Hermione awoke a few hours later and found Draco asleep next to her. He probably hadn't slept at all, she thought, staring at the dark circles under his eyes. Leaving him to sleep, Hermione slipped out of his arms and threw on underwear, a t-shirt and shorts. She grabbed the tray of food and slipped out of the room. She carried the food into the kitchen and cast a warming spell on the food. She was halfway through Jake's amazing chicken noodle soup when there was a knock at the door. She had no idea where her wand was, she realized, so she moved quietly toward the door.
"Hermione, it's Harry!" The voice called from the other side of the door. Hermione knew it was him but she couldn't bring herself to open the door. What if it wasn't him?
"Damn it, Hermione, open this door right now!" She heard Ginny say and stomp her foot. With a quiet chuckle she opened the door and was immediately enveloped in a hug.
"Are you okay?" Ginny asked squeezing Hermione. "I was so worried."
"I'm okay," Hermione managed to get out as Ginny squeezed the oxygen from her body. "Gin, too tight."
Ginny squeaked and let her go. Harry shut the door behind him then moved in and gave her a quick hug.
"You're sure you're okay?" He asked.
"I'm fine," Hermione told him. "Draco took good care of me."
"Where is Malfoy?" Ginny asked curiously, looking around Hermione's flat.
"He's asleep in my room," Hermione replied. "I'm guessing he didn't sleep at all?"
"None of us did," Harry told her. "We couldn't."
"Will you tell me what you know?" Hermione asked.
"I'm actually here on official Auror business," Harry said, giving his wife a look. "But someone insisted on coming."
"Oh hush," Ginny said to him. "I'll go now, I left James with Kreacher, who knows what he's doing to him."
"Kreacher would never harm James!" Hermione exclaimed.
"It's James hurting Kreature that I'm worried about," Ginny said with a laugh. "Come over for dinner tomorrow, everyone will be there."
"Alright I will," Hermione said, giving Ginny a hug.
"Bring Malfoy," Ginny instructed. "I'm guessing he'll be around a while?"
"Yes, yes he will," Hermione said with a smile. "See you tomorrow Gin."
Ginny opened Hermione's front door and walked out. Harry moved into Hermione's flat and sat down in the arm chair adjacent to the couch. Hermione curled on the couch. Harry opened his mouth to speak but there was a noise in the hallway, followed by cursing, and a slightly disheveled Draco appeared at the end of the hallway. He'd thrown on a pair of silver pajama pants he'd found in Hermione's drawer and walked out at the sound of voices. He'd been in the hallway when Hermione told Ginny he'd be around for a while. Then he'd run straight into who knows what and since his presence was known, made his appearance in the living room.
"Malfoy," Harry said with a nod.
"Potter," Draco replied, moving to sit next to Hermione on the couch.
Hermione instinctively leaned forward so Draco could put his arm around her and she settled back against him. Harry didn't comment, just observed the two of them. There was something more there, he realized, but he wasn't ready to think about what.
"Hermione, I need you to tell me everything that you remember that happened," Harry requested. "Every detail matters."
"Not going to ask me to leave?" Draco asked, surprised. "Why Potter, I think you're starting to like me!"
Harry snorted in response. "Don't flatter yourself, Malfoy," he replied. "I know if I asked you to leave, you wouldn't, so I'm just saving time."
Draco seemed satisfied by Harry's answer so he looked again to Hermione. "Everything you can remember," Harry said as he set the QuickQuill and parchment on the coffee table. Ignore the quill, just talk to me."
Hermione spoke quietly but strongly and recounted everything to Harry. She could feel Draco tense next to her any time she spoke about Flint coming in to the room and she linked their fingers together as she spoke, hoping to calm him. When she was finished, Harry asked her a few questions about what she'd said and what she'd seen and, after she answered his questions, he packed away the quill and parchment.
"Will you tell me what you know now?" she asked.
"As long as you understand, both of you, that what I tell you cannot leave this room," Harry said, looking at Hermione, then Draco. "And as long as you understand that you cannot do anything with the information I'm giving you."
"I understand," Hermione replied.
Harry looked at Draco when he didn't immediately respond. "Understood, Malfoy?" Harry asked. "I promise I am personally taking care of this case."
Draco stared at Harry but then slowly nodded. "Understood," he said. "Let's hear it."
Harry explained everything that had happened from the minute Draco woke up and realized Hermione hadn't come home. He told her of Narcissa's help with the letters, skimmed over the details of the real David's death and explained everything that Lucius had told them.
"So what's going to happen to Flint?" Hermione wanted to know.
"He'll have a trial," Harry told her. "But I doubt we'll need you to testify. He'll be sentenced to spend time in Azkaban and, in a few years, hopefully enter your program."
"That's insane," Draco said, leaning forward. "You're going to eventually let him out?"
"It's kidnapping," Harry replied. "We can't put him away for life for that."
"You're not going to charge him for what he did during the war?" Draco demanded. "He was a Death Eater."
"I don't have any proof of his crimes," Harry said wearily. "All I can do is ensure that he goes to Azkaban for the maximum amount of time,which shouldn't be difficult since we fought along side the majority of the sitting Wizengamot and this was obviously premeditated. That's the best I can do."
"That's good enough," Hermione said, laying a hand on Draco's knee. "Thank you, Harry."
Draco still looked mutinous but Harry watched in fascination as he didn't contradict Hermione.
"What will happen to Lucius?" Hermione asked and she felt Draco stiffen behind her.
"He's already in Azkaban for the rest of his life," Harry told her. "There really isn't anything we can do. He's been placed in a 24/7 solitary cell that he won't be allowed to leave for some time. That's about it."
Hermione looked at Draco and kissed his clenched jaw. "That's good, Harry," she told him. "Right Draco?"
"Fine," Draco relented, kissing Hermione on her forehead. "That's fine."
"I'm going to go then," Harry said, standing. "I want to file my final report tonight and get home in time to tuck James in. Your wand is in the drawer with your Muggle things, by the way. Thought it was the safest place for it. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Hermione rose as well and hugged Harry. "See you tomorrow," she replied. "Thank you for everything."
Draco and Harry nodded to one another and Harry left the flat. Draco and Hermione sat on the couch for a few minutes, just happy to be together again.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Draco wanted to know.
"I am," Hermione told him. "I just want everything to go back to normal."
"It will," Draco said, giving her a kiss. "Now, what do you want to do?"
"I don't even know what time it is," Hermione replied with a laugh. "My concept of time is all wonky."
"It's nearly 9pm," Draco told her. "We slept away almost the entire day."
"Let's get something to eat," Hermione decided, as her stomach began to grumble.
"Chinese?" Draco asked hopefully.
"Sure," Hermione said with a laugh. "I'll give them a call. Do you know what you want?"
"Whatever you got last time is fine," he replied.
Hermione got up from the couch and went into the kitchen with a smile. As she placed the order, she watched Draco make himself comfortable on her couch. This is what she needed, she thought. A normal night with her boyfriend. With a promise that the food would be there in 25 minutes, Hermione walked back into the living room.
"I want a shower," Hermione said. "Are you okay to hang out here?"
"I think I'll go back to the Manor quickly," Draco replied. "I'll shower as well and I'd like to check on my mother. I'm sure Blaise has been by but I just want to make sure she's okay."
"Will you give her a hug for me?" Hermione asked. "And tell her thank you for everything."
"Of course," Draco answered, rising from the couch. "How long until the food is here?"
"Half hour," Hermione replied.
"I'll be back in a half hour then," Draco said, moving toward the fireplace.
Hermione walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. His arms came around her automatically and he rested his chin on top of her head.
"I love you," she murmured. "I really do."
"I really love you too," he replied, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I'll be back in a half hour."
They separated and Draco flooed to the Manor as Hermione moved through her flat into the bathroom. She stripped off her clothes and stepped under the hot stream of water, washing away the dirt, the sweat, the blood, the last few days and when she stepped out of the shower, she felt clean.
A/N: Today is another busy day, I may not be able to upload again until tomorrow. Review & favorite the story, I love knowing that you love it!