Thank you so much for all of the wonderful reviews, I loved reading every single one of them!
To the guest who wrote on chapter ten about being depressed. Depression is very hard, I struggle with mine on a daily basis and I know how tough it can be at times. Harry Potter has always been my go to when I need an escape. You really brightened my day with your words. I am so happy I was able to make you smile. Don't worry, I won't be finished with this story too soon, I'm aiming for about 30 chapters. I do hope you continue reading.
There were a few reviews pointing out some grammatical errors on the last two chapters. I went back and edited them. Honestly, it was late at night when I went over them and must have missed a lot of the mistakes. As far as my use of "should of" rather than "should have". Thank you for pointing that out, I didn't even realize I was doing that. I do not use a beta, nor do I have anyone else proofread the chapters, so please forgive me.
A question for all of my readers that I would REALLY appreciate some feedback on. The lemon in chapter nine...do you guys want more of that? Would love to hear some feedback.
As always, hope you enjoy!
-x-
Draco returned home late that afternoon to the incessant sound of tapping against the window. He went over to let the small owl in. It pecked at his hand when Draco tried to remove the small scroll causing him to hiss in pain. The owl seemed pleased by the action as it puffed out it's chest. Draco scoffed before proceeding to retrieve the letter. The owl promptly turned and flew back out. He unraveled the parchment, revealing his mother's delicate penmanship.
Draco,
I must speak with you at once. Come to the manor this evening for drinks as we have a certain matter to discuss.
Mother
"Shit" he mumbled to himself.
He dropped the letter on the table and rubbed his palms across his face. He knew exactly what the 'certain matter' his mother wanted to discuss was. The woman read the Daily Prophet religiously, and after the very public display of affection he and Hermione had given the prior evening, he was sure that it had made the headlines.
He knew full well that she wouldn't be cross with him, but her feelings would undoubtedly be hurt. While his mother was notorious for prying, he still rarely kept anything from her. He wanted to tell her but he had to keep it from her at first. His mother, much like Hermione, wanted desperately for him to let go of some of his grief and find some happiness in this world. He didn't want to get her hopes up by revealing his new relationship too soon.
With the evening approaching soon, he made quick work of taking a shower and putting himself together. After he was ready he groaned to himself as he tossed a handful of powder into the fireplace before calling out his destination. As he stepped out he found his mother already waiting for him, a glass of wine in hand.
"Draco dear, I see you received my letter." she said in a cool tone. She rose from her feet as he approached, planting a kiss upon his cheek.
"Mother, good to see you." he moved to the small bar and poured himself a glass of firewhiskey. He turned around and eyed her for a moment. "Well there's no point in dancing around it, say what you will."
"Whatever do you mean dear?" she replied, a smirk that could rival her sons slide across her face as her other features remained composed.
"Don't play that way mother. While I didn't bother with today's headlines, I am quite certain you did."
"Is that so?"
"Mother" he stated firmly.
"Fine." She rolled her eyes. "You and Miss Granger?"
He nodded in affirmation as he moved to take a seat across from her.
"Well then" she paused "why is it that I had to find out through the paper instead of my son?"
He shrugged.
"Draco..." she drawled.
"I didn't want to say anything until I knew if it would be serious or not."
"Hermione Granger doesn't strike me as the type to play games Draco. Why would you question her intentions?"
"I didn't question her intentions."
"Then what was it?"
He brought the glass to his lips. "Her judgement." he admitted as he took a sip.
"Her judgement? You mean about you?"
"Yes." he said as he looked down at the amber liquid in his cup.
Narcissa tilted her head as she examined his features. "You're still doing it aren't you?" she asked in a soft voice.
"Doing what?"
"Doubting yourself. Convincing yourself you don't deserve happiness."
Draco met her eyes. He released a sigh "I'm trying not to." he offered.
She gave him a small smile. "Well that's a change. Is it safe to assume Miss Granger sparked that?"
He nodded. "She made me promise to try and forgive myself."
"So she has forgiven everything?"
"Yes."
"Even..." she trailed off as her gaze shifted to the large double doors that led to the drawing room. She had sealed it off after the war ended. She had no desire to ever step foot in that awful room again.
"She doesn't blame me for that, or you for that matter."
His mother relaxed at his words. She herself had a hard time letting go of the things that had transpired in her home during the war. Unlike her husband and son, she had never taken the mark, but she still felt a tremendous amount of guilt over that dark time.
"Do you still think she will question it then?"
"No" he shook his head.
"Then why do you still seem hesitant about it?"
He paused as he tried to formulate the right words. "Given our past, between how I was in school, and then the war, I've just caused her so much pain already. What if I hurt her?"
Narcissa was probably the only person in the world he would discuss such things with. The two had always been close.
"Draco. Would you ever intentionally cause her pain?"
"Of course not, that's not what I mean. You know how I am. You know I've never been in a serious relationship with anyone. I don't want to screw anything up."
She chuckled to herself. "My dear boy. I may not know Miss Granger well at all, but I will say that from what I have seen and read about her, she is a strong woman who can handle just about anything. You would have to do something pretty bad to drive her away."
"I just...I don't want to mess it up."
Her face turned more serious. "You really care for her don't you?"
"Yes."
"Then trust me when I tell you that everything will be alright. If you care that much for her, you'll do whatever you can to make her happy. Don't be so caught up with your fears that you forget to enjoy what you have."
Draco took in her words. Although it didn't completely rid him of the anxieties he was feeling, it helped to bring him a sense of calm. He knew that she was right. If he continued to worry about the things he may potentially get wrong, he would loose sight of the importance of Hermione's happiness as well as his own. He was pulled from his thoughts at his mothers soft voice once more.
"Would she be willing to come to the manor for dinner?"
"Mother, you're not going to start meddling in this." he said pointing a finger at her.
"No one is meddling dear. My only son has taken a strong interest in a very respectable young woman and I would like to invite her to dinner. If you do not extend the invite to her, I will. I am merely asking if she would feel...comfortable...coming here." She gave a sideward glance back to the doors.
"No need for that." He rolled his eyes. "I will invite her. I don't think she will have a problem with it, but I will check with her first."
His mother beamed. "Wonderful. Tomorrow night then. Assuming she is free..."
He raised his hand to stop her "We had plans for dinner anyway, I'm sure she won't mind us altering them."
"It's settled then. Is seven okay?"
He polished off the last of his drink. "That will be fine mother." He smirked at her when he saw the sudden twinkle in her eye.
Narcissa loved to entertain. Since they had dropped many of their previous acquaintances after the war, she had not hosted many of the dinners or lavish parties she had once done.
"Splendid. Oh I am so looking forward to it."
He offered his mother a smile. "Was there anything else you wanted to discuss? I had some work I wanted to see to before heading to the office in the morning."
"No dear, that was all. I will see you tomorrow son."
"Goodnight Mother."
He watched her disappear from the room before turning to the fireplace. He pulled a handful of floo powder out of the ornate box that sat atop the mantle piece as he pondered a thought. He stepped into the fireplace and called out his destination.
He stepped out into the living room and was awestruck at the sight before him. Hermione was curled up on the couch, book still in hand as she slept peacefully. She looked radiant as flickers of candlelight illuminated her face. He moved closer and slowly knelt beside her. He pushed the hair away from her face and planted a small kiss on her cheek. She stirred as her eyes fluttered open. She smiled fondly up at him.
"Hey." She whispered m.
"Hey." he replied.
"What are you doing here?" she reached for his hand a gave it a squeeze.
"I was with my mother. She invited us to dinner tomorrow evening."
The barely their smile on her face vanished in an instant with her eyes going wide. "Please don't tell me she found out about us by seeing a picture of you snogging me in the paper."
He couldn't help but laugh at her astonishment. "I'm afraid so."
"Was she furious?"
"No, I suspect I hurt her feelings a bit by not telling her myself, but if I did, she said nothing of it. She's just excited to see me with someone she actually respects."
"What, she didn't want you to end up with Pansy?" she said jokingly.
He chuckled as he absentmindedly drew circles on her shoulder blades with his fingers. "Absolutely not. She has changed a lot since school, but she is entirely too high maintenance."
She smiled up at him as her warm brown eyes transfixed themselves on his. "You could have owled me you know." A flash of regret ran through his features and he made to say something but was cut off as she cupped her hand to his face. "I'm glad you didn't though."
"I shouldn't have just came over like that, the was terribly intrusive of me."
"Draco stop. I don't want you to feel terrible. I'm saying I like that you came back." She ran her fingers through his hair, pressing them to the back of his head to urge him down to her. She kissed him slowly as if to draw away the insecurities he felt about his actions.
"Are you going to be comfortable at the manor?" he asked.
"Is it safe to assume I won't have to see that room?" She asked.
"Yes, Mother sealed it off years ago, no one's been in there since."
"I'll be fine then, I would actually love to see everything else about where you grew up."
He slid his arm behind her back, the other behind the backs of her knee's and in one fluid motion scooped her up into his arms as he carried her to the bedroom. She thought to herself of how he had carried her to the same spot only the night before, only in a much different fashion and she struggled to decide which she preferred.
He delicately set her down and grabbed the covers to pull over her.
"Are you staying?" she asked.
He smirked at her before leaning down and kissing her once more pulling back a bit to look at her. "As tempting as that sounds, if I do I have a feeling I would be rather late tomorrow."
"Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world." She kissed him more deeply and he groaned softly against her lips as images of their night together took over his thoughts.
"As much as I want to, I have a lot of work to do." he said as he regretfully pulled back.
She practically pouted at him. "Alright." She kissed him once more before he rose from the seat he had taken on the edge of her bed. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"I'll see you. Goodnight."
"Night." She whispered as she pulled the cover closer to her body. She watched as he left and a moment later heard the whoosh of her fireplace.
She had spent the entire night with him, and most of the day, yet the moment he left that afternoon a part of her felt empty. When she had awoken to him in front of her, it didn't surprise her or catch her off guard but rather made her feel at ease. She felt entirely comfortable around him, though she wasn't entirely sure why. One thing was for certain, she couldn't wait for dinner the following night.
-x-
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