Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Locked In	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 117470 -:- Recommendations : 7 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I do not own HP, JK Rowling does. I make no money doing this. I have the moths in my pockets to prove it.

Chapter List
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“They’re practically glowing,” Venus said with a sigh.

Hermione looked over to see the newest married couples at Hogwarts sitting down at Hufflepuff table. She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. They really were glowing. Then again, she knew the feeling, the feeling that you finally had everything you always wanted. With the blessings of the Founders, maybe they would go the distance.

“You look lovesick,” Ron said with a grimace.

Ginny, who had been sighing dreamily along with them, turned on him. “You should try it sometime.”

Ron sighed. “No thanks.”

Draco rolled his eyes. “Honestly, Weasley. Just because your interests have different bits doesn’t mean you can’t be a little sappy too.”

Ron looked scandalized. “I’m not sappy… and I don’t really fancy that, urm, type.”

Draco smirked. “You’re into the macho type.”

“Just shut up Malfoy,” Ron growled.

Harry snickered. “He’s right you know. I mean, you don’t have to swoon, but you can be a bit… um… well, softer? No, that didn’t sound right.”

Venus giggled. “He means you don’t have to be a hard arse about it but being a little thoughtful never hurt anyone. I mean, you don’t have to go purchase jewelry with your names on it or anything.”

Ron paled, obviously remembering his stint with Lavender. “No, not that.”

“See, now you’ve traumatized the poor bloke,” Draco said with a snicker before he stiffened. Pansy Parkinson had just sashayed over to the table like she owned it and he was already on point.

“Hey Drakey.”

Draco narrowed his eyes. “Call me that again and you’ll regret it Parkinson.”

Pansy stuck her lip out in an over exaggerated pout. “That’s not a nice way to address your fiancé.”

Draco snorted. “Then only thing you are to me is a thorn in my side.”

Pansy’s eyes flickered with hurt before she gave him a knowing smile. “Not for long.”

“Not ever,” Draco said, pulling Hermione closer.

Pansy narrowed her eyes. “That’s what you think. The contract has already been drawn and paid for.”

Draco smirked. “I highly doubt that.”

Before Pansy could retort, a majestic eagle owl swooped in and landed beside Draco’s plate. Attached to its leg was a blood red howler. Draco winced when he saw it and realized that everyone would soon know everything… unless his father chose to be cryptic. He doubted it, since his father had gone through the trouble of sending a howler in the first place. Still, one could never be too careful. He ran his wand over it and cursed when he realized there was a deadly hex on it. He had to get Hermione out of there.

“I’ve got it,” Snape said, appearing from practically thin air. He snatched the howler from the owl and threw it in the air before disintegrating it with a spell.

“You’ve got to teach me that,” Draco said in awe.

Snape smirked but if fell suddenly. “I take it your father has discovered your little secret?”

Draco grimaced. “Seems Parkinson doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone.”

Snape rounded on Pansy and bit back a snarl. “It would do you well to keep out of things.”

“But-but,” Pansy spluttered and pointed to Draco and Hermione. “He’s with a mudblood!”

“You will not use that word in front of me. Twenty points from Slytherin and detention with Filch for a week for the use of profanity!” Snape roared.

Pansy started to say something else when Theo and Daphne came over and grabbed her arms. Theo leaned over and hissed in her ear for her to shut up before she fucked their house standings up royally. Then they physically dragged her back to the Slytherin table where she received the glares of most of her housemates. Most of the house liked the new precedent Draco set and though many of them stuck with their own, they couldn’t begrudge their housemates a chance at happiness. And Parkinson was ruining it for everyone. She would need to be dealt with.

Draco blew out a breath and turned Hermione to straddle his lap. He didn’t particularly care how it looked. It was safer… well, it felt that way. He could feel the pounding of her heart and the shaking in her limbs. She was terrified and he knew it was for their daughter and not herself. No, she was much too brave for that. He gave another silent vow to protect them… no matter what.

“We’ve got your back, Mione,” Harry said quietly when the Hall finally settled down.

Hermione sighed and untangled herself from Draco to face him. “Thanks Harry, but could we talk about something else?”

“Sure,” Harry said with a shrug. “How about we talk about Venus’s future career?”

“Damn it Harry,” Venus huffed. “I wanted to keep that under wraps.”

Harry grinned. “They’re all going to find out sooner or later. Might as well let them in on it.”

Venus gave him a glare worthy of a Snape before throwing her hands in the air and huffing. “Oh, very well. Father has decided to retire and I’m taking over his position.”

“Retire?” Hermione asked.

Venus nodded. “The day schedule is very taxing, what with having to take all the potions to interrupt his regular schedule. He’s supposed to be dormant, if not asleep during the day, and hunting at night and he’s doing neither. If he keeps it up, he’ll get sick.”

“So what will he do?” Hermione asked

Venus smiled wistfully. “He’s working on a contract with St. Mungo’s to brew all their potions. I’m sure he’ll gain other contracts as well. He can brew most at night and spare the potions he’s taking now for those that have to be brewed by phases of the moon and such.”

“I’m sure he’ll be happier not having to teach horrible dunderheads anymore,” Draco said with a smirk.

Venus answered it with one of her own. “To be sure. But I like teaching.”

Harry nodded. “She’s very good at it. I mean, my potions grade has improved loads.”

Venus shrugged. “It doesn’t hurt that dad has stopped hovering over you and berating you for any slip up. I mean, I know why he’s so harsh. Potions are exceedingly dangerous, but he really didn’t want to teach. He was sort of forced into it.”

“Makesh shense,” Ron said with a full mouth. He frowned at everyone looking at him. “Wha?”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Honestly Ron, if you’d quit eating like a pig, you’d be quite appealing.”

“Anyway,” Venus said, successfully taking the spotlight off of Ron. “Thoughts on what you guys are doing after graduation?”

Harry shrugged. “Aurors for me. Always wanted to be one.”

“Me too,” Ron said after he swallowed.

Ginny sighed. “I’ve still got another year, but I thought I might be a healer.”

Venus smiled. “Sounds just fine. Have you thought about asking to apprentice with Madam Pomfrey?”

Ginny’s eyes brightened. “You think she’d let me?”

“It’s worth a shot,” Venus said. “So, Draco, Hermione, thoughts?”

“Don’t really know,” Hermione sighed. “I’d like to go to university but…”

“Then you’ll go,” Draco said. “As for me, I’d rather stay the hell away from politics. I thought I might apprentice with a potions master but I need to find a paying job.”

Venus bit her lip. “Perhaps you can do both. I’ll talk to dad and see if he can help. It’s a shame to give up your dreams. After all… you’re pretty busy changing the world.”

Changing the world. Draco frowned and glanced across the room to see Pansy glowering. She wouldn’t give up. He knew she wouldn’t. Still, they had to try. He knew they wouldn’t sway everyone. There would still be those who clung to the old ways, but the potential for change was too great. And there was no way in hell a petty little girl and a tyrant of a father would stop them. No matter what.

AN: Que ominous music. Here's where the action picks up again folks. As always, thanks to everyone who reviewed. I read them yesterday a bajillion times after I had some nasty encounters at work. Stupid work. Anyway, keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time... Love you guys!
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