Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction based on the Harry Potter universe by J.K. Rowling. We do not own anything, except the plot and a few characters created by us to further the plot line in the future.
Draco ran down the stairs of the manor as he went looking for his mother. He scurried into the dining room to find Narcissa under piles of stationary. Lists, cards, and invitations, all with the same theme: New Years. Draco knew his mother began planning her Turn of the Year Party before December so she had time to relax and spend the holiday's worry free with him.
Narcissa raised her head to see Draco in the doorway smiling devilishly.
"Oh, darling, I didn't notice you." She told him as she adjusted her reading glasses returning to reading the guest list.
"Good morning, Mother." He grinned as he went around to the back of her chair. Narcissa tilted her head as Draco kissed her cheek respectfully as he peered over her stack of finished invitations and looked at all the address labels.
"Say, mother, could I invite someone?"
Narcissa turned in her chair to face her son, "Like whom? All your friends are on the list, I invite them every year."
"I was actually thinking of inviting someone new."
Narcissa turned back in her chair and began working on a new invitation, "Like who darling?"
"Granger."
Narcissa's grip on her quill released as she turned back at her son, "You're not serious are you?"
"I am very serious, Mother."
"Why on earth would you want to invite Miss Granger? You two didn't seem to be on good terms last time you talked." Narcissa paused before continuing, "Didn't she kick you?"
Draco rolled his eyes, not wanting to talk about his lack of self-defense.
"I wanted to use the party as a peace offering; to apologize for my wrong doing." he lied. His mother clearly didn't know about the baby and he intended to keep it that way.
"Interesting…" Narcissa pondered, "I will send an invitation, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. I don't think she will accept."
"I am willing to take a chance, at least."
Hermione couldn't sleep all night. She hadn't gotten any decent sleep since Blaise confessed he told Draco of the baby. She knew all this stress was bad for him, but the haunting loneliness that plagued her free time didn't help. Blaise's visits had seceded, which made her realize how alone she was. Besides talking to Blaise she had barely had any human interaction. Ginny was off on holiday with Harry and James, but they were suppose to be returning soon. Luna was working over time at the Quibbler, pushing out weekly issues of the latest gossip, gossip that was mostly about her, her absence, and her fatherless child that no one seemed to know off. Ginny and Luna were all her friends. She didn't stay in touch with anyone else. They all had their own lives to attend to.
Hermione sat at her breakfast table staring at a bowl of soggy cereal that turned to mush from the milk watching the television. She hadn't used her TV in quite a while. She even had to dust the screen before she could watch it. Hermione sought out entertainment in a literary format, but she had read every book in her flat cover to cover. Hermione herded her cereal around with a spoon. She lost her appetite, and pushed the bowl away. With a defined hoot, Owl Eyes flew through the window and casually dropped her wizarding mail on a pile by her desk and then returned to his perch where he began to clean his winded feathers. Hermione cleaned her bowl and casually looked at the mail. There was the Daily Prophet with a front-page photo of Draco and his mother. Hermione told herself she was uninterested, but she read it anyway.
It's that time of the year! The annual Malfoy Turn of the Year Ball is once again upon us!
Hermione set down the paper after reading the first two lines. It was only the middle of November. Hermione set the Prophet down on her desk as an all black owl flew through the same open window. The owl perched itself on the counter where Hermione sat and had an envelope with a green seal with the letter M in the middle in it's beak. Hermione went to Owl Eyes cage and grabbed a treat for the owl. She grabbed the envelope and exchanged it for the treat, which he ate. The black owl flapped its wings before darting back into the morning skyline. Hermione glanced down at the envelope in her hands. It was unmistakably from Malfoy Manor. Relax Mione, She tried to tell herself, You knew this was coming. He was going to approach you eventually. Hermione sucked in a deep breath before sliding her nail under the hard wax, which opened with ease. Hermione pulled the cardstock from the envelope and saw the invitation wrapped with a designer vellum with embossed silver swirls. She pulled back the transparent coating to see as she opened the invitation. Upon looking at the invitation, Hermione noticed it was a winter wonderland theme. It was an invitation to The Annual Malfoy Turn of the Year Ball. Hermione let out the breath; she didn't know what she was holding. Her fingers scanned over the imprinted invitation. She delicately opened the invitation to see her name written in beautiful calligraphy by Narcissa and then invitation, which was pre-written by someone else.
Miss Granger,
Welcome! Welcome! Happy Holidays! You are hereby invited to this year's annual Turn of the Year Ball, hosted by Narcissa Malfoy. This year's theme is Winter Wonderland. Let us raise a glass to the New Year! Please come and enjoy a night full of dinner and dancing with a special surprise at midnight. The party will begin at nine in the evening on Saturday the 31st of December. We look forward to seeing you.
Please return your attendance card by no later than December 10th.
We hope you can make it,
Malfoy Family.
Hermione stood there in awe. Narcissa was inviting Hermione to a ball after all the horrible things she said. Hermione felt terrible about the things she said to Narcissa, but she meant every word towards Draco. It invitation was signed "Malfoy Family", so she wasn't sure who sent it. Well, it's not like you're going to say yes, I mean he called you the "M" word. Hermione told herself, but what if this is Draco's way of talking with her? Hermione would've expected at least an apology along with the card, but then again, maybe he was waiting to apologize in person. Hermione sat there battling with her conscience, trying to figure out what to do. Hermione, you can't go. You won't go.
Hermione sat at her breakfast nook staring at the invitation an hour later, still trying to discover it's riddled meaning. She read it out loud trying to see if anything stuck out to her. Her son kicked at her forcefully every time she even thought of Draco.
"No," She reprimanded her son, "You aren't going to change my mind." Her baby kicked back in response as she rubbed her stomach. She glanced one last time at the invitation before she stuffed it back into the envelope and set in her opened mail pile. She wasn't going to let another day go by just thinking about Draco. She had done too much of that.
Hermione cleaned out her cereal bowl before putting some waffles down in the toaster. When they were done she sat back down and took a bite. They tasted okay, but the lacked from the last time she ate them… with Blaise. She missed his companionship. She took another bite of her waffle when she heard someone knock at her door. She ran to her bed and grabbed her robe as she hid her pajamas. She heard the knock again before she swung the door open to find Blaise shivering in the cold morning air.
"Blaise!" She exclaimed.
"I am an arse." He began.
Hermione raised a brow, "Blaise, I-"
"Let me finish. I am an arse and I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I am really sorry." He paused as he tried to overcome his chills, "I miss you, Mione."
Hermione stood there surprised as she pulled herself out of it, "Come in, it must be freezing."
Blaise didn't think a thing of it as he ran inside. Hermione briefly touched his hands only to retreat.
"You're freezing!" Hermione said shocked, trying to warm her own hand. She grabbed her wand as she started a fire in her fireplace. Blaise thanked her graciously as she set some warm water on boil for tea.
"You are too kind, you don't have to do that." Blaise explained as he adjusted to the warmth of her house.
"I am actually thirsty myself." She said as she sat across from him. There was an awkward pause. Hermione twiddled her thumbs as she waited for him to say something.
Finally, Blaise broke the silence, "Sorry for dropping in on you like this. I was thinking of writing first, but I was afraid you wouldn't answer."
"No… it's fine. I am glad you came." Hermione spoke quietly, "It's been kind of lonely, here."
"I've been lonely too. I haven't spoken to neither Draco or you."
"Oh…" Hermione said sadly, "I was going to ask if you knew how he was."
"Nope, he's not interested in me. Although, I still got this from him." Blaise whipped out the similar invitation Hermione was looking at earlier. He ran his thumb over the edges before finally speaking, "Hermione, I have something drastically important to ask of you." Blaise said with a serious tone. Hermione raised her brow, worried what he might ask.
"Okay? Ask away." Hermione tried to make her voice calm even though it was full of nerves.
"Okay but this a very serious matter. Maybe even life or death, but do you think you could lend me your copy of Peter Pan?"
Hermione sighed in relief, "Seriously? That's why you came here?"
"Yes and no. Don't get me wrong, I want the book."
"What? Your Gringotts account doesn't have enough to buy a simple children's book?"
"Hey, it's a good book! And it's not just for children. Twenty two year olds like it just as much!"
"I can attest to that myself." Hermione agreed, "It is a good book."
There was another long pause before Hermione finally asked, "So why else are you here? You said that you had more than one reason for coming."
"You still haven't answered my first question." Hermione sighed as she walked over to her bookshelf. She pulled out the dark green leather bound book with a red metallic feather stitched onto the front.
"You do know the definition of lending something is, right?"
Blaise snatched the book from Hermione's hands as he skimmed through the pages.
"It means you'll have to bring it back. This book means the world to me, so I don't want it ruined with folded pages, sticky fingers, or anything of the alike.
"Yes, Madam Pince." Blaise joked.
"I am nothing like her!"
"You totally are!" Blaise retorted.
Hermione huffed before sitting back down. Blaise continued to look at the book before Hermione snapped her fingers, "Read it on your own time!"
Blaise laughed as he set the book beside him and leaned towards Hermione across the coffee table.
"Onto my serious question,"
"You mean your last one wasn't?" asked innocently as Blaise rolled his eyes.
"My real question involves this," Blaise stated as he held the invitation up again. Hermione held her lip, worried what he might ask.
"What is it, if I may ask?"
"This," Blaise said holds the invitation, "is the invitation to the Malfoy's annual New Year Ball."
"Yes, I know."
Blaise gulped nervously, "I was wondering if you would accompany me?"
Hermione jumped not at his words, but at the screeching sound of the hot water boiling from the kettle.
"One moment!" Hermione ran into the kitchen and pulled the hot water off the stove. She grabbed two cups as she poured the hot water in them and the dumped a tea bag into each of them. The tea diluted quickly as she added ice to cool it down just a tad. She then mixed sugar into hers.
"Blaise, do you want sugar in your tea?"
"Yes, please. Just a little bit." Hermione dumped some into before returning to him with hot cups. She set out two coasters before sitting back down. Hermione wanted to drink the tea so badly to avoid speaking, but she knew that it would only burn and scald her tongue off.
Blaise said a quick thank you, before taking a drink of the hot tea. Hermione could see it on Blaise faces that he was waiting for her answer. She tried to remain clueless as if she hadn't heard him.
Blaise finally spoke, but it wasn't what she was expecting. "The tea is delicious, what is it?"
"It's jasmine."
"It tastes great, just the perfect amount of sugar."
"Thanks." Hermione admitted awkwardly.
Blaise took another couple of swallows before speaking again, "So do you have an answer?"
"Hmm?" Hermione said trying to refocus herself, "Answer what?"
"A couple of minutes ago, I asked you if you wanted to go to Malfoy's party with me. Do you want to?"
"Oh, Blaise. That's very thoughtful of you, but-"
"Oh dear, I smell rejection."
"No! That's not it!" Hermione responded, "It's just I also got an invitation and…"
"And you don't want to go with me? It's okay, I understand. I mean, I came here uninvited and just out of the blue asked you to a party-"
"No, Blaise… It isn't that. I am just not ready to focus on things like that."
"Things like what?"
"Things as in guys. Everything that has happened between Malfoy and us has done nothing, but stress me out and I am trying to steer clear of that for my son's sake. I have a baby to think of. He is now my main focus. Maybe later on, I can focus on other things, but not now."
"I understand Hermione, but I want you to give me a chance at least when you are ready." Blaise stood up, and Hermione followed his lead.
"I guess I should go then." Blaise said rubbing the back of his head. He picked up the book and headed towards the door.
Hermione gave Blaise a quick, but awkward hug. "I'll see you at the party?" Hermione asked.
"You're going?"
"Yeah…" Hermione paused, "I am." Blaise shuffled back outside into the cold London air as Hermione grabbed a pen and checked the box for attending on the invitation. She looked at Owl Eyes in defeat as she handed him the letter, "Take it to Narcissa, before I regret sending it."
…
At the moment, Draco's least favorite animal was an owl. He always hated this time of year. The bloody birds were all over his manor flying through every door, window, and chimney bringing attendance cards by the tens. His mother would send out letters and everyone felt the need to respond immediately. It was almost eleven o'clock at night before Draco finally gave up on waiting for her response. It was only hers that mattered. Draco walked up to his bedroom, ready to rest for the night. As he was in the middle of undressing, small clicking sounds came from the window. It was an owl with the invitation in its mouth.
"Mother!" Draco called to his mother, "One of your ruddy owls is at my window!"
"Accept it and bring it down here please!" Draco opened his window and snatched the letter from the bird's beak. He began to walk away when the owl hooted angrily at him. Draco turned around and sighed, "Help yourself to the treats" He said pointing to the dresser. He went down stairs as his opened the envelope. Inside was the attendance card with the name in beautiful handwriting, Miss Hermione Granger. Draco almost dropped the card he was so excited.
"Mother!" Draco exclaimed running down the stairs.
"Draco," His mother scolded, "How many times have I told you not to run down the stairs? You'll hurt yourself if you are not careful!"
"Never mind that mother! Look at this!" He handed his mother the invitation. She had to adjust her glasses to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
"I don't know how you did it!"
"I'm sure it was my Malfoy charm." Draco said vainly.
"Oh, you mean that same Malfoy charm that landed your father into Azkaban?"
"Mother, I am nothing like him, I do not use my charm against others." He stopped to think for a moment. "Well not anymore, but I now use it for my own personal gain." Draco said cautiously.
His mother scolded him, knowing what Draco meant.
Draco laughed nervously, "Well I am going to bed now mother. I'll see you in the morning."
Draco fled to his room before his mother could say a thing.
Draco could not wait until the New Year. He stripped down to nothing but his underwear. Turning the water on, he waited for it to adjust to the right temperature.
He stepped in the water, letting it hit his back. He stood there for a good amount of time, before deciding to step out and rest for the night.
Once in bed he stared at the ceiling before drifting off sleep.
A stream of smoke blocked his sight as he wiped it away with his hand. The train engine beside him cooled down as it released more steam, which headed towards his path.
"Darling, the platform is this way," a woman with a sweet voice called, "Or have you already forgotten?" She taunted. Draco looked ahead of him to see a woman dressed in fine clothes and holding the hand of a child whose other hand was pushing a cart holding a trunk and an owl.
Draco followed the mysterious woman as she slowed down to match Draco's pace. Her other free hand found Draco's as they intertwined them together. The family alongside Draco came to a stop as they stood before the wall dividing platforms nine and ten. The woman stopped and knelt down to the child's height.
"So sweetheart." She told the child. "All you have to do is make sure no one is looking, then run right in between platforms Nine and Ten, and your father and I will come in right after you." The child nodded, and followed the instructions that were given. The child looked to around to make sure no one was looking, then ran into the platform.
Draco was in awe at how similar he looked to the child. Before he could even launder its features the woman grabbed his arm. She turned to him revealing her delicate face. It's was Hermione.
"Come on, we should follow." She pulled at Draco's arm as they ran into together. Just a few feet away was the child they walked with.
"Come here, baby." Granger cooed. The child ran into her arms as she stoked the kid's hair.
"Everything is going to be alright. Your father and I will write you all the time. You'll make so many new friends and learn so many exciting things." Father? Did she just say I was that kid's father?
Hermione hugged their child, before nudging Draco on the side. Draco looked at Hermione and then the kid. What was he suppose to say? He looked into the child's steel grey eyes.
"You'll be a great Slytherin, kid."
Hermione glared at him before returning to her child's gaze, "What your father means is, we will love you no matter what house you are sorted into."
"Except Hufflepuff." Draco said, interrupting Hermione.
Hermione punched Draco on the arm for his remark. She gave him a look that could kill.
"Ignore your father, that's how I deal with him. Just remember house pride is fun, but what matters most?"
"Grades!" Piped the child.
Hermione smiled, "Exactly."
"Hermione may I have a moment." Draco said.
She nodded and stood up from her kneeling position.
Draco then kneeled down in front of his child. "I was only joking about the houses. Whichever house you are sorted into, even if it is not Slytherin, your mother and I will love you. But you are the offspring of the top Slytherin and Gryffindor of their year. But you also have the brains to be a Ravenclaw." Draco hugged his child, and Hermione joined in. Draco hears a soft sniffle, and felt small water drops of his hand.
"Come on let's go find you a seat on the train." Hermione said drying her tear with a tissue. Draco watched as Hermione and the young child hold hands as they walked down the platform. They became so distant that Draco had trouble seeing them. He began to walk towards them and even felt his feet move into a run. As he got closer a puff of smoke blinded his eyes and jolted him forward.
Draco panted in a cold sweat as he looked at his surroundings. Green walls. Green bedding. His room. It had been a dream.
Author's Note: Hello Everyone Happy Holidays! After a very long hiatus, we are finally back. Hope everyone is having or had a wonderful time this holiday and as a gift from us to you "The Lion's Secret" will be updated this evening with two more chapters after this. We want to thank you for all of your reviews. There will be a new update date for this New Year, so instead of weekly updates, it will now be biweekly updates. So please enjoy The Lion's Secret, and have a Happy New Year.
~AmateurWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae