Something
to Write Home About
matches9524
Chapter 16
YES! I AM BACK! BELIEVE IT OR NOT! Sorry… I was just NOT in the mood to write, but I am now! So here goes! Trust me… there's plenty more where this came from. ;-) I wrote this in a notebook, and it ended up being 32 and a half pages. We'll see how long it is once it is typed out, eh?
Thanks to all my lovely reviewers! Your comment things just absolutely make my day.
(Revised on March 3, 2006.)
Draco looked at his mom for the first time in several months. She was aging gracefully, the way he personally thought every woman should do, instead of continuously charming one's graying hair and sagging jowls. She herself had pleasant laugh lines around her mouth and eyes, as well as a few sophisticated silver streaks that were almost invisible in her naturally platinum blonde hair. She was not wearing any makeup, and was dressed in a simple black cotton robe.
"Oh Draco darling! It is so wonderful to finally see you again! Professor Dumbledore owled me and said you would be able to stay at home tonight if you wanted to." She gave him a tight bone-crunching hug. "It's been so lonely around here the last couple of months, with no one but the house elves to keep me company."
"What happened to all the nice ladies from the garden club that you used to have tea with every Monday?"
"Well, no one wants to be associated with a Death Eater's wife." She looked sad for a moment, but then perked up a bit when she looked at Hermione, who could recall Draco telling her about his father's current predicament, feeling sympathetic. However, she let it pass as Mrs. Malfoy began speaking. "Well this beautiful young lady must be the Hermione Granger that I've read so much about! You know there has to be at least fifteen books about you alone! It is a pleasure to finally meet you! Dumbledore told me you would be coming," She added that almost as an afterthought. She held out an unmanicured, yet beautiful, hand, and Hermione shook it.
"No, ma'am. The pleasure's all mine. I have heard so many wonderful things about you from your son. You sound like an amazing woman."
Narcissa Malfoy blushed slightly then ushered the two into the house.
Draco watched the interaction between his mother and his fiancée. They seemed to click instantly, and had immediately taken a strong liking to each other. He nodded appreciatively as he followed his mother down the hall to the study.
"I was just getting ready to have a pot of tea. Would you two care for any?" Narcissa asked, flashing a kind smile at her guests.
"Oh yes, thank-you Mrs. Malfoy, that would be absolutely lovely," Hermione responded politely.
"That won't do and I won't stand to have it in my house!" exclaimed Mrs. Malfoy, almost angrily. Hermione froze. What had she done to anger her host already? "You must call me Narcissa, I insist. Mrs. Malfoy is just too stuffy and formal. Please, sit." She waved an arm airily at a couple of overstuffed chairs by the fire. Draco and Hermione sat while Narcissa poured them cups of Earl Grey tea.
"Now, Draco darling. What are you doing home in the middle of term with this charming young woman by your side?" She peered at them over the rim of her teacup.
"Mother," Draco began, "Hermione and I have something we need to tell you-"
He was interrupted by an incredibly high-pitched squeal from – his mother. She clapped her hands together joyfully and exclaimed, "You two are getting married aren't you? I knew it! You look just like a young couple in love should!"
Hermione grinned. The initial reaction from Mrs. Malfoy was much better than that of her own parents. In fact, the reactions of the two sets of parents were completely the opposite of what she would have thought. "Yes, ma'am. However, there is a little bit more than that. You see-"
Mrs. Malfoy interrupted again. "Oh, you're not pregnant are you? Well, I suppose these things do happen. I myself know of sev-"
"No Mother," Draco interrupted. What was it with the Malfoys and interrupting everybody? "Hermione is not pregnant. Well," he hesitated, "I don't think she is. Are you?" He looked at her. She shook her head, and he continued, relieved. "The thing is, it's a bit of a long story, and I'm going to have to ask you to keep quiet while we tell it, alright Mother?"
She nodded, then 'zipped her lips', 'locked them', and 'threw away the key'.
"Well, as you know, I have hated Hermione since the beginning of our first year. She was muggle-born, plain-looking, extremely smart, and best friends with Harry Potter." He looked as her apologetically, and she smirked. "At the beginning of this term, we ran into each other in the corridor in front of the library, where I was looking for a specific book, which Hermione had already checked out. You see, there was this mark, almost like a tattoo, that had begun to develop on me. I looked through all the books in the library, and the only one that had the information in it that I needed was in the hands of Hermione. I guess she was feeling particularly generous that day, because she offered to help me out to see what was troubling me. When I showed her my arm, she told me she had the same mark. The book she had taken out of the library referred to it as Il Simbolo del Diavolo, the Devil's Symbol. A bit of a cheesy name, I know." He watched his mother carefully for a reaction, but when he saw none, he continued with his narrative. "It basically says that my soul and Hermione's are bound together for all eternity, whether we like it or not. You'll have to remember that at that time, we were still enemies." His mother nodded, not saying a word and sticking to her promise. "We are to save humanity, take over the world, and rule, to put it bluntly." He stopped for a dramatic emphasis.
Hermione could see Narcissa just about dying to ask a question. "Yes?"
"Well, can anyone stop you? I mean, taking over the world, there's bound to be someone opposed to it…" She trailed off.
"Yes ma'am. They are called the Pure Children. We are hoping that they don't find out about their situation before we find them and, err, deal with them. However, we do know the name of the female. I presume you know her too. Pansy Parkinson?" Narcissa gasped.
"Wow…"
"May I continue Mother?" Draco asked. It was not a sarcastic or a rude question, he was genuinely asking. She nodded and waved her hand aristocratically for him to go on.
"Well, we solicited the advice of Monsieur Stauf, who by the way sends his greetings, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Snape put in his input, in a way."
"Dumbledore will try to stop you if you get too strong; you know that, don't you?" Narcissa asked. Practicality was almost her middle name. Actually, it was Marie, but for the sake of this argument, it was practicality.
Draco and Hermione looked at each other. "Yes, we realize that, Mother. But he can easily be dealt with."
"As long as you're careful," she warned. "If you end up in Azkaban like Lucius, I shall never forgive you. Understood?"
Draco nodded. His stomach grumbled loudly. His mother heard, and she grinned. "I am going to take you two out for dinner tonight. My treat. We need to celebrate. My baby is getting married! Tinky!"
When she said this, Hermione personally thought she was a bit deranged, until a house elf wearing a rather dingy pillowcase scuttled into the room. She bowed so low that the end of her pointed nose touched the ground. "Yes, miss?"
"Tinky, could you please show Miss Granger into the guest room next to Draco's and find her something suitable to wear? We'll being going to Wind Riders, so something classy and press worthy."
"Yes Miss. Would Miss Granger and Master Malfoy please follow Tinky?"
The tiny house elf led the two upstairs. She opened Draco's door and bowed herself out of the way, then ushered Hermione a bit farther down the hall, and opened up a door for her.
Hermione stepped in. The room was absolutely magnificent. It had sage green walls, honey brown wood furniture, and cream-colored upholstery. It was actually a lot like her own room at home, but more classy and modern. A door on the right wall was open, and Draco was leaning against the frame, watching her.
"My room's right next door, through here, so just yell if Tinky tries to doll you up too much, okay? I have a few things I need to do."
"Alright," she said, and smiled at him. It almost made his knees buckle, but he didn't let her know that. Instead, he went into his own room and shut the adjoining door. When Hermione turned back around, Tinky was holding up a large box.
"Would Miss Hermione care to try on this dress?"
Hermione took the box, said a very polite thank-you, and opened it. She put it on the bed so she could use both hands freely. Pulling back the tissue paper, she saw a dark blue satin dress. She took it out of the box and shook it out, to see it in its entirety. It was beautiful. It was navy blue satin, with silver stitching, and crusted with real diamonds along the bust. She took off her own clothes, slipped the dress over her head, and pulled it down into the right place. It fit her like a dream. It showed off her long legs, the hem hitting just above the knee, her trim waist, with the ribbed bodice, and her tanned shoulders with its straplessness. A pair of simple silver pumps appeared on her feet, and a silver clutch appeared in her left hand.
"Would Miss Hermione please sit at the vanity?" Tinky asked.
Hermione did as she was told. In less than five minutes, Tinky had applied smoky makeup around her eyes, clear gloss on her lips, pulled her hair back into a messy updo, and put two diamond studs in her ears. With a quick spritz of Jean Paul Gaultier Classique, she was ready.
Hermione waltzed to the door that joined her room with Draco's. She went in, to find him sacked out on his four-post bed. She watched him tenderly for a minute while he slept, but then gently woke him so he could get dressed.
He went through the motions of putting on an all black suit with a white silk tie, with a pair of black leather Italian dress shoes, but Hermione could tell he was still asleep. He looked like an American gangster from the 20's. All he needed was a sawed-off shotgun and he could pull it off. He rubbed his eyes to remove them of sleep boogers, but all it did was make him yawn. Hermione pointed her index finger at him and muttered "Despertadorus" and he immediately became more aware of his surroundings. He grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night." He laughed. "Wow, Tinky sure did a good job. You look gorgeous!" She arched an eyebrow at him. "Not that you weren't gorgeous before she got her hands on you," he added hastily.
"Come on Drake, we'll make your mother upset, if we don't get down there soon."
They headed down towards the study, where Narcissa was waiting for them. "Oh Hermione! Aren't you just the most beautiful thing anyone ever saw! Isn't she, Draco darling?"
Hermione blushed as Draco said, "Yes, Mother. I would have to completely agree with you on this one. And just think, I'm the one lucky enough to get stuck with her for eternity." Every one present could see the adoration in his eyes, even the portraits on the walls.
"Come on you two. It's best we were on our way," Mrs. Malfoy said. Draco offered Hermione his arm, which she took, and led her to the front hall. The chauffer greeted the trio respectfully, and led them to the carriage awaiting them outside the huge front doors.
Ten minutes later, Mrs. Malfoy was telling the seating host at Wind Riders that there were reservations for Narcissa, party of three.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Malfoy. It looks like there will be a short wait. Five to ten minutes. Fifteen tops. You may wait in the lobby or outside, if you prefer." He looked apologetic.
"Alright, thank-you." She turned to her son. "Let us go outside. It's a nice evening, and I would like a cigarette."
Hermione and Narcissa stepped outside. Draco stayed back for a minute to speak to the host about something. Mrs. Malfoy dug in her purse for something, and pulled out a cigarette in a long silver holder and a matchbook. Lighting one, she inhaled it and a blissful look came across her face. The thing about these cigarettes though, they were magically enchanted to create no odor, making for a much more pleasant smoking experience, although they did create a little more smoke than the average cancer stick.
Draco came out, and stood next to Hermione. She leaned against him and stared up at the stars. They reminded her of the diamonds on her dress. Draco wrapped an arm around her bare shoulders. "Excuse me?" Hermione looked to see the owner of the voice. It was a greasy-looking little man who was holding a WizCam and a quick quotes quill. "Aren't you Draco Malfoy?" He nodded. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I'm Joel Breaux from the Daily Prophet."
"As long as they're brief, I suppose."
"Alright, Mr. Malfoy. What do you have to say about your father's recent incarceration?"
"I have no comment about that." You had to admit, Draco had a great poker face. None of his emotions showed through.
The reporter looked like he had expected this. Changing the topic he asked, "Who is this charming young lady you're with?" He glanced at Hermione, and then took a quick, unexpected snapshot of them with his WizCam.
"She's my fiancée, Hermione Granger," he said without thinking. He realized his mistake as he watched the reporter's eyebrows practically disappear into his hair.
"The Hermione Granger? As in, the Golden Trio Hermione Granger?" The quick quotes quill was skating rapidly over the parchment as Hermione nodded. There was a big story in this. "So you two are no longer rivals, eh? Miss Granger, what do Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley have to say about your engagement?"
"They are unaware of it at the moment." Big mistake number two. The quick quotes quill went even faster, if that was at all possible.
They were saved from anymore of Joel's questions by the seating host who came to announce that their table was ready.
"Draco, darling, you really should be more careful around the press, you know." Narcissa had watched the short interaction, but had thought it best to let him learn from his own mistakes, rather than jumping in and throwing him a life raft, so to speak.
"You're right Mother. I just wasn't thinking." Mentally, though, he was kicking himself as hard as he could, no matter how cool and collected his exterior looked.
They sat down at a table overlooking the river and had an overall pleasant evening. Hermione's favorite dessert was served; dark chocolate-covered peanut butter balls. She was about to take a bite of one when she happened to glance down and see something sparkling pressed down into the surface of it. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered to be a diamond. She pulled it out of the ball, and found it to be attached to a ring. It took her a second to realize what it was. She picked of the chunks of peanut butter and stared at the dazzling jewel.
Draco took her hands and said, "Hermione. This was my grandmother's engagement ring. Before that, it was her grandmother's. And now, I want you to have it, and I want to ask you, again. Will you marry me?" He had gotten out of his chair while he spoke, and know was on the ground, kneeling on one knee. Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes and she nodded. Draco grinned and kissed her, ecstatic. His mother smiled approvingly, she herself feeling a little teary.
When they arrived at the house, Narcissa spoke up and said, "I am going to retreat for the night. I hope you sleep well, and I will see you over Christmas vacation, hopefully." Draco and Hermione hugged and kissed her goodnight, then headed up towards their own rooms.
"Draco?"
"Yes?"
Suddenly, she was feeling shy, almost like a little schoolgirl. "Would you like to stay in my room tonight?"
"No." She looked sad, but did not say anything. "You're going to stay in mine." She perked up after hearing that. "And, although I thought I'd never say this; no funny business. You tired me out last night, six times! I could definitely use a good night's sleep before returning to Hogwarts." Hermione grinned. She had outlasted the Slytherin Sex God. How many girls could actually say that?
"Alright. Fine. I'll have to keep my hands to myself tonight." She sighed tragically. Draco smirked as she went to her room to change. He thought about going to watch her, but he really was tired and shouldn't do anything to rile himself up. As he was thinking this, he took off his shirt, getting ready for bed.
Hermione returned, wearing a lacey dark red silk nightgown. She looked fabulous in it, and out of it, Draco thought to himself. Down boy! Urgh, damn it, this is too hard. She gave him a look as though she knew the struggle he was going through.
She slinked up to him, and pressed herself up against his bare chest. He could feel her hard nipples through the thin silk. His hands made their way down to her backside, where, after a moment, they discovered there were no panties to be found on this glorious body. He reached down to kiss her, but she pulled back, smirking. He looked confused.
"Nuh uh uh…" She waggled a finger at him. "You said, and I quote, 'no funny business.'"
"Urgh! Hermione! You can't do that!"
"Do what?" she asked innocently.
"Come out here without anything but a piece of lace and silk, come up on me, and then say no! That is just cruel."
"It looks like I just did, doesn't it?"
He growled, and then finished getting undressed, trying to put her sexiness out of his mind.
"We'll floo back to Hogwarts in time for breakfast, okay?" Hermione asked, as she crawled into the big bed.
"Yeah sure, sounds good. Tinky!" She scuttled in, looked at her Master Draco standing in the middle of the room unabashedly naked, and looked away, pointedly.
"Yes Master Malfoy?"
"Can you come in and wake us up at seven o'clock tomorrow morning? And tell Mother thank-you for dinner and letting us stay the night."
"Yes Master." And she left, without looking at him.
He got into his bed, where Hermione said, "Draco, I know your little brother wants to play with us, but please tell him that it's time to go to sleep."
Draco smirked. "He wants a hug first."
Hermione rolled over on top of Draco, kissed the tip of his nose, and traced down his chest with her finger, then said shortly, "No." She got off, used some magic to dim the fire, and closed her eyes.
Draco sighed, and then pulled Hermione closer to him, so that her head was resting on his chest.
"I love you Hermione. More than you'll ever know."
"I love you too, Draco," she replied softly.
Too soon, almost, Tinky was in their room, insisting that it was time to wake up.
They got out of bed, brushed their teeth, got dressed in the clothes they arrived at the Manor in, and flooed back to the school without saying anything. They were ready to get back to a place where people accepted their actions without any questions.
Little did they know, to their surprise, how very wrong they were.
All right! How was that for a first day back?
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