Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Through the Son	By : Marionne25 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 15949 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and am not making any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
Author's Notes:
Hello!
I'm practically alive and well and is about to do a lot of things tonight.
I'm staying at dad's, got some free coffee at hand despite I've taught about seven students today and yesterday and zero sleep.
You see it's summer at my end of the world so it's peak season for music lessons and everyday I've got lessons in my hands.
I've got really good clients right now and I hope everyone stays till the end of the summer and would continue all throughout the year.
I've been so busy I haven't had time to meet up and catch up so much with le boyfriend. Lol.
not really a boyfriend.
But been hanging out with this guy for months now and well, we're seemingly getting somewhere.
Yes, i'm actually posting that here online for the world to know hahaha.
he's not a music major but rather a second year med student
Yes, that's right.
So that kinda helps me to write actual medical facts here on the help Draco is doing for Hermione because I've got someone I can ask about medical stuff and terms.
But ofcourse, he has fucking no idea i'm using it on my Dramione story. hahaha.
No further ado, here's a chapter.
Enjoy your weekend y'all
lots of love
xx

Chapter Twenty Five
Through the Son

“Draco? Won’t you be attending Quidditch practice?” Pansy asked Draco as she entered the library and walked to the corner place where she usually found Draco.
He was sitting by the windowsill with a book at hand and staring out onto the window while the rest of his belongings were scattered all over the table nearest him.
Pansy walked closer and stared at his unfinished assignments, an open bag of sweets from his mother, a note from his father and his black academic planner that had scrawls all over the pages lay open.
She walked to him and tried to see what he was staring out at the window.
From his view, the small of the lake could be seen, the mood of the winter sky was also there as well as.
The view was peaceful and beautiful.
A lot of the students have been tired and exhausted and were still asleep from the previous night’s Yule Ball.

Everyone had a great time it seemed and even the teachers themselves seemed to have the time of their lives last night.
But there were some people that really couldn’t celebrate at a time like that.
Pansy opened her mouth to make a comment about the weather when her sharp eyes saw what was drawing Draco’s attention.
Far from where they were but visibly seen from that view, was Harry and Hermione just across a couple of turrets and atop the bridge of the school.
They were seemingly laughing about something and taking a closer and longer look at it, Hermione seemed to be teaching Harry some spells.
The TriWizard wasn’t done yet and perhaps Hermione was forcing Harry to prepare for the next task as early as the time.
Pansy stared and Draco’s unblinking eyes and unwavering attention were both focused at the pair across them from the library window.
“The scarf from last night…” Pansy whispered in a clear tone. “It’s hers, isn’t it?”

Draco’s eyes narrowed and then he blinked and his expression turned sour from the dreamy state.
“What?” he irritably asked her turning away from the window and jumping off from the windowsill and standing straight.
“I saw you keep a scarf in your jacket pocket last night.” Pansy proudly said with a face as she folded her arms and stared up at Draco’s taller form. “It’s hers, right?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Draco snapped at her, closing the book in his hand and walking to the table where his other belongings were.
Pansy watched his rigid form quickly grab all his scattered things and stuff them inside his large black bag.
“Don’t deny it.” Pansy snorted at him. “I saw you. She’s the only one wearing that gown colour last night.”

Draco didn’t say anything, his grimace told her of his distaste for the subject.
“Look, all I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t associate yourself with her. I mean, come on-“
“I said, I don’t know what you’re fucking talking about.” Draco angrily said as he zipped his bag locked.
“Draco.” Pansy said in a warning tone as she reached across the table and grabbed his wrist to stop his movements.
Draco stared at her with fiery eyes.
“What do you want?” Draco angrily asked her as he tugged his wrist back but Pansy didn’t let him go.
“I asked you a question-“
“I already answered you.” Draco angrily spat at her and with one strong tug, he pulled himself free from his grasp.
His eyes were wild, his hair at all ends as he stared back at her.
Pansy stared back, seeing all the stress that was consuming Draco for the past few weeks.
They have been warned and have been told of something great and big that would come at the end of the year.
At first, his family had been joyous, happy about it but as the months went on, Narcissa’s letters for him were filled with warning and it seemed to have stressed Draco.
Not because of his fear of what was coming but because he was at Hogwarts and his family wasn’t.
Albus Dumbledore was at Hogwarts and so he can be sure that he, along with the rest of those who reside in it, would be alright.
But of his mother and father?
They were at the Malfoy Manor – an open place for anyone who would like to harm them.
He even heard that the manor was a place for which the Dark Lord would like to take his abode the moment he rises into power – it was a beautiful place, large enough for gatherings of his faithful followers, the string connection to the Slytherins and the vast magical and historical value of the manor were only a handful of attributes for which the Dark Lord feels very much allured to use the manor for his own purposes.
“Draco, if you need something – anything – you can talk to me-“
“I’m fine and I don’t need anyone.” Draco said slinging his bag around his shoulder. “I don’t need you.”
Draco stared hard back at her, ignoring the look and hurt in her eyes.
“You can’t be with her.” Pansy suddenly said out of the blue. “You can go stalk her, take her left belongings, follow her all over the school and make comments just to gain her attention but you can’t be with her.”
“You are talking nonsense-“
“Nonsense?” Pansy said. “Crabbe has heard you more than once – speaking her name in your sleep. I’ve seen you more than once following her, watching her like today.”
Pansy gestured to the window and as she spoke each word, the hate was growing in Draco’s eyes.
“You have no right – you have no – you are not-“
“I don’t really care if you have no feelings for me, Draco.” Pansy said and this time her tone had been serious as he’s never heard of before. “I really don’t care if you can’t return my feelings. But I care for you. And I am telling you that what you are doing is nothing but digging your own grave. You can’t be with her. You know deep down you can’t. So stop it now before these stupid feelings become too complicated, too much for you to handle that it becomes something you can’t control-“
“You little piece of- you have no right!” Draco angrily said, grabbing her by the arm and piercing it painfully.
Pansy’s face turned red but she remained passive and staring straight at him, emphasizing how important this was for her and how important that Draco listens to her.
“I don’t want you to die!” Pansy desperately cried at him as she squirmed in his piercing touch and for a moment something passed Draco’s eyes that was almost at the verge of being touched by her words.
“Please.” Pansy continued to beg him. “Your mother wouldn’t want that. She asked me to protect you. Madam Malfoy loves you too much, Draco.”

Draco blinked.
He stared at her, eyes suddenly filled with hatred that was overshadowing the tears that were threatening to fall down.
“Get your hands off me.” Draco muttered angrily tugging at her arm.
“This is dangerous, Draco!” Pansy cried at him. “You don’t know what you’re doing – she will die at their hands – do not entangle yourself with all these – Draco, this isn’t right! She’s not for you!”
“I know what is right from wrong. I’m not going to do something stupid-“
“Nothing stupid?” Pansy croaked at him as he deepened his grasp of her. “The other day she left her quill and you took it. A few weeks ago a piece of parchment of her schedule she’s left at the Greenhouse table at the back and then last night her fallen scarf from her arms?”
Draco’s grasp of her then slackened.
“What else Draco?” Pansy asked him. “What would be next of her belongings that you’re going to take?”
Draco didn’t answer but the hatred in his eyes was growing vicious.
“Aren’t I right?” Pansy asked him. “What else are you going to take next? Is that all you would be taking? Today a scarf but tomorrow? Who can tell you won’t try to really stalk her? Or maybe try and talk to her? To take her out? Draco this is-“
“SILENCE!” Draco said and he raised his arm to hit Pansy had a voice not come out of the shadows.
“What is happening here?”

They both looked up and saw Snape and Karkaroff come out from behind a row of bookshelves.
They seemed to have been there the entire time, keeping a conversation to themselves.
Draco quickly let Pansy go and straightened up his clothes.
“Nothing.” Draco quickly answered taking her eyes from Pansy he slowly looked up at his godfather. “Nothing, professor.”
Snape’s black eyes moved from Pansy’s hurt and shaken form and back to Draco who was still trying to hide the hate from his face.
He slowly strode forward them, keeping a close watch at Draco.
“Leave, Miss Parkinson.” Snape muttered not even looking at her.
Karkaroff stayed a few steps behind while Snape dealt with Draco.
Pansy looked reluctant but she was afraid of Snape so she nodded without a word and ran off from them.
Draco stared up at his godfather, trying to block him with the thoughts in his head.
“You’re not practicing enough to block my thoughts, Draco.” Snape simply commented folding his arms. “If you won’t be handing over Miss Granger’s scarf to me, I really don’t care. Ensure that it would never be seen by any other eyes."

Draco didn’t say anything.
He looked up at Snape with a revulsion of hatred and spite in his eyes.
His godfather was intelligent and quick and there was no way he was going to be able to lie to him.
They stared hard at one another and Draco wasn’t stared up at Snape as if he was a man not to be feared.
His black eyes glinted at him.
And then the look on Draco’s face slowly softened.

Snape opened his mouth but before he could say something, the young Malfoy spoke first.
“Don’t tell mother.” Draco muttered unable to stop himself from begging as he looked away, ashamed of himself.
Snape’s eyes narrowed but the look on his face told Draco that he wasn’t as surprised at the revelation.
He opened his mouth and closed it again as if thinking twice of what to tell his godson.
Snape then heavily breathed as if coming into a decision about this secret.
“Don’t be foolish, Draco.” Snape quietly said. “The only thing that matters and you should be worried about right now is how you can become a powerful wizard should your mother need you at the proper moment.”

Draco’s gaze snapped up at him.
“What?” he asked unsure of the thoughts in his head and what his godfather could possibly mean.
“Dark times are coming, Draco. You need to be a man for your mother. So I suggest that you put aside this little stalking hobby of yours-“
“I wasn’t stalking her.” Draco reasoned but the look over Snape’s face told him he was already busted as hell.
“Next time, if you’re going to steal someone else’s scarf, ensure that no one else sees you or knows about it.”
Draco merely nodded and remained quiet.
Snape nodded back and gestured he could leave.
Draco swallowed hard and gripped the sling of his bag tighter as he started to walk away from Snape but he called him back with a warning.
“Miss Parkinson is right, Draco.” Snape whispered with the same warning in his tone. “This is dangerous. You can be with any woman you want in this world but you know it can’t be with that girl. You’re more intelligent than this, Draco. Your mother didn’t raise you to be a pig for slaughter. You can’t be with that girl.”
His fists clenched at his sides but he didn’t say anything.
There was a poisonous tone when he said ‘can’t be with that girl’ and there was an odd sharp pain in his heart then.
“Unless you want your heart to die with her, I suggest you immediately stop this foolish and childish acts-“
“This is nowhere childish!”
“I am not done speaking to you!” Snape angrily flared up at him. “Remember this, Draco – you will know what death is like when they kill her right before your eyes.”
Draco stared back at him, no longer knowing what to say but the hatred in his face was growing and growing by the moment.
“Do as you wish, Draco.” Snape said in a warning kind of whisper. “By all means, continue stealing her things until you’ve fallen deeply into a grave you’ve dug up yourself. But bear in mind that once you’re in that grave, Draco – neither your mother nor I can save you.”
And then without another word, Snape nodded at Karkaroff to follow him at the other spot and end of the library leaving Draco behind, tears in his eyes and hands shaking in anger like he’s not felt in a very long time.

“If you move one bit more closer I swear I’m going to hex you.” Hermione angrily threatened him, trying to stand her ground despite that her whole body was shaking as Lucius closed the gap between them and was ignoring the look of anger from her.
In his eyes, he could see nothing but the same fragile girl with fear slowly creeping back into her senses and overpowering the façade of bravery she was trying to wear in front of him.
“This is decadent.. you’re trying to be.. what do you call it? Ah, trying to be very Gryffindor-“ Lucius moved closer, his hands up over her head and the other at the side of her shoulder completely blocking her from moving away from him.
“Don’t you dare – “ Hermione spit out the words from her mouth her eyes filled with fire but her tone and her knees slowly shaking by now. “I’m warning you – I’m not playing, Malfoy – I will hex you right here in front of everybody-“
Lucius gave out a laugh and his eyes burned her ensuring that his gaze melts into her as if forcing her to recall something.

“Azkaban was.. hard and trying, my dear..” Lucius whispered slowly and he inched closer, letting his lips pass through the very ends of her hair that was on ends at the side of her temple and inhaling her scent completely. “Do you know what kept me feeling.. alive in those.. cold nights?”
“Get away – get away-“ Hermione repeated, trying to push him away but his hard body began to move closer and closer her, blocking her completely.
She looked up at him, her eyes straining not to blink away to ensure she doesn’t saw him her flaws and fears.
“I really don’t – and I mean it from my heart my dear – I really don’t mind if you go tattle tale and flirt with my son, however – you do know and understand that we have certain arrangements with the finances?”
“I’m not interested with your bloody money –“
Lucius laugh out loud at her.
“I’m sure you’re not.” Lucius sneered back at her. “Like everyone else, like every other girl, I’m sure you’re not interested with the billions net worth of the Malfoys-“
“GET-AWAY-YOU-ARSE!” Hermione wailed this time, but Lucius had enough of the little chat.
Lucius suddenly reached out and hard and grabbed her by the arm.
He painfully held her, eyes threatening to hurt her and voice enticing and poisonous at the same time.
Tears now were evident in her eyes but she tried her best to remain standing straight and still and with every bit of Gryffindor bravery she had in herself.
Out of the blue and in her panicking state, Lucius’ other hand came out from nowhere and before she knew it, he had placed it over her abdominal and waist area and pinned her hard against the wall.
She gasped at the pain but he mocked her with a smile.
“That voice, that awful.. gasp..” Lucius sneered at her bending closer her as if to kiss her. “That fire in you.. it kept me alive all those cold, dry and weary nights at-“
“FATHER!”
A loud, clear, abrupt and cold voice came.
Lucius closed his eyes in distaste as he heavily sighed to very slowly turn to the loud steps that rushed towards them.
With Lucius distracted, Hermione used both her hands and with all her might pushed Lucius away from her and ran blindly to the direction of the voice.
Draco stared a few feet from them, eyes wide and with a glass of champagne in his hand from the toast that had been given to him earlier.

“Draco.” Lucius said slowly turning to him and straightening up himself and ignoring the harassed and tearful looking Hermione standing next to Draco.
“Stay away from her.” Draco said as a threat and warning as he grabbed Hermione by the wrist and swung her to him, moving her behind her.
“Are you alright?” he asked, looking back at her as he moved in front of her to face his father.
Hermione breathed heavily behind him, opened her mouth to answer but Lucius spoke first.
“Of course she’s alright.” Lucius said with a laugh. “We were just talking. Why wouldn’t she be alright?”
His eyes moved from Draco and back at Hermione who looked back at him, wordless and unmoving.

There was a gleam in Lucius eyes, something like victory and form of mockery at the same time.
“Stay away from her. I’m not going to tell you again.” Draco coldly warned and he moved his arm inside his pocket and slowly took out his wand as sign of warning.
Lucius only smiled.

“You’re so sensitive Draco – we’re just trying to be and get acquainted back again. Old times, you know?”
He walked forward, towering over Hermione but barely taller now than Draco.
His own son stared at him, hands shaking as he held his wand.
“I’ll give you a minute here.” Lucius said with a small bow and smile as if nothing had happened. “Compose yourselves and enjoy the night because later we would have another toast, yes?”
His eyes moved from Draco and then settled back at Hermione.
Neither of the two spoke at him.
“The night is young and you should enjoy it.” Lucius said with sweet distaste at them both especially at Hermione. “We have so much to celebrate later. What a glorious night this is to be free – what glorious time it is to be alive.”
His eyes settled at Hermione, a glare and glance at her as if telling her something only the two of them understood.
He gave her a look, a knowing smile as if there was a secret only the two of them shared.

“Enjoy the evening, Miss Granger.” And with that he walked away and began mingling with some of his old official friends.
It took a while for Draco to recover himself and when he turned and looked back at Hermione, the colour from her face was almost gone and she was breathing hard and fast.
“Water.” Draco thought quickly. “You need water.”
And with a quick wave of his wand, a glass goblet appeared with a refreshing fill of water.
It took Hermione a moment to get out and back into her senses and she took the goblet of water, drinking it as if she had been parched for days.
Draco quietly led her out of the main party and quietly into a hallway that led to an outer way towards the side balcony of the manor.
She suddenly felt cold air around her and when she finished the water, she realized they were alone atop a balcony area of the place and Draco was sitting across her from some carved out wooden benches.
He was staring at her in a different way like he’s never look at her before.
It was a mixture of worry and anger and something else.
It wasn’t a look she was used to but she could swear that she’s seen him like that somewhere and sometime ago before.
“Hermione…” Draco whispered and this time around the look on his face told Hermione that he wasn’t sure what had just happened, wasn’t sure what to say or what to do with her.
There was a mixture of confusion and anger in his face and despite her feelings at the moment, she knew that Draco couldn’t continue the night without her.
“I’m fine.” Hermione managed to spit out not really feeling what she had said. “It’s fine.. it’s… The water is good… the air here is good..”

He moved slowly and closer to her, taking the glass from her and watching her a few steps from him to ensure she doesn’t faint because she looked like she was going to.
Draco placed the empty goblet aside and stared around him.
The party was a bit way back from where they were and they were completely alone should they need to talk with certain privacy.
He looked back at her, she was staring out into the sky, deeply inhaling the fresh air that was breezing around them that late night.
He wasn’t sure how to approach her because when she spoke her tone was nothing but bitter distaste even if she said she was alright.

What did his father need from her exactly?
No, that wasn’t the question.
The question was how much of this would she have to endure now he was out of Azkaban?
It couldn’t be just this, this couldn’t just happen.
Hermione needed someone to protect her, to be with her and despite all that was happening one thing was clear – he was the one that his father feared beyond anyone and that would mean he was the protection that she would need.
But how exactly could he protect her fully?
“About my father-“ Draco began. “Hermione, he’s-“
“A vile, disgusting bastard.” Hermione murmured loud enough for Draco to hear if she had just been thinking these words. “He doesn’t deserve to be freed from Azkaban.”
There was silence in the truth of her words and despite Draco’s reservations, he knew that Hermione was nothing but correct.
“He’s nothing but filth.” Draco loudly told her walking right behind her. “Nothing but a criminal who deserves nowhere else but in Azkaban.”
His eyes lowered then and unconsciously, he touched the side of his face where the burned mark was.
Hermione turned to him and the fire in her eyes quickly softened and vanished upon seeing him lost in his thoughts and his fingers running over the burned scar over his left cheek.

There was an unexplainable ache in her heart that felt nothing short of a déjà vu.
She swallowed hard and walked back to him.
Without knowing why really, she reached forward to comfort him instead of letting him do it for her.
Her soft and gentle fingers moved to his wrist and to his fingers that held his face.
The moment her skin touched his, Draco’s thoughts seemed to erupt out of its bubble-thought case and his eyes refocused and turned back to her.
There was a question in his gaze as if he had just recognized her and realized their proximity.
He stopped touching his face and he unconsciously and out of reflexed moved it but Hermione held it a little tighter.
He didn’t move, he looked back at her and she stared determinedly back at him.
Something in both their chests was beating hard and fast, unexplainable yet not unfamiliar.
They’ve both felt this feeling before, a sort of déjà vu from a lifetime before.
They both felt it – this feeling felt so natural, so familiar.
Hermione opened her mouth to him unsure of what to say but Draco had suddenly faced her.
All that was cold, mangled or passive from expression vanished and was replaced but a soft gaze from his eyes and features that showed nothing short of remorse back at her.
“I’m sorry.” Draco clearly said as he faced her, taking her hands into his. “I’m sorry.. H-Hermione.. I don’t know.. I’m sorry.”

And before Hermione could even say anything or do anything, Draco had suddenly grabbed her to him and without a word, a thought or a warning, he placed both his arms around her and tightly enveloped her in his arms.
Hermione was too shocked to say anything as their bodies collided, his hard chest hard against her and her soft features tightly wrapped inside his strong arms.
She could hear his breathing – heavy, calculated and bearing.
Her eyes widened, her heart seemed to jolt and jump out of her chest.
She could even hear his own heart beat quite fast against her chest.
“Malfoy-“ Hermione gasped, eyes wide in shock as he tightened his grip around her as if afraid of losing her.
“Draco.” Draco whispered into the flare of her tresses as he buried his face into it and sharply inhaled her scent as if memorizing it. “Please call me, Draco…”
“D-Draco..” Hermione whispered in hesitation and her eyes suddenly burned with tears without any warning at all and without warning or any thought, she found herself opening her arms to him and placing it around his tight body.
She rested her arms around him, enough to enclose him within her arms but not too tight for him to feel that her hands were really there.
She closed her eyes, inhaling his scent that had been ever so familiar and bringing her parts and smithereens of memories that she couldn’t really recall where it all came from.
For a moment, they remained still, comforting one another, listening to one another’s beating hearts and gently breathing against one another’s skin.

It felt like a lifetime could just pass them and they wouldn’t have a goddamn care into the world.
For Draco, it felt so wrong and yet so right – like this was something he had been meaning to do all along.
And for Hermione, she wasn’t sure why even if all voices screamed at her that this wasn’t right and this was Draco Malfoy whose arms she was into – a great part of her heart seemed to know him, ,to remember him in a different way and this feeling was just very familiar to her.
Hermione’s eyes suddenly shot open and out of reflex she pushed herself away from Draco.
He opened his eyes, shock as she was, arms still outstretched into the air and his shock and questioning eyes stared back at her own shocked ones.
A hint of anger seemed to pass very briefly but was replaced by something like regret and remorse in her eyes.
“I’m sorry-“ Draco quickly said reaching out to her but her one leg backed away from him.
Draco’s eyes narrowed in question and fear – a fear that was slowly crippling him.
He stepped forward again in his attempt to reach back to her but Hermione backed another step away from him with fear in her eyes and another raw emotion – anger.
“I’m sorry-“ Draco repeated quickly taking two steps back but not putting his arms down. “I’m sorry - Hermione – I didn’t I – I was trying-“
“Don’t – please-“ Hermione said her face that was in tears turning as she tried to shake away the tears. “It’s not – not your fault – I’m sorry-“
He stared back at her and realized that the fear in her eyes was for him but the anger wasn’t.
She was angry of herself.
Was she angry because she let her guard down and reciprocated the tenderness of the comfort he just offered her?
A quirked of a brow passed him – he realized that he had also let his guard down and had been nothing but soft and vulnerable to her.
He had been so since the progress of her therapies with him and he didn’t realize it immediately.
Feeling foolish, Draco slowly lowered his arms and stared back at her, unsure where to put his hands but at his sides.
In silence, he watched as she wiped her tears with the back of her hands and tried her best to straighten her dress and tried to keep her hair back into a better place.
“I think we should go back to the party.” Hermione offered him with a very small smile at him. “The guests may be looking for you. This is still your party and you’re still a Malfoy.”

Hermione said it without any tone but with a mere truth.
Just as she walked past him, Draco gently grabbed her arm. .
He stood still but his one arm was outstretched towards her, taking it gently and waiting for her to face him.
She didn’t.
“I’m not a Malfoy.” Draco spoke in the silence that consumed them. “I’m not like my father.”
His tone was hard, bitter and with a mixture of hurt.

The hand he held momentarily curled into a fist and only relaxed when his fingers brushed her gently.
“Hermione.”
“You’re not like your father.” Hermione tightly answered him. “But you’re still a Malfoy.”
And then with that, she gently withdrew her hand from him and left him out cold into the night at the balcony, leaving him stricken and wondering what she could have meant by those words.

Draco was silent in his room as he finished up his packing for the year ahead.
Things this year will definitely be very different from all others.
The Dark Lord has risen.
The underground meetings, the way his father comes home very late, the worry over her mother’s face and the three times that his godfather, Severus Snape, visited the Malfoy Manor over the summer were only but a very few handful of signs that change was about to happen.
The Dark Lord was using his power, influence beneath the Ministry of Magic’s eyes and they were very oblivious to it.
As he learned, it was because that Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge refuses to acknowledge Harry Potter and Dumbledore’s claims that the TriWizard Tournament’s death was an accident and not because he had killed their fellow Hogwarts students.
No, he and his family knew very well that he was very much alive once more.

And he was using the Ministry of Magic’s refusal to believe his resurrection to claim power and army without being taken down.
He was a remarkable Slytherin at best with these plans he was executing without the government being the wiser for it.
Draco’s mother didn’t want him to go back to Hogwarts but she knew that for as long as Severus Snape was in the castle, he would be safe.
He trusted his godfather as much as he hated at times – he was his mother’s favourite person and she trusted him more than anyone else.
A slight knock came upon his door.

“Draco?”
It was Narcissa.
Her voice was gentle and came and she slowly pushed the door open and entered uninvited into his son’s bedroom.
Her eyes moved around the dark drapes of his window and to his four poster bed where most of his belongings were still scattered.
“I thought you’re done packing.” Narcissa commented with a hint of annoyance in her tone. “Severus will meet you at the station.”
“I’m not a child.” Draco commented zipping his black handbag and securing his Slytherin scarf around it. “I don’t need him to meet me there.”
“It’s not safe.” Narcissa said in a determined voice. “The Dark Lord.. he has ordered for the Dementors to roam around. I don’t want my son to be a casualty.”
Draco looked up at her with sharp eyes but didn’t say anything.
Narcissa’s heart hurt a little as she moved closer to approach his son.
“Draco-“
“Don’t touch me.” Draco angrily said moving her hand away from her. “You should have told father that before you let him out that night-“
“I didn’t know.” Narcissa cried at him. “I didn’t know.. I wasn’t.. He wasn’t supposed to be there.”
“And now what, mother?” Draco asked him. “We are supposed to put a face out into that world that we’re fine, that all is well – and just close our eyes to what he has for this world? Mother, have you thought about this? He doesn’t care – and now he wants father to get something from him at the Ministry of Magic-“
“Your father can handle himself.” Narcissa said shaking her tears away. “His a school governor and a part of the government. He can handle himself. It’s you I am most worried-“
“Yeah, well I don’t think you should be worried about me. I’m inside Hogwarts, world safest place – ain’t it? For as long as Dumbledore is there, right?”

Narcissa stared back at her stubborn son.
Drastic changes were happening into their world and there was nothing she could do but try and protect her son.
He was her only priority.
“The Ministry of Magic will be sending some agent over the course of the year.” Narcissa slowly gathered herself and explained to him as calm as she could. “I don’t know who. But it is best that you stay at their side to ensure your safety.”
“I don’t need to suck someone’s arse to be safe.” Draco muttered moving away from her mother. “I’m not like father.”

Narcissa stared at her son’s back.
He was staring out into the large high-ceiling glass that towered the room and was overlooking one of the best views of the manor.
“You’re not your father.” Narcissa whispered with a dry dull in her tone. “You were never like your father and that what makes me fear you for your safety. Draco, there’s nothing you can do – he has risen – we all bow low to him.”
“Last time you taught me, a Malfoy bows to no one.” Draco coldly said turning to his mother. “Or has that changed?”

A glint passed Narcissa’s eyes.
“That has changed since you are obviously willing to go out there and lay your life to some unworthy filth.” Narcissa coldly said with her hands shaking in anger.
Draco didn’t say anything.
But he didn’t have to say anything else for her mother to understand what they were talking about.
Draco turned away from her again.

“I know what must be done, mother. You don’t have to discuss and argue with me about it every single time.”
“You seem to be in great need of reminding every single time.”
Draco didn’t say anything but his fists were forming into tight clenches.
Narcissa didn’t miss it.
“You are my son, my only son – my dear boy – I can’t lose you just because you’re losing your head over some-“
“I’m not losing my head.” Draco angrily yelled back at her. “I’m not going to lose myself because of her!”
Narcissa held her breath as she stared back at him – eyes wide and wild, hair tangled at all ends.
The anger and frustration were very much evident over his face.
“Draco-“
“I’m not like you.” Draco said. “I’m not like father losing it all over for something he desires – I can control myself and my thoughts. That is thanks to neither of you. Now if you don’t mind mother, I’d like to finish my packing.”
He was breathing fast and hard and Narcissa looked as defeated as she could possibly be.
She quietly nodded at Draco.
“I’ll be at the library should you need anything.”
“I don’t need anything.” Draco answered looking away from her. “I just want to finish all these in peace.”

And without another word from Draco, Narcissa nodded quietly and slowly left his son alone to his thoughts and growing misery.
The party continued on with the rest of the bidding and other announcement but Malfoy Senior and Hermione watched with keen and sharp eyes at one corner of the manor as he savored his newfound freedom and power he was trying to gain.

She knew that Harry had tried more than once to approach her but Draco had always been either with her or in very close proximity so he couldn’t really come closer to her.
It took another round of drinks and another hour and another dancing around the manor for Hermione to realize that she had enough and would want to go home.
She needed to find Draco to tell him that she was tired and wanted to go home.
They’ve done what they came for – to show Lucius that he wasn’t scared of his own father.

“Excuse me, have you seen Draco Malfoy?” Hermione asked as she lowered her tall glass of wine to a waiter’s tray and tried to keep herself up and standing around the party.
The lights had dimmed, smooth music was playing and she was no longer sure who were still there and who had gone home.
The hours had ticked by and she wasn’t sure who were still in attendance at the party and she didn’t like the idea that she let herself for half an hour at the corner of the manor watching everyone and losing Draco in plain sight.
Where was Draco?

“I’m sorry Miss Granger, I’m not sure where Young Master is.” answered a young wizard waiter service as he cleared one table as its occupants began dancing at the dance floor.
The Malfoy Manor was filled with lights and magical smoke from the effects area and knew that indeed this was a party that no one but Lucius Malfoy could come up with.
Hermione tried to keep herself as hidden as possible to anyone in the crowd that may know her or someone she didn’t want to see or have further conversation or discussion with.
She just wanted to get out of the place without bumping into Harry or Lucius or anyone else.
She just wanted to find Draco as fast and get out of the place.
But the further she walked and moved around the dancing and talking crowd at the manor’s grand party area, the more impossible it was to find Draco.
It wasn’t until she decided to climb up the staircase to try and find Draco and the upper rooms did she get a result.
At the West Wing area of the manor, she immediately heard an old voice.

It was Draco’s man-servant.
A door was ajar at the end of the hallway but a light was barely lit up.
The old man’s voice was talking to someone.
Hermione crept as silent as she could towards the open door and settled herself outside the room with the door that was ajar.
“Young Master, you can’t let this-“
“I can let this go away.” Draco answered in a struggling tone. “Until the party is over at the least. I can let him get away with it.”
Hermione listened closely.
Draco’s voice was heavy and forced as if he was struggling with something.
She knew that she wasn’t supposed to be there, eavesdropping with his private affairs and she should leave him at that.
And she was planning to until she heard her name in the conversation.

“What will you tell Miss Granger?” asked the old servant. “You slipped down the floor?”
“I’ll tell her anything.” Draco replied in a serious tone and there was a sound of him making a swift movement as if he avoided something.
“Please hold still, Young Master.”
Hermione’s brows narrowed.
What was going on inside that room?
“I don’t think Miss Granger will be daft enough to believe you slipped-“
“She won’t have time to think.” Draco assured him. “By that time, we’re out of the manor and she’ll be safe and fine. She doesn’t have to know –“
“That you had a brawl with your father?” the old servant interrupted him. “She has no right to know that you fist and brawled with your father a while ago because of some legal matters that are related to him losing everything?”
“He will lose everything. I will make sure of that.”
“But he threatened to make you lose her.”
“That’s not going to happen!”
Another flinch and another painful gasp from Draco.
“Now, now, Young Master.. I told you to hold still.” the old servant kept saying. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do with these wounds?”
“My father purposely wounded and hit me on my left side to ensure it hits my burn mark.” Draco angrily spat back. “To ensure that when I clean that wound I’d be reminded of the old ones.”
There was silence and Hermione figured that the old man may have been tending to Draco’s injury from a fight with Lucius Malfoy.
Her fists clench.

The bastard.

He would die and have a very special place in hell.
“What is your plan, Young Master?”
Hermione moved closer and listened all the while aware of all the hatred coming up into her veins, the hot tears forming in her eyes at the thought that there was a chance for Lucius Malfoy to gain power once more.
Her fists were shaking at her sides, her eyes burning hot with tears and her heart pumping very fast.
No, that can’t happen – Lucius Malfoy can’t be free and happy and rich again.
No, she couldn’t let it happen.
Her whole body was shaking in anger and in spite and all the bad memories coming and crashing inside her heart.
She could almost not breath properly at the fast rate her heart was racing.
Hermione looked around her and back at the room as she continued to listen to the conversation.

Lucius Malfoy was out of Azkaban and a grasp away from all the wealth that had been taken from him by law.
And by law, he could also have them all back and when that happens, all of these would have been for nothing.
Lucius Malfoy would be atop his game again and there’s nothing any of them would be able to do when he gains back his name and power.
Hermione’s eyes burned, her fists clenched at her sides.

She couldn’t let this happen.
No, it cannot happen.
She must do something – anything.
There must be a way out of it – there must be a way for him never to get hold of his wealth again and remain as he was – free but within limits and under Draco’s shots.
He should stay there – if not in Azkaban, then a place as close and bad to it as it were.
She couldn’t let him win, not this time.
He was out of Azkaban and there was nothing she could do about it and that’s the last of it.
She won’t let any more advantage for Lucius Malfoy.
He was going to suffer the consequences of his actions.
The years before weren’t the years now – she would make sure that he never gains power ever again.
Not after everything he has done.
There must be something, anything she could do to ensure power never reaches his fingertips again.
She wasn’t going to let it – not a chance in Azkaban and not a chance in hell.
But what was she going to do?
“I have no idea.” Draco answered him. “Obviously, I have to do something about it all or my father will have control over everything my mother left and everything else I have fought so hard to take away from him.”
“You will need help for this.” the old man said in a quiet and heavy tone. “And I’m not sure that this time around I can help you with it.”
“Not if you can find me a bride by tonight, no you can’t.” Draco answered in an almost amused tone as and then he cleared his throat.
A sudden thought, a glimmer of an idea passed Hermione’s eyes.
“It’s fine.” Draco’s voice came again. “You’ve helped more than enough. I’ll find a way to secure everything we have. I’m young and smart, I’m sure I can find a bride faster than my father would.”
It was a crazy idea but it might just work.
Hermione bit her lip, her mind racing and contemplating for the pros and cons of it and calculating the possible loss for her side if she pursues with it.
“But remember that he is Lucius Malfoy.” the old man reminded him seriously. “A known ladies’ man. For all you know Draco, a bride is upcoming from the crowd of women downstairs. You are racing against time, Young Master – nothing is ever fair and even when it comes to that.”
Another long and grueling silence.

Hermione battled in her mind – they were racing against Lucius Malfoy and against time and the law that will determine their fate if she doesn’t.
She bit her lip as thoughts after another consumed her – determination, fear and most importantly anger and the live thirst for vengeance.
If she’d put her thoughts and everything she’d heard together is that Draco had a fight with Lucius that was a brawl of wits and legality and that they are fighting over the fortune of the Malfoys if not of the Blacks that Lucius obviously can’t touch.
Draco wanted to make sure that he can have everything secured but under the new law, Lucius can grasp all of it back in his arms which will obviously place him back in his pedestal and back in his glory and power.
That couldn’t happen.
It couldn’t happen, she couldn’t let it.
And it wouldn’t happen unless Draco finds a bride before Lucius Malfoy does.

Hermione’s head had been so occupied that it wasn’t until last minute did she hear footsteps coming her way.
And before she could move out and away from the door, it suddenly fully opened and she was face to face with a wide-eyed Draco with a small cut at the side of his already burned side of the face.
His eyes were wide, hair wild and stricken.
The old servant was behind him holding a tray of bandages and compress.

“Hermione?” he asked with a worried tone as the servant closed the door behind them. “What are you – how did you – how long have you been there?”
He looked mildly fearful and disapproving at finding her outside the door after having a private conversation with his servant.
Hermione looked back at him with tearful and yet determined eyes.
Her eyes quickly shot up at the evident fresh injury his own father had obviously inflicted over his old burn mark at the left side of his face.
Hermione moved forward to approach him but Draco looked slightly alarmed, afraid.
Her heart was pumping fast for some reason and she didn’t know why she felt such pity for this boy at that very moment.
There was something in his tone and in his eyes that told her that even if he wouldn’t say it, he needed her and desperately needed her help.

“Hermione?” Draco’s mild voice came again and he took one step closer her.
“Long enough.” Hermione answered in a firm tone as she faced him and took his hand into hers.
She blinked back and removed her eyes from his burned mark and back up at his fearful gaze at her.
“Draco-“
“Let me take you home.” Draco firmly said gently shoving her hand away from reaching him and moving past her after his servant.
Hermione quickly grabbed his arm and made him face her.
“I’m not going home.” Hermione softly said pressing her fingers around his arm.
“I think we’ve had enough partying tonight, Hermione.” Draco said without meeting her eyes. “I’ll take you home.”
“I said I’m not going anywhere.” Hermione said in a loud tone that made him look up at her.
There was anger and urgency in her tone that Draco didn’t understand.
His face softened then to accommodate her feelings and forget his for the moment.
“Hermione.”
“We’re facing this together.” Hermione said with a gentle nudge of her hand. “We’re not done here.”
For a moment, a gleam of awe and gratefulness appeared in his eyes but he quickly shook it away.
“This isn’t your problem.” Draco whispered as gentle as he could. “Let me take you home.”
“We can’t let your father win.” Hermione firmly said. “We can’t let him get all your fortune back.”

Another light appeared in his eyes in disbelief that someone genuinely wanted to help him out of his present predicament
“I’ll deal with it.” Draco replied. “Let me deal with it. It’s our family problem. It’s fine. Mother has old connections I can find them-“
“Can they find you a bride?” Hermione interrupted him and his thoughts that were beginning to obviously panic.
Draco looked sharply back at her.
“It’s fine.” Draco said. “You don’t need to – I’ve got enough time-“
“No, you don’t.” Hermione said in a pressing tone.
Draco was silence.
He removed his hand around hers and she straightened up to face him.
“We both know you don’t have enough time. And this – this is the perfect time – while everyone is here.”
“I don’t understand.” Draco said avoiding her gaze.
“You do understand.” Hermione said. “Ministry Officials, members of the government, the press and the people from the Prophet – this is the perfect time. By tomorrow morning, it will be on the headlines and there is nothing your father could do about it-“
“Headlines?” Draco asked in confusion. “Perfect time for what?”
“Oh, don’t play daft. Doesn’t exactly suit someone who was next in line to my grades at graduation, right?”
She was looking at him with a challenging gaze and he knew she’s not about to put this one down.
And it appeared again – that brilliance in her eyes that matched her facial features and the way her lips moved and curved.
She was up to something and there was no stopping her.
Hermione made a step forward him, closing in their gap.
Draco stared back at her and felt his heart thumping fast at their very close proximity and the inches away distance of her lips to his.

“Hermione-“
“Marry me, Draco.” Hermione breathlessly said in a clear tone as she grabbed his arms as if she needed support herself. “Let’s get married.”
For a moment, Draco felt like something like a wave came over him and it took him a moment to recover and understand what she was trying to say.
“M-marry?” Draco repeated in a dead tone. “Marry – hold on – what do you mean-“
“Let’s get engaged.” Hermione told him. “Tonight. We’ll announce it now – for the whole wizarding world to hear and see – to ensure we have a slot at the Marriage Law so that your fortune will be kept safe – under your name-“
“Are you drunk?” Draco’s flat out words came out. “I’m sorry, have you been drinking all the while that I’m not-“
“I’m not drunk.” Hermione spat back at him her eyes glinting. “Come now, we don’t have time.”
But Draco refused to move from where he was.
He stood at the exact place where Hermione had held him very closely.

“This is insane-“
“I know!” Hermione excitedly said and fear came into Draco’s eyes at the serious thought she was having over it.
“No.” Draco said. “No, you don’t. You don’t understand what this entails.”
“Yes, I do.” Hermione said. “I was present at council as representative when some conditions were being passed for it – all the terms and conditions were-“
“That’s not what I meant.” Draco said standing straight and keeping his tone low and serious. “You don’t know what this could mean. Do you know what marriage entails? The responsibilities? This isn’t something like we can play around – there will be laws, there will be rules, we have to be together at all times-“
“You think I’m not aware?” Hermione breathlessly answered him. “But it may just save you and your fortune. Come on, Draco – we need to make sure we make the announcement very soon, we have to ensure that your application the Marriage Law is legally recorded before your father gets himself a potential bride and records it-“
“Hold on. Stop it.” Draco finally said getting a grip of himself and the spinning thoughts in his head.

He grabbed her hand and made her look at him.
She was fiery and her mind was obviously at the works of the legalities and possibilities but she wasn’t thinking the way he knew she was usually thinking too – with her heart and her brain together.
She was only using her brains at the moment and that wasn’t something very Hermione Granger.

“Do you want to get to secure your fortune?” Hermione asked him in a demanding tone.
“Yes.” Draco answered almost fidgeting. “Of course.”
“Do you want your bloody father to gain access to everything again?” she asked and for a bit of a moment there was a softer tune in her voice like some fear passed her.
He moved closer her and shook his head.
“No.” Draco said in a determined voice. “I can’t let that happen.”

His brilliant eyes met hers and he knew that she was right and at the moment, this was a choice she was more than willing to make for him.
But why?
Why was she so desperate to take his father down that she was willing to sacrifice herself and marry her school bully to ensure that Lucius never climbs back atop the social ladder?
Logically, she made sense.
But the thought and plan coming from her didn’t make any sense at all.

“Don’t you have plans of getting married?” she asked bluntly.
“I’m sorry?” Draco repeated feeling harassed now. “I’m sorry, Hermione, but I don’t think you’re thinking clear and straight as of right now –I’m not sure who has more to drink tonight if it’s you or me or it’s just-
“Oh, don’t be overly dramatic.” Hermione said rolling her eyes at him. “I’ve never thought this straight and this serious in my life, Draco. I’m sure of what I want to happen and what is to happen. I’m determined-“
“Yeah, you do look determined enough to rip my throat apart if I don’t say yes to you.” Draco said with a hint of amusement in his tone.
Hermione rolled her eyes and heavily sighed at him.
“You’re wasting time.” Hermione whispered in a hushed tone. “Do you want to do this or not?”

He looked back at her, a revolution of hatred and deception were clear from her eyes.
But what did he want?
Did he want to marry her?
Did he want to use this deceptive opportunity to get even and ahead of his father?
No, gone were the days where he was manipulative and would use absolutely any opportunity to gain things for his own advantage over a certain situation.
But Hermione was also right – this was the perfect time and chance to get ahead of his father.
By morning light tomorrow, his father could work fast enough and could have himself registered for the Marriage Law and his hands would get another change to gain their fortune and power.
He knew he couldn’t let it happen.
But if he gets to announce himself tonight as taken and about to be married as this was an opportune time for an engagement, the whole Wizarding World will have the gist that he was to be married first – therefore, by order and legality by the Marriage Law – he would have all fortune and properties under his name and power and never to his father ever again.

And a willing bride?

“Draco!” Hermione snapped her fingers in front of his eyes. “Are we going to do this or not?”
Draco looked up at her impatient form.
She looked as smart and impatient as he always knew her as if forcing her to sneak some test paper results out of McGonagall’s office without the slightest bit of remorse at hand.
She really was determined and absolute into doing this.
And by the looks of it, she had long made up her mind about this.
He didn’t understand but he didn’t have time to understand at all.
She was right about the time they were losing and the fortune he could lose forever.
But what was she to gain from all of it?
His eyes narrowed.
He moved away from her as if he was suddenly very disappointed about something.
"Draco-"
"No." Draco cut her short with a glint in his eyes.
He looked back at her and something like hurt was in his expression that Hermione just couldn't understand.
Hermione opened her mouth and called him back with impatience in her tone.

“If you’re doing this to get even with Potter, forget it.” Draco suddenly said and there was some coldness in his tone. “I’m sure you and Potter have previous hang ups but please don’t use me – “
“I’m not using you.” Hermione answered in a hurt tone. “I’m trying to help you.”
“But what will you get out of it?” Draco asked her straight. “Tell me, why would you want to help an old school bully with a dilemma as heavy as this? What will you gain in return?”
His gaze challenged her but she could almost swear that he was begging her not to answer the question and that for him, she was only doing this because – it was for him.
“For you.” Hermione replied without a second thought. “Because I want to help you. Because it’s not fair and right for-“
“For me?” Draco asked her. “Who am I to you?”
Hermione opened her mouth and suddenly no words were coming out.
Who was Draco Malfoy in her life?
“Yes?” Draco asked her. “Any minute now. I don’t ever recall we’ve been this close for you to make this grand favor for me.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
“I thought you’ve always seen me as some meddling idiot who wants to save the world?” Hermioen snapped back at him. “Don’t you want to think this is one of those days?”
He stared at her, conflicted by the thought of it.
Hermione shook her head as she began to lose her patience.
“This is stupid.” Hermione countered grabbing his arm. “Come on, let’s just do this-“
“No.” Draco argued. “Answer me and we do this. I won’t do this if I’m not assured and aware of the terms and conditions of what we’re about to do.”
“Terms and conditions?” Hermione incredulously repeated at him. “What is this a business transaction?”
“Well, is it not?” he asked with challenged in his tone and gaze.
Hermione was suddenly at loss for words.
“I’m making it clear for what it is.” Draco answered her in an indifferent tone. “I need to know the limitations of this matter between us.”
“Nothing.” Hermione answered. “We get engaged and Marriage by law and that’s it. Nothing.”
“Nothing else?”
“Nothing else.” Hermione said rolling her eyes. “Oh my god, Draco. I don’t need your money. You can have that all to yourself. I’ve got enough-“
“That’s not what I mean.” Draco said moving back to her and grabbing her hand and suddenly placing it over his chest. “How about feelings?”
Hermione looked scandalized that she tugged her hand back but he wouldn’t let go.
“What – what about feelings?” she fearfully asked.

He firmly pressed her hand over his chest.
“What about feelings, Hermione?” Draco clearly said knowing she understood what he meant. “When we get married there will be more than holding hands.”
He gestured over his hand and her hand over his chest that she seemed too afraid to have at the moment.
“What about feelings?” Hermione asked him with a raised brow. “I don’t think you’ve had feelings for me. This won’t be hard.” Hermione said.

Draco blinked.
He didn’t answer.
“Do you?” Hermione then asked him. “Do you?”
“No, of course not.” Draco quickly answered looking away from her and shoving her hand from his chest.. “I’m sure you don’t have feelings for your school bully?”
“Oh please.” Hermione said extending her hand to him. “This is for your benefit Draco so don’t be such an airhead gloating about it. I want to help you as you’ve helped me recently. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Draco stared at her extended hand in agreement.
He exhaled sharply knowing this was a losing battle for him.
“Our business tonight is to announce our engagement.” Hermione explained to her as if this has been planned a very long time ago. “Then we’d work on the terms of our supposedly marriage and everything else-“
“Yes, yes, I know. Agreed upon.” Draco said quickly taking her hand and shaking it in agreement.
Silence then followed and they stared at one another’s facial features.
“So you agree now?” Hermione asked him wanting to make sure he was all for it.
He was silent and contemplating but he looked like he already made up his mind as well.
A smile appeared at Hermione’s face that quickly vanished before he could even see it when he turned back to her.
“I’ve got you on this.” Draco said. “We’ll get through tonight then we’ll smoothen everything out and absolutely no hasty decisions next. Are we agreed?”
“Agreed.” Hermione said with fiery delight in her tone. “No hasty decisions next after this.”
“You tell that to yourself.” Draco smirked as he slowly let her hand go.
They stared at one another.
Their hearts were both beating quite fast.
“Are we ready?”
“Of course we are.” Hermione answered taking his hand into her. “Come on, Draco. Let’s do this. We’ve got this.”
“No.” Draco said pressing her hand tight and firm in his as they walked out of the room. “I’ve got you.”

Whatever conversation Lucius Malfoy had been tale-telling his visitors at the time was abruptly interrupted when they heard glasses being tapped by some form of announcement.
The lights turned different and the music softened and softened until it dispersed completely off from the air.
The only things that could be heard was the bell-like sound of the taping of the goblet glasses up ahead.
Every guest at the manor halted their conversation or drinking and eating and laughing for that brief moment as lights focused up ahead at the top of the stairs were two figures were obvious.
Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy arm in arm atop the staircase.
The press were already at the ready with their cameras and quills at the possible big news that everyone had been waiting for weeks.
They had obviously been waiting the whole night for something like a scandal to come up for them to have something to offer the following day’s newspapers.
But seeing a smiling Hermione and Draco in one another’s arms told them that this wasn’t some scandal but some public display and announcement of some sort.
Hermione held Draco in her hand as they descended a few steps from the stairs while Draco led them down and continuously tapped the glass to gain attention.
They stopped right at the middle and he handed his old servant the glass.
He was smiling, beaming at the world and Hermione tried her best not to look at Harry who pushed his way at the front to clearly see what was going on.
They held one another arm in arm and the smile they both were wearing would not put them in a manner that they didn’t want at all.
The impression and gesture was clear to the world.
“I’d like to thank everyone who came tonight.” Draco announced in a clear loud voice. “It may have confused everyone but there is a manner from which I have opened this dinner for tonight.”

Gasps were heard and the situation was exciting every bit of visitor at the manor.
Lucius Malfoy came to view as he walked up front with his eyes never leaving his son’s image up ahead the grand staircase.
Hermione tried to look straight ahead – where she can’t see and be distracted by Harry or by Lucius or by anyone at sight.
“A few weeks ago, I’m quite sure you were familiar with a headline at the newspapers, yes?”
Draco gestured to Hermione and there were cheers and jeers.
He faked a smile and blush at the audience.
Anyone would buy their story tonight as they were all obviously the kind of people his father surrounded himself with.
“And I had to – or rather, we had to remain private and quiet – you see, a life that is private is one that is undisturbed. However, knowing I came from a known family and with her history known to all, I know that we can’t remain private forever.”
Silence consumed the room and Hermione held him tighter in her hand as she felt him slightly shake but she kept him in place to assure him she was there.
Harry stared up and couldn’t help but think how they both seemed to bloom and glow in the light of the event and their position from the grand chandelier up ahead the grand ballroom.
“We both know we can’t be a secret forever, right sweetheart?” Draco asked loud enough for the whole room to hear what he had to say as he slowly gestured to Hermione.
There were gasps and Harry made a step forward if not stopped by Kingsley himself who stood next to him.
Harry stared back up at the Minister and Kingsley shook his head.
They both looked up again and watched Draco take Hermione’s hand and kissed the back of him.
More cheers from the crowd.

They faced one another, eye to eye and Hermione at the level of Draco’s heart.
Their eyes locked in and they weren’t sure anymore what to do and if these feelings were real or not.
The timing, the event and the night was too overwhelming – was this a hasty decision to save one after another or was this something else?
Hermione could feel his breath against hers as if she’d never been close to this man and Draco – was just as stunned at the captivity of his heart into the beauty that she was.
They were well aware of the many eyes on them and the news this moment was going to make tomorrow morning.
“Just as we’ve talked about.” Hermione whispered with her lip barely moving as Draco seemed lost in oblivion already.
“Just as what?” Draco asked confused and lost at the plan they had a while ago.
Hermione smiled further at him and before he knew it, she had her arm closer around him.
“Just as we talked about before we climb up here.” Hermione repeated as she nudged for him to move closer her. “What you said.. come on… Oh, Malfoy.. bloody hell..”
Hermione muttered under her breath, her gaze pressuring Draco even more that he was panicking further, forgetting what he was supposed to do.
Draco moved his face closer to her, lowering it enough for her to whisper against her lips and not knowing what to do next, Hermione seemed to have lost her patience and had made her move.

And right then and there even if it wasn’t really part of their sudden play, Hermione reached forward and captured Draco’s lips into hers.
There were quick sounds of gasps and the clicking of cameras all over.
A sureball to be frontpage headlines right up at the morning at all the newspapers.
But Draco couldn’t really comprehend any of those at that moment where her lips moved to his.
As shock as he was, Hermione also seemed unsure if it was really what was planned a while ago because Draco didn’t stop her but he also looked completely bewildered.
She made to move away but Draco was a quick learner; he quickly placed his hand behind her neck and continued the kiss, ensuring the whole room sees them.
Draco was completely tangled and lost in her kiss.
Because of what he was having at that very moment – Hermione’s soft lips touched his and he meant for them to touch but he didn’t expect her to open her mouth to take his and actually kiss him back.
The moment was over before he could even really savor it and by the time they let go of one another, the crowd was already both wild at the sight of them.
He stared down at her face red and bushing but was still completely into the play.
He blinked, trying to find his resolve and get himself back into the game.
Draco sighed heavily and forced himself to look away from her and her damp lips that he had just tasted and took in full in front of a very public event.
He looked back at her, slightly fearful that though she was red in the lips and the face, she looked completely aghast and as if ready to slap him any moment.
But she didn’t.
She cleared her throat and her eyes moved back to the audience telling him he should do the same.
“I would like to publicly announce that I, Draco Malfoy – “ Draco began trying to move himself back into his right senses and proper posture, “ - am professing my feelings and is very much certain to ask Miss Hermione Jean Granger for her hand in marriage.”
And even if it was unplanned and uncalled for and Hermione was completely unaware and unprepared for, Draco slowly lowered himself down and knelt before Hermione.
An audible and genuine gasp came out from her and her eyes bore delight and fear but he kept her calm by making sure her eyes were focused only to him.
A soft whip of his wand and something glimmering and shiny appeared out of thin air.

An engagement ring.

“Draco..” her gasp and reaction were genuine and the tears in her eyes were the same.
She tried to speak, to ask him where the hell did the ring come out from but she was too overwhelmed by its presence.

He nodded and slowly opened it up to her.
It wasn’t part of the plan, it wasn’t part of any plan at all.
But desperate situations calls for desperate measures.
But something about Hermione before him – beautiful, alluring and genuine – was beyond his control.
And as Hermione stared down at a proposing Draco Malfoy she was sure enough already that her plan was intact and in motion.
After years of thinking, contemplating, planning and hoping she could find the right time and opportunity to get back at Lucius Malfoy – here it was right in front of her in a timely yet unexpected circumstance and it would even look as if she was serving this for Draco’s sake.

She had everything and everyone in the right places she wanted it all to be.
She could finally take revenge at Lucius Malfoy and it wouldn’t even look that way.
Her eyes momentarily moved around the room and she caught Lucius Malfoy’s eyes straight at them from right across the room.
There was recognition of spite in his eyes and a look that seemed to tell her that he was accepting this challenge from which she obviously had the stomach to throw at him.
He looked like a snake that was angered out of his abode.
A glint passed her eyes before a smile appeared at what she was about to do with Draco.

Hermione Granger didn’t expect it.
He had agreed and the smile and look he gave her told her that he wasn’t just genuinely happy, but was genuinely grateful of her helping hand in his dreadful situation.
He was genuinely grateful of her and the creeping guilt inside of her vanished when she smiled back at him knowing very well that Lucius Malfoy was somewhere in the crowd, staring at them with a gritting teeth and murderous glare.
Azkaban had always been a place for Lucius Malfoy but she thought that was mercy and expected.
She always dreamed, hoped and desperately prayed for the heavens that something else happens – that the universe would have some resolve for her and ensure that he pays dearly for what he has done to her years ago.

She knew Azkaban wasn’t enough and she begged the heavens day and night to give her one chance, just one shot, to ensure a sweet revenge that would give her peace and the memories’ of her parents.
And at that very moment, Hermione knew that as unplanned and unexpected as it was, the heavens had heard her cries.
through his son.Because now, victory and vengeance was just one marriage away for the heavens answered her – that the way to get back to Lucius Malfoy had always just been
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Through the Son