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Souls Collide	By : LunaGrrl Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 10285 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Title: Souls Collide

Author: Luna

Feedback: Loved and appreciated�send it to ambersgrrl@yahoo.com

Archive: Full Moon Romper Room, Tainted Fiction, Forbidden Desires, and Luna�s Night Moves�anyone else, please just ask.

Fandom: Harry Potter

Rating: NC-17 (just to be on the safe side)

Type: Challenge Response

Pairings: Hermione/Draco

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and Warner Brothers Entertainment do not authorize this author. All characters that you recognize belong to J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and/or Warner Brothers Entertainment. Nothing is being gained from this work of fiction.

Summary: Everything�s changing and nothing makes sense except her. He needs her more than he needs anything. Will she finally see just how perfect they are for one another or will she leave him languishing away in hell?

Author�s Note: Yes, it�s another Veela challenge fic and I�ve got to say that there are far too few of them out there! Seeing as it is it�s going to be slightly AU, or maybe more so. Okay, to be honest this is going to be completely AU. I�m going to be using these characters as I see fit. Not going to be going against their personalities too much but if you don�t like that PLEASE STOP READING NOW!!!

Anything else: I want to thank everyone who has been so patient with me waiting for this chapter. Hopefully future chapters will not be so long in coming; at least I hope they won�t. Your continued patience with me and by extension with this story is truly appreciated. Thank you so much!!!

One Other Thing: If you would like a personalized feedback response please be sure to leave your e-mail addy. I will be sure to thank you personally! After all you�ve taken the time to tell me your thoughts the least I can do is thank you properly. Thank you to everyone reading at AFF you guys rock!!!!
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Chapter Five

Several crumpled pieces of parchment lay scattered in front of the hearth. Narcissa was the only one up this early in the morning. She wanted some quiet time, which she would not get with both Lucius and Draco home now. This letter had to be perfect. It had to open the lines of communication between the two families. This would be the thing that could make her son�s future secure.

For just that reason she couldn�t be too friendly, as that would undoubtedly lead Mrs. Granger to believe she thought less of them. If it was too formal it might leave the impression that the Malfoys� were too cold. She tapped the gaily colored quill against her lips. Her light blue eyes stared unseeingly into the fire while she prayed for inspiration.

Finally, she decided to write straight from her heart. It was the most likely way to keep true to her feelings without conveying the quiet desperation she felt whenever she thought of Draco�s plight.

Mrs. Granger,

You do not know me; I am Narcissa Malfoy, Draco�s mother. Please read this, I implore you. I am well aware that you have heard some rather unfortunate things about my husband and son. I regret, more than you know, that these things have come to pass. It does not reflect well upon us as individuals or as a family.

I feel it necessary at this point to tell you that I will cease all communication if you deem this missive unseemly. As one mother to another I cannot help but appeal to you. My son�s future well being is at stake, and I would give anything I possess to ensure his continued health and happiness.

By now you�re probably wondering what we want from you. I won�t mince words with you and tell that we want nothing. I will get to that in due time. I feel that I must first explain a few things. We, my husband and I, are more than simply a wizard and witch. We are Veela as well. We have unfortunately passed this trait on to our son.

Veela are rare and very little is actually known about them. Veela are a type of magical creature that has, and to my knowledge still does interbreed with wizard and witches. Usually veela can be spotted by their striking appearance, considered by some beautiful even.

The females are characterized by their independent nature. They will have a close circle, of what some would term, friends. She is very protective of them much as she would be of her own family. You cross a female veela at your own risk.

Which now brings us to the males. They are distinguished by their proud, sometimes arrogant, nature. Their impressive height at well over six feet tall sets them apart from most of the young men their age. They normally are not very close to too many people, preferring their own company.

As both the male and female reach the height of their maturity they will begin to look for their mate. In almost all documented cases females seem to be the least affected by the urge to find her mate. Males, on the other hand, are driven beyond all reason to find his.

It seems in a cruel twist of fate that females do not have a predetermined mate while the males have one with whom he must bind himself to. If he fails to find and woo her, his fate is worse than death. He would slowly fade from existence tied to the earthly plane. He would suffer untold agony as he would hunger and never be able to eat, he would thirst and nothing would quench that thirst.

This is a fate I would fight to save my son from.

Now we come to why I�ve written to you. We know who our son�s mate is. Your daughter, one Ms. Hermione Granger, is the only one that can save my son. I am not asking that you force an alliance between our children. Both of them are fiercely independent and would resent our meddling in, what I�m sure they would call their love lives.

I am sending this to you with the hope that we can begin to talk and through our talks show you that we are more than we appear to be on the surface. We cannot change the past but we can begin anew. It is my most solemn wish that we can move beyond our unfortunate beginning.

Sincerely,
Narcissa Malfoy.

P.S. The bird�s name is Maximilian, should you wish to respond please let him know as he is instructed to wait for an answer from you either way. If you choose not to reply I will understand.

The blonde woman tied the letter to the impatient great grey owl�s outstretched leg. She watched as the bird took flight in a sweep of wings. Her heart was in her throat as she hoped against hope that Mrs. Granger would be receptive to her opening lines of communication.

Surely, as mother herself, Mrs. Granger would understand the other woman�s plight. Narcissa couldn�t shake the feeling that no matter what the outcome she had forever changed how her family would be viewed. She wouldn�t know whether the change was good or bad until it was too late to change.

Forcing those thoughts out of her head Narcissa stood stretching the kinks out of her back and legs. She stepped into the kitchens to direct the preparation of breakfast knowing that both Draco and Lucius would up and about shortly now. Her eyes strayed to the windows and thoughts of the woman who should soon be receiving her letter.

The Grangers� kitchen was a warm room abuzz with activity even at this early hour. The radio hummed softly in the background as Hermione�s dark head bobbed in time with the music. Mrs. Granger was at the stove preparing breakfast for them. Mr. Granger was sitting opposite his daughter reading the morning paper.

They were all startled out of their activities when there was a faint tapping at the window over the sink. Hermione frowned as she rose from her seat. She didn�t recognize the bird. It wasn�t one of the school�s owls and she would have recognized either Hedwig or Pig.

Cautiously Hermione released the catch on the frame. The bird managed to look like it was shouldering its way through the partially open window. Its large round head swiveled toward the woman standing frozen next to the stove. The large bird took a couple of side steps toward the older woman and hooted at her.

When Hermione tried to take the missive the animal snapped its sharp hooked beak at her. �Uh, mum, I believe it�s for you.� She said as she pulled her hands back a safe distance.

By now Mr. Granger had lowered the paper to give his wife a curious look. She sent him a bewildered gaze, which clearly said, �What do I do?� He shrugged one shoulder in answer. He didn�t have the slightest idea what she should do either apart from the obvious. It was quite apparent that both Grangers were apprehensive about being contacted this way. He offered her an encouraging smile urging her to take the note.

The older woman shook herself out of her stupor. She approached the intimidating owl warily in case the beast tried to take a nip at her as well. Slowly she reached out and untied the letter from the leg it held out to her. Mrs. Granger didn�t recognize the handwriting bearing her name nor did she know the crest that sealed the missive closed.

Of course she didn�t really know anyone from the wizarding world aside from the Weasleys and the occasional letter from Harry. Cinnamon eyebrows drew together as she pried the wax off the parchment. She read the letter once, then again; on shaky legs she lowered herself into a chair.

Her honey colored eyes lingered on her only daughter. To say that she was shocked would have been an understatement. Things had never really been what most would call normal around the Granger home. Even as a young child they had known that Hermione was special. They hadn�t been able to put their finger on what exactly it was that set their young girl apart only that they knew there was something.

The unusual was expected but even for Mrs. Granger this was far beyond the pale. This was absolutely, totally, and utterly bizarre. She had no idea what to think. She had heard about the Malfoys through her daughter and what she had heard was not all that pleasant. However Mrs. Malfoy had been honest about everything even about wanting something from them.

Mrs. Granger gnawed her lower lip her mind swaying back and forth like a teeter-totter about whether or not to respond. Strangely she had believed the other woman. It was a feeling in her gut that told her that this was a mother desperate to save her son, and really wouldn�t she do the same for Hermione?

�Abigail,� Mr. Granger prodded his wife when all she did was stare at the letter in her hands.

Her husband�s voice rudely broke into her inner musings. She raised confused eyes to him unsure of what to say or if she should say anything at all in front of Hermione. Coming to a decision to hold off telling her daughter who the letter was from she turned to look at her only child. ��Mione could you excuse us a moment?�

Confused and desperately curious about who would send her mother an owl she was a little miffed at having to leave. Grudgingly she nodded walking out of the kitchen and up to her room so she wouldn�t be tempted to listen at the door. The young woman knew that if it was really important that her parents would tell her�eventually.

As the sound of footsteps faded away Abigail handed over the letter to her husband. She waited patiently while he read it in much the same manner that she had. Slowly he lowered the paper to the table his face as shocked as she had undoubtedly been.

Mr. Granger turned to his wife. �What do you plan to do?�

�To be honest, I don�t know yet. We know absolutely nothing about them save what Hermione has told us. Even Mrs. Malfoy admits that there is just cause to be wary. I just feel�� She trailed off unwilling to admit that she truly felt for the other woman.

�Just feel what Abby?� He had never seen his wife as torn as she looked now. He knew she would never consider making a decision that could affect their daughter without consulting him. Mutually they would decide the best course of action. Even after all these years he still felt honored that she had married him.

�Joseph, I believe her.� She replied quietly, trying to work up the nerve to finish her thought. �She could have used sweet words or implied just about anything but she didn�t. She didn�t even try to hide the fact that she needed something from us. That�s got to mean something.�

He nodded slowly his own thoughts tumbling about in his brain.

Abruptly the great owl hooted startling the Grangers as they had forgotten that he was still in the room.

Apologetically she turned to the proud avian. Rising from her seat she offered the owl a piece of bacon. �Maximilian, would you mind giving us a few more moments to decide? We wouldn�t want to make a hasty decision and regret it later.� She felt absolutely silly talking to a bird but these creatures were more intelligent than most people gave them credit for.

The great grey owl ruffled it�s feathers munching happily on the bacon. Apparently they were being given more time to decide.

Abby resumed her seat diagonally from her husband her hands folded on the table. �What do you think?�

�Honestly?�

�No, lie to me Joseph.� She responded sarcastically.

Mr. Granger gave her a lopsided grin covering her hands with one of his. She was still the same spitfire he had married all those years ago and if it was possible he loved her even more now than he did then. �I think, if they�re serious about this then we should give them the chance to prove they are sincere. Write her back and take it from there. Abby,� he said softly. �You trust that inner voice of yours. It hasn�t led you astray yet. If at any point it becomes uncomfortable we can deal with it then.�

Abigail Granger gave her husband a brilliant smile, which he returned. She had been worried that he would put his foot down and refuse to even consider hearing what the Malfoys had to say. Turning in her chair toward the bird that looked at her expectantly, she told him. �Just give me a moment to fetch some parchment for you to take to Mrs. Malfoy.�

The owl gave what looked like a short nod before closing its round amber eyes. Its feathers ruffled once more appearing to settle in for a long wait.

Shaking her head Abigail left the kitchen heading for the small den just off the living room. Opening one of the drawers in the desk she removed a couple pages of her best stationery. The kind she had saved for special occasions or important correspondence. Grabbing her favorite pen she returned to the kitchen.

She sat at the table her face thoughtful as she began to write. She silently hoped that this letter wouldn�t make her sound uneducated or something like it. The weight of the paper and the elegant scrawl of the writing all screamed money and breeding.

It was a daunting task but she felt confident that she had risen to the occasion. She reviewed what she wrote. Satisfied with how it sounded she folded the paper, addressed the envelope, and rose from her chair. Mrs. Granger approached the owl perched on their counter. Stroking its surprisingly soft downy feathers the owl blinked a couple of times. She smiled at the patient bird. Tying the letter on the same leg that her missive had been attached to she spoke quietly to it. �Thank you for waiting. Be careful on the way back. I hope to see you again.� Petting the avian one last time she opened the window wide allowing it to leave in a rush of wings.

Turning to her husband Abigail wondered what to do now. They needed to inform Hermione about what was going on. It affected her even more directly than it did them. She wasn�t likely to be thrilled about the news. She had been quite vocal about her dislike of the young man.

Sighing Mrs. Granger walked over to the door opening it enough to call up the stairs to her daughter.

�Do you think that�s wise?� Her husband asked.

�No, but the longer we keep this from her the more likely she is to feel that we don�t think she�s capable of making her own choices.�

Joseph nodded as the sound of footsteps drew closer. Neither said a word as Hermione entered the room. She looked uncertain standing just inside the threshold.

Mr. Granger looked at his little girl. �No she�s not so little any more,� he thought sadly. Her wild hair had finally calmed into honey colored waves that fell past her shoulders. That wasn�t the only difference time had brought to his only child. She had developed into a beautiful young woman. She had curves that made him uncomfortably aware that she would never again be daddy�s little girl.

�Hermione, dear, have a seat please.� Joseph gestured toward her normal chair.

The young woman took it a little apprehensively. She wasn�t sure what to expect and her busy mind had conjured up all sorts of scenarios. Taking a deep breath she released it slowly to calm her racing heart. Whatever had happened must have been very important for them to be talking to her so soon.

�As you know I received a letter this morning,� Mrs. Granger said in opening. �It was from Mrs. Malfoy.�

Before she could get any further Hermione jumped from her chair, �What?� She screeched. �What did that vile woman want?�

�Hermione Jane Granger!� Abigail said sternly. �Why don�t you try listening to what I have to say before flying into such a snit?�

Properly chastised Hermione took her seat. She could feel the heat rising up her neck and blossoming on her cheeks. �I�m sorry mum. You were saying?� She mumbled contritely.

�Mrs. Malfoy contacted me. It seems that they find themselves in a predicament which required them to contact us.� At this point the older woman picked up the piece of parchment and handed it to her daughter. �This explains it much better than I ever could.�

Hermione carefully read the letter once, twice, and a third time to be sure that she hadn�t misread the first two. �You can�t seriously believe a word of this,� she sputtered.

�I can and I do.� Her mother returned.

The young woman�s eyes narrowed. �Does that mean that you�re both more familiar with the magical world than you have let on?�

�No, we are no more familiar with it than you are.� Mr. Granger stepped in, his voice was steely, a tone which meant she had once again overstepped her bounds.

�Then how can I possibly be his mate? For any of this to be true it would mean that at some point we have veela in our ancestry. You�ve admitted that as far as you know this shouldn�t be possible.�

�You�re right, as far as we know it shouldn�t be.� Her mother interrupted. �However that�s not to say that some far distant relative couldn�t have been from that world. Nor is it outside the realm of possibility that somebody way back didn�t enter that world much like you did Hermione, but I for one believe her.�

Hermione wanted to curse; she was hoping that her parents would just agree with her and say there was absolutely no way this could be happening. She was aware that she was grasping at straws but anything had to be better than Malfoy, the single biggest git she�d ever had the misfortune to run across.

Draco delighted in tormenting her and her friends. He took extra enjoyment if he managed to provoke either Harry or Ron into drawing their wands within sight of a professor. He was the one young man that all the girls seemed to swoon over. Okay, she had to admit, if only to herself, that Draco was handsome but his personality was a total turn off.

So lost in her thoughts of the Slytherin Prince she didn�t even hear her mother�s voice until she nearly reached a shout. Hermione jerked upright her eyes blinking rapidly a sure sign she hadn�t heard a word that had been said. Her mother sighed heavily. �Honestly, you could try listening.�

�Sorry mum,� Hermione mumbled. �What were you saying?�

�I have this�feeling,� Mrs. Granger put a fist on her chest. �That she isn�t lying. More over, as you read yourself, she isn�t trying to deny the earlier occurrences. If they�re willing to try, couldn�t you at least do the same?�

Hermione folded her hands calmly her chocolate colored eyes meeting her mother�s. She knew that she had to stay composed during this conversation or her parents wouldn�t listen to a word she said. Organizing her thoughts she took a deep breath releasing it slowly. �At this point in time it isn�t either Lucius or Draco making the effort it�s the lady Malfoy. If they truly wanted forgiveness, as you�re suggesting, then one or both of them would have sent the letter.�

�Knowing your dislike of both of them, it would make better sense for the mother to write.� Mr. Granger interceded. �You�ve told us time again how much you detest the Malfoy men. Would you have really been receptive to any overture of kindness from them?�

She ground her teeth silently hoping that her frustration didn�t show on her face. It just didn�t seem fair having both her parents ganging up on her like this. She took another deep breath�in, out her teeth slowly grating against each other. �Yes, I would have been�skeptical of their intentions,� she returned smoothly, congratulating herself for not show her obvious loathing of the Malfoys on general principal.

�Exactly,� her mother cut in. �Which is why Mrs. Malfoy wrote to me. �Mione, honey, I know you don�t want to hear this however it needs to be said; she didn�t lie. She could have or she could have implied that whatever altercations you�ve had with their family started with you, but she didn�t. That says something about them. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you. They are trying.�

Hermione had heard enough. Her own parents were defending the Malfoys, one of who had spent the better part of their formative years tormenting her; it was more than she could bear. Shoving back from the table she stood leaning over it glaring at the startled pair at the other end. �You just don�t get it, do you? They were Death Eaters! I don�t know how Lucius managed to get out of Azkaban, and quite frankly I don�t give a damn, but you don�t just change over night! Their kind never does and I can�t believe you got sucked in!� She finished her tirade, her chest heaving her eyes blazing with the intensity of her hatred.

The Grangers stared at their little girl. They couldn�t believe the sheer wildness she had displayed. Normally, she was a calmly rational young lady that studied a subject from every conceivable angle before coming to a conclusion. The spectacle she had just put on wasn�t something they were accustomed to.

Hermione knew that she had lost whatever subtle debate they had been engaged in. However, it paled in comparison if her parents harbored any thoughts that the Malfoys were as open as the Weasleys. They were so far part in both social class and affability that it boggled the mind.

��Mione, why are you so upset about this? You read that letter. You know what could happen to this boy,� her mother asked clearly perplexed.

�Doesn�t it bother you that this boy,� she stress the last word. �Has made my school life a living hell? He has gone out of his way to harass Harry, Ron and I. So I�m sorry if you think I�m out of line, but I can�t imagine spending more time than absolutely necessary with the arrogant prat!�

�So because this young man hasn�t been pleasant you�re will to let him die?� Mr. Granger asked his daughter disbelief evident on his face. �Despite what you think that is essentially what you�re saying.� He leaned his elbows on the table a sure sign that she was not going to like his next words. �You are all for second chances yet when it matters most you refuse to even consider the idea that he or his family might have changed. This isn�t how we raised you young lady.�

Hermione�s mouth opened and closed making her look like a landed fish. She could hardly wrap her mind around the fact that her parents were actually taking the Malfoys side in this. If she didn�t know any better she would think she had somehow managed to slip into an alternate reality. �Since it seems that you don�t really want my input why are we even discussing this?� She asked hating the fact that she couldn�t quite keep the hurt out of her voice.

�Because, �Mione, whatever we decide affects all of us.� Abigail gently informed her daughter. �Not just us but the Malfoys as well. I would hate for something to happen to that young man because you were too stubborn to try getting to know him. That�s all we�re asking dear, is for you to give him a chance. If the roles were reversed��

�But they�re not!� Hermione interrupted angrily.

�If they were, I would do the same thing.� Mrs. Granger admitted softly. �I would do anything within my power to save you. I won�t fault Mrs. Malfoy for trying.� Her mother sighed her face a bitter mixture of disappointment and sadness.

Realizing that this situation was likely to cause even more tension within the house Joseph coughed. Both women turned to him expectant looks on their faces. �This isn�t something we have to decide right now,� he reminded both of them. �Hermione take a couple days to think, really think, about what you�ve heard. If after a time you feel that you just cannot move beyond the past then we will accept that. Remember that your decision doesn�t just affect you. It will affect us all.�

Hermione nodded her understanding. Her rich dark eyes were alight with gratitude for the time allotted her even if it was only a few days. Turning she left the room resolved to let the little ferret wither and die for all she cared. She gnawed her lower lip as she climbed the stairs. Her mother�s softly urgent words rang in her ears. �I would do anything within my power to save you.�

She sat on her bed staring out at the brilliant summer sun painting the sky in golds, reds, and oranges with little touches of purple thrown in for contrast. She didn�t realize how long she�d been sitting there. It seemed like she�d just entered the room but from the looks of the sky she had been there for quite some time.

The simple fact was that her parents were right. She had preached the need for second chances but when it came to the Malfoys she adamantly refused to even consider that they might have changed. Why? The question circled her brain refusing to be answered.

Stretching her legs she sighed loudly the sound rebounding strangely in the room. Crookshanks turned to look at her his demeanor one of haughty boredom. He hefted his large frame up onto his bandy legs lightly jumping from the desk to the bed. He laid his ginger head in her lap.

Hermione was well aware of what others thought of her cat. She loved the feline the moment she laid eyes on him in Diagon Alley. She still loved him. He was far more intelligent than others would give him credit for and he was her confidant when she was confused and uncertain, like now.

Her fingers stroked his languid form loving the soft silky feel of the fur. Turning chocolate colored eyes down to the feline in her lap she began to talk to him, knowing that somehow the animal always seemed to answer her even if she didn�t always understand. She let the story flow from her in a rush almost eager to get it out.

Patiently Crookshanks listened as the young woman poured her heart out. His green gaze never left her face even if she turned hers from him. This creature had saved him from a life of absolute misery. He would be eternally grateful to her for that alone but to know that she valued his judgment as well was more than he could have ever asked for.

At last she finished her tale. Silent tear tracks lining her face he pushed his flat face into her small warm hand. She smiled sadly down at him her fingers scratching that place behind his ears that he could never quite reach. �Crookshanks,� she said quietly. �What do you think of Malfoy?�

The ginger colored cat looked at her thoughtfully. True, he didn�t like the fact that the young blonde had, on more than one occasion, made her cry but the clever feline had felt the waves of confusion flowing off of him whenever he had happened upon the young man. He wasn�t bad, per se, just misguided. Crookshanks gave the feline equivalent of a shrug in response.

�Well that�s helpful,� she said, half amused half annoyed.

Crookshanks gave her a look that clearly said, �Well what did you expect?�

Hermione shook her head resuming stroking her beloved pet. Unexpectedly she spoke, �Do you think I�m being a hypocrite?�

Very clearly the cat nodded its head, once up once down.

The young woman nibbled her lower lip a moment before asking, �What about Harry and Ron?�

If the cat could have rolled its eyes that�s what it would have been doing now. Instead it gave her a look as if to say, �What about them?�

�You know they�re not going to be happy about this when they find out. I mean, I�m not, but they�re going to really hate Malfoy now. As if they didn�t have reason enough before.� She finished softly. Somewhere in the back of her mind she realized that she had quietly made the decision to give the Malfoys another chance.

Crookshanks stood up putting his paws on Hermione�s knees, his strange feline gaze boring into those caring brown eyes he knew so well. She would swear, if ever asked, that he had spoken to her in that moment, and perhaps he had. Very clearly she heard, �They�ll get over it eventually.�
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Souls Collide