Hey Everyone - Chapter 25 is up :P Again - thanks for all the reviews, and I'm glad that it appears no one has revolted from the previous chapter.
I still don't have a beta - but I think that was a conscious choice. I like being able to post my chapters as I write them and if I have a beta, I don't know how long it would take for someone to read and then give me comments to edit. I know my chapters aren't perfect, but I certainly don't feel like they are completely distracting to the story. I do reread them often and make edits here and there - it's just hard to catch your own mistakes when the voice you hear in your head when you read is your own.
If you do catch any mistakes - please just PM me. I definitely appreciate all the catches people have made. You all rock!
Draco woke up first, his arms and legs still tangled around Hermione. He loosened his grip on her at some point in the evening, until he heard her cry out from a nightmare. Holding her tightly, he whispered how much he loved her over and over again in her ear until she calmed down, never truly waking. He smelled an intoxicating scent of bacon and eggs drifting through the room, and he only knew of one person that could make breakfast like that. Carefully, he untangled himself from Hermione and pulled the covers up over her. Finding a plain t-shirt in his closet, he threw it on as he quietly walked out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him. Lumbering down the back stairs, he saw his mother sitting at the small kitchen table, feeding Albus eggs while Ginny cooked at the stove. James sat at the island, spotting Draco with a mouthful of cheese omelet.
"Finally," James said as soon as he swallowed. "I thought you were going to be asleep forever!"
Ginny turned around, spatula in hand, and stared at Draco. "I told him not to do it," he told her.
"I know," she replied.
He walked towards her and hugged her. "Breakfast, huh?"
"You know I cook when I'm stressed," she said quietly so James couldn't hear, masking her worry with a laugh. "Are you hungry?"
Draco nodded. "But have you eaten?"
"You aren't worrying about me today," Ginny warned, pointing the spatula at him. "I'm not allowing it. Now go sit next to James. I'll have an omelet ready for you in a minute."
He did as he was told, noticing his mother stifling a laugh as she shoveled a baby fork loaded with eggs into Albus' mouth. Settling next to James, Ginny set a cup of black coffee in front of him. "She's in a mood," James whispered.
Draco ruffled his hair. "Don't let her hear you say that," he whispered back.
"I hear everything," Ginny warned as she cracked two eggs into a bowl.
James ate another bite of his eggs, as Draco sipped his coffee. He looked over at his mother, astounded at the ridiculous faces she was making at Albus. "Don't stare," Narcissa said. "I used to do this with you. Of course, you were ill tempered and would throw food instead of eating it. You weren't good like this sweet one is."
"Ill tempered? Draco Malfoy? Shocked, I tell you. Shocked.," Ginny mocked.
"Shut it, Red," Draco snarked. "And don't put mushrooms in that omelet."
She spun around from the stove, pointing at Draco with the spatula. "How long have I been making you breakfast?"
"I don't know - awhile," Draco stammered.
"Going on five years. Have I ever put mushrooms in your omelet in the five years that we've been friends?"
James took a drink of his orange juice. "Told you she was in a mood," he whispered.
He shook his head at Ginny. "I was just making sure."
She narrowed her eyes at him before turning back to the stove. Draco felt guilty that Harry was on assignment - the first assignment since his accident - that he was willing to put up with whatever mood Ginny was going to throw at him. James handed him a piece of bacon from his plate as he shoveled in the last bite of his omelet. "Mum, when is Mister Blaise getting here?"
"Blaise is coming?" Draco asked.
Narcissa nodded. "I owled him a little while ago and asked him to."
"Does that mean Pansy - "
"Nope," Ginny said, sliding his omelet onto a plate. "Lavender had some weird muggle test two weeks ago, and the results came back in Seamus' favor. Apparently, Pansy and Ron have decided to take a little holiday to 'celebrate'."
"Like a party?" James asked enthusiastically. "Is Uncle Ron going to invite me to his party?"
Draco took a gulp of his coffee to keep himself from laughing as Ginny handed him his omelet. "Not like a party, sweetie," Ginny said, taking James' empty plate.
The little boy's shoulders dropped dejectedly. "That's not very fun."
"Such is life," Ginny said, lightly teasing as she charmed the dishes in the sink to clean and put themselves away. "Why don't you go outside and play for a bit. Aunt Hermione is still sleeping - and we don't want to wake her up."
James looked at his mother and huffed. "By myself?"
"We'll send Blaise outside when he gets here," Ginny promised. "Mummy needs to talk to Uncle Draco."
"Ok," James replied. Draco hoisted him off of the stool and onto the ground. He ran off towards the back door, stopping to give Albus a kiss on the cheek before leaving the kitchen.
Narcissa cleaned up the baby and hoisted him from his high chair. Albus still napped twice a day, and with a full belly, Draco knew it wasn't going to take long before he was snoozing the rest of his morning away. His little fists rubbed his eyes as Ginny prepared a bottle. He finished up his omelet, which was delicious as always, and added his plate to the sink. He took the bottle from Ginny and turned her back around to the stove. "Make yourself some breakfast," he instructed. "I can put Albus down."
Ginny huffed. "I'm not hungry. I'm too nervous."
"Eat," Draco repeated, giving her shoulders a squeeze. "If you don't make yourself something I'll make you something and we both know it won't be nearly as good." Letting go, he made his way towards his mother, Albus grabbing for the bottle in Draco's hands. "Come here, kiddo," he said, putting Albus in a cradle hold. His little hands liked to hold his bottle now, though it required a little bit of assistance when it was full. Slowly, Draco moved about the room, rocking Albus as he drank, his little eyelids heavier with every sway.
Blaise popped through the floo unannounced, his nose leading him to the kitchen where he found everyone. "Is it true?" he gawked.
"Apparently," Draco scoffed.
"Holy fu - wait. Where's Mini-Potter?"
"Outside," Ginny replied.
"Holy fucking shit, mate!" Blaise exclaimed. "I mean, what the bloody fuck was the man thinking?"
"Wait a little bit and you can ask him yourself," Narcissa coolly replied. The clock in the hallway chimed, ringing through the house with its ten chimes. "Does Hermione usually sleep this late?"
Draco shook his head no, setting the half empty bottle on the counter as he went to burp a sleepy Albus a final time. "I don't think she slept all that well last night."
Ginny took a drink of her orange juice. "Is she ok?"
"No, but I think she was too worried about me last night to show it." Albus' body was heavy and limp as he lightly snored. Draco moved him from his shoulder back to a cradle hold, patting his bum slightly as he continued to softly rock. "I don't understand how this is even happening," he groused, his voice slightly above a whisper.
Ginny peered at the sleeping baby, brushing a hand over his hair as Draco stood next to her. "He's probably asleep enough that you can lay him down upstairs." The true test of how asleep Ginny's kids were, Draco learned, was if you picked up their arm and it plummeted, they were down and out. Picking up his little hand, he let it go and sure enough, it fell with a tiny thud. "Blaise - my oldest was requesting your presence earlier."
Blaise looked shocked. "Really? Does that mean he finally likes me?"
Narcissa laughed. "Is your self-esteem hinging on the fate of a four-year-old acceptance you?"
"Maybe," Blaise retorted, half serious. "I take it mum's the word around the kid?"
Ginny nodded. "I'd like to explain as little to him as possible, please. And if you could occupy him when Harry returns, I would really appreciate it."
He gave her a mock salute. "Mini-Potter duty. Got it."
"He's out back," Ginny replied.
"Is that safe?" Blaise asked.
"He's fine, Ginny reassured him.
Blaise headed out back, the sound of James' screeching his name in excitement as the back door shut making everyone else laugh. Draco excused himself so he could go upstairs to lay Albus down in the playroom crib and check on Hermione. Once Albus was settled, he placed a thin blanket over him and stared at the baby as he slept. He remembered how Harry mocked him when he created the playroom with the crib, and how Ginny smacked him upside the head as she recognized the gesture he was trying to make when James was just a baby.
With the muggle monitor in hand - Draco made his way down the hall to his room. As he quietly made his way inside, he saw the bed made and the room completely tidy. He put the monitor on the dresser before walking through the room and into the bathroom, where he found Hermione surrounded by suds in the tub. A rolled up towel was nestled behind her neck as a pillow as she soaked in the water. She didn't even bother opening her eyes as she spoke. "Hi."
"Hi," Draco replied. He sat down on the carpeted steps that led the bedroom into the bathroom. "You get any sleep?"
"Kind of," she replied. Rolling her head towards him, she opened her eyes. "Ginny feed you?"
He nodded. "Blaise is here too…entertaining James out back. How long have you been awake?"
"Half hour, maybe."
"You don't have to meet him, you know," Draco said suddenly. "I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to."
She sat up a bit in the tub, hugging her knees to her chest as she stared. "I don't know what I'm going to do," she honestly replied. I don't know what I want to do, really." She saw panic briefly cross his face. "About meeting him," she quickly reassured him. "I already told you - I'm not leaving."
He clapped a hand to his chest. "I was about to panic."
"I noticed."
Draco sighed. "I don't even know what I'm going to say."
Hermione let out a laugh as she pulled the drain with her toes. She ran some more water to rinse the suds away from her as Draco fetched her a towel. Standing, she lifted her arms as Draco wrapped the towel around her. "I think…" she said, playfully flicking the end of his nose. "That you're not going to have to worry about saying much. I think your mother is going to have that covered."
He held a hand to steady Hermione as she climbed out of the tub. "You're probably right."
"I usually am," she teased. Facing him, she wrapped her damp arms around him and looked up as he peered down at her. "Tell me what you want me to do," she said. "I don't know if I can make a decision. If you want me down there with you, I will stand by you."
"I feel selfish if I ask you to stand by me," Draco said, slightly embarrassed by his admission.
"It is selfish," Hermione said. "But you get to be selfish today. We can worry about me tomorrow."
"But you don't want to be here when he arrives."
"You don't want to be here either," Hermione replied.
Draco sighed. "This is hardly a productive conversation, Granger."
Hermione disappeared into the closet, laughing. All she could do was laugh at the absurdity that the past and next twenty-four hours were because if she didn't laugh, she'd lose her mind. It didn't take her long to choose her outfit. By the time she reemerged in a cheery lime green sundress, she found Draco perched on the edge of the tub, still in his boxers and t-shirt. "Is this appropriate to meet your father in?"
"It's inappropriate to see Blaise in," he teased, trying to lighten the tension as it was clear she made her decision.
"I could be dressed like a nun and you'd deem it inappropriate if Blaise were in the house," she replied, her hands on her hips.
"You look gorgeous," Draco said, speaking softly. "You always look gorgeous."
"Let's not get too carried away - my face isn't even on yet," she joked. "You however, need to get dressed."
"Probably."
He passed Hermione, giving her hand a quick squeeze before letting her go. He wasn't really sure what to wear, though after several minutes, he realized that he wasn't out to impress a man who had been secluded like a coward for three years. A pair of khaki slacks and a black polo was his final choice. By the time he came into the bathroom, Hermione was finished with her makeup and putting the finishing touches on her hair. She watched him through the reflection as he scowled.
"I haven't seen that look since school," Hermione remarked with a pointed stare.
"Sorry," he said, the scowl fading slightly. He charmed his arm to hide his dark mark and sighed.
Her hair finished, she spun around on the vanity stool and hopped to her feet. She gave him a coy smile before leaping into him, laughing as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Stop scowling," she instructed.
"I don't even understand how you aren't flipping your shit right now," Draco replied, holding onto her. "You're freaking me out by not freaking out."
"Just let me worry about you right now, ok?" she asked. Hermione knew she was running on pure Gryffindor adrenaline from the moment she woke. The only unfortunate thing about it was that she didn't know when it would run out. She left him in the bathroom to finish getting ready, grabbing the monitor off of the dresser as she made her way downstairs. Hermione saw Ginny and Narcissa staring out the back door window, holding in their laughter at what Hermione could only determine was Blaise and James. "Do I even want to know?"
Ginny and Narcissa turned and looked at Hermione. "They're playing 'Simon Says,' or well, James is teaching Blaise how to play," Ginny said. "Come watch - it'll be the best part of your day."
Sure enough, watching Blaise hop around on one foot doing everything James said until he shrieked with glee that Blaise had to start over because James didn't say 'Simon Says' was hysterical. Blaise had been putting in extra hours trying to get on James' good side, and it seemed to be working. Of course, what Blaise didn't know was that Ginny and Hermione had a talk with James a week or so ago, letting him know that Blaise was a good guy, and that his Uncle Draco wouldn't have him around if he wasn't. Neither Ginny nor Hermione however, informed Blaise of the conversation, because as it turned out - watching a grown man try to impress a four-year-old was too entertaining.
"Who taught him that game?" Hermione wondered aloud.
"Harry," Ginny grinned. "Some game he played in primary school. Muggles have the weirdest games."
Hermione snorted. "I'm sure they'd say the same thing about some of the things you used to do as a child."
"Probably," Ginny replied.
Hermione felt Narcissa grab her hand and lead her away from the door. She let her future mother-in-law take a good look at her before she leaned in to kiss Hermione on the cheek. "Are you doing alright?"
"I'm good," Hermione nervously replied. "Not great, obviously, but I can keep it together for Draco."
"I meant what I said yesterday," Narcissa stated. "No matter what happens today, I don't want it to change the way you feel about Draco."
She smiled. "I've already promised him I'm not going anywhere."
The sound of the floo popping froze both Narcissa and Hermione in place. Ginny whipped her head around at the sound, and pushed herself between Hermione and Narcissa as Harry appeared in the kitchen wearing his black and silver auror robes. "Oh thank heavens," Ginny exclaimed, throwing herself at Harry as he caught her, hugging her tight.
He shushed Ginny quietly. "You worry too much," he said, kissing her cheek.
"I worry just the right amount," Ginny scolded.
"Of course you do," he placated, kissing her on the lips. He looked at Hermione and Narcissa. "Where's Draco."
Before either could answer, Draco appeared in the kitchen. "Where is he?"
Harry cleared his throat as Ginny let go of his body, but kept a firm hold on his hand. "They gave me a ten minute head start. I thought I'd come, get some things settled first."
"So he's coming," Narcissa flatly spoke.
Harry nodded, looking at Hermione. "Are you staying?"
"Does she need to leave?" Draco interjected, moving to stand next to her.
"I'm not leaving," Hermione stated. She looked at Harry as she grabbed Draco's hand. "I'm not leaving."
"Is he -"
Harry cut Draco off. "He's your father. A bit broken, but he's pretty much how I remembered him." He could hear James laughing as he saw Blaise chasing him in the background. "Should we take the kids -"
"Albus is napping, and Blaise is handling James," Ginny said.
The adults congregated into the living room, waiting anxiously for Kingsley's arrival. Harry told them of what they found - Lucius living in the safe house that he shouldn't retreat back to, as it was practically in shambles upon their arrival. He told him that Lucius looked a bit gaunter than they would remember, but that overall he was fine. Narcissa sat in the wingback chair, straight as an arrow with her hands resting properly in her lap. Ginny and Harry sat together on the couch, while Draco retreated to his spot against the wall from the previous night. Hermione stood next to him, her fingers intertwined with his as they listened to Harry. "I honestly think he didn't know how to survive post-war," Harry stated. "I think he wished he would have died, but he didn't, and he didn't know how to be without someone - Voldermort - dictating his every move."
Draco sneered. "What a load of shit."
"I'm not saying what he did was excusable," Harry countered. "But it made sense in a way. Voldermort's existence dictated most of my actions the moment I came to Hogwarts. I'd be lying if I said that acclimating to a life where I didn't have to worry was easy. Ginny can vouch for that."
"Are you seriously defending him right now?" Draco asked appallingly.
"I'm not defending him," Harry said. "I'm just saying there's a bit of logic, regardless how cowardly his actions were, to his train of thought."
Draco went to make a retort, but the sound of the floo stopped him. Lucius appeared first, a bit disoriented by his surroundings followed by Kingsley, slightly adjusting his blue cap on his head. He sharply inhaled as Hermione put a death grip on his hand. His hair was longer than he remembered, in desperate need of a haircut. His clothes were filthy. But it wasn't enough for Draco to feel sorry for him. He watched his mother stand up from the chair so that she was toe to toe with the man who deceived her - the man who despite every heinous flaw and every heinous thing he did to her and to his only child had her crying and mourning for nearly a year after his 'death'.
His father had his face wrenched, almost in anticipation of the smack he was waiting to receive from his wife. Draco waited to see if his mother would strike him - knowing it was the least of what he deserved.
"What were you possibly thinking, Lucius!" she suddenly shrieked. "What in the name of all that is magic could you have been thinking when you pulled this bloody stunt!"
Draco watched his father swallow hard. "I…I…I"
And that's when she hit him across the face, causing everyone in the room to wince. "After all you put me though - put your child through!" she exclaimed. "After all of that - you thought you could just abandon us!"
"Cissa," his father whispered hoarsely, using her pet name. "Cissa I -"
"Why would you do this!" she yelled, pounding her fists into his chest. Draco let her have a good go of it for a minute before rushing over to his mother, wrapping his arms around her from behind to subdue her flailing arms. "You abandoned the family you refused to save when you had the chance," his mother lamented.
"My son wanted nothing to do with me," Lucius managed to speak. "I was scorned everywhere I went. I only got pity from you when you thought I was sick. I thought you would be better off. Both of you - without me."
"At least your selfishness stayed in tact," Draco spat, letting his mother go. "If you had any bloody dignity - you would have found a way to fix things instead of faking your own goddamn death. Did you honestly think no one would find out?"
Lucius sighed. "It was a foolish thought, I'll admit."
"You're bloody fucking right it was!" Draco bellowed.
"Draco," Hermione said, hoping that by saying his name that it would calm him down. He looked back her as she spoke to him by saying nothing.
Lucius looked and saw the girl, taking a minute before registering whom it was. "Miss Granger?"
"Don't speak to her," Draco said, snapping his attention back to his father.
"Draco," Hermione said again, walking away from the safety she'd found against the wall. She looked at Lucius, and as angry as was for Draco and his mother, she couldn't help but look at him and feel sorry - though he didn't deserve her sympathy. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy."
She couldn't help but kind of enjoy the look of puzzlement on the man's face. "I'd ask what you are doing here," Lucius said. "But judging by the look on my son's face as I speak to you, I believe that it's quite clear."
"She is marrying your son," Narcissa stated. "Think twice about ruining it and I promise you won't be faking your next death."
Lucius' look of shock didn't go unnoticed. Draco found himself standing between his mother and Hermione. "I see," Lucius finally spoke. "Well, son, I find your choice…interesting.
"Shove off, old man," Draco sneered.
"I meant it with no disrespect," Lucius tried to clarify.
"Right," Draco retorted hotly.
"Draco," Narcissa lightly scolded. "Watch your tone."
He barked out a laugh. "I will do no such thing, Mother."
"Draco," Hermione said, reaching for his hand as she held onto it with both of hers. "Do as your mother says, please."
Kingsley cleared his voice as the back door opened and shut with a thud. They could hear Blaise asking James to stop running but it was evident James wasn't listening. The little one skidded to a stop as he walked into the living room, confused by all the people. Blaise was right behind him, holding his hands up to Ginny. "I tried."
James recognized his dad was wearing his work robes and a look of panic struck his small features. "Mummy says you don't wear those anymore because you don't catch bad guys anymore. Why are you wearing them? Did you get hurt?"
"Daddy had to wear them for just a minute today," Harry said. He stood to his feet and James ran towards him, allowing his father to scoop him up. "Nothing bad happened. See?"
James unzipped the top of Harry's auror robes and looked inside them, inspecting as best as he could. "You didn't catch on fire!" he exclaimed.
"Of course I didn't," Harry replied. "That was an accident, remember?"
James nodded. He looked around and saw Kingsley and Lucius - a man he rarely saw and a man he had never seen before. "You look like Uncle Draco," he said to Lucius.
"You look like your father," Lucius replied, evenly.
James beamed as if there was no better compliment. "Mister Blaise calls me Mini-Potter." He looked over at Kingsley, who gave the boy a wink. "Can I please wear your funny hat?" he asked.
"James Sirius Potter!" Ginny admonished. "Where are your manners?"
He looked at his mother. "I said please…"
Kingsley chuckled, removing his hat and plopping it on top of James' head. "It's called a Kofia," he said.
"Cool," James said, looking up at the oversized hat on his head. "Look Mummy!"
Ginny shook her head at her son, stifling a laugh. "I see, sweetheart. Very stylish."
The room filled with awkward silence again, no one knowing what to say now that James was in the room. However, they couldn't all continue to stand there all day. Hermione stepped forward, still holding Draco's hand with both of hers. "If you would like," she said, speaking directly to Lucius. "I can take you upstairs. You might like a proper shower."
Lucius gave a small nod. "I would appreciate that, Miss Granger."
Draco turned to look at Hermione but before he could speak, she reached a hand up to his cheek and stood on her toes to give him a soft, lingering kiss. Brushing her lip stain away from his lips with her thumb, she retreated off her toes and squeezed his hand with the one still clasped with his. "Why don't you help Harry and Ginny get the kids and their belongings together. I'm sure after this morning they would enjoy a nice quiet afternoon at home," she said quietly. "We have lots to sort out."
Unable to respond, Draco squeezed her hand as he locked eyes with Hermione.
"Uncle Draco?" Draco looked over to James who was holding his arms out to him. Taking him, Draco straightened out the Kofia on James' head. "You look sad."
Draco pasted a smile on his face. "How could I possibly be sad if you're here?"
"I don't know!" James exclaimed, laughing as Draco tickled his belly. "Will you push me on the swing? Mister Blaise doesn't do it as good as you."
"Hey!" Blaise exclaimed.
"He doesn't push me high. He thinks I'll fall out and that if I do, Mummy will hex him." James said, rather unimpressively in Blaise's direction.
"A perfectly logical explanation if you ask me," Blaise said defensively.
Draco laughed. "Come on," he said, using James as his escape. "Let's go show Mister Blaise how to properly play on a swing."
Hermione and Narcissa couldn't help but stare at Lucius as he watched his son with James. It was if he was completely perplexed by the sight. Then again, from what Hermione knew, Lucius probably witnessed more doting out of Draco in those few minutes than Lucius ever managed to muster throughout Draco's lifetime. Ginny excused herself to go fetch Albus, and Harry went to speak to Kingsley in the other room. Narcissa stared at her husband, who had suddenly taken an interest in the hardwood floors.
"I can't believe you let me believe you were dead," Narcissa said, her voice cracking with each word.
"Mother," Hermione said, placing her hands on Narcissa's shoulder. "Why don't you go show your husband the guest room at the top of the stairs. He can use the attached bathroom there. I'll go see if I can find something for him to change into."
"Mr. Potter was supposed to have brought a suitcase of my things," Lucius interjected.
"Ok," Hermione replied. "I'm sure it's here somewhere. I'll find it and send it up."
"Miss Granger," Lucius said, speaking cautiously. "You have no…reason to be civil to me."
She crossed her arms against her chest. "You're right, I don't. But your son has enough hostility for the both of us right now. Any civility I have towards you is only for his benefit."
Lucius nodded. "Of course, Miss Granger."
Hermione watched as Narcissa led Lucius across the foyer and up the stairs. Watching, she couldn't help but tear up slightly as Narcissa wrapped an arm around her husband's waist as she helped him up each step. Despite being furious at her husband, Hermione could see that deep down, Narcissa was scared and worried about Lucius, and despite everything, they were married - for better or worse.
"I don't understand the purpose of a swing."
Draco sat in the grass and rolled his eyes as Blaise stood on top of the tire swing as it slowly swayed back and forth. "It's a swing. Not Ancient Runes. There's no purpose. Some people think it's just fun."
"Do you think it's fun?"
"I think it's boring as fuck. James, on the other hand, would swing all day if someone would stand there to push him."
Blaise laughed, using the momentum of his body to increase the sway of the swing. "Another score for the childhood that wasn't."
Draco picked at the grass. "I cannot believe that asshole faked his own death. I can't believe he had the audacity to pull such a stunt!"
"I can," Blaise said with a snort. "You go off to a muggle university - which I'm sure was enough to make him lose his mind but he couldn't say anything because he'd lost all authority to do so. Your mother - furious at him for not protecting you from taking the Dark Mark…your father has always been a prideful man, Draco. Voldermort essentially stripped him naked in the public square and then abandoned him."
"Why are you and Potter defending him?" Draco asked. "I don't understand it!"
Blaise hopped off the swing and landed next to Draco. "I'm not defending him. What your dad did was a dick move. My mother would have killed him on the spot if that had been her husband."
"But that's her thing, isn't it?" Draco snarked.
"Touché." Blaise replied. "What I'm saying is that your father was apparently too cowardly to kill himself and too cowardly to stick around. So he chose door number three."
Draco sighed, lying so he was completely flat on his back in the grass. He glanced at the watch on his wrist. "He and my mother have been upstairs for nearly two hours. What in the hell could they be doing?"
"You probably don't want to know," Blaise teased. Draco swiftly lifted one of his feet and gave Blaise a punch in the leg with his foot, knocking him over. "Fuckin' hell I was only kidding!"
"You really weren't," Draco complained.
"I know," Blaise said, laughing as he stayed on the ground, sitting upright. "I think what pisses you off the most is that you've spent the past four years getting back into everyone's good graces the hard way, but most importantly the right way. Now it turns up that he isn't really dead and you're going to once again be associated with one of the Dark Lord's closest confidants. It's guilt by association."
Draco sighed, pounding a fist into the ground. "Is it too much to ask to move forward? Am I going to have to continuously pay for my mistakes? His mistakes?"
Blaise ran a hand over the grass, plucking a few blades out as if he'd never been that close to it before. "You have a respectable job in the Ministry. The Minister of Magic considers you to be someone he can confide in. Harry fucking Potter is one of your best mates, and you're about to marry Hermione Granger. You are moving forward. The only person that can hold you back is you."
"I guess," Draco said.
"Speaking of – where is your fiancée?"
As if on cue, a loud sound of books crashing to the floor from the open window on the third floor echoed, followed by an airily hissed well,damnit! "She's in the study," Draco said. "Rearranging books."
Blaise gave Draco a funny look. "Should I ask why?"
Draco shrugged. "It's what she does. She reorganizes when something is bothering her, though I wouldn't be shocked if she reorganized my books this time too."
Blaise laughed. "Five years ago, you would have taken someone's head off for touching your things."
"Five years ago, I was an asshole."
"See – progress," Blaise stated. "If your father knew what was good for him, he'd embrace the hell out of Granger's presence for the sake of restoring his own name." He jumped to his feet and moved towards the house, tilting his head up towards the open window. "Hey Granger!" he shouted.
Seconds later, Hermione appeared at the window with a look of complete irritation on her face. "Can I help you, Mister Zabini?"
"Just making sure you weren't under a stack of books!" he shouted, smirking. "Though if you were, I'd save you."
Hermione braced her hands on the windowsill as she looked down at Blaise, shaking her head at the cocky grin on his face. She noticed Draco flat in the grass and grew concerned. "Why is Draco on the ground?"
"He's pondering life's big questions," Blaise replied.
"Sweetheart!" Hermione called out to him. "You do realize that in midst of the grass there is dirt, right?"
That reminder was enough to get Draco back up right, brushing his pants and shirt off as he stood to his feet. He looked up and saw a bemused look on her face. "Keep laughing," he mocked. "I'll get you later."
"I count on it," she cheekily replied.
Draco laughed. "Isn't there some muggle literature story about a man who calls up to his beloved as she stared at from out a window?"
She nodded. "Romeo&Juliet. It's a book about two people who fall in love, but their families are mortal enemies."
"Sounds like a complete bore," Blaise said.
"It's a love story!" Hermione exclaimed. "Love stories aren't boring! They're sweet and romantic!"
"I'm still not adding it to my reading list," Blaise retorted. "Unless of course, you want to read it to me."
Draco gave Blaise a good shove. "You ass! I'm standing right here!"
Blaise cackled, smacking his thigh with his hand. "Again - that's what makes it so funny!"
"Are you ever going to stop hitting on my future wife?"
"Not if you keep reacting this way," Blaise honestly replied, a hint of a smirk on his face. "It's the only reason why I do it now."
"Thanks, Blaise," Hermione snarked.
"Don't get me wrong, Granger. I still think you're a hot piece of ass. I just like taking the piss out of Malfoy."
Hermione nodded, stifling a laugh as she saw Draco scowl. "I guess that's acceptable."
She could hear Draco and Blaise bicker lightheartedly as she retreated back to her book reorganizing. Draco wasn't going to be thrilled when she saw her blatantly disobey his request to not touch her books but quite frankly - she needed to do something and between both of their collections, Hermione assumed there were bound to be duplicates. Coupled with her brilliant plan for reorganizing them alphabetically by topic, then subsequently by date published, she figured it would keep her busy enough to avoid a complete nervous breakdown.
Sorting through the books, Hermione couldn't help but realize that she was learning more about Draco, and the similarities they had. Both of them had a lot of the same books on charms and transfiguration, and she couldn't help but laugh as she saw the word "rubbish" etched into the cover of his lone divination book from their days in school. Flipping through the books, she also recognized that they marked them similarly. All of their books had initials inked in the back cover near the lower left corner. There was no real reason to have duplicates of books, so she planned to store the 'extras' in the attic until they decided what to do with them. There was easily a thousand books between the two of them without the duplicates, so by eliminating them, she was only making room for more books - which was how she planned on justifying it to Draco when he made the face after seeing what she'd done.
Though if she were really being honest - if there was ever a moment where she was going to get away with the urge to reorganize his books - today would be the day.
Completely lost in the sorting as she sat in the middle of her stacked books by topic, assuming it would be easier to sort chronologically once they were separated into topics, she didn't realize she was being watched until she heard the sound of a man clearing his throat. Jumping, she smacked a hand to her chest as Hermione saw Lucius, looking slightly apologetic. "Heavens, Mr. Malfoy!" she exclaimed.
"It was not my intention to startle you, Miss Granger," he said very plainly.
He looked better now that he was showered and in a fresh outfit, his long blond hair pulled back low with a black ribbon. Hermione had Jori magically wash all of his things before sending them up to the guest room. Quickly, she jumped to her feet and smoothed out her sundress as she watched him watch her. "Do you need something?"
Lucius shook his head once. "Cissa is still napping, and I wished not to disturb her once I woke up."
She nodded. "I don't think she slept much last night."
"I imagine not," he said, using his cane as more of an aid instead of a scare prop as she suspected when they were younger.
Hermione motioned towards the chair near the door of the study, and watched as he gingerly moved, accepting her offer as he settled into the plush cushions. She could see him eyeing the chaos in the room with a bit of trepidation. "I like to reorganize books. It relaxes me."
"Clearly," Lucius said, his voice still plain. Hermione hadn't heard him speak with the venomous tone she usually associated with the man since his arrival. It was almost as if he was completely hollow, though Hermione wouldn't have been surprised if that was indeed the case. "Cissa speaks very fondly of you. Says you're the best thing that could have happened to our - her son."
She cracked a small smile. "I never thought I'd be saying this - especially to you of all people - but he's the best thing that could have ever happened to me."
Lucius gave her a simple nod, his hands folded on top of his cane that stood between his feet. "I don't mean to detract from your project, Miss Granger. I can leave if you would be more comfortable.
"Right. No. Yes. I mean yes, I should probably get back to this because your son will freak when he sees his study in shambles. But you are more than welcome to sit there and watch if you wish."
"Very well."
Hermione went back to organizing her stacks, glancing at Lucius every now and then out of the corner of her eye. She waited for the meltdown that Hermione thought would happen but it never came. Maybe Draco was right this morning when he said that her not freaking out was freaking him out. Her calm demeanor was starting to unnerve her a bit. But every time she stole a glance at the man who watched her stoically, Hermione realized that just as Draco wasn't the man he was five years ago, it was apparent that the same went for his father. Harry was right - the man looked broken. A meltdown or berating words weren't going to get her anywhere with him. That wasn't to say she wouldn't consider a verbal smack down if she were to be provoked.
She floated stacks of ancient runes books she had chronologically organized to the top of row of the empty bookcases that adorned the wall. She thought she'd feel awkward with him sitting in the same room as her, but after about ten minutes, Hermione didn't feel much of anything. She was working on the massive amount of books on charms when Draco popped into the doorway of the study, leaning in as his hands braced against the doorway.
"You couldn't resist the urge."
Hermione looked at him sheepishly. "If you think about it - it would have to happen sooner or later. We have a lot of the same books."
He strolled into the library, shaking his head as he stumbled upon one of the taller stacks of books. "These all the duplicates?"
She nodded. "I mean, your stuff is about to become my stuff and my stuff is about to become your stuff - we might as well let our books co-habitate."
Draco chuckled. "Fair enough."
"So you aren't mad…"
"You held out nearly a year before reorganizing my books. I'll call that a success." He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close for a kiss before she motioned over to the wall where Lucius sat. Turning around, he shook his head in disbelief. "What are you doing?" he asked, his tone of voice shifting. "Where's Mother?"
Hermione lightly nudged him from behind. "She's sleeping," she said, warning him to watch his tone of voice with her own. He looked back at her in disbelief. He couldn't understand why she would allow him to be in the same room with her, alone. Practically reading his mind, she picked a stray blade of grass from the side of his shirt and rubbed it between her fingers. "It's fine," she said quietly. "Your mother is sleeping. Where's Blaise?"
"He said he had to meet up with someone for a bit - but would be back later this evening more than likely."
She raised her brow. "Meet up with someone?"
"Probably a girl," Draco replied. "Though come to think of it, he was a bit evasive. Usually he's forthcoming about his conquests." He turned to face his father, who seemed to retreat in his chair a bit as Draco glared. "Are you staying?"
Lucius cleared his throat. "Excuse me?"
"You. Are you staying. There are a mere handful of people who know about your scam and they can keep this quiet. You can go back to being 'dead' if you'd like."
He shook his head no. "Your mother and I discussed it momentarily. It is her wish that I move back with her to her home."
Draco shook his head. "I'm not comfortable with that."
Lucius inhaled sharply before slowly exhaling. "I expressed to her that you would say as much."
He huffed unimpressively, holding his arms against his chest. Hermione put a hand on Draco's upper arm, standing next to him. "I think what Draco means to say," Hermione clarified, "is that even though Narcissa lives in the country now, it's still within wizard boundaries. I'm sure one word spreads that you're…not dead…that her house would be surrounded with reporters and that makes me a bit uncomfortable as well."
"That wasn't my reason, but we can certainly add it to the list," Draco snapped.
Hermione sighed. "It would probably be best, if it is your intention to stay, that you stay here. A bunch of wizard media isn't going to camp out in Muggle London. It would draw too much attention."
Draco couldn't believe the words that were pouring out of Hermione's mouth. It was like he was in an alternate universe and he was the butt of the world's worst joke. He held up a hand to his father grimacing slightly. "Excuse us for a moment." Taking Hermione by the hand, he lead her out of the office and down the hall to one of the other spare bedrooms on the third floor. Whisking her inside an empty room, he shut the door and whipped a muffalito charm. "Are you out of your fucking mind?"
Hermione, calm and collected, placed her hands on her hips and stared back at him. "Quite the opposite. I've been thinking about it most of the day. It makes the most sense."
"Why would you of all people want that man in the same house you sleep in?" Draco screeched. "He's a horrible man!"
"Because you were such a poster child for kindness and humanity towards all!" Hermione countered. "And if you haven't noticed - that man is not the same man you knew."
He threw his hands in the air and began to pace. Draco saw her envelope her arms together against her body. This wasn't the Hermione he was prepared for today. He was prepared for a weepy hysterical Hermione. Not one that seemed to invite a man who faked his own death to stay in the same house in the same nonchalant manner that one would use to make a grocery list. "I cannot believe you want him to stay here!"
"I don't want him to stay here," Hermione stated. "Not necessarily. But it's what's best for your mother - and she's the most important person in this scenario right now, is she not?"
That's when it hit him. This version of Hermione was what Harry always referred to as her survivor mode. Her making sure that his needs and his mother's needs were met were the only thing keeping her together at the moment, and that's what Hermione did best. When things were out of sorts, she was the logic that kept the train from derailing. Dropping his defenses, Draco walked over to Hermione and grabbed her hands in his. "I love that you're thinking about my mother right now," he said emphatically. "But I am worried about you."
She nodded. "I know, and I'm worried about me too - but this is for the best. I can handle me later."
"I don't want you to have to handle yourself later," Draco replied.
Hermione squeezed his hands. "This would be different if I was scared of your father. Right now, I am anything but scared of him. I refuse to be scared of an empty shell - and that's what he is."
"I just don't understand why -"
"Draco," Hermione cut him off. "My parents are dead. Yours aren't. Even if my parents were heinous creatures - I'd trade everything to get another day with them. You can be as pissed as you want at your father and if you never want to forgive him that is certainly your right and no one will hold it against you."
He blanched at how bluntly she spoke of her parents. It nearly felt like a punch in the chest. "Hermione…"
"I know, you're worried about me," she said, her voice slightly subdued. "I'm not even saying that I'm completely comfortable with him, obviously, but we have to make the best of this unsavory situation - for the sake of your mother if for no one else."
Draco sighed. "Fine. We will discuss this with Mother when she wakes."
Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight, inhaling his scent as she buried her face in his chest. "This isn't ideal, but we'll figure it out."
"Is this where I say 'and how are you so sure?' so you can tell me it's because you're brilliant?"
"I mean, I am brilliant," Hermione teased, trying to lighten the mood. "But I'd be lying if I said I was completely sure."
To be honest, Draco wasn't entirely sure either. But if Hermione had that much confidence in her choice, then he would trust her. He was in no place to make any sort of rational decision, and he loved her for recognizing that. Hugging her tight, he dropped a kiss on the top of her forehead. If they managed to survive this in tact - marriage, in Draco's mind, should be a cinch. Either way, both of them realized they were in for a rough couple of weeks.