CH. 7 - Welcome To My World

A/N: Here it is the delayed CH. 7. I hope you enjoy it.

"I am not a jealous girlfriend," Hermione huffed to her Potions textbook in the library. The words Draco said last week, albeit in fun still rang in her head. She studied her text with a glossy look, seeping in none of the information, finally, she looked up, closed her book, stuffed it in her bag and headed for the one place she'd never thought she'd go willingly on her own. The Slytherin dungeons.

She stood outside the gargoyle-guarded common room that belonged to the den of snakes and knocked. Which she thought was odd, knocking on a statue. But seconds later it opened. The last person she wanted to answer stood in front of her: Pansy Parkinson.

"Oh, it's you," Pansy deadpanned upon seeing Hermione. Because most of the Slytherins valued their lives and reputation, they steered clear of harming Hermione physically and emotionally, else risk Draco's wrath. The others simply had no interest in what their Prince was doing so they minded their own business. That's not to say they couldn't be sarcastic or indifferent to her. And in all honesty Hermione expected that.

"What do you want?" Pansy crossed her arms.

"I need to see Draco," Hermione replied.

"Stay there, I'll get him for you," she turned heel and the gargoyle moved back in place.

A minute later Draco appeared.

"Hermione, is something wrong?" He asked with a concerned look.

"Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know." Hermione rapid-fired.

"Okay... thanks for clearing that up," he said with a chuckle.

"Shut up, I'm upset," she blurted out and crossed her arms. She so adorable, Draco thought.

"What about?"

"You."

"Me? What did I do?" Draco asked affronted.

"You called me a jealous girlfriend," she mumbled furrowing her brow.

Draco laughed, Hermione now looked as if a professor had just given her a P.

"Stop laughing this is serious," she demanded.

Draco's laugh subsided, he wiped a tear away and spoke, humor still evident in voice, "I'm sorry, really, but I thought you knew I only teasing a bit."

"I know," Hermione began softly, "But it makes me sound petty, possessive and dependent on a man to complete me and that hurts."

Draco's humor ceased as he understood where his beloved girlfriend was coming from, he stepped closer to her, wrapping her in a comforting embrace while stroking her hair. She rested her head on his chest.

After awhile he pulled her back and looked at her with a smile that only she is privy to, "Hermione, you are none of those things, although I sometimes wish you were a little more possessive especially around Pansy, Forever Love spell or not, but I truly am sorry if I made you feel any of those things, you are a strong, intelligent, beautiful, independent witch and the one I fell in love with, I wouldn't want you to be anybody but yourself."

Hermione's face relaxed and a bright smile shone on her face.

"Am I forgiven?" Draco asked with a slight smile after a moment.

"I suppose. It was pretty petty of me to get this upset over something so small," she continued, "Yes, yes you are," she affirmed.

He smiled.

"Well it's getting late, I best head back to the Gryffindor common room," Hermione excused herself.

"Hermione wait." Draco grabbed her hand as she turned, she turned to him, "Yes?"

"I would like you to meet my parents," he said suddenly.

Hermione paled and stood motionless for several minutes.

"Hermione...," Draco said slowly reaching out a hand in concern.

She turned up to meet his eyes, the pale look still present on her features. "I-I-I don't think that's a good idea," she stuttered out quietly.

His face now showed deep concern, Hermione was usually stronger than this.

"Why not?" He inquired.

"Because of my blood status. You told me yourself that they pride themselves, as did you not too long ago on being pureblooded, imagine what they'd say if you showed up with a muggleborn girlfriend."

Draco pondered her scenario briefly, before smiling, she looked up at him, "Why are you smiling?"

"Hermione I promise you, your blood status is nothing to worry about my parents will love you, my mother especially. My father, despite your initial impression of him at Flourish and Blotts in Second Year is tolerant of company, plus, if you recall he did write and said that he will accept you if you are my "one and only" therefore he will not make snide remarks about your status. Just be yourself and they will respect and love you just as I have."

"How can you be so sure?" She asked biting her lower lip anxiously.

"Because I am, and if they do get out of line I'll be there, I wouldn't throw you into the proverbial snake pit," he flashed her a bright smile, the one meant for her and her eyes only.

She relaxed a little and took a deep breath, "This is a big step for us."

"It is."

She let out a breath, "Okay, I do it."

"See, I knew that Gryffindor courage would kick in eventually," he smirked.

Hermione gave him a half-smile of her own.

With the Yule Ball less than two weeks away, Hogwarts was eagerly getting ready for the big event. However, Hermione Granger was dreading the whole thing, not because of the dance or because of her date, but because she would be meeting Draco's parents on the last Hogsmeade weekend of the term. She had told him she'd do it and by Merlin she will, but it was still unnerving. This despite Draco's suggesting that they meet in Hogsmeade a relatively neutral place rather than Hogwarts or the Manor.

Friday, tomorrow would be the day she met her boyfriend's parents, at breakfast she was just playing with her food and Harry and Ginny looked concerned.

"Hermione if you're not up for it, you could just call it off, I'm sure the new Malfoy would understand," Harry said comfortingly.

Hermione shook her head, "No I have to, Draco met my parents well before we were a couple and while he later admitted it was quite terrifying he still did it for me so, I have to do this. If I want any shot at a future with him."

Ron who in recent weeks had calmed down considerably, meaning he was speaking to the group again, however he steered clear of any conversation that dealt with Hermione and Malfoy or just Malfoy in general; put in his two pence.

"See, Hermione his pressuring you to do something you don't want to do, he hasn't changed. First he's pressuring you to meet his parents, next thing you know he's pressuring you to have sex, I'm telling you, you'd be a lot better off without the git."

Hermione and Ginny narrowed their eyes angrily at him.

"Ronald, I do wish you would stop trying to break us up, I told you, you can't," Hermione said a little bit too calm and sweetly.

"You're lucky Hermione has forgiven you about the Hogsmeade incident, stop trying to break them up or so help me you'll be getting a Howler from Mum and a Bat-Bogey Hex courtesy of me," Ginny added.

Ron paled and quickly shifted back to his breakfast. The girls smiled in triumph at each other. Harry meanwhile shuddered at the mention of the hex, he had heard Fred and George mention being on the receiving end of it.

Saturday. Judgement Day, literally. Hermione was a ball of nerves pacing around the Gryffindor common room while Ginny watched from the couch amused. She was wringing her hands nervously, looking up at the clock every 5 minutes. While it was amusing to watch a nervous Hermione, ginny knew that if she didn't calm down, she would probably wear a hole in the middle of the room or worse. What exactly the worse was, Ginny didn't know but Hermione needed to calm down: now.

"Hermione, stop pacing."

"How can I, I'm about to meet my boyfriend's parents who in case you didn't know, practically own the Wizarding World. On top of that, my boyfriend's probably the closest thing to royalty there is, he's the Wizarding World's Prince William! So sorry if I can't calm down," she screeched, practically pulling at her hair which she had managed to tame into soft waves thanks to a spell Ginny taught her.

Ginny sighed, obviously just telling to do something isn't going to cut it. "Hermione, first, stop pulling at your hair, second, Malfoy loves you, and you love him what does it matter if his parents don't agree?" Ginny reasoned.

"You're right Ginny, it's not like the Malfoys are anybody special. Oh wait, they are! Lucius probably has the Ministry in his back pocket and can make or break me if he so chooses."

All right, reasoning with a hysterical Hermione...no. Time to try begging.

"Please Hermione, for my sake, Malfoy's sake, the floor's structural integrity and your sanity stop worrying!" She got up, walked over to Hermione she the older witch and literally tried to slap some sense into her.

"Oww Ginny, what was that for?" Hermione rubbed her cheeks.

"Slapping some sense into you. You've never been so fearful of anything why start now?"

Hermione took in Ginny's words, what was so scared of, she is Hermione Granger after all. She dealt with worse. Much worse. And it wasn't like she was going in alone, Draco would be by her side. She took a deep breath.

"Thanks Ginny, I needed that."

"Anytime," the redhead smiled sweetly.

Hermione bid her a quick good-bye and left through the portrait hole.

Meanwhile, Draco was steadying himself in his own dormitory, he took several deep breaths and prayed to which deity that would listen that his parents would accept his Hermione, even if they didn't he didn't care, as long as he had her, it was enough. He thought back to the letter he wrote them late last night.

Dear Mother and Father,

Thank you for agreeing to meet Hermione, it means more to me than you know. I wish you would look past her blood and see her for what she really is; how I see her. As a beautiful, intelligent, caring, kind-hearted, fiery and independent witch that makes me happy.

Mother, Father, Hermione has told me about how you are willing to accept her if she is my 'one and only', I assure you both, she is.

I look forward to our meeting at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow at noon.

Your Son,

Draco Lucius Malfoy

He only ever signed his full name when he was absolutely serious about something. Something he hopes his parents picked up and he hoped that they noticed that he referred to her as 'his Hermione'.

Letting out a long sigh, he glanced at the clock, 11:15 AM, he was to meet Hermione by the school gates in 15 minutes. Giving himself one last glance over he started walking. He didn't want to keep her waiting.

He reached the gates just as she was walking up, she looked incredible; it was simple but it fit her personality and tastes just fine. She was in her muggle light blue jeans, trainers and a light pink muggle hoodie. Her wild chestnut-colored hair was falling just past her shoulders in soft waves. Merlin, she looked beautiful.

Suddenly, he became self-conscious of his own appearance, an all-black affair; slacks, dress shirt and leather shoes. The only color was a solid green tie he wore slightly loose. At least his hair was styled in her favorite, cascading mid-part style.

Hermione had reached him as he was still scrutinizing his clothes.

"Draco, are you all right?"

Her voice snapped him out of his last minute wardrobe dilemma. "Huh, yeah, I'm just wondering if I'm a bit over-dressed. I mean you—"

He was cut off as a worrying look draped Hermione's face, "Oh Merlin, I knew I should have worn a dress, I'm going to meet your parents not playing in the park. How could I be so stupid," she berated herself.

Draco took a hold of her, stared at her straight a leaned in for a deep kiss which Hermione melted into and reciprocated immediately. When they parted, he pulled back slightly, still eye-to-eye with his Gryffindor girlfriend and whispered.

"You look amazing, don't change." Hermione blushed, and thanked him thinking he meant her clothes when in fact he meant something deeper. "Shall we?"

She nodded and together they boarded the carriages. Hermione snuggled into Draco's side as he wrapped a protective arm around her. Hopefully, this would be all the protecting he would be doing today.

As the carriages, made their way to Hogsmeade, Draco played with Hermione's hair and they shared light conversation.

"Now Lucius, remember we are doing this for Draco's sake. He wants us to approve of his choice, more than that he desperately seeking your approval, please make an effort to get along with the Granger girl," Narcissa implored as she and Lucius took their seats at a booth.

Lucius simply gave a non-committal, 'hmm'. Unfortunately that earn him a glare that made him cringe.

"Promise." It wasn't so much a question as a order.

"All right Narcissa." If there was one person that could keep Lucius in line was Narcissa Malfoy.

They sat waiting roughly five minutes before the Leaky Cauldron's door chime sounded and in walked Draco and Hermione.

As the Malfoys watched their son walk toward their table they noticed two things, one, that Hermione was wearing the Malfoy family pendent and looking a bit nervous, two, Draco has his arm wrapped around her waist protectively.

Narcissa clasps one hand over her mouth, "Oh Lucius, don't they look precious?"

Another non-committal growl was her answer.

"Behave yourself," she glared. Another cringe, but he straightened up.

As the teenagers reached the table Narcissa stood, quickly followed by Lucius.

"Hello Mother, Father, I hope you're well," Draco greeted.

"Yes we are," Narcissa answered for the both of them.

"Yes," Lucius drawled.

"Please," Narcissa gestured.

"Thank you, but first I'd like to introduce you both to someone every important to me," he took a deep breath, "Mother, Father this is Hermione Granger, my girlfriend," he introduced as Hermione stepped forward away from Draco's side.

"Pleased to meet you both," she said in a respectfully quiet voice.

"The pleasure is all ours Miss Granger," Narcissa replied offering a hand which Hermione shook.

"Yes indeed," Lucius followed up offering a hand as well, which Hermione shook politely.

The atmosphere surrounding them was indeed heavy, until Draco cleared his throat trying to break the tension, "Come love, let us sit, yeah?" Hermione nodded and slid into the booth quickly followed by Draco. Narcissa and Lucius followed suit.

The endearment wasn't lost on either parent but they chose not to address it.

"So...," Narcissa drew out, "Miss Granger, Draco tells us that you are extreme bright and a very capable witch," Hermione blushed at the compliment, "that is exactly the kind of person that we believe Draco needs."

"Oh I—" before she could finish, their waitress came took their orders and then left. Hermione began again having some time to shake the cobwebs, "Thank you for Mrs. Malfoy, but I don't think I'm any special really, my status may be the only thing unique about me, but that's all, everything I've accomplished I've done through hard work and intense studying."

The three others at the table were taken back, they didn't expect Hermione to be the one to bring up that sore spot. Narcissa however, quickly recovered, "Nonsense dear, those traits make you who your are, don't be so modest."

Clearly the topic of her blood would be a dark cloud if they didn't address it soon, so Draco took the initiative. "Very well," he sighed, getting everyone's attention, "let's talk about the biggest issue here shall we? I'm a pureblood dating a muggleborn and clearly that is a problem that no one wants to address, so let's just get it off the table shall we? Yes, Hermione is a muggleborn, that in our society is looked down upon," he looked at his father when he said that, "However, there is nothing you or anyone else can do or say to make me feel anything different about the amazing girl beside me. She makes me laugh, think and more often than I'd like to admit jealous. Because here is a girl, willing to see past my status in the Wizarding World as the Malfoy heir and forgive my past misdeeds towards her, to love me for me. That is all I can ever ask from her, she has changed me for the better, and because of that I do not care what her blood is, to me she is simply Hermione Granger; the feisty Gryffindor who has not only managed to win my love and affection but someone I would do anything to protect even if it means no longer being a Malfoy."

This revelation shocked everyone at the table, Narcissa didn't want to lose her only son, Lucius saw with his own eyes how being with this girl has indeed changed his son, Hermione was shocked at his threat, as knew how important being a Malfoy meant.

Before anyone could speak, the waitress had come back with their orders, but no one was in the mood to eat.

Once she left, silence reigned over the table. That is until Lucius spoke up and excused himself. Instead of walking away he waited, then spoke, "Draco may I speak to you for a moment?" His voice low.

"Of course, Father," Draco answered confidently, he wasn't going to be swayed by his father anymore on how to live his life, even if was just 14.

As father and son left, Narcissa was studying Hermione.

"He does love you, I hope you know that. Never in his life have I seen him be that assertive, you have changed my son, it seems and for the better. Thank you, Miss Granger."

Hermione just blushed and took a sip of her tea.

Following his father toward the back of the Leaky Cauldron and settling in of of the empty tables Draco sat when his father gestured.

"What did you want to speak to me about, Father?" He was expecting a lecture on how it's not right to be with a muggleborn.

"That was an incredibly bold thing you just did, Draco," Lucius' voice bared no ounce of sarcasm, condescension or indignation, it sounded almost fatherly with a hint of pride.

"What do you mean, Father?" Draco asked because he rarely heard encouraging words from Lucius growing up.

"Your proactive defense of Miss Granger. I have never heard you be so protective and passionate about something let alone someone. She truly has changed your outlook hasn't she?" Lucius looked in the direction of the girl his son grew up hating, but is now in love with.

Draco turned to look too, with a smile on his face, "She has."

Lucius cleared his throat, father and son looked at each other directly, "I trust Miss Granger has shared with you the contents of my letter?"

Draco nodded.

"Do you love her?" He asked seriously.

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

Draco was taken back by this, he thought for a moment, "She performed the Semper Amamus spell on us."

This time it was Lucius who was shocked, but he didn't let it show, "And?"

"Snow fell on us," Draco answered nervously, not because he was afraid of what Lucius might do, but out embarrassment. Because how does one explain something so pure and innocent to a man that could scare the spots off of a cheetah?

"I see," was Lucius' only response before he continued his questioning, "Are you willing to put up with the scrutiny of being with a muggleborn?"

"Yes."

Lucius didn't show it but internally he was swelling with pride, while it's true he would rather his only son marry a pureblood to keep the Malfoy line as such, however it seems that Hermione Granger is much better suit for his son, despite her blood status. And while he wouldn't admit it to anyone with possibly the exception of his wife, he too wished for nothing more than Draco's happiness.

"Very well Draco, I will fully support your relationship with Miss Granger, however heed this warning, once the Wizarding World gets wind of this; a Malfoy and muggleborn, there will be Hell to pay."

Draco was surprised that his father was accepting of Hermione, "Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I have made it clear that you were to eventually marry a pureblood, however after seeing you defend her, and seeing how much she has changed you, I have no further reservations against Miss Granger."

"That's it?"

"Were you expecting something different?" Lucius deadpanned.

"Quite honestly, yes."

"Well it will surprise you to know that the main reason for my support is because of that spell she cast on the two of you. Did you know that your mother and I had the exact same spell and the exact same result as you and Miss Granger?"

Draco shook his head.

"Indeed, I cast it on Narcissa and myself during our Sixth Year, and perhaps what Miss Granger failed to or neglect to mention to you is that, yes it is a Forever Love spell because it is a bonding spell meaning that the two people whose snow dust it falls upon are now essentially engaged," Lucius finished with a smirk awaiting his son's reaction.

"E-e-engaged? What do you mean engaged?"

"I mean exactly that, Semper Amamus is a spell only done when couples agree that their future only includes the other, ending in marriage. For that reason very few cast this particular bonding spell. It is a very powerful one, it includes many counters to ensure the individuals it is cast upon have and keep their one and only."

Draco took in his father's explanation of the spell, still shocked by the information, "But Father, I'm only 14, I can't be engaged I haven't even asked Hermione yet, she will surely go mad once this comes to light."

"Calm yourself Draco, it's ungentlemanly and unMalfoy-like behavior. You are not engaged, yet, it is not an automatic engagement, you must still ask the girl and you may do so at your own pace," Lucius said sternly.

That calmed him down.

"Come let us get back to the booth your mother has had too much time with that girl, she is probably gone mad answering questions about grandchildren and the like."

Draco paled at the mention of grandchildren, only to hear Lucius laugh. A sound and sight so rare nearly everyone turned to view it.

Once they returned the booth, Hermione could see that Draco was looking slightly paler than usual.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, I have some things I'll tell you later but I'm fine," he said in a daze.

"You sure?" Her worried voice snapped him back to reality.

He smiled at her, "Yes, Hermione."

The rest of the meeting went swimmingly. Hermione misjudged the Malfoys, once you get past the stern, aristocratic exterior, they were just parents. That put her at ease and she started to act more relaxed and like herself.

At the end, when Narcissa and Lucius stood to leave, Lucius spoke to her, "Miss Granger, I told you that in time would accept you, if you were Draco's one and only, that time has come, I fully support and accept you as Draco's significant other, treat him well."

Hermione blushed, inside she was bursting with happiness, "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Malfoy."

"You're quite welcome, dear," Narcissa smiled and turned to follow Lucius out.