're blushing to the roots of all that lovely hair because?"

"Fine, but you won't like it," she smiled devilishly as she thought about how best to explain.

"Try me."

"Okay, she said you were like your father," she laughed.

"What?! Why would she say that? And, how is that a tip?"

Hermione giggled at the exasperated look on his face, "Well, she said you would be like your father, actually. And, she showed me how to stretch last night before we left, so as to not be sore today, after…uh…well, after last night."

When he still looked confused, she added, "And most of the morning."

It finally dawned on him and he smiled wickedly at her. Moving slowly he got up to kiss her. Then, the look on his face changed and he sat down heavily in his chair once more.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Ugh!" he replied and laid his head on the table. "Yuck!"

"What?"

He looked up at her with a stricken look, "That means she and Father…last night…they were…while we were…ugh!"

Hermione laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her cheeks.

' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

Author's Notes –

Every read is a treasure, every review a gift!

And, a warm welcome to the story and additional thank you to the following for adding my story, or me, as a Favorite, or setting an alert for it: broken and beautiful, Mari22Ana, gtbioteach, tsaxbabe412, Pookiepantsmcpoo, CrimChick227, and jessirose85.

As always, I thank you all.