After the first day the Malfoy's and Hermione fell into a comfortable routine. Draco and Hermione spent most of their time in the library studying and revising. Narcissa showed up every once in a while to drag Hermione away for tea or to try hair styles of the ball on Christmas or to decorate the ginormous Christmas tree Lucius had arranged. She'd even asked Hermione to help her learn to bake the muggle way one morning. Draco had found them hours later in the kitchens covered in flour and surrounded by dozens of cakes and countless more cookies. He'd never seen his mother look so disheveled or happy.
Hermione had sent letters to Harry and Ginny the day after her arrival alongside Narcissa's invitations to the Christmas Eve Ball. Her letters had gone unreturned for a full day before Dracey appeared in the sunroom where Hermione and Narcissa were taking tea. Narcissa was going over plans, regularly consulting a small notebook while Hermione sat across from her, giving her input when needed but otherwise just enjoying the company.
"Mistress."
On instinct Narcissa looked up but smirked seeing Darcey's attention fitted on Hermione.
"Hermione, dear, Darcey is talking to you."
Hermione's head snapped up hearing her name and she blushed, "I'm sorry Darcey, I asked you not to call me that. What is it?"
The elf was not dissuaded making Narcissa chuckle behind her hand. "Mistress your friends be at the gates?"
She set her book on the table, "Which friends?"
"Yours best friends."
"Black hair or red?"
"Both!"
"Wonderful," she sighed, "Could you get my coat Darcey?" Instead of responding verbally Darcey popped out of the room and popped back in moments later with a thick coat. Hermione put it on, smoothing out her dress before buttoning her coat, "Thank you Dracey, I'll meet them."
When Dracey left again Narcissa spoke, "Would you like me to get Draco?"
"I think it will be alright. May I invite them inside?"
"Of course. Our house is your house," Narcissa replied offhandedly before returning to her plans. Hermione reached the door before she spoke again, "Don't stay in the cool too long dear, we can't have you catching a cold."
Hermione smiled, "Yes Cissa."
Draco met her in the foyer dressed in his own coat and gloves. Her gave her a once over before shaking his head and producing a second pair from his pocket.
"Thank you. Did Darcey tell you?"
"Yes," he responded shortly.
Hermione stared at him while she put on her gloves. Normally he was unreadable but in moments where it was just them he didn't occlude. While his posture was taunt, his eyes were soft and he had worry lines crinkling the corners.
"What is it?"
"What do you mean?"
"You look like you're preparing for the worst."
Rolling his eyes, he put a hand on her back and lead her out the doors and into the brisk outside. "I've told Darcey to be ready to prepare your bags should you choose to leave."
She stopped immediately leaving him to take two steps before turning to look at her. Behind him she could see Harry's black hair and a smaller ginger beside him, Ginny. Looking back at Draco she swallowed the lump in her throat.
"I'm not leaving unless you want me to."
Now he was occluding, she could see it in his eyes. "You are free to do as you wish Granger," she winced hearing her surname, "You are not captive here. Assuming they are here to rescue you from the Death Eaters, should they be successful you will meet no resistance."
He might as well have slapped her. Walking up to him she poked his sternum, "I am here of my own free will, we both know that. And you are not a Death Eater. Stop acting like a prat. You either want me here or you don't but don't turn it around and make it look like I don't want to be here."
He caught her hand in his when she went to poke him again, "That is what they will believe," he ground out.
"I don't care," she softened, "Show them differently. You're not a monster Draco. You were a bully, and you can still be a right prat, but you are a good man. Let them see what I see."
"No one see's what you see."
It was a hushed confession that made her heart beat faster.
"And I'm honored. You've been...," he seemed to be waiting on bated breath but she couldn't come up with the right word, "Just show them my Draco, not the Draco we grew knowing."
"Your Draco?" he asked with a sudden grin making her flush.
Huffing playfully, she twisted her hand around his hand and started walking again, only dropping his hand when he fell into step beside her. At the gate he waved his wand lazily letting the old iron swing open.
"Potter, Weaslette, welcome."
Hermione wanted to hug him. He hadn't said it with distain but had actually sounded welcoming.
Harry rushed to Hermione, his hands on her shoulders, "Are you alright? What's going on? We thought you'd gone to Australia!"
"It's a long story," she started but was cut off by Ginny.
"Mione, Remus told us what happened."
Which set off Harry again," Why didn't you tell us? Why not just tell us you were coming here?"
"I didn't know until the night after the train left. Narcissa invited me after Lucius heard what happened when Professor Snape found me in the Dungeons."
Draco was content to let them talk but not in the cold. "Would you three rather have this conversation inside?"
Harry glared at Draco but when Ginny put her hand on his arm he nodded. Hermione gave Draco a look that said 'thank you', laced her arm through his and lead Ginny and Harry to the house. Tea and cakes were waiting for them just inside one of the living spaces. Draco left them but Hermione knew he would be close by if she needed him. Taking one of the chairs she left the couple the couch. Ginny immediately launched into the story.
"Mum was surprised when you didn't show up with us. She even cried a bit when she admitted she hadn't gotten any letters from you and none of hers had been returned. She said didn't know why and cried. Remus was the one to give us some answers."
"He told you the same, that I hadn't gotten any letters."
Ginny nodded, "Yes! That you'd written and had never heard from anyone. Which upset everyone because they all claimed to have written you. Which made no sense. When your letters arrived we didn't get them immediately. Fred actually found them under Ron's bed, with all of your letters, when trying to place a piece of merchandise they were wanting to test."
Normally Hermione would have laughed but something didn't make sense. Why did Ron have her letters? Apparently she said that out loud and Harry answered her.
"The twins interrogated him at dinner. He admitted to intercepting all of your letters as some perverse way to punish you for choosing Slytherin."
Hermione huffed, "I didn't have a choice!"
"We know that but, in his mind, you didn't deserve to be a part of the family as a Slytherin."
"So just like Sirius didn't deserve to be a Black for being a Gryffindor."
Harry winced, "Yes."
"And my letter from Molly?"
"Ron forged it with a spell he found in the library. Mum would never say something like that to you! You're as much her daughter as I am!"
Despite Ginny's words Hermione felt the sting. It was worse knowing this had all been Ron. Her best friend was responsible for the pain she'd been feeling every morning since the school year begun. Staring into the fire place Darcey had lit she took a deep breath.
"Okay so Ron..."
When she couldn't finish Harry reached over and took her hand, "Yeah."
"I thought he'd accepted it."
"He's brooding."
"The point is," Ginny cut in, "you can come home. Hang what Ron thinks, mum and everyone else want you home."
Hermione hesitated. This is what Draco was worried about. He knew they would bring her home but this was home. That made Hermione frown. Standing up she went over to the fireplace, her fingers tracing the designs on the mantle. She knew it was her bond to Draco, she knew it the first time she had tea indoors with Narcissa. Something about the Manor was different, she could feel the pulse of magic under the floors. This was home now too.
"I'm not leaving." Neither Harry nor Ginny spoke for a long moment so she continued, "The Malfoy's have been very kind to me and I'm helping Narcissa plan their Christmas Eve ball. Which reminds me, are you two coming?"
"Of course," Ginny tutted.
Harry huffed, "Do we have to?"
"Yes," both girls answered. They shared a look before giggling.
"Come home Mione, mum will be so happy to see you!"
Biting her lip Hermione shook her head, "Just for the day. But I am staying here through break."
"Mione.."
"No Harry, I'm fine, I swear." He looked unhappy about it but gave her a jerky nod. "I'll take you to the floo or Darcey can take you home and I'll meet you there."
They stood, "You're not coming with?"
"Not right away. I need to speak to Draco first, let him know where I'll be so he can tell his mother."
Again Harry looked unhappy with it but with Ginny's hand on his elbow he said nothing. Hermione led them to the library, stuck in her head. She managed a smile and more promises to join them shortly before they left in a flash of painless green flames. Alone she finally took off her coat. Wordlessly Darcey appeared and took it, disappearing again without a sound leaving Hermione to her thoughts.
6+She needed to find Draco.
She found him in his room, seated on the end of his bed tossing a snitch between his hands.
"Draco..."
"Are you leaving Princess?"
His husky tone froze her on the spot. Two feet from him she felt a shiver creep up her spine, "Never," she hadn't meant to say it but it slipped. His grey eyes pierced her, "But I was going to go to the Burrow for the afternoon. Just the afternoon."
He frowned looking like he didn't understand, "You're going to leave but you're coming back?"
"Yes you prat," she stepped up to him. He immediately put his arms on her hips and drew her against him, his face pressing into her flat stomach. Hands in his hair she let him hold her and whispered, "Ron is the reason I haven't gotten any letters." Moving so his chin was on her stomach he looked up at her, "He stole them all. He also wrote the letter from his mother."
"How are you friends with him?" he growled.
"Do you remember the troll our first year?" He nodded, chin jerking into her stomach, "I had gone to the girls lavatory because of something I heard him say after class. I didn't want to be near him because I didn't want him to see me cry. They showed up and saved me, I was trapped in the lavatory with the troll. That solidified out friendship. We were inseparable after that."
"He's made you cry too much."
She smirked down at him, "Not my brightest moments."
"It's not him is it?" It was a plea that made her smile.
"No."
His arms around her tightened again. "He doesn't deserve you princess."
Leaning down she kissed the lines between his eyes, "Only one person deserves me," she whispered. "Would you like to come with me?"
Over his shock at her kiss he pulled away from her, "Are you insane?"
"Maybe," she giggled, "but that wasn't a no."
"No."
"Please?"
He narrowed his eyes, "No."
Stepping even closer she moved her hands from her shoulder back to his hair, "Please..."
"Fine."
"Really?" she pulled at the hair at the base of his neck so he would look at her again.
"Yes," he ground out.
Her heart expanded. She wanted to kiss him properly. That unnerved her so she stepped away from him, "Promise you'll behave."
"For you."
Turning she closed his bedroom door with her wand and moved into his closet, "Shirt off."
"What?" he stood to emphasize his exclamation.
She called from the depths of his closet, "You are too stiff! You need to be more relaxed." She emerged with a dark grey jumper in her hands. When she looked up at him she tisked, "Off!"
Huffing he rolled his eyes but swiftly unbuttoned his shirt, discarding it on the bed and snatching the shirt from her arm and then taking the jumper and pulling it over. "Better?"
"Much less stuffy," she confirmed.
"No wardrobe change for you?"
Hermione looked down at herself. She was wearing casual dress Pansy had insisted she buy. It had long sleeves but a wide 'u' neckline that showed her collarbone and was a burgundy fabric that reached her knees. Nothing special but she liked it. Black tights completed her look with black boots that had a small heel.
"Do you think I should change?"
Looking up she saw him rake his gaze over her lazily, "No, you're presentable."
She laughed, "Are you okay to floo?" A grunt answered her but he offered her his arm and lead her out of his room.
In the library he paused with his hand full of floo powder. Hermione stopped just before stepping into the fireplace.
"What?"
"Are you sure this is the best idea?"
His hesitation was palpable. The last thing she wanted to do was make him do something he was uncomfortable with.
"You don't have to Draco, not if you aren't comfortable."
"Weasley stole your letters because of your sorting, all while lying to you in person. How do you think he will respond to you bringing me along with you when you show up?"
She considered him for a moment but heard Ginny in her ear, Hang what Ron says, "I don't care. He can accept you or we can leave."
She knew why she was saying it, it was true. If Draco ever found his mark, if they ever...then her family would have to accept him in her life. If they couldn't do it now, she needed to know. But it was just as important that Draco want to be there. She didn't want to force this on him.
"Fine," he grumbled.
"Draco, I know I badgered you but you don't actually have to come."
"Stop trying to talk me out of it. I may not be a Gryffindor but I'll be damned if I turn down a challenge."
She laughed, "You made it a challenge?"
"Damn right I did."
Shaking her head Hermione stepped into the fireplace calling out for the Burrow when he threw down the powder. In hindsight she should have warned him the chaos they would likely walk in on. The moment their feet landed on the worn rug Hermione found herself wretched away from him and thrown over someone's shoulder.
"Kitten!"
"Sirius Orion Black, put me down!" She slapped his ass for emphasis.
Sirius yelped but put her down, "It's been too long my Kitten," he put his hand over his heart dramatically, "I forgot you had such sharp claws."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't keep from smiling. A weight had been lifted off her shoulders the moment she stepped into the living room.
"You're too much Sirius."
"Why thank you, love." He grabbed her hand, spun her into a dip and kissed her hand when he pulled her back up. Remembering herself Hermione turned back to the fireplace and smiled at Draco. Sirius also noticed who was with her and protectively put his hands on her hips. "Cousin."
Draco did not like seeing how his older cousin manhandled Hermione and now with his hands on her hips Draco wanted to whisk her back to the Manor. If they were all this handsy with her, he didn't know how long he would make it.
Swallowing his instincts and nodded politely, "Cousin."
Hermione tisked, batting Sirius's hands off her, "You two. Where is everyone?"
"Molly locked them in the kitchen, I won the right to welcome you."
"Do I even want to know how?" Sirius grinned devilishly and she hurried to stop his response, "Nope I don't."
He slung his arm over his shoulder and Draco bit his tongue, "Come on then, Molls cooked up a spread. There's more than enough for you too cousin."
Hermione elbowed Sirius but offered her hand to Draco in invitation. She was worried but he visibly rolled his shoulders and stepped away from the fireplace.
"It smells delicious."
Sirius laughed, "Tell Molls that and you'll be her new favorite person and she needs a little cheering up right now."
Hermione grinned at Draco, "Compliment her cooking and nothing can go wrong."
"Noted."
Nudging Sirius and stepping out from under his arm she approached Draco, "Loosen up," she put her hands on his arms and wiggled his body, "Come on Drake, loosen up." Behind her she heard Sirius laugh which made Draco tighten again, "Ignore him. Look at me," they held an intense stare and she never lost her smile, "It's not going to be as bad as you're imagining it. I'm not leading you to the gallows. Half of what Sirius says you just ignore. Pay Ron no mind, he's mine. Everyone else, just show them Draco."
"Yes, yes I remember the spiel from earlier."
"Be a prat and I'll tell your mother," she warned.
Sirius barked a laugh behind her while Draco scowled playfully and rolled his eyes. Hermione grabbed his hand and led him towards the kitchen, swatting Sirius's stomach on the way making him laughed more.
Inside the kitchen, it was clear someone had put a silencing charm around the room. The barrier of sudden sound was almost overwhelming. First there were sounds of excitement and then it was confusion.
"Couldn't leave her out of your sight?" Ron snipped from his spot between his father and Bill. He ignored the looks from everyone and just glared at Draco until Hermione stepped in front of him breaking his eye contact.
"I can't believe you!"
"I don't even recognize you anymore!" he shot back.
Dropping Draco's hand she stepped closer to the table while Sirius pushed Draco into an empty chair.
"Me? Are you kidding me Ronald?"
"For Gordic's sake, look at yourself Hermione. You don't even look like yourself!"
Hermione looked down and her dress, smoothing her hands over her hips. She happened to love this dress, "I'll have you know Ginny actually picked this dress."
"And you look damn good in it," Ginny shot at her with a grin.
"Thank you. I needed new clothes, you can't fault me for deciding to indulge myself when doing so and not just buying jumpers and jeans."
"You don't even wear those! You completely changed."
From down the table Draco snorted pulling attention back to himself, "You should have seen her yesterday. Her and mother were both covered in manure in the hothouse. She even convinced mother to wear jeans and she adores them."
"No," Tonks gasped while even Sirius looked shocked.
"Cissa?"
Draco nodded, "The day before that they were baking. Cookies, pies, tarts, cakes, breads, you name it."
Hermione looked triumphantly at Ron, "See. I am still me."
"No you're not. Should I even bring up your gown for the ball? You looked like a harlot!"
"Ronald!" Molly scolded but Hermione's eye twitched.
"Do you want to talk about harlot's? I was still modestly covered meanwhile your date had her breasts out for everyone to see and you didn't seem to mind!"
Fred looped an arm around her waist and pulled her into the seat beside him. Momentarily pacified Hermione smiled and leaned against him.
Ron wasn't done though, "Don't bring Lavender into this! You're the one who's changed!"
Lifting her head off Fred's shoulder she glared at him, "Because I wear emerald instead of maroon?"
"Yes!"
"So you isolated me from my family?"
"You say you have no choice but the hat takes everyone's wants into account."
"Do you know how much I begged? He didn't listen!"
"He re-sorted you because who you are changed!" Ron spat, "Who you are changed! You are no longer a Gryffindor but a slimy snake. Sneeky and manipulative. Look how you have everyone wrapped around your finger!"
"They're my family Ron! How is it any different now that I'm Slytherin? Do you know how hard this has been? How many times I wrote home seeking guidance and help from Molly or how it felt to have everyone forget my birthday? But they didn't did they? You just alienated me and made it seem like my family had abandoned me. You left me to the wolves. No offense Draco," she looked at him and smiled seeing him wedged between Sirius and George. When he shrugged, his lip twitching in mirth she looked back at Ron turning serious, "You made this so much harder for me all because you have a prejudice against my new house."
"By every right! Death Eaters originate from that house!"
"Salazar Slytherin wasn't a tyrant despite Voldemort's teachings. Not all Death Eaters were bad either or Slytherin. Look at Professor Snape or Regulus Black or Peter Pettigrew! You turned on me just because I was re-sorted."
"You were re-sorted because who you were changed! I could never be friends with you as you are now!"
Hermione felt the sting behind her eyes. Ron had just thrown down the gauntlet and it felt like a rock in her gut.
"I'm still me," she countered, "Still the bookish swot who is a stickler for the rules who puts up with you and Harry's shenanigans. I have stayed by your sides through everything and you turn on me the moment something shifts even if it is superficial. And you have no guilt about it," he shook his head stubbornly, "No one would have known had the twins not found my letters hidden away. You knew what you were doing and didn't care!"
"No and I would do it again! You do not belong here and that is even more clear that since you are staying in the house you were tortured with the family who watched and didn't nothing! Not only that but you come into this house holding the hand of the git who treated you like shit for years!"
"Draco has apologized! He apologized before I was even resorted. So did Narcissa and Lucius. That is more than I can say for you since you sit there and continue to judge me for things I cannot control. Meanwhile he and his family have embraced me when you made me think like my pseudo mother had disowned me. All while knowing I had no where to go, no family besides the people at this table."
Ron opened his mouth to speak but Molly silenced him, "I would never Hermione. You know I see you as one of my own," she moved around the table and took Hermione into her arms, crushing her in a tight hug. Hermione clung to her trying not to sob.
"You're a right prat," Bill snarled at his younger brother.
"I still can't believe you did that," Percy agreed diplomatically.
"Wait the twins only found letters, where were her presents?"
All heads turned to Ron, who like a child, put his hands over his chest and clinched his jaw. Hermione just shook her head when Molly released her once more silencing her son with a look when he started to open his mouth seeing Hermione.
"Not another word out of you or I will silence you." Ron snapped his mouth shut and Molly looked happy, "Now Draco, dear, welcome, I'm sorry you had to witness that."
Draco shifted uncomfortable as the attention once more shifted to him, "It's hardly new to me, you should see the Parkinson's." Molly smirked so he went in for the kill, "It smells wonderful, by the way."
He knew he'd made the right decision by how quickly Mrs. Weasley's face lit up.
"Oh! You must be starved."
He didn't know what that meant but by the looks on those around the table he assumed she was one of those motherly types who thought anyone was starving if she wasn't the one cooking for them. Just like that food littered the table and everyone began plating.
It was like nothing he had ever experienced but he found that he was completely relaxed. Even though Hermione was five people away from him, he was pulled into the conversations around him and aside from Weasley's outburst, no one questioned his presence amongst their family. The food rivaled that of Hogwarts and he was utterly stuffed by the time Potter of all people invited him to play wizarding chess. He cast a wayward look at Hermione but she just smiled at him making his legs weak as he walked into the living room and out of sight.
Hermione stayed in the kitchen to help Molly clean with Ginny while Draco joined the others. Ginny gave her a look when he disappeared from view that had Hermione blushing. Molly caught it but said nothing. Instead they spent the next hour catching up on everything they had missed do to Ron's scheming. Molly was concerned most with how everyone in Slytherin was treating her, her classes and how the Malfoys were. She surprised Hermione by asking if Narcissa might be willing to meet her for tea.
Hours later, after kisses, hugs, well wishes, and promises to return were exchanged they left through the floo with full bellies and feeling better than they had arriving. They walked together in stunned silence through the quiet Manor until they reached their rooms. Hermione changed into her pajama's and emerged from her bathroom to find Draco lounging in the doorway to her room in not but his pajama bottoms. His facial expression was unreadable. But when he reached out his hand she understood. He wasn't sure if she would want to sleep beside him after seeing her family.
Their night time ritual had continued the same day she arrived since his mother and father had their own wing and there was very little risk of them discovering them. Draco had come to get her the first night after his mother had finally left Hermione alone. He'd found her with her hair in a ridiculous knot and helped her undo it before dragging her across the hall into his room for the night. His room was identical to hers but for blue walls, which in and of itself surprised her. His bathroom was even better than the one in her room. But she also thought his bed was better so while her clothes were still in her designated room, she slept with him in his.
So when he reached out his hand, the dispirited look in his eye as if prepared for her rejection, she took it and let him lead her into his room where she snuggled into the middle of his gigantic bed and he curled himself around her.