Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter & co. - just write what could have been.
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As always, shout out to my beta, A.
Chapter Forty-Five
The ritual consisted of six circles, three smaller circles connecting within the three larger circles surrounding them. The circles were drawn from the ashes of a Camahueto horn, grand-mère Malfoy's ashes as well Lucius Malfoy's hair and blood around them. The Black-Malfoy family wore plain linen clothes, freshly bathed from a magnolia and jasmine bath. Narcissa started the Sumerian-based ritual chant, Draco joining in once the three sentenced chant completed once to repeat. Then Andromeda joined in with Narcissa finishing the chant how she started it. All the while, Narcissa cut her left hand with a silver blade, and she passed it to her right where her son was. When he was done with his cut, he passed it to his aunt. Blood dripped from all three of their hands, onto the circles while they glowed during their chant. There was an anti-climactic ending, just a gentle breeze while the glow dissipated after the ritual ended. The ritual lasted twenty-eight minutes and Narcissa and Draco were exhausted by the end of it. Andromeda could see in the way her sister's straight posture turned laxer and how Draco yawned every other 30 seconds. Andromeda told her family that she was going to stay, leaving Teddy with Harry and the Weasley clan, because she knew the ritual was going to take a lot out of them. She herself was tired and she had participated the least. Narcissa slept 25 hours and Draco had slept almost three days. After Andromeda's 10-hour sleep, she timed how long her sister and nephew were asleep for – just in case. Narcissa had awaken in tears, and Andromeda already knew why. She could feel the soul bond that was made when she married Lucius now gone. Andromeda felt the same when Ted had died. She consoled her sister and wondered if Draco would feel the loss of his parental bond as deeply as Narcissa felt hers. Andromeda watched as her sister soothed Draco out of sleep, and she realized she had been wrong. Draco had woken up well rested, but annoyed that he had slept so long. Andromeda told him she had reached out to Theo that he was unavailable and to pass on the message. That relieved Draco, but he didn't show any sadness – if he had any and that bothered his aunt. Melancholy draped over Narcissa as she wore shades of black, planning her husband's funeral with red rimmed eyes. It was only when Hermione Granger showed up that she could see the dam break within her nephew. She felt relief to know that he had someone like her sister had her to trust in to show their feelings.
"Hermione."
Draco said, reaching for her as if she was his last breath. She was a breath of fresh air with her brown corduroy overall dress and crème, ruffled sleeved blouse. Her black Doc Martens made her taller, but not taller than him. Her hair was styled differently than he had seen her in; her curls were braided in the beginning but then stopped halfway so her curls resembled a halo around her head. She was lovely. Draco was wearing dark joggers and a dark blue tee, shoeless in his home – his mother hadn't had the energy or thought to reprimand his relaxed state. He didn't even notice that his aunt was still in the doorway. Hermione smiled softly as his left hand reached for her wrist while his right hand stopped at the end of her curls.
"I'm sorry I came uninvited, but I – and Andromeda – were starting to worry."
She said. Draco shook his head, only slightly irritated that his aunt was worried about him but seeing his witch face-to-face took any negative emotions away.
"Don't be."
He replied.
"Can I hug you?"
She asked. Draco nodded and there was instant respite when their bodies connected. She hugged his torso while he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He inhaled deeply the scent of lavender and eucalyptus.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Draco."
She whispered. He didn't reply with words but held her tighter as the tension in his chest lessened. The feeling of safety and content was spreading within him. He cleared his throat before disentangling himself from the witch before him.
"I need to ask you something."
He said. Hermione nodded once, waiting for his question. Traditionally, Draco was supposed to ask Hermione's paterfamilias for permission to court, but because she was estranged and a muggleborn, Draco didn't need to. However, he had sent a letter to a certain scar-headed wizard about his intentions. He took a few steps back before bowing before her, holding onto her hands as he brought them to his lips. He tilted his head up to meet her curious gaze.
"Will you do the honour of accepting my courting?"
He asked. Draco had considered asking her in Pansy's living room, but he wanted to make the moment special – not just after a snogging session. He held the idea close to him and even more so after the death of his father. Hermione's reaction was always one he didn't expect. She laughed softly but when she saw he wasn't moving, she stopped.
"Oh! You're serious? Draco, I'm not a Pureblood, I – "
He stopped her in her tracks as he straightened back up but didn't let go of her hands in his.
"I know it's a Pureblood tradition, but it's how I can honour you. I promise this isn't me asking for your hand in marriage – even if that's what courtships usually end in. We can take it as slow as you want. This is just another way of saying we're in a committed relationship."
He responded. He watched as she bit on the inside of her cheek and held his hands tighter.
"I… I don't share."
He cleared his throat, clarifying his intention. Draco could feel his cheeks burning from the embarrassment he was feeling – especially if she had a different meaning of a relationship. However, he had to clarify. Draco Malfoy did not share.
"Slow?"
She asked, her brown eyes staring at him. He nodded, holding in the breath she gave him. Finally, after fifteen antagonizing seconds, she smiled gently and nodded. He exhaled deeply and nonverbally accio'd his ring from his bedroom. Draco presented his signet ring to her.
"Which finger?"
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Pansy resisted the urge to roll her eyes for the eighth time sitting in front of her parents. They sat in one of the smaller living rooms; the gray tiled floor and dark green walls oozing glumness. Pansy's parents shared a dark gray loveseat while her, Blaise, and the boys sat at u-shaped, matching set couch. Pansy was on her best behavior only because of the three small wizards chatting with Blaise. For the most part she had ignored her father's jabs and her mother's glare but coming up on two hours of being around them, Pansy was reaching her limit. Ren was asking Blaise about the Slytherin boys' dorm rooms while Boldwyn and Valerian listened in. Ren was starting Hogwarts in the fall and wanted all the information he could get out of Blaise. Boldwyn was a year younger and Valerian, the youngest, was two years younger than Boldwyn. All three boys were dressed as casually as Heidida Parkinson allowed in the presence of others. They wore comfortable looking, dark-coloured trousers with dark oxford tops. Valerian's attention drifted towards his sister, and she melted before him. Pansy smiled warmly at him, ignoring the small smirk Blaise gave her. Valerian's golden eyes shut as he grinned toothily at her before coming to sit beside her. Pansy let her little brother play with her hand nervously as she glanced at her parent's stern looks before giving her brother her full attention. Valerian was the shyest, growing up in a war had caused him to retreat into himself. Pansy didn't blame him, but she knew he could feel their parents disappointed. Her heart ached for her siblings, and they were the reason she visited as often as could. She couldn't dare leave them behind, at the mercy of her father and mother's ambitions. Blaise's presence helped, but she knew they feared Draco's the most – being a Death Eater had its perked she supposed. Narcissa and he were the only reason Pansy was allowed to visit and socialize with her siblings; if not from the veil threats of a Pureblood socialite, but from the verbal threats Draco scornfully told her parents. However, she couldn't always bring her best mate. Pansy knew Draco was busy, and she would rather choke on her words than contact Theo at the moment. Her parents feared the Malfoys more than a singular Nott and an Italian Pureblood.
"How are you doing, mein liebling?"
Pansy whispered to her brother.
"Mother keeps talking about engagement contracts."
Valerian whispered to her. Pansy forced herself to not react to his words, but she did squeeze Valerian's small hand.
"You know adults and their silly nonsense."
She whispered back to him. In response, he giggled before leaning into her and listening to the rest of Blaise's words.
"Boys, go tidy up for lunch."
Heidida Parkinson said, her deep voice booming in the tiled floored room. The boys instantly transformed to seen and not heard – Pansy clenched her teeth together. All three of her brothers stopped talking, nodded, and in unison responded,
"Yes mother."
Before walking out. Heidida Halibel was raised by a stricter, German Pureblood family; she was the rock that held their family together – even if they disagreed. Phloxum Parkinson only disagreed with his wife when Pansy rebelled, and he was forced to disown her. At first, Pansy blamed her mother for their harsh upbringing that ultimately resulted her in getting disowned. Then, Pansy was reminded that her mother didn't want her to join the Death Eaters, planning to have Ren recruited sooner than later; it was her father's ambition that wanted higher status as being part of the Dark Lord's circle. Pansy loathed her parents equally. Pansy was also reminded that since her brothers were no longer in their presence, her parents could be even nastier to her now. The only Parkinson daughter contemplated if staying for lunch was worth their verbal abuse.
"Viola, how is your dating life?"
Heidida asked her daughter, her light eyes piercing through her. Pansy smirked at her.
"No betrothal contracts for me, mother. Still living by myself however with plenty female companions to keep me company."
Pansy replied. Blaise appeared to be more interested in his fingernails than the conversation happening before him. The pudgy faced woman scowled at her while her angular faced father pressed his thin lips into a line. The conversation went dead after that, and Pansy was relieved. She knew her parents weren't berating her because Blaise was there, but the moment she was left alone, they would circle in like harpies of the underworld. Pansy and Blaise had accidentally color coordinated their outfits and she assumed that's why her mother was inquiring in his presence. Blaise had shown up to her flat wearing pastel pink trousers with a soft mint collared shirt and dark brown loafers – his gold jewelry ever shown on his wrist, fingers, and neck. Pansy decided to wear a pale pink turtleneck, almost floor length, sleeveless dress with black, Doc Martens and no-show socks. She didn't bother with to style her hair – it sat as straight and impeccable as ever as she supported big gold hoops and chunky gold bracelets. Pansy rarely wore pink, but her mother hated the color – especially on her – so she did it out spite. Blaise had complimented the color on her.
"Erm, Zabini, how's the business going?"
Her father's interrupted the tense silence.
"Lovely. Draco and I are eager to see the opening soon."
Blaise politely responded. Phloxum nodded and hummed in agreement, offering no verbal reply at the mention of Draco. Pansy internally rolled her eyes.
"What's for lunch?"
Pansy asked. Hedidida sniffed the air before answering,
"We assumed you weren't staying. We're having company over."
Pansy's eyes narrowed while her father looked away and her mother's eyes looked back.
"Oh no worries. Pans, remember my mother told me about the new Grecian restaurant by our villa – I made reservations."
Blaise smoothly interjected. Heidida's cold, gold eyes glared at Blaise while her father paid them no mind. Pansy nodded once and Blaise stood up at the motion, offering his right hand to her. She took it without hesitation, uncrossing her ankles, and he gave her the smallest squeeze of support before placing it on his right bicep with his left hand. Pansy's father stood up as well while her mother took her time approaching the pair. Phloxum wore a dark yellow wizard robes; Pansy thought he looked like something threw him up.
"Goodbye, my flower."
Phloxum whispered in his daughter's ear as he kissed her right cheek goodbye. She didn't react.
"Tschüss."
Hedidida said to the pair, not walking more than five feet towards them. She stood straight, trying to appear taller than she was in her floor length witch's robes. They were black – her mother rarely wore anything of colour, unlike her father.
"Ciao."
Blaise replied, giving them an award-winning smile while Pansy replied with a chilly,
"Auf wiedersehen."
However, instead of walking towards the exit, Pansy led the pair to where her brothers' quarters were.
"I'm saying goodbye to my brothers."
She said. Blaise tiled his head to the side, probably giving her parents a warning look, which worked – they didn't follow.
"Thank you."
She whispered. He didn't reply, just squeezed her hand again. In her brothers' chambers, she smiled and cuddled them, telling them she'd see them soon and she was sorry she was going to have to miss lunch. Valerian and Boldwyn were teary eyed, but Ren kept a strong face for his younger siblings – Pansy appreciated her brother's resiliency. She peppered them all with kisses and words of reuniting soon; her heart clenched with every second passed. Pansy ignored the stinging in her eyes as she and Blaise disapparated shortly after.
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.
.
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Ginny watched as her best friend strolled into the muggle pizza restaurant. She had just come back from taking a stroll with Blaise so she was dressed prettily. The redhead witch wore dark green, palazzo pants with a black body suit underneath. She fixed her hair into curls and finished the outfit with dark red heels. Ginny was glad she had already a sense of style – Blaise held his own in that area. The two witches had planned to have dinner tonight and Ginny was glad; she had a lot to tell Hermione. The first thing she noticed was the happiness that Hermione wore; she wore it like a second skin, coming naturally to her, and it had been ages since Ginny had seen her like that. Ginny smiled at her – her happiness was contagious. The second thing she noticed was the obsidian ring on her left thumb. A signet ring that she had seen on a young Malfoy in their younger years.
"Hermione Jean Granger."
Ginny breathed out, grabbing her hand.
"We're courting."
Hermione responded; a blush noticeable on her cheeks with her toothy smile. Ginny squealed, clutching her hand tighter.
"But we're taking it slow!"
Hermione told her. Ginny didn't care, she could burst from happiness for her best friend.
"I'm sure you've told him to take it slow, but this is still a big deal, Hermione!"
Ginny exclaimed.
"I know, that's why I want to take it slow."
Hermione said.
"The last person to wear this ring was his mother y'know."
Ginny said, with a slight smirk on her lips. Hermione snatched her hand back.
"Don't get smug, Ginevra."
She snapped, but with no malice in her tone. Ginny laughed and leaned back against the cushion of the booth the restaurant provided. She had already ordered the pair two lemonades while she waited. Hermione took a sip while Ginny leaned back in.
"I guess we can go on double dates now."
Ginny said and added a wink at the end. Hermione grinned again.
"You and Blaise?"
She asked. Ginny nodded.
"He's… nice."
Ginny said coyly. Hermione rolled her eyes, snorting – the picture of ladylike – as the waiter came back to take their order. Before he got to their table, Hermione said,
"You must be infatuated to give him such a compliment when all you usually say is how fit they are or how they perform in your quarters."
Ginny frowned at the accusation but didn't say anything as she let Hermione order their pie. The pair began talking the afternoon away about their Slytherin counterparts. Soon night fell upon them, and they were strolling after their dinner, arm-in-arm to their disapparation point.
"I'm happy for you, 'Mione."
Ginny said, turning her head to the right to face her best friend. Hermione's smile didn't leave her face throughout the entire dinner – it surely wasn't going to leave now.
"I'm happy for you too, Gin."
Hermione replied. Ginny smiled back at her cheerful friend, her heart squeezing at the joy that radiated from her. Ginny wouldn't say it out loud, but she feared that Hermione would withdraw into her work and herself after the break-up between her and Ron. Seeing her smiling, laughing, and mostly in part because of Draco Malfoy – Ginny wouldn't have it any other way.