CH. 2 - Support, Shouts, and Spells
A/N: Read, enjoy and review.
Sitting down at the Gryffindor table Hermione, felt Harry, Ron and Ginny's eyes all trained on her. No doubt Ron told his sister about what happened. She turned to ignore it at first, she had an Advanced Arithmancy exam tomorrow and needed to study. After a while however, it became too much with their eyes boring into her.
"What?"
"Care to explain, Hermione?" Ron said as nonchalantly as possible.
"No."
"Well then, mind if we ask you some questions?"
"Yes, now leave me be, Ron."
"Ron, I think were going about this all wrong," Harry whispered to his best friend. "Let me try." Ron gestured for him to go ahead. "Hermione, can you tell me about...Malfoy?"
Exasperated, Hermione slammed her Arithmancy text shut, best get all the questions out now, so she (and Draco) can finally move on. "Fine, what do want to know?"
Harry smiled at Ron, meanwhile Ron sunk into his seat.
"Everything."
Letting out a trying sigh, she said, "Be more specific."
"Like how did it come to be? Let's start there," Harry said.
Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table, apparently Draco was also being pestered.
"Fine, if you must know."
All three nodded, including Ginny who till now hadn't said a word, but was still paying attention.
"Draco," Hermione emphasized knowing it would disgust her friends, and she was right, their faces writhed in disgust, "Came up to me just before the Hogwarts Express left at the end of Second Year, he made sure you two weren't around and no Slytherins were watching, pulled me aside, and told me he was sorry for calling me the M-word, teasing me and causing my life that year a living Hell. He said, he only did so to get my attention..."
"And you believed him?" Ron interrupted loudly.
Hermione frowned, he apologized and she continued. "Anyway, he said he wanted my attention because somehow he had fallen for me, in truth, I couldn't have been happier that he said that. He said he started to notice me at the end of First Year but, felt unsure about talking to me..."
"Malfoy? Afraid to talk to a girl?" Ron interrupted again.
"Ron, if your going to interrupt one more time, I'm done," Hermione threatened.
"Sorry."
"As I was saying, he felt unsure and in Second Year he said the reason he turned up his teases was because he was just falling deeper. Then he said that when he found out the basilisk had petrified me knew that he had to act or else he might lose me. So, he confessed to me on the platform, I did the same and we promised to Owl each other over the summer."
"Wow," Ginny finally spoke dreamily.
"Yeah, wow," Harry and Ron echoed monotoned and unimpressed.
"The Malfoy you describe is hard to picture. He seems almost... human." Harry finally spoke after a silence fell over them as they all digested Hermione's story.
"That's rude Harry, Draco is human. You guys just can't seem to get past the fact that he's the Malfoy of old. I did and I'm perfectly happy," she defended.
"Sorry, Hermione."
"So, has he kissed you yet?" Ginny asked.
Hermione blushed, causing Ginny to squeal excitedly and Harry and Ron to look as if they were going to throw up.
"How long have you been together?" Ginny asked again.
"Since the middle of summer."
"How? You live in the Muggle World and he lives in the Wizarding World."
"After a series of letters, he wrote that he would Floo in to see me in mid-July. I introduced him to my parents as a friend at first before finally after a number of visits we both revealed we were together."
"So, I have to ask, how does Malfoy look in Muggle clothes?"
"Ginny?!" Ron admonished.
"Oh shush, Ron," Ginny said turning back to Hermione, apparently this was now a girls-only conversation.
Ron shrugged and turned to Harry to discuss the upcoming Quidditch match with Ravenclaw. Anything to get his mind and Harry's mind no doubt, off of Hermione and Malfoy.
Hermione looks dreamily into space, remembering the first time she saw him in jeans and a tight fit dark t-shirt when she introduced him to her Muggle friends as her boyfriend, "Incredible."
Ginny was about to ask another question when they heard a raucous at the Slytherin table. Everyone in the Great Hall turned to look. Malfoy had Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode up against the wall, his wand at the ready. Both girls looked terrified.
"If you dare lay a hair on her or call her that again from now on, you will answer to me. And I promise you, I will show no mercy," his voice cold and menacing. He turns to the rest of the Hall, the girls use this as a chance to escape, "That goes for the rest of you, as well." He turns and leaves, no sooner had he left that the Hall erupted into a chorus of whispers.
"No doubt, he was talking about you," Ginny said to Hermione.
"I wonder what Parkinson and Bulstrode said to or threaten to do that ticked off the ferret like that?" Ron said as he turned back to toward the table.
"I think I know, I have to go." Hermione grabs her texts and bag and rushes out of the Hall.
(***)
Once outside she casted a Homenum Revelio spell, it showed that Draco was a just down the corridor heading toward the library. She ran to catch up.
"Draco!" Hermione called when she saw him in view, he slowed his feverish walk once he heard his name from her lips. Eventually stopping altogether. When Hermione finally caught up, he turned toward her, the angry expression of a few minutes ago melted away.
"Hermione." He said as his arms enveloped her.
"Draco, what happened?"
"I snapped, I suppose. I was being pestered with all these questions and well, Pansy and Millicent said that they would get you when you least expect it because I deserved to be with a proper pureblood and a...," his voice faded.
"Oh Draco," Hermione leant up and kissed him forgetting that they could still be seen. Neither cared as he pulled her in tighter and the kiss was returned and deepened.
(***)
Professor McGonagall was passing by when she saw the kiss in progress and quickly scampered away toward Dumbledore's office.
She went up to the tower, supplied the password and knocked on his door. "Enter."
"Minerva what brings you about?"
"It concerns Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, Albus."
"Ahh yes, the inter-House romance has caused the school to be in a bit of an uproar."
"How do you know about it?"
"The school gossip chains travel fast," he smiled.
"I see, I'm worried about whether it can withstand the pressures of such a relationship. Not to mention Lucius Malfoy's reaction when he finds out."
"As with all things, it is best to worry in bits, one will be driven mad if too much is raised at once."
"But Albus, they are so young."
"Patience Minerva, I believe our young couple will pass any challenge presented in due time and with due diligence. Young love, if it is strong can lift mountains and the couple themselves to new heights of discovery," he looks down at the courtyard lawn where Draco and Hermione now reside, holding each other in quiet companionship save for Hermione's occasional bouts of laughter.
"I do hope you're right," she says as she joins him looking down at the couple.
(***)
It was dinnertime now and Draco and Hermione after spending some time together in the courtyard and a few hours in the library studying strolled in hand-in-hand once more.
This time the Hall carried on like normal, partially due to the initial shock wearing off, but mostly because most students' suspect it was because of Malfoy's threat earlier. The Malfoy name at Hogwarts and indeed throughout the entire Wizarding World, was one to be feared, so it is probably best not to be on the Prince of Slytherin's bad side when it came to matters closest to him. Unless of course, you don't value your life.
"I'll see you tonight?" He said lifting her hands and drawing them closer to him. She looked up at him.
"Hmm," she said in soft confirmation.
He ghost a kiss on her fingertips and then released them.
They went their separate ways.
As Hermione walked toward the Gryffindor table she wished everyone could see Draco, her Draco the way she sees him, but as she sat down she knew that was next to impossible.
Throughout dinner, she could feel herself being watched by the front table, her suspicions were confirmed when she finally looked up and saw Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore looking straight at her, one caringly, the other with a twinkle and a smile. As if they both knew. She turned back toward her plate.
"Something wrong, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Not really, but since you asked, what are your opinions about my relationship with Draco?" She presented this question to her three best friends, two across and one next to her.
Harry and Ron cringed at how Hermione could say Malfoy's name so easily.
"Oh grow up, you two," Ginny said as she rolled her eyes at Harry and Ron. Turning to Hermione she took her hand. "I think it's fantastic, you both love and care for each other. He seems nicer or at least around you he is. You really shouldn't let others' opinions stop you from being happy, the latter of which you seem to be very much so."
Hermione smiled at her, Ginny was always so supportive of her. Harry spoke up next, after clearing his throat.
"It's fine Hermione, it's your life and we have no right to dictate it. We may not like it," he gestured between himself and Ron, "But if Malfoy makes you happy then we'll support you."
"Yeah, what he said," Ron said with a mouth full of mashed potatoes, after swallowing he continued, "But remember it's not the school you have to win over it's Daddy Malfoy, if he gets a whiff that his precious pureblood son is seeing a muggleborn, then Merlin help you, Hermione."
"Ronald!" Ginny shouted.
"What? It's true, the school can only protect her so much."
Ginny narrowed her brow at her brother. Hermione patted her hand to calm her down, "It's OK Ginny, I know it'll be a tough road to navigate."
That seemed to calm Ginny down, "But still, Ron you should be saying and doing more supportive things."
"More supportive things? Malfoy's been a git since our first day here. He's teased and done more nasty things to Hermione than probably anyone, maybe with the exception of Harry. And now that we've just discovered this new bloody relationship you want me to turn the other cheek?"
Ron's words stung, of course Hermione somewhat figured that among them he would the hardest to convince. But instead of saying anything she just started pushing food around her plate.
"Ronald Weasley, how could you be so heartless," Ginny began, "Sure Malfoy's been a pain in the past but, he makes her happy, he protects her or did you forget about before?"
He mumbles something incoherent, shifting his gaze down to his plate. "All I'm saying is this is Malfoy were talking about, he and his family make it their life's goal to make sure everyone else is miserable. Besides what's to keep him from hurting her in a day or a week, you never know when Malfoy might get bored and move onto the next pretty thing that strikes his fancy."
That did it. Hermione couldn't take anymore boyfriend bashing from Ron, she got up and rushed out of the Great Hall, tears welling up and threatening to fall at anytime. Draco notices this, and stares directly at Ron, his grey eyes looking like they could kill. Ron, watched Hermione leave as well and caught a glance of Draco's cold death stare, he slumped down and turned back toward the table.
"What happened to, 'we'll support you', Ron?" Ginny said angrily.
Harry who had all but faded from the conversation, put in his two-pence, "I agree with Ginny mate, that was a little bit harsh. If Hermione can forgive, why can't we?"
Ron hated that his sister and best friend were ganging up on him, "Oh no Harry, not you too," he lamented.
"I'm going to find Hermione and hope I can calm her down and make sure you are still friends." With that Ginny left.
"Can you believe them," Ron turned to Harry, "I'm just saying what were all thinking, and suddenly I'm the bad guy."
"Well Ron, you were making a Ministry case out of it. All that matters really is Hermione's happiness and right now she's not too pleased with you, that could cause friction for us later."
Unbelievable. Ron thought, even Harry had turned coat on him, was he the only sane one here?
(***)
Dinner past without anymore conversation, once they were outside, Harry and Ron were met by Draco and Blaise.
"Well, well, finally decide to stop stuffing your face, Weasel?" Draco said leaning against a corridor pillar.
"Shove off, Malfoy. I'm in no mood for you."
"Oh quite sorry I didn't realize I was taking up your time, Lord Weasley," he bowed, then he and Blaise stood in front of Harry and Ron.
"I said, shove off," Ron said trying to step aside only to have Draco mirror him.
Ron tried again and again it failed. It tried several more times, before Draco grabbed his robe, pinning him to the pillar.
"Let him go, Malfoy," Harry shouted readying his wand.
"Only after I have a little chat with Mr. Weasel," his voice calm and cold. "Don't worry Potter, I promised Hermione I wouldn't hurt the weasel."
Harry furrowed his brow.
"Stop calling her 'Hermione', you git," Ron said venomously.
"What, that is her name, I am free to call my girlfriend by her first name, aren't I?"
"Listen ferret, you may act kind and sweet around Hermione, convincing her you've changed but I know better."
"Really? Then, explain to me why she's with me?"
"I can't, but I know you haven't changed you are still the foul little cockroach you've always been, and sooner or later Hermione is going to see that."
"Oh Weasel," Draco said shaking his head disapprovingly, "Give it up, I have changed for Hermione's sake, she is and will always be mine. Drop the spiteful act, just because despite three years of knowing her she still doesn't notice you, is no grounds for you to claim I'm still the same."
"If you have changed, then prove it. Let dear daddy know."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Weasel, weasel, weasel. As always I am two steps ahead of you, I have Owled Father, and Hermione should be getting a reply from him just... about... now," Draco snapped his fingers.
"That's doesn't prove anything he could still tell her off, we don't know. As far I'm concerned you are still a slimy, disgusting, little piss-ant of a wizard."
Draco shoved Ron up closer to the pillar, all the while, closing in on Ron's windpipes causing him to gasp for air. "Careful what you say, Weasel," Draco's eyes darkened and narrowed, "I don't take kindly to such words and should I see you cause Hermione to cry like in the Great Hall again, your next words will be your last."
He released Ron causing him to fall to his knees gasping desperately for air. Harry rushed over Ron, "Ron, you all right?"
After a few more deep breaths, Ron squeaked out a " Yeah... I'm fine." And turned toward the two Slytherins who now had their back turned and were walking away. He charged at Malfoy without thinking, Petrificus Totalus, Draco turned, recited and fired.
And then started walking away again.
Harry rushed to Ron, then looked up at the two robes disappearing around the corner. He had used restraint. Harry thought, any other time and Ron would been blasted to bits. Malfoy was right, he didn't hurt Ron, not intentionally. He tighten his hold because Ron provoked him, petrified him because Ron had charged. Even when he had tighten his grip, he could have easily crushed Ron's windpipes and that would be that but he did and didn't grip him too long. And when charged of all the spells he knew much, much more harmful ones, he picked one that wore off in 20 minutes and doesn't do any bodily harm. Maybe Malfoy had changed, maybe it's Ron that needs to change and realize it. Harry thought.
(***)
Ginny found Hermione crying in the Gryffindor common room.
"Hermione," Ginny came and patted her back, "I'm sorry, Ron can be jerk sometimes. He's tactless that one."
Hermione cleared a sniffle and smiled.
"It's all right, maybe I'm just a little too sensitive."
"No you have every right to be mad, Ron shouldn't have said what he did. He was completely out of line."
She cleared another sniffle, "Thanks Ginny."
Ginny hugged her.
They sat and talked for awhile about nothing and anything, but what had transpired. Soon, Hermione had stopped crying was feeling better. The were in the middle of discussing Luna Lovegood's latest bout of weird when an Owl flew in that neither girls recognized.
"Who's Owl is that? That's not Hedwig or Errol." Ginny asked.
"I don't know."
It dropped a golden envelope into Hermione's hands then flew off.
"Who is it from?"
"There's no name," Hermione flipped the envelope over and recognized the embossed seal belonging to the Malfoy family. She quickly opened it, unfoded the delicate parchment and in neat quill was a letter from Lucius Malfoy.
Miss Granger,
Draco has recently informed me of your budding relationship, he states that you are Muggleborn, that I immediately cannot accept. Hermione felt tears again but blinked them back and continued to read. The Malfoy family line has never been anything but pure, I have spoken to Draco about this matter, but he refuses my advice and does not cower to my threats. I do not know what you have done to my son, but for Draco to refuse me is unprecedented, for that then I must thank you. Draco speaks very highly of you, he believes that you are his "only". I do not. However, I am a reasonable man, I will not forbid you to see my son, however if you are his and his alone, possibly in time I will grow to accept you as Draco has.
Begrudgingly,
Lucius Malfoy
Now tears really did start to flow, the hardest hurdle she thought she would have to face is no longer an obstacle. Lucius Malfoy accepts her, albeit begrudgingly and all because Draco stood up for her. She read the last few parts again and again, showing it to Ginny who grinned.
"I'm so happy for you," Ginny said as she wiped her friend's tears.
A few minutes later, Harry showed up, carrying a body-bound Ron. He dropped him on the nearest couch.
The girls rushed over, "What happened? Hermione asked.
Harry finished catching his breath, explained, "Malfoy... he met us outside Great Hall because he saw you run out crying, he pushed Ron up against the wall, they exchanged some words, Malfoy was calm he said that he promised you he wouldn't hurt Ron and true to his word he didn't until Ron provoked him, then charged at him and Blaise. Malfoy used a Petrificus Totalus spell on him and walked away, I was expecting worse."
"You said he didn't, until Ron provoked him. What did Malfoy do?" Ginny asked.
He pushed Ron up against the wall harder and tighten his grip on his collar around his windpipe for about 20 seconds."
Both girls looked shocked for the same reason, Malfoy restrained himself. They both knew if it was the old Malfoy, Ron would be in the Infirmary with a collapsed windpipe or sent flying through several walls until every bone was broken.
"Malfoy said you changed him, I know one event isn't enough to tell completely but, after what I saw I know he's changed somewhat for the better."
At that Hermione showed Harry the letter from Lucius. He read it disbelieving, until he saw Hermione's beaming face.
Ron chose then to sit up, the spell had worn off.
"Ugh, what happened?" He rubbed his head.
"Malfoy, casted a Petrificus Totalus spell on you." Harry explained.
Ron jumped up immediately and ran to Hermione, "See, he hasn't changed, he still attacks people."
"Save it Ronald, Harry said you were the one provoking him, you were the one charging at him."
Ron glared at Harry.
"Believe me had he wanted to, you would be in the Infirmary with dozens of broken bones. I know why he confronted you, Harry told me. Consider yourself warned, Ron."
Ron glared at Harry again.
"Am I the only sane one here?" He cried. And then he saw the letter in Hermione's hand.
"What's that?" He pointed.
"A letter from Lucius Malfoy, he says while he doesn't like me because of my blood status he's willing to give me a chance because of what I've done with Draco."
He looked at Ginny for confirmation, then Harry. They both nodded. Ron then stomped up to his room.
Hermione folded the letter and pocketed it on the inside of her robe. Then checked the wall for the time. "I promised I'd go meet Draco, I'll be back before curfew." And ran through the portrait hole.
Ginny and Harry both said their good-byes, although they didn't like Malfoy it doesn't mean that they should force Hermione to not like him either. They said they would support her and they will.
(***)
Hermione arrived at the clearing at the edge of the Forbidden Forest within a few minutes, she saw Draco already there waiting with his back turned. She decided to surprise him and leapt onto his back. He caught her and was strong enough to keep the two of them right until Hermione started to giggle uncontrollably. He set her down.
"Bloody Hell, Hermione," Draco turned to look at his girlfriend with her wayward curls, deep brown eyes illuminated by the full moon above, pert-soft lips and Gryffindor robes.
She smiled at him he smiled back, "I heard about what you did to Ron."
His smiled dropped, preparing for a lecture.
"Thank you for showing restraint."
"I promised you, I wouldn't hurt the Weasel. A Malfoy never breaks a promise."
She raised an eyebrow, "What about the time you promised to not put slugs in my hair, First Year and then did?"
He cringed, "Child's play."
"Or when you said, you'd never again tie my robes to my chair and then did, constantly Second Year?
Ohh. "Boys will be boys."
"Or when...,"
He put a finger to her lips then stared at her with piercing grey eyes, "Everything I've said since we got together I've kept and will continue to keep," he whispered.
"Draco...," was all she could muster before his lips met hers. Their kisses were always a mix of heartfelt passion and child-like wonder. They had only been together a short time and with them being from essentially different worlds and Houses their time together was limited, but whatever time they could have to themselves, they used it to learn more about the other and kissing was one of their favorite ways to do so.
When they broke for air, they sat down on the blanket Draco conjured up after a while of him weaving through her hair which he had come to love as he had her, coupled with the occasional sneaked kiss, Draco broke the silent that surrounded them.
"Hermione?"
"Hmm," she looked up at him.
"Promise me you won't leave."
"Draco...where is this coming from?"
"My little confrontation today with Weasel made me realize that I'm not the only one who finds you attractive. Weasel obviously does since he's been pushing me away, and who knows maybe even Potter or Zabini or Crabbe and Goyle. If I lose you to one of them or anyone else, I wouldn't be able to live it down."
"Draco, I love you, you paranoid snake. I don't feel anything for anyone, but you. You don't have to worry."
"What makes you so sure that a day or week or a month from now you won't develop any feelings for anyone else?"
"Because of this," she showed him his father's letter to her. "Draco believes you are his 'only'," she read, "You are mine and even after all we've been through I'll still be yours, simply because you think so too," she finished.
Hermione...," he paused, it was longer than necessary but then, "I love you, too," he whispered.
She leaned up and kissed him causing them both to fall back on the blanket, with her on top of him. They kissed and rolled around on the blanket until their positions were reversed.
"Why Granger, if you just wanted a shag you could've just said so, I'd be more than happy to oblige," he smiled and winked.
She playfully slapped his arm.
They sat up again and cuddled for a while before Hermione whispered, "Draco, give me your hand."
He sat up straighter and did what she said. Hermione then laid her hand on top of his, grabbed her wand and recited, Semper Amamus. Suddenly a rush of cold wind, followed by a warm one converged over them thunderously then settled down into a snow-like dust falling slowly on them.
"What was that?" Draco asked.
"A forever love spell. One so powerful that it can't be broken or reversed. It only works on two people who are meant to be. If they are, then the snow-like dust falls on them, if not then they are rained upon."
"Amazing."
"There's more, once it has been applied to the couple, it also acts as a repellant to others who try to force them apart by means of infidelity."
"And by infidelity, you mean?"
"Sex, inappropriate touching, kissing, or pretty much anything that can cause the other partner to misconstrue it as cheating."
"So does that mean it'll keep Pansy off me now?"
Hermione vigorously nodded. She had Pansy Parkinson always touching Draco, attempting to kiss him, even in front of her and this was before today happened.
Suddenly she was enveloped in the massive bear hug, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
When Draco released her she smiled at him.
"Where did you find the spell anyway?"
"The only place I've felt safe since First Year."
"The library," they chorused.
"I wanted to find a spell so powerful that it was unbreakable and irreversible to see if you really truly did love me. And if we were meant to be."
"My little bookworm," Draco said with a grin.
Hermione blushed.
"So, out of curiosity what would you have done if it rained on us?"
"Hex you into oblivion."
He smiled weakly, as in love with her as he was, she still scared him sometimes with her stubbornness and threats.
"What does the spell do?"
"Nothing. I guess it figures that if the results weren't ideal the partners would know how to enact a punishment far better than it."
"Smart," Draco said dryly.
E/N: I apologize for the first chapter being a little dry, hopefully this made up for it. Couple of things, there will be plenty more drama and surprises. Initially, I left the timeline open to interpretation by now I guess I'm solidly placing it at the beginning of Fourth Year. And finally, Semper Amamus translated means "Forever We Love", it's obviously not an official HP spell so keep an open mind.