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Forgiven	By : Tassanaburrfoot Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 18105 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned Harry Potter or the books or contents. This work is purely for my own pleasure, no profit to be made.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
Hermione grunted as she grabbed onto the bedpost. “Is this…” she said through gritted teeth, “really necessary?”
Narcissa sat pristinely on the edge of the bed as she watched the small house elf pull at the strings of Hermione’s new corset. “In years to come, you’ll be grateful, darling,” she told the girl. “Men like a nice, slim waist. Right now, you’re skinny, but after you carry a child or two, that will change.”
The Muggle born glared at the woman. “I didn’t think Draco was that shallow,” she snarled.
The older witch huffed, “Of course he’s not. Draco will love you no matter what, however, that shouldn’t be a reason to let yourself go.”
The elf finally tied the corset up and released Hermione. Standing straight, the young witch looked in the floor length mirror. Her eyes widened at the image she saw. She lifted her hands and ran them over her sides, marvelling at the effect the corset made on her shape. She had never been a tiny breasted girl, but now her breasts looked nearly three times their size. And her waist looked so tiny! If she wore a shirt over the corset, people would probably think she lost weight.
Turning slightly, she was amazed by how much larger her butt looked as well. Of course, she knew the corset didn’t really do anything to her rear, but the lack of waist did make her back end more noticeable. Turning more, she saw Narcissa sitting on her bed, beaming. “You look lovely, darling,” she gushed. “Draco will be pleased.”
Hermione bit her lip and turned back to the mirror. “You said all men like a slim waist, but do you think Lucius will like the route that you’ve taken?” she asked, looking at the woman through the mirror.
The smile on Narcissa’s face faltered. “No doubt Draco has spoken to you,” she said, giving Hermione a measured look. “As you’ve been able to rightly assume with my son, my husband cared little for the weight I had put on during my pregnancy. Even after, he did not make much fuss about it. However, he has spoken in his recent letters to me of the weight I have lost since he’s been incarcerated.”
The Muggle born nodded and walked to the older witch. “I’m sorry, Mother,” she said softly as she sat next to the Pureblood. “I didn’t mean to assume…”
“Of course not, darling,” Narcissa said kindly as she patted the younger witch on the hand. There was a sadness in her eyes that Hermione had never seen from the Pureblood before. “It is a tough time for all of us, isn’t it? First with the war and now with all of this…” She sighed and looked away. Hermione respectfully glanced down as the witch continued, “Lucius with his ideas. If he had just listened to me all those years ago. He and Bellatrix.”
The Muggle born looked up at the mention of the other witch’s name. Narcissa shook her head and looked at Hermione. “Bella was always the most aggressive of the three of us. Thought she could change the world by eradicating it of Muggles and Muggle borns. I had tried to explain that there were other ways to get what she wanted, but once she met the Dark Lord, there was little I could do. Lucius was the same, though I think he began to see what I was seeing, particularly when I became pregnant with Draco.” She sighed. “He just… He didn’t want that life anymore. We didn’t want it. Every time he turned around there was another mission, another job that the Dark Lord wanted done. However, once you become a Death Eater, it becomes impossible to break away. There was little Lucius could do, so when young Mr. Potter was born and the Dark Lord disappeared, we felt relieved. Personally, I was certain we were finished with him for good.”
“But he returned,” Hermione pointed out knowingly.
The Pureblood nodded. “Oh, darling, you can’t even begin to imagine the horror I felt. Draco was only fourteen, but I knew the Dark Lord would want to recruit him the moment he came of age. After all, Draco was so smart and so skilled. Thankfully, Lucius and I were able to stress to the Dark Lord of how important it was for Draco to finish his education before serving. It was… the best we could think of with the situation. So long as Lucius was doing his job, the Dark Lord was appeased.” As though she realized what she was saying, Narcissa placed a hand over her mouth. “Oh, my darling, forgive me,” she said as she clasped Hermione’s hand. She sighed. “I often forget our respective positions in the war. I do hope you understand, darling, that I never wanted any of it. When I first married Lucius, it was because I loved him. Nothing more, nothing less. I hadn’t even considered the war or what being the wife of a Death Eater would mean. My eldest sister was a Death Eater, after all, and the only other sister I had abandoned our family.”
“Andromeda was thrown out,” Hermione said, though there was no animosity in her voice.
Narcissa hissed. “Andromeda ran off with a nasty little Mudblood and got herself pregnant before my father could find her. By the time he did catch them, it was too late and there was little my father could do aside from insuring they married,” she spat as she sat up straight. “My father gave my sister a small home outside of Kingston and a trunk full of Galleons. I will admit it was far less than I received when I married Lucius, but given what she did, he was extremely lenient.”
“Because she married a Mudblood,” the Muggle born stated. “Had she married a Pureblood…?”
Narcissa shook her head. “You misunderstand me, darling,” she explained. “Even if she had married a Pureblood, she didn’t approach my father. He did not approach my father. I know things in the Muggle world are different, but here, especially among the old families, there are traditions that must be observed. Traditions that my parents did observe, of which Andromeda was well aware.”
“So how is Draco and myself getting married any different?” the Gryffindor asked. “I’m not a Pureblood, by any means.”
The Pureblood nodded. “You are a first generation witch, sure, but both you and Draco have Lucius’s blessing as well as mine. If your parents were here, I’ve no doubt you’d have their blessing as well.”
Hermione noticed the change in how Narcissa addressed her. First generation witch? While the thought held some appeal, Hermione wasn’t sure if she should feel outrage at the term. Narcissa had been so quick to term Ted Tonks a Mudblood, and yet turned the moment she was speaking to Hermione. The Muggle born thought about pointing the words out to the Pureblood, maybe spitting them, but she thought twice. This would require more thinking.
Truth was, Andromeda did live outside on Kingston. She did have a beautiful home that, while certainly not as large as any manor, could hardly be termed “small”. Thus far, Narcissa’s story held water, but the Gryffindor would need to investigate further. Her eyes narrowed. This would require delicate work.
Hermione hid her distaste well, nodding in polite agreement with the older witch’s words. “I have to meet with Ginny,” she told Narcissa. “Did you want me to continue wearing this, or should I change?”
The Pureblood waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, darling, I would like you to wear it a bit longer, get used to the feel of it, but if you’re that uncomfortable…”
Hermione shook her head. “It’s fine. I just need a skirt or perhaps a pair of trousers to go with it,” she said.
Narcissa snapped her fingers and the house elf reappeared. “Laney, please retrieve a nice skirt to go with Hermione’s corset for me?” she requested.
The Muggle born opened her mouth to protest but before she could form the words, the elf had left and returned with a proper skirt. Hermione blinked as the elf handed her the skirt. “T-thank you,” she stammered, but the elf had already disappeared.
(II)(II)
Picking up her skirt, Hermione shook the soot off of it. “I’m sorry I took so long, Gin,” she said without looking up. “Narcissa wanted me to try on this new outfit that had just…” She paused as she glanced up and saw Ginny and Harry both staring at her in mixed expressions of shock. Confused, the Muggle born frowned and turned her attention back to the corset. “Do I have something on me?”
“Yes,” Ginny answered. “Narcissa’s old clothes. Hermione, what in bloody hell are you wearing?”
“You look like you just stepped out of a Muggle costume shop,” Harry commented. “Don’t get me wrong, you look beautiful, Hermione, but… Are you trying to be like Narcissa?”
The Muggle born rolled her eyes. Lifting her skirt up a bit, she stepped further into the kitchen. “Of course not,” she replied. “I’ve been trying on dresses for the dinners Narcissa has been planning. I do have a wedding in a few days, remember?”
“Well, yeah, but what other dinners is she planning?” Harry asked as he leaned back in his seat.
Hermione sat at the table with her two friends and sighed. It had been a while since she had been at Grimmauld Place. Silently, she had hoped they would have moved their Floo connection to either the sitting or drawing rooms like most wizarding homes. Realizing the path her thoughts were going, the Muggle born sat up straight and slightly shook her head. Maybe she had been around the Malfoys for too long if she was thinking that way. Harry was allowed to have his Floo anywhere he wanted to in his own home.
“Aside from the wedding? There’s Lucius’s return home, then she wants to do something for my birthday…”
“Wait,” Ginny interrupted. “You’re going to sit down for a dinner to celebrate Lucius Malfoy getting out of Azkaban?”
Hermione shrugged. “Well…”
“Hermione, you do remember that man nearly killed me, right?” Ginny asked, frowning.
“He did not, not really. It was the book more than anything.”
“Are you kidding me?!” the red head screeched, standing up from the table. “Hermione! That man put that bloody diary in my cauldron and because of that, I almost died! YOU almost died! Do you not remember any of that?! Never mind the fact that he and his little Death Eater buddies tried to kill us in the Ministry, or have you forgotten Sirius? Or what about that time in the Manor when he did NOT stand up for you or Harry or Ron?! Hell, he even encouraged Draco to identify you!”
“He was just trying to protect his family,” Hermione snapped.
“Bloody hell!” Ginny shouted, falling into her chair. She glanced at Harry. “Do you hear this shite? She’s actually defending the bastard! She’s bloody defending him!”
Hermione shook her head in denial. “I’m not!” she growled. “I know what he did wrong, believe me Ginny, I do. But he’s changed. He…”
“Men like Lucius Malfoy don’t change, Hermione,” Harry said calmly. Both witches stared at him and he sighed. “He’s helping the Minister right now, sure, but he’s only doing that because he knows he can go home. Don’t expect him to be so kind once he’s out, though. He’s still the same prejudiced bigot he’s always been.” He glanced up at the bushy haired witch. “I heard you’ve spoken to Andromeda? Are you going to take her warnings to heart?”
The Muggle born lifted an eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware you were watching me, Harry,” she said, eying him.
“I wasn’t aware I had to,” he quipped.
“You don’t,” Hermione said shortly. “I don’t have to explain myself to the two of you, either. There is no law that states that Narcissa cannot host parties in her own home.”
Harry nodded. “You’re right, however…”
“Who do you think is going to want to go to a party at that house, Hermione? We agreed to go to the wedding, mostly to make sure they don’t poison you, but you’re insane if you think we’d attend some Death Eater party,” Ginny spat, folding her arms over her chest.
Hermione’s frown deepened and she sat up straighter. “One: It isn’t a ‘Death Eater party’. It’s a dinner to welcome Lucius home. Two: None of the Malfoys, Lucius included, have any interest in poisoning me so if that’s your only reason for coming to my wedding, you don’t have to come. Three: No one invited you to the welcome home dinner. Harry asked about the dinners Narcissa was planning and I answered,” she replied coolly.
Ginny’s face contorted and turned nearly as red as her hair. “You’ve been around those Malfoys for too long, Hermione! You’re starting to act like one,” she yelled.
Hermione stood and very calmly stated, “Good. Given that I will be a Malfoy in a few short days, it would make sense, wouldn’t it?”
Harry had stood as well and walked around the table. He grabbed Hermione’s arm before she could turn and leave. “Hermione, please,” he begged her. “Don’t go. Ginny just learned that Lucius will be out of Azkaban soon and she’s upset. Shacklebolt and I have been discussing a sort of ‘house arrest’ for Lucius, just to keep the streets safe. Maybe keep an eye on his wand.”
“He shouldn’t be allowed a wand,” the ginger piped.
The Muggle born’s eyes widened at this information. “So, you give him his freedom only to snatch it away from him again?” she asked in disbelief. She yanked her arm away from Harry. “You can’t do that to him!” she hissed. “Narcissa and Draco have been waiting for years to have him back and…”
“They’ll have him back, Hermione,” Harry reassured. “And eventually, he’ll be able to walk the streets freely again, but he was a Death Eater.”
“He defected!” The bushy haired woman snarled.
Ginny rolled her eyes. “Only because he had no wand.”
“Ginny!” Harry snapped. “You’re not helping.”
The Pureblood’s eyes narrowed and she stood. “Fine. I have other, more important things to do,” she said as she stormed out of the kitchen.
Harry sighed. “You’ll have to forgive her,” he said as he turned his attention back to Hermione, but she had already walked up to the fireplace and was taking powder out of the bowl. “Oi!” he shouted, crossing the room in a couple short strides. “Hermione, you came here to talk…”
“Yes, and I see now that was a mistake,” she said, glaring at him. The black haired man opened his mouth to protest, but she stopped him. “I’ve had enough of this, Harry. I’ve been understanding, I have. I know learning about my impending marriage to Draco has been a bit shocking, but honestly. Enough time has passed.”
“Actually, it hasn’t,” he argued. “Hermione, all of this is happening so quickly. One moment you’re breaking up with Ron, the next you’re engaged to Draco Malfoy. It’s been a bit crazy since. And now you’re getting married next week. No one has had any time to breathe, much less think.”
“I didn’t break up with Ron,” she hissed. “He broke up with me and over a stupid bouquet of flowers! Then I find out he’d been cheating on me the whole time! But does anyone say anything?! No! It was Draco who defended me when Ron tried to berate me. Even Lucius was surprised that no one had said anything.”
“Hermione, we did,” he told her. “Once we were certain that you were ok, Ginny and I left for the Burrow and told Ron exactly what we thought. Even Molly and Arthur joined us. I hadn’t seen either of them so angry.”
The Muggle born closed her eyes. “That’s great, Harry, but did either of you bother to check on me after? Even Luna asked me how I was when she visited the Manor.”
“What are you doing, Hermione?” he asked tiredly. “I was a bit worried when you started dating Malfoy. You know as well as anyone else that he and I never got along. But you looked so happy, so I didn’t argue the choice that much. After all, it’s like you said, it’s your life. You can date whomever you want and there’s little I can do. You can marry whomever, as well. I was shocked when I saw that ring, but again, I’ve done my best to accept it, because it is your choice. But Hermione, look at you. You look like a younger, darker version of Narcissa Malfoy. You know all the things Lucius has done, regardless of whether he defected or not, yet you’re so ready to see him out of prison and back in that house. Do you think things will get better once he’s home?” He shook his head. “He’s a Death Eater, Hermione. He didn’t join because he thought one day his son could marry a Muggle born and life would be great. He hates Muggles. No matter what Narcissa told you about him wanting to marry one in the past, he still hates them.”
“How did you know about that?” she asked.
Harry raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?” He pointed at the air behind him. “That room you go into when you meet with him is actually a window room. The Aurors can see and hear everything that is said and done in that room.”
“So, you were spying.”
“No!” he barked. “You think we have that there to spy? Jesus, Hermione! How much have they brainwashed you? We have that there so you have back up in case you need it. All prisoners meet their loved ones in that room, or in rooms like it. It’s a security measure we developed so people like Narcissa and Draco can see their family members and the Aurors can keep them safe.”
“What is it that they think these prisoners are going to do to their own family?” she asked.
Harry shook his head. “You’re missing the point. The other day, Seamus told me you had visited Lucius alone. I haven’t the foggiest how you managed to get the clearance, but if he had tried something…”
“But he didn’t,” she pointed out. “And he wouldn’t. He knows Draco and I will be married soon, so he’s started to see me as part of the family. Narcissa has already started referring to me as her daughter and I’ve taken to calling her Mother.”
The Boy-Who-Lived blinked as realization came to him. “That’s what this is about,” he breathed. “Hermione, you’re about to marry into one of the biggest, oldest Pureblooded families in all of Great Britain. Draco’s feelings for you may be honest and true, but you can’t keep thinking that Narcissa feels the same. You need to tread carefully, especially once Lucius gets out.”
“Harry…”
“Look, Hermione. I’m done trying to convince you not to go through with it,” he told her as he pulled her into a hug. “You’re my best friend. My sister. And I love you so much.” Pulling away from her slightly, he met her eyes and continued, “All I’m asking is that you exercise caution, especially with Lucius. If Narcissa has accepted you, then great! But Lucius cannot be trusted. I’m not really one to talk about sex with you, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you and Draco need to consummate as soon as possible. If you really want to be married to him, don’t hesitate. The sooner you consummate, the better it will be, because there won’t be anything Lucius can do by then.”
Hermione’s eyes widened. “I… I don’t know what to say,” she said.
He shrugged. “I still can’t believe I said it, but it needed to be said. I get that you love Draco and I know you’re trying to get Narcissa to accept you. I’ve no doubt the two of you are well on the way to that acceptance, but… She’s not your mother and Lucius is not your father.” He sighed and took a step back. “I just don’t want to see you hurt. You deserve to be happy, Hermione, and I hope Draco can provide that for you.”
(III)(III)
Picking up the vase full of white roses, Hermione threw it against the wall, causing the fragile crystal to shatter. Grabbing her wand, she waved it over the mess and repaired the vase. Snatching it from the floor, the Muggle born stood up and threw it again.
“Hermione!” Draco called to her in alarm as he crossed the sitting room. “What in bloody hell are you doing?”
She repaired the vase again and levitated it back to the end table. “Releasing some frustration,” she told him as she began picking up the discarded flowers. Most of them had bent or broken stems and she sighed. She tossed them rather forcefully onto the table.
Draco lifted the vase from the table and looked it over. “Thank Merlin this isn’t an expensive vase,” he commented.
She stared at him. “Your mum told me the other day that it had cost around a thousand Galleons!” she said as she watched him place it back on the table.
The Slytherin shrugged. “Might as well be a thousand Knuts, love,” he muttered to her honestly as he pulled her into an embrace. “Now, what has my beautiful, intelligent bride so rattled?”
She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes. Breathing him in, she whispered, “I went to Grimmauld Place today. Ginny was angry because I had mentioned to Harry about the dinner party your mum wishes to have for your father when he comes home.”
He frowned and looked down at her. “You shouldn’t have gone without me, love,” he said, kissing her forehead. “I can’t protect you if I’m not there. And why did you bring up my father’s dinner party anyway?”
She pushed away from him. “I don’t need you to be with me when I visit my friends,” she growled. “Harry asked me about my dress. I told him it was for a dinner party. He questioned and I answered. I wasn’t expecting the reaction I had received. Not from Ginny.”
He scowled. “What did she say?” he asked.
Hermione waved a dismissive hand in the air. “She just kept bringing up all the horrible things your father’s done, that wretched diary and the battle in the Ministry. She still has a lot of anger there, mostly because they affected her directly,” she said. Sighing, she walked to one of the chairs and sat down upon it. “I really shouldn’t blame her,” she admitted. “I mean, she was right. Ginny almost died in the Chamber of Secrets and if she had, your father would have been, however indirectly, responsible.”
Draco’s eyes narrowed. “Is that why Potter and Weasel won awards for special services to the school that year?” he questioned. At Hermione’s nod, he turned away, thinking. He did not doubt her word, for even when they were in school, she wasn’t really known to lie about such things. “I remember Father saying something was going to happen in the school. He didn’t tell me much, however. I was still young and wasn’t allowed in his study when he had his friends over. Usually Theo would be there as well and we would find things to occupy ourselves or Mother would bring Theo and me to the Zabini residence and the three of us would practice Quidditch. That was when we weren’t studying, though. Their parents were as strict as my own when it came to schoolwork.”
The Muggle born nodded and glanced down at her hands. She was still wearing the corset and skirt combo that Narcissa had her try on earlier that day. It really was a beautiful corset, too. There were green and red threads in an old Victorian pattern. She supposed Harry had been right in that she looked a lot like Narcissa, but the girl would be lying if she claimed to not like the look. She had thought about telling Draco of the warning Harry had given her regarding Lucius, but shook her head. There was no point in alarming her soon-to-be husband. Not to mention, she didn’t really want to stir up more problems.
“You said there was a house in France that would make a good honeymoon getaway,” she commented. Looking up at him, she asked, “Is there a home here in England aside from the Manor? Perhaps something a bit smaller where you and I could spend the first few years of our marriage? Or maybe we could convince your parents to live there?” she suggested. She saw the look of indignation in his eyes and quickly added, “Not that I want to be away from them. I’m just thinking it would be easier for us to have alone time. Once we have children, I really would like to raise them together, rather than have two sets of parents trying to raise them. I’m not questioning your parents’ methods, but these will be our children, not theirs.”
He nodded slowly. “I agree with you,” he said as he moved towards the chair opposite hers. “I am learning a bit more about the family business, our finances, and everything we contribute to society. Father’s not going to want to move out of the Manor while he’s trying to teach me these things. However, once I’ve learned, I see no reason for him and my mother to stay here.”
She sighed and looked away. What he said made sense and she couldn’t find a reasonable argument otherwise. All these people kept warning her about Lucius. Truth be told, she knew he was a dangerous man and not really someone she wished to share a home with. Hermione pinched her lips together. “You’re a fast learner, though. Shouldn’t take you long at all,” she surmised.
Draco raised an eyebrow. “Why do you suddenly not want to live with my parents? Has Mother done or said something to distress you?”
She gave a soft laugh and looked up at him. “Your mother has been wonderful,” she told him. “It’s your father I worry about.”
“Hermione, love, that Chamber of Secrets incident happened years ago and, honestly, we don’t even have anything remotely like that here in the Manor…”
“I understand that,” she argued, “but who says you need a gigantic snake to wreak havoc? Besides, that’s not what I’m talking about anyway. Your father hates me.”
“Only because he doesn’t know you,” he pointed out. Draco reached out and took her hands into his. “You have to remember, love; Father was a Death Eater for years. The only experiences he’s ever had with Muggles or Muggle borns has been negative.” He looked up into her eyes. “Just give him a chance, love. I promise everything will be alright. You’ll see.”
She met his warm, grey eyes and lifted a hand to touch his cheek. Hermione knew the wizard was right, but she couldn’t shake this feeling that she was walking straight into a trap. “I love you, Draco,” she whispered.
And he smiled. “I love you, too, Hermione. Look, I don’t know what your friends keep telling you that causes you to have so much doubt,” he said.
“It’s not just what they say,” she confessed. “It’s what I know, too. I fought in that war as well. It’s hard to forget a person when they’re chasing you through the Ministry, shooting curses at you. My saving grace was when the Order showed up. If it hadn’t been for them, we would have died.”
He frowned. “Wasn’t my aunt Bellatrix in that battle as well?”
Hermione nodded. “She was, but it was your father who led,” she told him.
“The only person my aunt ever listened to was the Dark Lord,” he explained.
Her eyebrow furrowed and she tilted her head to the side. “Are you excusing his behaviour?” she questioned.
“Of course not,” he scoffed. “I was merely curious.”
Sighing, Hermione reclined back in her chair. Closing her eyes, she thought about the things Harry had told her as well as the conversation she had had with Andromeda the day before. While she didn’t want to believe ill of Narcissa, she found that she was finding it harder to feel content around Lucius. When he did come home, she knew she would have to watch her back, and Draco didn’t seem too inclined to live elsewhere or have his parents live elsewhere.
“You look beautiful, by the way,” he told her, jarring her out of her thoughts.
Opening her eyes, the Muggle born smiled. “Thank you. I’ve been trying on a few different outfits. Your mum has been having them shipped from Italy and France, as well as Diagon Alley. It’s quite exhilarating and exhausting,” she told him.
His eyes danced with amusement and he smirked. “I’m glad the two of you have been getting along,” he admitted. “I won’t lie. Years ago, when I first fell for you, I didn’t know how I was going to convince her to give you a chance. However, I knew all she needed was a push.”
“She called me a ‘first generation witch’,” the Muggle born said, grimacing. “I wasn’t sure what to make of that.”
Draco raised an eyebrow. He had heard his mother use the term as well and had even asked her about it. “She didn’t mean it as an insult,” he told the Gryffindor. “She’s trying, love. Mother was raised with so much prejudice against Muggles and Muggle borns. So was Father. It’s all either of them had ever known.”
“So have you,” she pointed out, “but you seem have gotten over it.”
He shrugged. “I’ve also had nine years to come to terms with my feelings,” he replied. He knew the moment the words left his mouth, she would take them the wrong way, so he quickly cut her off, “One thing you have to understand, love. I’ve been taught my entire life that Muggle borns are freaks of nature whose goals include destroying the Wizarding world and all we have worked so hard to build. Having this as my truth, it actually scared me when I met you. I know the qualities that make a good Malfoy wife. It’s something else I had been taught my whole life. And you were meeting each and every criteria. When you walked down that aisle on Viktor Krum’s arm looking the way you did, I knew there was no turning back for me, but I also knew there was no way you and I could ever be together. “
“But obviously you were wrong,” she said, “because here we are.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smirked. “Here we are,” he agreed. He wanted her so badly and all he could think was how quickly he knew this week would go. In a very short span of time, he would have her in his bed. “But at that time, I didn’t think it was possible. You know what our history was up until that point. Besides, I had Father and the Dark Lord to consider. I knew what I wanted, of course, but I didn’t know how to achieve my goal. Think about it, Hermione. Even you admitted you thought I had something up my sleeve when I kissed you.”
“And you did,” she said simply.
His smirk was beginning to hurt, but he ignored it. “I did,” he agreed.
“So, I have a question,” she said. It was something that had been plaguing her mind since he had proposed to her. “What happens after we marry? Life isn’t exactly a fairy tale. I have dreams and aspirations. I would like to continue my fight for house elf rights and the rights of other magical creatures, like werewolves. I know you want children and I do, too, but how soon do you want them?”
“Well,” he said as he straightened up. He flattened his shirt and unconsciously puffed out his chest a bit. “One can never really tell when children will or will not happen, can they? For all we know, you could become pregnant on our wedding night. I do know that I would rather us not use any sort of birth protection, at least until we’ve had our first child. Then, if you choose you’d like to wait until our second, or not have a second, I will willingly go along with it.” He watched her expression as he spoke and saw the look of distaste cross it. Frowning, he explained, “It’s always been difficult for Malfoys to reproduce. As you know, my mother had four miscarriages before she finally gave birth to me. After I was born, though they tried, my mother wasn’t able to get pregnant again.”
She nodded slowly. “It was the same with my parents,” she admitted. “Though I don’t know if my mother miscarried. I do know they went to a planned parenting clinic. My mum almost started on a fertility regiment when she finally became pregnant with me.”
“And more children?”
The Muggle born shook her head. “They never wanted anymore children. Both of my parents are very career oriented, and I spent most of my first few years with a governess.”
“I did as well,” he admitted. “Would you want our child or children to have a governess?”
“Yes,” she told him. “I think a governess could help our children become well-rounded, educated adults. From what I’ve learned, there is no school for children of wizarding families who are under the age of eleven. Maybe we could found such a school?”
He raised an eyebrow and smirked. “For the less fortunate? Families like the Weasleys, perhaps? Personally, I would still prefer a governess for our children, but I can see how it could benefit single parents or parents who may not be able to afford a governess. It would certainly open up the possibility for both parents to join the work force if the mother would want to pursue a career as well.”
“And my own career?” she pried.
“I don’t see why you can’t have one,” he admitted. The truth was, he wasn’t really used to women working, but he knew the Gryffindor well enough to know that she would quickly grow bored with gatherings and parties. Owning house elves negated the need to clean the manor, so that option was out as well. “You’re an intelligent woman, Hermione, which is one of the many reasons I love you. You are more than welcomed to continue your research and even fight for house elf rights. As a Malfoy, you’ll have access to the finances you need to push laws through, though I caution you about actually freeing house elves. Read the books in our library, learn what you can of them.” He lifted an eyebrow as she opened her mouth. “I think you might find that the majority of house elves actually enjoy belonging to a wizarding family. We protect and provide for them.”
She sighed. “Very well. Will you pursue something?”
He shrugged and waved a hand in the air. “I have an entire estate to run, love. Once Father comes home, he’ll teach me more about the family business and finances. Eventually, I’ll take over entirely so my parents can spend their remaining years together as they should,” he told her.
That seemed to satisfy the young Gryffindor. “Do you see your parents staying with us until they pass?” she asked, revisiting their earlier conversation. “I will admit, Draco, while I adore your mother, I have a hard time trusting your father. He’s caused so much damage to my friends and me. I’ve also seen the way he looks at me.”
“How does he look at you?” the wizard asked, frowning.
The Muggle born sighed. “There’s a Muggle saying, ‘if looks could kill, I’d be dead.’ I think that applies here.”
“We have that saying as well,” he replied, “but Father’s not a basilisk, love. He’ll walk out of Azkaban a free man whose son is married to one of the people responsible for putting him there.” He held up his hand to stop her protest. “I don’t blame you, love. Nor am I accusing you. However, we do have to try and see it from his perspective. Even with the dementors gone, Azkaban isn’t exactly a pleasant place.” He sat back in his chair and waved his hand. “If you remember from history, it was originally the home of an evil wizard who would trick Muggles there so he could torture and kill them. I’d wager their spirits still linger within the halls. Can’t make it much of a favoured resort, can it?”
“I remember the tales,” she conceded. “Even the Muggles have stories that echo the horrors there.”
“Muggles know of Azkaban?” he questioned doubtfully.
She shook her head and he inwardly relaxed as she continued, “If they do know of it, it’s little more than rumour. Muggles have wicked imaginations and are… talented at thinking of tortures and horror stories. Go to any horror movie throughout the world and you’d be amazing at how sick some people can be. You’ll also see things that remind you of what we know about Azkaban.”
“Horror movies?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.
She waved the question away. “Doesn’t really matter, but I see your point. I can’t imagine your father and I ever truly getting along and I can understand some of the animosity he may feel towards me.” She sighed. “But you still want them to stay with us?” she asked.
“Only until I am comfortable enough to handle the estate on my own,” he promised.
She still had reservations, but she accepted his words. “If you need help,” she suggested, “I know a few things about accounting. My mum taught me how to balance a check book. Of course, wizards don’t really have check books, but you do have books where you keep track of your finances. That’s basically the same thing.”
“Careful, Granger,” he teased with a smirk, “talk like that might earn you a job as the Malfoy accountant along with being my wife.”
She is so beautiful when she blushes like that, was his thought as his smirk turned into a more genuine smile and his eyes glittered with amusement.
“House elves, Draco,” she said. “I’ll help you learn the Malfoy finances, but that’s your job. Mine is with house elves.”
He winked at her. “Of course, love,” he granted. “I only spoke in jest, that is all. Father’s already taught me much and I do know basic math. Can’t be that hard.”
Hermione giggled which caused the blond wizard to frown. Putting her hand over her mouth, she gasped in surprise. “Oh! You weren’t joking that time.”
The Pureblood’s face contorted in irritation. “No, I wasn’t.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll do fine anyway,” she said. “You’re a fast learner and you did well in Arithmancy, if I remember right.”
His eyebrows rose at that response. “I did well in all my classes, love,” he commented. “Father would’ve clapped my ears otherwise.”
She nodded as she sighed. She was glad Draco was being so compromising, but she wondered if that was going to change in time. “It still astounds me that I was termed a ‘first generation witch’,” she said. “I will admit, I almost did get offended by it, especially since she had called Ted a Mudblood not but a few comments before. However, she sounded so endearing by her term for me. Thinking back on it, it’s almost like she’s actively trying to see Muggle borns in a positive light.”
Draco made a mental note to speak with his mother, but he nodded all the same. “That’s what I said before,” he stated. “Actually, personally, I kind of like the term. It’s not derogatory and actually gives Muggle borns an air of hope. Honestly, each Muggle born just adds more to a dying wizarding world.” Continuing, he drawled, “I recently read in the Prophet that successful wizarding births are at an all-time low. The Ministry has actually considered encouraging families to have more than one or two children.”
Hermione nodded. “I’ve read that as well. It’ll be interesting to see how they proceed with it. This isn’t like a century ago where the Ministry could force marriages or even force people to procreate.”
“They can’t,” he agreed, “but if they state statistics and facts, they could strike fear into the hearts of many of the older families. It could even drive them to create their own rules. Arranged marriages wasn’t that long ago.”
The Muggle born shuddered. “I’m so glad we’re marrying soon,” she said as the clock above the mantle chimed. They both glanced at the clock and Hermione’s eyes widened. “Is that really how much time has gone by?”
Draco gave a lazy smile and drawled, “Our conversation has been rather riveting. Can’t really put a time limit on the future.”
“Well, you could,” she said, glancing at him. She was surprised to see him staring at her with a look that reminded her of a wolf getting ready to launch itself onto its prey. Her initial reaction was to shy away, for she honestly was unsure, but ever the Gryffindor, she straightened and readied herself. “You’ve said you wanted children. There’s only so much time that that could take place. With men it’s one thing, but with women, we do reach a point where we can’t have children anymore.”
He nodded slowly, having already known this much. “Would you like me to escort you to your rooms?” he asked, knowing she was probably tired. It was midnight, of course.
She thought it over for a moment. “If it wouldn’t burden you,” she commented. “Mostly, I want to get out of this corset. Perhaps give me a moment to change and then we could return here and have a nightcap?”
At her suggestion, he studied her. He remembered how frightened she had been the previous night and wasn’t entirely surprised that she didn’t want to be alone. “You’re not a burden to me, love,” he told her. “I don’t mind sharing a nightcap with you at all.”
She smiled as they both stood. Together, they left the sitting room and made their way to her rooms.

Author's Note: Oh, Draco, how I love thee. *Giggles* As always, thank you for the reviews! I know this chapter seems to be the "calm before the storm", and it will pick up in the next chapter.
Trelweny: Yeah... Draco is very quick to think up some stuff, huh? Wonder how much of it is true, though? I suppose we'll find out... maybe. ;) I had thought of Narcissa and Andromeda reconciling, and I'm not entirely sure that's been completely ruled out yet. However, I wouldn't hold my breath for it happening. Healing does take time, after all, and there's a lot of bitterness there.
Ashley: I wouldn't be as disappointed in the fact that it hasn't finished yet so much as just glad it's still going. I started this story years ago and it's prequel even before. I almost did not continue this, so it could have been a lot worse.
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