Thursday, October 8

When Draco woke up in the morning, he was surprised to find three letters on the coffee table. He quickly sat up and grabbed the envelopes, examining each one. The first two had his name on them, while the last was for Hermione.

The first one for him was from McGonagall. He quickly opened it and read the short, straight-forward letter that turned out to be filled with good news. According to the letter, the Ministry workers, along with the Healers from St. Mungo's had discovered the cause of the illness and brewed a potion cure for it. They were also doing a magical sanitation of the Manor to clean it so that people would be allowed back inside.

The wizard let out a relieved breath before seeing the next letter.

As he was about to open it, he heard Hermione moving about in the bedroom. He bit his lip and decided to take the letter and go outside to read it. He knew that she was still considering the plan and he wanted to give her space so that she didn't feel pressured.

Draco walked outside and sat down on a nearby boulder. He began to read it, realizing it was from his mother.

Meanwhile, Hermione stepped out of the bedroom, entering the lounge. She noticed the last envelope on the coffee table which was addressed to her. She looked around for Draco but didn't see him. Picking up the letter, she sat down in the lounge chair and broke the seal.

Miss Granger,

As you will have likely heard by now, Lucius has passed away. This illness was an unrecognized one, but I am lucky enough to have survived it so as not to have left my son as an orphan, and now they have found the cause and created a cure. They have also cleansed the entire Manor, which makes it possible for me to send you this letter.

I do not know everything about the situation that occurred between Draco and his father, but I know my son. He is restless when he is away from you.

Our worlds, our blood…they may be different to some, but I am not my husband. I do not see pureblood, half-blood and muggle born. I only see that there is magical and muggle. However, in the end, we are all human beings, are we not?

My son is clearly in love with you. Being in love, true love, is much more magical than anything they could hope to teach you at Hogwarts.

Please, for the sake of my son's heart and soul, as well as your own, don't give up on him.

I can only say that I know exactly how it feels.

Draco is unaware of the circumstances of my marriage to his father, but it was not a marriage based on love but rather obligation.

Please do not tell him that.

I do not regret my actions, for they gave me Draco. Yet had I been able to have Draco while being with the man I truly loved…well, that is but a dream now, isn't it.

You, however, now have the opportunity to be with the man that you truly love. Do not let that chance pass you by. Sometimes dreams really do come true.

I hope, one day, to call you family.

With all my love,

Narcissa

When Hermione finished reading the letter, she swallowed and stood up. She walked over to the kitchen, and looked out the window, spotting Draco sitting on a nearby boulder. He was reading a piece of parchment and appeared to be deep in thought.

She swallowed and walked out of the cottage before slowly strolling over to him.

When he spotted her, he stood up, folding the parchment before sticking it into his pajama pants pocket.

"Morning." He muttered.

"Morning." She replied quietly.

He inhaled deeply before saying, "Your parents are safe."

Her eyes widened before her brow furrowed, "How do you know that?"

"I received a letter from my mother. She found some documents in my father's study about putting a watch-wizard on them. She went ahead and paid the watch-wizard to leave them alone."

"Thank Merlin," Hermione breathed, feeling immense relief.

He nodded and looked at her with soft eyes, "How…how are you this morning?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip, knowing full well that he was asking about the plan.

"Draco…" she said. "I…I love you." She whispered, taking him completely by surprise. "If you think that this…this plan will work, if you think it's the best chance for us to be together, then…okay."

He nodded, "I love you too, Hermione, and I do think it's our best chance to be together." He said as he took a step toward her. "I love you." He repeated.

Anxiously licking her lips, Hermione looked at him and said, "I erm…I have to ask…" She breathed. "In order for this to work properly, do you and Astoria have to…to sleep together?"

He inhaled with a thoughtful expression before saying, "From everything I've considered, I cannot see any reason why we'd have to. Astoria is doing research in the library up at the castle."

Hermione nodded and swallowed, "Okay. Just…keep me informed."

He nodded.

"And Draco, don't you dare keep things from me or lie to me." She said with a strong tone.

"I swear to you, Hermione, you'll know everything that I know, and I won't lie." Draco said quietly but sincerely.

She inhaled deeply and took a step toward him.

He looked hopeful and reached out for her. She stepped into his embrace as he wrapped his arms tightly around her body. The wizard kissed her temple and mumbled words of endearment into her ear.

That evening after dinner, the two of them sat together on the sofa. They hadn't spoken much throughout the day as the reality of the circumstances continued to sink in.

"Hermione, I know that this is a tough situation and that it's going to continue to be difficult for a while, but please remember that it's you that I love." He said as he looked over at her.

She met his eyes as the edges of her lips lifted in a slightly hesitant smile. "I know. And I love you too. I just hate that this is what we have to do."

The wizard turned to fully face her and took her hand in his larger one before saying, "I'm going to make this work." He spoke quietly. "I swear to you, Hermione."

Inhaling deeply, the brunette licked her lips and nodded, "Okay." She said before asking him what his exact plan entailed.

"Well to start with, I need to speak with Astoria. I'm going to send her a letter tonight, asking her and McGonagall to come out here sometime tomorrow so that we can ask for McGonagall's advice and help."

He continued to lay out the plan, point-by-point until she understood it all.

"Okay." Hermione said. "Send Astoria the letter, but I suggest that you also send one to McGonagall."

Draco nodded, "Good idea."

She smiled, "I'm erm…I'm going to go on to sleep."

He nodded again and stood up, holding his hand out to her, "Okay."

She took his hand and stood up.

He walked her over to the bedroom door and whispered, "Goodnight, Mocha. I love you."

She swallowed, "Night Draco. I love you too."

He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek with his lips just barely grazing the corner of her mouth.

She inhaled sharply, meeting his eyes as she swallowed.

"Go to bed, Love." He whispered. "Get some rest."

Nodding, Hermione squeezed his hand and turned, walking into the bedroom before shutting the door behind her.