Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Empire	By : waymay & Alcoholic_Rootbeer Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 12290 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the characters written in this story; everything belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling. I don't make any profit from these stories!

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
A/N: Hi Everyone! Thank you for all the kind words and wonderful review! It's a little difficult getting back into writing after being on hiatus for so long, but I'm getting back into the groove of things, now! :)
Thanks to Mr. Benzedrine for the proofs, and I can't wait to see you again on Thursday! It's going to be a hell of a weekend. :D :D
In a blink of an eye, Draco and Granger arrived at their destination -his home.
He stared, with wide eyes, at the manor. His jaw was unhinged in awe as he tentatively stepped forward, unsure whether this was all a dream or not. Then again... Draco had been drinking quite a bit -perhaps it was really a dream. He turned to the witch and pinched her arm.
"Ow!" She snapped, jerking herself away from him, rubbing the sore spot. "What was that for?"
"I just wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming."
Granger scowled, "You don't pinch me. You pinch yourself, prat."
That was silly -why would he want to pinch himself? He didn't need a red welt on his flawless skin. Plus, Draco used to have dreams, or rather nightmares, where he was injured and in pain. It was always too real, and those inflicting harm were often impervious to affliction. It started after the War began, but he kept it quiet. After all, dreams were only dreams.
In any case, he needed to see if the witch was capable of just that. But, he shrugged it off, ignoring her comment.
"Why are we here?" Draco turned away from Granger to look at the house once more. Home. "Actually, how are we able to even get this close?"
The manor was seized by the Ministry not too long after the War. Towards the end of the movement, it was used as the headquarters for the Dark Lord's misdeeds. The government officials made an authorized statement to the public, letting it be known, since it was used as a main base, it was necessary to usurp the house -for further investigations on the murders and kidnappings of victims of war.
It wasn't as if Draco had much say about the incident. He was only a minor then. The deed to the house was still under his father's name, who was in Azkaban for an undisclosed amount of time.
Though, they did defect towards the end... Draco thought bitterly as he approached the front door.
In all honesty, Draco had no idea whether they were able to find anything or not. Even so, the War was over. What else could they do with whatever new information popped up? The updates stopped coming in a year after the War ended, and by that time, Draco was far too gone to even care anymore.
At least, until now.
"I was able to pull some strings," Granger commented as she Alohamora'd the door. The lock from the other side clicked ajar. "...Well, Harry mostly," she, then, muttered under her breath, covering it with a fake cough and, quickly, changed the subject. "Are you really going to be okay with living above the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of your life?"
She pushed the door open, allowing Draco to enter first. He looked around in the foyer. Save from the absence of life, nothing had changed since he moved out. Not even a speck of dust out of place.
There was another click of the door relocking itself as the witch reapplied the original spell.
"...No-" His confession ended all too soon as a lump was caught in his throat, and a wave of nostalgia, suddenly, washed over him. He cleared his throat, covering his mouth with a balled up fist and looking away.
It was far too long since he had last seen his home.
Draco made way towards the end of the hallway, which led to another giant set of closed doors. He pushed it opened, and they entered the ballroom. His mother always loved hosting dinners, functions, and simple parties here. If he wasn't in his room or the library, he was here, socializing with all the other pureblood aristocrats of the world.
He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. Draco could still smell the hints of lemon spritz and pine. His mother really loved keeping the house fragrant, and it was still apparent, even after all these years of abandonment.
After a few moments passed, he sighed, finally releasing the breath he'd held in -afraid to let go of the familiarity. "You were able to convince the Ministry to let us come through?" The blonde turned towards the witch, who looked mighty out of place.
The last time Granger was here, she was captured by snatchers and tortured. It, certainly, wasn't a pleasant memory, that was for sure. She was brave to even step through the doors. The Manor always had some sort of foreboding presence on non-Purebloods or opponents of war.
She shifted her weight from side to side.
He noticed she'd been massaging her left arm. He'd only seen it a few times -the scar left by his Aunt Bellatrix was still there.
Mudblood.
"Yes, though for just an hour," she responded without ever looking at Draco. "I figured it would help snap you out of your ... predicament." Granger took a deep breath, though he was sure it was more to calm her nerves than it was to smell the refreshing air.
"I miss this place," he whispered, walking out of the ballroom and into the kitchen. Spotless as usual.
There was a twist in his chest as he peeked through each room with an uncharacteristically quiet witch always just a few steps behind him.
Finally, Draco entered the drawing room. He used to hang out with his friends here when they were still in school. When everything hadn't gone to shite. When everything was still right. But now, the room was filled with only dread and terrible memories. He'd only been in there for a moment while Granger waited outside; her eyes looked everywhere else but the room itself.
They returned to the ballroom, and Draco conjured two chairs for them. "You know," he started, breaking the silence. "Since the war ended, you've had it... pretty easy." He gestured towards the chair as he took a seat. The two of them sat side by side, staring into the vast nothingness of the grand room. He could still imagine it when he closed his eyes-the music, the food, the laughter. The memories of his childhood engraved in him.
Granger made a point to scoff at his comment but allowed him to continue. After all, this visit was for him.
"Being a war heroine, people dote on you. You have the opportunity to do things you never would have imagined. You get to be an inspiration and to be a part of history -the side everyone cares about, anyway. You, Potter, and Weasel will be the talk of the talk for generations to come." Draco leaned against the splat of the chair as another sigh escaped his lips. He watched Granger as she stared at her feet.
"It's not all fun and games, Malfoy," she murmured. It was odd seeing the, usually, confident witch act so...meek. It was unbecoming.
"I'm aware," he shifted in his seat, crossing his legs. "But you have your family, and then you have friends who you can also call family. You're set for life. Hell, your future children are set for life. They're going to get the best of everything life has to offer."
Things were easy for Draco once, before Voldemort came back into the picture. He and his family were on top of the world, though he was sure people feared his family rather than look up to them. But -it was better then than now.
"I get it. Sometimes people expect too much from you three, but it's the price to pay for saving the world."
A faint laugh came from Granger as she tucked her frizzy locks behind her ear. "Tell me about it. Just the other day, the Prime Minister asked us to attend a gala -just so we can stand there and look pretty and seem important -blah, blah, blah."
For a moment, a smirk was stretched across his lips, but it disappeared, quickly. "Would you have it any other way?"
"What do you mean?"
"Would you rather your family be imprisoned in Azkaban for the rest of their sorry arse lives? Or, perhaps, you'd rather your home seized and be living above a damned noisy pub for years on end? Because they're the only ones who would take you in? Or..." Draco paused, "be without allies, stripped down to essentially nothing and be looked down upon."
He swallowed, all the while clenching his jaw. "I am trying, Granger. To be a better man -to live an honest life. To not be like my father." There was another pause as he turned away from the witch, ashamed to look at her. "But, sometimes, it's easier to just give up."
"I know," her voice was quiet. "I know what it's like to just give up. Wouldn't it be nicer to just let someone else do all the work?"
Draco nodded at her comment.
"But life wasn't designed to be easy. Life is filled with challenges, with turmoil, with hardship -because when you are able to overcome those bumps in the road and press on -when you can finally reach the end of the tunnel, it'll be that much more satisfying."
She stood from her seat, moving it so she sat across from him now. Their eyes met for a moment before he decided the ceiling was much more interesting.
"You are not your father, and I know things haven't been easy for you these past few years. I know you're working so hard to make a better life for yourself." From the corner of his eyes, he noticed her blazing stare. "But you're not alone. You seem to always forget that. When things don't go your way, it's, like, you're twelve all over again, throwing a fit and demanding things to be changed, threatening to tell your father if it doesn't go your way."
xxx
Malfoy scoffed at the comment, rolling his eyes.
Hermione ignored him, continuing on with her speech. "Yes, this isn't something you want to hear, but someone has to call you out on it. Let's just say it's a hypothetical slap across the face." She smiled a tad. "The world doesn't revolve around Draco Malfoy. He's just a normal man now, and he has to work -just like everyone else- to make something of himself. Hell, even I still work, and I'm a bloody war heroine."
"Humble," he muttered, finally turning to look at her.
"I've been told," her smile widened at his comment. "I understand things are difficult at the moment, but if you keep pushing through and hold your head up high and be humble, then you'll learn that the tough times are impermanent. They don't last forever, and you'll get through this." She stood from her seat once more, taking a step towards him. "And I'm here to help you." The witch tugged on her glove, slipping it off and shoving it into the pocket of her robe. Hermione, then, held her hand out towards Malfoy. "I am your partner, after all. We did sign the papers."
The blonde stared at her with a contemplating expression then gave a chuckle -a genuine one. He pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. "You won't leave me alone unless I do, right?"
"It's the lioness in me."
"Ah...fucking Gryffindors, loyal until the end." Malfoy plastered on his charming smirk -the same one that had all the schoolgirls swooning over him when they were still in school- and reached out his hand, grasping hers tightly.
The corner of her lips twitched as her smile widened at the touch of their hands. For once, a comfortable silence lingered between the two of them. Since their last incident -the kiss- things hadn't been quite the same. Hermione was always rushing to leave his side, making excuses, terrified she was going to say (or do) something stupid.
A moment passed as their hands continued to stay locked in each other's. His grip loosened as the pad of his thumb gently caressed her skin. His grey eyes stared deeply into hers: piercing and hypnotizing. Hermione couldn't look away.
Then, when another moment went by, he finally spoke up. "I'm sorry for shocking you." Malfoy dropped his hand, resting it on his lap. "Honestly, I was just frustrated. No one's ever tried as hard as you to keep my attention."
Hermione had always been aware of the difference between the two of them -and even, in a broader sense, between Gryffindors and Slytherins- but she never realized how lucky she was to have friends who she could call family. In fact, they were closer to her than her biological kin. Save from Blaise, who recently reappeared in his life, Malfoy didn't have anyone else to turn to.
She couldn't imagine what life would be like had she lost Ron or Harry. Or the both of them.
"Yes, well, I can be annoying like that," Hermione pursed her lips, recounting her first year at Hogwarts, before the Golden Trio became just that. Harry and Ron often complained (and they weren't exactly subtle about it) on how she was butting into their bromance, but after the troll incident during Halloween, the three of them became inseparable. "Just so you know, if you ever try to pull something like that again, I won't be so nice next time."
"Duly noted."
Another smile appeared across her lips as she pulled back the sleeve of her robe, glancing down at her wristwatch. "Well -I think our hour is just about up."
Malfoy stood as she made the comment and straighten out the ruffle in his clothes. "Thank you...for this." The wizard gestured to the ballroom. "It's nice to be back home, even if it's just for a little bit." He inhaled deeply, as if it was going to be the last time he visited. Then again, who knows how much more time would pass before he got another opportunity to return. "One day... I'll get this place back."
"I'm sure you will," Hermione whispered, looking up at the blonde. Their eyes met, and suddenly, she found their shoes quite interesting. Her fingers twitched, tempted to reach out to him once more. She didn't understand it, but...whenever they touched, she always felt rather at peace. Ironic, since he was the boy who always made fun of her in school.
As if he was reading her mind, Malfoy pulled her hand into his once more. "I know I'm rather the prat at times-" Hermione laughed, a bit too loudly as her heart skipped a beat. The blonde glared at her, "-but I'm pretty grateful you're as stubborn as they come."
With his free hand, Malfoy tucked the same strand of obstinate hair behind her ears. The back of his finger traced lightly along her jawline, and she could immediately feel her cheeks reddening. The silence was too apparent. Hermione could hear her heartbeat echoing loudly in her ears, and the rise and fall of her chest was too obvious.
How did he remain so cool?
She chewed on her lower lip as he bore his eyes into hers, noticing the space between them growing smaller. He dipped his head in ever so slightly, his eyelids heavy.
Was this really going to happen -again?
Was she ready for it this time? Even after everything that had happened recently?
But then again, why would she try so hard to keep him in her life if she wasn't? Hermione mentally prepared herself -then made a promise to herself to not get all awkward again this next time around.
Hermione closed her eyes, leaning in towards him. This was it. They were going to kiss again! She could feel the heat of his breath brushing against her sensitive skin-
"'Mione?"
Her name echoed through the vast ballroom, the sound bouncing off the hollow walls, and quickly, the two of them scrambled away from each other, a good meter away.
The frazzled witch readjusted her attire, though there was no reason to. She felt...ruffled up, is all. Hermione cleared her throat, "In here!"
A silhouette appeared through one of the many doors which led into the grand room. The man's hair stuck up every which way and a faint glint reflected off the lenses of his spectacles as he enter. "'Mione, your hour is up -I've got to get this place closed before anyone else notices the wards have been disabled." Harry stopped as he came into view. His eyes never left his best friend, though the other person's presence was quite apparent.
Hermione smiled widely, though she could only imagine a deep scowl on Malfoy's face, being interrupted at such a pivotal moment. She, on the other hand, was a little relieved. Her nervousness got her all worked up. "Yes, we were just getting ready to Apparate out." And with a little too much bounce in her walk towards Harry, Hermione gave her best friend a great big hug. "Thank you -so much, again, for doing this for me."
"You know I'd do anything for you," he said, returning the hug. He squeezed her just a little, dropping his voice, "but I do expect an explanation later." If Harry was good at anything, it was knowing when to seek out information and when to play the part.
Hermione had asked for a favor earlier involving allowing her to enter the Malfoy Manor, which everyone and their mum's knew she hated. She'd also asked not to interrogate her just yet as time was of the essence.
Needless to say, seeing Draco Malfoy with her was definitely a surprise.
"Malfoy," Harry piped up, looking over towards the disheveled blonde as he released his best friend.
"Potter." Hermione could hear the bitterness in the way the Slytherin said his name. There was a heavy pause between the men as she looked at the two. Malfoy puffed out his chest and straightened out his back, seemingly taller than the Auror. "I suppose I have you to credit for allowing us this visit."
Oh! Hermione's cheeks reddened, again. So he did hear what she said through her cough.
"A favor for a dear friend," Harry nodded, noting that was just about as good as a 'thank you' he was going to get out of Malfoy. He cleared his throat, putting on his best authoritative facade, "I don't mean to be hasty, but I must ask you two to leave so I can reactivate the wards." His green orbs danced between Hermione and the blonde.
"Of course, we'll just get out of your hair." Hermione stated, gesturing towards the taller wizard.
"It was, uh, good seeing you, Malfoy." Harry held out his hand towards Malfoy as they made their way towards the foyer.
The blonde paused and stared down at the Auror's hand, arching a delicate brow as if he contemplated on whether he should or shouldn't accept his hand. Then, surprisingly, Malfoy gripped his hand with a terse shake before dropping it. "Likewise."
Hermione nearly jumped with glee until she noticed the subtle wipe of Draco's hand on his pants after the shake.
Even then, it was a huge stepping stone between the two of them. Could this be some sort of new bond between the two childhood enemies?
Something she'd definitely have to tell Ginny later on!
- 11
- 12
- 13
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