Hermione turned one of the guest bedrooms into a small makeshift laboratory where she has several workstations set. They had just gotten back the night prior, but she already began preparations to start processing the materials they had gathered. Astoria sat in a cozy rocking chair in the corner of the room that Hermione had placed there for her. She asked dozens of questions about each flask and cauldron that were set up at the various tables and Hermione happily answered, explaining everything in too much detail.
"Teddy told me you almost got eaten," she said when Hermione put the lethifold pieces into a freezing container to preserve it.
Hermione saw a sadness overcome her, likely guilt stricken due to the lengths she had gone for her. "It wasn't so bad, I barely even remember it."
Astoria shook her head. "He said you had three broken ribs and your arm was crushed."
"Nothing Skele-Gro can't fix," Hermione smiled.
"It must have been so scary. I'm glad you're okay."
"Do you really think anything is scary when I've got a big vampire and world renowned dragon tamer by my side?"
Astoria giggled, pulling the blanket on her lap up. "I suppose not. A vampire, dragon tamer, and mad scientist walk into a bar. There's gotta be a joke there. I'll work on it."
They both laughed as Hermione set up the rest of the equipment, writing down things she needed for Draco to procure for her.
"You two done conspiring against me?" Draco asked as he and Daphne entered the room. He handed Hermione a wooden box. She opened the brass clasps on the lid to reveal several syringes and multiple sets of needles. On their way back to the manor, she told him she needed his blood to test her counter curse and was surprised that he brought her the enchanted syringe set so soon.
"We've got better things to talk about other than you, Draco," Astoria huffed, trying to hide a smile.
Draco sat on a stool by Hermione and rolled up his sleeve as she prepared the syringe, sterilizing the metal and assembling the pieces. She pressed the bevel of the needle against his arm where a vein was visible. When he nodded, she pressed as hard, pulling up on the plunger and pulling his bright red blood into the glass.
"See Tori? Granger loves stabbing me," Draco winked at her.
"Yeah and you like it," Daphne scoffed. Hermione let out a small sigh, shaking her head and smiling.
Draco smirked, "Maybe I do, but I don't want her to know that."
"Will you please sit still, Draco?" Hermione complained as she filled up a second vial. "You're going to give yourself a bruise."
Hermione pulled four vials total, setting them in the same box she kept the lethifold hide. Draco hooked his arm around her and pulled her close, and she tried to struggle away, feeling awkward for showing affection while Astoria and Daphne were in the room. But they didn't seem to pay it any mind, Daphne fixed Astoria's hair as she read her magazine.
"Hermione, care to join us for a cake tasting this evening?" Daphne asked, pinning Astoria's chocolate brown hair up.
"Of course, that sounds lovely," Hermione responded.
Draco's arms were wrapped around her, and her back was against his chest. It felt nice, like this could be what her life looked like. In Draco's arms, making plans with Daphne, spending time with Astoria. It felt safe, and made her look forward to the future for the first time in years.
But she was pulled from her illusion when she felt a warmth radiating from his left forearm that was pressed against her stomach.
"Damn, I was looking forward to cake," Draco chuckled. He pressed his lips to Hermione's ear. "I'll see you later tonight, maybe covered in icing," he whispered before giving her a quick kiss and leaving.
Hermione saw Astoria grinning from ear to ear and Daphne smirked at her as she leaned against one of the tables. Hermione raised an eyebrow at them. "Something wrong?"
"Nothings wrong, silly girl," Astoria beamed. "Absolutely nothing is wrong. Quite the opposite really."
"Everything is right?" Hermione questioned.
"Well, I've never seen him happier," Daphne noted. "You must be really, really good in bed."
Hermione's face felt hot with embarrassment, and she deeply wished to avoid talking about sex with Draco. She had never been one to disclose too much information, always feeling quite shy about her relationships. Daphne and Astoria on the other hand, loved talking about their personal lives and everyone around them. Their book club felt more like gossip sessions, and Hermione hated to admit that she knew too much about Theodore and Daphne's intimacy.
"I think Hermione's personality is more than enough to make him happy, and she's plenty beautiful. It's not always about sex, Daph," Astoria scolded her.
Daphne laughed, "With Draco, it's mostly about sex. Trust me, Tori."
"Well, I think he likes her. A lot. Don't you think so, Hermione?" Astoria asked, looking at the blushing witch.
"When's that cake tasting?" Hermione tried to change the subject.
"Why? You want to try out flavors for you and Draco too?" Daphne joked, causing Astoria to laugh so hard she began to cough.
"You think he'll divorce me for Hermione?" Astoria giggled. "Or does he want us to be sister wives?"
"Draco and I are not that serious," Hermione tried to convince them, knowing they were just joking, but feeling flustered.
"That necklace you have seems to say otherwise," Daphne argued, a smug look on her face.
It was something she found herself holding often, rolling the glass between her fingers idly. Even if he wasn't around her or at the forefront of her thoughts, he still occupied her in some way. She nearly told him she loved him in a frenzied state of bliss, but he stopped her.
"It was just a gift," Hermione responded, though she knew it felt more to her than just that.
"Mhm, sure. Just a gift," Daphne sarcastically remarked as the three women made their way to the dining room where an older witch was adjusting several plates on the table. She wore a large pink hat decorated like it was a cake itself.
"Ah, Miss Greengrass and Lady Malfoy, it's lovely to see you both. Mrs. Nott is coming soon, I'm presuming?" she asked as they sat down.
"Oh absolutely not. That old hag loathes me. Thinks her baby boy deserves better. Probably does, but he's mine so she's going to have to deal with it," Daphne shrugged.
Astoria sighed, "You could have invited her at least, I think she's quite okay."
"I did, she said she was much too busy. With what I have no idea," Daphne said. "She's already controlling every other aspect of the wedding, she should at least let me pick the cake flavor."
The older woman served several slices in which Astoria and Daphne debated the flavors, going back and forth on the different combinations that were offered. They asked Hermione for her input, and she smiled and said she liked them all, mainly enjoying the champagne pairings that came along with each cake. After they decided on the vanilla with ginger cream and had several more glasses of champagne, they placed an order for the cake and the baker left. They sat happily at the table, and Hermione relaxed, finally having all the components she needed for the counter curse and Draco agreed to not turn himself over to the Order.
Daphne groaned, "I can't believe they've been gone all day. It's nearly midnight."
"Already?" Astoria gasped, looking at the watch on her wrist. "I should get to bed."
Twinkle was immediately by her side, holding her hand as they waved goodnight. Hermione poured more drinks for herself and Daphne, sitting back in her chair.
"You look happy despite almost dying," Daphne remarked.
"I can finally start working on the counter curse," Hermione proudly announced.
"That's exciting," she replied. "Draco told me he's going with you after the war. It's getting serious, huh?" She sipped on her champagne and looked at the centerpiece on the table, an almost nervous air about her.
"I don't know. All I know is that I don't want him to give up when it's all done. He deserves a second chance."
"He does. He's had a hard life," she agreed. "Where are you going to take him?"
"I'm not sure. Far away from here."
"That's good," she sighed. "People won't forgive him for what he's done, even if he turns human again and serves a hundred lifetimes in Azkaban. It won't be enough for them."
Hermione ran her finger along the rim of the glass, watching the bubbles of the champagne move to the surface. She knew if she got him away from prosecution, he'd never be able to live normally. They'd be on the run for the rest of their lives, which seemed like a hard life too.
But if he was alive and with her, that wouldn't matter. And she hoped it wouldn't matter for him either
She would miss Harry and Ginny and the kids, but at some point, she'd have to think of her own happiness. Though she didn't desire having children anymore, she and Draco could be a family of their own.
"You won't have to worry about him," Hermione reassured.
"I know," she smiled, but Hermione couldn't help but notice how forced it seemed.
—
"We have no choice, we are losing too many of us," Victor said urgently. "I have to pull our support from vampires. And I suggest you get out of this too, while you can."
Draco was overjoyed at those words, but couldn't show it. He sat at his desk, looking at the vampire in front of him with a stoic face. Fear. He could see the fear in Victor's eyes. The vampire wasn't wrong to be fearful of him, given how Draco had killed his previous mentor.
"Is there anything we can do to make you feel confidence in the Dark Lord's regime?" Draco inquired, knowing that there wasn't a damn thing he could say or do. The Order had killed nearly a third of the vampires they had sent to aid in the war efforts.
"I'm sorry, Lord Malfoy. You know as well as I do this is looking bleak."
Draco knew, he had a major hand in that. And as much as he wanted to go too, there was still so much work to be done. Locating the final horcrux was the last step before they could leave. He'd make sure that Daphne and Astoria were safe with the Order before running off with Hermione.
Where they went, he didn't care. They'd likely not stay in one place for long either, avoiding the Order's efforts to capture him. Kingsley had a hard on for his demise, wanting it almost more than Voldemort's.
Draco was tired. Nearly a decade of fighting in a war nonstop, and three of those years putting in double the amount of work. All he wanted to do was go home to his bed where Hermione was waiting for him.
"You understand that this will break the treaty between The Dark Lord and vampires. We will not be able to protect your kind from persecution. The Order has wanted vampires dead for over a decade, most wizards for centuries. Who knows how they will retaliate if they win the war," Draco threatened, but not as intensely as if he wanted Victor to actually reconsider.
"Lord Malfoy, respectfully, you are our kind. As much as you hate it, you are one of us," Victor sighed. "I really do wish you'd learn to accept that, I think we could have been good friends under different circumstances."
Victor dismissed himself, and as glad as Draco was for no longer having to deal with vampires, he knew this would be an upsetting blow for Voldemort. Enough to likely warrant punishment for himself in a number of cruel ways he didn't want to think about.
Burning, staking, branding, embedding, all the ways that Voldemort knew how to hurt him physically he would do for such a huge loss. By the time Voldemort and his designated Death Eaters were done with him, it was nearly two in the morning. He quietly entered his room, finding Hermione sleeping soundly in bed. Though he was in pain, he turned the shower as hot as it would go, letting it melt away the charred flesh to reveal the newly healed skin underneath.
There were several pieces of metal that were lodged into him that he'd asked Hermione to help remove in the morning. He didn't want to wake her now, she looked too peaceful. There was an empty bottle of champagne sitting next to her, and her gentle snores were a sign that she was properly drunk.
Slowly, he climbed into the bed, doing his best to not disturb her, as much as he wanted to pull her into his arms. But as if she could feel his presence, she stirred, her hand gently tapping around to find him with her eyes closed.
When her hand came into contact with his chest, she curled up next to him, nestling into his shoulder. "Hi Draco," she mumbled.
"Hi beautiful," he replied, kissing the top of her head gently, trying not to wince.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
"Yes, I'll tell you about it in the morning. Get some sleep."
Her hand ran along his chest, feeling the bumps in his skin from where Goyle had shoved several pieces of glass while he was restrained. Though he was ordered to do so, Draco knew there was some amusement for him.
Hermione sat up and looked at him, suddenly seeming more awake than she once was. "Draco, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, sleep. I'll deal with it in the morning," he replied, pulling her back to the bed.
She was warm. So fucking warm that it felt as unreal, almost sweltering. It took every bit of strength he had not to bite into her. Everything about Hermione was tempting him. The way she smelt like vanilla, how soft her skin was, it was all drawing him in.
"Let me take care of you," she murmured in his ear. It made him nearly go feral, and he turned to kiss her lips. They tasted sweet, like champagne and sugar. It made him crave for the candies he onced loved as a boy but didn't care for now.
All he had wanted as a vampire was blood. He didn't even look at food, even though he could have eaten it. At times, he did miss the way eating felt, however, it no longer gave him satisfaction. But the way her lips reminded him of pastries and sweets, he couldn't help but want to take a bite.
Draco nibbled on her bottom lip, gently sucking on it, recalling how euphoric it was to have drank the blood from her body. His hand slid under the blanket and to her underwear, feeling her hot cunt, something he craved just as much as sinking his teeth into her. She gasped out as he circled his finger around.
"Or I'll take care of you," he insisted, crawling on top of her, his face buried in her neck. The moans she made all of the pain he was feeling disappear. All he cared about doing was making her make noises he's never heard before.
Pressing his fingers into her body until she mewled and whimpered, raking his teeth gently against her soft skin, choking her to the point of breathlessness that she loved. He did everything he could to drive her just as crazy as she made him.
"Draco," she moaned as he slipped one of his fingers into her warm cunt. He curled up into the spot he knew would make her knees buckle. Every part of her, inside and out, he had memorized.
"Tell me what you want," he said into the crook of her neck, feeling her heartbeat hasten. If it were any other woman, he would have read their minds and done just that. But he wouldn't read hers because she has asked him not to, and he loved it when she said it out loud.
"I want to make you feel better," she replied, running her fingers along the abnormal bumps on his chest. "I want to cut you open."
"You want to see me bleed, don't you?" he smiled, kissing her lips.
Hermione blushed and Draco reached into the side table drawer, pulling out the pack of blades. Handing it to her, she smirked, kissing him deeply before pushing him onto his back. He watched as she undressed herself before straddling on top of him. She looked into his eyes as she lowered herself on his cock, fully engulfing him inside of her.
In her hand was the the #22 blade she loved to cut him with. Cutting into his skin didn't hurt him, it was digging around for the object that was painfully uncomfortable. As she sliced into him, he held the incision open for her to dig her fingers into his muscle, pulling out the jagged piece of glass that was implanted into his flesh as punishment for something he couldn't prevent. She tightened around him as she pulled hard on it, ripping it away before tossing it onto the floor.
Quickly, his flesh healed over, and Hermione leaned down, licking the blood from his chest. Draco sat up, kissing at her bloodied lips. He was still deep inside of her, and she rode him, hanging tightly onto the blade. There wasn't a feeling that could come close to how it felt being with her. He thought he wouldn't even need to fuck her for it to feel this good. That it would simply be enough to just be with her.
A vibration from the bedside table turned both of their attentions to it, but Hermione turned his face back to her. "They can wait," she said, sliding herself up and down on him.
But it didn't seem like they could, the vibrating became more violent. Draco hadn't recalled a time where they had contacted him so late in the evening. It could have been nothing, just a check in, but a check in at three in the morning would have been highly unlikely.
"Granger, I think we should go. It seems urgent," he said, picking up the coin that was now hot to the touch.
"Draco, please," she muttered, clinging onto him. "Just finish first."
He threw her onto the bed and squeezed down on her throat as he fucked her. Her eyes rolled back, and he went as hard as he could without causing too much pain. The vibrations of the coin didn't stop the entire time, making them both work even faster to reach bliss. Within just a few minutes of watching her face and feeling her around him, he came inside of her immediately after she begged for him to.
They got dressed quickly, and Draco saw the location to meet Harry was somewhere he hadn't been yet. After they Apparated to the new meeting point, an unease came about him. Surrounding them were dilapidated houses that had been abandoned long ago, probably at the start of the war. Draco held Hermione's hand tightly as they entered one of the homes with a dim light coming from one of the windows.
Draco could hear three distinct heartbeats after he crossed the threshold of the door, but none were Harry's. As they made their way to the source of the light, he was shocked to see George, Ron, and Bill Weasley sitting at a round table, waiting for them.
"Took long enough," Ron scoffed, shaking his head.
"What's this about?" Hermione asked. "Where's Harry?"
George stood up, looking directly at Hermione. "We need to talk."