The Chemicals Between Us Chapter 41: You're in for the ride of your life!, a harry potter fanfic

" You're in for the ride of your life! "

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His punishment started out simple enough. Aurors were guarding his movements round the clock, from his sleeping, to him taking breakfast. He had awoken that day, his 55th day in house arrest. It was a gloomy sort of day that made on lazy to get out of bed. But he got out of it, took a shower and dressed into muggle clothes and walked for the east wing to partake of breakfast with his mother.

The Aurors didn't bother to walk with him, placing a charm under him to detect his movements within the house, and Draco didn't bother at all. He felt it was just, not even enough for the atrocities he had committed. He wondered if Daphne and Nott were doing well. He wondered if Hermione was doing well. He missed her terribly. Terribly was even an understatement. He thought about her all the time, despite trying to push the thought of her away, she always came.

So he spent his days reading, getting check-ups from designated mediwizards from St. Mungo's and cleaning up the many rooms of their manor, manually. Narcissa tried to stop him, but he wouldn't hear of it. He had to do something productive.

Today, he was in one of the many attics. He brushed off the dust with his sleeve and opened an old leather and silver chest. He smiled, looking at little clothes, ones he used to wear as a baby and as a toddler. He stumbled across another little box that contained letters. Letters his father had written to his mother during their courtship days. It was a bittersweet feeling, to know that his father once had a nice side to him, evident in the usage of words in his letters, like 'I care for you' and 'I have grown quite fond of you'. There were little mementos- like little jewelry boxes, perfume bottles and old photographs.

There was a sound in the room. He looked up and found his mother standing at the doorway, bringing a tray filled with biscuits and tea. " How about a bite? "

" Came here to help? "

She laughed. " Perhaps, although I've never done it the muggle way before. " She set the tray down and knelt on the dusty carpeted floor and began looking at the things Draco had rummaged. " You've read these? "

Draco laughed. " That was private, mum? "

She pinched his cheek. " Used to be. I don't think it is now. What has your curiosity found here? "

" Just stuff I wore as a baby, mementos of your courtship with father. What are all these perfume bottles for, by the way? "

She smiled wistfully. " That was for every month he didn't get to see me, busy with work and all that, after we graduated from Hogwarts. We saw each other every few months, when I still lived at the Black House. They have different scents; the bottles change colors for my moods. "

" I never knew father was that romantic. "

" I think he tried to prevent himself from being romantic. "

" Was he happy when you gave birth to me? "

She nodded. " He was pleased. He showed you off a lot during the first few days of your life. He wanted you to grow up fast, so that he could teach you the Malfoy ways and all that. "

" He didn't really love me still, did he? Even when I was small? "

She sighed and arranged some photos. " I- Draco- your father was secretive. He rarely displayed what he felt…only in a few instances- but he cared for you- gave you everything you asked for and gave you everything you didn't ask for. That was your father, Draco. "

" He didn't love me. "

" I'm sure he did…in his own way. "

Draco sighed and clenched his jaw. " When I have my son, I'll make sure to give him everything I can, that includes love. "

" You plan to get married? "

" Mother- it was just a statement. "

" I think it's future planning, " Narcissa said laughing.

" It was a wrong statement, " he protested.

" You've just said it to the wrong person. "

" Mother! "

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Hermione woke up groggily from her sleep. She stretched for a few seconds, sniffing cold autumn air. She blinked and went straight for her bathroom to brush her teeth first, bracing herself for another day's work. It had been monotonous work, as she took a leave from the Aurors team to concentrate more on her muggle life and to try and forget about Draco for 90 days.

They visited her of course, the Weasley family, and she visited them too. Philip had by then gone even more active, much to his parents' delight and during a day off, Hermione would baby-sit for them, as Fleur joined Bill once more at the Gringott's bank. Ron had found a special someone now, a new brunette Auror- even Ginny liked her (Ginny was so picky on Ron's girls, of course- but this one passed with flying colors). Hermione liked looking at them both for she had never seen Ron so captivated for a girl in all her life.

Her life at Vogue was as busy as ever, as calls were shuttled back and forth and pictures, layouts and articles had to be met before the deadlines. They had produced a new magazine lately, the November edition and much to Hermione's laughter, they had gone on with one article dedicated solely to gothic fashion- with black capes and boots, one photo even had models with wands.

She did not count the days purposefully and kept herself busy at all times. She looked at the mirror and washed her face after brushing her teeth. She looked at the mirror once more. There she was, in all her sleepyhead glory, waves of brown hair cascading down her petite frame. She studied herself critically, as she wore shorts and a spaghetti top.

" Ron's right, " she thought. " I'm getting thin again. I should eat more of Mrs. Weasley's minced meat pies. " She sighed and walked out of her room wanting to drown herself in hot cocoa. As she stepped out of her room, she stopped a few inches at the doorway. Something was wrong….

Quietly, she began to inch for the cabinet behind her, slipping out her wand from a drawer. She had her wand brandished in front of her, when she heard a noise. It was coming from the kitchen…she inched from the living room for the kitchen. And she stopped.

There was a cup of cocoa at the dining table, a stack of pancakes and toast. She sighed and shook her head. " Ronald Weasley, " she called out. " Come out from where you're hiding. I can cook for myself still, you know. I'm well enough! " she said.

There was no reply. Instead, there was another shuffling sound. Hermione spun around and gasped.

In front of her, holding a bouquet of lilies of the valley, wearing a white polo shirt, jeans and sneakers- was Draco.

One of her hands was on her lips as she blinked to make sure it really was Draco. She stood still as Draco smiled at her quietly, the sunshine glinting on his golden hair. His eyes shone almost to a silvery green as he stood in front of her porch's doors. For a moment, she thought she saw Harry too…

" Hey you, " he began.

In a second, he found Hermione in his arms and he embraced her tightly as if never letting go of her again. Hermione looked up to him as he still embraced her.

" Missed me? " he asked.

" Have you gone completely insane? Of course! " she replied happily, not minding the tears that were running down her face.

" Stop crying, " he whispered to her.

" Oh shut up, " she laughed out.

He lifted her chin up with a finger. "You're still beautiful. I see my being away has agreed with you. "

" Not really, I lost weight, " she grinned.

" That's why I made you some breakfast. "

" Thanks. Care to join me? " she asked him taking his hand.

He shook his head and flung her gently to his chest. " I think I'll have my breakfast right here. " He kissed her. " So how's about a dance? "

Hermione laughed. " Dance? At this time of the morning? In my sleeping clothes? "

" Those sleeping clothes definitely look better to dance in, " he told her.

" There's no music, " she protested.

He held her hand and waist. The disc player turned on and it played the first track. A classic jazzy song by some muggle band called Sade. " There is now, " he told her.

" Draco, " she began as they circled around the small living room.

" Hmm? "

" I love you, " she breathed out.

He kissed her nose. " Good to know that. "

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It was April. Pansy was cuddling with her son when her house elf came in. He told her there was a visitor.

" Show him in here, " she replied.

And so he came. And she stood in shock as she held her son. " Draco-? " her voice cracked.

" Hello, Pansy, " he said calmly. He looked at her, wearing a green robe with silver trimming, reminding him of the Slytherin days, the days when he used to be so arrogant, so self-centered…

She looked at him in all his glory; he was still very handsome, although thinner now- but his hair still shone and his eyes commanded respect.

" Your son? " he began as he approached her. She nodded and showed him to Draco. Draco held him up as he cooed, his little eyes blinking as he looked at the man that was holding him. " You must be little Marko…" he murmured. He was staring at a baby with dark hair, curling at the tips.

Pansy felt her heart break. Oh how long had she wanted to see Draco- but now that he was here, she missed Marko even more. " Takes after him, " she finally said.

" I'll say. "

" Sit down, please, " she said.

Draco continued to hold Marko as he gurgled and fisted his hands over Draco's finger. Draco looked at Pansy. " How are you? "

" I've been- " she began. " I've been doing fine. "

" Your in-laws are still supporting you? " he asked.

She nodded. More than ever. After Marko's death, Pansy had been the subject of her in-laws lives. They didn't allow her to get stressed and provided her with everything she needed; especially when they found out they were going to be grandparents.

" How, " she began, taking a deep breath. " How are you and Hermione Granger? "

" Just fine, " he replied.

" You're getting married? "

He laughed. " I don't know about that yet. "

" Love her, " she blurted out.

Draco stared at her in surprise.

" I know- you're shocked at me saying that. But love her. You'll never know the worth of the person once he's gone. "

" Personal experience? " he queried softly as Pansy reached out to take little Marko from him.

She nodded. " Yes. Draco, I loved you for a long time, I wanted to marry you, have your kids, tend to you day and night- and then you disappeared from view for awhile, and I felt lost and alone. Marko was just a distraction to me back then, I thought that if you came back, my engagement to him would make you think more of me, but I was wrong. So I ended up marrying him, still thinking you might see me…but then I heard you were with Hermione Granger, and I felt crestfallen, for I thought I had loved you better than anyone, better than her. I loved Marko; I just didn't want to realize it because my obsession to have your attention overshadowed what I felt for him. I decided to save the news for Marko, that I was pregnant- and believe me, I was happy, for I realized I loved Marko all along. "

" You have another Marko in your arms, " Draco told her.

She nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. " Yes, and I plan to show him- give him all the love I never got to show to his father. "

" Pansy- "

" Don't apologize that you never loved me, " she interrupted him as her son dropped off to sleep in her arms. " I suppose it was meant to be that way. The only thing I regret was not telling Marko ahead- before you went on with your ritual- that he was going to be a father…"

" I still respected you, you know- the Hogwarts days. "

" Is that why you never fell for me? " she asked with a little smile. " Our parents were good friends- I thought we'd end up together. But- that's the way things are. " She placed her little boy inside the crib beside her seat.

Draco just nodded. " Yes, that's the way things are…" he repeated.

She sighed and looked out of the window, her eyes roamed throughout the room and landed on a large picture of their wedding day. She was looking beautiful, but her eyes seemed bored- but still she smiled- and Marko, Marko was smiling like the day was the best day in his life….her eyes landed at Draco once more. " Draco…"

" Yes, Pansy? "

" I'm afraid. "

" What for? The Pansy I knew was never afraid. She was ruthless, actually. "

She smiled and stopped, as her tears spilled down her cheeks. " I'm afraid that I can't move on. I feel the guilt, Draco. I never got to show it to him. It's so painful…oh, Draco. What am I going to do? What if I can't be the best mother for my son, because Marko is gone? "

Draco took a deep breath. " Pansy, I believe you can do it. Despite our worlds being far now, despite you being a mother- and me, working in the muggle world- I know you can. Just make the Pansy I knew long ago- the Pansy who never gave up, make her live again. "

Pansy cried still and nodded. She leaned forward to kiss Draco's cheek. " Draco, " she began as her lower lip trembled. " Thank you. "

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Theodore Nott smiled as Daphne came in holding a tray filled with cookies. " There's the beautiful Daphne. "

" I see marriage agrees with Mrs. Nott? " Draco said with a laugh, sitting across them both. He was visiting Theodore Nott and a pregnant Daphne- on that drizzling, but otherwise beautiful day. The room was cozy; a low fire was built in the hearth.

" We'll hopefully have this chap on Spring, " Daphne said picking up a cookie. " Take a cookie. I tried making them myself. I think it turned out right because I'm not choking. "

Draco smiled. " I'll take your word for it. "

Daphne swallowed and looked at Draco. He had never looked this happy. His eyes were ablaze with life, his hair and skin healthier looking than ever. " You haven't visited in the longest time, what kept you? "

" Work, " he replied quickly. " I was too backlogged on my reports- "

Theodore Nott laughed. " Still can't leave the muggle life? Won't you come back to this kind of world? Where everything's easier and all? "

" I happen to like my muggle existence. It makes me forget of how pompous a bastard I was back at Hogwarts. "

They laughed; Nott was nodding all the way. " True, true. But they all fell for it. They all liked it. Even Blaise! I tell you, if he wasn't the man he was, he would have taken more than a liking to you! "

They laughed again, Draco frowning. " Merlin, that would be just plain…gross….Wait, how is he? Did you visit him? "

Daphne looked at her husband and he looked back and sighed at him.

He cleared his throat. " He tried to kill himself days ago, you know. He mentioned your name, Draco. He was looking for you a few hours before he attempted to end his life. He was screaming at the top of his lungs, blood all over his head from banging on the bars over and over again. He tried to break his bed apart, he slit his neck. "

Draco frowned a bit. Blaise? Kill himself? That would not happen at all…But of course, the Blaise he knew was gone…the last time he saw Blaise, Blaise's eyes grew as wide as saucers- and he clawed at Draco as Draco tried to talk to him.

" Blaise-! " Draco stammered out, as Blaise's hand lunged in between the bars. " It's me! "

" He doesn't know anyone, Mister, " an Auror told him. " Just, don't approach him. He goes ballistic. "

" You! I know you! " Blaise screamed. " I've seen you before! You'll help me won't you?! You and the master! You! You come here! I promise I won't hurt you…if you don't come here, I'm going to get out of here- and I'll break your neck like those rats! "

" It's me, Draco, " he said, competing against Blaise's screaming. Blaise glared at him and quieted down for a bit. " You're not eating much, " Draco finally said.

" I've been telling everyone! The food here is poison! Poison! They're out to get me- and the Master too! "

Draco faced the Auror who was with him.

The Auror nodded. " He's been eating rats for weeks. The water, he spits it out first and spits it back into the mug-"

" Your water! I know it's poisoned! You should have known better, you bastards! I will have the last laugh! You hear me?! I'll get out of here, and all will know His name! "

Draco stared at the ranting figure before him. He was now pacing around his cage, muttering to himself. It was his cue to leave. He felt helpless…but what was there to help with? Blaise- he did this to himself, didn't he? He cleared his throat. " Goodbye, Blaise Zabini. "

Blaise stopped in place and stared at Draco once more. Draco spun around, hearing Blaise scream again.

" But it didn't work, " Daphne sighed, chewing on another cookie. " Gosh, I should make more of this- " she looked at the cookie she was chewing on. Nott smiled and kissed her hair.

" Yeah, you should, Daph. "

Draco bit into the cookie, finally. " Hey, not bad. "

Daphne made a face. " Like you could make one. "

" I could…" Draco smiled. " If I had the time. "

" How are things between you and Miss Granger? " Daphne asked him.

" You can call her Hermione, Daphne. "

" Okay, how are you and Hermione? "

Draco's lips broke into a smile. " I thought you'd never ask. "

" He's in love, " Nott laughed.

" Quite, " Draco replied. " And do you mind? I'd like to feel what you two are feeling, now. "

" What? Birthing jitters? " Nott quipped. " Not likely to feel that, Draco Malfoy! "

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It was late April, the snow was melting and spring was in the air. Hermione got out of her car and walked into Draco's office building. The security guard greeted her and she smiled back. She stopped in place.

" Where are all the people? " she asked, seeing the empty cubicles and other paraphernalia unattended to. There was the sound of mechanical humming and the air conditioners on fan.

He shrugged and smiled. " Beats me, Miss. "

She frowned. Draco had told her that he wasn't exactly busy today and that she should stop by so that they could have lunch together at some swanky restaurant. He didn't tell her that the rest of his employees weren't busy too. She had worn a pretty little black dress and placed her hair in a ponytail to show off her unblemished skin. Perhaps there was some company excursion…she walked up the staircase, her heels giving off a little sound and headed for Draco's office. She stopped again.

Even Alice wasn't at her desk. Maybe Draco was busy…maybe…should she knock? She took a deep breath and knocked. There was a muffled voice that said 'come in'.

She got in, and saw Draco's entire staff of 100 inside his office. His vice-president, clad in a suit and tie, approached her.

" Hermione Granger, these are for you, " and he took out two long stemmed red roses with large petals.

She blinked, not knowing how to react. What was going on?

Alice stepped forward and gave her another long stemmed rose. And another one his staff gave her a rose, then another and another and another. Ron came out from hiding and gave her two more red roses- he winked at her too. Hermione was now holding a bouquet in her arm, thirteen red roses in all. Finally, Draco's mother stepped out from the crowd and gave her a white long stemmed rose.

Her eyes widened as Narcissa handed her the only white rose. Narcissa smiled at her, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. There was a note attached to it and Hermione opened it with one hand. It read: 'turn around'.

And she spun around, causing some of the petals and stems to fall on her feet.

Draco stood at the door, holding in one palm a little black box that had something shiny inside. It was a diamond ring with two tiny pink diamonds on the left and right sides. Her head was spinning; she couldn't believe it was happening.

" Hermione, are you willing to get stuck with me for life? " he asked her, moving so close to her, he could almost kiss her.

She was too shocked to say anything. Someone shouted from behind her, 'say yes, dearie!'. And she finally nodded and said, " Yes. "

And there was a unified cheer from Draco's staff, Ron and from his mother as he inserted the ring into her finger. It fit perfectly. She smiled at him. " You're in for the ride of your life, " she whispered to him as she embraced him tightly.

To which he replied with a smile, " Can't wait. "

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A/N: 1 more chapter to go!!! I can't believe it! I'm actually finishing on a dream story! I never thought i would! It's still so hard to believe that i'm going to close this book, this story of Hermione and Draco! I guess i'm just too lazy to respond to the reviews, but i want to give a big THANK YOU to all of you! You've made an author's dream, come true! Please do review and wait for the last installment of THE CHEMICALS BETWEEN US!----- I love you all!!!-------

Till next chapter!