A/N: I guess the only thing for non-SOTD readers is that Draco and Hermione had sex for the first time in a vineyard. It was outside of the chateaux Hermione had her Bachelorette Party at.
And onward …
Draco sent Sophie out ahead of him to take a quick look around before leaving Quality Quidditch Supplies, since they had just met and spoken with Harry there. Once she confirmed that no one they knew was around, Draco exited and they said a quick goodbye before he headed off to meet Hermione at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. When he'd left her she had been shopping for a dining room table, since the one they had from their old flat was much too small for the amount of space. They had moved it into the kitchen, and Hermione was sick of eating their meals by the stove when they had a beautiful room for that.
When Draco got to the ice cream parlour, Hermione was already sitting at one of the tables, eating a sundae twice as large as the one she had waiting for him.
"Hungry, Mione?" he asked, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Starving," she said, stuffing a huge bite into her mouth. "My craving for sweets has been out of control lately. I think all of the stress must be getting to me."
"Well, just as long as you don't let it get to your figure," he said, taking his seat. "I don't expect you to lose that until we're at least in our sixties."
Hermione nearly choked on her bite. "Sixties? I plan to be fat long before then. You, sir, will just have to deal."
"You can't get fat, Hermione. It is in the Malfoy family contract. No fatties. Maybe I should just take the ice cream away from you now." He tried to grab her spoon.
Hermione pulled it away and looked at him with hell's fury in her eyes. "If you dare try to take my ice cream from me, Draco Malfoy, I swear it will be the last thing you ever do!"
Draco laughed. "Sorry, Mione," he said, scooting his chair closer to her and proceeding to give her a million tiny kisses on her cheek. "Feel free to get as fat as you want … just as long as it's in your sixties."
Hermione tossed a spoonful of whipped cream at him. They both laughed before she licked it off.
"Dwaco! Dwaco!"
Draco felt something tugging at his leg. He looked down to see Teddy Lupin beaming at him. When Draco beamed back, the child's hair immediately turned platinum blonde again.
"Teddy, where is your grandmother?" asked Hermione as the miniature version of her husband proceeded to climb onto Draco's lap.
Teddy didn't answer, but he happily helped himself to Draco's untouched ice cream.
"Great," said Hermione, realizing the child had probably gone AWOL. "I'll be right back, Draco. Please, keep him here."
"Will do," he said, digging into his wife's ice cream, since his had clearly been taken over.
Hermione found a panicking Andromeda half a block away and guided her to her missing grandchild. "Ted Remus Lupin!" she shouted once Teddy was in her line of sight. "What in the name of Merlin were you thinking?"
"Sowwy, Gwama," he said, dropping his spoon and cowering into Draco's shoulder. "But I saw Dwaco coming out of the Kwinich store and wanted to say hi. He walks vewy fast."
Draco, who was still very much focused on Hermione's ice cream, suddenly dropped his spoon and groaned. He had just been ratted out.
Hermione looked at him and raised her eyebrows. "Quidditch, Draco?"
He gulped.
"I know you have high hopes for our game room, but it isn't that large."
"Sorry, I … got distracted." That was believable.
"At this rate we'll never get our place furnished. You are always so irresponsible! How am I supposed to trust you with anything when you can't even properly shop for bloody furniture?" Somewhere in the midst of her yelling, Hermione had begun to sniffle.
"Are you crying, Mione?" asked Draco, looking very confused.
"No!" She was sobbing now, letting out little hiccups every few seconds.
Andromeda looked uncomfortably at the crying witch beside her. Draco stood up and put Teddy down in his chair. He then went over to Hermione and took her in his arms.
"I'm sorry, Mione. I never wanted you to get upset over it. The day's still young. Did you pick a table yet?"
"N-n-no!" Hiccup!
"Then let's finish up here and go pick one."
Hermione nodded into his chest. "I'm sorry, Draco. I've just been so exhausted lately. It's been making me very emotional. You know I'm not like this."
"Sure, Mione." He chuckled and kissed her salty cheek. "Whatever you say."
Hermione pulled away from him and looked at Andromeda. "I'm sorry. Please, proceed to yell at Teddy."
They all looked over to see the four-year-old smiling as he stuffed another spoonful of ice cream into his chocolate-covered mouth. They all frowned.
After a quick scolding and making him promise never to wander off again, Andromeda cleaned Teddy off and tried to guide him out of the ice cream parlour.
"But your ewwands are boring. Can't I stay with Dwaco?"
"I doubt our errands are any more exciting, kid," said Draco, nudging Teddy's cheek.
"Teddy, we really don't have time for this," said Andromeda, looking at her watch. "I have a million things to do today and limited time -"
"If you want, we could watch him," volunteered Hermione. Draco and Andromeda eyed her curiously. "What?" she asked, shrugging her shoulders. "Our errands aren't exactly on a time schedule like hers. I'm sure Teddy would be happy to help us pick a table. Wouldn't you?"
"Uhuh!" he said, clearly not understanding how tedious a task like that with Hermione could be.
"Are you sure?" asked Andromeda.
"Yes," said Hermione. "I promise, my crying fits are done for the day. We would be happy to have him."
"Well … all right," she said, looking skeptically at her grandson. "Meet me back here in two hours?"
"Of course."
"Yay!" shouted Teddy, throwing his spoon in the air. Draco took out his wand and froze it before it could hit an unsuspecting customer on the head. "Sowwy, Dwaco."
While Teddy ate, Draco went up and got Hermione another sundae, since he had eaten the bulk of hers. She frowned when she saw the new one was much smaller than her first. "You already ate about half of it," Draco explained, "so I thought you would be less hungry."
"It's fine," she said, clearly disappointed.
When they were all finished with their ice cream, Hermione dragged Draco and Teddy to a different furniture store, since the previous one was unsatisfactory.
Draco liked the first table he saw, and Teddy agreed.
"Don't you think it's a tad expensive?"
"Hermione, we've been over this." said Draco, cocking an eyebrow. "Money is not a problem."
"But you know how I hate it when you use your family money."
"Then you pay for it. I know how much you make, remember?"
"It just seems like an awful lot to spend on a table."
"A table that will last us for years," he said, stroking its surface. "Feel how smooth it is. No splinters." He winked.
Hermione blushed. She scowled at him before looking down at an oblivious Teddy, who was also stroking the surface. Hermione gave in and rubbed her hand across it as well. It was, indeed, very smooth.
"No splinters!" said Teddy, holding up his hands.
Draco burst out laughing.
"Okay, fine," said Hermione, removing her hand from the table, hoping this action would also remove the thoughts of her and Draco naked on top of it from her head. "We can get this one."
"Yay!" Draco and Teddy shouted together.
"I'm going to go and find someone to put it on hold for us. I'll meet you over by the chairs."
"Boo!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at the two boys and went in search of a worker. After the table was successfully put on hold for them, she went over to the chair section, but Draco and Teddy were nowhere to be seen. Of course.
She found them about ten minutes later, lying down in the bed section.
"Hermione, you have to come and feel this bed," said Draco, beckoning her over. "It is quite possibly the most comfortable bed I have ever been in."
"We don't need a bed, Draco. We need chairs for our new table."
"Just feel," he said, reaching out for her.
"You're not supposed to lie on the merchandise, Draco. There are signs." She pointed at one just to their left.
"If I didn't lay on it then how would I know it was worth purchasing?"
"Please, Hewmimy!" pleaded Teddy. "It weally is comfy."
They both looked at her with puppy-dog eyes. Hermione huffed. Why did they both have to be so darn cute?
"Fine," she said, reluctantly climbing on beside Draco. "Oh! This is comfy."
"Told you!" Teddy laughed.
"But we really don't need a bed, Draco." She let him pull her close and nuzzled into him. Teddy did the same on the other side.
"Why not? The bed we have now was mine before you even moved in. Don't you want a bed that's ours?"
Hmm. Hermione bit her lip. She had never thought of that. "Do you even like this frame?"
"I love this frame."
"Have you even looked at it?" she asked.
"That's what drew me over here in the first place," he said. "It's perfect for binding."
"Draco!"
"Hermione!"
"What's binding?" asked Teddy.
Draco laughed. "I'll tell you when you're older." He turned to Hermione. "So what do you say, wifey? Can we have the bed?"
Hermione looked into his pleading eyes and smiled. "Yes, we can have the bed."
Draco's face lit up.
"But, if I'm getting the table, this purchase is all on you."
"I'm fine with that."
"Well, now that that's settled, we really need to start looking at chairs."
Hermione tried to sit up but Draco pulled her back down. "Just one minute, Mione. We should enjoy this quiet moment of relaxation. You need it more than anyone."
"And just what does that mean?" she demanded.
"Shh." He put a finger to her lips. "No arguing. Just relax."
Hermione remained tense in his arms, but when he made no signs of wavering, she let herself finally ease up a bit and settled into his arm. Teddy had his eyes closed on the other side of Draco. Hermione looked over at him and, for the first time ever, really saw the resemblance between the two of them, and it wasn't just the matching hair. Draco had always strongly resembled Lucius, but seeing him this close to his cousin made the Black genes really stand out. While watching the two of them breathe steadily, she realized how much she couldn't wait to start a family with Draco. While now was obviously not the right time, when all of this prophecy crap was said and done with, she was positive she would be ready for this.
Draco, feeling her eyes on him, turned his head and kissed her.
"Eww!" Teddy squished his face in disgust on the other side.
"You, kid, are going to feel very differently about that one day," said Draco, squeezing Teddy against him. They all laughed.
"Hello, Hermione."
All of their heads popped up to find Luna Lovegood and Rolf Scamander standing at the foot of the bed.
"Hello, Luna," said Hermione, smiling.
"You know, there's a sign that says you're not supposed to lie on the beds, but it does seem like great fun." She climbed on and sat casually with her feet beneath her.
"Excuse me." They all looked over to see an employee approaching them. "You're not -"
"It's fine. We're purchasing it," stated Draco. "So just put your little tag on it for us and carry on."
"Oh." She blushed. "Umm … all right." The woman took out her wand and did as he instructed before hurrying off.
"That was rude," said Hermione, scowling at him.
"I would be more inclined to be polite if they didn't have ridiculous rules."
Hermione rolled her eyes before looking at Luna. "So what brings you two here today?"
"Rolf is moving into town," she said, her eyes dancing with delight. "We are currently trying to find furniture for his new flat. Though, I tried to explain to him that the best stuff is at the junk shop."
"Why would I pay fifty Galleons for a broken sofa?"
"Because it has character," Luna explained dreamily.
"Oh, that's great, Rolf!" said Hermione, beaming as she tried to change the subject. "What inspired you to make that decision?"
Rolf blushed. "Umm …" He glanced ever-so-slightly at Luna.
"Oh. Gotcha." Hermione winked. "I'm actually really glad you're here, Luna. Draco and I just chose a table for our dining area, but he keeps distracting us from the task of choosing chairs. Would you mind helping me? I'm sure Draco would be happy to give Rolf some tips on furnishing a bachelor pad."
"With pleasure," said Draco, scooting off the bed with Teddy thrown over his shoulder. "What we looking for first, mate?"
"Umm … a bed," said Rolf, almost seeming embarrassed.
"Ah, my specialty. Of course, this one is already taken," He patted his new bed, "but I'm sure we can find one almost as good. Come along."
Draco repositioned Teddy so he was riding piggyback and put his hand on Rolf's shoulder to guide him away.
"We'll find you some normal stuff before she starts spouting out ideas," he whispered.
Hermione showed Luna their new table before going to look at chairs. It was obvious that their tastes were very different. While Hermione wanted something simple and classic, Luna kept trying to sway her towards something squishy and colorful.
"I think this would be so comfortable around the dinner table," said Luna, sitting in a plushy, yellow lounger.
"Uhh, Luna … I don't think those types of chairs are meant for the dining room." It reminded her of something Big Bird, from that Muggle television show, Sesame Street, would have.
Eventually Hermione found chairs she liked that looked really nice with the table. She located Draco and dragged him to them for approval. His only complaint was that the seat cushions were scarlet, but since their bedroom was green he let her win that argument.
By this time, Draco had already helped Rolf pick a bed, armoire, sofa, and coffee table.
"Oh, sure. When it's not for your own place you're quick about it," scorned Hermione.
He responded by smiling and kissing her. It was really the only way to get her to shut her mouth when she was in one of her moods, like she had been all day. He was just lucky he was such a good kisser, or else things would never get resolved.
Once they were finished at the furniture store, Luna and Rolf accompanied them to Weasleys' Wizards Wheezes, since Teddy wanted to say hi to George, and possibly get a present since he, apparently, was given free merchandise from there all the time.
This was not a lie. Teddy begged and begged for a Pygmy Puff and, to Hermione's displeasure, George let him have one.
"Andromeda isn't going to like us just showing up with a pet for him, George," Hermione scolded.
"She'll love it!" said George, holding his arms out extremely enthusiastically, and making Teddy jump up and down. While Draco helped Teddy pick one, George whispered to Hermione, "It's fine. She's been talking about getting him one for a while. Just never has the chance to get down here. Lighten up, Hermione."
George's 'lighten up' sounded an awful lot like Draco's 'relax'. Maybe she was being a bit too high-strung lately.
Teddy ended up choosing the fluffiest purple Pygmy Puff and immediately decided that he would name it Little Draco, or LD for short. Draco wasn't sure if he should be offended or flattered.
Rolf also bought some Canary Creams and Patented Daydream Charms for Luna - though, she hardly needed the latter - and an Aviatomobile for Teddy, who was extremely thrilled to be receiving two presents.
When they were finished there, Draco and Hermione still had some time before they had to meet Andromeda, so they decided to walk Luna and Rolf to the fireplaces and say goodbye.
On their way there, someone hidden underneath a hooded cloak - who seemed to be in quite a hurry - ran right into Rolf, nearly knocking him over. He said, "Sorry," to the person, even though he was clearly not the one at fault.
As they ran off, he stared after them curiously before checking his pocket.
"Everything all right, mate?" asked Draco, who was holding tightly onto Teddy's hand while the child played with the Pygmy Puff on his shoulder.
"I thought I felt their hand in my pocket, but nothing seems to be missing."
Luna handed her bag of stuff Rolf had just purchased for her to Hermione and held everything for him as he cleared his pocket. Pouch of money, Floo powder, toffees, a random quill, lint … everything was accounted for.
"I'm sure they just grazed it," said Hermione logically.
"Yeah … you're probably right."
But Rolf did not look convinced. Still, he returned everything to his pocket and they continued to the fireplaces. After hugs and handshakes goodbye, Hermione promised to owl them someday soon so they could all go out together properly.
Rolf took out his Floo powder and offered it to Luna first. She took out a handful and tossed it into the flames but, before she could step in, Hermione remembered she was still holding her bag and called for her.
Luna turned, took several steps and reached for it. The fire started to grumble. Draco and Rolf looked to the flames at the same time. They had started to form a green ball and spread outwards. That just wasn't normal. The grumbling became almost thunderous.
"Look out!" Rolf shouted, throwing himself at Luna.
Draco grabbed Hermione and Teddy in one fell swoop, sheltering them as the green ball of fire exploded, sending flames shooting out of the fireplace and them flying through the air. Hermione had thrown her arms around Teddy as well, and tried to shield him between her and Draco so he wouldn't have such a rough landing. Her back scraped across the ground while Draco's got singed.
Hermione tried to sit up, but when a second explosion sounded behind them, Draco pushed her back down. When it all seemed to be over, Draco crawled off of them, his back in too much pain to get very far. Hermione wasn't much better.
But once Teddy confirmed that LD was okay in his hands, he looked back at the fireplace and shouted, "That was wicked!"
"Teddy!" Andromeda ran out of the gathering crowd and tossed all of the bags she was carrying to the ground before scooping her grandson into her arms.
"Gwama, did you see? The fiweplace went BOOM!"
"Luna!"
Hermione finally found the strength to get off of the ground and ran to her friend. Draco noticed the jumper she was wearing was all torn and bloody in the back.
Other than some hand and knee scrapings, Luna was more or less unscathed, but Rolf, who had been closest to the flames, was burnt pretty badly.
"Rolf," said Luna, climbing out from under him.
When she saw the condition of his back, tears flooded her eyes. It was the first time Hermione had ever seen her cry.
Luna took out her wand and immediately started casting small healing spells, but nothing she knew was powerful enough to help.
Rolf was slowly beginning to lose consciousness but, before he did, he looked up into Luna's watery eyes and said, "You all right?"
Luna nodded and grabbed onto his hand while his head sank back down to the ground.
Not long after, several Healers and Aurors arrived on the scene. Before they took Rolf away, Draco went over to him and took the Floo powder out of his pocket.
Neville Longbottom was one of the Aurors there, so he tossed it to him and said, "Check that out, Longbottom. That's what was thrown into the flames before they went off like that."
Rolf was taken away to St. Mungo's. While the remaining Healer looked at Luna, Draco and Hermione sat on the ground, both trying to hide any physical pain they were feeling from the other.
Teddy had wanted to stay with them, but they had insisted he leave with Andromeda. He hugged them both, unknowingly squeezing a little too tightly on their backs, and left with his grandma and his Pygmy Puff.
"They're coming after our friends, Draco," Hermione said quietly once they were alone.
Draco sighed. "I know."
"And all for some power that doesn't even exist yet. Do they think 'this' will motivate us?"
"I doubt whoever came up with 'this' thinks logically."
"What if Luna had been in those flames …?"
"Please, don't think like that, Hermione," he said, rubbing her knee. "She wasn't. Just be grateful for that."
"But what if she was …"
Hermione put her head in her lap, letting tears fall freely down her cheeks. Draco held her hand while the two waited patiently for their turn with the Healer, all the while staring at Luna, who very well might have died that day, and all because she ran into Draco and Hermione in a furniture store.
XXX
"Ahh!" Hermione screamed out in agony as her knees collapsed beneath her.
"You are doing it again," said Lucius Malfoy, walking up to her and holding out his hand.
"I know," she said, letting him help her to her feet.
"Do you, though? We have been at this for almost three weeks now and the only time you appear to make any progress is when we touch a more … intimate memory."
Hermione blushed. When Lucius first offered to teach her Occlumency, she had been so thrilled that it hadn't even crossed her mind how embarrassing it might be to have her father-in-law enter her private thoughts.
"Are you positive we can't get a hold of a Pensieve?" she asked him, just as she did every day.
"Of course we could," he answered, "but, like I said, the only time you make any progress is when I get a glimpse of those memories you are so eager to hide."
"I'm married to your son."
"And I have as little interest in seeing those memories as you have in showing them. Now, ready yourself."
Hermione straightened herself up, her wand held down by her hip. She paused. "Perhaps if I learned Legilimency first."
"That's not how it works. Now, clear your mind of all thought."
Hermione closed her eyes.
"Try harder, Hermione. Your face shows everything."
"Doesn't 'trying' to clear your mind seem like a contradiction? If you try not to think then you're already doing it."
"What you need right now is to find serenity. A peace of mind which, emotional intellectuals - like you - have an exceptionally hard time channeling into," he said.
She could just visualize his smirk.
"Now, keep your eye closed, relax your face. There's a good girl. Do not focus on my words, Hermione, but passed them. Instead of picturing nothing, picture something peaceful. We'll start there. What place makes you calm?"
"The ocean," she said immediately, remembering her summers as a child collecting seashells and building sandcastles.
"Then picture the ocean, soft, cool, peaceful waves crashing onto the sand. No one to be seen for miles. Just you and this peaceful place."
Hermione's face finally relaxed completely.
As soon as it did, Lucius lifted his wand and shouted, "Legilimens!"
Hermione tried to push him out and stay with the ocean, but her memories started to collide with it. Her parents teaching her to ride a bike somewhere between the sand and the ocean … Meeting Harry and Ron on the Hogwarts Express as it zoomed across the tracks on the beach … Her and Draco on a vineyard - no, on the beach, getting ready to sleep together for the first time …
No, her inner mind screamed. Without thinking, without knowing what she was doing, Hermione's wand hand lifted, pointed at Lucius and she shouted, "Legilimens!"
Suddenly, she was seeing flashes of different scenes. A young Lucius Malfoy being given the Dark Mark by You-Know-Who himself … Lucius screaming at his wife while she held a crying platinum-blonde baby boy … Lucius and other Death Eaters shouting Mudblood and laughing as they frightened several young witches … One witch was beneath him and screaming while he grunted above her … She was lying dead, her clothes torn and askew … A cloaked figure whispering to a sallow looking Lucius to go and kill the Mudblood … Lucius standing with his cane pointing at Hermione as he shouted, "Avada Kedavra!" …
And then Hermione was pushed - no … ripped out of Lucius's mind with a force so strong she was thrown onto the floor. She shot up and looked over to see Lucius on his knees, panting heavily.
"I … wasn't expecting that," he said, looking into her wide eyes.
"Lucius, I …
Her stomach tensed. She grabbed for the closest waste basket and vomited into it. This wasn't the first time their lessons had made her sick.
When it was all out, she waved her wand to clear it away and said, "I need some fresh air."
Hermione Apparated to Kingsley's balcony outside of his office. She and Lucius had decided to come to the Ministry and practice on a Sunday, so they could have more than the thirty to sixty minutes they normally got at lunchtime on weekdays. She had lied to Draco and told him she had work to finish. This wasn't hard for him to believe since they had been spending so much time in the Love Chamber lately. She had promised she would be home by dinnertime. It was already dark.
Hermione took several deep breaths and let the cool air hit her face. She knew she would not be a natural Occlumens, for the same reasons Harry wasn't, but she never thought it would be this hard. No matter how much she tried, she could not clear her mind. Too many things were dwelling on it.
Rolf was fine and had been released from St. Mungo's less than twenty-four hours after the accident. But, since then, Hermione had been distancing herself from all of her friends. She didn't want to put any of them in danger, and the only way to do that was to not be around them. Act like they didn't even matter. Only, she hated not seeing them. Harry and Ron especially. They kept trying to get her to go out and have lunch with them at work, but she always said no. Partially because of her Occlumency lessons, but they knew nothing about those … and they weren't exactly every day. Only two or three times a week.
Needless to say, her emotions were on overdrive. And now … what she had just seen in Lucius's mind … suddenly she was feeling sick again.
"Hermione."
She turned to see Lucius standing behind her.
"I … I apologize."
"What for?" she asked, turning back around.
"For not pushing you out faster," he said, coming up beside her. "For letting you see that."
Hermione sighed. "Lucius, it's fine. I know you have a past. You were a Death Eater. I'm not oblivious to the things you have done."
"Yes, but assuming and seeing are two very different things. And then … that memory of me and you … you do remember what today is?"
"Of course I do," she said, her fingers clenching on the railing. "I could never forget."
As it was, that day marked exactly one year since Lucius had tried to kill her. Which was also the day Draco had first told her he loved her. It was such a shame the two events coincided, but it wasn't until he saw her lying there, almost dead that he finally realized.
"Is that why you wanted to do this today?"
"Yes," she said honestly. "I have a lot of conflicting emotions from that day, and I thought the memory of it all might overwhelm me into blocking my mind properly."
"You mean, you thought instead of closing your mind to emotion, opening it to a wide range of them might work instead?"
"It was just a theory," she said. "I thought maybe it would loop around. Like how love and hate can make people feel so similar."
"It is a practical theory. Though, obviously flawed," he said, smirking.
She smirked back. "The ocean seemed to work, though. It at least muddled my memories a bit."
"And that act of Legilimency wasn't bad either. You penetrated my mind with ease," he said. "But let's not do that again. Not yet, at least."
Her hands eased on the railing and she let herself relax into the night air. As much as she wanted to hate Lucius for the things he had done, she just couldn't do it. But she knew she never wanted to enter his mind again. Sometimes it was best to be kept in the dark.
"Shall we try again?"
Hermione nodded slowly. "All right. Once more. Then I have to be getting home. Draco is probably already worried."
They both Apparated back to her office, where Draco was waiting at her desk. Apparently, she was right.
"What the hell is this?" He scowled as his father appeared in the room.
"Draco! What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, turning white.
"I didn't want you coming home alone in the dark with all of those damn shields they put on our house."
Hermione hadn't thought about that. After the attack on Luna and Rolf, Kingsley had the Ministry put up several charms around their house, making it so no one could Apparate or Floo in or out, not even them. It was a hassle, but they understood why it was necessary.
"But, more importantly, why is he here?" Draco asked, pointing at Lucius.
Hermione looked at Lucius, who looked at her. Then her eyes went back to Draco, whose gaze on her was getting colder by the second.
"Don't be mad, okay?"
Draco grimaced. "Not a good start, Hermione."
"It's really nothing."
"Then get on with it."
"But, a few weeks back, Lucius - I mean, your father offered to teach me Occlumency and Legilimency and, well … I said yes."
"And so you met him here on the anniversary of the day he tried to kill you?"
Hermione's heart sank. "I didn't think you remembered that."
"Of course I did!" Draco said angrily. "How the hell am I supposed to ever forget?"
"I just thought the date might help me learn. That the overflow of emotions might work in my favor."
"Well, that was stupid."
"Yes, I realize that now!" she snapped. "Can we just go home, please?"
Draco continued to stare at her, his eyes finally softening a bit. "No," he said after a short pause. "If you want to learn then I want to help."
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Draco, I do not think -"
"No one knows Hermione better than I do," he interrupted. "I know I can help."
"Draco, I … I really don't know if I feel comfortable with that," said Hermione. "I know you're not a Legilimens, but what if, somehow, you get a glimpse inside my head. What if you accidentally see … old memories," she added slowly.
Draco cringed as Ron's face entered his mind.
"It'll be fine, Hermione," he said, hoping he was right. "And I'm not even going to comment on how twisted it is that you are concerned about me catching a glimpse of your memories, but you have been letting my father penetrate your mind freely. He hasn't …" Draco glanced sideways at Lucius before leaning towards his wife and whispering, "He hasn't seen anything, has he?"
Hermione shook her head. "No. I'm able to push him out before it ever gets to that."
Draco let out a breath of relief. Thank Merlin for that.
"So how do you think you could help?" asked Hermione, pulling her wand out of her pocket and fidgeting with it.
Draco got up from behind the desk and walked over to her. "Let me guess. You are having trouble clearing your mind because you have too many worries running through your head." Hermione scowled at him, so he looked to his father for an answer.
Lucius grinned. "Yes, that is the problem."
Draco frowned. "You're just so damn emotional, Hermione."
"Hey!"
"You love me, right?"
Hermione was taken aback. "Of course. Though, not very much at the moment."
Draco smirked. "Tell me that you don't love me."
She suddenly felt sick. "W-what …? Why?"
"Humor me."
Her face twitched. "I … I don't love you," she said unconvincingly.
Lucius had sat down in the closest chair and was watching them with great interest. He hadn't the faintest idea what his son was trying to do.
Draco laughed. "That was horrible, Hermione. Honestly, I don't know why you want to learn Occlumency at all. There is really no need for someone to try and enter your mind when all of the information they need is on your face."
"Draco!"
"It's just words, Hermione! Treat them as such. Don't give them more power than they deserve." He paused. "Let me show you," he said, cupping her chin and forcing her to look into his eyes. "Remember, Hermione, these are just words."
She gulped and nodded, knowing very well what was coming next.
"Hermione …" Draco took a deep breath. Then, with the coldest voice he could muster, he said, "I don't love you."
Hermione felt a chill. His face did not twitch, did not falter. It gave absolutely nothing away. If he hadn't warned her beforehand, she might have been convinced those words were true. Thank Merlin they weren't.
"Now you," he said, still holding her chin steady.
Hermione took her own deep breath and stared deeply into his eyes. Then, while keeping her face perfectly clear, she said, "I don't love you."
A loud clapping sounded. She and Draco looked over to see an ecstatic Lucius. "Bravo, Hermione. Very convincing."
Draco smirked and joined in his father's clapping.
Hermione crossed her arms and frowned. "You Malfoy's are horribly condescending. And what does this have to do with Occlumency, anyway?" she demanded.
"You just let go of your emotions," Draco said, smiling proudly at her. "You were able to speak strong words that truly meant nothing. Use that same concept to clear your mind. They are just thoughts, just memories, Hermione. Do not let them control you. You are the one in control. Never forget that."
"But I always thought you liked to be in control," she said with a smirk.
Draco winked. "Not in here," he said, pointing to her head.
"Perhaps I should leave," said Lucius, standing up from his chair.
"No, Father. We're done," said Draco, kissing Hermione's cheek. He took several steps back. "Do your thing."
Hermione clutched her wand by her side and braced herself. Just thoughts. Just Memories, she told herself. They mean nothing. I'm in control. I can do this. I can -
"Legilimens!"
Push! Block! Protect! I'm in control!
Just as the memory of her and Lucius having a standoff with one another's wands entered her head, instead of letting her mind go blank, Hermione imagined the ocean from earlier form itself into a shield around her head, blocking all penetration. And then … she was back in her office, and Lucius was pushed back hard against the wall.
She stared at him, openmouthed for a second before looking to Draco, who was beaming at her. Her face immediately brightened.
"I did it! I did it! I -"
Hermione threw her hand over her mouth and darted for the wastebasket. She dropped to her knees just in time to release everything left inside of her into it.
Draco's nose crinkled in disgust. Lucius walked up beside him. Slightly out of breath, he said, "We have definitely made progress."
Draco glanced sideways at him. "Don't think I'm not angry with you for not telling me about this."
"I knew you would be," he smiled, "but she needs to learn."
"And that's why I'm going to allow this. But, from now on, I'm here too."
"Fine by me," said Lucius. He glanced down at his sick daughter-in-law. "Now, if we could just get her to stop vomiting every time there is mild improvement."