Lost my heart
And lost my soul
Now it's time
Baby, oh no
Lost my mind
And lost my goal
Oh, not giving in
-Not Giving In, Rudimental ft. John Newman
A Rebel With A Tainted Heart: Chapter 10
After a delicious dinner, where a smirking Draco received many glares from an irritated yet amused Hermione, the table was vanished and replaced with the chairs in a circular set up. Both Ginny and Hermione felt awkward sitting there now that Professor Snape had joined them all. They hardly ever saw him about the castle, only when he was teaching, never at weekends or holidays. He was always away 'sorting' things, whatever that was supposed to mean. Hermione still didn't really like the man; he had teased her almost as much as Draco, but she respected him, particularly for what he had done for Harry. But hey, if she could like Draco freaking Malfoy, then she could get used to Snape. He still gave her strange looks, and she suddenly felt very self conscious, shrinking into herself.
"You look beautiful, stop fussing Granger," Malfoy whispered almost inaudibly to her. Her mouth could have dropped wide open in shock. Malfoy. Complementing her. Again. What.
"Hell's frozen over and Draco Malfoy complemented someone else other than himself in his mirror," Hermione giggled quietly, making sure he heard her. His narrowed eyes but playful smirk told her he did.
"I'll have you know I'm not half as vain as you think," He muttered, raising a blond eyebrow.
"We'll see," Hermione bit her lip, suddenly thinking of her parents. She hadn't seen them in a while and needed to. Since school had started, she had written to them but not visited them, and now was the perfect opportunity.
"Professor, I need to go to the Manor tomorrow, is that alright?" Malfoy asked Dumbledore suddenly.
"Of course Draco," The elder wizard replied, smiling.
"Could I visit my parents please?" Hermione asked, still biting her lip.
"Whenever you need to Hermione," Dumbledore nodded at her and she smiled, relaxing.
"Well, I'm just staying here," Blaise shrugged, putting his arm around Ginny, who relaxed into him.
"I am definitely not going home. Mum's yelling at Ron again," Ginny's grin almost appeared evil, as she suppressed laughter at her brother's punishment.
"Ah yes, Mr Weasley, doesn't seem to be taking the Marriage Law arrangements very well, does he?" Professor McGonagall commented and both Draco and Blaise let out snorts of derision.
"That is a definite understatement," Blaise chuckled.
"He hates me. But if there's one person he hates more than me, it's Draco," He waggled his eyebrows at his blond best friend who gave him a look.
"He laughed at my name," Malfoy muttered.
"Mate, I laughed at your name," Blaise raised a hand and got a scowl in reply.
"Totally not my fault, it's definitely not as bad as the rest of my family, or yours," Draco snorted, earning a scowl now from Blaise.
"It's Italian and classy, like me," He grinned and Hermione and Ginny rolled their eyes.
"Bene," Draco nodded his head sarcastically at the Italian.
"Why didn't you go home Mr Malfoy?" Professor McGonagall asked him.
"My mother is somewhere in France, my father is in prison and the whole house needs burnt to the ground. No I'm joking but I'm not going to go back properly until my mum redecorates like she promised. Too many bad memories there. She can't even go into half the rooms without crying," He looked down at the ground sadly. Hermione knew he felt bad for what had taken place at his house at the hands of Voldemort, but there wasn't anything he could have done without being severely tortured, or worse, killed.
"It was awful," Snape spoke up suddenly.
"Ah yes Uncle, you would know wouldn't you. You left me there when you promised you'd get me out! I ended up in my own bloody dungeons thanks to you," Draco sneered at the man he had once loved so very dearly. Now, he wasn't sure of feelings towards the man.
"I told you I could do nothing! And you promised to visit in the summer, where were you nephew?" Snape replied coldly. Hermione put an arm on Draco's to try and stop him from getting up and beating the living shit out of his uncle.
"Severus, you have been out of the country, you do not know..." Professor McGonagall began.
"You want to know where I was Uncle. I was in Azkaban for four months, because Rufus Scrimgeour 'didn't like me' too much. And you promised my mum you would keep me safe. Well you did marvellously over the years by the way, I especially love the scars from Bellatrix and my father," He spat angrily before storming out. McGonagall sucked in a shocked breath at the mention of his scars and Blaise shook his head angrily at Snape.
"Really Sev? You know that anything to do with his family is a touchy subject. You're his godfather; you should at least know something about him. I can't believe you didn't know about Azkaban, he told me he wrote to you every day inside there," Blaise snapped angrily, getting up to follow his best friend out.
"I never saw any letters," Snape whispered, for the first time showing an actual emotion.
"Well maybe you didn't look hard enough," Blaise rolled his eyes before going to find Draco.
"Really Severus? After all they've been through. You of all people should know how hard that lifestyle was for the willing, never mind the unwilling," McGonagall chastised the greasy haired Potions Master. Ginny noted he had at least the decency to look ashamed.
"He's right, I did promise. I've broken another one, I need to make this up to Draco," He sighed heavily, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Talk to him when he's calmed down. If you talk to him now, he'll hit you," Hermione offered seriously, trying not to laugh at the image of Draco Malfoy punching Severus Snape. She never would have thought Draco Malfoy to be the one to engage in a Muggle fist fight. It proves that no matter how well you think you know a person, you truly don't.
~O-O~
Finally, after much arguments and shared stories, it appeared that Snape was back as Malfoy's beloved godfather. Sometimes, Hermione and Ginny noticed mannerisms that the pair shared and they smiled at the likeness between the two. Hermione was just thankful Malfoy had great hair and an amazing body that she loved. Wait, what? Loved, haha, no. Sort of.
Shaking her head and giving Malfoy a hug, she got ready to disapparated to her parent's house. Malfoy told her he'd be around to theirs after he had been to the Manor to sort a few things out. He wanted to meet her parents officially, to do things properly, surprising the brunette. Apparently chivalry wasn't dead. She disapparated in a graceful swirl, landing on her feet outside the house.
Hermione breathed in the familiar smell of carpet and vanilla in her parent's house as she opened the front door and stepped inside. The decor was still the same, if not updated slightly. Even recovering from memory loss, her mother's flair for a new interior in the house was still as obvious as ever.
"Mum? Dad?" She called, walking further down the hallway towards the large white double doors leading to the kitchen. Hermione pushed them open to find her dad sitting by the patio doors and her mother cooking away.
"Mum! Dad!" She smiled happily and they turned around to see her.
"Hermione! Darling we've missed you so much!" Lana Granger came straight over, enveloping her daughter in a bone crushing hug.
"Lan, let her breathe dear! Hermione, it's good to see you!" Alfie Granger got up slowly and pried his wife off the daughter he was so proud of.
"Its good to see you too, but I saw you the other day mum," Hermione grinned.
"The dinner will be ready in about an hour and a half, so come sit with us and fill us in on all that's been happening. We didn't get the chance to hear about school the other day," Lana said, leading her daughter over to the sofa, where the three sat down, at ease.
This was the first time she had seen them properly since before school started so Hermione quickly filled them on all that had happened. She told them the full story of the marriage law, life as a Head Girl and school in general. She decided to let Draco tell them what he wanted about himself when he arrived.
"So Ginny and Blaise then darling?" Her mother asked, clearly amused.
"Yeah, it was so obvious anyway," Hermione giggled. She wondered if anyone ever guessed she and Draco Malfoy would end up together. Hell, she hadn't even thought it possible!
Soon the hour had passed, her mother was in the kitchen sorting the last aspects of the dinner and her father was reading the newspaper. A knock on the door informed them all of Draco's arrival. Mrs Granger went to answer the door and was still amazed.
She surveyed the 6 ft 3 blond, slightly tanned and muscular wizard standing before her. He was wearing a crisp white shirt and black suit trousers with his white blond hair tousled perfectly. He stood with poise and an air of grace - he obviously was a member of a superior family. In the stress of her mother's illness, she hadn't really paid much attention to who her daughter would eventually be marrying and she felt kind of guilty.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you officially Mrs Granger." He seemed unsure in unfamiliar surroundings so Mrs Granger stepped forward to hug him. He was surprised but gave her a quick hug back.
"It's lovely to meet you Draco and please feel free to call me Lana," The older woman smiled happily at the young man who nodded his head shortly in response.
"Please come in," She went down the hallway and he shut the door behind him observing as he went. She passed her daughter.
"Wow Hermione he's gorgeous, I'm jealous!" Hermione's mouth dropped open at her mother's words.
"Sorry I'm late Granger, there was some trouble with the Gringotts goblins," Draco said quietly to her, entering the room and giving her a kiss on her cheek.
"Its fine Malfoy don't worry," She smiled, kissing his cheek.
"Dad this is Draco Malfoy," She added, nodding her head to the wizard beside her.
"Mr Malfoy, nice to see you again," Her dad shook his hand smiling. That was a very good sign.
"You too Mr Granger," Draco replied, flashing an award winning smile that had Mrs Granger nearly swooning. Hermione suppressed an eye roll.
"Dinner will be another while yet, come and sit Draco dear," Lana pointed to where they all sat on the sofas.
"Your house is beautiful but it's very strange," He commented, looking around. He was amazed how nice it actually was and oddly, he felt a little at home.
"Strange?" Alfie laughed.
"Why don't your pictures move Granger?" Draco asked Hermione confused.
"They just don't, it's a Muggle thing Malfoy, don't worry your precious Pureblood head," She giggled as he stuck his tongue out at her.
"You two are so confusing, you call each other by your surnames? Why doesn't he know about pictures? Pureblood? Explain someone?" Lana Granger was highly confused as was her husband. She looked across at him but Alfie just shrugged.
"We've always called each other by our surnames, it's old habit I guess. Mum I told you this before, pictures in the Wizarding World move, or rather the people in them do. Perhaps Draco would be better explaining the blood thing, after all, it is his forte," Hermione laughed again as he raised a perfect blond eyebrow.
"I'll try my best Hermione. Okay, basically non magical people are known as Muggles, however occasionally their children have magical tendencies. Hence why Hermione is known in our world as a Muggle born. She knows about the Muggle way of life but also a Wizarding life. With me so far? Then you have the Half-Bloods. One of their parents was a witch or wizard, while the other was a non-magical person, or one parent was Pure-blooded and the other Muggle Born as such. I am a Pureblood and come from the oldest and longest Pureblood lineage in the history of wizards. Our whole family has and always would have been Pure-blooded. Until this marriage law, which requires a Malfoy heir. Mine and Hermione's child will be the first Half-Blood in my family. Ever. Let's just say the portraits in the main Manor are not very happy with me right now," He finished, chuckling a little as he remembered his Great Aunt Alena's reaction as she tried to stun him through a portrait.
"Wow, so you two are history right here. And how do you and your family feel about this?" Alfie Granger questioned, wondering about the boy's intentions.
"My father is in the Wizard Prison for now. My mother is happy and loves Hermione and I for one could not care less. I won't love Hermione or the child any less because of their blood, no matter what my family or anyone else says," Draco answered with a smile and Hermione felt so proud of him at that moment. Her parents' eyes shone with happiness and relief that their only daughter would be taken care.
"You mentioned your father, what is the current situation?" Lana asked gently, knowing it was a touchy subject with the boy, who remained unaffected.
"Lucius Malfoy is currently in Azkaban, they may shorten his sentence due to good behaviour and I have a feeling they will. I don't know really, he's strange. He must love me, I guess. Sometimes, I just don't know. Maybe he's not very good at showing it. It's like I'm just another piece of furniture to him, something he can use to make himself look more impressive. But I am his only heir and until then I am in charge of all that my family owns, and that's why I was slightly late tonight," His eyes turned a shade darker when he talked of his father but quickly changed back to his usual colour.
"It's different for Purebloods mum, he becomes the Head of the Family. They have businesses and manors and such," Hermione added, explaining to her mother.
"I take it Hermione shall be well looked after then. How much is now yours Mr Malfoy?" Alfie asked.
"I own 26 Manors, 17 businesses, 2 Gringotts bank accounts, 8 house elves and about 18 billion galleons, which in your money - Sterling I believe? - is roughly 15 billion pounds," The blond commented so casually, almost as if he were discussing the weather.
"The Malfoy's are the wealthiest family in both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds right now. They control pretty much everything," Hermione couldn't help but laugh inwardly at her parents shock and even her boyfriend looked amused.
"You're the richest man I've ever met in my life, wow," Lana was very impressed to say the least.
"Actually, we are the richest people. Hermione is my girlfriend and we will end up married, so technically, she already owns half of what I have, which makes it yours as well," Draco smiled kindly at them and the two Granger's exchanged a proud look.
"Hermione hardly tells us anything about your World! You two must explain it all and the War!" Lana said softly.
"Do you have the Dark Mark? Is that what it's called?" Alfie asked him suddenly.
"Yes I do, it's not something I'm proud of, but I had no say in the matter. My father and aunt forced me to take it at 16, I had to fight for a cause I didn't believe in, fight for someone I didn't want to fight for," Draco cast his eyes downward. He hated the subject of his Dark Mark.
"Oh how awful! Can.. Can I see it?" Lana asked him cautiously and he looked surprised, before nodding. He began rolling his left shirt sleeve up to the elbow and turned his arm over so his forearm was facing upward. Their eyes all looked at his flawless pale skin absent of a mark.
"Death Eater disillusionment trick. It's how they got away with Ministry infiltration," Draco added seeing their looks of confusion.
"Are you alright with me using magic?" He asked carefully.
"Of course! Don't be afraid to use it whenever you're here, we're always eager to see how our Hermione lives," Alfie Granger answered, smiling happily. The young blond wizard grabbed his left forearm and began muttering disgustedly.
"Salazar, retirez la désillusion, pardonne mon déguisement, confiance en ma force, je suis digne, je suis maintenant libre."
-Salazar, remove the disillusion, forgive my disguise, trust my strength, I am worthy, I am now free.
Then it appeared, the black outlined skull with the moving snake protruding from it's mouth. The two Grangers were half-amazed, half-shocked while Hermione was not surprised, she had seen it too many times.
"Do you mind if I..?" Mrs Granger asked the young wizard.
"Not at all, go ahead," He outstretched his pale arm towards her and she took it gently. Her fingers traced over the outline lightly, her eyes transfixed and amazed.
"Wow, that's really something," Mr Granger let out a low whistle.
"I hate it, it's horrible," The young wizard shuddered at the memories returning. Hermione placed a gentle hand on his arm and Draco smiled at her.
"Sorry, I'm going to replace the charm, I hate looking at it. It brings back memories I would much rather forget," He said quietly, waving a hand over his arm. They all watched as slowly the black skull and snake turned paler and paler until it was hidden completely. The only evidence it was there was the slight sheen from his skin where the disillusionment charm was.
"This wizard prison, Azkaban did you say? Hermione mentioned you'd been there?" Alfie didn't look angry, merely curious.
"Yes, as I was a Death Eater I had to be arrested and taken to trial. My last memory of Hogwarts was the vampire Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour placing manacles on my wrist to prevent me using any form of magic as he apparated me away. Harry Potter, you know him obviously, testified at mine and my friend's trials, who were also forced into the lifestyle. We all got off but they forgot. Rufus Scrimgeour has it out for me. He arrested me again on the grounds that I was still a Death Eater and he threw me into Azkaban for four months," Draco explained, his eyes seemed cold and detached so Hermione placed a gentle hand in his.
"What was it like?" Mrs Granger asked horrified.
"Having to spend your 18th birthday in the Murderous and Highly Dangerous Block of Azkaban isn't the best. That's the worst block anyone could ever be placed in. Azkaban... It's a place where your most painful memories and deepest fears are relived time and time again, every day. It left me feeling empty and worthless, like I'd be better off if one of the Order members had finished me off in the final battle," He sighed, playing with Hermione's fingers.
"You're a brave lad Mr Malfoy, I had no idea you went through that all, it seems you had a worse time than the people on the Light Side," Alfie commented, surprised by the boy's bravery and openness.
"It felt that way a lot of the time," Malfoy agreed. Hermione just wanted to hug him and never let go, they'd both been through so much. It was about time they got a break.
Author's Note:- Helloooooo! Another update, longer this time – I owe you it! Feel free to leave me a review, good or bad; I'll take any criticisms into consideration. Once again, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! I love writing this story, it makes me so happy! Along with you guys obviously;) You're all so lovely, so I want to say thanks to everyone! :-)