Chapter Eight - Now Everyone Knows
It had been several weeks since Draco and Hermione had declared their love for one another and started their relationship. They had spent lots of time together and learnt more about each other. Who knew Draco Malfoy would turn out to be a fantastic cook, or that Hermione Granger was scared of clowns.
Her parents had accepted the relationship with a chorus of "about time", and they had accepted Draco into the family with ease, and family dinners were a regular occurrence in both Perth and Sydney.
Neither had mentioned telling her 'family' back home, but this was all brought to a head with an owl from Ginny.
"It's Lily's first birthday tomorrow" Hermione mentioned to Draco as they walked along the beach outside his apartment.
Draco stopped and turned to look at her, "I'm guessing there's more?" he questioned.
"Well there's a party, and I've been invited and, well..."
"You were wondering if you should mention me and us?" Draco finished for her.
"Well yeah" Hermione answered.
"Hermione I love you and I'm not going anywhere, but if you are not ready to tell everyone yet, then that's ok with me" he said looking in her eyes and cupping her face. "You are my life now, but this is up to you, I'm not going to pressure you".
Hermione looked at him and took a deep breath and asked "would you come with me?"
Draco smiled and nodded, "I'd be honoured."
Draco and Hermione apparated to Godric Hollow the next day, and walked hand in hand towards the Potter house.
They could see the pink balloons decorating the gate as they arrived.
"So what exactly did you say to Ginny" Draco asked, as they grew closer to the party.
"I just said I was brining someone who was very important to me, and that I wanted her to trust my judgement".
"Right" Draco said, taking a deep breath, "I'm still not convinced I won't be hexed when I walk through the door"
"They'll have to get past me first" Hermione said, as she turned and gave him a quick kiss.
Hermione walked through the front door, and headed towards the back of the house, where all the noise was coming from. As she reached the kitchen she saw Ginny.
"Hey Gin" Hermione said
"Hermione" Ginny screamed as she ran towards her and pulled her into a hug. It was then she saw the blonde haired man attached to Hermione's hand.
"Um hi" she said releasing Hermione, "I'm Ginny"
Hermione and Draco exchanged a quick glance realising that Ginny didn't immediately recognise Draco thanks to the slight changes he had made to his appearance.
"I know, nice to see you again" he replied.
Ginny looked confused and Hermione decided to get this over with.
"Ginny this is my boyfriend, Draco"
Ginny's head snapped towards Hermione and then back to Draco. She looked at him intently, surely this was not Draco Malfoy standing in her kitchen, holding hands with her best friend. The more she looked at him the more she realised it was. He might have slightly darker skin and hair now, and look a bit more natural and healthy, but it was Draco Malfoy.
Ginny moved towards the back door, "Harry can you come in here for a moment please" she yelled.
A few seconds later in walked Harry, who smiled when he saw Hermione before seeing the man standing next to her. Ginny had said that Hermione was bringing someone, guess this was who it was.
"Harry, this is Hermione's boyfriend, Draco" Ginny said, looking at her husband, needing him to tell her that she was imagining all of this.
"Dr..Draco" Harry stammered as he looked at the man next to Hermione.
"Listen both of you" Hermione said "Yes I'm in love with Draco Malfoy, and yes I know I need to explain, but please give me the chance to do that".
Both Harry and Ginny looked at her, making it clear that this explanation was to be done now.
"Look when we met I was an unsure as you are, but he's changed, he's found who he wants to be not who his family expects him to be. I trust him and I love him, and it doesn't matter what either of you say because he has made me happier than I ever though I would be. He's made me realise that I can be happy and deserve to be happy".
Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione from behind, and kissed the top of her head.
"And just for the record, I love her too and she has made me happier than I ever though possible, or that I ever deserved. She has gotten to know me for me and who I am, not who my father wanted me to be. She has also forgiven everything and I know how lucky I am and I'm not going to mess that up".
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, and then at the couple standing in front of them.
"Are you sure Hermione?"
"Yes Harry, I've never been more certain of anything in my life".
"And you love her?"
"Yes, more than I ever thought possible"
Harry took a deep breath and said "I'm not saying I understand, and I have reservations and concerns, but Hermione if you are happy and you love and trust him, then I am prepared to trust your judgement. All we've ever wanted is for you to be happy, but Draco I want you to understand, if you hurt her in any way I will hurt you".
"I understand Harry, but I won't. She's the most precious thing in my life".
"Hey there is a party out here you know, for your daughter" Ron said as he walked though the door, stopping when he saw the four people in the kitchen.
"Hermione was just introducing us to her new boyfriend" Ginny said, before picking up a plate of cupcakes and heading towards the door, her brother currently stood in, "and I think you should be introduced in here too" she finished, before moving through the door and closing it behind her.
It was Ron's turn to look confused.
"Ron, you remember Draco?" Hermione said, knowing with Ron that it was better to get this over with quickly.
"Draco, as in Draco Malfoy"
"Weasel" Draco answered, confirming Ron's suspicions.
"Before you freak out"
"Freak out, why would I freak out? I mean your dating Draco Malfoy, that seems perfectly normal." Ron shouted sarcastically
"If you'd let me explain" Hermione said
"Explain, explain what" Ron shouted.
"Ok" Harry said, stepping in front of Ron "while Hermione's choice might seem a little strange"
"A little strange?" Ron questioned
"We owe it to her to trust her judgement, and quite frankly I'd like to get back to my daughter's party and there not to be any bloodshed. So we are all going to go outside and act like the adults we are, and trust our best friend's judgement".
"But.." Ron started
"But nothing. If necessary we can talk about this later, but I am going back outside".
With that Harry left the kitchen, leaving Ron to stare are the pair in front of him.
"I'm gonna need a minute" Ron said "and I'm not happy, but I am not going to ruin Lily's party, and I don't even to know what to say".
"Trust me Ron please" Hermione said, before leading Draco out into the party.
The rest of the afternoon past without any major event, although there was a lot of explaining. All of the Weasley's and their respective families were there, along with friends from school. Everyone wanted to hear the explanation of how Hermione and Draco ended up together.
By the end of the party, most people had seen how in love they were and accepted the relationship. Ron was still a little shocked but even he had admitted that Hermione had looked happier than she had in years.
Charlie Weasley had grabbed her and said "so this is who's helping you find your home?"
Hermione smiled, "Yeah, it is".
"You look happy Hermione, and I'm glad" Charlie said, before placing a kiss on her cheek and moving on to talk to Bill.
Draco and Hermione finally made it home, after spending hours talking to Harry, Ginny and Ron.
"So you're still alive, and there was no hexing" Hermione giggled.
"Yeah it wasn't as bad as it could have been" Draco smiled.
Hermione curled herself into him more, "I realised something today. This is home now, my life with you, but I'd like to see my friends a little more than I have been. I don't feel like the odd one out anymore. Does that make sense?" she said, blushing slightly.
"Absolutely" Draco replied "and I know they are just as much family to you as your parents".
"And you" Hermione replied, before kissing Draco.
"Your my family too, the one I never had" he replied, squeezing her tighter to him.
AN: So I decided on one more chapter, and now its complete. I hope your all happy with it :)
I don't know if there will be a sequel or not, I'll just have to see if any of these ideas in my head turn into anything.
PS thank you to everyone who reviewed and who stayed with the story the whole way xxx