Draco sat in the library re-reading the letter he had written to his parents for the fifth time. He had explained that he had had a change of heart about blood status being the only important thing, how the war had changed many things about him and that he wasn't afraid to admit it anymore, that this was who he was now and he wasn't going to pretend to be anything different to his own parents. He had told them how his remorse over Hermione's torture had been the catalyst to their relationship and he was in no way going to change the nature of their relationship.
He just had to hope that his mother would be able to calm his father down enough. He knew that his mother would be the first to come around. She did after all just want her only son to be happy, she would just have to get used to the idea of that being because of a muggle born.
Draco stood up after sealing the letter. He made his way to the owlery and found his eagle owl. Giving it a quick pat on the head he sent it on its way. There was nothing to be done now. The letter was out there. He just had to hope that the blow back wasn't completely terrible.
Hermione walked into the entrance hall with Ginny on their way to dinner. To her surprise she saw Lucius Malfoy standing near the front door having a heated discussion with Draco. The students walking past to attend dinner where not even trying to hide their interest and where starring as they made their way into the Great Hall. Lucius was standing right in Draco's face now, angrily pointing into his chest. He grabbed Draco's wrist and tried to drag him towards the front door. Draco resisted, trying to pull his hand out of his father's grip.
The commotion was causing a crowd to gather. Hermione and Ginny pushed their way through the crowd to the front. Draco had broken free now. Hermione ran to his side.
"This does not involve you mudblood," Lucius sneered at Hermione, pointing at her angrily.
Draco half pushed Hermione behind him. Protecting her with his own body. "Don't call her that," he said coldly, not breaking eye contact with his father.
"Draco. You make me ill. After everything I ever taught you."
"Everything you taught me was wrong. I don't care what her blood status is."
"That is exactly what is wrong here. What happened to you?"
"Hermione happened to me. She has shown me that it doesn't matter what your parents are, it matters who you are."
"I don't even know who you are anymore Draco." Lucius' voice raised another level. "You are not the son I raised."
"Good." Silence fell between them. "I don't want to be how I used to be anymore. I am sick of having to pretend."
"Are you really willing to give everything up for her?"
"Yes," Draco said without hesitation. Hermione grabbed his hand.
"Mr. Malfoy." Professor McGonagall was forcing her way through the students, a stern look on her face. "Get to dinner, all of you" she barked at the crowd of students. They filed into the Hall quickly not wanting to know what would happen if they had to be told again. "Mr. Malfoy, as you are fully aware, this is a school. As such, you do not have permission to be on the ground for personal reasons. That is what we have the mail system for. Now please leave quietly."
Lucius didn't move. "I am not leaving without my son," he snarled.
"Draco, please go have dinner, take Miss Granger with you." McGonagall had moved her way in between Lucius and her two students.
"Draco," Lucius barked. "Don't you dare enter that hall. You are coming home with me."
"No he is not," interjected McGonagall. "If Draco wishes to remain here at Hogwarts, he will be remaining here." Draco began to lead Hermione into the Great Hall. "Hogwarts is a school of learning, and he has 5 months left before completing his final year. Now Mr. Malfoy, if you wish to discuss this further we can head up to my office. If not, kindly leave the premises and do not return."
Hagrid was standing at the doors of the Great Hall and ushering the children inside. Lucius looked from Professor McGonagall, to Draco and Hermione, to Hagrid, then back to Hermione.
"This doesn't end here," he said before turning on his heal and disappearing out of the front door.
The Great Hall was silent. Students all around the hall were starring at the door. Hagrid was pushing Hermione and Draco inside, encouraging them to take a seat at the Gryffindor table. Professor McGonagall entered the hall, ignoring the hundreds of eyes following her.
"I want to see you two in my office after dinner. The password is tabby cat."
They walked up to the Gargoyle guardians of McGonagall's office in silence and uttered the password. At the top of the stairs Draco knocked.
"Enter."
Professor McGonagall was sitting behind the desk, a pile of papers in her hands. She peered over her glasses at the two students in front of her.
"Sit down." She gestured to the two hard wooden chairs opposite her. "Now, Mr. Malfoy. Your father is no longer on school premises and he has been advised not to return. However that will not stop him from contacting you via owl."
She rubbed her eyes tiredly behind her glasses before looking up at them again.
"I must say that I find what you two have managed to do quit admirable. The relationship between the Gryffindor and Slytherin students has never been better. However, I must ask you to consider the consequences of what will happen if you remain together. Especially for you Mr. Malfoy. Your father has made it perfect clear of his thoughts on the situation."
"I don't care what my father thinks."
"That is all well and good, but you remain to live on his property Mr. Malfoy." She stared at him sternly. "I do not wish any harm to become of you" she added more gently.
"My father will not harm me. I am his legacy. Besides, my mother will not let him do anything. I am her only son."
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "For your sake I hope you are correct. If for any reason you feel that you are in danger while on holidays or after you graduate, I want you to contact me immediately."
"Thank you Headmistress, but I will be fine. I know how to handle my father."
Professor McGonagall nodded. "Now, Miss Granger. I have something to discuss with you. I have been given a report that you physically assaulted Miss Parkinson in the library a few weeks' backs."
Hermione hung her head, starring at her hands in her lap.
"I am giving you detention in the Trophy Room. You will polish every trophy by hand, 2 hours a night until you finish them all. I understand the reason behind what you did and that you were baited, however I expected better behaviour from you. I will also be taking 10 points from Gryffindor. Finally, if for any reason either of you need to talk I am here. I understand that the position you are both is not an easy one. Now off to bed."
They stood silently and walked out of the office. They were walking towards the staircase when Draco stopped Hermione, pushing her lightly against the wall. Pressing himself against her, his hand on her waist. They were starring into each others' eyes.
"My father is not going to get in between us. I won't let him." He bent his head slightly to kiss her lips. Her arms were around his neck. He pulled back just enough to break contact with her lips. "I love you."
His voice sounded rough as he spoke. Had she heard correctly? Of course she had. He had barely spoken above a whisper but she had heard every word. A smile spread over her face.
"I love you too."
