Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters. JK Rowling does. I just borrow them for my own twisted works.
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Chapter 18:
Weddings & Revelations
Another month had passed and more of the students had gotten married. They were getting along well for the most part, the school had been magicked to create rooms for the married couples.
Ron and Pansy's wedding had went well. Harry had stood up with him along his twin brothers. Pansy's friends Millicent and two of her cousins had stood with her. It was a very lavish wedding provided mainly by the Parkinson's. Which Arthur at this point was very thankful that it was custom for the father of the bride to provide for the wedding and such. Seeing as he had so many children, he was really happy only one was a girl.
Molly on the other hand was still trying to get used to the idea that her little Ron would be a father in only a matter of months.
Harry and Luna have decided to get married during Spring Holiday. Draco and Hermione are going to wait until the end of classes. The date is set for June twentieth, and Hermione is only too happy to leave the details up to her mother and Mrs. Malfoy, who have been meeting with each other frequently to make the arrangements and plans. They met not to long after Draco and Hermione announced they were formally engaged, and have been like two peas in a pod since.
Hermione had talked to Draco regarding Blaise and his hot and cold attitude with Ginny. This is what transpired:
Flashback:
Hermione and Draco are in the Library studying together, when Hermione remembers her promise to Ginny, just days before made.
"Um, Draco. Do you think I could ask you something about Blaise?" Hermione asked quite shyly for some reason unbeknownst to Draco.
"Well, yes. I suppose you can. But I cannot guarantee that I will have an answer that your seeking." Draco said matter of factly.
"Well you see, it's Ginny. The poor girl doesn't know what's going on. She said everything was going well, or so she thought. And then right after Christmas, nothing. He hardly speaks to her. Won't respond when she asks if something is wrong. It's really quite horrible for him to be so wretched, when he seemed to really be getting on with her." Hermione was very defensive of Ginny. When she saw Draco actually wince at her words she continued, "Or am I mistaken? Does he find something wrong with Ginny? Does he not find her likeable enou-"
Draco cut her off. "No, Hermione stop. Tell Weaselette to calm down. There are a few things going on in Blaise's home life. He's really having a time with it. And he isn't the type of person to burden others."
"Well maybe he should talk to her. Or you could. Maybe you could explain it to her so she would understand." Hermione almost pleaded. She didn't want to beg, but to see her friend so upset, and not having a reasoning for it, was very difficult, and she would beg if she had to, in order to get Ginny's answers for her.
"Alright, love. Alright. I will talk with him. If he won't discuss things with her. Then I will atleast let her know his behaviors, so that this doesn't become a habit." Draco smiled. When he saw Hermione had a confused look, he asked. "What is it? You have that look like your trying hard to decipher what I've just said. And it was pretty straight forward." He was teasing, because her brow had creased, which meant only one of two things. She was either more confused, or getting angry.
Angry was what it was. He saw it by the way she brought herself slowly out of her chair and come around the table to get in his face. He said a quick spell silence bubble to conceal thier conversation. This was sure to get loud.
He was right.
"Now you listen here Draco! If it becomes a HABIT as you so put it, for one of my best girl friends to come to me with problems. I will help. If I have to come to you for help, I WILL. Or are you not willing to help me? I don't understand. I thought that's what fiances' did. Helped each other." Hermione was definately mad. But now it was Draco who was confused.
"What the bloody hell are you mad about Granger? I said I would talk to one or both of them! Geez!" Draco retorted.
"No, its what you said after that, and I QUOTE! 'SO THIS DOESN'T BECOME A HABIT!'" Hermione was practically screeching at him. She looked around and seem to just notice that she was screaming at the top of her lungs in the middle of what should have been one of the quietest rooms in Hogwarts.
"I cast a silence bubble around us. So the whole school wouldn't be clued into this little, well, what ever it is. And I didn't mean that the way it sounded. If you are done screaming like a banshee. I'll explain." Draco said surprisingly calm.
Hermione opened her mouth like she was going to say something then after his comment thought better of it. When she said nothing Draco explained.
"I meant that if I spoke with the Weaselette about Blaise's way of holding things in and pushing everyone away, she would better understand. Instead of us having to figure it out. She will better know how to pick through his walls, and figure it out for herself. It takes years of practice. I going to talk to her even if Blaise decides to. She will need the help." While he was talking Hermione's lips had formed a perfect 'O'. She understood now, and was wondering what the bloody hell had come over her.
She didn't lose control like that without being provoked, and he'd definately not provoked her. While she was taking in what Draco had said. He was admiring her. With every day that passed, he grew to appreciate this witch. Her thoughtfulness for her friends and loved ones. She was loyal to them. Her beauty she was so unaware of. It made her all that more attractive.
He was so deep in his thoughts, he'd forgotten they were just having a row.
"- and I will let Ginny know." When she noticed he hadn't heard anything she asked, "Draco are you okay? Did you hear a word I said."
He lied. "Yes. I'll get right on that."
Thinking he'd said the right thing because she smiled that wonderful smile that made him want to snog her silly, and nod. He sat back. Now he could relax. But after a few moments of going back to her studies, and he hadn't moved, it started again.
"Draco Malfoy. You didn't hear me."
When he looked at her like she'd sprouted horns, she continued. "I asked you to go now, while we're all free. And here you still sit, looking like your day dreaming or something."
"Oh, right sorry." Draco got up and started collecting his books. "See you later, love?"
She nodded, while scowling at him. He gave her a quick peck on the lips and shot out of the library.
Best to get out of there before she starts after me again, he thought to himself. How Harry and Ron learned to get around her temper he'll never know. Maybe he needed a 'Learn About Hermione' session with them. Kind of like the 'Learn About Blaise' session he was going to give to Ginny.
End Flashback.
So now Ginny knew that Blaise's parents were having problems with his older brother. He'd taken to muggle gambling and went through his inheritance that they had each received from their grandfather passing, and Mr. and Mrs. Zabini were having a hard time trying to get him help for his new addiction.
Draco had infact talked to her about peeling back his layers, and getting him to discuss things with her. She no longer had to come to Hermione for help. Which Draco was thankful for. Their problems had been causing him and Hermione to get into arguements.
Now Ginny just came to her, to moon over the things Blaise said or did for her. He really was quite sweet when you got passed the hard exterior that he let few through. He'd not formally asked Ginny to marry him yet, but it was close. Those who knew them both, could definately tell.
Draco was sitting at breakfast on a Saturday, when he recieved an owl from his mother.
Hermione was watching from across the Great Hall at her table with Ginny and Harry, when he got it. She watched as he took the letter, and fed the owl some of his eggy-bread. He opened it with a grin, and then she watched as the smile fell from his face.
He folded the letter, put it in his pocket, got up leaving most of his breakfast, and quickly exited the Hall.
Hermione was right behind him.
She had to run to catch up with him. Yelling his name the entire time.
"Draco!"
"Draco!"
"DRACO MALFOY!"
Finally he stopped. He didn't turn to look at her. When she caught up with him, she was huffing from having to run.
"Draco,(huff) what (huff) is (huff) it(huff)?" She asked.
It took a few moments before he said anything. But when he did it was only one word.
"Nothing." He responded in a steely voice.
She'd caught her breath. "Don't you tell me nothing. I know that you got an owl. From your mother I'm guessing. I've seen her owl enough to recognize it. Now tell me what the matter is."
"Here, read it yourself." And he took it from the pocket of his robes and shoved it into her hands.
She read it quickly, for there was not much to it.
Draco,
Woodrow has returned.
He wants to see you this weekend.
Please come quickly.
I don't think this can wait.
Sorry I cannot say more.
Love,
Mum
P.S. Bring Hermione.
She was confused. What would happen that Draco would get a letter like this. 'Come quickly'. Hmm. Hermione's proverbial wheels were turning.
"Draco, I don't- well I mean- what is so-" Hermione was so confounded she was stuttering.
"I don't know Hermione, but we have to go. NOW!" He said.
"McGonagall. We have to tell her." Hermione responded.
Hermione had went back into the Great Hall, to get thier headmistress. She quickly explained to her the situation, as they rushed from the table amongst the professors. McGonagall agreed, they needed to go. But she didn't like them going alone.
"Draco, is there anyone else you can trust with this information? Someone you can take with you?" the Head Mistress asked.
He shook his head. He trusted no one.
"Draco, I know you don't like him. But maybe we could take - um Harry." When Draco looked at her, like he would be admitting her into St. Mungo's straight away she hurriedly continued. "I know you've had your problems, but Harry knows how to keep a secret. And he would do anything for me."
After several minutes of him inwardly deliberating. He said nothing.
"Draco, please." Hermione and McGonagall said simultaneously.
"Fine. But he must swear a wizard oath not to say a word to anyone, until I say otherwise." Draco responded through gritted teeth.
"I'll just go and get Mr. Potter. Meet me in my office. The password is 'sweet tarts'." And McGonagall set back into the Great Hall to gather Harry.
Hermione and Draco had only been in the Head Mistress' office for about three minutes when she came bustling in with Harry in tow.
"Sorry to seem a might angry. But what is going on?" Harry asked accusingly glaring at Draco.
Hermione quickly explained that she couldn't say anything until he agreed to a wizard oath. Harry figured if McGonagall had come and got him, it must be important. And when said lady nodded her head encouragingly, he agreed.
They said the wizard oath, and then Hermione started explaining everything.
"So let me get this straight. Draco's father, is a right foul git. To enstow beliefs himself on a child who was nothing he was brought up to believe. The horrible man his parents chose to help may or may not have done something to his mother. She may be in danger? Why does this concern me?" Harry rattled quickly.
"Harry we don't know what's waiting for us at Malfoy Manor, and I was requested to go as well. Please don't leave me to walk into a situation, when I have no idea what's coming." Hermione pleaded.
Harry mulled his thoughts over for a minute. Looked at the other occupants in the room, and then nodded.
"I'll go with you." He said to Hermione. Then he turned to Draco, "I am doing this for Hermione. NOT YOU! I swore the wizard's oath, so you know I can tell no one."
Draco nodded, "I know we have never been friends, but there is no one I could trust to bring in on this. Hermione trusts you like no one I've ever seen." He swallowed the lump of dread that was building in his throat, "Thank you."
They stood there for a few moments, as if waiting to be directed in what they would do next. When the Head mistress spoke.
"I sent an owl through the floo. I alerted your mother, you would be along shortly, and that you would be bringing a friend for the visit as well. I didn't specify whom. Better to be surprised if there is to be any harm in the future." The young wizards nodded, while Hermione stood gaping at her. How did I miss her writing a letter, and sending it through the floo? she thought to herself.
"Best be on your way then. Let me know immediately, if you need any help." They nodded.
One by one they stepped into the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo-powder and spoke.
"Malfoy Manor."
Ok, end of chapter. What do you think so far. I know cliffy, but I'm gonna be snowed in the next few days, so I should be able to update again soon.
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