Chapter 13. Visitors pt. 1

POV Hermione

Hermione rolled over as the morning rays began to lick at her skin and warm arms wrapped around her body, pulling her close. Her eyes shot open with the memory of the night before rushing to the front of her brain. Draco touching himself as he talked about her had been the most erotic thing she had ever experienced in her life. She wasn't a prude by any means, yes she was a virgin, but it was mostly due to the lack of a man on top of the whole war thing. There just hadn't been time. She had gone to second base with Viktor during 4th year, but he hadn't seemed into it, which made sense thinking about it now. She shifted to adjust her arm and felt something hard pressing against her thigh. She realized what it was when she reached back to move it and found it to be attached to the body lying beside her.

Oh my God

Draco's grip on her tightened. "Feeling frisky are we, Granger?"

Nearly jumping out of her skin, Hermione scrambled off the bed, dragging the covers with her. Which turned out to be a bad decision, because turning around she was left staring at the stark naked form of Draco lying on his back, boner and all. She quickly diverted her gaze, tossing the blanket back over him. She heard him groan and she looked to see him staring at her with a darkened expression.

"What?"

"Just enjoying the view."

She had completely forgotten she was also naked. Cursing herself, she quickly backed into the bathroom behind her, shutting the door.

Good job Hermione. Real smooth.

She didn't know why she was embarrassed, after last night things should be more comfortable between them. He didn't seem bothered by anything, so why was she letting her thoughts get the best of her?

Quickly brushing her teeth, throwing on her bathrobe and putting her bedhead of hair up in a bun she quietly returned back to the bedroom. Malfoy was still lying there watching her but he had dressed himself in grey slacks and a white t-shirt.

"Sorry. I don't know why I did that. I guess it all just hit me at once, what we did last night." She said sitting down on the bed beside him.

"There's nothing to be sorry for Granger, we fell asleep before we had the chance to talk about it."

She was looking down at her hands, chewing her lip, but she knew he was staring at her. Her skin pricked, and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She couldn't believe how easy and wonderful things felt with him. While in reality it had been five weeks since the Yule Ball, in her mind it was just a few days ago.

"I'm hungry, I think we should go down for some breakfast." She said, and grabbed her beaded bag off the bedside table. She reached in and rummaged through it before finally pulling out her Hogwarts trunk and setting it on the bed.

She saw Malfoy reach for the bag out of the corner of her, but she grabbed his hand before his fingers made contact. "Careful. It's warded to curse anyone but me who sticks their hand inside."

He gave her a horrified look, but she saw the corner of his mouth quirk up as if amused. "Will the word "sneak" appear on my forehead in incurable boils?"

"No. I've improved from childish hex's." She grabbed his hand again, and placed a kiss to his fingers, "This one will sever off whatever digits breach the ward."

"That's not very Gryffindor of you, Miss. Granger."

"I was a hat stall, if you remember. Second longest one to ever happen at Hogwarts."

"What was the other house?" he said, scooting up to wrap his arms around her, placing a kiss at the base of her neck.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

She tossed the bag into his lap, causing his to leap away. He fell to the floor with a loud thud and Hermione burst out into hysterical laughter. Draco jumped up from the floor, his eyes shooting daggers at her, but she was unbothered. Climbing back onto the bed and crawled on top of her and straddled her lap.

"Oh you think it's funny do you? You could have cost me my manhood and then where would we be?"

His hands ran up her sides. She closed her eyes, still chucking, but relaxing under his touch. However, right before his hands reached her breasts he quickly changed directions and tickled her ribs.

"NO! DRACO STOP!" She burst out laughing again, trying to wiggle free from his attack. "PLEASE! IT TICKLES, DRACO!"

Realizing her tactic wasn't working she reached above her and grabbed her wand, and flicked a non verbal tickling charm at him.

"Ah! No! That's cheating!" he said as he fell to his side.

Hermione jumped up and ran out the bedroom door laughing. She didn't cancel the charm till she was at the bottom of the stairs. Hearing him stumble off the bed she ran into the kitchen and put the counter between herself and the stairs.

"Granger! I'm going to get you for that!" he said, feigning a threatening tone.

"You'll have to catch me first!"

She was trembling with excitement, unable to remember the last time she had been able to just have fun like this.

At the Quidditch World Cup. That was when everything changed.

When Draco landed at the bottom of the stairs his eyes landed on her form and her stomach flipped, the world spinning around her, and the flashes of Ron trying to overtake her mind again.

"Hermione!" She barely registered the voice or the warm body that had enveloped her in his arms.

Play dead, maybe he will make it quick. Don't fight like last time, that only made him angry.

"HERMIONE!"

The world snapped into focus and she flipped her gaze to the stormy eyes that were full concern. Tears stung her eyes as embarrassment sunk in.

I freaked out over a stupid game. God knows what he must think of me!

"Granger, its alright, you're safe. Please don't cry."

"I'm sorry, Draco. I don't know what happened. I was having fun, the most I've had in years, and I go and ruin it." She tried to cover her face, but Draco grasped her hands in his own.

"You do not need to apologize Hermione," He tilted her chin so she could look at him, "You have been through something horrible and traumatic. You almost died. Healing isn't instant."

"I feel like I'm broken."

"You're not," he said, planting a soft kiss on her mouth, "But if you can't be convinced, I will do everything I can to make sure you are put securely back together."

"You shouldn't have to fix me."

"I don't have to fix you, cause I don't think you're broken."

He planted another kiss to her lips and Hermione felt her heart flutter. She pulled him onto the couch beside her and cuddled up into his chest. She pulled his left arm around her middle, her eye catching the dark mark in her peripheral. Realizing she hadn't noticed it before now, she wondered if he kept a glamor charm on it. He didn't want people to see it, and she understood that, she had her own glamored scar that she kept from the world as often as she could.

She took his hand in hers and flipped his arm face up so she could look at it fully. He tensed behind her. Hermione knew her next move was crucial. He wanted her to know that she wasn't broken, so she wanted to do the same for him. Using her free hand, she extended a finger and began tracing the lines of his mark, a hiss escaping his lips behind her. Feeling brave and a tad stubborn, she pulled his arm up, leaned forward and pressed her lips to the scarred skin.

"Hermione…."

The floo roared to life and she heard the voice of McGonagall call out to them.

"Hermione? Mr. Malfoy? Could I come through please?"

Hermione jumped up from the couch and made her way to the fireplace.

"Of course, Minerva, come on through."

A moment later the Hogwarts Headmistress stepped into her living room, carrying a parcel under her arm.

"Good Morning you two. I trust you are settling in and resting Hermione?"

She diverted her gaze, knowing good and well she wasn't resting as much as she supposed she should be. They had gone for the walk at the park, not to mention the running around she had just done. However, she felt alright considering, so she decided not to mention it.

"Yes Minerva, Draco has been doing all he can to make sure I get enough rest." She said, throwing a hidden wink in his direction.

"You care for Hermione is greatly appreciated Mr. Malfoy."

"There is no appreciation needed. I would do it no matter what."

They exchanged smiles before Minerva pulled the parcel put from under her arm and handed it to Draco.

"That is everything you will need for NEWTS. Notes, ingredients, instructions and requirements. You may study as much as you please Mr. Malfoy but Hermione is not to even look at the contents till April. Am I understood?"

"Yes Professor."

He floated the box over to the counter before returning his attention back to the women.

"Would you care to join us for tea, Minerva?"

"I will have to ask for a raincheck Hermione, I am due to be at the Ministry in 15 minutes, which is the other reason for my visit this morning." She said, her face turning somber, "Mr. Weasley's trial begins next week. I am headed to give my memories of the night and I have been asked to inform you that you will be receiving witness letters within a day or two to explain the procedure you will need to follow the day you're supposed to be at the Ministry."

Hermione tensed. The thought of facing Ron again, even in the secure court room, had her heart thundering in her chest. How was she supposed to stand there in front of all their friends and tell her story? They didn't believe her, Ginny had made that clear in her letter. Not to mention the simple fact that none of her "friends" had come to visit her. What if Ron was cleared of all charges? Would he come after her?

"Hermione?"

Both Draco and Minerva had closed in on her and were bracing her to keep her from collapsing.

"Hermione, everything will be alright dear, I promise."

"What if he's cleared?" she said in a broken whisper.

"Oh, love, that won't happen."

"Mr. Malfoy is right, Hermione, the Wizengamot has memories from Mr. Nott, Mr. Malfoy, Hagrid, Madam Pomfrey and myself. They all will validate your story. He won't get away with this, I swear." She nodded her head in understanding and Minerva wrapped her up in a quick hug.

"I will see you both next week, and remember to keep resting Hermione."

"Yes, I will, goodbye Minerva."

--

"If you wanna run up and shower, I can make us some breakfast." Hermione said as she returned to the couch, "There's still not a lot of groceries but I can make pancakes."

"I'm still good from last night. If you want I can call for Daisy and have her bring us breakfast."

"Whose Daisy?" she asked, even though she had a feeling she already knew.

"She's a family elf." He said and placed a finger to her lips, silencing her before she could argue, "She is free and very well paid. Her and her brother Leaf as well as their mother Dahlia have been with me my whole life. Dahlia was my nanny elf, and I was basically raised with Daisy and Leaf. Closest I have to siblings… aside from Theo and Pansy."

She looked at him skeptically, "Dobby was also your elf and he was treated horribly."

Shit.

She realized she hurt him the moment the words left her mouth, "I'm sorry Draco, I don't know why I said that."

"Dobby was my father's elf. He unfortunately could do with him what he pleased, but Dahlia was my mother's and her twins were meant to be mine so he was not allowed to lay a finger on them. I wish Dobby had been spared better treatment, but I didn't want to risk having my only friends at home taken from me by upsetting my father."

Hermione sighed. She had to admit to herself that she didn't understand the pureblood customs when it came to house elves. When she had created S.P.E.W in fourth year she had done extensive research on the laws regarding care and ownership of them but she hadn't taken the time to learn the cultural and familial nature of their enslavement, which is what had caused the elves to react negatively to her attempts to free them. Many thought she was trying to take them from their families, even the ones who treated them well; and in many ways she was, but in the end all she had really wanted was their freedom.

"I don't mind you having elves Draco, as long as they are paid well and treated kindly."

"Well Daisy and Leaf treat me like their moronic little brother so really I'm the one treated poorly." He said, with a smirk twitching at the corner of his mouth, "Daisy! Leaf!"

Two pops sounded from beside them, "Baby Brother! Master Draco!"

The two figures launched themselves at him, wrapping him up in a hug.

"Yes, yes, I know. I haven't visited. I have been busy." He said, trying to free himself from the affections of the two enthusiastic elves.

"Why has my baby brother not come to see me!?"

Leaf was the taller of the two; with brown hair and emerald green eyes. Once Hermione got a good look at him, she noticed he was wearing a pair of tan harem pants and a white tunic top, as if he had just stepped out of the 60s and the era of "free love".

Daisy, she noticed, who also sported long brown hair and emerald eyes, was wearing a sky blue sun dress and white sandals, with little heart shaped piercings in her ears. She was the most fashionable elf Hermione had ever seen.

"I've been a bit busy." He said, and threw a quick glance at her before continuing, "I've got someone I'd like you both to meet. Leaf, Daisy, this is Hermione Granger; Granger, meet my brother and sister."

"Hello." She said reaching her hand out to shake theirs.

"Miss. Hermione Granger! Leaf and Daisy know all about the woman who fought with Mr. Harry Potter and advocated for elf rights." Daisy praised, turning to Draco beaming.

"My little brother would always talk about The Hermione Granger, even before he knew about the soul bond."

"You know about the bond?" Hermione asked, looking at Leaf curiously.

"Of course Miss, we can see them."

"See them? How?"

"Elf magic Miss Hermione, we can see the golden aura that surrounds you both."

She turned to see Draco shrugging his shoulders at her. He cleared his throat and crouched down to meet Daisy eye to eye. He leaned forward and whispered something in her ear and her eyes went wide. She jumped towards her brother and whispered into his ear too, before the pair grabbed each other's hand and popped away.

"Where did they go?"

"To get breakfast." He said, mischief twinkling in his eyes.

--