Chapter 20

Inevitable

Hermione stared at the black and gold object with a furrowed brow. Draco had asked her to take a look at the Vanishing Cabinet because he was stuck. Though she was no expert on magical furniture, judging from where Draco was on the list of instructions he had made a great deal of progress. The thought made a knot form in her stomach. She should have known this was coming, but had managed to convince herself it would be all right - that she would be able to come up with another way to both protect Draco and Hogwarts.

Draco seemed to sense her distress, putting his arm on her shoulder in a comforting manner. "I'm sorry," he offered.

"And you haven't any idea why they want in to come into Hogwarts?" she asked.

"I don't. I promise you, I don't." He moved from her shoulder to grab her hand. "I shouldn't have asked you to look at it. I know this can't be easy for you. It's not for me. I... I've just gotten used to it."

The witch looked up at the man towering above her. It had only been a two days since their relationship shifted from a pretend one to an authentic one - well two nights and a day. But, Hermione had thought several times since Draco made his confession, that the only pretend part of their relationship was calling it a facade. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "You've done a remarkable job, Draco," she encouraged while ignoring the nagging in her stomach. "Honestly, this magic seems well over my head."

Draco snorted as he began to lead her away from the cabinet to their area of the room. "There's something I never dreamed would come out of Hermione Granger's mouth."

She scoffed at his condescension. "Well, excuse me for skipping 'Magical Furniture Repair For Beginners' our first year. I didn't expect it to be pertinent to my future."

"So like Hermione Granger - never thinking ahead." The blonde released her hand as she took her seat, but was unable to evade the swat she gave his arm. He watched her settle into her seat with a pensive expression. "You don't have to be all right with this, you do know that? What's more, you don't need to act unsettled by this. It takes a toll on me."

"I know, Draco." She recalled how exhausted he was when she found him after a session of mending. She remembered all the times he had fallen asleep when he was supposed to be studying. She could still hear the fits of discomfort that came when he fell asleep. She had wondered several times if that happened every time he was asleep. Her chest began to ache. "I know this is not what you want. It's terrifying. And no matter how much I try to forget, it seems inevitable that this needs to happen. It's the only way to keep you safe."

"I can't help but wonder if it's worth it," he said solemnly. "I think about it a lot, actually. I always come to the conclusion that if it were just me, I don't think it would be. But I think of Mother and Father... and it magically becomes justified." He had pulled out his pocket watch and focused his attention on it. "Then I think about the fact that even though it would not be worth it if it was just myself at risk, I'd still do it. Knowing that end would not justify the means, I'd still fight for myself... And that... I don't know if I can admit how selfish that makes me."

"Draco, look at me," she commanded softly. She couldn't recall a time she had seen him look so vulnerable. "Survival is the most basic human instinct. Instinct is the hardest thing to overcome. The fact that you claim saving yourself would not be worth what you're doing, but saving other people you love is proves you are not selfish. You're just willing to admit what others may be too afraid to - we'd all fight to protect ourselves. I-" she hesitated. "I've had nightmares. Since the end of last year... since the Ministry. I've dreamt about that day, and I've dreamt about... killing those Death Eaters. I've had nightmares about the inevitable war coming. I've had nightmares about losing people, and having to kill the opposite side to protect myself and my friends. I don't enjoy it, but the more I dream, the more I realize how inevitable it is."

He nodded slowly, but added, "Saving you, though, that would be worth it. What would this world do without Hermione Granger?" There was a slightly teasing tone, but she felt the weight of his words.

"I don't know what my world would be without Draco Malfoy," she said softly. Though they were now romantically involved, she was worried that might have been too much. She wasn't completely sure of her feelings herself. She was attracted to him, no doubt. They had chemistry. She cared deeply for him. She was just concerned that was too deep and she might scare him. Though she was fairly inexperienced in relationships, she knew that moving too fast was unappealing to most men. She thought of Romilda Vane and hoped she hadn't crossed a line.

He threw her a small smirk, "Well, that certainly makes me feel a bit less selfish. I need to protect myself for the Wizarding World. It needs Hermione Granger and Hermione Granger needs me." He laughed as she threw a pillow at his face. "Do you want to know something?"

"I want to know many things."

"Snape knew how I felt about you."

She cocked her head. "You told him? I can't imagine you willingly divulging something like that to anyone."

"Apparently I'm not as discreet as I like to believe I am. He's known for years."

"How did he find out?"

"Not sure. He might want to know that we're together now, though. Care to take a trip down to his office with me?"

Hermione stood. "I think it's the least we can do. He's sworn to protect both of us." She took his the arm he offered to her and he led them out of the Room of Requirement.

Severus had known they would visit but had been surprised they waited this long. He was also surprised that they were still holding hands in the privacy of his office. "Hello Mister Malfoy, Miss Granger. I heard about your little performance on Valentine's Day. Well played." All of Hogwarts was buzzing about the kiss and face off between Weasley and Draco. Though the Dark Lord had been repulsed by the fact that Draco had actually touched Miss Granger, he was sickeningly amused by the standoff that had happened. Several Slytherin students had written their parents detailed accounts and fortunately they all painted it in Draco's favor. The Dark Lord believed he was a master manipulator. "Mister Malfoy, I assume you've received word from the Dark Lord?"

"I wrote him back last night," he said as he took a seat.

The older man watched as they made themselves comfortable but did not release their holds on each other. "Marvelous. That situation seems to be under control, so might I be so bold as to inquire why you are here when there seems to be no issues?"

"Well Professor, there's been... a development," the witch started.

Both of his students appeared to be trying to work something out.

"Which would be?" he prompted. They both still looked at a loss.

"Draco and I are together... Truly. Not pretending anymore. Though you're probably not interested in the romantic lives of your students, we thought it was important you know about us given the circumstances," the witch rushed to explain in one breath.

It was now the professor's turn to sit and try to find the right words. He had suspected as much by their behavior, but speculation and confirmation were two completely different things. "Congratulations," he said slowly, supposing that was the right thing to say. "This has been in the works, so I'm pleased to know it's finally happened."

"As are we," Hermione agreed. "We thought you deserved to be kept in the loop," she echoed her previous claim. "And... I want to thank you. This - our relationship - wouldn't have been possible without all you've done for us. I appreciate it, Professor, and am truly grateful."

"As am I," the blonde Slytherin contributed. "Thank you. For everything."

Severus nodded. "Thank you for keeping me informed." His two students rose to leave. "Mister Malfoy, may I keep you for a moment?" Draco returned to his seat. "Do you remember what I told you - about how you need to be different than I was?"

"Yes."

"Good. Remember that always," he paused. "How are you feeling? Now that she knows the truth?"

"I feel inexplicably lucky, Professor."

Severus nodded. Neither he nor Draco were men of many words when it came to their feelings, so that was enough for Severus. "I truly am happy for you, Draco."

The boy nodded, "Thank you. I know."

"Draco, you do realize you need to tell Miss Granger the truth. Time is winding down. She's going to find out - it's inevitable."

"I know, and I will... I just... I want to be happy at least for now."

Severus nodded in understanding. Draco made his way to leave and Severus watched him go.

He could not fault the young man for wanting to find happiness while he could. The way that Severus could not fault himself for the sadness he felt learning his two students had gotten together. He was relieved and as happy as he could hope to be, but that didn't change that it hurt. He didn't feel any sort of resentment. He just wished things were different. He always had an air of anger and melancholy, but he hadn't felt sadness like this in a very long time. Seeing them together cut deep. He had fought this sadness for many years, but knew its return was inevitable. No matter how much Severus wanted, he could not escape his humanity and all that came with it.

He was actually somewhat grateful for the sadness he was feeling at the moment. It reminded him of how important it was to protect his two students so neither of them had to experience this sadness like he was.

A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! First and foremost, I want to apologize for the day. Here is a brief timeline so you are aware of why it's been so long.

August-December - student teaching 40 hours a week, plus 20 hours at a part time job.

December - moving into my apartment with my boyfriend, graduating college, getting engaged

January - starting teaching job as a mid-year replacement as a freshmen English teacher

February - marriage

March-May - teaching

May-early June- curriculum planning

So, as you can see a lot has been going on. In addition to the madness, I don't cope well with change. While all of this was positive change, my mental faculties were not equipped to handle it all as quickly as it came to me so I fell into a round of depression. I'm feeling better now that I've had a chance to slow down and catch my breath. I'm just trying to get back to my normal self.

Anyway, thank you for reading. I have already started the next chapter, and I don't have plans this week so I should be able to update within a few days. The next chapter is one I have had in mind almost since the beginning, so I can't wait to get to it! I am incredibly grateful to all of you! I will talk to you soon.