Chapter 16

Obvious Choice

Hermione looked up at him with a curious expression. She wasn't sure why but she suddenly felt anxious.

"It was my grandmother's," Draco explained. "She and my grandfather didn't exactly have the best relationship in the beginning. Theirs was supposed to be a marriage of convenience – something which merged two prominent families and kept the bloodline pure. These types of marriages are not meant for happiness, but for comfort, stability, and power. My grandmother had an issue with arranged marriage, so she and my grandfather often fought while he courted her before marriage. They were lucky, though, because they found a way to love and respect each other." He stood up and made his way next to Hermione. "He knew their marriage would last forever, but that was the expectation. You stay married forever. Before they got formally engaged, he gave her this." Gently stroking the script he went on, "He wanted her to know that this was not just about tradition and the expectations they needed to live up to. He loved her. 'I always will,' is a promise that he made to her."

Their gazes met and they fell silent for a moment. Hermione could feel heat rising up her neck. She wasn't sure what he was trying to say, but she knew that it was effective.

"My grandfather gave it to me when he fell sick. He said that my grandmother was a hell of a woman," he chuckled slightly, "and that I should give it to someone who have me hell. So you, of course, are the obvious choice." When the witch didn't respond, he added, "I also didn't want to go out and actually shop for your gift, which made this the obvious gift choice for you."

Hearing that, Hermione laughed and swatted his arm. "You're unbelievable," she said rolling her eyes.

"I know. Now, are you going to try the enchantment or not?"

"I would if you would stop pressing. Merlin, you like to hear yourself talk."

"Of course I do, I say the best things."

The witch shushed him as she pulled out her wand. She held the pendant up and tapped the inscription as she thought of the incantation internally. She had been practicing non-verbal spells and wanted to see if she could do it. Once she was satisfied, she turned to Draco.

"Okay, it's done. Since you haven't had experience with the Protean Charm before, I want you to try to send the first message. Hold onto the watch, focus your magic, and think of something to tell me."

Draco wasn't about to tell her that he had, in fact, had experience with the charm. It's what he had used to get Madam Rosmerta to give the necklace to Katie Bell.

He forced the thoughts away, closed his eyes, and focused on the message. "Is it coming through?" He was suddenly smacked upside his head so he took that as a sign it went through. "Ouch! Maybe I should have sent 'Violent woman' instead of 'Bossy woman'."

Hermione rolled her eyes and watched as he left her side and made his way back to his spot. "You really loved your grandfather, didn't you?"

Draco leaned back into his seat and looked thoughtful. "I did. It's strange to think that he's gone. My grandfather…" he trailed off. "I'm not sure what it is about the men in my family, but they seem to always be harsher on their sons than anyone else. He and my father never got on well, but he loved me. He would tell me constantly that the day I was born was one of the greatest days of his life. He would say that he saw himself in me from a young age. He and my father almost competed for my affection when I was younger."

"Maybe that's why you're such a prat," Hermione let slip before she could stop herself.

Draco snorted, not seeming to take offense. "I may be a prat, but you're the one 'dating' me. What does that say about you?"

"True," she conceded while stroking her pendant, "I guess that does say more about me than it does about you." She paused for a moment. "That watch actually belonged to my grandfather as well."

"Really?" Draco asked as he picked it up from the table.

"It is. My story isn't half as meaningful though. My grandparents were married a month after meeting. They had nothing and were happy. For their ten year anniversary, my grandmother took that watch which had been passed down in her family and had it engraved. My grandfather passed away when I was an infant, but my grandmother told me stories about him. She said she had been hoping to fall in love, but she found it in an unexpected way. She was young and had suitors and always had expected to end up with one of them, but then he came and swept her away."

"That sounds nice," Draco commented.

"My grandmother passed around the time I was nine. I remember her giving the watch to me. She said that she hoped I would be able to experience time the way she did – knowing that a moment can last forever and forever is a fleeting moment."

"Do you think you've experienced that yet?"

She nodded, "Not as much as she did, but I have had moments like that. And you've made me feel that way as well. It always surprises me that we have only been friends for a matter of weeks. I've grown to care a great deal about you, Draco."

They both grew quiet and shared another look. She thought briefly about asking him to cease working on the cabinet, but she knew this wasn't the right time. She hadn't even decided if that was the route she wanted to take – asking him to stop instead of just slowing the process herself. It was too soon, and she didn't want to ruin this. She had truly missed him over the holiday and wanted to enjoy the time she had with him before all the other students arrived. Before she could think of another topic, he did it for her.

"How do you feel about what we learned today about Professor Snape and Potter's mother?"

Hermione huffed and dropped her face into her hands. "It's mind-boggling. I spent a good part of the holiday considering what may have happened. I was having a difficult time believing it. Professor Snape having a crush on anyone is hard to process."

"I guess it explains his resentment towards Potter though."

"How so? I would think he would want to take better care of the son of the woman he loved – and appears to still love."

The blonde shrugged. "Look, I don't particularly like hearing about Potter – and by that I mean I loathe it – but I have heard many over the years point out that he looks like his father. Not only did Professor Snape lose the woman he loved, but he sees Potter as a constant reminder of her death and the fact that he lost her to someone else. Snape made it seem like he and Papa Potter went several rounds. It wasn't some little crush Snape missed out on, he lost the best thing that ever happened to him. I don't know how I would deal with a daily reminder that the love of my life was gone as well as a reminder of someone I hated."

"I suppose that makes sense…" Hermione started to agree.

"Anyone can play the high and mighty role, but realistically I think most would feel some sort of resentment. We're all human just like he is. Anyone can make a claim and say they would act or feel differently than he does, but no one knows what they would do in any situation until he's there. Truthfully, I think I'd feel the way I think he does."

The witch felt another pang of sympathy for her professor. Though she loved Harry and thought Snape had treated Harry horribly over the years, she knew that Draco had a point. "You're right. I don't know what I'd do."

"Do you think she could have loved him?" He asked suddenly.

"I don't know," she sighed. "I don't know much about Lily. I feel that Harry doesn't even know much about his parents. It's difficult think of her and James now though I knew they were together. Imagining her with someone else is even more difficult."

"But knowing what Snape told us, do you think she could have?"

The witch tried to consider it. "Yes."

"You do?" Draco asked disbelievingly.

"I don't mean to disrespect either of Harry's parents and I don't claim to know more than what Snape told us, but I think it could have been possible. They were friends for years, and Snape said she worked hard to keep their friendship alive. Despite her obvious choice, I think it is possible that under different circumstances she might have been able to love Snape. If he had chosen a different path, he might have had the life he wanted with her."

"It's terrifying to think of how much weight our choices actually carry." He looked upset.

Hermione still wanted him to be happy while they had the chance. "Have you ever tried the Patronus Charm?" Hermione now knew that Draco had been receiving training from his deranged aunt and by now was well versed with many spells she planned to teach him. However, she highly doubted this would be on their list of most important spells.

"No, I haven't."

"I think you should learn it. It's good for defense as well as communication."

Draco shrugged, "Couldn't hurt."

"Good!" Hermione happily got to her feet and pulled the wizard out of his chair. "The key to this spell is to think of a moment of happiness and live in it. Think of your best memory and lose yourself in it."

"All right, care to demonstrate?"

"In a minute! Now the incantation is 'expecto patronum' as you probably already know. You are going to take your wand and circle up and in while you say the incantation." She straightened as prepared to cast the charm. "Expecto patronum."

"What on Earth is that?"

"It's an otter!" she yelled as it pranced around. She laughed as it made its way to Draco and studied his face. Draco's face was one of wonder and slight irritation from having the ball of light so close to him. The otter circled them once more before returning to her wand. "Now are you ready to try?"

"Expecto patronum," he said without answering her question. There was a small flicker of silver from the tip of his wand, then nothing. An annoyed expression crossed his face as he tried again. "Expecto patronum!" The light lasted a moment longer then died again.

The witch laughed as she pulled his arm down, "Don't strain yourself! It took me a while to get it as well. You just need some practice."

"What's your memory?" He asked as he led them back to their respective chairs.

"Receiving my Hogwarts letter. I never really fit in at my old school, so I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to learn about a whole new world. I thought I might actually find a place here." She smiled softly to herself. "What is yours?"

"My grandfather buying me my first broom, and my father teaching me how to ride it. It was one of the times I saw them happy together and not trying to compete."

"That's sweet," she said with a half smile. She was having a hard time imagining Lucius as anything other than cold and distant, but she was relieved Draco had good memories. "The spell isn't just about the memory, it's about letting yourself feel it. This is a particularly difficult spell and I think that's why people say it's challenging. Letting emotion fill you can be difficult because it makes you vulnerable, but it's the way this magic works."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said. "I think it's about time we head out, others should be arriving by now, don't you think?"

When Hermione walked into the common room, she was overwhelmed with joy seeing Harry and Ginny. She missed them both. After exchanging gifts, Harry pulled her aside to talk.

"Look Hermione, I talked to Remus and he thinks Snape can be trusted, but I just want you to be careful."

"I know, Harry, and I appreciate that. I can take care of myself though." Her friend looked concerned, she almost felt bad for keeping the truth from him but this was about protecting him.

"Promise you'll tell me if you notice any strange behavior from Malfoy?"

No.

"Harry, Draco isn't doing anything wrong."

"All right," he said putting his hands up. "One more thing, Hermione, do you know the name Fenrir Greyback?"

"I do. That's the werewolf who turned Remus. He told me about it after he resigned from Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. "Have we ever talked about it before? I think I've heard that name before but I can't remember where."

"That's the name Draco mentioned the night we followed him to Borgin and Burkes," she said without thinking. Immediately she regretted it.

"What would Malfoy be doing with Fenrir Greyback?" his voice had risen and he sounded agitated.

"Do you think a sixteen year old wizard would be able to threaten a wizard three times his age? Draco was probably just dropping his name to ensure Borgin did what he wanted."

"Hermione, come on!" Harry was angry now. And so was she.

"'Come on' what, Harry?"

"Malfoy is trouble! He knows Greyback because he's working for Voldemort!"

"Keep your voice down when making these wild accusations!" she hissed. "Draco is not a threat. He was dropping a name, he has no power!" Not a complete lie.

"I can't believe you're being so blind! He's dangerous!"

"He is not, Harry! He –"

"I don't want to listen to you defend him, Hermione!"

She huffed, "Then there's an obvious choice, isn't there Harry? Don't listen to me at all." With that, she got up and made her way to her room. She heard him calling and felt him reach for her, but she didn't want to deal with it.

Hermione didn't want to fight with Harry, but if he was going to push her then this was what would happen. She was sure they would sort it out the next day, but she had to stand firm. It wasn't just about protecting Harry and their friends this time. She had Draco to think about as well.

She didn't want to fight, but she knew this term would hold many battles.

A/N: I'm a terrible person, but I'm back! School is out and so I have more time to write other things besides 40 page papers. I already have things in mind for the next two chapters which I hope to have up by mid-next week. Right now it's late and I'm going to bed so I can have energy to go to work tomorrow.

Thank you all for reading! I love you and you can expect one of two chapters next week!