Harry was getting ready to avada someone.
He'd spent the entire week after they'd gotten back from Easter hols, deflecting questions from his friends.
Ron, who'd been sore because he hadn't been told about the book, was sulking a bit like he'd done back during their fourth year. Neville, who'd always been rather a quiet sort, was now more introverted than normal. The only thing he'd questioned Harry about was whether the excerpts about his own parents in the book were true. Apparently, Rita had speculated that his parents—both being Aurors and members of the Order—were betrayed after James and Lily Potter's deaths.
All signs pointed to Dumbledore outing them, and poor Neville had been a basket case all week.
Dean and Seamus peppered Harry with questions too, and Seamus—who didn't have a stellar track record of believing things, surprised Harry when he'd just shaken his head in disgust and said, "I'd often wondered why Dumbledore let you lot get away with so much over the years."
Harry had been wondering the same thing too.
More and more as the week went on.
Unfortunately, his mood hadn't improved much, and this was evident when he was taken aside by Theo the first Saturday after term resumed, the Slytherin's expression severe.
"We need to talk."
"Okay?"
Harry allowed Theo to pull him into an empty classroom, and watched bemused as the Slytherin warded the room for privacy.
"I had a thought."
"And this thought caused you to accost me into a classroom?"
Theo scoffed and rolled his eyes, "You Gryffindors are such drama queens."
"Excuse me?"
"Later," Theo gestured to a seat, taking one for himself as they faced each other, "you don't turn seventeen until the end of July, right?"
Harry nodded, even more confused as to where Theo was going with this.
"Who controls your vaults?"
"What?"
"Your vaults, Harry! Who gave you your vault key first year, to get into your vault?"
Harry just gaped at Theo like he'd lost his fucking mind, but blurted out 'Hagrid' and Theo nodded, clearly expecting something along those lines.
"Your Mum and Dad would've never left Hagrid in charge of their vaults, which means..."
"That they left Dumbledore as a trustee over my vaults." Harry finished.
"Now why would they have done that unless?"
"Shite!" Harry growled out angrily, "He somehow convinced my parents to give him access?"
"Or your parents might've made him a beneficiary of some kind, and if they did?"
Harry didn't need Theo to complete his thought, because both he and Theo were thinking the exact same thing.
If Harry died, Dumbledore would've gotten the cloak most likely, legally.
It was probably what their Headmaster had been counting on.
"I don't get something though?"
"What?" Theo asked with curiosity.
"The Elder Wand, the most powerful wand ever made, right? And this resurrection stone? Who had them and why would it make a difference how Dumbledore got the cloak?"
"Maybe because that Cloak has been magically passed down from father to son for who knows how long? Magical objects, like wands, are sentient unto themselves, so maybe in the case of your cloak, Dumbledore took it and realized he couldn't take full ownership of it unless it came to him rightfully. Like the way a wand can be won..."
"What did you just say?"
"A wand. You can win allegiance to a wand, you know? During a duel."
"A duel..." Harry's eyes widened and he stood immediately, pacing while Theo watched him closely. After a few moments Harry stopped and ran his hands through his hair, "Do you think that Dumbledore's wand might be the Elder wand? I saw him battle Voldemort at the Ministry—the magic was ...blimey! It was more than impressive. Way more than, actually."
Theo paused for a moment as he thought about it, and then he stood too...his expression falling.
"Hermione let me see what happened that night," Harry's head flew back in shock as his eyes narrowed at the Slytherin, but Theo soldiered on, "I think we need to revisit that night and see if we missed anything."
Harry's expression was skeptical, but sadly, he couldn't think of a better idea.
"You think there's something there?" Walking over to the window, Harry gazed unseeingly out towards the Black Lake, "Maybe..."
"Maybe what?"
"Maybe that's why Dumbledore had Lucius Malfoy take an unbreakable vow. He obliviated Fudge and the Death Eaters that were there," Harry turned, his face paling in sudden horrified realization, "and he gave Aunt Muriel his memory, but he wasn't happy about doing it."
Theo was taken aback at the thought of Dumbledore obliviating a Minister for Magic, but all he could get out was, "Hermione let me watch hers, and I gave it back to her afterwards."
"She still has the pensieve you gave her for her birthday, right?"
Theo nodded.
"We need to get that memory from Muriel and compare the two of them," Harry carried on, "maybe we can find something from there...something that we've missed."
Pausing, Theo shook his head in trepidation, knowing what he was about to suggest wouldn't go over well with Potter at all.
"We need to tell Hermione and Draco. I know you have your reservations about him, but he needs to know what's going on. This affects him too."
By the mutinous scowl on Harry's face, Theo figured the Boy who Lived didn't exactly agree with him, so he asked tentatively, "We should leave it up to Hermione, yeah?"
Harry instantly deflated and then nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, we should. I'll talk to her about it tonight. She can probably go get it from Muriel tomorrow and we can meet in the Room of Requirement tomorrow night to watch the memories together."
"Sounds good."
"For what it's worth, Theo?" Harry began slowly, "I wasn't sure what to think about you when I found out you were Hermione's family, but I can admit when I'm wrong. You're an okay bloke and I know you do care for her."
"I do," Theo admitted softly, "she's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'd pretty much given up on having a proper family. I love my Father, but he's cold and aloof on a good day. Since Hermione's come into our lives, even my Dad has mellowed some. He smiles again and he's been spending much of his free time with Aunt Muriel, keeping her company. I get the impression that she was left alone for much of the past fifteen years with no one to talk to. I think my Dad feels guilty about that, so he's trying to make it up to her."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Theo went and unwarded the room, and together they left—heading towards the Great Hall as it was almost lunchtime, "I think there's a lot of that going around, actually."
"Maybe, but what's done is done and we can't change it."
"When did you get so philosophical, Harry?"
"I've always been that way. I've lost almost all my family, except Hermione. She's all I have left too. She's looked out for me when no one else did. Took care of me, listened to me and loved me for me...not the Chosen One—but just Harry. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to her."
"Me neither."
"We are going to figure this out, Theo."
"I know," Theo gripped Harry's shoulder in solidarity, "because I don't even want to ponder the alternative if we don't."
Chapter 71: Are you Sure?
Summary:
Hermione gets the memory and Draco helps her to discover something important.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The next evening found Hermione at Fosgate Hall once again, having skipped out of Hogwarts in her animagus form. Muriel was just finishing dinner with Thoros, when the cry of Hermione's Phoenix was heard coming from outside.
"That girl!"
Muriel shook her head in exasperation, as she and Thoros stood up together and made their way to the balcony off the library, where sure enough—Hermione was preening her feathers happily.
"Young lady!" Muriel tutted, walking out the French doors, with Thoros close behind, "What are you doing home?"
The indignant squawk had Muriel smirking, and even Thoros chuckled in amusement as they both watched Hermione transform back into her normal self.
"Hello to you too, Grandmother."
"Don't get cheeky with me, young lady. Now explain why you're here?"
So she did.
Hermione shared her conversation with Harry from the night before, and Theo's subsequent suggestion. Thoros was contemplative, considering the request, while Muriel just seemed unsurprised.
"I'd honestly wondered how long it would take for one of you to ask me for that infernal memory."
"He didn't alter it, did he?"
"No, the old fool didn't have time to do so. That was one of the reasons I asked for it in front of everyone that morning."
"Slytherin.." Thoros coughed lightly, causing Muriel to give him a disgusted look.
"No need for sarcasm, dear."
Theo's father winked at both witches, and Hermione was amazed at how much lighter Thoros Nott appeared to be since her first introduction to him the previous summer.
"Can I please have the memory, Grandmother?"
"Wait here," Muriel answered in resignation, "I'll only be a moment."
When her Grandmother moved back inside and out of sight, Thoros leant back against the balustrade, his expression filled with amused indulgence.
"You really do need to stop leaving school, Hermione. I understand this was important, but I would imagine Dumbledore's familiar might be able to sense you leaving the wards and returning."
Blushing a bit, she bowed her head sheepishly, "I hadn't thought about that at all."
"I'd expected as such."
Tilting her head up to give Theo's father her full attention, she inquired softly, "Has Theo told you he's been seeing Luna Lovegood at school?"
Hermione surmised from Thoros' shocked expression, Theo hadn't told his father that tidbit of information.
"Xenophilius' daughter, yes?"
"Mmhmm," she nodded, "she's one of my best friends. Ravenclaw. Very sweet and intelligent. Theo could so much worse."
"Would you be referring to Pansy Parkinson, dear?"
Scoffing, Hermione's face turned up like she was smelling something foul, which caused Thoros to throw his head back and guffaw in glee. When he was done, he grinned widely, "You looked just like your mother in that moment."
"Really?"
"Oh, yes!" Thoros expression melted into fond remembrance, "I only knew Marlene cursorily, of course. When she was a young girl, her brother Marcus and she would often be found with the other children getting into mischief when the adults weren't looking. Alice Brown and she were particularly close. Frank Longbottom was good friends with Edgar Bones as well as James Potter. They all grew up together."
"I didn't know that."
"Marlene held all her friends closely, from what I recall, but of all those she knew; Alice, James and Edgar were the closest, and she was fiercely protective of them."
Hermione didn't know how to respond, and she didn't get a chance because her Grandmother returned with the vial that contained Dumbledore's memory.
"Here you go, but remember to keep it safe somewhere."
"I will. Thank you, Grandmother."
Pocketing the memory into her robes, Hermione transformed into her Phoenix form and disapparated in a swirl of flames.
"Do you think they'll find what they're looking for?" Thoros queried, while Muriel just stared out into the gardens with a small frown marring her features, "What is it?"
"I do believe the children are on the right track."
"And you know what that is?"
Lady Prewett's blue eyes were calculating as she glanced up at Thoros with a smirk, but didn't elaborate further, leaving the Nott Lord staring after her with a sinister grin on his face.
He'd forgotten how much he enjoyed Muriel's machinations.
She'd truly been mis-sorted.
In the meantime, Hermione found herself back inside the Hogwarts wards as she flew towards the Astronomy parapet where Draco was waiting. As she landed, she heard the cry of Fawkes in the distance and turning her feathered head, she watched the bird moving closer—eventually landing next to her—hopping over and ruffling his feathers before he nuzzled against her happily.
He was looking a bit weathered, and she realized as she watched him through her animagus form, that his aura was fading a bit. She'd read up on phoenixes and knew that as they got closer to their burn day, their aura would continue to fade exponentially.
Then she heard Draco's amused chuckle.
"Should I be jealous, love?"
Pitching out a trilling rumble, Fawkes nuzzled even more while Hermione just preened under the attention.
"I'm not going to be jealous of a bird, love. Even if he is as handsome as Fawkes there."
Dumbledore's familiar did his own preening at the words, and Draco realized belatedly that the bird might be able to understand him. He tilted his head down thoughtfully at Fawkes, when a sudden burst of inspiration came to him.
"Fawkes, can you understand me?"
The bird cocked his head at a weird angle, then squawked...which Draco took as an affirmative. He then turned his full attention back to his witch and explained lowly, "Can you ask Fawkes if he knows about those items we were talking about?"
Hermione's bird eyes widened and then she started making all sorts of sounds, which Fawkes immediately responded to. After a few moments the bird flew away and Draco watched as Hermione morphed back into her human form and then immediately threw her arms around him, kissing him passionately.
Several moments passed before Draco broke the kiss reluctantly, lifting his head back slightly while his smirk was now fixed in place, "What was that for, Princess?"
"For being a brilliant wizard!"
"So I take it Fawkes was able to confirm?"
She nodded, "Dumbledore has the wand."
"Shite! And the stone?"
"Fawkes didn't know. He hasn't seen anything of the sort, but he doesn't exactly know what to look for either. If I can tell him what it possibly looks like, he said he'd keep an eye out for me."
Draco picked up Hermione and twirled her around before setting her back down and kissing her soundly again. It was a while before they broke apart and made their way towards the Room of Requirement.
"So, you still haven't told me why you went home or what we're doing with Theo and Potter."
Pulling out the memory, she explained the particulars to Draco of what it was, and how she'd gotten it.
He stared at it unseeingly for a moment, before his gray eyes lifted to hers and she could see the several emotions running through them...
Shock, wonder...disbelief...uncertainty.
"Theo and Harry thought it might be a good idea to watch my memory and then Dumbledore's, to see if we could note anything of interest."
Nodding slowly, Draco held out his hand for the memory vial, swallowing emotively, his hand shaking slightly.
"You want me to watch this?"
Sighing, Hermione pulled Draco into an empty alcove and gently cupped his face within her hands.
"Do you not want to?"
"No, I do!" He was quick to reassure, "I just..."
Hermione could see his expression closing off and she sighed, "Draco, look at me."
Bright gray eyes held her own blue ones, as she smiled up at him with such trust and openness, it took his breath away.
"We are to be bonded, yes?"
"Yes."
"Then I think it's time you understand just what happened that night and what you're getting yourself in for."
Expression relaxing, his smug smirk made an appearance before he teased playfully, "I know what I'm in for, love..."
Hermione just shook her head at him, but led him out of the alcove and down the seventh floor corridor to where the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy was located. Walking in front of the wall opposite three times, the door appeared and she pulled Draco inside with her, not surprised to see both Harry and Theo waiting impatiently.
"Did you get it?" Harry demanded and Draco held up the vial, his expression neutral as he nodded politely to Theo, who returned the gesture.
"If it's alright, I think we should watch Dumbledore's memory first?"
They all silently agreed, and Theo put the pensieve into the middle of the room, watching as Hermione waved her hand, enlarging it so they all could go into the memory together. She could feel Draco's anticipation as he gripped her hand tightly within his, and once the memory was placed into the basin—they all collectively took a deep breath and went headfirst back into the fateful night.
Notes:
For those of you who guessed about Fawkes...congratulations! Well done!
Chapter 72: Simply Awed
Summary:
Draco finally learns just how powerful his witch really is.
Notes:
All credit for HP goes to J.K. For X-men Stan Lee.
Chapter Text
As Draco felt himself being pulled into the memory, he could still feel Hermione's hand holding him into a measure of reality, like an anchor. Once the fog cleared however, he stood there in shock as the first thing he saw was the Dark Lord, sneering hatefully...his hissed words flowing over him like a Merlin-awful weighted dread that he simply couldn't get away from.
His body shivered uncontrollably, and then he felt his witch's magic flow through him—calming him and reminding him that this wasn't real.
It was just a memory after all...
"It was foolish of you to come here tonight, Tom. The Aurors are on there way."
"By which time I shall be gone and you..." Voldemort waved his wand down in a mock bow, "shall be dead."
Both wizards swirled their wands in an arc and Draco watched as Potter was flung to the side by the Headmaster, while Bellatrix was knocked unconscious against the wall, the floo grate locked—preventing her escape.
The explosion of raw magical power as Dumbledore and Voldemort fought was simply... unbelievable. As their spells collided with ferocious intensity, the concussive force caused sparks to fly in all directions. The Dark Lord kept trying to redirect Dumbledore's power at Potter, causing the mortar of the Ministry atrium wall to crack and break around the younger wizard's head.
Potter was valiantly ducking out of the way as best as he could, to avoid becoming collateral damage.
Then for a split second when it seemed as if Dumbledore was getting the upper hand, the Dark Lord took the older wizard's power and morphed it into a raging ball of a flaming snake inferno—redirecting the spell back towards Dumbledore—the Dark Lord's mad cackle reverberating loudly throughout the Ministry atrium.
When the fire snake struck down to attack, Dumbledore slashed his wand through the air, cutting the snake apart and redirecting the spell back towards the Dark Lord, who made a slashing motion of his own...and the flames disappeared.
Then Dumbledore twirled his wand, and the water from the Fountain of Magical Brethren encased Voldemort within its spell. Draco continued to watch in awe, as the Headmaster used the power of the Elder Wand to keep the Dark Lord at bay.
Unfortunately, Potter decided at that inopportune moment to get up, which broke Dumbledore's concentration long enough for the Dark Lord to escape from the magical enclosure.
Then with all his power, Voldemort shot another nonverbal spell right at the Headmaster, which Dumbledore blocked and redirected back once again, causing the Dark Lord to use all his own magical strength to shield himself from the magic—and when the Dark Lord extended his arms out—screaming...it caused a percussive force of magic throughout the atrium, causing all the glass to shatter instantly, while also knocking Dumbledore off his feet.
Draco gasped, clutching his free hand to his chest in shock, but it wasn't over, for at that moment—the Dark Lord levitated all the glass shards and directed them right back towards the Headmaster, who managed quickly to create some kind of shield just in time to turn the glass to ash.
As the dust cleared, the Dark Lord looked disappointed that his trick hadn't worked. Dumbledore stood up to face off his quarry once again, but then a cloud of dust and vapor moved over Voldemort like a wind funnel, and the wizard disappeared instantly.
A few seconds later Potter started convulsing on the ground.
At that exact moment several Order members come out into the Ministry's Atrium with whom Draco noticed was his father, and several of the other Death Eaters in tow, magically bound and silenced. The floo's started to come to life too, the Minister for Magic and several Aurors entering the atrium, clearly astonished by the ensuing scene. Bellatrix, who'd suddenly regained consciousness, started cackling at the carnage, but was quickly bound and silenced as all present watched the boy who lived, writhing on the floor. By the expressions on most of the faces there, not many understood at all what was happening.
"You've lost old man." Potter taunted in Voldemort's voice, staring up at Dumbledore, the boy's eyes red and face pale as he struggled with the Dark Lord, who was now inside of the young wizard's mind and body.
"Harry..."
Potter twisted and cried out in agony, desperately trying to fight off the Dark Lord, and Draco watched in begrudging admiration as the Boy Who Lived—fought with everything he had.
"Harry, it isn't how you are alike...it's how you're not." Dumbledore whispered lowly.
Dumbledore knelt down next to Potter, while he continued to struggle with the Dark Lord's invasion.
"It's over, Harry, you're finished...you're mine now." Potter's voice, which was mixed with the Dark Lord's—reverberated within the memory.
Potter struggling, said aloud on a gasp in his own voice, "You...will never win."
"And why is that?"
"Because you're alone...and I...am...not."
As soon as Potter finished those words, a portal opened in the atrium to the astonishment of all who were standing there.
Draco was awed by the fact that someone was powerful enough to break through the Ministry wards like they were nothing. Hermione then walked through the portal, eyes glowing like lightening and her aura radiating a blinding power, and Draco immediately noticed Dolohov squirming against his bonds, but Lupin grabbed onto the Russian tightly and snarled deeply in warning.
As soon as Hermione cleared the portal she stopped, and Draco noted she was dressed in the same dragonhide outfit that he'd remembered seeing her in later that same night, upon her return to Hogwarts—appearance changed. There were several moments where she just stared at Potter, and Draco recognized that look—it was the same one she'd have when she communicated telepathically...
...she was inside Potter's mind.
Then Draco heard Potter speak...
"Let...go...
...unleash your power, Mi...no fear."
Draco saw Hermione gazing first towards Dumbledore—before then she took in the startled faces of the witches and wizards all staring at her, and she breathed out a heavy sigh. Moving her hands outward, her magic glowed and encased both herself, Potter and Dumbledore, as everyone openly gasped in astonishment at the display of power.
Once the barrier was placed, Hermione's eyes glowed white and Draco watched dumbfounded, as she levitated above everyone. As her power continued to swell—additional smaller portals opened in the air between herself and Potter...showing four items floating in the ether...
A locket, a cup, a tiara and a ring.
Potter then looked up and flinched in pain, obviously trying desperately to hold off Voldemort and screamed loudly... "unleash your power! Let go, Mi! Mi, let go!"
Draco saw Hermione pulling her arms outward from her body and with a high-pitched scream...a Phoenix cry—her aura exploded outward into raw elemental flames, the force of which, was simply astonishing and something even in his wildest imagination he'd been woefully unprepared for.
So he just gaped up at his witch completely stunned, because there was simply no words...
He'd had no clue...
Potter's body arched off the ground...his back bowed at an impossible angle...and suddenly Voldemort was thrust from Potter's body and suspended into the air...his rage palpable, his screams of horror somewhat satisfying—as the Dark Lord watched helplessly as the cup, tiara, ring and locket—were destroyed to ash, by the elemental power of his witch.
Potter's body then slumped, and surprisingly Dumbledore encased them both into a protective bubble...shielding them from the pressurized heat emanating from within the magical enclosure.
Voldemort—enraged and vengeful, started firing off hexes and curses, one more powerful than the next at Hermione, but her aura simply could not be breached.
Then in another display of his own heady power, Voldemort pointed his wand and a steady stream of magic was unleashed. It was clear the Dark Lord was desperate to break the hold Hermione had on him, his body still frozen in place—suspended in mid-air.
When Voldemort realized he couldn't break away, he enclosed his own protective barrier around his body, desperately trying to shield himself and possibly apparate away.
Then Draco heard Lupin mumble, "He's getting away."
Dolohov's chuckle, followed by Bellatrix's mad cackle, as they watched their master's attempt to escape, made Draco flinch.
Then there were several gasps from all who were standing outside the protective barrier, before Hermione's eyes whitened again, and her core flashed as streaks of lightening attacked Voldemort's shield, bringing it down instantly, her Phoenix cry echoing throughout the halls of the Ministry.
Voldemort's wand burning to ash.
Draco then noticed Dumbledore nod once, holding Potter—who was still unconscious in his arms. The Headmaster then whispered lowly, "All is revealed."
Draco simply didn't have time to process that particular comment, because the Phoenix cry was heard again, and Hermione's aura expanded in power...twice as large as before. Voldemort's panicked screams reverberated throughout the atrium as his corporeal body started turning to ash—being bombarded by the elemental fire of the Phoenix.
When the Dark Lord was completely vanquished and the battle won, Draco saw Hermione's power begin to fade until she was standing there, still elevated...a large sigh emanating from her mouth.
Her appearance was now changed, her hair a long auburn red and her eyes were piercing blue. She lowered herself down to the ground and instantly vanished the barrier surrounding Potter and Dumbledore—as everyone present watched with expressions that ranged from fury, fear, awe, and wonder.
"Harry." Hermione whispered, gently touching her best friend's face.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore spoke up, "that was most impressive. I take it your magic is no longer unstable."
"No, sir." She sighed again, now looking up at all the faces that were watching the scene closely.
Then Cornelius Fudge took that moment to come forward and assert himself.
"Dumbledore, what is the meaning of this?"
"Perhaps we might table this discussion for a more appropriate time, Cornelius."
Fudge's face started to turn red. "I don't think you have the right to make that call, Dumbledore! And perhaps you might explain Miss Granger's sudden display of power?"
Draco smirked when Hermione rolled her eyes, and Potter...who was now fully awake...smiled softly at his sister.
Helping Harry to his feet, Hermione took a step back as she bit out disdainfully, "Perhaps it might be best to worry about getting the Death Eaters back in Azkaban, Minister—where they belong."
It was at that moment, Draco noticed Bellatrix escaping her bonds and desperately reaching for her wand. The split second she got fully ahold of it, she pointed it directly at Hermione and Potter—but before she could finish shouting Avada Kedavra, Hermione's hand swept out, and in a burst of flame, his aunt was turned to ash.
Fudge gaped at the young witch apoplectically, then made a motion for the Aurors to come and take her, but Hermione flexed her hand and froze everyone in the room.
Draco chuckled as she glared spitefully at the Minister and snarled out, "This is all your fault, you pathetic idiotic man! You allowed Lucius Malfoy to manipulate you, allowed Dolores Umbridge to torture students at Hogwarts! When I'm done with you, you'll be lucky not to end up in Azkaban yourself."
Then Draco saw Hermione hold Potter close to her body, and in a flash of white heat...they were gone.
When they were finally pulled from the memory, both Harry and Draco sat down on the floor, each eyeing the other completely stunned, when a sudden thought entered Draco's mind.
"You haven't seen the memory before now?"
Harry shook his head and admitted softly, "I wasn't ready until now. My Godfather died that night because of me," green eyes looked at Hermione with a sad expression, "Hermione begged me not to go. Said it might be a trap, but I didn't listen to her."
Theo had the room conjure some chairs so they could all get a bit more comfortable, and Draco pulled his witch into his lap and nuzzled his face into her neck, trying desperately to calm his racing heart from the memory he'd just witnessed.
"You okay?" She whispered and he shrugged, words failing him at the moment.
"It's a lot to process." Harry spoke up, and saw Draco's head bobbing in the affirmative, but his face was still obscured by Hermione's hair, though Harry and Theo did notice that Draco had a death grip around Hermione's waist.
"Did anyone notice anything?" Harry asked and Theo, (who'd already seen Hermione's memory, and therefore wasn't quite as surprised by the event), had been closely watching not only Dumbledore, but Potter as well.
"I heard Dumbledore's words when Hermione vanquished the Dark Lord."
Draco lifted his head and replied, "All is revealed."
Theo nodded. "He knew. He's always known."
"Okay." Harry rubbed his hands down his face, while Hermione gazed into Draco's eyes and he sighed.
"Fawkes confirmed tonight that Dumbledore has the wand."
Both Theo and Potter paled, and Draco rolled his eyes when Harry took off his glasses, making a show of cleaning them off before he absently rubbed his scar.
"And the stone?" Potter asked quietly, and Theo got a funny look on his face.
"Those items?"
"The horcruxes?" Hermione asked, and Theo nodded.
"There was a ring."
"I vaguely remember the ring," Harry's voice trembled slightly, "didn't think much of it, other than it was a horcrux."
"It had a stone in it though," all eyes turned to Theo, who shrugged and finished, "it might be nothing, but then again?"
"It might not." Harry piped in.
"Okay," Draco spoke up, feeling a bit more like himself, "let's assume for a moment it is? Wouldn't it have been turned to ash?"
"Maybe not," Theo replied, "it's very possible the Hallows can't be destroyed."
"So if it wasn't destroyed?"
"Then it would be somewhere on the floor within that enclosure that Hermione erected." Theo finished succinctly, with a firm nod.
All four smiled widely at each other and despite feeling emotionally spent, dove headfirst back into the memory for a second time and sure enough—Draco, as he watched the memory the second time, noticed Dumbledore when the horcruxes were turned to ash—and the Headmaster's eyes were drawn to a small black stone on the atrium floor—the old wizard's gaze locked on it briefly, before his attention was drawn once more, back towards Hermione.
Slowly, he walked over to the stone and picked it up in his hand, his eye drawn to the same runic symbol on the stone, that was on the letter in which Dumbledore had written to Grindelwald.
When he was pulled out of the memory, his face fell as he told his witch...
"He has the stone."
Three pairs of eyes widened in shock, and Theo read his mind, biting out angrily, "Fuck!"
Yeah...they were fucked!
Chapter 73: Gift of Fidelity
Summary:
Draco offers his Gift to his witch.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It wasn't too much later when Harry and Theo left the Room of Requirement, leaving Hermione and Draco alone. Theo wasn't too thrilled with the thought, but for once in his annoying existence, Potter actually grabbed Theo by the shoulder and forcibly directed him out of the room, explaining that he was being ridiculous, and needed to trust in Hermione more.
His sister smiled at Harry widely, mouthing 'love you, Brother mine,' while Harry winked, then pointed two fingers at his eyes, before turning them on Malfoy...the inference, 'I'll be watching you' was clear.
Draco just gave Potter the finger, causing Hermione to gasp and smack her wizard on the chest with impunity.
"Seriously, Draco?"
The blonde smirked, before rubbing his chest with exaggeration.
"Vicious witch!"
His smirk fell into a more thoughtful expression however, when he tenderly cupped Hermione's cheeks within his hands and tilted her head up slightly so they could make eye contact.
Then she felt him slide easily into her mind.
"Hi."
"Hey."
Her inner voice was always a bit huskier, when she talked to her wizard this way.
Sharing their minds like this...
It was so much more intimate.
"Are you truly alright?" She silently beseeched, and Draco could feel her anxiety and fear.
"I'm still processing and frankly, I'm in awe of you. But..."
"But what?"
She heard Draco's internal sigh, and could feel him struggling to get his thoughts more focused.
"After seeing you, in all your glory, I can't help but wonder why your magic would've chosen me."
Shock wavered through her, simply unsure if she was hearing her wizard correctly.
"Are you trying to tell me, Draco Malfoy, that you don't think you're up to the task of being my bonded?"
His internal scoff was to be expected, and she could almost feel his eye roll.
"No.." he quickly clarified, his voice haughty... "we both know I'm an exceptionally gifted wizard."
Her silent laughter couldn't be helped, because she could hear the old Malfoy pompousness dripping from his thoughts.
"Prat."
"Yes, love..." there was a brief pause before he continued, "but seriously, Princess, you're more powerful than any witch who's probably ever lived, and I'm just the lucky sod who gets to be with you. I was having a hard enough time wrapping my mind around seeing your powers from before, but now that I know the truth?"
She felt Draco's shiver, and allowed her calm and surety to flow into his mind like a warm blanket.
"Draco, we both know you're an exceptionally gifted Occlumens, and if Severus is to be believed, one of the most talented he's ever known. Your ability to control your emotions, your magic—even now and you're not yet of age? I can only imagine how much more formidable you'll be when you are. I wasn't ready to acknowledge it for the longest time, because you've always been more challenging to me then I'd ever willingly admit to, especially when we were younger. You're so smart, that sometimes it astounds me how easily it all comes to you. As we've spent quality time together this year, I've had to wonder why you're not at the top of our class, because I know it's not for lack of ability?"
Draco's mind quieted as he thought about the question seriously, and she could feel his heavy sigh of resignation before he spoke up quietly into her mind.
"Did it never occur to you, love—that perhaps some of our Professors don't treat all their students, unbiasedly?"
"What do you mean?"
"We both know Severus favors Slytherin's, it's true. However, I've earned my top spot every year, because Severus would never allow any student to get away with even a hint of mediocrity. I've also always been better in Defense, but as for our other subjects, you and I have been separated on many an occasion, by just a few points here and there. While I'll admit, you do put forth far more effort into your assignments than I do, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're smarter than me, or vice versa."
The last words were tagged on a bit belatedly, but she had to give Draco his due.
He wasn't necessarily wrong in what he was saying.
"Well, maybe if you weren't such a prat, our Professor's would've liked you better."
His deep chuckle filled her with butterflies, but all he said was, "Touché, love."
"Well, if you're going to make me concede that you're actually as smart as me, then you'll at least have to concede that I'm way more powerful than you." She quipped, and Draco's chuckled turned into full blown laughter, which caused him to break eye contact, as he threw his head back in glee.
When his gaze locked back with Hermione's, she could visibly see the warm affection emanating from those stormy gray depths, which caused her heart to stutter with an emotion she simply wasn't prepared for.
Noticing her facial expression, Draco cocked his head to the side and inquired, "What is it?"
Thankful their connection had been severed before that earth-shattering revelation, Hermione just shook her head.
"It's nothing," she then grinned mischievously, "wanna snog?"
The quirked eyebrow let her know that Draco wasn't wholly convinced of her assertion that nothing was wrong, but to her wizard's credit, he wasn't about to turn down a golden opportunity for a good snog.
His left hand moved up behind the back of her head, fisting in her hair at the same time his right hand cupped her cheek and when his lips came down onto hers, she hummed with need—gripping her hands into Draco's baby fine hair and returning his ardor with equal veracity.
Then suddenly, she felt something shift behind and underneath her as Draco moved over her, cradling her into his body and kissing her like his life depended upon it. Once her back hit the softness of what felt to be a bed, she broke away from the kiss with a gasp, and gazed up into darkened slate eyes that were staring back at her with unbridled want.
"Is this too much?" He whispered, not wanting to break their fragile moment. He watched as Hermione bit her lower lip but her blue eyes seemed to be reflecting the passion of his own emotions.
"No," she replied softly, "I've never felt like this."
"Me either."
A smile and a simple nod was all he got, before his little vixen pulled his mouth back down to her's and then it was all tongue, teeth and hands.
Somehow she'd gotten him out of his jumper, and the top three buttons of his dress shirt were opened. Her jumper was lost somewhere on the floor too, as was her blouse, and greedy hands were cupping two perfect mounds of flesh, before his mouth descended, following his hands.
When his mouth latched onto a nipple through the laced bra, Hermione's breathy whine of his given name, had Draco readjusting his lower body to settle himself between the junction of her thighs—groaning as he nudged his erection forward...trying to get some relief where he needed it most.
His body...it felt hot everywhere.
His hands, torso...his magic...
His heart...
Breaking contact to get some much needed oxygen, he stared down into heavy lidded eyes that looked back at him with such desire and unwavering trust.
Cupping his witch's face gently, he placed a tender kiss on her lips and then whispered passionately, "Yours is the light by which my spirit is born: you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars."
"Draco..."
Taking several deep breaths, he had the room conjure a blanket and covered Hermione's torso, pulling her up into a straddling position so their faces were eye level.
This night, she'd bared herself to him emotionally and had allowed him to see her in such a way in which he wasn't sure he deserved, but was eternally grateful for nonetheless. He'd known for weeks now, what his Gift of Fidelity would need to be.
Draco knew that for his witch, she would deserve nothing less from him.
"Hermione Marlene Prewett, will you willingly accept my Gift of Fidelity now and always?"
Wide-eyed, she just stared at him mutely for several minutes until he chuckled and then explained softly, "You need to say the words, love."
"Oh!" She nodded emphatically, "I, Hermione Marlene Prewett, accept your Gift of Fidelity, willingly and humbly."
He returned the gesture and placed his hands on either side of her face, making eye contact once again and she felt him slide effortlessly into her mind.
The scene shifted briefly, until they were back at the room where the single door hovered in the center of the vacant space. Looking around in confusion, Hermione suddenly saw a book appear on the floor and walking over, she bent down and picked it up, smiling widely upon noticing the title.
"Hogwarts a History."
She felt Draco's answering mirth, but didn't dwell on it as she opened the cover and flipped through the pages...noting they were all blank.
"I don't understand?"
"You do," his lazy drawl reverberated through her mind, "you know how to find the key."
She thought for a moment, unsure why Draco would tell her 'how' and not where.
Then she chuckled in understanding.
"Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus."
Once the last word left Hermione's mouth, a small box appeared in the far corner of the room.
Walking over, she picked it up and opened it.
Inside was a silver skeleton key, which obviously fit the lock to the door.
As she went back towards the threshold of the barrier between the void and what lay beyond, she asked, "What is it you wish to show me?"
There was a heartbeat of utter, deafening silence before Draco's voice—which was filled with raw emotion—answered simply, "Everything."
Notes:
Did anyone guess?
Chapter 74: All That I Am
Summary:
Draco shares his memories with Hermione.
Chapter Text
Placing the key into the door-lock, Hermione was surprised when she walked into the room beyond and there was at first nothing, then a memory started to coalesce into being.
She didn't recognize the room at all, and she looked around noticing several bookshelves on the far side of the circular room along the back wall, and then her gaze caught onto a small boy sitting by himself on the floor of the room, and she smiled softly.
It was Draco, and he looked to be around eight or nine years of age. He was playing with a miniature Quidditch set and then Hermione heard a door opening and when she looked back towards the sound, she saw an older man moving into the room, and he looked an awful lot like Lucius Malfoy, only with shorter hair.
"Draco," the deep voice called out, and Hermione turned back towards her intended, and could see his wide gray eyes glittering with an emotion she couldn't readily define, "there you are."
"Grandfather."
Hermione's breath caught, as she suddenly realized just whom this man was...
Abraxas Malfoy.
"What have I said about leaving your lessons early? How are you supposed to learn and be the top of your class at Durmstrang, if you don't take it more seriously?" Abraxas paused and then sat down on the chair next to the place where Draco was sitting on the floor.
"Quidditch?"
"Yes, Sir."
Abraxas chuckled deeply, and picked up the toy piece that looked to be the Seeker.
"I played in school, you know? I was a Chaser though."
"Really?" Bright and eager gray eyes smiled up at his Grandfather, and Abraxas nodded.
"Oh, yes! Although my own Father wasn't too pleased with my love of sport. He thought my studies should've taken precedence, but...I had more important duties to attend whilst I was at school."
"Like what?"
A cloud moved over Abraxas' face, and then he gestured for Draco to sit up and take a spot next to him on the couch.
"Perhaps it's finally time for you to understand some of the truths of our family and your birthright."
She watched in horror as Draco's grandfather rolled up his left sleeve and showed his grandson the Dark Mark on his forearm.
"What's that?"
"That, Draco—is the Mark of Our Lord. It is very important you keep what I'm about to tell you private."
Draco nodded emphatically, and scooted closer to his Grandfather, gray eyes now alight with curiosity.
"I promise, Sir."
"Good boy." Abraxas patted Draco's head affectionately, and Hermione felt her stomach plummeting at how eager Draco looked in that moment. "This Mark, represents our family's pledge to remain pure always. Out family motto.."
"Sanctimonia Vincet Semper"
"Very good, Draco," Abraxas replied with an easy smile, "purity will always conquer. You see, it has been this way for our family for centuries. When I was in school at Hogwarts, I swore this family's allegiance to a powerful wizard who was Heir to Salazar Slytherin himself! He vowed to rid the magical world from the filth that has plagued it for far too long."
"Mudbloods."
"Yes!" Abraxas chuckled again, his expression filled with pride, and it made Hermione want to scream at how easily influenced Draco had been at such a tender age, but she supposed teaching him in such a way, was far more insidious than beating the prejudice into him. "There are those who feel that mudbloods have a place in our great society. That they belong here, same as we do."
She then noticed little Draco's face scrunching up, staring down at his Grandfather's Dark Mark.
"Why do they have magic, Grandfather?"
"Because, Draco, they steal it."
"How?"
She noticed a severe look flash over the Malfoy Patriarch's face, but it was gone before she blinked.
However, all he replied with was, "Sadly, no one knows for sure. That's what makes them so dangerous, Draco and why your Father and I are adamant that you should attend Durmstrang. They do not allow mudbloods into their school, so you will never be forced to learn alongside one."
Draco nodded then cocked his head at his grandfather, "What happened to the Great wizard whose Mark this is?"
Abraxas scowled, his voice filled with righteous anger, "He has disappeared for a time, but when he returns, you will be expected to fulfill our family pledge to take his Mark, just as your Father and I have done. It's your destiny, Draco."
The small, pointed face of an innocent Draco gazed up at his Grandfather with all due seriousness and he nodded, "I understand, Sir."
Abraxas patted Draco on the head and then the door opened again, revealing a younger Lucius Malfoy, as he sauntered into the room, his eyes fixating on his patriarchs exposed left forearm, and his expression was unreadable.
"Father."
"Lucius, I was just having a chat with Draco here, impressing upon him the importance of family honor and tradition."
The small quirk of Lucius Malfoy's lips didn't distract Hermione from the brief flash of sadness in his silvery eyes, but all he said was, "I think Draco has a few more years left, before he needs to worry about being saddled with such expectation."
Abraxas stood and glowered in ire, "Nonsense, Lucius! He is my Grandson and Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy. It's imperative for him to understand what he needs to do and what will be expected of him."
Lucius bowed his head and offered evenly, "Of course, Father."
The mist swirled away and Hermione only had a moment to compose herself before another door appeared. Stoically, she moved forward and took her key putting it into the lock and opened the door, walking into another antechamber that was temporarily empty until another memory swirled into view.
This time they were back in same study, and Hermione noticed Narcissa, Abraxas and Lucius sitting in the room with Draco—who looked very upset.
Abraxas was behind the desk, whilst Lucius was sitting on the couch with his son. But it was Narcissa who was pacing in front of the floo, her expression thunderous.
"How could you, Lucius!" She hissed out in anger, her magic crackling with rage, "Did you not even think to consult me?"
"Darling..."
"Don't you darling me, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy!"
"Narcissa!" Abraxas deep voice thundered throughout the room, as he could see Draco was starting to become visibly distraught over his Mother's emotional display.
"This was your idea!" Narcissa's blonde hair whirled around as she pointed her finger at the Malfoy Patriarch, "You mean to send my son away!"
"Narcissa," Abraxas cajoled, "you know that Hogwarts, as much as we all wish it were different—is simply not the place in which Draco would be able to learn the things he will need to fulfill his destiny."
"Severus is at Hogwarts!" Narcissa glared mutinously at her father-in-law, and in that moment, Hermione could feel Draco's admiration and adoration for his mother, "You mean to send him to a place where he will have no protection! None!" Her voice was shrill, her magic now filling the room, and both Lucius and Abraxas glanced at each other warily, "You will not take my son from me! He will go to Hogwarts and that is final and if either one of you think to go against my wishes, I will make you suffer! Just as I have suffered!"
Hermione could see Lucius Malfoy's expression fall, as he turned back to his own father—his silver eyes pleading.
"Narcissa, I know the last few years have been difficult, and I wish I could make this better for you."
"By taking my son away!" She sobbed, her stormy eyes full of tears.
Draco gazed up at his Father, his own bright eyes—so similar to his mother—begging Lucius to do something.
And Hermione could feel Draco's sorrow.
"No one is going to take your son away, my love."
"Lucius.."
The younger Malfoy Lord, turned to his father and hissed in warning, "No! I have always done as you've asked, Father but not this time! If it will give Cissy a level of comfort to know Draco is close at hand, then I will hear no more on the subject."
"You would disobey me?"
Lucius stood and moved over...placing his palms on his Father's desk as he growled out, "Draco is my son. This is my decision."
"It looks to be your wife's decision."
"It is done."
Hermione heard Narcissa's sob of relief, as she went over to her son and cuddled him into her side and then stood with Draco, but as she went to leave the room, a harsh voice stopped both she, Draco and Lucius cold.
"This is a grievous mistake, Son." Abraxas scoffed in open disdain, but Lucius just eyed his father speculatively before he replied back frostily, "Draco is a Malfoy, and he will do just fine."
The memory faded and another door appeared, which Hermione opened immediately and walked through.
This time, she was at Hogwarts...and she could see herself walking away with Harry and Ron...the latter vomiting up slugs.
It was obvious this was after the incident where Draco had called her mudblood for the first time.
"Well done, Malfoy!" Marcus Flint patted him on the back, while the other Slytherin Quidditch team members all chuckled.
Except Adrian, who was scowling.
"Whatever," Draco shrugged with an eye roll, "serves her right for thinking I bought my way onto the team."
"Well," Graham Montague chortled, "you sure put the swot into her proper place."
Draco nodded, and followed his teammates out to the pitch, but Hermione could see his expression was closed off.
Now that she had spent some time getting to know Draco, she knew that look.
He was compartmentalizing his emotions.
She watched the Quidditch Practice, and noticed Draco didn't seem to be enjoying himself quite as much as he normally did and once it was over—the memory followed Draco into the locker room where he was sitting by himself, his new broom in his hands, as he polished it with broom polish.
Then a voice cleared next to him and he looked up to see Pucey standing there, considering him.
"You have something to say, Adrian?"
The older wizard sat down on the Quidditch bench and didn't speak for a few moments, just watching with his deep brown eyes, before he eventually asked, "Do you feel better?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean!" Adrian shook his head at Draco, clearly not buying his pretense at acting bewildered, "Did it make you feel better calling Granger that name?"
Draco shrugged, setting his broom down and replying lowly, "She's annoying. Walks around this place like she knows everything. It was about time someone reminded her of her place."
Hermione noticed Adrian's expression morph to something she couldn't define, but all he said was, "Whatever our feelings on blood purity, Draco, it doesn't give you a right to be such a tosser."
"Piss off, Pucey! If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you were a mudblood lover."
"Grow up, Malfoy!" Adrian scoffed, "I may subscribe to certain truths on magical purity, but I would never be so crass as to use that word in public—especially not to a witch."
Draco watched the older wizard grab his broom and exit the locker room, leaving him alone.
Draco then ran his hands through his blond locks, his expressions stricken as he yelled out angrily, "Shite!"
As the memory faded, Hermione could feel Draco's regret, but seeing another door reappear, she didn't waste any time pondering the particulars, unlocking and making her way through the next door.
The new memory swirled into existence, the same as the others had done, but this time she was at the Yule Ball, walking in with Viktor—her smile beaming brightly. She spent the entirety of the memory watching that night from Draco's perspective and it wasn't so much the memory itself, but the emotions tied to it that she could feel.
Surprise, awe, anger, shame, regret and surprisingly...desire.
As she and Viktor danced, and the night wore on, it was more of the same until the moment where she went to sit next to Harry and Ron.
"Hot, isn't it? Viktor's gone to get drinks, would you care to join us?"
"No, we would not care to join you and Viktor." Ron spat out.
Harry just glanced warily at Ron, like he'd grown two heads.
"What's got your wand in a knot?" Hermione asked lowly.
"He's a Durmstrang! You're fraternizing with the enemy."
"The enemy?" She scoffed in disgust, "Who was it wanting his autograph? Besides the whole point of the tournament is International Magical Cooperation! To make friends!"
"Huh. I think he's got a bit more than friendship on his mind."
Ron sat back and pouted, while Harry just sat there like a bump on a log, clearly not wanting to be in the middle of another disagreement between his two best friends.
Hermione stood up and turned around, clearly distraught and started walking away. She then stomped back and went to say something but thought better of it, before storming away for good.
It was later, after she and Ron had gotten into their final argument, and she was left crying on the stairs...that she realized Draco had witnessed the entirety of their exchanges that night, but she didn't remember seeing him at all, beyond the beginning of the evening.
Then the memory moved on from her sitting on the castle steps, to Draco following Ron down the hallway of the second floor corridor.
"Nicely done, Weaselbee."
Ron turned around and scowled at Draco, who was now leaning against the wall with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"What are you on about, Malfoy?"
"Oh, nothing!" Draco looked down at his hand with interest, before he stood up and straightened his dress robes, sauntering towards Ron with a wicked gleam behind his eyes, "I just wonder at your level of intelligence is all?"
"Piss off, Malfoy!"
Draco's chuckling could be heard as the memory faded.
Another door appeared, and another memory flitted into view. This one was back in Lucius Malfoy's study, and Draco was sitting on the same sofa he'd been previously with his mother, while Lucius was behind the desk...looking upset.
"Are you sure, Lucius, that this is the wisest idea?"
"It's not as if I have a choice in the matter, Cissy. Father insists this be done now. I'm going to take Draco with me to Borgin and Burke's to get rid of these items."
"And the diary?"
"I have no idea as of yet." Lucius drawled, and Hermione could see the unhappy look on Draco's face, "Perhaps if Draco hadn't managed to come in second last year to a mudblood, Father wouldn't be insisting upon this course of action. But he is, and therefore, I will need to comply."
Narcissa nodded reluctantly as she gripped Draco's hand, and Hermione could feel his shame and anger.
Had it really been Abraxas Malfoy who'd ultimately been responsible for the Basilisk being unleashed at Hogwarts?
"Come along, Draco." Lucius stood and Draco followed, giving his mother a small weary smile before he followed his Father through the floo.
Another door, and another memory followed...then another...and another—each more revealing than the last until the final door appeared, and she was emotionally spent.
Somehow, Hermione almost knew what would be waiting beyond the next threshold.
"Gently, my Dragon." Happy gray eyes lifted and he nodded seriously, allowing Narcissa to help him readjust his hold on his sister, "Her name is Cassiopeia."
Hermione smiled at how adorably Draco's mouth tried to form the name.
"That's a mouthful." He complained haughtily, and Lucius chuckled as he too, sat down next to his son, gazing over his shoulder at the sweet baby girl in his son's arms.
"How about Cassie, then?"
"Cassie!" Draco nodded and the baby gurgled, her silver eyes staring up at her brother in wonder. "Okay." Rocking the baby carefully, Draco stated gently, "I promise to be the best big brother ever and protect you, Cassie."
"We know you will, my Dragon. Your sister couldn't be luckier to have anyone but you for a big brother."
Draco's chest puffed out in pride, then he kissed his baby sister's forehead, and Hermione's heart melted at how sweet and loving Draco appeared in that moment.
When the memory readjusted, she found herself in a beautifully appointed room, except it wasn't a typical room at all but a nursery done up in simple pastels of green, pink and yellow. It was bright and cheerful, except for the little boy sitting on the floor and sobbing his heart out, whilst holding a small stuffed dragon to his chest.
There was a House Elf sitting there next to Draco...not touching him at all...just watching, as huge glistening tears fell down pale chubby cheeks.
When the door opened, it was Lucius who was standing there, his own expression clearly pained.
"Draco, how did you get in here again?"
Teary gray eyes turned towards his father, and Hermione saw in that moment—Lucius Malfoy's entire body sag with emotion.
"Draco," he came over slowly, almost wary of approaching his son, "you need to allow Tinky to do her job and clear the room."
"No!" There was a sniffle after the screamed word, as she saw Draco's hands clenching and then several books fell off the shelves and two figurines shattered from the force of his accidental magic, "I don't wanna go! I want my Cassie!"
"Son..." Lucius swallowed, reaching for Draco, who just scooted further away from his father stubbornly.
"I promised! I promised I'd take care of her!"
Lucius sat there, valiantly trying to get ahold of his own emotions, and Hermione was completely dumbstruck when she noticed several tears falling from the older wizard's eyes.
She didn't think Lucius Malfoy was capable of that kind of emotion.
"I know, Son, and I'm sorry."
She watched young Draco breaking down into heaving sobs, finally allowing his father to hold him, as he cried and cried for his little sister, and she could feel Draco's utter heartbreak and sorrow.
When the final memory faded, Hermione turned around the way she'd come and saw a line of many doorways in succession that had been opened by her.
Instinctively, knowing what she needed to do, she walked back through each threshold and locked the doors one by one until she'd reached the final door.
Once it too, was locked, she took the key and placed it back into its box and watched as it vanished silently.
Returning to herself, she felt the wetness on her own cheeks and immediately noticed Draco's tears—and all she could do was conjure a handkerchief and wipe them away lovingly. No words were necessary at that moment, but she knew deep down that they were needed.
"Thank you, for sharing that with me. I will always hold your trust sacred, Draco. I hope you know that."
"I do, love. I wouldn't have shown you otherwise."
"I'm sorry about your sister."
Bowing his head, Hermione could see Draco's throat bobbing with emotion.
"Thank you." He croaked out on a pained whisper.
Their eyes met and locked again. She cupped his face and placed a sweet kiss on his lips, which he responded to chastely. When she pulled back, Hermione ran her hands down Draco's face...taking in everything about her wizard from his pale blonde locks to his aristocratic jawline, to his perfect seekers build and shook her head.
"What is it?"
There was a moment of silence, as Hermione bit her lip in contemplation, but she knew in her heart that what she and Draco had was forever. There was no one more suited to her than he was.
"I love you, Draco."
Gray eyes widened in surprise, then a genuine, relieved smile broke across his face.
"I love you too, Hermione."
"Yeah?"
He nodded firmly, "Always."