- The Hospital Wing, 5th of June 1992 –
The Hospital Wing was pure and utter chaos when Draco finally woke up. The night before, he had decided to ignore Hermione's question and acted as if he was asleep. He was a coward, he knew that. But how was he supposed to tell her that they were married without having his best friend run for the hills? He would tell her, one day. After he'd solved all this mess they were in. All he could do was hope she would forgive him when he showed her and Harry the memories of his first life.
Mrs. Weasley was screaming at Professor McGonagall that it was unheard of that a bunch of 11-year-old children fought You-Know-Who and that no one but said children had even noticed something was off with the Professor during the entire year.
His godfather who'd entered the room not so long ago to establish what had happened, coughed slightly at that remark.
"Of course, Severus, I knew you had your concerns, but the Deputy Headmistress and the Headmaster-" Molly continued as Draco sneaked out of his bed and went over to check up on Harry, falling gladly into the Muffliato Charm that Madam Pomfrey had started casting around her patients after none of the adults would listen to her when she told them to keep their traps shut so her patients could rest. Luckily, both Ron and Harry slept like a rock.
Hermione had clearly woken up sooner, or perhaps had been unable to sleep, as she was sitting in a chair on Harry's other side already, together with Nevile who was positioned between Harry's and Ron's bed.
All three of the boys were fast asleep and Hermione looked like she was waiting for the adults to take a breather and calm down. Perhaps her sleep too had been interrupted then?
"How does Mrs. Weasley have enough air in her lungs to keep going on such a long tirade?" Hermione wondered out loud as she absentmindedly stirred a spoon in the hot chocolate she was holding, just by moving her finger in a circle.
Draco silently wondered if she knew how impressive that particular piece of wandless magic actually was for someone her age?
A cup of black tea with some milk and honey showed up next to Draco as soon as he'd thought that he wouldn't mind a hot beverage either. Silently thanking the Hogwarts elves, he sipped from his teacup blissfully.
He was trying to sort his thoughts of the previous night after just waking up. The last time around, no one had known what exactly had happened at Hogwarts. Merlin, even he as a child attending the school, hadn't know that actual Voldemort had been possessing Quirrell.
During their Hogwarts years, no one had known about the Basilisk, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew, or Barty Crouch Jr. either. Let's not even get started on Umbridge's tyranny or a teenager succeeding in getting actual Death Eaters through the wards. The Headmaster wanted to keep everything under wraps, act as if everything was fine and that Hogwarts was perfectly safe. Foolishness.
If what Deandra suspected was true, and it probably was, then Harry would need to be the one to kill the Dark Lord. Keeping him hidden and letting no other actual adults know of the dangers which lurked in the castle every year was a bad move. They needed to be prepared. Even if children might still have to fight in this war, at least they needed to know what was coming for them. They needed to be trained. And if the adults wouldn't, then Draco vowed that he would.
"She's right to be angry," Draco finally said, putting his cup of tea on the nightstand next to Harry.
As expected, the Boy Who Lived, he would be fine after a good night's rest. His magical core was drained, and he probably would not be allowed to cast any spells for a week or so, but otherwise he was in perfect health.
"If Harry's parents were alive an investigation would have been started right after his broom was cursed at the Quidditch game. Yet, Dumbledore didn't do anything. No one notified Sirius, not even Harry himself." That had been an oversight on Draco's part. He'd miscalculated the boy's reluctance to expect and accept help from the actual adults in his life, so he hadn't mentioned the match to either Sirius or Remus.
"Would you like to go to your dorms, dears? You should be free to go." Madam Pomfrey said as she popped her head into the protective silenced bubble of peace. "I will keep an eye on the boys. Mr. Longbottom can stay the rest of the night here, since he's already fast asleep."
Hermione and Draco nodded their thanks at the mediwitch and got up quietly before being bombarded with more of Molly Weasley's yelling.
Even the gentle Arthur seemed mad. When the Weasley patriarch noticed them trying to leave the Hospital Wing, he smiled at them and walked over. "Let me accompany you two to the dungeons, you shouldn't be wandering the halls alone. Especially not tonight."
The two children accepted his offer and as they walked to the dungeons, Mr. Weasley told them it was foolish, but also very courageous of them to attempt to stop You-Know-Who. He was glad the five of them had had each other to get through this night and smiled encouragingly when they arrived at the entrance to the Slytherin common room.
Right before they walked through the stone walls, Arthur spoke up again.
"I'm sorry about Ron's behaviour at the beginning of the school year. The twins told me about it. I'm sorry to the both of you," he said, stopping them in their tracks. "I fear much of that is my fault. Me and your father, Mr. Malfoy, we don't exactly see eye to eye. Ron has always been very stubborn, set in his ways like his mother. To him, Slytherin and all Slytherins are to be mistrusted. In addition, I think he expected to be spending this year with the Boy Who Lived in his dorm, becoming fast friends. The fact that a Malfoy became his best friend instead, well… I'll keep an eye on him and talk to him when needed, but I am also a very firm believer that children should be allowed to make their own mistakes and grow on their own."
Hermione and Draco thanked Mr. Weasley for his kind words.
"If anything, I hope tonight taught Ron that there is some Gryffindor courageousness hiding in all of you as well," Mr. Weasley smiled right before the children went into their common room.
As soon as they walked in, they were almost tackled to the floor by Daphne and Blaise who had stayed up, worried when their friends had suddenly run off a few hours earlier.
"Hermione, what happened?" Daphne asked. "At first you guys were just going to go to Professor Snape, but you never came back to the common room. I was so worried!"
They all sat in front of the fireplace, blankets draped around them as Draco and Hermione explained what had happened. How they'd expected all along that Quirrell was up to something, but that both the Headmaster and Professor Snape had been indisposed.
"You're a bloody nutter," Blaise sighed. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you two should've been sorted into Gryffindork, going into something like that blindly."
"Please don't make it look like I stooped down to their level," Draco said, faking hurt, as he laughed. "It might have been stupid, but what else could we do? Give the Dark Lord a chance to return?"
Daphne shivered. The House of Greengrass had always been a neutral, grey family. They had never positioned themselves on the side of the light or the dark. They chose what was in their best interests and Lord Greengrass had always known that whatever Voldemort was up to, was definitely not in his best interests. Draco wished his father had more of that mentality.
"I suppose not," the blonde witch whispered. "I don't want to imagine what it would be like, if he returned. If… If he'd won the war."
Draco sincerely hoped she'd never have to see. That none of them would. But after tonight, he was sure that he would return. Because only then, Harry would be able to kill him and fulfil the prophecy… He should get rid of that one this time. Perhaps set his father up to fail from the beginning, if that particular thread of fate leading to the Department of Mysteries was supposed to happen again. Maybe a trip to the Ministry would be necessary? If he went with Harry and Lord Black, they would have to grant them access. No one but the unspeakables would know…
Blaise cast a tempus charm, noticing it was nearing the early hours of the morning, and suggested they should all go to bed. Daphne agreed and stood to get up with him, but Hermione kept sitting on the couch. "I don't know if I can sleep right now," she admitted. "Perhaps I'll sit here a bit and read."
Daphne looked unsure to leave her friend alone.
"I'll stay with her," Draco mouthed to his friends, as they nodded solemnly and walked back to their dorms, looking back one last time before they disappeared into the darkness.
Draco got up from the armchair he was sitting in and put himself on the couch next to Hermione, putting his feet on the coffee stand in front of him. He opened his arms wide and raised an eyebrow at her. She didn't need to be told twice as she scooted over, crawled into his side, her feet tucked under her. He pulled her closer to him, hugging her, and put his blanket around the two of them as they stared into the fire.
"I was so scared," she whispered. "When he knew I was lying and cast that spell at me… If you hadn't saved me, I might have snapped my neck just from the sheer force of being thrown back into the wall."
Happy that their tea and hot chocolate had been laced with calming draught by Madam Pomfrey, Draco rubbed soothing circles on her shoulder as she started crying slightly. It was true. It had been a close call. If that damned mirror hadn't distracted him so much, he might have been able to prevent it. But, he'd saved her. That was what was most important. It still surprised him how strong the bond was, that his magic would react on its own accord and lash out just to save her. That was honestly the only positive thing that came out of that vow travelling through time with him.
"What did you see in the mirror if you lied to Voldemort?" Draco asked her quietly.
Hermione rubbed her tears away and put her head down on his shoulder, closing her eyes. "I remember it said on the top that it was called the Mirror of Erised," she said. "That's 'desire' spelled backwards, so I supposed that's what it shows us. It would make sense considering what I saw."
Trying to lighten the mood, Draco joked: "Wait? You told Voldemort that you saw yourself as head girl. That wasn't your deepest desire? Miss Dagworth-Granger, Professor Snape and Deputy Headmistress McGonagall will be so displeased with you! They are probably already planning to give you that title in six years. It will come as a shock to them when I tell them that you would deny such a prestigious-"
She elbowed him in the ribs slightly and chuckled. "Prat. Whatever I saw, it can never be. Which is fine. Not all dreams have to come true, right?"
Draco looked down at her. She was right. Not every dream came true. But he'd try. He'd make sure all of hers came true, even if it was the last thing he did. It was what he'd promised her after all.
"I suppose so," he stated. What he'd seen in the mirror definitely wouldn't come true. Even if they were best friends, he assumed that in time she would grow to see him like a brother, as she had done with Ron and Harry the first time round. He had changed so much that it wouldn't surprise him that her feelings for him would turn into something entirely different. He'd accepted that a long time ago, that she would probably choose someone else when she grew older.
As for his own feelings, he only felt protective of the girl that was currently cuddled into his side. After all, this Hermione had not been the one he'd married, and she would never be. He could live with being by her side for the rest of his life.
He sighed and he supposed that he should finally try and provide an explanation to Hermione for her question the night before. He'd talked it over with Deandra earlier when Hermione talked with Daphne and Blaise, so at least now he had something to tell her.
"You asked me earlier, about how you could feel what I feel sometimes. If it's the family magic?" he started tentatively.
Hermione sat up straighter, looking up at him, pleading with him to explain.
"It is, but it also isn't," he began. "Honestly, it's hard to explain. I noticed it was easy to pick up on your feelings a few months back and I did some research. Apparently some witches and wizards are very attuned to each other's magic. It often occurs very naturally in most families. It's like how parents learn to understand what their baby needs when it's crying. You just know. I'm sure you have learned to read Harry's feelings as well during the past year?"
This was how he was going to spin it. They were technically a family through the adopted bloodline of Armand and Celeste Malfoy. Even if that would make their magic more familiar, it wouldn't be this familiar. She knew what he was feeling because magic knew they were married, because their magic would aid each other's in their time of need.
Bringing Harry into the mix would show her that the adoptive familial bond was strong between her and Draco. She saw Harry as a brother, and he knew that she could feel their raven-haired friend from time to time. Hell, even Draco himself was starting to get attuned to his feelings. However, there was no reason for Draco to point out that she wasn't as attuned to Harry as she was to Draco, or as Draco was to her.
"It is easy to feel what Harry's truly feeling," Hermione admitted. "But it's not as strong as with you. Is it because of our ancestors?"
Clever girl. Always making the right connections. Even if this time, it was based on half-truths. He felt slightly bad for that, but he could not risk her learning the truth before she learned occlumency. The ramifications of that could be disastrous.
"I think it has to do with our connection through Armand and Celeste, yes," Draco said, trying to remember what it felt like in the first time line before they'd gotten married. "I feel your emotions quite strongly, as I do Harry's. But I think it is because the two of you haven't learnt occlumency like most pureblood heirs have that you feel them more strongly. Your thoughts and feelings aren't as protected or clouded as mine."
The brunette moved her head again, sighing in frustration. Her hair tickled his cheek. "When you first told me about occlumency, I didn't really see the advantages," she admitted. "I thought one needed eye-contact. That I would feel if my mind was being intruded. That I could stop it by looking away. Also, what could possibly be so interesting to look at in the mind of a 12-year-old girl? But Voldemort entered my mind and saw my thoughts without proper eye-contact yesterday night. I didn't feel a thing."
"He is a master Legilimens, just like Dumbledore and Professor Snape," Draco said.
"The Headmaster is a Legilimens?" Hermione gasped. "But if he can intrude thoughts in the same way, then-"
"It's a useful skill to have in times of war, Mione," he soothed her.
Good. The seed he'd put that the Headmaster wasn't always as high and mighty as he seemed, or even as honest as one would believe, was planted. He wanted her to be more independent this time around and not have her thoughts be clouded by her admiration of authority figures. The sooner she learned to think for herself, the better. That was when she truly shined.
"Will you teach me and Harry during summer?" she asked quietly. "I don't want to be vulnerable anymore."
"Of course, anything for you, Mione," he said, kissing the top of her head. "I'll buy you a whole library of books on the art of occlumency if you'd like? Or do you finally want to put the Dagworth-Granger vaults' gold to use?"
She laughed against his side, and Draco could suddenly feel her wand vibrate. It must be her morning alarm. It was always difficult to tell what time of day it was when sitting in the Slytherin Common room, considering it was hidden beneath the Black Lake.
Hermione sat up, took her wand and cast a tempus charm. It was only five in the morning. Why the bloody hell had she been planning to get up that early?
"Happy birthday, Draco," Hermione suddenly exclaimed, hugging him tightly.
His birthday. Was that why she'd set her alarm that early? He'd completely forgotten about it being the 5th of June. How old was he now? Twelve? Eighteen? Honestly, being a small little runt again with his older memories was just confusing.
"Silly witch," Draco answered as he hugged her back. "What were you planning on doing with that alarm so early in the morning anyway? The boy's dorms are off limits if you were planning to burst in together with the girls just to wish me a happy birthday and annoy Harry, Blaise, and Theo."
Hermione let go of him and smirked. "You're right that the girls' dorms are warded against you boys," she agreed. "But the boys' dorms aren't warded at all. We actually had a whole party planned for you here in the common room, we were going to have it all set up by the time you woke up."
The boys' dorms aren't warded? he thought in surprise. Thank Merlin he and his dormmates didn't know about that when they were a bunch of horny teenagers in fifth and sixth year the first time round. Maybe it was best the others wouldn't learn of that either. What kind of idiot had thought it was a good idea to not ward the boys' dorms in a school filled with teenagers?
"Let's just hold the party tonight," he answered Hermione. "And please don't tell anyone that you figured out the boys' dorms aren't warded against witches. If the older years hear about that, well…"
Hermione suddenly blinked at him and a red blush spread across her cheeks.
"I- I suppose I shouldn't," she stammered, still red in the face as she put her head back on his shoulders, hiding her embarrassment.
"How did you know about the wards anyway?" he asked, wondering what book she'd picked up now to get that information. He hoped it was in something quite obscure, he didn't need others finding out about that.
"After Yule, I asked Bill for some books on warding and how to see if wards were active or inactive, and defensive or offensive. I'm thinking of taking runes and arithmancy in third year, you see. I was practising in the girls' dorm and saw the ward in front of our door. I was curious to see if the one on the boys' dorms looked any different but when I analysed the boys' dorms, well… nothing showed up."
Of course, her over eagerness to study had led her to discovering something no one else knew about. Well, there would be many more of those to come. He couldn't help but wonder how long it would take her this time to come up with the undetectable extension charm on her beaded bag.
They were quiet for a while, and right as he was about to suggest they should head back to their dorms for at least another hour of sleep, he could feel her weight settling into his, her breathing slowing.
He waved his wand, making the couch slightly larger so she would be more comfortable, and conjured an extra blanket which he magically draped around her.
As he looked at her sleeping form, a memory tugged at his mind of one night after he and his Mione were doing research in the Room of Requirement. She'd fallen asleep next to him, a book spread out on her chest, her wand stuck in her messy bun. He never thought he'd get to experience such a pure and peaceful moment with her again. But here she was, trusting him completely. He was glad to see that at least that hadn't changed. He'd be the supportive friend she'd always needed. No matter what.
- The Great Hall, 8th of June 1992 –
In the end, it took Harry a little over three days to sleep it off and for his magical core to refill and stabilise.
Sirius and Remus had shown up the morning after their expedition to save the world from Quirrellmort and a new round of yelling ensued according to Neville. Lady Longbottom had shown up too and been extremely proud, but also disappointed to learn her grandson had accidentally snapped his father's wand when being caught in the Devil's Snare. At least Neville would finally get his own wand. Hopefully that would boost the wizard's confidence when spells would come more naturally to him next school year.
Hermione's parents also showed up during some part of the day, after Sirius had floo-called them, and they weren't pleased with the Headmaster either.
Draco had heard from his godfather that the Headmaster's office had suffered some damages when the Lord of House Black was told that there had been some strange things happening concerning Quirrell during the year, and that the D.A.D.A. Professor was even suspected of trying to curse Harry off of his broom during his first quidditch match.
It was safe to say, the Headmaster wasn't in any of the Light families' good graces. Which honestly, suited Draco perfectly. To him, the world was no longer Dark and Light. He'd seen the second war and been a product of the first war considering his upbringing and his father's so-called 'values'. Even Dumbledore himself had dabbled into dark magic in his younger days. If they wanted more political power, he needed some of the families to side with him on some matters. Not with Dumbledore.
His birthday party had been a smaller affair without Harry, but Susan and Hannah had suggested holding it in the kitchens instead of the Slytherin Common Room, so members of other houses could also attend. In the end, only those two and Neville showed up. Still, the more the merrier. Draco was actually starting to see them as his extended friend circle, not just as his future political allies. Daphne, Hermione, Blaise, Tracey, Theo and Pansy had also attended, even if Pansy showed her clear disgust for most of the others present, trying to get Draco's attention. Some things truly never changed.
Hermione had gone out of her way to greet every single house elf once the Hufflepuffs had shown them how to enter the kitchens. She asked all of them how their day was and thanked them for taking such good care of the students.
Pride filled the elves, and Draco was sure he'd seen Hermione's favourite dessert or fruits show up more and more during dinner and lunch time. Perhaps this time around, she'd get to know the elves and their needs before going off on her S.P.E.W. campaign. That would honestly save him a lot of headaches, even if he agreed that treatment of the elves should be improved. Once their generation was in power, that would be high on the agenda. Along with werewolf rights, he supposed, at least once Hermione figured out Remus Lupin was considered an outcast in the British wizarding society.
Dumbledore had been in awe once Harry woke up and realised that the blood ward was still active, alive, and thriving in Harry's body and that it was only the wards on the Dursley's house that had fallen when his instruments broke down.
Draco hoped the old man also felt some sort of remorse for forcing the boy to live with his horrible relative for ten years, since it was clear now that he'd never needed to be close to Petunia Dursley for the wards to work to begin with. Sirius would probably have another fit over that one.
Even Harry didn't look too pleased when he understood the Headmaster had never considered Harry's own blood to be sufficient. The ward his mother had cast on the night of her death was obviously something of her own design. What Draco had learnt about her from the letters Harry had gotten from Sirius, and the stories Professor Snape had shared, there was literally no way in hell the witch would ever magically bind her child to her sister.
At the End of Term Feast, Slytherin won, and Gryffindor came in second, thanks to some last-minute points from Dumbledore, all based around courageousness and chivalry and all that other Gryffindor crap. At least this time, Gryffindor hadn't run off with the cup and Slytherin had won, as they were supposed to the first time round without Dumbledore's meddling. McGonagall didn't even look mad, as she raised her goblet at both her lions, and the three snakes, who had gained their houses points.
"You guys have to visit me at Grimmauld this summer," Harry stated as they were finishing dinner. "Sirius is finally healed, and taking over his duties of Lord Black, so I honestly might be a bit bored when he's off doing political stuff," the raven-haired boy said.
"What about Potter Manor? Will you visit this Summer?" Hermione questioned. "I thought the Goblins had finally released the will, after a lot of arguing with the Wizzengamot which I still do not understand. Who cares if you aren't of age? You are the only living heir. It's your birthright. It's your home."
Draco sighed. He knew a particular person and his entourage who'd been opposed to Harry getting access to his estate and house elves. His father was becoming a nuisance. First, he'd made Harry's life difficult by denying him his birthright, making Draco think he should just rip the lordship ring off of his father's finger. Alas, showing off that he was the rightful Lord Malfoy this soon would not be beneficial for his future plans. But the fact that his father had been the one to lure Dumbledore away the night Voldemort attempted to get the Philosopher's Stone. Something was brewing. He just had to figure out what.
Not following the conversation anymore as he'd started an inner discussion with Deandra on how they would outsmart his father, he was surprised when Hermione suddenly asked. "What about Malfoy Manor? Your mother invited us over, but I'm not sure your father-"
"He will be off to Bulgaria for two weeks in Summer," Draco said. "You are all welcome to visit for a few days, if you'd like to come. We have an even bigger Quidditch pitch than the Weasleys. I don't think we should mention it to my father though. He's already quite displeased with me and my mother, even though I've been assuring him that the only reason I'm friends with you is for the societal status and political advantage," he murmured. He really hated that. He liked Harry and Hermione. That should be more than enough for his father.
Both of his friends nodded at him sadly, and tried to steer the conversation into happier prospects, such as a visit to the Burrow, Ginny coming to Hogwarts with them next year – even though that was mainly Harry who seemed excited for now – and Hermione's trip to France to visit her grandmother.
- Malfoy Manor, 16th of July 1992 –
Draco was fidgeting as he waited in the parlour for his friends to arrive.
Hermione had just come back from France with her parents, and as his father had gone on his trip to Bulgaria four days earlier, Hermione and Harry were invited to stay over for the next two days. The Grangers and Sirius would be staying over for dinner tonight as well. Sirius had visited the Manor in his Hogwarts days, but for the others this would be their first time seeing Draco's home in Wiltshire.
His mother and Severus were waiting in the garden, giving him the honour to greet his guests.
Both Harry and Hermione had been reading up on occlumency for the past weeks, but both Sirius and Severus had agreed, to each other's astonishment that they actually were able to agree on something, that the children needed to learn the skill as fast as possible. Severus was basically here to convince Hermione's parents of how important it was for her to learn the defensive skill, as he would need to be visiting their home to help Hermione progress in her studies.
As the fireplace was engulfed in green flames, Hermione stepped out of the fireplace gracefully until she noticed Draco. She smiled at him with her large buckteeth and hugged him tightly. "Oh Draco, it's been too long!" she exclaimed. "Did you have a nice summer so far?"
Well. He couldn't tell her that he'd been running around setting up accounts and investments at both Gringotts and muggle banks disguised as his older self to build his own fortune which was not connected to his father. Neither could he tell her how he'd found out his father still had contacts with Voldemort supporters in Eastern-Europe, the same ones he was visiting right now. Or about how he and Deandra had been slightly, but surely, adjusting the wards so Draco could overhear any conversation his father had - without the elder Malfoy noticing of course. He'd always known that his father had been strict - cruel even - and a cold-hearted killer and politician. But as a child, he'd both feared and idolised his father. What he'd learned over the summer would even make his younger self's toes curl.
Since he couldn't tell Hermione any of this, he just smiled at her and joked that the French sun and air had done her hair well since it was less frizzy than usual.
A playful punch in the shoulder was what he'd gotten in return and Tipsy popped in to welcome the Grangers and show Hermione's parents the way to the garden. Hermione decided to wait for Harry together with Draco.
"The Manor feels very…" Hermione thought for a second, trying to find the right word. "Welcoming. It almost feels like home."
Draco just smiled at her. Of course it would feel like home. She technically was the future mistress of Malfoy Manor as long as that bond between them existed. "I'm glad you like it so far, even if all you've seen is the parlour. Just wait until you see your room."
Once Harry arrived, the three of them and Sirius went into the gardens, Sirius commenting on how his cousin had improved the looks of the Manor since he was last visiting, and wondering out loud if she perhaps could assist him and Amelia in renovating Grimmauld Place.
During the past year, the spark that Amelia Bones and Sirius Black had had during auror training had come back to life, and they were now engaged. Madam Bones and her niece, Susan, were planning to move into Grimmauld Place, the Bones Estate being put into stasis until Susan turned of age and would become the new lady Bones.
Sirius had been apprehensive of how Harry would feel about the two ladies joining them, but the boy had happily exclaimed that he had always wanted to grow up with a sibling. He even joked that no one was allowed to tell Hermione he would consider Susan a sister as well, however. The frizzy brunette had already proudly claimed that title. Sirius and Amelia had laughed, and they were starting to be their own new family.
Draco couldn't be happier for Harry, and he couldn't help but wonder how his Hermione would feel about this. Would she be looking from behind the veil? Proud of what he'd achieved so far?
Once all the adults were seated, and had been offered coffee, tea, and cake by Tipsy, they started talking about how their summers had been so far.
Narcissa had met up with Jean Granger in France for one day, as both women wanted to go shopping.
Draco was glad he had escaped that one by claiming he and Harry were going to have some lordship classes with Sirius. In reality, the three of them and Dobby had tried to get more inventive with their pranks on the Dursleys, even sending a letter to the twins. Petunia was currently gaining all the extra weight her husband should be gaining and was having a mental breakdown.
Severus took the lead when they started talking about what had happened at the end of the school year. "Both me, Sirius, and Narcissa feel it is imperative that Harry and Hermione learn occlumency, and to a certain extent, legilimency. Especially occlumency is a very important skill to have to protect one's mind, considering the Dark Lord does not seem to be truly vanquished after all."
The Grangers asked many questions but were eventually both convinced it would be best for Hermione to learn the skills as fast as possible. They did want Severus to show them how he would teach the children, and to make sure it wasn't harmful in any way.
Hermione admitted she sometimes had a small headache from focusing on building her protective walls, but that the Professor had been nice and did not look at any of her private memories when teaching her the basics.
Professor Snape in turn, had praised her for putting the theory she had read into practice so fast. She'd chosen a library as her defensive walls, and some of the memories Severus had been able to access, Hermione had sent at him on purpose to hide more important ones.
Draco was extremely proud of her, and told her so, making her blush at his praise.
Harry had also started out well and chosen his first home, Hogwarts, as his defence mechanism. The hidden corridors he'd gotten to know thanks to his use of the Marauder's Map, sent Professor Snape through some tunnels, ending up at what Harry imagined to be Hogsmeade.
The rest of the day was spent showing the silver trio around the Manor, Hermione hanging out at the library on her own for two hours while the boys played Quidditch.
When they finally met up again, Hermione asked Draco if she could lend some of the books she'd found.
Dobby apparated next to her before Draco could answer. "As a descendant of the Malfoy family," the elf began, "Miss Hermie can take all books she wants. All she has to do is ask Dobby for the catalogue, and he will bring Miss Hermie the books she desires."
Hermione in all of her excitement picked up a very surprised Dobby and hugged him close to her, dancing in circles. All the elf could do after that display of affection was blush and stammer.
Draco then showed both Harry and Hermione to their rooms, which were in the same hallway as his bedroom. He said that they could use these guestrooms whenever they wanted, his father be damned. He would keep assuring him that he was only friends with them for the political advantage, and soon enough his father would start to believe him and act as if he too was allying himself with them. The Potter and Dagworth-Granger seats were worth too much to him.
"If only Lucius knew that you could kick him off of the Wizengamot and out of the Manor at any moment," Deandra mused.
"Not before I am of age. I don't want him to become too big of an issue," Draco answered as Hermione let herself fall backwards onto her bed, the purple silken sheets wrinkling under the weight of her tiny frame, Harry and Draco laughing and joining her soon after, a pillow fight ensuing between the children.
After Draco had shown them to their rooms, he opened the doors to his own bedroom, the last room to show them on his tour of the house.
Harry walked straight to the balcony, in awe that Draco had a view of his own private Quidditch Pitch from his room and started talking about how they should invite the Weasleys to play as long as Lucious was gone.
Hermione, seemed to hesitate and hover in the doorway, however. She had a frown plastered on her face and Draco noticed she was taking in every detail of the room, her eyes scanning almost every single object in utter concentration.
"Not what you expected?" he joked, standing beside her with his hands in his pockets, trying to follow her eyes to see what she was observing. "Perhaps too much light and modern furniture compared to the Slytherin aesthetic at Hogwarts?"
The witch snapped out of her thoughts, and shook her head at him.
"Actually, it is almost exactly what I thought it would look like. It almost feels like I've been here before. As if I've seen this in a dream," she mused. "Although, I have to admit that I thought you would have the stars and constellations magically showing on your ceiling. You are half a Black after all."
Draco stood frozen, remembering that last night before Dumbledore was killed, when she'd magically summoned the stars for him, telling him to remember her whenever he looked up at the night sky. To remember that whatever they had, had been real.
He swallowed deeply, trying not to think of the Hermione he'd lost. This had to be nothing more than a stupid coincidence. This Hermione couldn't remember that could she? No, that was impossible.
Yet, his room, the one place he'd always summoned in the Room of Requirement during their Hogwarts years when he felt anxious and wanted to be at home, seemed familiar to her. He and his Hermione had spent many evenings studying at his desk, cuddling on his bed, or watching the stars from his balcony. Why would this other version of Hermione have a single memory of that? No, it wasn't real. It couldn't be.
Hermione shook her head once more and chuckled. "You must think I sound crazy," she smiled at him, before hooking her arm into his and leading him to the balcony to join Harry, teasing the boy that he wanted to play Quidditch with the Weasleys because he wanted to see Ginny.
Draco felt her pull him away, but he couldn't help but think about what she'd said. He absent-mindedly touched the necklace of the time-turner he always had disillusioned around his neck, wondering if his Hermione was hiding somewhere inside of the girl on his arm after all.