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How To Train Your Auror 2: Family Ties	By : Alcoholic_Rootbeer Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 7990 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and I will not make a profit from this story

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Waymay cracked me up today during editing. Omg. Thank you so much for listening to me rant on and on about my past. I swear, I'm not as self-centered as I seem. And thank you, LightofEvolution, for the words of encouragement.
It's going to hurt a little here, but don't worry -Dramione will come back, and with a swift force! Just trust me, alright? XD
SAM WALLFLOWER made some AMAZING fanart for How To Train Your Auror. Link can be found on my author's page! THANK YOU IRIS! I love it!
~A.
Hours pass, and she still counts the minutes
That I am not there, I swear I didn't mean
For it to feel like this
Like every inch of me is bruised, bruised
And don't fly fast. Oh, pilot can you help me?
Can you make this last? This plane is all I got
So keep it steady, now
Cause every inch you see is bruised
"Bruised" by Jack's Mannequin
Day One: The Final Hours
*(*)*
When the subject of dinner came up that evening, Jameson insisted they all stop at a local café near his home, where they made 'the best damn roast beef on rye on the whole damn planet.' Astoria scolded him for language, and Hermione chuckled under her breath as she watched Theodore Jameson turn the color of a plum and resign himself to silence for most of the evening after. Scorpius seemed to take to him quite well, which, to Astoria, seemed to nearly make her smitten with Jameson. Or, perhaps, that was just the act. Hermione couldn't be sure -she looked so comfortable with her arm snaked around Jameson's as she scooted closer to him in the dimly lit booth and nibbled on a few potato crisps from his plate.
Lucius and Narcissa sat in a corner table of the establishment, away from the younger generation, with the insistence from Narcissa it would be alright. Everyone knew she was only trying to delay the inevitable eruption of a fight between Draco and his father, and hoped to keep it at bay until they were tucked inside the Manor. The two had exchanged agitated, sometimes furious, glances all afternoon, but they hadn't said a word to each other.
Seated on the other side of the booth, Hermione rested her head on Draco's shoulder as she watched Scorpius attempt to pick Auror Jameson's nose with a spoon. He wore an expression worthy of Snape: that was, to say, expressionless.
"Have you two looked at floral arrangements?" Astoria asked Draco and Hermione as all three parents ignored Jameson's silent cries for help as the toddler began to stuff his collar full of sugar packets.
"Floral?" Draco raised an eyebrow, using his free arm, that wasn't leaned on by Hermione, to pick up his cup of coffee and take a sip.
"For the wedding, of course." Astoria frowned. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten you're engaged."
"It's been four days, Astoria. The papers haven't even gotten their talons in a column on it, and you want to talk about flower arrangements?"
"Well, excuse me. I thought I was helping." She tucked her face into Jameson's shoulder, hiding it from view. Hermione now understood why the wedding was so important to Astoria: with the blood curse beginning its course, she felt as if this might be her last chance to be involved in a wedding. But she'd said she had years, right? Hermione certainly hoped so.
"You are," Hermione piped up, attempting to alleviate the tension between the exes. "Draco's just being an ass."
"Ass?" Draco quirked an eyebrow. "Am I the only sane one at this table? There's a criminal running around threatening to destroy our family, and all you women want to do is talk flowers. Jameson, help me out here." He looked to the Auror, but found it useless; Scorpius was now trying to shove a salt shaker in Theodore's mouth, so his lips were clamped tight.
"Scorpius, dear," Astoria scolded sweetly, "Give Theo a break, yes?"
"Theo?" Jameson managed to mutter out of the corner of his mouth as the toddler let up on his relentless assault with the shaker.
"Yes. Remember, you're my newly acquired boyfriend. It would be odd to call you 'Theodore' all the time. You could call me 'Tori'. Go on! Give it a go!"
Jameson squinted his eyes, pleading with Hermione for help, but she simply brought her cup of tea to her lips and sipped. Eventually, Jameson, when he was sure he wouldn't have salt shoved down his throat, cleared it and said, in his driest, most monotone drawl, "Tori is correct. Flower arrangements are an important part of any wedding inventory."
"You're whipped," Draco chided. He slowly placed his coffee mug back on the table and turned to Hermione, whispering, "Care for a stroll?" She knew why he asked it – he'd promised a talk about Diggle's letter, and this might be the only chance they could talk about it without being overheard by the rest of the family.
"That sounds lovely," she said in her best casual tone, turning her attention to Theodore. "Would you be alright keeping an eye on the Malfoys on your own for a moment?"
"Certainly," Jameson nodded. "We're in a public setting -It isn't within the white wolf's M.O. to attack with witnesses."
"Always on duty, aren't you?" Draco quipped, scooting out of the booth and ushering Hermione to follow. "Really, Theo, learn to lighten up." His hand slipped in hers, and Hermione's heart lit to life; Draco had a way of making her feel his love coursing through them just like the magic that rested inside of their bones. Why Astoria had ever wanted to give something like that up was beyond her… but, perhaps, they hadn't shared a connection the way she and Draco did now. They'd been through so much together; school, hate, War, indifference, training, friendship, love, and Greg Diggle. If they could get through that, they could get through anything.
"We won't be long," Hermione insisted. "And we'll stay close by, should you need us."
"They'll be fine, Hermione," Draco said, and he sounded as if he knew. "Come on." He guided her past Lucius and Narcissa and out the door into the crisp evening air. Hermione shivered, withdrawing her wand and casting a quick heating charm over both of their skins. She watched Draco eye her wand with envy.
"They took your wand?" she said quietly, looking down to her own.
He tried to feign indifference as he looked out into the street. "Yeah. Snapped it in half."
"Why haven't you gone today to look for another one?" It burned her inquisitive side to know, and once again she found his eyes filled with secrets as he shrugged in response. "Yeah, I'm not buying it." She began to walk, and he followed suit.
"Buying…? I wasn't aware I was selling anything."
"No, you're right. You're hiding your entire arsenal." She slipped her wand back in its holster and removed her hand from his with insistence. Draco looked pained by it, but Hermione wouldn't be budged. "I'm sick of the secrets, Draco Malfoy. You either come clean to me right now, or…"
"Or what?" His voice challenged. They kept in perfect stride beside each other as they turned the corner down a less busy avenue.
"I haven't decided yet," she muttered, prying her eyes from his.
"Or you'll bring Weasley back from the dead?"
"Stop it. You're being childish."
"I'm being childish, is it? I think touching on the subject of bringing your late husband back from the dead instead of pussyfooting around the subject seems like an entirely adult way of going about it. But yes, do tell me how I'm childish."
"Because you're throwing it at me like the decision's already been made!" She snapped under her breath, curling her arms around herself to keep from shaking. "I'm not the one keeping things from you. It's out in the open."
"Because I made it out in the open."
"That's the only thing you've been open about. -And for the record, I was going to tell you. Just not the night that you watched your partner get brutally murdered in front of you. Excuse me for trying to be a fianceé to you instead of throwing one more burden on your shoulder. But you insist on wearing them, don't you? Your burdens? You used to share the load, and now you shut me out like it's the only way to go about it."
"Hermione…" He sighed, resigned in shoving his hands in his pockets, dare he reach over and comfort her. "I've told you. I can't let you in on this one."
"And why the Hell not?"
"Because you have enough to deal with without me thrusting my problems onto you. Because what I'm about to do is going to hurt, and it won't do you any good to trust me after tonight." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Because Abraxas Malfoy is a cold, calculating man who has eyes and ears everywhere he goes."
Hermione stopped her walking, feet catching like she'd stumbled over a rock. But it wasn't a rock. It was Draco's words that tripped her. "He was in the woods, too, wasn't he?"
Draco took a deep breath and held it, turning on his heels to face her. "I haven't a clue what you're talking about." But his eyes said it all. They wanted her to know. "Stop spouting out crazy talk and let's keep walking." He offered his hand back out to her; this time, she took it. Fingers laced with fingers, and then they began to walk their leisurely pace again, this time in a much more crowded section of Hogsmeade. Hermione remained silent for a long time, mulling over his subtle confession.
Finally, she came up with a solution. "Is there anything I can do?" she asked, and when he gave her foreboding eyes, she added, "About your wand?"
He was a smart man, and it took him only half a second to pick up on her meaning. "No." He shook his head. "I'll handle it myself."
"You shouldn't have to. I could come with you -to get a new one."
"It's too… taxing… to get you involved with replacing my wand."
"But-"
"No, Hermione." He stopped, suddenly. "The less you know about my wand purchase, the better off you'll be. You're going to have to trust me that I'll make an adequate purchase."
"You said earlier that you were about to do something that would hurt. Hurt me, you meant."
He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed along the knuckles. "You really are the brightest witch I know."
"Draco-"
"I'm going to need something from you."
Hermione's heart leapt in her chest. "Anything."
Draco reached over, sifted through the pockets of her jacket, and removed Diggle's letter. "I need you to find the resurrection stone."
"What?" She stared at the letter, and then at him. "But… I'm not even sure if bringing Ron back is a good idea." She watched the hurt expression on his face, realizing. "You weren't talking about for Ron."
He shook his head. "Good to know, though, that you're still considering it." His tone was icy.
"Don't be that way," she scolded him. "What would you do, given my circumstances?"
His nostrils flared, and he fisted the letter as if he wanted to rip it up. Instead, he rested his hand at his side and turned his head towards the brick wall beside them. She could tell he was resisting the urge to strike it with his fist. "I haven't a clue," he answered her honestly. "It's unnatural, bringing someone back. Weasley's been dead for years."
She knew it wouldn't be good to say it, but it needed to be said. "Abraxas is back. Did he… was he different?"
His eyes shifted over to her, and in a stern voice, he replied, "I have no clue what you're talking about." He swallowed hard, and threw his fist -it connected with the building. She could hear the knuckles crack upon impact, and he let out something between a groan and a slur of curses. His hand, now bloody, shook as he brought it up to his face and stared in horror at it. Hermione reached to take it, but he stepped back, withdrawn. "Don't." He shook his head. "Don't touch me. -I'm dangerous, Hermione."
"Why do I need to find the Resurrection Stone?" she snapped, taken aback by his shift in attitude. "Tell me that much, at least!? What am I supposed to do, Draco? Why do you need it?"
"Drop it."
"At least let me tend to your hand-"
"-Stop." He stared coldly at her. "Would you bring him back, Hermione? Weasley? Would you do it?"
She paused. It was only half a moment -surprised by his bluntness. She knew her answer would be no, but a half a moment was all he needed to draw his own conclusions. He, unexpectedly, thrust his fist out again at the wall and connected with it. This time, a snarl of pain escaped his lips. Hermione stepped back in disbelief. Where had her soft, gentle Draco gone? Who was this man that stood before her?
He closed his eyes and muttered, "Keep the ring."
She blinked. "Why wouldn't I keep the…" His eyes met hers. "No." She shook her head. "No, you're not doing this to me. To us. To Scorpius-"
She watched the sadness etched across his face as he interrupted her. "-Don't you dare bring him up right now." Blood poured from his hand and onto Diggle's still fisted letter. Softly, he tossed it to the ground as if it were yesterday's newspaper. "I'm doing this for my son. He doesn't need to be attached to someone who will just go and leave him-"
"Oh, don't make me laugh!" Hermione shouted at him, stomping her foot and catching Diggle's letter before it blew away with the wind. "You're doing this because you're being a coward! You're too afraid to tell me what's wrong! Too afraid that something will happen to me! But I'm a big girl, Draco!" She shouted, even though passerby's sent her agitated glances. "You're my partner! You're supposed to talk to me about this! We're supposed to be there for each other!"
Draco took a step back, turning away.
"Don't you walk away from me!" She grabbed at his arm and spun him back around, finding tears in his eyes. There were some in hers too, and down her cheeks, falling neatly to the pavement below. "Too bloody long I've put up with your silence and secrets! Don't shut me out! I love you -we can get through this – we can get through anything-"
"Keep telling yourself that," he brushed her arm off and radiated with superiority. Hermione wouldn't have it. She grabbed his arm again, turned him full around, losing her foot on Diggle's letter. She didn't care.
"I love you." She said again, gentler, as she cupped his cheek. "I know you're only doing this to push me away. So, please. Don't."
Draco closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. But when they opened, they held nothing but ice, void of the man she fell in love with. "Let me go, Hermione."
"No," she told him stubbornly.
"I said let go."
"Talk to me. I'm right here-"
A hint -a glimmer of the man – but then he was gone once again as he spat out, "Merlin, woman! You sound just like Astoria! When will you get it through that thick skull of yours that I'm done? I said let go of me, you filthy mudblo-"
SMACK!
Hermione stared in bewilderment at her hand, and then at Draco's now reddened cheek. Her eyes widened, and she released his arm immediately. She watched him draw his hand over the imprint on his cheek, and then he smirked. He smirked at her. Like he was satisfied it had come to this.
"Draco. I… I'm so sorry."
She waited for his response, but his smirk simply widened as he plucked Diggle's (now bloody) letter from the ground and handed it to her. "Don't be." He casually tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as if she hadn't just assaulted him moments ago. A tear streamed down Hermione's cheek as he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry," he whispered. Then, as he backed away from her, he said, much louder, "I'm so very glad I came to my senses before I subjected myself to the likes of you." His eyes danced over her, scrutinizing her. "Have your things out by the end of the week." And, then, as suddenly as he came into her life, he left it, turning abruptly on his heels and gone with a solitary crack of Apparition.
Draco landed with a thud into the alleyway behind Honeydukes. As soon as his feet connected with the cobblestones, he crumbled against the wall, hands on his face as he struggled to control his breathing. He wouldn't cry. He wasn't a bloody crybaby. Fuck. Why were his hands so wet? Was it the blood or the tears? He welcomed the pain from his cheek, hoping it would leave a mark. He deserved it. He deserved every bit of it.
A small bit of gray fur jumped up on the alley trashcan next to his head, and a soft meow screeched shrilly in his ears.
"I'll know if you betray me, Draco," Abraxas said, pacing in a circle around his grandson. "I have eyes everywhere. Your muggleborn fiancé… that'll have to go."
"What?" Draco shook his head. "Hermione has nothing to do with this. How -how do you even know about our engagement?"
"I have my ways… but you need to get rid of the mudblood if you want my forgiveness for your… transgressions." Abraxas motioned to Draco's left arm. "I know the mark was given to you against your wishes. But this muggleborn obsession you have… it ends."
"Why?" Draco narrowed his eyes. "I've already given the Malfoy line an heir. What does it matter?"
"It brings our name shame."
"And what you plan to do? That doesn't?"
"Get rid of her, Draco. See to it that it's done before you proceed with the rest of our plan. We don't need her mucking about in our affairs. Hermione Granger is an intelligent mudblood -you need to distract her. To break her."
"And if I don't?"
"I'll know. And the grace I've granted your son and sister will be nothing more than a fleeting idea, fluttering in the wind."
"It's done," he muttered, wiping the confounded tears from his eyes. "You can tell him."
Hermione's tiny kitten jumped off of the trashcan and landed at his feet. It tilted its head, meowed again, and rubbed against his heel.
"Stop that," Draco grumbled, shifting his foot. "Don't act like you care."
The kitten sat down by his foot and blinked. "Meow."
"Why don't you just reveal yourself, hmm?"
It fluffed at its whiskers with its paws and began to groom itself. "Meow."
"I know. I know. I'm getting to it." Draco stood up and tried to flex the fingers of his right hand. They wouldn't move. Shit, he'd done a number on it, hadn't he? "I need my wand for what comes next. Did you bring it?"
"Meow." The kitten jumped up and jumped back on the trashcan.
"In there?"
"Meow."
The feline made a beeline for his arm and scratched all the way up till it rested on his shoulder. Draco snarled in response, but the kitten simply rubbed against his cheek, almost apologetic. "Are you even a man or a woman in there?" Draco sneered quietly, and the kitten scratched his cheek. "Guessing female." He pried the lid off the trashcan and found it -his wand. Carefully, he retrieved it and flexed it in his left hand -his magic tingled in response, happy to have its counterpart back once again. "Right. Get off my shoulder."
"Meow."
"You're not coming."
"Meow!"
"Goddamn it! I don't need a mangy feline tagging along! It's no place for something like you. Get off me." The kitten dug its claws into Draco's shoulder. "Fuck! Fine! You can go! Just… stop that…" The kitten's claws loosened grip. "You know where we're headed right? To Azkaban?"
"Meow."
"He wants to make sure I do the job, doesn't he?"
"Meow."
Draco sighed, resting his head against the wall. The kitten's purr was the only steady constant in his liquefying world. "Hermione… I'm so sorry…" He sighed, straightened himself up, and forced down his pain. "No use crying over spilled milk, right?" The kitten blinked. "Oh, come milk? You get it. It's funny." Another blink, but that was the only response. "You have no sense of humor."
please leave a little feedback! Ready for some Diggle interaction next chapter? XD
~A.
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How To Train Your Auror 2: Family Ties