Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

...After Happily Ever After	By : Lissa & snowblind12 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 25739 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Harry Potter or J.K. Rowling. I make no money off of these stories. This is just fun for me.

Chapter List
- 33
- 34
- 35
AN: So, let's just be honest. RL has been kind of stupid. HOWEVER - I am in my last week of summer classes. I only have two tests, a discussion post and two response posts and I'm done. Thank goodness. I have a few weeks off before fall classes start. I'd like to say I hope to finish this story during that time....but I'm not quite that delusional. I do hope updates will come more frequently. Thank you to my Beta's DevilsDaughter13 and SnowBlind12 for their endless support and friendship. Love you girls!
Chapter Thirty-Three
Malfoy Manor

“It’ll be fine,” Hermione insisted, hugging her friend tightly. “I’ll see you next Friday for dinner. I’m nervous, too.”
Draco rolled his eyes as Lizzie and Hermione squeezed each other tightly for a moment before gently tugging on a lock of her hair.
“Everything is going to be fine, Liz,” he promised. “My mum is going to love you.”
Lizzie pulled back from her friend and gently touched the girls’ face. “’Mione, I’m so happy you’re back with us. I’ve missed you so much.”
Hermione took a moment to collect her emotions before giving her friend a watery smile. “I missed you, too, but I’m back on track. Things will be fine. You’re such a wonderful friend, I’m so lucky to have you.” She leaned in and gave Lizzie a peck on the cheek before squeezing her hands and dropping them.
Draco raised an eyebrow with a teasing twinkle in his eye. “Any chance the next snog could be on the lips? That’s quite a fantasy of mine…”
Both girls smacked him playfully on the shoulder before dissolving into giggles. “What?” he said, feigning innocence behind a smirk. “No harm in a fantasy, right?”
“Lizzie kissing me is a fantasy?” Hermione copied his move and raised an eyebrow as a few people pushed past them getting in que to leave the train.
“Granger, c’mon.” He rolled his eyes. “There isn’t a bloke at school who doesn’t think you’re hot. And of course, my Lizzie is drop dead gorgeous.”

Hermione snorted, then conspiratorially eyed up Lizzie, giving her a slight wink as Draco was distracted when a firstie bumped into him. She let her voice go all low and husky and reached out a hand to brush a lock of golden hair out of her friends’ eyes. “Lizzie is gorgeous, I have to agree with you there, Draco.” She let her fingers trace Lizzie’s cheek bone, both of them gazing at each other before glancing at Draco and bursting into giggles. Poor Draco looked like he was ready to cream his trousers.
“Maybe some time when we’re drunk, Malfoy,” Hermione grinned.
“Damn,” he hissed. “You totally had me going for a sec.” He gave both girls a wolfish grin before hooking his arm through his girlfriend’s and giving Hermione a two-fingered salute. “Don’t let my Father intimidate you next Friday, Granger. He’s an arse. See you in a week.”
“Later, Malfoy. Bye, Lizzie.” She watched them get swept up in the crowd.
“That was nice advice, Draco,” Lizzie murmured. “Do you have anything for me?”
“Yeah,” he said, his nerves showing for the first time as he spotted his mother in the throngs of people waiting to pick up their kids. “It doesn’t matter what my father thinks of you.” He glanced at her, and she saw the serious concern in his eyes. “I love you, and I’m not letting him get between us.”
Lizzie felt her heart stutter in her chest before it took off at a breakneck speed while her tummy did a belly flop. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “Thank you for telling me.” He brought them up short for a moment and grasped the back of her neck to press a kiss to her forehead.
“Here’s my mum,” he whispered, brushing his nose against hers before pulling away. There was a spindly house elf next to the beautiful, regal-looking woman who immediately (and without a word) took a hold of both their trunks and Disapparated with a resounding crack! Lizzie tried not to gawp after the thing.
“Draco, this must be Elizabeth” Narcissa Malfoy stuck out a perfectly manicured hand, two rings glittering brilliantly in the late afternoon sun.
“Hello, Mum,” Draco said with a tender smile. “Yes, this is she.”
“Please,” Lizzie said with her signature blinding smile. “Call me Lizzie, Mrs. Malfoy.” She slipped her tiny hand into the other woman’s and shook it firmly. “I’m so happy to meet you.” She ducked her head, feeling a bit awkward and shy in the shadow of this stunning woman.
“Lizzie it is. Please, feel free to call me Narcissa. Draco has told me so much about you. You are just as beautiful as he described.” Narcissa tilted her head to the side with a gentle smile as Lizzie felt her face flush red with pleasure. “He’s warned you my husband will most likely talk out of his arse tonight, yes?”
Draco snorted, letting a real grin settle on his face as he stuck his hands in his pant pockets. “Nice way to put it, Mum.” He leaned and kissed Narcissa on the cheek she presented for him.
“Let’s go get the unpleasantries over with, shall we?” Narcissa turned and walked to the line in front of the large brazier used for floo travel from the station.

Lizzie glanced at Draco, who quickly and firmly took her hand in his and squeezed.
“Here is your room, Lizzie.” Narcissa presented the girl. “The house elves will have already settled your things. Please feel free to dress for dinner, which will be on the table in thirty minutes.” She left with a motherly pat on the cheek for Draco, who opened the guest room door for Lizzie and gestured her inside.
“My room’s across the hall,” he told her with a sly grin. “My folks aren’t the hoity-toity, no sex until marriage type. I was given the talk about magical birth control for men when I was twelve and taught to use it before I have sex every time until I get married. Separate rooms are just a show on my mother’s behalf.”
Lizzie snorted as she entered the room and then gasped. It was huge, with vaulted ceilings and elaborate design. Silk damask wallpaper in cream and gold covered the walls to the white wainscoting and chair rail, glazed white crown molding with corner sconces braced what could only be a silver paneled ceiling where a huge crystal candle chandelier swayed in the middle and four smaller near each corner of the room. There was a massive, white and ivory canopy bed in the center of the room to the far wall with gauzy white drapery for privacy. The furniture was antiqued cream inlaid with gold trim and white marble tops. The floor was a deep, dark grey hardwood that offset the room beautifully. At the opposite end of the room was an enormous white marble fireplace with gold veins. On each side were grey, built in bookcases crammed with books and crystal figurines.
“Oh my God, Draco,” Lizzie whispered, turning in a circle, her arms splayed out, eyes cast up to the shimmering light fixtures.
Draco smirked. He might have changed, but he was still smug about his family’s heritage and riches. “I’m glad you like it, wait ‘til you see the lav.”
She glanced at him with sparkling eyes before darting to the far door that could only be the bathroom. “Holy shit!” she cried out and he started to laugh. “This tub is like a five-person jacuzzi!” She popped back out, eyes smoldering with a devilish grin on her face. “Tell me we can try that out tonight.”
With a low growl, Draco stalked toward her across the room, she didn’t even pretend to be alarmed as she met him part way and allowed him to sweep her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers hungrily. “Not now, Draco,” she managed between kisses. “I – oomf!” She braced both hands on his chest and pushed back with a tinkling giggle. “I have to dress for dinner!” She froze suddenly and his ardor vanished at the blatant look of terror in her eyes.
“What’s the matter?” He was concerned.
“I’m scared, Draco,” she whispered, her eyes dropping as she started to tremble slightly. “I want your parents to like me.”
Draco sighed and pulled her in tight. “My mum already does, I promise. My father…Liz, my father just got out of prison. He’s still under house arrest. He’s nothing to fear. I believe he’s learned his lesson. The mud we have to drag this family out of is deep. He’s a pompous arse, but he’ll accept this or he’ll lose me.”
Lizzie’s eyes grew wide. “Don’t be rash, he’s your father.”
“I’m not being rash, Lizzie.” He shook his head, his eyes earnest. “He might be my father, but you’re my future.”
Lizzie’s face froze in shock and then crumpled with emotion. She leaned forward and kissed him gently. “I feel the same way, Draco. That you’re my future.”
He let out a breath he didn’t even know he had been holding after she answered his bold declaration, and after giving her one more tight squeeze, he stepped back and let her go. “Freshen up, I’ll meet you in the hallway in fifteen minutes.”
Lucius Malfoy was amused with his Draco’s rebellion, but he honestly couldn’t blame him for his dalliance when the wispy little beauty arrived at the table on his son’s arm. She was stunning. All petite with fine bones and delicate facial features. The utter epitome of the fairer sex, much like his Narcissa. It wasn’t until she started speaking that he really found his son’s appeal to the little Mudblood wench, however. She was bright, quick witted, more than acceptable manners (especially being she was a Yank), and had a marvelous sense of humor. It was really too bad her parentage tainted her so. He wondered if his son had bedded her yet. He imagined bedding the wench himself. It was a delectable thought that passed through his mind as he undressed her with his eyes. He smirked when his son noticed and watched the lad’s face darken perceptibly.
“Tell us about your parents, Elizabeth.” Narcissa was saying when he broke eye contact with Draco and tuned back into the conversation.
“My mom stays home with my siblings.” The blonde chit answered with a dimpled smile. Lucius felt his cock stir and bit back a chuckle as his mind continued to race with images of debauching the girl. She’d be a damn sight more fun to corrupt than the Granger girl had been, so much more beautiful and petite. He forced himself to listen, giving her a politely bored look. “I have four brothers and a baby sister.” Lucius felt his eyebrows raise and a sneer cross his face. Great. A blonde, Mudblooded Weasley, as it were. It took an unacceptable amount of force not to roll his eyes.
Narcissa, charming as ever, continued to look delighted. “Where do you fall in that impressive lineup?”
“I’m the oldest,” Lizzie replied politely.
“Is your sister magical?” Lucius reached for his goblet of elfin wine ask he asked his question. “Often times, magic will run through all female children born to Muggle parents.”
Draco looked inordinately pleased with his question and he gave a slight nod and twinkle of his eye to make the boy think he was trying.
Lizzie looked slightly surprised at this and he grimaced internally. Did she not have the decency to explore her tainted history?
“Thus far, Sarah hasn’t shown any sort of magical capability.” She paused. “However, she only just turned two, recently. My magic didn’t manifest until I was almost five.”
“What did you make happen?” Narcissa’s eyes twinkled with merriment and Lucius was taken aback by his wife’s sincerity of interest. Surely she did not approve of this obvious gold-digging bint.
“I prevented my infant brother from getting hurt.” It was said very quietly, almost fearfully. “We were at a park, and my mother became distracted by another child who was lost. It was my fault, really. I thought I could push the stroller to her, but was too little. I lost control and there was this little hill that sloped to a pond. I didn’t cry or scream or anything, but when my mother called out frantically and started to run, she scared me and I levitated the stroller back to the path. It was seen by at least a dozen Muggles and the Magical State Government had to be dispatched to perform Obliviates. My parents were allowed to keep their knowledge to help protect me from further accidents, such as it were. It was a very off-putting experience. I remember telling them I didn’t want to be a witch.”
It was quiet for a few moments before he decided to continue to play the gallant host. “I can only imagine it was a traumatic experience for such a young child.”
That dimpled smile split her face again and his placket grew even more tight. He clenched his teeth and gave a slight shrug as if to brush off her unspoken thanks. She turned to Draco, her eyes glowing and he had to bite back a laugh. The twit thought she was gaining his approval, Draco’s tight smile told him the lad new better. Well, he did have a hand in raising the boy.
“And your father, what does he do?” Narcissa prompted as a change of course magically appeared in front of them.
Lizzie was momentarily distracted by their main course, beautifully displayed carvings of roast duck over a bed of steamed green and black beans drizzled with a citrus pan sauce, sided with roasted and seasoned baby red potatoes. It was Draco’s favorite, definitely not one of his. He was never a fan of duck. He lifted his eyes back to the girl and observed as she watched Narcissa from under lowered lashes, double checking what utensils to use and how to start disassembling the meal into bite sized pieces. He was begrudgingly impressed with her fortitude and determination.
After Narcissa had placed a bite of duck in her pretty mouth, Lizzie picked up her utensils and started to prepare her own first bit with dignified grace while answering the question posed to her. “My father is a classified military personnel member. Even our family is not really allowed to know what he does. He’s currently employed at the U.S. Embassy in London.”
“Do you live directly in the heart of London, then?” Lucius asked politely. He knew her family was in a safe house. The moment he heard Draco was bringing her home for break, he decided to do some digging. Mostly for his own curiosity, partly because he’d love to tell his higher up where they could find a new family to destroy. A dark chuckle curled through his mind.
“No, actually. My mom fell in love with a beautiful townhouse in the suburb of Sutton, right near Horton County Park.” The stupid blonde girl answered with a smile. “It’s quite a lovely area.”
“I’m sure it is.” Lucius murmured demurely, but he knew his son saw the glittering malevolence in his eyes and watched him swallow, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
Once pudding was cleared Lizzie politely declared herself full to bursting and complimented her formal hosts with a sincere smile and word of thanks. Draco’s hand, which had sat on her knee for a large chunk of the evening, squeezed her it tightly in approval.
Startling both Lizzie and his parents, Draco turned to his witch. “Love,” he said softly, biting back a chuckle when Lucius’s head snapped up at the term of endearment. “Can you head back to your room on your own? I would like to speak with my parents privately for a few minutes. I’ll come find you after. We can maybe take a stroll through the garden?”
“Of course,” she answered. She hesitated a moment and Draco knew what she was unsure of. He took her hand and gestured her to rise to her feet. His parents and himself followed suit, then he leaned in a gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. He saw his father’s eyes narrow in his peripheral vision and clenched his teeth while trying to maintain the convincing smile on his face.
“Shall we retire to the drawing room?” Lucius directed and Narcissa lead the way. Draco fell into step beside his father and behind his mother after seeing Lizzie to the door and pointing her in the correct direction of the guest room.
“Tibby?” Narcissa called. The house elf cracked into existence and bowed low.
“What can I’s be getting for Madame?”
“Tea, please.” She answered simply before settling herself on a davenport. Lucius sat next to her, Draco across from them in one of two Bank of England chairs. An ornate sterling-silver tea service appeared on top of the mahogany and granite coffee table with a soft pop and Narcissa, ever the lady of the Manor, set to serving.
“I would like to know what you think of Elizabeth.” Draco knew he exuded a confidence he barely felt, but his father had taught him that quite well.
“She’s delightful, darling,” Narcissa said, handing her son a cup and saucer. “Beautiful, intelligent, extremely well-mannered for a Yank…” She trailed off as her husband snorted and turned a questioning look at him.
“I just agree with your sentiment, my love,” he told her. “The ‘well-mannered for a Yank’ was actually word for word with a thought that had crossed my mind. And beautiful, yes. Very much so. Stunning is more like it.”
A tentative, slow smile cross Draco’s face. “You like her?”
“I do,” Narcissa nodded, but raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
“She’s lovely for a dalliance while at school, Draco,” Lucius answered, his tone dismissive.
Draco’s face dropped and Narcissa hissed at Lucius who turned a stone-cold face between the two. “Honestly, Draco. You know I have been negotiating betrothal terms with the Greengrass’s for almost two years now. They feel you and Astoria would be a good match and agree that, when she graduates in two years, you can be wed immediately.”
Narcissa stopped breathing and turned wide eyes on her son. His face had lost all color except for two spots of pink high on his cheek bones. “I thought we were past this. I though the war had usurped the need for arranged marriages.”
“You are a pureblood heir, in need of a pureblood bride to carry on the Malfoy name.”
“Lucius, we’ve discussed this…” Narcissa was cut off by a dark look from her husband and she pursed her lips into a thin, white line.
“We have, yes, but I have made the final decision. Dally with your Mudblood all you want, Draco. Do not expect us to accept her into this family as a daughter-in-law.”
Draco hissed at the slur before silence settled into the room. It was so wrought with tension you could feel the vibrations like you could see ripples on a pond. “You will allow me to marry whom I choose.” Draco finally said in a flat, dead voice. “And I choose Elizabeth.”
His mother blanched and his father stood with fierce anger emanating from his whole body.
Draco stayed calm as the power of the three magical beings swirled in the air as emotions rose. “I’m not saying I wish to propose to her now, we are both young. I am not saying that I am one hundred percent certain, our relationship is in its infancy. We might only be teenagers, but we’re not so immature that we don’t know how we feel about each other. We have been dating since September and spend almost all our free time and study time together. We are deeply connected, I feel as if she’s my other half. I’m in love with her.”
Narcissa made a surprised sound in the back of her throat and grasped her husband’s arm, attempting to pull him back into his seat. He refused her guidance and stalked across the room to a large, ornately framed window, his mind reeling. He would put an end to this nonsense once and for all.
“You will marry Astoria Greengrass two years from this next June.” His voice was final, brooked no room for argument, but yet his son rose to his feet angrily and defied away.
“I will not.”
Lucius whirled angrily as his wife rose to her feet and calmly pointed her wand at her husband with blazing eyes, her hair crackling with her power. “Sit. Down. Lucius.” She stated with barely contained fury. “Now.”
Both Malfoy men looked at the petite, pristine woman with open mouthed shock.
“I disagree with your choice of Astoria Greengrass for Draco, and I’ve been telling you this for months upon months.” She started calmly, pouring herself another cup of tea before wordlessly offering to pour more for her men. Both declined as Lucius sunk back onto the davenport in the opposite corner from his now calm wife. Her wand had been tucked away and she acted as if nothing unusual had happened. Draco’s face brightened and he avoided his father’s gaze purposefully. If he looked at the man, he’d gloat and he didn’t want to push his luck. “I think she is a vapid girl with no backbone and Draco would be bored to tears with her. Daphne would be a much better choice…”
Here Draco made a vehement sound of protest. Daphne Greengrass was a horror show. She was manipulative and cunning and carried all her boyfriends’ bollocks around in her purse until she cut them loose and ate them for dinner. Currently she was leading Stephen Selwyn around and it was a disgusting sight to behold. “…but I digress as his reaction is evidence enough for me that the rumors of the girl are true. She’s a trollop who sleeps around and emasculates every man she touches. I don’t want that for our son either.” She used her spoon to swirl the milk into her tea before tapping it gently on the rim, setting it lightly on the sauces, and taking a delicate sip. She paused a moment, took a second sip and set it back down with a gentle clink before continuing. Her men were still staring at her in silent awe.
“Draco is not saying that he knows right this moment that he wishes to marry Miss Williams, just that he feels very strongly for her and could see it leading down the aisle. Did I take your meaning correctly, darling?” She curled a perfectly manicured eyebrow at her son. He gave an abrupt nod, but said nothing.
“I propose a compromise,” Narcissa said after taking another controlled sip of her tea. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Lucius started grinding his teeth. Merlin help her, she was starting to despise the man. Ever since Lucius had been released, she couldn’t help but feel him as a burden to her. He was as manipulative and full of secrets as always. She had a sickening feeling he was caught up in something that would only continue to bring their family dishonor.
The end of the war had brought them so close together. They hadn’t wanted the Dark Lord to prevail. They just wanted to survive in tact as a family unit. To be able to love each other wholly without fear for each other. She had thought they were all irrevocably changed, and her son most definitely was. Where she wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Draco tying himself to a Muggle-born girl, she couldn’t help but be proud of him. He had also written of a tentative friendship with the Granger girl, which was wonderful being she was marrying Severus (a whole other can of craziness to contemplate) and a cordial relationship with the Potter and Weasley boys in his year. He was immersed in his studies, getting the best marks in his entire academic career, and seemed truly happy for the first time in many, many years. If this girl was helping him with all this, she was determined to welcome her with open arms. Thus far, Lizzie had made it easy. She was lovely, charming, intelligent, and the way her son looked at the girl made Narcissa’s stomach flop. The fact that Miss Williams returned that look made her heart sing with happiness for Draco. Everyone deserved that kind of love and devotion.
Her husband had gone into Azkaban as a broken, changed man; he came out much like his old self. Why? She would never be able to understand. She thought Azkaban would have just reinforced his change of heart. This had been disappointing for Narcissa, who had striven alongside Draco to change their thoughts and put out a reformed front to society. They had participated in restoring Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. They had attended charity fundraisers and had donated generously. They had helped open an orphanage and were matching the funding for it from the Ministry. Narcissa volunteered many hours there weekly. In other words, they were actively trying to show the wizarding world that the Malfoy’s knew what they had done in the past was wrong and wanted to change, to be better.
“What is your compromise, ‘Cissa?” Lucius asked silkily. She shuddered at his tone of voice, a combination of sucking up to her laced with a threat of punishment if he didn’t like what she said. She knew he wouldn’t like what she said. She squared her shoulders and stated her case anyway.
“Draco has five years to find a suitable match. Bloodlines will not be counted in our qualifications, Lucius. In fact, marrying a half-blood or Muggle-born witch will only play in our favor. I would prefer our son be able to marry for love, if it is what he chooses.” Lucius narrowed his eyes dangerously, a sneer slashed his handsome face. She turned to Draco and paused to take another sip of her tea. “That is our side of things, the things we must take into account. As for your side.
“We must have a chance to know her for at least six months before you propose. She must be worthy of the Malfoy name; she will take a huge place in upper society and must be able to handle the pressures. Therefore, she must be intelligent, trustworthy, well-mannered or able to be trained as such, witty, and pleasant on the eyes – not that you would choose someone who wasn’t.” She realized her qualifications sounded vapid and shallow. Such was society life. “She must be willing to put being a society wife above a career.”
Draco blanched at that last requirement. Lizzie was highly intelligent and planned on taking an apprenticeship if she could get one. She had talked about Arithmancy or Charms; she had even discussed wanting to be a Healer with him.
“You know that is important in a Malfoy wife, Draco. Do not be surprised. Lizzie would have a solid ten years to pursue further education and start a career, but that career would eventually have to be put on the sidelines to take up her place as the Malfoy matriarch. I would happily share the duties with her for as long as I can so she could continue to work part time, if she so chose.”
“Narcissa, you are making it sound like you’re ready to welcome the chit into the family with open arms!” Lucius’s face was turning an ugly shade of puce. It had always been an unattractive color on him. She rolled her eyes.
“Don’t call her a chit, Father. Her name is Elizabeth!” Draco demanded through gritted teeth. “She’s wonderful, and if you give her a chance, you’ll see this.”
Lucius stood dismissively. “I will continue contracting a betrothal with the Greengrass’s. She has six months to prove herself to your mother and myself. If it is not a unanimous front, she goes and you do as you’re told.”
“I said five years, Lucius. They are children, Miss Williams is not even eighteen years old, yet!” Narcissa snapped, losing her temper slightly.
“I am saying six months. Why let them date that long if we do not approve? It doesn’t pay to let things drag out.”
“I will not let you both dictate my life. We don’t live in the Middle Ages anymore.” Draco’s voice was eerily calm and both parents looked at him in astonishment. The maturity and cool he was presenting was a very new development, he knew that as well as everyone else. “It’s the twenty-first century. I will not be a part of a marriage contract. I will choose my own wife. One I see fit. One I think will do the Malfoy name proud. If you cannot abide by that – have another child yourselves and disinherit me. Or don’t have another child and I believe the Weasley’s will inherit…yes? They are our closest living relatives, as it were? How lovely.” His eyes twinkled with derision as his father visibly shuddered at the thought.
He stood and walked over to the French doors that lead to the hall. He ripped one door open and froze. Without turning back to them he said in a low, threatening voice. “Father, you will do nothing to hurt Lizzie. Nothing. If you do, you will be out your heir. I am not bluffing.” He exited the room with barely any noise, closing the door with a soft click on two dumbfounded faces. Lizzie was waiting.

BookAddict: Thank you for your continued support! I miss all the lovely ladies on here, your reviews mean a ton! xLissa
- 33
- 34
- 35
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

...After Happily Ever After