Hey ya'll. I know I kept you waiting for this next update, but it will be worth it, I promise! Thanks to my beta beatlechicksteph for looking this over for me — you're a rockstar! Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear from you! XOXO, Alexandra.
Hermione lounged in her favorite room in Malfoy Manor — the library. Sipping on a glass of red wine, she thought about the last two years. Regardless of how everyone else felt, she and Draco were blissfully happy and Narcissa…well, Narcissa was honestly just hoping for some grandchildren very soon.
Not long after making her relationship with Draco official, Narcissa had insisted she take a room in the family wing. After protesting the potential arrangement for days, Hermione finally surrendered to Narcissa and moved all of her things. After all, Narcissa had made some valid points including the manor being too large for just the two Malfoy's and Hermione being all alone after her family perished in the war. Despite having her own room in the Manor, she had spent almost every night since officially moving in wrapped in Draco's arms.
Some might argue that her relationship with Draco moved too quickly, and she would be the first to agree with them—although not entirely. Hermione felt that her relationship with Draco did move quickly, but because they wanted it to. After years of being at each other's throats and being on opposite sides of the war, their relationship was refreshing. They were exactly what the other needed.
Closing her eyes, Hermione thought back to the first 'scandal'—if you could even call it that, that she and Draco had faced. It was the first time she had been in the Manor since the war…well the first time back where she just didn't pop in and out of Draco's bedroom that is.
"Draco, darling? Hermione? Are you two up here?" Narcissa called, with a sense of urgency in her voice. "I have something you both should see." Hermione and Draco looked at each other, both knowing that it couldn't be good if Narcissa had disturbed their afternoon to see them.
Hermione had no time to think what this could be about before Draco grabbed her hand and they walked down the stairs to his mother.
Without saying a word, Narcissa handed a copy of The Evening Prophet to Draco. Hermione looking over his shoulder read out loud, "Gryffindor's Princess Disappears During Date, Found in the Arms of Ex-Death Eater, Draco Malfoy." Opening the paper further, she saw several large photos of her and Draco gracing the front page.
Hermione mouth hung open, unable to form any coherent words to express how much she was outraged. She snapped her mouth shut and focused her attention on reading the rest of the article.
Gryffindor's Princess Disappears During Date, Found in the Arms of Ex-Death Eater, Draco Malfoy
By Rita Skeeter
Last night, Gryffindor's Princess and one-third of The Golden Trio, Hermione Granger disappeared while on a date with fellow Gryffindor, Seamus Finnegan. Finnegan and Granger were at a Wizarding carnival before Granger sprinted away leaving Mr. Finnegan alone and with no explanation. It seems that she has something to hide as she quickly dashed by several businesses before being seen sneaking into Wizarding London's newest establishment, The Piano Bar. The Daily Prophet staff was unable to gain entrance, but talked to several inside who saw Granger throw herself at The Malfoy Heir. After witnessing Miss Granger's excursion and complete lack of tact, jumping from one date to another, this has done nothing but raise more questions. Look for a full interview with Granger's forgotten date, Seamus Finnegan, in tomorrow's Daily Prophet.
"To be honest, one would expect to be shocked in this situation…. but I'm not. She must have snuck back into the bar in her animagus form to get these photos, " Hermione said, somewhat calmly.
Draco's mouth twitched into a smirk. "I can see the gears in your brain working. What is your plan?" he asked.
"Oh, you know…. just a little blackmail," she smiled, deviously.
Hermione laughed at the memory remembering the look on Skeeter's face when she, Draco and Narcissa marched into her office at The Daily Prophet. All Hermione had to do was subtly remind Rita of her time trapped inside a jar to get her to stop writing her lies. And well, it could have also been the fact that Hermione's status as a war heroine pulled some serious weight. Rita did not need the Minister getting involved and ruining her precious career.
After that encounter, the article was retracted with an apology stating that sources were not reliable. Hermione knew that they wouldn't have any issues with the beetle for at least a little while.
"What are you laughing about?" Draco asked, walking into the library.
"Oh just remembering when we blackmailed Rita Skeeter…the first time of course," she replied, setting down her glass of wine.
"Ahhh, my favorite time. Although, I always wondered why she needed reminding every few months. You think that the threat of being exposed and the possibility of being sent to Azkaban would be enough," Draco said, taking a seat next to Hermione and pulling her into his arms.
"Well, she never could keep her nose out of other's business. I recall you helping her when we were at Hogwarts," Hermione said, playfully elbowing him in the side.
Draco lifted his arms in surrender and laughed at her jab, knowing she was teasing him.
Changing the subject, Draco said, "Well, I came in here because I wanted to see if you were doing anything tonight. If not, let's go out."
She turned into him, and kissed him softly. "I'd love to go out."
"Alright, be ready by six," he replied, returning the kiss.
Hermione rose from the sofa, and walked to the door of the library. She needed to start getting ready now if she was going to meet Draco's deadline of being ready by 6.
"Where are we going? I need to be sure I am dressed appropriately for the occasion," she asked, turning back towards him.
"I had something delivered. It's being laid in your room as we speak."
She smiled, knowing that something exciting was going to be happening tonight…especially if Draco had ordered her an outfit for the night.
oOoOoOoOoO
Narcissa was helping Hermione get ready, since she had yet gotten the hang of make-up and hair charms, and she was in a hurry. The muggle way of getting ready would be much too slow and then she would definitely be late for her hot date.
"Hermione, you look absolutely stunning," Narcissa said, admiring her handiwork. "Just one last thing before you can look in the mirror."
Hermione felt something cold on her neck, but was unable to see anything looking down. Narcissa slowly turned her around, and Hermione gasped.
Moving closer to the floor-length mirror, Hermione took the time to really look at herself.
The normal bushiness of her mane disappeared and had been styled into an elegant twist with a few curls framing her face. Simple diamond studs graced her earlobes. The floor length silver dress had a modest neck-line, but hugged all of her curves. Turning her body, she admired the open back and the exposed skin. She had to admit, her skin looked flawless. Finally turning her attention to the jewelry dangling from her neck. Hermione realized it was a silver cloth choker with a single diamond situated in the middle.
"Oh, Narcissa. It's beautiful," Hermione breathed, close to tears. "Thank you so much, for everything!"
Hermione pulled Narcissa to her, pouring all of her emotions into the hug. Not having her own mother around for times like this really took a toll on her, and Narcissa had done her best these past two years to fill the void.
"No, thank you, my darling. You have brought so much joy to my life and to Draco's," Narcissa said, smiling with tears in her eyes. "Now, let's go knock the socks off that son of mine!"
Hermione followed Narcissa made their way to the landing, where she was told to wait. Hermione smiled and let Narcissa do her thing— she always had a thing for dramatics and wanted to give Hermione a grand entrance.
"Hermione," she called. "You can come down now."
Hermione took a deep breath and concentrated on walking down the stairs in her stilettos, attempting not to fall flat on her face. Finally feeling confident enough to glance up, her breath caught in her throat.
Draco was standing at the end of the staircase beaming up at her. She had never felt more beautiful than in that moment, with the man she loved looking up at her with such love and admiration for her. She continued to descend on the staircase, their eyes never leaving each other.
As she reached the floor, Draco pulled her close and kissed her deeply. As always, their passion erupted and Hermione kissed him back with a sense of urgency, forgetting completely that they were in the company of others.
"Ahem."
Hermione pulled back from Draco's lips and smiled and felt the heat rising on her cheeks. She had completely forgotten that Narcissa was in the room. She smiled at the Malfoy matriarch and received a smile in return.
"You look ravishing, my love," Draco whispered in Hermione's ear. "I have an exciting evening planned for us."
"Well, we will be off mother," he said, kissing his mother on the cheek. "Don't wait up for us."
"Have fun, darlings," Narcissa said, as Draco turned in place and whisked them off to their destination.