Author's Note- Hi everyone. How's it going? Thanks for the reviews and taking the survey. I have finally gotten a beta reader. So this is dedicated to Anka7995. Thankx for reading over this.

hapter 10- Tales of the Past

*Author's Pov.* (This seems easier to write this chapter this way instead of from Draco's POV or switching between characters. Sorry if that bothers you.)

Hermione and Narcissa were still getting ready three hours later. Mitzi and Eve were busy preparing the dining room and the den for later. With the house bustling with movement Draco and Lucius could find no peace to read. Lucius decided to leave ten minutes ago to get ready. Draco tried again to read, but soon gave up and went to get ready.

After putting on some crisp black slacks and a white button down shirt he combed his blond hair. A sharp crack rung in his ears as the Eve appeared in his room.

"Master Draco, Eve has been told by Mistress Malfoy that you need to pick up the Grangers." the elf squeaked.

"Thank you, Eve. All get them as soon as I'm done here. Is that all?" Draco asked.

"Yes, Master Draco." Eve bowed, exiting his room in a rush to get back to the kitchens.

Draco took one last glance in the mirror then left to pick up Hermione's parents.

He knocked on the door, fidgeting with his shirt collar as he waited for them to answer. The door swung open revealing the two. Hermione's mum, Linda wore a light purple dress that complimented her soft features. David wore a dark blue, button up shirt and deep gray pants. Both of them had smiles on their faces, little to know worry was to be seen in their eyes.

"Hello, I'm Draco; we met a few weeks ago. It's nice to see you Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger." Draco said extending a hand.

"Yes, nice to see you again." Mrs. Granger said shaking his hand.

"I'm pleased to see you again. . . Mr Malfoy, is it?" Mr. Granger questioned, shaking hands with Draco like his wife had done.

"You are correct, sir. We should be going now. It's about a mile to walk to my manor. I hope you don't mind Mrs. Granger." Draco said, referring to the fact that Linda was wearing high heels.

"That's fine. We would disapparate there, but we are a little out of practice with magic after so many years. We can hardly use an owl anymore. They seem to think we are muggles that don't know anything." She said with a laugh.

"That's fine. Let's go shall we?" Draco chuckled.

"Of course." David said, taking his wife's hand.

Draco led them through the woods and back to the manor. He was careful to avoid passing the cottage. He didn't feel like explaining that he had a house with their daughter. Awkward conversation that would be... Instead he took a short cut by the pond. Talking small talk with them, as they went.

When they got to the manor Narcissa, Lucius, and Hermione were waiting by the front door. Before the Grangers could come in they had to take the threshold blood test, which glowed a bright green for both of them. They enter the house to be greeted by their very beautiful and excited daughter, Hermione.

"Mum, dad it's great to see you. It's seems like forever. It's been a whole fortnight." Hermione gushed, attacking her parents with hugs and kisses.

"It good to see you too, Mione. How have you been?" David asked.

"Great. You?"

"Good. Now who are these friends of yours we are eating dinner with?"

Hermione heard Lucius cough, "More than friends." He was still going off with jokes whenever he could. Luckily Mrs. and Mr. Granger didn't catch it.

"This is Lucius Malfoy," Hermione said gesturing to him, "and Narcissa Mafloy."

A little glance of recognition flashed in David's eyes, which he soon dismissed. This couldn't be The Malfoys that caused so much damage during the First War. Hermione couldn't be friends with people like this.

The women kissed checks and the men shook hands. Lucius then led his family and the Grangers into the dining room for dinner. They sat around the table with Lucius at the head, Narcissa on the right, and Draco next to her. On Lucius left sat David, next to him was Linda, and then Hermione. As they all settled in Eve and Mitzi came in to served the food.

"Mrs. Granger, Hermione tells me that you and David gave up being wizards. Why is that may I ask?" Narcissa asked politely.

"It's complicated, but it had to do with the war of course. After the First War against Voldemort ended will both had lost everyone, but each other. We decided it would be best if we took a break for all the war and spells and people asking if we thought Voldemort was really dead. We couldn't take it so we left for the Muggle world." Mrs. Granger said nervously.

"It's beautiful that you stayed together after all that had happened to you both. That you were there for each other." Narcissa sighed.

"Yes, we loved each other very much. She was there for me after I lost my entire family, my sister, two brothers and my father. My mother had committed suicide after their deaths." David said in remorse.

"That's terrible! I'm so sorry for your losses." Narcissa exclaimed.

"Mum, you said that day back at the house that you lost a sister in the war. Who was she? Who was my aunt?" Hermione questioned her parents, interrupting the sad conversation that she distastes.

"Your aunt was Eileen Lovegood." she told an anxious Hermione.

"Do you mean Luna Lovegood's late mother? Luna is my cousin!" Hermione shouted in shock. She mumbled a quick apology for being so loud.

"Luna is in fact your cousin." Linda said.

"Wow...Everyone is gonna be in for a shock when I go back to school." Hermione said with eager yet sad eyes.

"Yes they will. That is another topic we need to discussions tonight." Lucius commented.

"Of course. Now if we are done with this foolish talk about death can we move on?" Linda smiled, but her eyes were dangerous.

"Sure. How about we go eat dessert in the den." Narcissa said.

"Great idea, mother. I'll go tell the house elves to prepare everything. Hermione you can come with me. I know you adore Eve and Mitzi." Draco chimed in.

He took Hermione's hand and led her out of the dining room and to the kitchen. Relieved to be away from the tension. He sat down next to her on a bench and wrapped his arm around her, kissing her hair. Mitzi came to them quickly.

"Is Mistress Hermione okay? Should Mitzi get master hot chocolate?" Mitzi, asked with worry.

The house elves truly loved Hermione. Mitzi's concern was unbelievable. It was also quite cute.

"Sure Mitzi, hot chocolate would be fine. Can you also bring the desserts to the den for the guests and mum and dad?"

"Mitzi will be back right away."

Mitzi scurried off leaving Draco with Hermione in his arms. He rubbed her back and kissed her hair once again.

"Are you okay, love?"

"Yeah, it's just makes me upset that there was so much they didn't tell me. I'm ecstatic that Luna is my cousin, but I don't see why they didn't tell me the day we found out." she whispered.

Draco could hear her fighting back tears unsuccessfully. He pulled her to him, letting her nestle her face in his chest. He murmured reassuring words to her. After a while she stopped crying, saying they need to get back to the dinner. He whipped away her last tears. Hermione fixed her dress and hair before following Draco to the den.

"What took you so long, dear?" David asked.

"We stayed to get some hot chocolate. It's quite lovely." Hermione half lied.

"Oh that's fine. Come sit here." David said, sliding across the sofa to make room for them.

Draco and Hermione sat down side-by-side, still holding hands.

"I'm guessing you two are a little more than friends." Linda inquired, gesturing to their entwined hands.

"We are." Hermione stated with a blush.

"That's great, dear. How long have you been together?"

"For about a month, it's a long story though."

"Well, we would love to hear it." David said.

"It started a month ago. I found Draco in the woods between our house and his. He was very...upset about something. I comforted him. It was weird because I hated him at school. He was the one that I told you teased me, but he's different. He did that stuff against his own will." Hermione stated.

"What do you mean against his own will? If he wasn't doing it willingly who was making him do that to you?" David questioned, confused already.

"I think I should explain this part, Mr. Granger." Lucius said.

"Um...Okay." David agreed with a nod.

"When Voldemort first rose up he was looking for Pureblood. It was dangerous for us. I didn't want to fight against you, but I had to, to protect Draco. Voldemort wanted me as a Death Eater. I was a Pureblood from an all Slytherin descent. I was just what he wanted. He came requesting I join his ranks. I wanted nothing more to decline his ass, but I couldn't I had Draco and Narcissa to protect. If I have told him no he was going to kill them, so I joined. I fought with him greatly, putting on the act. I had to do some pretty bad things to keep up the act, like beating my own son." Lucius explained.

"Oh my god!" gasped Linda.

David glanced between Lucius and Draco in shock. Before they could recover Lucius continued with the story.

"I had to beat Draco as part of the act in front of Dark Lord. I also did it to protect him in a way. If he hadn't learned fast enough with Voldemort around, he would have been hurt. He needed to learn the ways fast and get them stuck in his head. I couldn't risk him getting killed by Voldemort. Even after Voldemort was killed by baby Potter I still had to keep the act up. There were other Death Eaters that were faithful and watching. But we are over those days now thanks to Hermione; I will never hurt Draco or Narcissa again."

"You did a tough thing. You are brave." David stated, clapping Lucius once on the shoulder.

"So if you did not want to be a Death Eater then, what are you going to do now? You aren't going to continue pretending to be a Death Eater, you can't do that." Linda pondered.

"There is no way around it. I just don't know what to do with Hermione and Draco. If they go back to school together news is will spread to Voldemort. Even if she is a Pureblood it won't be good. Either he wouldn't believe it, or he will want her to join us. I don't want those two having to sneak around. It's not fair."

"That's absurd!" Linda shouted.

"Surely there is a way around this. We could talk to Dumbledore." David interjected.

"No there is no way. He wouldn't believe us." Lucius refused.

"Yes he will. Please just give him a chance. You guys are my family now. I can't have you hurting. Please." Hermione pleaded.

"Hermione dear, you don't understand. We can't do this." Narcissa said quietly.

"Yes! You! Can! Don't you dare tell me you cannot! I love all of you. If you won't do it for yourselves, do it for me, for Draco. If you love Draco you would do this for him." Hermione yelled.

She was standing up now. Her face was an inch from Lucius's, her eyes penetrating him, waiting for him to crack. Indeed, hell hath no fury like an angry Hermione Granger.

"Fine." Lucius snarled.

"Excellent. Now if you don't mind, I and my family will be leaving now. I need to owl Dumbledore and set up a meeting." Hermione growled.

Draco was a little scared that Hermione was angry with him or his family when she stood up kissed him on the cheek goodbye. But his doubts vanished as Hermione whispered in his ear, "That's how you get what you want, babe. See you tomorrow."

Draco, though surprised at that, covered it up smartly and smirked at her before kissing her goodnight.

"Before you leave we would like to apologize for anything we might have done to you or your family. I sincerely regret ever being a Death Eater." Lucius said.

"We accept your apology. A man does what he has to, to protect his family. Yours was just harder than most." David said flatly.

Hermione exited the room with her parents trailing behind. They stumbled through the darkness of the woods, both women's heels giving them problems, finally Hermione gave up and took her shoes off and walked the rest of the way barefooted. When they arrived home she went straight to her room. Closing the door behind her she rummaged in the dresser until she found some spare parchment and quill. After a moment of though she wrote the letter which read:

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

Over the summer I made a new Pureblood friend. One that I wouldn't have expected to be friends with, but I am now... I also discovered that I'm a Pureblood. We both received shocking news from our parents. We are more than friends. I love him actually. That's why we need your help. His family is known as one of the greatest supporters of Voldemort. His father never truly wanted to be a Death Eater. They need a way out. Please say that you can help.

Hoping a positive reply,

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

When she was done and satisfied with her letter she called her owl, Shadow. She tied the letter around his leg and sent him out the window.

"Make sure Dumbledore gets the letter immediately, Shadow." she called to him.

Shadow hooted in response before fading into the darkness.

Hermione took a shower to relax. Her thoughts were a jumble of hurt, anxiousness, and happiness. Hurt because of her parents not tell her things sooner. Anxious because of the response she would get from Dumbledore. She was really hoping that he would be able to do something. And she was happy because Luna was her cousin. She finally had a relative other than her mum and dad that she only saw during the summer.

She stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in the downy towel. After getting dressed, Hermione slipped under the covers, expecting the sleep to never come. Nevertheless it did, most instantly to her surprise and luck.

Author's Note- Hope you liked it. I know that in the books Luna's mum died in a magical experiment gone wrong, but I'm changing that. Anways thank you Anka7995. Review. Follow. Favorite. Suggestion of the chapter is In the Chatroom by Anka7995. Also check out narcissamalfoyjwilliams11.