AN:
Hey guys, this is Chapter Three. I felt warm and fuzzy when I checked my email and saw all the story alerts and read y'all's reveiws, by the way. It really inspires one to write more:). And, no, his parents don't know he's a veela. Thanks!
Chapter Three:
"You or I am going to have to alert my parents of this development, you know," Draco added conversationally.
"I know. I think that because they're your parents, you should tell them," she replied, trying to get out of the sure to be loud and angry confrontation.
He tutted (which was funny, because it sounded almost scarily like something Mrs. Weasley would do), and countered,
"You're the Healer here, it's your duty to inform my anxious parents of my diagnosis. Oh, and throw in the part about who my mate is, too. That should be interesting."
This was the Malfoy we all knew and despised, commanding and dismissive. Hermione would have none of that, though.
"DRACO MALFOY! I am not your servant! I don't care whether I'm your mate or not, I can leave right now, and then where would you be? Oh yes, back in a coma! Hrmph," she ranted, snorting at the end.
Immediatly, his eyes grew wide and apologetic. He guessed it was probably the veela in him but all of a sudden he couldn't stand the thought of her, the girl he used to torment and whose pain he used to laugh at, being the even the slightest bit upset with him.
"I apologise," he said pitifully,"I just... I just come off that way sometimes."
Though she knew his veela charm was working on her, she couldn't help but melt at his expression and tone of voice. She just wanted to cuddle him! 'Where did that come from?' She wondered to herself. This was Draco Malfoy, the boy (or rather, man) she had hated all of her years at Hogwarts! Shaking her head to clear it, she saw he was waiting with a hopeful expression for her response. She sighed.
"It's all right, I guess. It's hard grow up like you did and not come off as a prat sometimes," she said with a small smile.
His face lit up at her words, and he bounced up to wrap his arms around her middle, grinning. Surprised at his casual touch, she jumped a bit. Luckily, he didn't notice.
Uncomfortable, she squirmed and he let go, blushing.
"Sorry, it must be the veela," he said, sounding more like he was trying to convince himself this than her.
"It's quite alright," she replied," but as to the matter of who tells your parents, I would say that we should both go, seeing as you seem to re - become ill when not right beside me. I think that you will feel this way until you mark and bond with your mate."
"Ok," Draco replied, not seeming shaken by the fact that he had to be with her until she agreed to let him bite, or mark, her.
She put out her hand for him to take, and he took it. They both shivered when their skin met. With Draco on his feet, they headed for the door, Draco leaning heavily on the petite woman, still not over his illness. Her feminine aroma of vanilla and lavender made his head spin, but he took a deep breath and walked on. Unable to help himself, he buried his nose discreetly in her silky chocolate locks.
They slowly made their way to the living room of Malfoy Manor. When they finally arrived, Hermione stopped walking and peered nervously into the large and extravagant room. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy sat inside, conversing in hushed tones.
"Ahem," Hermione coughed lightly, trying to get their attention. It worked, seeing as both of their heads snapped up to see their formerlly bed ridden son leaning in the door frame with the muggle born Healer.
"Oh Draco! His mother gushed, but in a cautious tone of voice, clearly not over the episode she had witnessed last night. Mr. Malfoy's slightly hard grey eyes swept over the pair, full of contempt.
Hermione swallowed nervously, and just as the tension in the room reached a climax, Draco's body gave way into what looked like a faint.
His mother rushed to his side, but as Hermione looked down on him, she saw his eyes open a bit and his lips curl up into a smirk, as if to say,'Well, you can take it from here.' That little toad! Just so he didn't have to face his mommy and daddy's wrath. She had thought veela mates were extremely protective, not cowardly. Well, nothing to do now but tell the truth. She took a deep breath.
"As you can see, your son is not over his illness quite yet. No, no, leave him be, Mrs. Malfoy, he's fine. Fit as a fiddle." She began.
"Fit as a fiddle? What might that be?" questioned Lucius.
"What? Oh, nevermind, muggle saying. Anyway, he was sick and in that coma because of his age. He is 21, which I know becuase we graduated the same year. Mr. Malfoy here has not found his mate yet, and constant distance from her has greatly affected him."
She was then interrupted by a spluttering Lucius.
"What in Merlin do you mean, Mate? He is a pureblooded wizard, and can choose whoever he wants. As long as she's pureblooded."
However, Narcissa seemed to know exactly what she was referring to. Her already pale face had gone paler, and her eyes had gone blank.
"I believe your wife may have some clue as to what I'm talking about. Please, explain to us, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione said calmly, not letting on how angry Lucius was making her.
Seeing no way out, Narcissa began to speak in a choked whisper.
"We had thought the blood line had thinned out enough for the gene not to become dominant. It hasn't happened since my great great great grandmother. She was one sixth."
At this, Lucius cut in again.
"One sixth what, one sixth what?" he whined childishly.
"Veela," we said in unison.
At our words, the blond man turned an unbecoming shade of purple and he let out a yell, then proceeded to fall into a dead faint back onto the couch.
"Hmm," Hermione mused lightly,"Both Malfoy men in a feminine faint at the very same time. We should take some photos."
Narcissa giggled, then sobered up.
"If Draco is doing better, that must mean that his mate is near. Who would that be?" she questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Me," Hermione sighed."But don't worry, I'll keep out of you all's hair. I know it is shameful to have to have your son with a mudblood, but it is the only way to keep him alive."
"Don't call yourself that," voiced Narcissa sharply."It's degrading, and you are the smartest witch of your age. You are pretty and kind. You are the perfect match for our Draco."
Hermione smiled and looked down, embarrassed. But her moment with Mrs. Malfoy was shattered by a loud crash as Lucius woke up form his faint. He had his wand pointed at her throat, and had bloodlust in his eyes.
"No son of mine will muddy the line Malfoy with such filth," he snarled cruely, obviously having heard some of the conversation.
"Ava-" But he was cut of by another crash as Draco (the wimp) 'awakened' from his faint. Jumping in front of his mate he snarled right back at his father.
"Not my Hermione!"