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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
- 27
- 28
- 29
The next couple weeks saw the Malfoys to be quite busy. Wild nights led to crazy mornings which, in turn, led to spontaneous daytimes. Hermione and Draco’s love life had yet to die down, but the Muggle born knew that this was just the beginning. She had heard that when two people start off so quickly, they have a tendency to grow bored with one another, or to eventually settle down. That hadn’t happened yet.
Hermione had redecorated the new manor she and Draco lived in, giving it a homier feel. While she had mounted a Gryffindor flag on one side of the fireplace in the drawing room, she made sure to place a Slytherin flag opposite of it. Lucius had gifted them with a large painting of their wedding day which Hermione had hung above the mantle. The portrait was one of Draco and Hermione dressed in their respective wedding garments and smiling. Every once in a while, the Draco in the portrait would kiss his wife or twirl her around in a gentle waltz. It was truly a beautiful painting and Hermione couldn’t help but ask her new father-in-law how he came about it. To which there was no reply. Typical.
Much of the manor was decorated in soft greens and blues, with light wood furniture and beige carpet. The master bedroom was Hermione’s favourite place, though. She did her best to combine her style with Draco’s and was left with a very artistic feeling room. He allowed her to hang up some Muggle paintings, contemporary pieces of the moon, sun, and sky, as well as an 8x10 real Muggle photo of an otter playing on a bank. The furnishings were made of oak wood and stained a rich burnt sienna colour. The bedroom carpet was dull green and she decided to keep the bed set to the rich Slytherin colours it was, though the Slytherin crest was missing.
She had left the main study for Draco to decorate however he wanted, knowing his tastes were slightly different than her own. In return, he said nothing about how she decorated the rest of the manor, aside from a remark here and there about how wonderful everything looked.
This day, in particular, found Hermione happily sitting in her drawing room laughing with Ginny and Luna over tea and a tray of scones. For some reason, since the incident Ginny had, the Pureblood witch seemed to get along better with Draco. It was by no means ideal in Hermione’s mind, but she could see the pair were genuinely trying to get along and, for her, that meant everything.
“So, how bad is it?” Ginny asked as she poured a bit of honey over her scone.
Hermione shrugged. “Most of the time, it’s just a simple question and answer, but I do think Lucius is losing his patience with us. Merlin, you would think the man had never tried to conceive a child before. These things do take time,” she commented as she broke apart a scone for herself.
“Maybe his head is full of Wackspurts. I hear they’re at their worst this time of the year,” Luna chimed as she sipped her tea.
“Maybe,” Hermione conceded, having long ago given up on trying to explain to her Ravenclaw friend that Wackspurts just did not exist.
The young blond nodded and glanced back up at the portrait above the fireplace. “I do love that painting,” she commented. “I must say, Hermione, you really do bring out the best in Draco. I never thought I’d ever seen a genuine smile on his face. It does make him look more pleasing to the eye, doesn’t it?”
Ginny choked on her tea. “Didn’t you say just the other day that you found him handsome, Luna?”
The wispy witch did not look at her friend, but nodded as she leaned back in her chair. “Yes, and I stand by that statement. However, there is a certain whimsy that comes with a smile that he often lacks. It doesn’t make him less handsome, but sometimes, he can look less pleasing, especially when he frowns,” she said.
“Are we done analysing my husband’s looks?” Hermione asked, though she smiled a bit.
“Oh, come on, Hermione,” Ginny hissed. “You know if he were here, he would love to hear us talking about him. That narcissistic prat.”
“Only if it’s good things,” the Muggle born said tiredly. “You two are staying for supper, right? I think Narcissa and Lucius will be here as well, but it will be here.”
Ginny sighed. “You know I don’t really get along with the Malfoy Senior, but I can try. I’ll have to Floo Harry and convince him to come as well.”
“Will Theodore be here?” Luna asked, causing the other two witches to stare at her in surprise.
“Luna! Do you fancy Theodore Nott?” Hermione questioned, seeing the wistful look in the blond’s eyes.
The slim girl smiled prettily and gave Hermione a side glance. “He is a handsome fellow, don’t you think? Tall, dark, with an air of mystery. He’s intelligent, too, and seemed to be just as much interested in me as I with him.”
“Well, have you told him yet?” Ginny asked, sitting up.
The blond blushed a little. “I think he knows,” she admitted, “though I don’t recall ever saying a word. He has a gift of the tongue that can really turn a girl’s world upside down.”
Ginny smirked, but still felt the need to say, “Just be careful. He is a Slytherin and one of the princes to boot.”
Hermione scoffed. “I’ll never get all this ‘Slytherin prince’ nonsense. He’s a boy just like all the others.”
“But he’s a talented boy,” Luna pointed out.
“I’ll ask Draco if he’ll make an appearance,” Hermione stated as she sipped her tea some more. “Whether he does or not, remains to be seen, but I’m sure if he does, he’ll be quite obnoxious. He’s a ladies’ man.”
“Which is what is meant by a Slytherin prince,” Ginny defined for Hermione.
The Muggle born shook her head. “Draco was considered the Slytherin prince, if you recall, and I assure you, he wasn’t nearly as promiscuous as most people would have you believe.”
“Oh, that’s not why he was called ‘the Slytherin Prince’,” Luna rectified with a shake of her head. “Tallies on a bedpost aren’t nearly as important as how many girls swoon over the young men. Some guys, probably like Theodore, took advantage of the swooning, but others, like your Draco, just allowed them to swoon. Rumours work just as well as the actual deeds and no one worries about unwanted pregnancies.”
“I thought you said you weren’t Draco’s first, Hermione,” Ginny commented curiously.
The bushy haired witch shrugged. “I wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean he shagged every slag who bat her eyes at him. He does have standards. I just don’t want to see you become another tally on Theo’s bedpost, Luna. I’m with Ginny. You should be careful.”
Luna gave another wistful smile. “I won’t. I’m not that easy, I promise. If he feels the same towards me, he’ll know what to do.”
The other two couldn’t find anything to argue on that subject, so Hermione changed topics and the conversation continued merrily. Finally, at a quarter to seven, Luna was giggling when she asked, “So, Hermione, it is true that Draco has a nice rack of abs?”
“What about my arse?” Draco questioned as he walked into the room.
All three girls burst into laughter, Hermione keeling over onto the floor. “Not ‘arse’, ‘ABS’, you git!” she giggled.
He glanced around uncertainly, but then smiled and shrugged. He untucked his shirt and began unbuttoning it. “I don’t mind showing those,” he told the girls.
“Oh no!” Hermione gasped as she struggled to stand. “Draco, Harry should be here…”
“Oh, hush, you!” Ginny hissed. “He’s not going to say anything about me seeing Draco’s… Oh, wow.” Her eyes widened as the blond wizard peeled off his shirt, showing his well-defined six-pack and pecks. “Ten points to Slytherin,” she whispered.
Luna tilted her head as Draco neatly folded his shirt and draped it over a chair. He smirked when he saw the two girls ogling at him. “Do I meet your approval, Potter?” he asked, having heard her Slytherin comment.
She stood and approached him. “May I?” she questioned, reaching out to touch his bicep.
He glanced at Hermione for a moment before kindly saying, “No touching, if you don’t mind. I would like to sleep in my own bed tonight.”
Ginny pulled her hand away as if she had been burned. “Of course,” she readily agreed. She glanced up at him, meeting his eyes for a split second. “Hermione, where have you been hiding him?”
“I haven’t been hiding him anywhere,” the Muggle born stated as she moved to stand beside her husband. “He just usually keeps his shirt on,” she added, looking pointedly at the wizard.
He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “Don’t worry, love. My eyes are only for you,” he told her as he retrieved his shirt and threw it over his shoulder. “If the three of you will excuse me, I should probably head upstairs to the bedroom to change.”
He paused long enough to give Hermione a searing kiss, one that caused the other two witches to melt back onto their chairs. When they broke their kiss, Hermione gazed up into her husband’s eyes. “Harry will be joining us soon. Do you know if Theodore will be joining us as well tonight?”
“He wasn’t, but I can ask him,” he told her softly. “Any reason why he’ll be attending?”
Hermione smirked. “Luna will be the only one tonight without a date if he doesn’t show. It wouldn’t be right to leave her alone, now would it?”
He raised an eyebrow, his eyes shifting to the Ravenclaw quickly before coming back to his wife. “I wasn’t aware the two were dating.”
“Hopefully they will be before the night is over,” the Muggle born predicted. “They would look adorable together, don’t you think?”
“I didn’t know we’d be playing matchmakers tonight,” he said. “You should come to the bedroom to change before it gets too late. If Father sees you in your day clothes, you know he’ll have a fit.”
Hermione sighed. “Let me show my friends to their rooms and I’ll be up,” she promised.
He gave her another kiss before he left the room. Ginny and Luna hadn’t taken their eyes off of him. “Sweet Merlin, he has a nice arse, too!” the ginger haired witch sighed.
“Ginny!” Hermione scolded, grabbing the latest edition of the Daily Prophet and hitting her friend with it.
“Hey!” the girl snapped, refocusing her attention on her friend. “It was a compliment.”
“You were ogling my husband,” the Muggle born growled.
The ginger witch rolled her eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with looking. I have no interest in him and besides, I like them a bit more hairy.”
The innuendo wasn’t lost on the older witch and she rolled her eyes. “You would, you brazen hussy,” she teased. “Come on, I’ll show you both to the guest rooms and you can try on some of my dresses for supper tonight.”
(II)(II)
As Hermione entered her bedroom, she pulled off the blouse she had been wearing and tossed it on the floor. She then began working on her trousers as she continued into the room towards Draco.
He stood there with nothing but a towel hanging low on his waist as he looked in the mirror and combed his hair. “So, did your friends enjoy the show?” he asked a bit haughty.
The Muggle born sighed as she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and hugged him. “You really shouldn’t tease like that,” she told him. “One day someone might take you seriously.”
“I doubt it,” he said, putting the comb down and turning so he could hold her. “You are the only woman who will ever get to experience this entirely.”
She melted into his kiss and did not protest when he picked her up and set her on the vanity, though she knew her trousers were probably covered in makeup now. “We don’t have time,” she moaned as he kissed along her jawline to her neck. She nipped at his ear.
“There’s always time,” he told her as he vanished her trousers and let his towel pool at his feet. “I just want to feel you.”
The sex was quick. Hermione had grabbed onto the sides of the vanity and tried not to let her head bang too hard into the mirror as Draco swiftly pounded into her. It wasn’t long at all before she was crying out her release while he grunted his own as he emptied himself inside her.
He pulled away once he was sure she was steady. “Tonight we can take our time,” he told her. “I just really needed you right now.”
She nodded as she slid off of the vanity and went to the closet.
“So, Lovegood fancies Nott, does she?” he called as he dug into his dresser for a pair of green y-fronts.
Hermione came out of the closet with a simple blue and white dress. “She does,” she confessed as she slipped the dress on. It wasn’t the usual medieval attire Narcissa preferred her wearing, this one had a zipper in the back, but it still looked old enough. “I warned her about tangling with him, but she seems smitten,” she said. “Can you help me with this zipper?”
Letting his trousers and leather belt hang off his hips, Draco turned to help his wife. “Well, Lovegood’s a big girl and I remember seeing her in the final battle. There’s no doubt that she can hold her own.”
“I’m not worried about her virtue so much as her heart,” the bushy haired witch stated. “Luna is a dear friend of mine and I would so hate to see her get hurt.”
Draco finished zipping up the dress and buttoned the top button. “Who says he’ll hurt her?”
She turned back around and straightened herself out. “You know how much he likes the ladies,” she said.
“Well, yeah, but that doesn’t mean he would hurt her,” he said as he reached into the closet and pulled out a clean shirt. “Nott talks a lot of shit, but if it ever came down to it, he would be loyal to the one girl. He plays, but he doesn’t cheat.”
“Alright,” she conceded. “Have you spoken to him yet?”
He nodded. “He said he had a couple things he needed to take care of, but that he’ll be here in time for supper. I didn’t tell him about Lovegood. Figured I would just see how the evening goes.”
“When he sees that he and Luna are the only two not paired up, he’s going to know,” she pointed out. “He’s not stupid.”
Draco smirked and winked at her. “I know.”
(III)(III)
Sitting at the dining table was odd for Hermione. While she had been used to the sitting arrangements at Malfoy Manor, she didn’t think they would extend to the manor she and Draco shared. Sure enough, however, it did, and Draco didn’t say a word in protest.
Luckily for the Muggle born, her friends were there, so she was able to smile through the first course. “One of my first nights here, Draco and I ate at Malfoy Manor and had some of the most delicious stuffed mushrooms I have ever tasted,” she was telling Ginny.
The ginger licked her lips as she cut into a jalapeno boat. “This looks delicious. Did you make it yourself?”
Hermione gave a small giggle and shook her head. “Maisey hates it when I even attempt to go near the kitchen, but I am determined to cook at least one dish someday.”
“You’re a Malfoy,” Lucius commented. “You don’t need to cook.”
The Muggle born glanced at him. “Yes, I know, Father, but it’s not a ‘need’ so much as a ‘want’. I actually enjoy cooking from time to time. My mother and I used to make some of the most wonderful pies together,” she said as she turned back to Ginny. “I still have the recipes, too.”
“We’ll have to try them out some time,” the ginger suggested. “Merlin knows I could use some ideas for the kitchen. Poor Kreacher is getting so old.”
“Kreacher?” Narcissa asked curiously.
Ginny nodded. “He used to serve the Black family until Sirius passed away. When Sirius had named Harry his heir, the house and everything in it, including Kreacher, became Harry’s property. Didn’t you know that?”
Narcissa raised an eyebrow as she picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. “To be perfectly honest,” she said with a small sniff, “no, I wasn’t aware. I knew of Kreacher, to be sure. I remember how he would come here, crying to us about how poorly Sirius treated him and how he wished he could get away from…” she steeled herself, but continued, “’the blood traitors and Mudbloods.’ It was quite pathetic listening to him, but the Dark Lord felt it could be used to our advantage, so I catered to the little critter, soothed him and even reassured him that everything was going to be alright.”
“He’s better now,” Harry said, picking up a jalapeno boat and biting into it. He chewed thoughtfully for a moment, swallowed, and added, “Though I did hate him, especially after Sirius died. I know your sister was the one who did it, but if Kreacher had kept his mouth shut, I knew Sirius would still be alive.”
Hermione sighed. “You can’t blame him, though, Harry. We’ve talked about this. Kreacher was being abused. Sirius hated him desperately and even I saw how he would kick him and call him names.” She glanced pointedly at Lucius. “Even a dog will eventually turn under such malicious attack.”
The bespectacled man smiled. “And that’s why you’re working so hard on house elf rights. To prevent such abuse,” he said.
She nodded and turned to Draco. “House elf rights isn’t about freeing them,” she explained. “After being around elves and reading the books you’ve given me, I know that for the most part, they wouldn’t be happy without a family. However, they still deserve respect and care. As witches and wizards it is our duty to help those that cannot help themselves, like elves, especially if they are in our care.”
The blond agreed, “It’s the least we can do, I know. It’s taken me a long time and some harsh realities to accept those truths.”
“And Dobby?” she ventured.
That silenced the room for a moment as Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco all glared at the Muggle born. When Draco spoke, his voice was calm and did not rise above his normal volume, “I have said it before and I will say it again. I am eternally grateful that Dobby was there that night at the Manor. If he hadn’t been, your death would have been guaranteed, as well as the end of Harry Potter. However,” he said, lifting an eyebrow, “that doesn’t change the fact that Dobby was an ungrateful little snit. He was rude, conniving, hated doing any kind of work…”
“Why does that sound so familiar?” Hermione asked, glancing at Ginny, one look at Harry and she snapped her fingers, “Oh! I know why!”
“Hermione, you are a lady,” Narcissa chided. “It is impolite to snap your fingers, especially at the table.”
“It is also unladylike to interrupt when someone is speaking,” Lucius added, picking up his glass. “I know what you are attempting to insinuate and, while I’m sure Draco was the epitome of a spoiled, rude, conniving little git, there is a difference. Given that he is the heir of my estate and my only child, it can even be considered understandable. However,” he took a sip of his drink and placed it neatly back onto the table, “Dobby was none of these things. He was an elf who had been in my family since I was a boy. He never liked me and when my father passed, he resented me.”
“Why didn’t you just free him then?” she asked. “It’s obvious that was what he wanted.”
The food had disappeared and bowls of scented water appeared in their place. As Lucius dipped his fingertips in his bowl and cleaned his hands, he sighed. “One does not simply free house elves, my dear,” he told her. “It’s a process, one that requires finding better arrangements for them. If those books Draco gave you told you anything about house elves, then you would know that it is a wizard’s job to find another family the elf can give their loyalties to, otherwise they could go mad.”
“Isn’t that what happened to poor Winky?” Ginny asked, looking at her husband.
Harry nodded. “I don’t know whatever happened to her,” he said. “I know she helped out during the final battle, but I haven’t seen her since.”
“She’s probably still at the castle, then,” Theo surmised, though he had absolutely no idea who Winky was. “Most elves are loyal as hell, which I had always thought was a bit odd about Dobby. Didn’t know he was your dad’s elf, Mr. Malfoy. Explains a lot.”
Lucius shook his head slightly. “He wasn’t,” he admitted. “Dobby was born at the Manor. My mother’s old elf had been his mother, though my father hadn’t told her to breed. They didn’t even know she was pregnant until she gave birth, though they decided to let her keep it. Once Dobby was old enough, he was given to me as a birthday present.”
Hermione’s eyes widened. “Your parents gave you an elf for your birthday?”
Malfoy Senior frowned. “In those days, it was considered a perfectly acceptable gift,” he said defensively.
The Muggle born looked down at her bowl. “Did you ever find out who the father was?” she asked.
Draco touched his wife’s hand. “Do you remember old Stubs?” he asked.
“The elf who takes care of the horses,” she answered. “Yes, I remember him.”
The Pureblood gave her a look and turned back to the bowl in front of him as it disappeared and the entre appeared before them all. “I do like roasted chicken,” Luna commented as she took her napkin and placed it gently on her lap.
As they all dug into their food, Ginny gushed about how delicious everything was. “The seasoning on these vegetables…” she began as she stabbed a carrot and put it in her mouth. She closed her eyes and bit back a moan. “Malfoy, your house elf and mine should meet and swap cooking secrets and soon,” she said as she swallowed her food.
Draco smirked, but didn’t say anything as he continued eating his food. He glanced at Nott and saw his old friend staring at Lovegood. His smirk grew wider and when Nott met his gaze, the blond winked and gave the Ravenclaw a pointed look, turning his attention back to Nott.
Nott rolled his eyes and licked his lips. “So, Lovegood, how do you like your food?” he asked as he cut his chicken breast into small pieces.
Luna smiled softly. “It is quite tasty,” she admitted, dabbing her lips, as she glanced at the Head, “I didn’t know you raised chickens, Mr. Malfoy.”
Lucius nodded. “Everything on your plate was grown right on the grounds of the estate,” he told her. “Or on the grounds of one of my many other properties.”
“I remember shortly after the war, Malfoy estates had donated millions of Galleons towards recovery, not to mention the boxes of medical supplies given to St. Mungos,” she commented. “When Father wrote the article, I thought for sure your family had lost a great deal of wealth.”
“I will not lie,” Lucius said, taking a sip of his wine. “At the time, I wasn’t entirely aware of where the money was going. When I returned, I became angry when Draco told me he had to close one of our vaults, but in the end, what we’ve given doesn’t come near to what was lost.”
Hermione could see that Ginny was doing her best to keep her mouth shut and she silently applauded the younger witch. It was Harry who asked, “How many vaults do you have? I thought Gringotts only gave one vault to each family.”
Lucius smirked. “That is true in most cases, Mr. Potter,” he conceded. “However, we are an old wizarding family. Even at times when our ancestors felt as though they were losing everything, they weren’t truly.”
Ginny ground her teeth and stared fixedly at her plate. Hermione saw her friend close her eyes and knew this was hard for the ginger haired witch.
“Is it true you own winged horses?” Luna asked, staring at the older Malfoy curiously.
He inclined his head. “It is,” he told her. “In fact, one of our Granians recently gave birth to a handsome colt.”
“Oh! Good!” Hermione said, excitedly. “Stubs did say she would be giving birth soon. Will I get to see her, Father?”
Lucius frowned. “As much as I would like to say yes,” he started and his wife gave him a look. He shook his head. “You’ll have to forgive me, my dear,” he told the Muggle born. “These next few weeks will be the most dangerous around both her and the foal. If anyone even attempts to go near them, she will attack.”
Hermione nodded in understanding and turned back to her plate. “Soon then,” she stated, knowing he would agree to that. “I’m sure you’ve already begun making plans for the colt.”
“I have,” he admitted. “I haven’t decided if I’ll geld him yet or not, but I do plan on having him trained for the derby.”
This caught both Hermione and Ginny’s attentions. “The derby?” they asked in unison, though of the two, the Muggle born looked the most confused.
Draco smirked. “You didn’t think Quidditch was our only sport, did you, love?” he asked teasingly.
“I had read somewhere that some wizards race winged horses, but…”
Lucius shook his head. “It isn’t a race, my dear,” he said. “It’s more like… Well, it’s a bit like Muggle polo, only in the air and with a bit more extravagance.”
Ginny nodded enthusiastically. “No one in my family has ever been interested, but I used to read magazines about the derby,” she said, smiling. She giggled as she glanced at Harry, “Oh, I have always wanted to go to one. There was a Granian named Sea Thunder who was named one of the greatest horses the derby had ever seen. He soared through the sky and led his team straight into three undefeated seasons in a row.” She sat back and glanced up at the ceiling. Sighing, she added breathlessly, “He was a legend.”
Hermione smiled as she listened to her friend. “So, why wasn’t your family interested?” she asked.
The ginger shrugged. “It’s a game for the rich,” she explained. “At least, that’s what my dad used to say. While Quidditch can be enjoyed by all, only the elite could ever really participate in the derby.”
The Muggle born turned to her husband. “Do you think we could go?” she asked. “I’ve never seen a wizarding derby before and it sounds fascinating.”
“I don’t even know when the next one will be,” he answered, glancing at his father.
Lucius raised an eyebrow. “The last game is at the end of August,” he informed them. “If you’d like I can procure a box. I’m sure our family still has enough sway, though I won’t be able to join you, of course.”
Ginny’s eyes widened as she stared at the patriarch. “A box. For your son and his wife?”
“And anyone they wish to bring,” he said, and the girl nearly squealed.
Looking excitedly at the bushy haired witch, she said, “Oh, Hermione, please? I’ve never been and I’ve always wanted to go.”
“Someone will need to be there to tell me what’s going on,” the Muggle born said.
Ginny jumped from her chair, ran around the table, and hugged her friend. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” she giggled. Bouncing in place, she glanced at her husband. “You’ll come too, Harry? And Theo and Luna?”
Amusement dancing across Theodore’s eyes as he folded his napkin and looking to Luna. “What do you think?” he asked her. “Would you want to accompany me to this derby?”
The wispy girl nodded. “It does sound like fun. Will Blaise and Padma be there as well?”
Draco did not bother hiding his smile as the Ginny’s happiness had started effecting him. “I’m sure they will if I ask,” he replied.
Harry, too, was smiling, having not seen his wife so happy in a long time. “The only flying horses I have ever seen were Thestrals and the ones pulling the Beauxbatons carriage,” he admitted. “It’ll be interesting to see some play a sport.”
Lucius nodded. “It’s settled then. I will send an owl to the derby master and purchase a box for eight, unless, Cissy, darling, did you want to go?” he asked, looking to his wife.
She shook her head. “To be honest, I’m only ever really interested when you’re with me, darling. Since you can’t be there, I’d rather not,” she told him.
He held out his hand to her. She took his hand and he lifted it up to place a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. “Perhaps I’ll take you on a carriage ride, then?”
“That would be lovely,” she said with a smile.
(IV)(IV)
After everyone had eaten, they had retired to the drawing room. Harry had challenged Draco to a friendly game of chess while Ginny told Hermione everything she knew about wizarding derby. Lucius and Narcissa sat quietly by the fireplace, as Lucius nursed a brandy in his hand.
Theodore approached Luna at the piano, watching her as she studied the keys. “Do you know any good songs?” he asked her as he leaned against the massive instrument.
She pressed a couple keys at random, listening to the sounds they made. “I’ve never had the time to learn,” she admitted. “Our home isn’t large enough to hold both a printing press and a piano. Not that it really bothered me. I spent most of my childhood in the garden, looking for Nargles and Balliswads.”
“Balli-what?” he questioned, genuinely curious.
She glanced at him. “They’re these little insects that latch onto flowers and suck on the nectar right out,” she explained.
“Like bees?” he suggested and she shook her head.
“Bees use the nectar to make honey and pollunate other flowers,” she told him. “But a Balliswad doesn’t really give anything back. Our garden was plagued with them for a year after my mother passed away. Father said that was why all of our flowers died.”
He nodded quietly and waved a hand at the bench she was sitting on. “May I join you?”
Her soft smile and slight tilt of her head was all the permission he needed. “You do know that this was planned, right?” he questioned with a small smile.
“What was planned?” she asked as she turned her attention back to the ivory keys.
“My coming here,” he said simply. “I think Draco and Hermione are trying to hook us up.”
“They aren’t,” she told him with certainty. She did not look at him as she pressed a few more random keys. “I asked Draco to invite you.”
This surprised Theo and he blinked. “Why?”
Her smile never wavered as she found a string of chords that sounded right in her mind. “I didn’t want to be the odd one out again,” she answered. She stopped playing and looked at him. “I hope you aren’t angry. I wasn’t expecting anything really and we don’t have to call it a date.”
He stared at her for a long moment, astounded the girl had been so bold. “I’m not angry,” he told her as he lifted a hand and brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. “If it would please you, Miss Lovegood, I would like to take you out on an official date. Maybe have lunch and go to the park.”
She inclined her head as her blue eyes stared straight into his soul. “I would like that very much, Theodore.”
For the first time in his life, Draco actually beat Harry at a game. Of course, it was wizard’s chess and Harry never was really good at it, but it still counted for the Slytherin as a win. “Looks like we’ve been playing the wrong game for all those years, Potter,” he said with a satisfied smirk.
The Gryffindor shrugged. “Maybe,” he agreed, “maybe not. It was a good game.”
“Want another go?” the Slytherin asked, leaning back in his chair.
Harry glanced at his wife and then at the clock. “I think I can fit in one more,” he decided.
Lucius let his eyes gaze about the room, watching as Nott flirted with Lovegood and his son battle his old nemesis. His eyes settled on the girls as they went from talking about the derby to children.
“Lucius?” his wife whispered as she followed his gaze.
He placed his tumbler on the end table and stood. Taking up his cane, he made his way to the girls. “Pardon the interruption,” he said, bending in a slight bow and drawing their attention to him, “but might I have a word with you, Mrs. Potter?”
Ginny glanced at her friend and received an encouraging smile from her before turning back to the aristocratic wizard. “Alright. Are you wanting to speak alone, or…?”
“Alone is preferable, but unnecessary,” he told her. “I’ve no doubt you would be more comfortable here in the presence of your husband and friends. However, if you don’t mind, I would like to step into a bit more private corner.”
Hermione could see the girl was nervous, but bravely nodded anyway. Ginny turned to Hermione, “I’m going to go see what sort of books there are for a bit of light reading. I’ll be back.”
The Muggle born gave a nod and the younger witch stood and straightened out her skirt. Ginny walked across the room to the bookcase in the far corner and pretended to peruse the books there. When she heard the man approach, she stopped and turned. Folding her arms across her chest, she nearly dropped her pleasantries, “What do you want, Mr. Malfoy?”
He paused at a comfortable distance from her. “I wished to speak to you about your first year at Hogwarts,” he said.
She scoffed and turned away from him. “So, you’re finally admitting what you did,” she said, staring at the books without really seeing them.
He took a step towards her. “The Dark Lord never trusted anyone, even his most devote followers,” he began. “He expected you to just do things without question. Obey his orders. If you were somehow lucky enough to earn his trust, you did whatever you could to keep it. I was a lad just coming out of Hogwarts when I took the Mark.” He continued towards her until he came up to one of the armchairs and sat in it. “I won’t deny that I enjoyed those first years, though the Mark burned terribly. Soon after I joined the ranks of Death Eaters, I became one of the lucky few, along with Bellatrix and Severus, to actually earn his trust. I still remember the day when he had given me that diary. He had it bound with a leather strap and informed me that I was never to open it. It was a personal possession of his and all he wanted was for me to keep it safe. I placed it in my library and forgot about it.
“Draco was born and, shortly after, the Dark Lord disappeared,” he continued, watching as the girl sighed and sat in the chair opposite him. “The summer he returned from his first year at Hogwarts, Draco spent much of his time lamenting and complaining about Mr. Potter and Miss Granger. He also became more and more curious about the objects around the Manor. On top of that, the Ministry was starting to raid different homes looking for Dark artefacts.
“On day, I caught Draco playing in the library and he had the diary. I don’t know how he found it,” he told her. “That day happened to be the day we were going to Diagon Alley. I was dropping some things off in Knockturn Alley and still had the book in my possession,” he told her. “It was merely a whim of mine to drop it in your cauldron. As you know, your father and I have always been rivals and I was quite annoyed by all these raids. Though I didn’t know what the diary was, I knew that if the Ministry were to find it in your possession, it would bring much embarrassment to your father. I did not know it would open the Chamber of Secrets,” he told her, meeting her eyes and holding them in his gaze. “I had it, I saw an opportunity, and I went with it. I figured you would find the book and either give it to one of your parents or a teacher.”
“I was eleven,” she said. “I just thought it was a normal diary. When I wrote in it, it responded. Hogwarts can be a scary place and having a crush on my brother’s best friend didn’t help me much. Tom was friendly. He offered me kind, consoling words and advice. When he started to possess me, I didn’t entirely understand what was going on. As the year progressed, things just became worse. I tried to get rid of the diary, but I was too scared to give it to a teacher. Scared that I would get in trouble. It almost cost me my life.”
Lucius gave a solemn nod. “I don’t expect you to believe me, Mrs. Potter,” he said quietly, “but I would never have given you that diary if I had known what it was. By all accounts, I truly thought the Dark Lord was dead and I was just getting rid of something inconsequential.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “I truly do apologize for what happened. If I knew of a way to make it up to you, I would, but what’s done is done. I’m just grateful that you survived my failure.”
“It almost cost Hermione’s life, too,” she told him. “If she hadn’t managed to figure out what the creature was, she would have been killed.”
“And what,” he asked, swallowing, “was the creature?”
“A basilisk,” she replied.
Ginny watched, amazed, as the wizard, this former Death Eater, closed his eyes and bowed his head. He lifted his hand to cover his face and Ginny could swear the man was crying. “If I had known…” she heard him whisper.
Tears filled her own eyes at the sight and she glanced up to see Narcissa striding towards them. The older witch knelt before her husband. “Lucius, darling, what’s wrong?” she asked, placing a tender hand on his knee.
“A basilisk,” he whispered, “I unleashed a basilisk.”
“What?” his wife questioned, glancing at Ginny. “What is he talking about?”
The ginger haired girl gaped at the older wizard, shocked by his reaction. Her eyes sought support and Harry and Hermione quickly made their way to her. Seeing the elder Malfoy seem so stricken, the Muggle born bent down to his other knee. “Father? Are you…?” She was interrupted when he suddenly grabbed her and hugged her tightly to him, burying his face in her mane.
Hermione’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as she stared at Draco, but the young man was just as confused. Unable to do much else, Hermione returned his hug, patting his back. “It’s ok, Father,” she said softly.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered into her ear, his hot breath wet with tears. “I am so, so sorry, my dear, sweet girl.” He broke the hug and cupped her cheek. “How can you ever forgive me?”
“I…” she stuttered, still not entirely sure what he was talking about.
“The basilisk,” Ginny confirmed, wrapping herself in Harry’s embrace, but staring at the broken man.
“Oh!” Hermione breathed as realization hit her. She placed her hand on his and stared into his eyes. “It’s alright, Father. I know you didn’t mean it. You didn’t know. It’s ok.”
“That monster could have killed you,” he said and Hermione watched as a single tear fell from his eye.
“But it didn’t,” she assured him. “I was just Petrified. Harry killed it, too.”
“I’m still confused,” Theo said, watching the two.
Hermione sighed and glanced at the dark haired Pureblood. “Our second year,” she explained, “something kept Petrifying Muggle borns. It started with Mrs. Norris.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I remember. Professor Sprout had us caring for Mandrakes at the time and she used them to revive all those that were Petrified.”
“Yes,” Hermione said, “the ‘thing’ turned out to be a basilisk that had been living in the Chamber of Secrets. The diary Father had given to Ginny was able to possess Ginny and open the Chamber.”
“Oh God,” Narcissa whispered, rocking back on her heels in horror.
Theodore and Draco looked at each other, both horrified and pale.
“But Harry killed it,” the Muggle born insisted. “It sounds insane, I know, but we were all very lucky. And, Father, everything’s alright now. See?” she said, pressing his hand against her face. “I’m alive and well. We all are. Well… mostly,” she commented, glancing down. “Colin died during the war, but that wasn’t your fault.”
Lucius searched her eyes for a moment longer and then glanced up at a still shocked Ginny. “I truly am sorry, Mrs. Potter,” he said, his voice full of conviction. “I never meant for that to happen. If I had known…”
Finally finding her voice, Ginny croaked, “Its ok, Mr. Malfoy. I… It happened a long time ago. I-I forgive you.”

Author's Note: Wow! A twofer! What a way to bring in the New Year, am I right? Lol! Poor Lucius, man. He just isn't getting a break, but then, I don't think he's as put together as he would have people believe. And what about that Theona action up there. Can I get some Theona love? (Or is it Lunadore. Haven't decided yet.) Honestly, that was a turn even I wasn't expecting. It just sort of happened. Will be interesting to see what comes of it.
Anyhoot! Hope all of you have a wonderful New Year and I will see you all next year. Please rate and review. I do so love reading your comments.
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