Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Match Made In Convenience	By : ErisNight Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 47188 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 9
Disclaimer: The entire universe of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. I make no profit from writing these stories. I am only borrowing her inventions for my fiction.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
A/N:

Review Replies and Discussion are up at: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/49940-a-match-made-in-convenience-review-replies-and-discussion/

Two warnings I will put out there is slight NON CON and loads of WEASLEY BASHING.

For lack of a better sentiment S*** is about to hit the proverbial fan, dear readers. Please just find the kindness in your heart not to come kill me if you hate it lol.

There's a method to all of my madness!

Let's get right into it with Chapter 14: Love Makes You Crazy

:)

Eris

Harry spent the majority of the next few days ignoring all contact from Ginny. He was too frustrated to even bother listening to her apologies or even think about forgiving her. Even if he wanted to let this pass for the sake of their relationship, Harry knew Ginny wouldn’t change and it was that fact alone that made him refrain.

  Saturday night he had been sitting in the living room with Hermione, playing a trivia game when suddenly Ginny arrived in the floo. She looked worse for wear and as though she had been crying all day. Her makeup was running and her cheeks were blotchy. She held a brown package tight in her hands and took a step forward immediately upon landing. Harry stood and dropped the cards he had been holding “Ginny I’m not in the…”

  “Just please listen for a moment Harry, I’ve come to apologize. Apologize properly that is. I understand that you’re still upset with me but I just needed to come and say that I am sincerely sorry for ruining your birthday. I wanted what was best for the both of us and did something stupid and wrong to achieve it.” She looked down to the parcel in her hands. “I brought you this small gift, so that it could hopefully remind you of how much I love you.” Ginny came forward and set it down on the table before giving Harry a small sad smile and leaving.

  Hermione met Harry’s pained expression and reached over to pat his shoulder as he sat back down. “That apology seemed genuine dear, as though she really meant it.” Harry sighed “I can’t deal with her need to be a socialite. I hate what she’s become.” Hermione could only agree with that sentiment, feeling similarly toward her own Weasley and his lingering new prejudices. “Well open up the gift and see what it is.” Harry frowned “I don’t want to bother; you open it and tell me if it’s worth me even acknowledging.”

  “Well alright then” Hermione leaned forward and picked up the gift. It was roughly the size of a normal sheet of muggle computer paper and enclosed in brown paper wrapping. She opened it slowly but could only stare in awe at the beautiful gift. In her hands was a large wooden picture frame, encasing a magical photo of a very happy Harry and Ginny.

  She watched the sequence of the photo for a long moment, unable to look away. It almost made her want to cry. Their love seemed tangible, coming off the photo in waves. It was a tragedy. The moving image was irrefutable proof of the love they once shared and laid in stark contrast to the relationship they had now.

  “Well?” Harry asked. Hermione couldn’t explain the sudden rush of emotion. The gift was just so wonderful; she almost wished she had thought of it herself. She handed the gift to Harry and watched as his face immediately softened and his frown fell away. After a long moment of staring at the moving picture, he held it to his chest and looked up to his friend. She leaned close and hugged him. “That is a very beautiful gift” Harry agreed.

  After a few more rounds of trivia, Hermione excused herself and went to her room. Once she was safely hidden behind the black door she had a good cry and couldn’t even explain why she was so overcome with emotion. When Hermione had calmed down, she wandered into the attached bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. I must be getting my monthly again.

  She went to the wardrobe next, and pulled out a book at random before smiling down at her choice. “Pride and Prejudice” was her favorite novel and even though she was confident she could recite it word for word; that wasn’t going to stop her from thoroughly enjoying re-reading it. She suddenly looked forward to revisiting that particular fictional world. Leaving the room with her treasure in hand, Hermione made her way to the sitting room for a long and comfortable read in front of the fire.

  Ginny had been the model of a perfect apologetic girlfriend earlier and Harry was slightly suspicious. It was her M.O. to be obsessive and clingy; that was something he had long since accepted about her. But normal? No way in hell. He didn’t believe for a moment that she was just going to give him this gift and leave him to make his own choices. She would probably be back in the morning, he thought to himself as he rose from the couch.

  Harry took the picture frame back to his room and sat down on the bed. He had to admit that it was actually a really heartfelt present. For all her faults Ginny had obviously made it herself with magic. The imperfections of the scroll work that spelled out their names together only seemed to make it all the more special. Harry looked down at the photo and watched the sequence, remembering when it had been taken.

  It had been years ago, the day after he had asked her out again. He had gone to the Weasley’s Manor and asked to speak with her, but as soon as he had mentioned a relationship, she had kicked him out. The next day, he caught sight of her while at work and had confessed his love for her. Harry had practically pleaded in front of the entire ministry that she forgive him for leaving her so long. At first Ginny hadn’t wanted to hear it and went to leave but he had kissed her and told her the honest truth: there had never been anyone else.

  The picture had been snapped somewhere in the midst all that. Just after the kiss he guessed because Ginny looked as incredibly happy as he could remember. Harry held the picture frame tight between his fingers and could recall exactly how content he had been in that moment.

  Suddenly Harry grinned at the memory; he had been over reacting with the restaurant situation on his birthday. Ginny was a great woman and had only been trying to look out for him. Not only that, but she must’ve realized that he wasn’t completely comfortable with her obsessive nature and was trying to change it.

  She had come and dropped off the best present of his life and then given him space just as he had wanted. Only someone who loved him dearly would try and change for him. Ginny must’ve loved him more than anything.

  Harry laid back in the center of his bed and was consumed with thoughts about his amazing girlfriend. I really ought to spend more time with her, take her out to all the places that she could ever dream of going. It wasn’t as though he couldn’t afford it.

All of a sudden, Harry felt terrible; he had been a complete louse as of late and clearly not spending enough time with her. All of this was his fault not Ginny’s.

He held the picture frame in one hand and his wand in the other as he laid spread eagle on his bed. Harry could envision her long red hair and her bright brown eyes. He closed his own eyes and could see her smiling face and the sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Ginny was perfect; everything about her was absolutely perfect.

  Harry could imagine all of her; she had grown into an incredibly sexy woman, with her long slim legs and small, yet full breasts. He remembered the last time he had got a chance to see her completely naked. Her pale pink nipples standing at attention as he took all of her in, the neatly trimmed patch of matching red hair between her thighs, a pert little ass to die for. She was amazing in bed, the best he had ever had.

  Suddenly he could feel her between his legs. It was as though she were in the room with him. He opened his eyes expecting the sensation to fade but there she was, naked at the foot of his bed. “Ginny, how did you…” his question was cut off by a groan as her tongue swished against the sensitive head of his shaft. Long tendrils of hair curling around his cock, while her head bobbed up and down and she took him even deeper into her mouth.

  Harry couldn’t believe the feeling, it was the greatest pleasure he had ever felt. He was on the brink of the most amazing orgasm, but completely unable to go over.

  Her small hand ran along the inside of his thighs and gripped his cock as she pumped him into her mouth. But still it wasn’t enough. He reached forward to pull her down on him, wanting nothing more than to be deep inside; but as soon as his fingers touch her skin, everything changed.

  Long straight red hair turned to wavy brown and her body filled out with delicious curves. Hermione only grinned at him before climbing up his body and sinking down onto his shaft. Harry recoiled for a moment, confused. But Hermione only tossed her hair over her shoulder, arched her back and began moving like there was no better feeling in the world.

  She was everything he could have ever dreamed of in a woman. She was warm and wet and holding his cock deep inside like a vice. Harry cried out at the feeling and reached out to stroke her plump breasts. Hermione kissed up his neck as she rode him, quicker and faster until they reached the crescendo. She gripped his shoulders tight, cried out his name and with the sexiest sound he had ever heard, came.

  He didn’t last much longer after that and it was all over in the space of a moment. Harry felt his entire body stiffen before his erection spasmed and shot out ropes of cum.

  There was the sensation of warm liquid dripping down his skin. Harry opened his eyes to see that he had dropped his wand and had his own hand fisted around his cock.

  That was amazing was all that he could think, dragging deep breaths of air into his lungs. He still felt as though Hermione had been riding him. She’s here Harry; you can have the real thing, a soft voice told him and Harry found himself nodding, “I want the real thing”. Cleaning his pants with a quick “Scourgify”, Harry dropped the picture frame he had been clutching and noticed in passing that he had been holding it so tightly, the wood had imprinted the writing “Harry and Ginny” on the palm of his hand.

  Harry left his room, grabbing his wand hastily as he went, and tried the black door in the hall first. When Hermione didn’t answer, he opened and searched the room. Frowning when she wasn’t there, he went down the stairs to the living room and then checked the kitchen. Finding both empty Harry stepped back into the hall frustrated. Eventually he noticed that the sitting room door was open and when he saw Hermione in the room, he felt the satisfying surge of triumph.

  She was laying on the couch in an off the shoulder tee that had ridden up high on her stomach and men's boxers that she liked to wear as shorts. Perfect. Harry spared no time, pulled his shirt from his body and dropped it on the ground.

  Hermione shifted her position and hugged the book close to her chest for a moment, before turning the page and continuing reading. She had one leg up resting on the back of the couch and the other one flat on the cushions. She had truly grown up; Harry mused, hardly unable to recognize the body he had seen many times in the past.

  He took a step forward and she looked up at the noise. Her smile was instantaneous. “Harry what’s up” he only smirked in return. “Harry?” she asked when he continued coming forward without a word. Oh yes, this will be better than before.

  Hermione had been excited to see Harry, usually whenever he found her reading, she could explain what was happening in the book and in that moment she was eager to share.

  She had noticed that Harry had taken his shirt off, when oddly enough he climbed in between her legs on the couch and faced her. Hermione set her book down and went to sit up. “Harry are you…?” suddenly his mouth was on hers, cutting off her question. His tongue brushed against hers impatiently and his hand traveled to her breast, squeezing the nipples until they began to ache.

  Hermione was stunned the first few seconds of Harry’s assault but when his fingers began to move against her skin she knew something was up. She brought her hands up to his chest to push him away but he only groaned into her mouth and fully covered her body with his. She could feel the hard evidence of his arousal pressing through his pants and she began to panic.

  Seconds more passed by and despite her struggling he didn’t seem to register her attempts to free herself. Harry released her mouth and began sucking on the skin at her neck. There is something wrong with him, this is not Harry. Hermione pushed her hands against his face to get him away from her her, but when that didn’t work. She looked toward the table and reached her hand out for her wand.

  Her fingers brushed against the end of the wooden stick but it was too far from her grasp. Harry’s mouth traveled downward and further until he was kissing and sucking the tops of her breasts.

  Hermione tried to push at his shoulders again but he was lost in his own intentions. She struggled for only a few seconds more before her eyes fell on the open door. She gave one last attempt to get Harry off of her before doing the only thing that came to mind. “MALFOYYY!”

  Draco had been on his way from the kitchen with a night cap when he heard the scream. He dropped the glass of fire whiskey that he had been holding and cursed himself for leaving his room without his wand. But it was too far away and he was just going to have to go help Granger clad in nothing but his briefs. He rushed in the sitting room and almost couldn’t believe his eyes. Surely that wasn’t Potter attacking her. But there she was struggling under him, trying her best to get away. Draco felt his eyes narrow as he took the steps toward his roommates.

  Harry had just begun to kiss his way back up her neck again and Hermione felt helpless. She wasn’t strong enough against him without her wand but she had to stop whatever was controlling him. She opened her mouth to scream again before Harry had the chance to cover her mouth with a kiss; when suddenly he was ripped away from her and thrown onto the ground. Hermione scrambled to her feet and met the gaze of a very pissed off looking Malfoy.

  Her mouth went dry. Granted they had more serious problems at hand, but Hermione was known for her ability to multitask. Malfoy was completely naked except for a pair of briefs that could not hide his rather large, um… Hermione blushed as she looked at him. “You called Granger” he asked clearly exasperated with her lack of focus.

  She snapped to attention and turned back to the man that was clearly in need of their help. Harry was back on his feet wand drawn and pointed at Malfoy. “He’s been cursed, I was just sitting here reading when he came in and went for it. Harry would never do that to me, there has to be something going on.” Malfoy nodded but kept his eyes on his roommate. Despite the dark haired wizard having his wand out, Hermione watched as Malfoy took slow steps forward.

  “Potter, I am not your enemy, I’m completely unarmed and would appreciate if you put your wand away.” Harry looked between her and the large blonde man rapidly as if he didn’t know what he was seeing. Suddenly his wand hand began shaking and lowering. Malfoy slowly took the wand from his grasp and tossed it to Hermione. She tucked it in the waistband of her shorts for good measure but kept her eyes on her best friend just in case. Harry looked between them again and began hyper ventilating.

  “Look at me Potter, not her. Only me. You’ve been cursed and I’m here to help.” Harry looked between them once more and brought his hands roughly up to his face. He shook his head and looked between them a final time before his focus finally settled on the blonde. It seemed as though the sight of Malfoy was causing some sort of breakthrough. Suddenly Harry’s chest heaved violently and he screamed out, clutching at his heart.

  Malfoy took a step forward “easy Potter, take it easy. Everything will be ok. I’m here mate. I’ve got you.” Harry only grasped at his own chest and screamed out again before collapsing to the ground.

  Hermione gasped and ran forward but Malfoy got their first. He swiftly picked up the fallen wizard and threw him over his shoulder. “We have to get him to St. Mungo’s.” Hermione nodded, picked up her wand and called out to Malfoy as he began to make his way toward the fire place. He turned and caught a spell to the chest. Suddenly he was fully dressed. “Thanks” Hermione cast the spell on herself and nodded to him “Let’s go”.

  It was about 3 hours later before anyone came out to see them. Draco immediately recognized the healer that had accepted Potter and rose to his feet. Granger followed suit and came forward “is he alright?”

One the severity of the situation sunk in, Granger had done nothing but stress and berate herself for not being stronger and Draco found that there was nothing he could say or do to console her. The healer nodded “Mr. Potter is stable and in a temporary stasis that will keep the curse from spreading. We however have never seen anything of this nature and cannot draw further conclusions without more details on the events of this evening.” Granger nodded and began to fill him in on what happened.

  By the end of the tale, the healer seemed at a loss for words but nodded as if taking in what Hermione had told him. “Is there anything new that Mr. Potter was introduced to? There must have been some sort of stimulus that wasn’t present before today. The curse was still relatively new, and hasn’t spread far enough for it to be more than a few hours old. Not to mention Mr. Potter’s magic is fighting it off, while he showed symptoms of what the curse intended. His magic held the majority of those symptoms at bay.”

  Draco looked down to Granger but met her quizzical stare and shrugged. “I hadn’t seen him with anything new, but considering that I have to return to Grimmauld and open the floo network to receive from St. Mungo’s, I’ll check Potters room.” Both Granger and the healer nodded in agreement of that plan and without another word, he turned to leave.

  Draco apparated to his study. Leaving his wing quickly he made his way downstairs to the sitting room first and opened the floo to receive. Searching around the couch where Potter and Granger had been, he looked around for anything out of the ordinary that Potter could have come in contact with.

  He only saw Grangers book and after casting a few quick spells deemed it ordinary. He left the room and headed up the stairs to the deep blue door. Unlocking it with a wave of his wand, he stepped into what appeared to be a neat large bedroom lined with several doors.

  Draco acknowledged that the simple styled room suited Potter completely and decided to search the bed room fully before checking behind each door. He had made his way around the perimeter of the room when he suddenly felt a tug in his left arm.

  Draco looked down to the dark mark he tried his best to ignore. The image of the skull and snake was darkening before his eyes and he brought his free hand down over it to cover it from his view. He would recognize that kind of pull anywhere, “dark magic.”

  Turning on his heel, Draco went over to the bed and looked down to the moving image of Potter sweeping Ginny Weasley up into his arms. He reached for the wooden frame with his left hand but pulled it back quickly when the mark seemed to vibrate against his skin. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

  There was a sudden slamming of doors and Hermione looked up to see a clearly angry Malfoy storming in her direction. He had what appeared to be a bundle of bed sheets in his right hand and had his left as far away from it as possible. When he made it to her, he threw the bundle down on the chair beside her and pulled out his wand.

  “The bitch cursed Potter with dark magic.” Hermione jumped away from the bundle of cloth “who did? And they used Harry’s sheet?” Malfoy swished and flicked his wand impatiently and slowly from the center of the bundle of sheets rose a familiar picture frame.

  Hermione took a step back “she couldn’t have…” Malfoy suddenly brought his left arm close to the picture frame and she watched in horror as his dark mark turned black as night “she did.”

  Draco had immediately called the hospital Aurors on duty and instructed them on proper handling of the cursed object. The healer took a moment to examine it and ran a few quick tests with his wand before the Aurors took it to the ministry. When the healer was finished, he turned back to them and sighed.

  “It appears that the curse cast on Mr. Potter was a very old forbidden enslavement spell mixed with a botched form of the amortentia potion that the wood had been soaked in. Certain aspects of the potion and curse canceled out, creating a dangerous obsessive love effect. We can help Mr. Potter but the issue is that we need to siphon out all of the magic that has been contaminated by the curse. Considering its victim specific, the maker of the curse tailored it to Mr. Potter’s unique magical signature. We cannot reverse that aspect, but we can completely remove what’s been infected. This is a highly specialized procedure, but we have no legal guardians in the event of hospitalization to grant us permission to proceed. Unfortunately friends do not count.” Granger looked defeated; she brought her fist to her mouth as if to stall her tears. Draco tried his best to ignore how incredibly dejected she looked, but ultimately felt compelled to pull her against his chest.

  “I can give you permission” Draco told the healer withdrawing his wand. The healer had begun to explain why friends did not count as legal guardians when Draco cut him off. “Potter and I are bound by a wizard’s oath of loyalty. It will allow me to act as his guardian considering he has no blood related family or a wife of age to make the choice for him.” The healer seemed clearly shocked by this but quickly covered it up. He pulled out a scroll from his pocket and opened it up for Draco.

  “Alright then Mr. Malfoy, if what you claim is true, just a touch of your wand to the parchment will be enough to give us permission.” Draco tapped his wand on the paper and sighed when his neat and loopy signature formed across the dotted line. He had never wanted to admit to having a wizard’s oath with Potter. It was just one of those things that it ever got out the public’s reaction would be hell.

  The healer stared at the paper for a second longer than he should have but rolled it up and placed it back into his pocket. “Well then thank you for accommodating us Mr. Malfoy, we will begin the procedure shortly and give you word of the results once we’re finished.”

  Draco frowned as he watched the wizard walk away with his signature and called out “what’s your name?” The healer turned “Jeremy Burbage at your service Mr. Malfoy” then he gave the blonde a smirk before turning around and continuing on his way. Draco stared after the man a moment longer but turned to the witch in his arms. He moved them over to the bench and pulled Granger down beside him. “It will be alright Granger, just you wait and see.”

  It was well into early Sunday morning when the Healer returned. Draco nudged Granger awake and pulled her to her feet after him. He realized he had somehow taken hold her hand while she slept and quickly let it go. The healer removed the mask he had been wearing and stopped in front of them.

  “After listening to all the recounted events and curing Mr. Potter firsthand; I can confirm that the curse was meant to act as some sort of binding love spell. It works by drawing the victim’s attention to the last female that touched the object, therefore when the intended picks up the item, the spell binds their desires to them. However the main method of delivery would be touch and with Miss Granger touching the picture frame first, it slightly altered the effect when her magical signature imprinted on the object. Although Miss Granger didn’t touch the item for long, it was enough to alter whom the spell was designed to attach Mr. Potter to. Also considering the strong feelings Mr. Potter has for Miss Granger in friendship, it made it easier for the spell to follow the new set of rules.”

  Hermione was angry, angrier than she could ever remember being. The fact that Ginny would attempt to enslave Harry made her see red. She was fully confident that Ginny hadn’t even known what she was doing. The red head probably got the idea from one of her airhead friends and didn’t even bother to look into it before giving it a try.

  The fact that the amortentia potion had been brewed incorrectly also explained why Hermione had been so emotional after touching the picture frame. The curse had imprinted on her magical signature and passed off some of the intended symptoms.

  Malfoy crossed his arms “will he recover fully?” The healer nodded immediately “yes, the good news is that we caught the spell in time and were able to stall the spread. The procedure is very draining however and Mr. Potter will be weak for a few days before his magical core can replenish all the magic we had to siphon away. We’ll want to keep him here overnight to observe him but he should be good to return home by Tuesday.”

  Suddenly there was the sound of feet rushing up behind them. Hermione turned to find that Mrs. and Mr. Weasley as well as Ron had just arrived. The latter glared at Malfoy but the blonde simply turned his back on him. “Is he alright?” Molly asked looking to Hermione. The healer repeated what he had just told her and Malfoy before excusing himself.

  Molly took a seat and wrung her hands together. “Arthur, I just don’t know what’s gotten into that child. How could she do this!? Harry could have her locked in Azkaban, he’s head Auror!” and then she began to cry and Arthur moved to comfort her.

  Ron took Hermione’s hand and pulled her slightly away from her roommate. “Want to take a walk outside Mione?” Hermione nodded and followed him out the front door. She tried her best not to worry about leaving Harry for long. Even though he had practically been attacked right under her watch and she hadn’t had the foresight to recognize a cursed object when she saw one.

  Hermione forced herself to stop thinking before she made herself sick with worry and then reassured herself that Malfoy would come and get her if she were needed.

  “Well the good news is that the healer thinks Harry’s not going to suffer any permanent damage.” Ron said matter-of-factly. Hermione sighed, “I’m glad for it, magic of that caliber is very dangerous to begin with. But for Harry to have been cursed with a botched version of the potion… it could have been fatal.”

  Ron remained silent for a moment and she sat down on a bench near the St. Mungo’s welcome sign. “He’s tough though, he’ll be alright Mione.” She wiped the tears from her eyes before they fell and looked up to the man whom she had loved the longest. It comforted her tremendously that he had come when she had called. Ron had shown her true loyalty today despite the way his friendship with Harry had been going.

  “I saw Ginny about an hour ago; she was there when we got your owl. She wanted me to tell Harry that she was sorry and that she had gotten the idea from Lavender or something. I hadn’t known what she meant at the time but this is a complete shocker.”

  “She had no right to curse him.” Hermione shot back fiercely, not wanting to hear a single thing about the witch that could have almost killed her best friend. “I agree but she loves him” Ronald said in his sister’s defense. Hermione let out a sarcastic laugh at this but fixed him with an icy glare. “How about we talk about something different Ronald.” He shrugged but nodded.

  “Alright then, since Harry is gonna be here for a few days, how about you stay with me at the manor? You wouldn’t have to bother being alone with Malfoy.” Hermione shook her head “Malfoy is probably going to be the one to bring Harry home once he’s released and I don’t want to miss him returning.” Ron suddenly dropped her hand and turned on the bench to face her.

  “That’s how it is then? Always choosing Harry over me?” Hermione gave him an incredulous look; he had to have been kidding. Surely he couldn’t be upset that she wanted to be there when Harry returned home, he had almost just died! She took a calming breath and thought out the best way to explain this to her short tempered boyfriend.

  “Ronald, this is not a “Me choosing Harry” over you moment, this is a “your sister has gone completely mental and cursed our best friend” moment! This is not about us! Harry needs me so no, I will not be staying with you! No, I will not sit in the same house as your lunatic sister! No, I will not pretend everything is alright” Ron’s face turned a deep shade of red and she could tell that no amount of reason would get through to him, all he would have heard is that she was staying with Harry and that would be that.

  Hermione expected screaming and yelling and possibly a bit of violence toward anything but her, but not his next words. Ronald squared his shoulders and looked at her as though she disgusted him. “Well then fine, stay here with your precious Harry Potter. I’m done with you and all your bloody waiting. I’m finished pretending as though I’m not worth twelve of you. Just don’t come crawling back when you finally realize that Harry doesn’t want you, and I’m the only one who ever has.”

  Hermione was dumbstruck, she felt as though he had slapped her across the face. She felt the tears begin to free fall down her cheeks as she watched him stalk away wordlessly.

  Surely Ron hadn't been that irrational. Surely he hadn’t just broken up with her over this, she couldn’t possibly be that lucky.



  Draco had been sitting in the waiting room, when Granger finally came back. The Weasleys had long since left and the healer hadn’t told him any new information on Potter. She made her way over and stopped directly in front of him. He looked up and saw her eyes were brimming with tears. “Are we ok Malfoy?” She asked in a quiet voice. Draco knew simultaneously that she must’ve meant how distant he had been for the last couple of weeks and that Weasley must’ve done something to upset her. He sighed and stood, pulling her into his arms. “It will be alright Granger, they said Potter will be fine and we’ll be able to take him home in a few days.”

  Granger accepted his hug completely and wrapped her arms around his waist. He knew it was damn near blasphemous to enjoy the feel of her, when she was clearly upset about her best friend but he couldn’t help it. She felt like heaven in his arms and he was genuinely glad that he was the one comforting her rather than Weasley.

  Hermione wiped her eyes as she listened to her old-enemy-turned-savior's words. She thought back to what Ronald had said to her and although a small part of her wanted to cry, she felt so incredibly relieved that he had actually broken things off with her.

  She hadn’t realize just how much she didn’t want to be with him, until this exact moment when she felt the best she ever had in Malfoy’s arms. She peeked up to his face and wiped her eyes before meeting his deep silver gaze. “You’re absolutely right Malfoy; everything will be absolutely alright from now on.”

  They stayed that way for a long moment. When Malfoy finally let her go and looked down at her, something unreadable passed between them. He brushed a hand through her hair but took a step back. “Go home and get some sleep Granger.” She opened her mouth to protest but he shook his head. “Considering I’m his legal guardian, I have to be here in case they need me to sign anything more. But you look exhausted and have had one hell of a night. So go back to Grimmauld and rest. I’ll be bringing him back when I can. But don’t worry yourself sick, you saved him.”

  Hermione heard the truth in his words and knew that returning home was probably for the best. She reached out and placed a hand on Malfoy’s arm “we saved him” before turning and leaving the room.

  The entirely of Sunday and Monday proved to be the longest days of her life. Harry had apparently woken on Sunday evening but the Healer thought it best for her not to visit. She hadn’t wanted to agree but when Malfoy suggested the same Hermione had no choice but to comply.

  So there she was anxiously awaiting Harry’s return in the sitting room Tuesday morning when Malfoy appeared from the floo alone. She rose from the couch “what happened, is he ok? Why didn’t he come back with you?” Malfoy held up his hands “he’s coming home today, they’re writing his discharge papers now. I just came to make sure the floo connection was still opened to St. Mungo’s.” She nodded slowly, sensing that was not all “and to tell you this Granger.” He continued after a moment. “Potter specifically asked me to tell you that he doesn’t want to see you when he comes home.”

  Hermione felt the blood rush from her face “What? Why would he say that!?” Malfoy crossed his arms “look I know that’s not what you want to hear but I swear on my wizards oath with Potter, that that’s what he requested. I figured you’d be right here waiting for him and so I came ahead to ask you to be reasonable Granger. I know that you’re worried but he’ll see you in his own time. I’m sure of it.” The tears began before she could even hold them back and she was out of the room without a word.

She bid herself to take a nap, read or do anything but when she heard the shuffling of feet past her door an hour later, it hurt more than her fresh break up with Ronald. She had already felt like she had failed Harry for not noticing the picture frame was cursed and she was worried sick about him. Why would he not want to see me?

  Hours later, there was a knock on the door. Hermione sighed before sitting up and wiping her eyes. It was probably just Malfoy coming to check on her. “Come in” she called out. The door swung open to reveal a worse for wear looking Harry. Hermione jumped to her feet and came forward but stopped just shy of him when she remembered what Malfoy had told her. “Harry, are you alright? How do you feel?” He remained completely silent for a moment and just stared at her, and Hermione felt tears come to her eyes.

  Suddenly Harry came forward and pulled her into his embrace. She cried for what seemed like forever and tried to hide her face in his chest once she stopped. Hermione was just so relieved to see him. She wiped her eyes and backed away from him after a moment.

“I thought you were angry at me for not being strong enough to stop you. For not recognizing that the frame was cursed in the first place.” Harry took a step further into the room and closed the door. “Angry at you? Hermione I was angry at myself. I woke up able to completely remember every single thing that I did to you and I have never been more ashamed. I’m Head Auror for Merlin’s sake. I should have been able to tell a cursed object when I saw one. I didn’t know how to face you, that’s why I asked Malfoy to tell you to leave me be. I was afraid of coming home and seeing hate in your eyes. I wanted to give you time to adjust to living with me again but Malfoy insisted I had to see you before the day was done lest you blame yourself.”

  Harry went to her and cupped her face in his hands. “I could never be angry at you for any of this. You saved me by touching the picture frame first and altering the spell. There is no telling what I would have been doing otherwise.”

  Hermione had nothing to say for this but after a moment Harry forced her to look at him. “I am so incredibly sorry for the way I treated you Hermione. I never meant to do that to you. I have no excuse for my actions and can only pray that you don’t hold it against me.”

  “Never Harry, I knew it wasn’t you all along.” He shook his head “you don’t understand, that was completely unforgivable of me. I would have hurt you had Malfoy not stopped me. I wasn’t in my right mind. I fully intended to do worse to you. Just the thought of it makes me sick.” He let her go and looked down to the ground as if ashamed of himself but Hermione wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him close. “We don’t need an oath between us to keep me by your side Harry. I know you, the real you and I trust that you would never knowingly or willingly hurt me. You’re my best friend and my brother. I will never hold this against you.”

  Harry seemed to take comfort in her words because suddenly he was holding her tight and apologizing over and over again. He said he was sorry until the words blended together and didn’t make sense.

They stayed that way for a long time, wrapped up in each other, not speaking and when Harry finally pulled away from her. Hermione felt absolutely whole again, as though everything in the word had completely righted itself.

  He kissed her on the forehead and pushed the hair back from her face. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you this, but I mean it with every fiber of my being. I love you Hermione Granger, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Hermione felt her chest swell with emotion. This was the man she had come to adore and cherish. This was the man that she trusted with her life and never doubted. She knew him like she knew her own heartbeat and he, her. This was her champion and deepest confidant and she was so happy to have him back.

  Hermione reached up and lightly touched the lightning shaped scar that had made him a legend. “And I you, Harry Potter. The boy who thankfully lived; now and forever.”

  Harry gave her a megawatt smile and turned to leave. He had just touched the door knob when a question popped into her head. “What are you going to do to her? Ginny I mean.” Harry’s shoulders drooped but when he turned back to her, she was stunned by the fierce anger she saw peering out from behind his deep emerald gaze. Such a quick change in emotion from the happy Harry that had just turned away from her. “Nothing. I’m not going to do a damn thing. I never want to see her again” and then he left the room.

  Hermione watched the spot where he had been for a moment before going back to her bed and laying down. She found herself thinking about the events of the last few days and how she could not believe what Ginny had actually done to Harry. Hermione was at a complete loss for words and could not possibly fathom the girl’s motives. It was just one of those things, one of those moments where desperation could lead you astray.

  Hermione rolled on her side and looked out the window to the bright 1912 sun. She closed her eyes slowly, blocking out the light and sighed.

  Love makes you crazy.

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A Match Made In Convenience