Chapter 11. Home

POV Hermione

They emerged from the fireplace and Hermione quickly flicked the soot away with a Scourgify. She hadn't been home since the week after the Battle, and that had just been to secure new wards before headed back to Hogwarts to assist with rebuilding.

"You can just set your trunk anywhere, we'll move it later." She said turning towards the kitchen, "Would you like some tea?"

"That would be nice, thank you."

The air was strangely awkward, neither of them knowing what their next move should be. Hermione placed the kettle on the stove and turned the fire on as Draco took a seat at the counter.

"I haven't been home since May so I haven't had the chance to stock my cabinets yet, but I have Peppermint and Earl Grey." She said, stretching the box out towards him.

He reached out and grabbed a bag of the peppermint tea and smiled, "My favorite."

She returned the smile and a silence washed over them.

Come on Hermione, pull it together.

"Let me show you around." She said placing their cups of tea under a stasis charm.

He stood and followed her out of the kitchen and back into the living room.

"Okay, so of course this is the living room, I'll show you how to use the TV later."

"TV?" he said, curiously.

"Oh. Um. It plays moving pictures kind of like magical photos but they have sounds. Muggles use it for entertainment."

He nodded and continued to follow her down a hall on the left.

"This is the guest bath. Your room has an ensuite, but we will need to go shopping cause there is no furniture in there right now. When I erased my parents memories and sent them to Australia, they took almost everything and I haven't really had time to replace any of it yet. If we don't have time today, we can transfigure the couch for the night and go shopping tomorrow."

She realized he hadn't said much and she flushed in embarrassment thinking how small her home must seem in comparison to the Manor.

"I know it's not a lot, but it's always been home."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her close, "Your house is wonderful Granger, I just didn't realize muggle homes could be so big."

"Oh." His response surprised her. "Well it is pretty large, but there are way bigger homes than mine in the muggle world."

"Really? Growing up, father taught me that muggles had no money and that was the reason why they would try to steal our magic."

Initially offended by his words, she shook off the feeling and calmed her tone before responding.

Those were not his words. Don't blame him for his father's ignorance.

"My parents were dentists, muggle teeth healers. They owned their own practice that was quite successful. And my grandparents on my mother's side owned a publishing company, which is where my love for books came from. My parents worked so much that they never really had time for me, so they would drop me off with my grandparents and I would sit in my grandfather's office and read whatever new books he had lying around. When they died I was their only grandchild and my parents were so busy with their own business that the publishing company was sold and the money left in a trust for me. When I sent them away the summer before fifth year, I took control of all the assets that were mine and hired a goblin to invest it for me. I paid him well so hopefully I've made a good profit since then."

Draco looked at her with concern, "Summer before fifth year? You would have still been 15, how did you—"

"Actually I was 16 going on 17. I spent a year with a time-turner in third year."

He was rendered speechless which made Hermione burst with laughter officially ending the awkward air that had surrounded them since arriving.

"I guess you have a lot more to learn about me than you thought."

She grabbed his hand and continued their tour through the house. She showed him the office and spare bedroom she planned to turn into a library down the hallway with the bathroom, then moved upstairs to show him the second floor.

"There's a second guest bedroom that is used for storage and then this would be your room." She opened the door to reveal a room with pastel pink walls. The room lacked furniture but Draco could tell it had likely been her bedroom. "I know it's pink, I hadn't had a chance to change it yet. I'll make sure we do before you sleep in there."

"Its alright Granger, it could stay pink and I'd still sleep in here."

"Well I hate the pink. Always did; but my mother was insistent that pink was more appropriate than green or blue."

She pulled him back out into the hall and pointed towards the door of her parents room.

"That was my parents room, I decided to move in there to feel closer to them, I guess. My relationship with them has always been complicated, but they are still my parents."

"There's no need to explain yourself, if there's anyone who understand complicated relationships with parents, it's me."

She pulled him along back down the stairs, and into the kitchen, picking up their cups of tea and gesturing for him to follow her.

"Figured we'd have tea in my favorite place." She said as she opened the door to the sun room.

It was a large room with wall to wall windows and 4 large skylights that allowed sunlight to flood the room. There was a cream colored couch and two armchairs on the left in a seating area. On the right was a long table that Hermione thought she could use to garden.

She took a seat on the couch a gestured for him to sit beside her. They sipped their tea in a comfortable silence. She didn't know how much time passed before Draco spoke.

"My mother has asked to meet you."

He said it so quietly, Hermione had barely heard him.

"She does?"

"My mother was never a believer in what Voldemort stood for. Her biggest crime was that she loved a bad man and wanted to keep me safe."

Hermione was not surprised by the revelation, Narcissa Malfoy had proved his true long before he spoke them, when she had lied to Voldemort's about Harry being dead. The real surprise was that the Malfoy matriarch wanted to meet her. How much did she know?

"I wrote to her all through the five weeks you were in the coma. She's horrified by what happened to you."

She could feel Draco pouring all his calm energy into her through the tether, and turned her body to face him.

"I am scared to meet her." She said, hoping honesty was the right choice, "But I don't know if I can go to Malfoy Manor again. Those nightmares are still raw in my mind." She could see fear flash in his eyes and she quickly redirected the conversation, "Why don't you invite her to come here? Maybe later this week? You know, after I get some more proper furniture."

They both laughed and Draco nodded his head, leaning down to plant a kiss on her mouth. She returned the kiss fervently, savoring the taste of peppermint on his lips. He placed a hand on the back of her head and gently lowered them to lie on the couch. He returned to kissing her, pulling her tight against him. He tan his tongue across her lips, seeking entry and she opened her mouth allowing him to devour her deeply. Their tongues danced against each other and Hermione felt his desire pressed against her thigh. His hand on her hip slowly slid up and under her sweater. Inch by inch it moved, like fire across her skin. A moan escaped her lips and she wrapped a leg around his seeking friction. A deep growl vibrated in her ear igniting goosebumps all over her body. His hand had found purchase against her breast, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her fingers dug into his side, gripping him so hard her nails broke skin. His hand left her breast and explored down her body towards the hemline of her pants. He pulled his head back and looked her in the eye, seeking approval. She responded by opening her legs just slightly and his hand disappeared beneath her pants. He ran his hand across her public bone, and he nipped at her neck.

Without warning, flashes of Ron pressed against her flooded her mind. The visions were so real she could swear she could smell the Firewhisky on his breath. Panic rushed through her body and her throat slammed closed. Draco, jumped off of her, holding his hands away from her. Once the pressing sensation on her body left with Draco she opened her eyes and saw his worried form standing across the room. She burst into tears and her lungs filled with oxygen as her throat opened back up. Draco carefully approached her, and she reached her arms out to him. He collapsed beside her and quickly wrapped her up in his arms.

"Shhhh. Hermione it's alright. I'm so sorry, we should have taken things slower. This is all my fault."

She shook her head, "No. No. It's not. It's me. When I felt your hand down there, I suddenly felt like it was happening all over again, but that's not your fault. It's his."

She curled tightly into him and breathed in the scent of his cologne. He was stiff beside her, afraid to trigger her again.

"Why don't we go for a walk? Or we could go into muggle London and shop? Maybe that will clear your mind?"

She nodded and stood, taking his hand. Grabbing her beaded bag and a handful of floo powder, she stepped into the floo beside him.

"The Leaky Cauldron" she called and tossed the powder down at her feet.

--

Being out in the city with Draco had been exactly what Hermione needed. Introducing him to muggle things was quickly become a new favorite thing for her. After doing a bit of furniture shopping, the went for a walk down to St. James Park. On their way, they crossed Westminster Bridge and Hermione pointed out the London Eye's construction site, telling him that as soon as it was done they needed to come ride it. Draco reluctantly agreed.

By the time they reached the park, Hermione, feeling famished, realized they hadn't had a chance to eat. Luckily the park had a Café nearby and she crossed her fingers that her posh pureblooded boyfriend had never had fish and chips before.

"I'm starved, we could head over to the Café and get some fish and chips?"

"Fish and chips?"

As soon as the words left his mouth Hermione beamed. She grabbed his hand, dragging him along behind her as fast as she could. Once they arrived, Hermione ordered and they took a seat at a table by a window.

"I love this Café. When I sent my parents away, I would come eat here all the time. Grocery shopping at my age would have been suspicious, so for those 2 weeks I spent at home before going to Grimmauld Place I almost exclusively at take-out."

"My mother would faint if she knew what I was eating. She may be sweet and she may not care about blood status, but don't get it twisted, my mother is still pureblooded; and cheap, fried foods will never be on her menu." He took a bite of the fish and a grin teased the corners of his mouth.

"Ha! See? It's good right?" she said popping a chip in her mouth.

She watched him take another bite of the fish and decided to order 2 more to go for dinner tonight. She noticed a group of girls a couple tables away staring at Draco, giggling. Jealousy tickled at the back of Hermione's mind. They were beautiful and clearly popular; the type of girls who could have any guy they pleased. One of the girls stood up to come over. She was blonde with sun-kissed skin, and walked with an air of aristocracy that made Hermione assume she came from money. Draco voice pulled her out if her spiraling thoughts.

"I meant to ask you. When you said that you saw through my mind while you were out wh--"

"Hello!" The chirpy voice of the blonde rang out from beside them. "I'm Tiffani, what's your name?"

Draco's head shot up from his plate. He glanced at the girl before looking back to Hermione.

"Uhh. Draco." He said not taking his eyes off Hermione.

"Ooo how exotic, is that German? My cousin Ralph lives in Berlin and says its wonderful" She was leaning over the table, half blocking Hermione from Draco's line of sight.

"It's Latin actually." Hermione supplied, and the girl turned sharply to look at her. "It means serpent, or dragon." She said catching Draco's gaze.

"Is this your sister?" she asked, turning her back once again to Hermione. The girl had her hands clasped together in front, clearly attempting to push her breasts out to catch his attention.

"Does she look like my sister?" he said bluntly and Hermione swore she could feel his venom licking her through the tether. It excited her in surprising ways.

The blonde was taken aback and darted her eyes back and forth between them, likely looking for a way to worm her way back in. She placed her hand on his shoulder and let out a laugh. Draco looked to Hermione apologetically and rubbed his brow with his hand. Hermione caught a glimpse of the Malfoy family ring adorned on his finger and an idea burst through her mind.

"My friends and I were planning to go to a club later, maybe you would care to join us?"

Hermione grasped his hand, catching his gaze before pulling her hand away. The blonde didn't notice what had just transpired, but Draco had, and fire was burning through her body under his stare. She slipped her hand under the table momentarily before standing and walking around the blonde, placing her left hand upon Draco's shoulder as well. The girl looked down at her hand and caught glimpse of the Malfoy signet ring that now sat adorned on her finger. The girl quickly removed her hand from his arm.

"My mistake." She said, glancing back and forth between them. "I didn't mean—"

"That's alright" Hermione interrupted, "It was so nice to meet you."

"Yes… you too. Again, I'm very sorry I only—"

"So nice." Draco and Hermione said in unison and the girl turned to walk away.

Draco stood, taking her hand, leading her outside. They began their journey home in comfortable silence, just enjoying the company of the other. It began to rain, but the crowd of people was so dense neither of them could conjure an umbrella without the risk of being seen. They moved quickly through the park, looking for anywhere hidden for them to use to apparate away. They ended up having to walk all the way back to the Leaky Cauldron sans umbrella. Finally in the comfort of wizarding society, they quickly popped into the floo and called out the address to go home.