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Love and Forgiveness	By : HarryGinny4eva Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 16331 -:- 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
- 5
- 6
- 7
CHAPTER 16

Saturday morning arrived quickly for Hermione after an eventful week, and she found
herself up at eight in the morning, making the birthday cake. As the cake
baked, she hurried through her remaining packing and pulled her bags to the
living room.

�Ice cake, wrap gifts, take stuffed animals for the boys, don�t panic, ice
cake, wrap gifts, take stuffed animals for the boys, don�t panic,� she chanted
to herself.

No matter how much she told herself to calm down it just wasn�t happening.
Somehow she had allowed her mother to convince her to come over to the house
after the party and stay overnight with them. They wanted to meet Draco.

She wasn�t nervous about them meeting Draco, per say, but more that this was
the first man she was going to introduce to them. Ever. And, they were sleeping
there. Not that they would be in the same room, but it was still weird to think
of having a man stay overnight at her parents� house.

On top of that Harry had called the night before and ranted about Ron and his
stubbornness for almost a half hour. By the end of the call, she�d had a raging
headache and had not packed as she had planned. That was why she was running
late.

The timer went off to let her know the cake had cooled, just as she stepped out
of the shower. She threw the towel around her body, knotted it and padded to
the kitchen. She flicked her hand toward the radio to fill the apartment with
music and went about pulling items out for her homemade icing. They had an hour
before they were supposed to be at Ginny and Harry�s, and Draco was due to
arrive in only thirty minutes.

Because the music was up rather loud, she missed the chiming of her fireplace
in the other room.

Draco stepped out and winced at the sudden assault to his ears after the
whooshing hollowness of flooing. Then he heard Hermione�s voice singing in the
kitchen and smiled as he put down his overnight bag and turned toward the door.
His jaw dropped as he stared at the scene before him.

Hermione had her hair piled in a messy bun on the top of her head and wore
nothing but a little yellow towel. He gawked as she flicked her hips and
flipped her head in time to the music, while she stirred something in a bowl.
When she dipped a finger into the bowl and tasted her concoction his knees
almost buckled. The sheer ecstasy on her face and the way she sucked on her
finger made him grip the edge of the doorframe to stop himself from pouncing on
her. He didn�t know whether it was the hope that the towel would shimmy off,
the prayer that she would wiggle around some more in front of him, or simply
the loss of blood to the top half of his body, but it never dawned on him to
announce his presence.

Hermione danced and sang along to Pour Some Sugar on Me as she finished
her icing. She reached in to taste it; she still needed to cut the icing in
half and color it. Just as the icing hit her tongue she thought she smelled him
mixed with the scent of cake. The picture it brought forth of him licking icing
off of all kinds of interesting places on her body burst through her mind and
she moaned and swayed. Then her eyes popped open and met with his.

Normally, she would have jumped at seeing him standing there so quietly in the
doorway, but the hungry, almost starving, look on his face stilled her. She
didn�t know how long he had been there, but she knew what he saw, what she must
look like. And, it slowly dawned on her that he could have magicked the towel
off at any time, but he hadn�t. He stood still as if she had petrified him.
Only his eyes, shallow breathing and white-knuckled grip on the door gave away
that he was very much in control of himself, if only barely.

Then he moved.

Slowly, as if through water, he slid across the room. Neither dared breathe for
fear of dashing the perfection of the moment. She watched his approach and felt
her body shiver in anticipation. His eyes never wavered from hers as his hands
reached for her and pulled them together. Lights exploded behind her eyes when
he finally lowered his lips to her. She melted into him and returned his hungry
kiss as her hands slowly slid up his sides to caress his muscled chest.

The only sounds heard were their harsh breathing as they battled for more and
the pulsing beat of the music, which they barely registered.

Oh please, take me. Here. Now. Just do it. Oh please.

She whimpered as his hand found her chest through the towel and she arched into
his hand. His moan was the answer as his other hand slid down the towel to cup
her lovely, rounded rear and pull her more sharply against him.

The feel of her bare skin against his hand was almost his undoing. But, he knew
this was not the right time or place. She wouldn�t appreciate it later, when
she had time to think. And, he didn�t want anything to mar their first time
together. But, then she moaned and shivered against him and he knew he couldn�t
stop completely. Not yet. He needed more. He wanted to give her more.

He ended a blazing kiss and picked her up to move her onto the counter. She
leaned forward and nipped at his ear and neck as her legs wrapped around him.
His hands slid from her waist down to her thighs and he rubbed them softly as
he pulled back to look her in the eye. He didn�t remember his shirt being
undone or removed, but he hissed in a sharp breath at the feeling of her warm
hands on his bare chest.

Then, keeping his eyes on hers, he raised one hand to the knot at her breast.
He saw the flare of need in her eyes and her almost imperceptible nod and
leaned in for another scorching kiss as he removed the towel from her. As his
hands slid up her body, she shook under him and whimpered again, but she never
let her eyes leave his. When he pulled back to finally see her, he noticed the
blush that crept across her entire body and knew she was trying to not look
embarrassed or scared.

Still the brave little Gryffindor he thought to himself. But thoughts
flew from his head completely as he saw her chest, heaving slightly, so close.
With a barely contained growl he finally allowed himself to taste her.

Perfection.

She gripped his head to hold him closer as sensations swept through her. Each
swipe of his tongue as he swirled it over her nipple, sent a small quake
through her center. His hand massaged her on one side and his mouth devoured
her on the other. She couldn�t think. She didn�t know how she breathed. She
just knew she didn�t want it to stop.

The taste of her, mingled with the scent of her arousal nearly sent him over
the edge. But, he battled it back to complete his task. He again met her eyes,
as is asking permission, even though he had no intention of denying either of
them at this point.

She watched in delirium as he slowly licked and kissed his way down her body to
the juncture of her thighs. His touch feather light, he traced her folds and he
saw her head fall back as her eyes closed. When he leaned forward to taste his
prize he felt the jolt of pleasure shoot through her and felt her hands in his
hair. But, it was the sound of his name bursting in gasps from her lips that
almost finished him.

Nirvana.

�Draco�Drac..Dra�Dra�Dra�oh,� she moaned above him.

With the last vestiges of his own control slipping, he applied more pressure to
her sensitive nub and slid a finger in to push against the tiny ridged spot
inside her.

He knew joy like he had never experienced during actual sex when she sobbed his
name and her body tightened like a bow string. He continued until he had wrung
the last quake from her and she collapsed back against the cabinets.

Part of him begged to plunge into her and end his own agony, but the more
stubborn part, insisted he wait.

Not the right place. Not the right place. Oh shut the hell up!

Hermione finally opened her eyes and regained her ability to breathe. She saw
him before her, eyes closed as if in pain, and knew he held himself back. She
didn�t know why, but she knew he did. And, she loved him for it.

I love him! Oh my god, I love him. Too soon. Too soon isn�t it?

His breath whooshed across her still fevered body in heavy puffs and she
shivered slightly. Then, with bravery she hadn�t realized she possessed, but
born of her newly realized love, she silently slid down to the floor and
turned, swiftly switching their positions. She felt a ripple of embarrassment
slide over her as she realized she stood naked before him and he still had his
bottom half completely covered. Stepping closer she put one hand behind his
head to pull him to her for a kiss that shot straight to her soul. It bolstered
her courage when he groaned and shivered in front of her. With her other hand
she undid his belt and pants to slide her hand in to reach her goal. His eyes
fluttered shut and he moved involuntarily against her hand.

His head fell back and he released a groan when she slid from the base to the
tip and ran her thumb over him. He was so lost in her and the pounding of the
blood in his body that he barely registered the cool air caressing his body
when his pants and underwear fell away. But the feeling of her hands being
replaced by her tongue brought him quickly back to reality. He knew it wouldn�t
take much longer, and it was everything he wanted at the moment, but he still
tried to stop her.

Through clenched teeth he breathed and spoke as the sensations swamped him.

�Mi, you, (lick) oh man, (swirl suck) you don�t (flick and swirl) mmmm, oh
gods, (suck flick) you don�t have to (lick suck)��

�Shh, let me,� she whispered against him and he had no choice but to obey.

One hand gripped the edge of the counter to keep him from falling, and the
other gripped her head, his hands tangling in her hair. He wanted to watch to
the end, but the intensity of his feelings swamped him and he closed his eyes
as he came in a rush; her name ripped from his throat.

She loved the feel of him, the taste of him. The closer he came to the edge,
the more calm she felt, the more in control; the more powerful; sexier. And,
she felt a rush of sensation pool in her center as he moaned her name and shook
against her.

When his eyes finally opened to stare into hers, she shook with the love she
saw there as she stood in front of him. Neither spoke. With a sigh he pulled
her against him and held her tight, his body still quivering every few seconds.

Finally, she lifted her head from his shoulder and whispered with a smirk,
�Hello, by the way.�

The statement made him bark a laugh even as the feel of her warmed him again.

�Hi,� he answered. �I should surprise you in the morning more often.�

She giggled and reached down for her towel to cover herself as she whispered,
�Scourgify.�

�Too late to be shy now!� he said with a laugh as he pulled his underwear and
pants back up and he too quickly cleaned himself.

�Yeah, well,� she said, suddenly unable to look him in the eye.

�No,� he said more sharply than he intended. When her eyes flew up to his in
surprise he realized how he must have sounded and softened his next words. He
couldn�t bear for her to regret their actions.

�Mi, never be embarrassed with me. Please. There�s no need. I know you don�t
realize how unbelievably sexy and beautiful you are, but I do and there�s
nothing you can do to change how much I want you. How I feel about you.�

Her dazed smile faltered a bit when she asked, �So, why didn�t you��

He pulled her close and kissed her softly, �Because we only have about a half
hour and when I take you for the first time, it�s going to take a hell of a lot
longer than that.�

He saw her flush and her eyes darken and almost changed his mind. But, he knew
the time had passed. With one last kiss he set her away from him, so that he
could think more clearly.

�So,� he croaked and needed to stop and clear his throat, �What�s left to be
done?�

She smiled and blushed a little when she answered, �Well, I need to get dressed
still��

�If you must,� he interrupted with a devilish grin.

In answer she threw his shirt to him and backed out of the kitchen, �Make
yourself useful while I�m gone. Split the icing in half and color it, blue and
green.�

When the door closed behind her, he smiled and turned to his task, his mind
still replaying the past half hour.

By the time she returned, he had not only finished the icing, but the most of
the cake and stood bent over, carefully swirling the last of the icing into the
shape of a rattle on the top left side of the cake. She saw the elaborate
decorations he had done, a full crib, baby and toys with number ones along the
edge. As there was more than just blue and green, she knew he had used some
magic, but he was finishing by hand.

She said the first thing that came to mind, �My, oh my, what you can do with
those hands never ceases to amaze me.�

He moaned at the image her words painted in his mind and turned to pull her
into his arms.

They were only twenty five minutes late.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

CHAPTER 17

�Aunt Mione!�

Hermione had barely stepped out of the fireplace before the boys tackled her
and almost brought her to her knees. At the last second, Draco stepped forward
and caught her. She balanced the cake and a couple of boxes and he carried
their luggage.

She laughed and leaned down to hug the boys with one arm, �Hey guys! I missed
you.�

Teddy kissed her on the cheek and said, �I missed you, too. Whad�ya bring us?�

Draco laughed at the precocious question and brought the boy�s attention to
him.

�Oh boy,� Teddy sighed. �Not you again.�

Hermione gasped and straightened, �Theodore Lupin Potter! Apologize, this
instant!�

�But, Aunt Mione, he made everybody mad last time and Uncle Ron was yelling bad
words. And, he�he made you sad!� Teddy said defensively.

�Teddy,� Hermione began only to be interrupted by Draco.

She watched as Draco lowered himself to one knee to be on the same level as the
indignant five-year old.

�Theodore, I would like to apologize for that. I didn�t mean for everyone to
get so upset the last time you saw me. I surprised everyone and I shouldn�t
have.� He felt Hermione�s hand on his shoulder, but kept going.

�Your mommy and daddy have forgiven me and given me another chance. Would you
forgive me, too?�

The little boy looked at him shrewdly and tilted his head, �But, you made Aunt
Mione sad.�

Draco looked from the little boy�s earnest face to Hermione�s. Then he looked
back at Teddy, �Theodore, you have my promise from here on out that I will
never intentionally make her sad again. Okay?�

Teddy sighed heavily and put his hands on his little hips, �Okay, but you have
to promise to be good today. Mommy made Uncle Ron promise and you have to, too!
No yelling.�

Draco wanted to smile at the very adult expression on the child�s face, but he
knew that was not the right action. Instead, he held out his hand to shake
Teddy�s and kept his face as straight as possible, �I promise. Can we be
friends?�

Teddy looked at his hand and then shook it with a huge smile, �Yes. Friends.
You can even call me Teddy, Mr. Malfoy!�

The two adults laughed when Albie shouted, �Fwends!� and patted Draco�s cheek.

Draco ruffled the younger boy�s hair and said to Teddy, �Thank you. And, you
can call me Mr. D, if you want.�

They jumped a little when Harry said from the doorway with a smile on his face,
�Well, seems you are better at making friends these days, Mal..ahem, Draco.�

Draco straightened and turned to face Harry with a small shrug, �Small children
are more forgiving, I guess.�

Hermione moved away to put her things on the sofa before hurrying to greet
Harry. Draco followed suit and came over to shake his hand. With the adults
distracted and the crisis past them, the boys ran over to the sofa and
proceeded to try to get the top off the cake before anyone noticed. Hermione
had sealed it magically, so their trials were futile, but they had a good time
trying.

Ginny came in wiping her hands on a towel, �Mione!�

�Gin!�

The women hugged and began talking like they hadn�t seen each other in months,
rather than weeks, and soon moved out of the room, leaving both men standing
awkwardly together. When they realized they couldn�t open the cake, the boys
gave up and went back to their game of Exploding Snaps.

Harry put his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat, �Uh, why don�t you
have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?�

Draco nodded, �Sure. Thanks. Uh, whatever you have,� and sat on the sofa behind
him.

Harry poured them both a drink and then sat opposite him on a chair. As they
had no idea what to say to one another, they turned to watch the boys play for
a while. A cry rent the air next to Draco�s elbow and he jumped to his feet.

Harry laughed, not unkindly, and gestured as he got to his feet, �Baby
monitor.�

At Draco�s blank look, he added, �Muggle device, so we can hear when Jamie
wakes up from anywhere in the house. Gin fixed it so it doesn�t even need
batteries. Easier than a baby charm or something she said.�

Draco stared at the box and nodded. He wasn�t sure about all that Harry had
said, and while he was fascinated by the ingenious little object, he was a
little concerned by the cries. Harry didn�t seem panicked, but the sounds were
freaking him out.

�Pott�Harry, should you, uh?� he indicated the monitor, �I mean it sounds like
he�s in pain.�

Harry noticed the loss of color to the other man�s already pale face and
laughed a little, �Nah, that�s his I�m-wet-and-I-want-to-get-up scream. But, I
guess I should go get him. Can you keep an eye on these two?�

Draco�s eyes flew to the boys, but they seemed content in their play corner and
he nodded as he sat back down.

When Harry returned fifteen minutes later he had to hold back a laugh at the
scene in front of him. Albie stood beside Draco on the couch and was trying to
get Draco�s hair to stand up on end, while Teddy sat on his lap and told him a
story.

The part of him that still didn�t fully trust Malfoy and wasn�t sure he was
really right for Hermione wanted to pull his children away quickly. But, the
fact that Draco hadn�t tried to stop either boy from what they were doing, and
appeared to be listening intently to the story stopped him.

Maybe he really has grown up.

��but it wasn�t really fair because all I did was call him a troll face, but
then he tried to hit me, so I punched him in his face and when he tried to hit
me again I ducked and then Miss Bones came out and yelled at us because we
aren�t supposed to fight on the playground and then he threw a rock at me, but
it hit Theresa and she started crying and that�s why we both got in trouble.�

Harry�s eyebrow shot up when Draco replied, �Well, it�s really not nice to
fight, Teddy. Did you apologize to Theresa?�

Teddy nodded and answered, �Yeah, that�s what Daddy said, too.�

Harry thought he would fall over when Draco said, �Well, your daddy is a very
smart man.�

Instead, Harry stepped into the room and said, �Okay boys, leave Mr. Malfoy
alone.�

Albie only squealed and yanked Draco�s hair up again, and Teddy looked over
Draco�s shoulder and said, �Dad, he said we could call him Mr. D.�

Harry watched the blush crawl up Draco�s neck at being caught playing and
talking to the boys and laughed, �Okay, well leave Mr. D alone then. He and
Daddy need to talk.�

The boys hopped off the couch and went to play and Draco attempted to
straighten his hair. Before he could speak Teddy turned back, �Are you gonna
tell Daddy your secret?�

Draco actually flushed as he felt Harry�s stare and mumbled, �Um, no, not yet,
Teddy. Maybe later.�

�Okay,� the boy answered and ran after his brother into the other room.

Draco stood and stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared at the fireplace,
wishing he could just step back through and wait for Hermione to come back
home.

�Keeping secrets, Malfoy?� Harry asked, his tone as light as he could make it.

�No, not really,� Draco shrugged. �He asked me a question and I answered him.
That�s all.�

�But, he said it was a secret,� Harry continued as he sat Jamie in his playpen
and set the magical balls to bounce around him. He then stood and folded his
arms across his chest, �Why would you have a secret with my son?�

Draco glanced at him and then reached for his glass, �It�s nothing really. Just
leave it, okay?�

It was the almost pleading note to his voice that stopped Harry from pushing,
even though Draco�s face remained passive.

�Okay. So, can I refill your drink?� Harry asked instead.

Draco nodded and looked around the living room. �So, uh, nice place you guys
have here.�

�Thanks,� Harry replied and sat back down opposite him again.

When neither spoke and the silence threatened to engulf them, Harry leaned
forward for the remote and said, �How about some football?�

Draco nodded gratefully.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

�I just can�t believe YOU did that!� Ginny giggled. �Our innocent Hermione? In
her own kitchen!�

Hermione blushed, but answered with a laugh, �I honestly don�t know what came
over me.�

Ginny snorted, �Sounds like Draco did!�

�Gin!� Hermione laughed, only a little outraged. Ginny had always been more
comfortable than she when discussing sex. And, it was a sign of their tight
friendship that she felt she could confide in her friend. �Well, at least I
know I don�t turn him off.�

�What on earth would make you think that?� Ginny shook her head.

She had never understood Hermione�s distrust in her own looks. She had always
seen Hermione as striking with her soulful brown eyes and richly hued dark
hair. And, her slender, yet shapely figure sure as heck didn�t hurt. Hermione
carried herself with such confidence, that it made her appear even prettier. It
was something Ginny had always admired, but something Hermione could never
quite see.

She turned away to continue setting up the party platters, �Mione, all you have
to do is look at the way that man looks at you to know he�s sure as hell not
turned off,� Ginny laughed. �He wants you bad!�

Hermione smiled a little and shrugged, �I guess so. But, I was in a towel. I
mean, what normal man wouldn�t go for it then?�

Hermione missed the exasperated look on Ginny�s face as she continued to stack
plates and bowls to take out to the yard. But she heard the sigh as Ginny took
some of the platters out to the tables that were set up outside.

She wasn�t completely unaware of her assets. She was smart, sometime too smart,
but whatever. She was loyal, dependable, a solid friend. And, she knew she
wasn�t ugly. But, when she compared herself to her vibrant friend, she knew she
was lacking. Where Ginny was tiny, but voluptuous, she was average. Ginny�s bright
hair and sparkling blue eyes compelled men to look at her, often more than
once, while Hermione rarely got a second look with her average brown hair,
average brown eyes and average height.

I honestly don�t know what he sees in me.

Ginny came back in just as the kitchen door swung open.

Draco held the cake in front of him and looked across the room to see Ginny
first, �Uh, hi. Ginny. I just thought you guys might want this.�

Ginny smiled and nodded, �Oh, thanks, Draco. Just put it over there on the counter
for now.�

He stepped fully into the room and his eyes landed on Hermione. The sheepish
look he had worn into the room vanished, as his face softened and a smile lit
it.

�Hey,� he said as he moved to stand next to her and put down the cake.

She smiled up at him, �Hey.�

The stood looking at one another for a moment before Ginny, who tried to hold
back her laughter at how Hermione could even try to think this man didn�t want
her, said, �So, you and Harry behaving out there?�

Draco pulled his eyes away from Hermione, but his hand reached for hers before
he answered, �Yes, we are, actually. We�re just fighting over football,� he
laughed. �And, just so you know, I was informed by Teddy that I have to be good
today; no yelling. I promised.�

Ginny and Hermione laughed with him. Then Ginny picked up the last of the
platters to head back out, �Well, that�s good to know. Let�s just pray everyone
else can do the same. Be back in a minute.� Then just because she could, she
leaned back in the door and looked at them, �And, you two, be good while I�m
gone. No, playing in the kitchen.�

Hermione blushed to her roots as Draco laughed at Ginny�s comment. But, then
his hands slid around her waist to pull her against him, �No playing, huh? What
were you two talking about in here?�

�Nothing much,� she giggled. �And, what were you two doing? You�re hair�s a bit
mussed?�

Draco laughed and lifted his chin proudly, �What? You don�t like hairdos by
Albie? He�ll be crushed.�

Hermione lifted her hands to his head to lay it back in place, �I think he�ll
get over it.�

�Kiss me,� he whispered. When she looked at him and then glanced around the
kitchen nervously, he moved closer and cajoled, �Just one. I�ve been a good boy
all day and haven�t fought with Pot..Harry even once.�

�Well that does deserve a prize,� she whispered and smiled.

He lowered his head and their lips met in an unhurried, lazy embrace. Neither
took it too far, as they didn�t want to get carried away, but both got a little
lost in the moment.

Ron�s booming voice snapped them back to reality.

�Gin? Harry?� he called as he entered the kitchen. �We�re here.�

He stopped short when he saw Hermione and Draco standing wrapped around each
other.

�Hey!� Snoop said from behind him. �I�m carrying gifts here. Why�d you stop?�

They saw him be pushed forward, a look of pure disgust on his face, as Snoop
stepped around him.

�HG!� she squealed. The girls rushed forward to hug and her eyes fell on Draco.
�Hey, Draco. How are you?�

�Uh, fine, thank you. Georgina, right?�

She ignored the light growl from her husband as she stepped forward to shake
Draco�s hand, �Yep, but everyone calls me Snoop.�

�Her friends, that is,� Ron stepped forward.

�Ron,� Hermione stepped between them. �Hello, Ron,� she said and hugged him.
Then she leaned back and looked up at him, a pleading look in her eye.

He looked from Draco, to his wife and then down at Hermione. Then he took a
breath and hugged her back briefly, �Yeah, uh, hi, Mione. Where�s Gin?�

He saw the appreciation on her face and half smiled when she answered, �Out
back, but she should be back any min��

�Ron. Snoop!� Gin said cheerily as she breezed back into the house. �I�m glad
you guys are here. Why don�t you guys go on out with Harry and watch some TV.�

Both men looked at one another and then away. But, feeling dismissed, they made
their way from the room.

The girls looked at one another and let out the breaths they had been holding.

Ginny was the first to speak with a laugh, �Mione, why don�t you fill Snoop in
on what you were doing this morning?�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

The tension in the living room was palpable, but none of the men wanted to ruin
the tentative peace. They sat and watched the game, drank, and let the children
play at their feet. The arrival of Molly Weasley broke the tension for a bit,
but when she left them to join the women, she took the children with her. The
three men shifted uncomfortably, but maintained their stoic silence.

Over the next half hour the house filled with the rest of the Weasley family,
friends of Harry and Ginny�s from the neighborhood, and other people Draco
hadn�t seen since his years at Hogwarts. Luckily, some of them, like Luna and
Neville tried to at least make small talk. But, it was still easier for him to
talk to the strangers who didn�t know of his past. He did find himself
partially enjoying a stilted conversation about Quidditch with Harry, Lee
Jordan and Dean ThomasHe never noticed Seamus Finnegan, who came late and was
immediately pulled away by Ron.

Thankfully, Ginny called everyone to the backyard and the party moved outside.
There he was able to stick pretty close to Hermione and her natural ease with
people had the others relaxing around him. He was surprised, but pleased when
someone suggested a quick round of Quidditch, and he was invited by Harry to
join them. He placed a quick kiss on Hermione�s cheek and walked over to join
the mix of men, women and children who were picking teams.

Ron held back from playing and talked to Seamus the minute Hermione was left
alone. Then he nodded in her direction and went to stand with the others who
were not playing and prayed for the best. He didn�t want to betray his
friendship with Hermione, but he had to at least try to make her see she had
other options. Better options. Ones that didn�t start with Draco and end with
Malfoy.

That bastard!

�Hey, Hermione. Long time no see,� Seamus said as he took the seat just vacated
by Draco.

�Seamus!� Hermione exclaimed as she hugged him, �When did you get here?�

�About twenty minutes ago. I was catching up with everyone and didn�t know you
were here. How�ve you been?�

Hermione smiled, �Really good. I started assistant teaching. How about you?�

�Working at St. Mungos. I�m in administration,� he answered with an easy smile.
�Gosh, it�s good to see you. I think about you a lot, you know.�

�Really?�

�Yeah,� he answered and put his hand on her knee. �A lot.�

When she didn�t answer and looked a bit flustered he backed off a little and
asked, �Can I get you something more to drink?�

Hermione didn�t quite know what to make of Seamus� actions and could only nod.
She knew he had harbored feelings for her in school, and they had gone on one
date the summer before she�d left for the University, but it hadn�t gone well,
and they hadn�t tried for a repeat. Before she could think more on it, he was
back.

�So, when are you going to invite an old pal over to see your new world?� he
asked with a grin.

She laughed to cover her discomfort, �Oh, well, um, I guess, I should have a
party or something soon. No one�s really been over, but Harry, Ginny and Ron.�

He scooted closer, took her hand and said softly, �I�ve missed you, Hermione.
Really missed you.�

�Seamus, I��

�Look, I know things didn�t go well the last time we got together, but I think
we should give it another try. I�ve really missed you and I can�t stop thinking
about us. No other woman gets me quite like you do.�

Hermione pulled her hand away and glanced over at the people enjoying the game,
�Look, Seamus, I think we should��

�Come on. One more try. Let�s see if we can work,� he whispered. �Give us a
chance.�

�I�m sorry, Seamus, but I�m uh, seeing someone now,� she answered.

�Since when?� he countered. �It�s only been a little over a month since you
were here for your graduation party. It can�t be so serious that you can�t at
least try one more time with me.�

Has it really been that short a time? Wow! It seems like it�s been forever.
In a good way. I can�t believe I feel this much so soon. How can I have fallen
in love that fast?

�Hermione?� Seamus asked. He took her hand again, encouraged by her silence,
�What do you say?�

Hermione focused on the man in front of her and shook her head in wonder, �I
love him.�

�Huh? How? What?� Seamus asked, shocked. �But, Ron implied��

Ron had invited him to the party hinting that Hermione would be there and
available. He had told Seamus how lonely she had been. How she had spoken of
him often. Ron had made it sound like Hermione was still thinking about him and
longing for what could have been.

Hermione turned her head to look for Ron and saw him not far away, pretending
not to watch them.

�What exactly did Ron say, Seamus?�

The sadness and defeat in her voice made him feel bad for her, �Um, nothing
much, really, he just kind of told me you might still be interested. That you
missed me.�

�Oh?� she said. Then she turned her eyes back to him, �I�m sorry. And, I do
miss you as a friend, but��

�It�s okay.� He looked away and then back at her with a grin, �So, who is this
mystery man?�

�Draco,� she answered while staring out at the field.

�Wait! Who did you say?�

She laughed and shrugged as she looked back out at the people playing
Quidditch, �Draco Malfoy, Seamus.�

�That git! How!� he asked, outraged.

Hermione straightened her shoulders and looked at him with anger, �Don�t call
him that!�

�I�m, um, sorry, but seriously, how? Malfoy?�

She relaxed and laughed a little at the look of bewilderment on his face, �I
don�t know, it just did. He�s changed so much, Seamus. And, I don�t know, he�s
just�I�well, we�wow�I love him.�

He saw the look on her face as she watched Draco in the air and knew he didn�t
have a shot, �Oh. Well, um, congratulations, I guess.�

�Thank you,� she beamed. �You know you�re the first person to say that.
Everyone else keeps�never mind. Thanks.�

�No problem.� He smiled shyly at her and leaned closer, �But, if you change
your mind��

She laughed and felt her heart soar at having said she loved Draco out loud,
�Gotcha. But, I don�t think I will.�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

CHAPTER 18

��to you. Happy birthday, dear Jamie. Happy birthday to you!�

Everyone clapped and smiled at the baby who cooed and clapped his hands. He sat
in a high chair surrounded by a small mountain of gifts, some of which let out
strange noises whenever their boxes were bumped. Jamie ignored most of the
items he had been given, but seemed to love the tiny broom and snitch mobile
that Teddy had picked out. To the amusement of most of the adults, Teddy had
walked around telling everyone, �He loves my gift best,� for several minutes,
before Harry finally told him to stop.

As the candles were blown out on the cake, George leaned in to ask, �Is this a
Granger special?� At her happy nod, he added, �Then I want a huge piece!�

�Me, too,� added Ron from is spot a little away from her. �I love your cakes,
Mione!�

Ginny pulled out a knife and said, �My goodness, girl, it�s almost too pretty
to cut.�

Hermione smiled at her and felt Draco�s hand on the middle of her back rubbing
small circles. Knowing there were still some people there that held a grudge
from their past, she refrained from announcing Draco�s role in the cake. But,
Snoop caught her eye and she blushed at the wink sent her way.

Soon, all that was left of the cake were crumbles and Ginny sent the empty
platter zooming into the kitchen to be cleaned with the mounds of other dishes.

Draco leaned in and laughed, �Bet she wishes for a house elf or two about now.�

�Oh stop, you snob,� Hermione laughed.

�Still on that spew kick, love?� he asked softly.

�S.P.E.W.� she replied automatically. But, then a shiver ran through her as she
felt his warm breath tickle her ear and she closed her eyes and leaned back
into him, �Mmmm.�

�Geez, I think I�m going to puke,� Ron�s voice drawled, drawing everyone�s attention
to him. �Can�t you at least not do that in front of us!�

Everyone�s gazes flew from Ron�s look of extreme annoyance and disgust to Draco
and Hermione, who stood with his arms around her from the back and Hermione
holding his hands. While Hermione appeared sad, angry and disappointed, all
Draco did was stare back at the redhead with a look of mild annoyance.

No one spoke as they waited for the dam to break.

Snoop�s fierce grip on his arm and her loud clearing of her throat finally got
through to Ron who turned a little red in the silence.

�Okay, look. I have put up with him being here all damn day. And, I haven�t
said a word. But, I don�t have to stand for her being pawed by that git in
front of everyone!�

�Ronald!� several voices said at once.

�Maybe we should leave,� Hermione said to Ginny and Harry. �We have to get to
my parents anyway.�

�Mione,� many people said to try and stop her, but she shook her head and
started saying goodbye to people.

Harry and Ginny walked them into the house to floo to her parents.

Harry actually held his hand out to Draco, �Sorry about that. But, uh thanks
for coming.�

Draco smiled at Harry and shook his hand, �No, thank you. I had a nice time,
Pot�Harry. You weren�t so bad to hang around with after all.�

Harry joked, �Yeah, as long as there�s a game on TV.�

Both men laughed as the women said their goodbyes.

�You don�t have to leave you know? Everything was going so well.�

�I know,� Hermione answered, �but, that sounded like just the beginning of one
of Ron�s rants and I just can�t today. I had too much fun to let him ruin
everyone�s day. It�s best we get going.�

Teddy came running in with Albie trailing behind, �You didn�t say goodbye!�

Hermione turned to address the boys, but found them standing next to Draco
looking up at him.

He looked a bit shocked at first, but then kneeled down and tickled Teddy as he
ruffled Albie�s hair, �Sorry about that, guys. I can�t forget my two new
friends now can I?�

Albie fell into him and gave him a sloppy kiss and hug, and all three adult
watching were mildly shocked to see him accept it with a laugh and a returned
hug. Teddy rolled his eyes at his younger brother and tried to be more adult.
He held out his hand for Draco to shake and said, �When will you come back, Mr.
D? You promised to show me how to beat Daddy at Wizard�s Chess.�

Draco took Teddy�s hand and shook it before he pulled him in for a brief hug,
too. He glanced briefly at Harry and Ginny before he answered, �As soon as I
can. Or, I can show you the next time you come over to visit your aunt, okay?�

Teddy nodded and then leaned in to Draco�s ear, cupped his hand around his
mouth and said in a child�s loud whisper, �You were good today, just like Mommy
asked; no yelling at all, even during the game. I like you, even though Uncle
Ron doesn�t. And, I didn�t tell anybody your secret, so that you can tell Aunt
Mione that you love her yourself later, okay?�

Draco�s head fell forward in his embarrassment and Hermione let out a little,
�Oh!� Ginny looked wide-eyed from one to the other, but Harry let out a loud
guffaw. �Never trust a five-year old with a secret Draco!�

Teddy looked indignant, �What? I didn�t tell anyone!�

Draco stood up and ruffled his hair again, �No, you didn�t, buddy. Thanks.�

Draco wouldn�t meet her eyes as he said his goodbyes and thank yous to everyone
one last time. And, Hermione couldn�t wipe the smile off her face as she gave
Ginny one last hug and stepped into the fireplace.

As they righted themselves after stepping out of the fireplace at her parents�
house, she turned to look up at him with a bright smile, �Keeping secrets with
Teddy, huh?�

Draco blushed a little, but looked her in the eye, �I had planned to tell you
myself. Not quite that way though.�

�Well?�

Neither noticed her parents enter the room as he put down the bags he was
holding and turned her to face him, �I love you, Hermione Jane Granger. Very
much.�

She stepped closer and went up on her toes to kiss him lightly, �I love you,
too, Draco Malfoy.�

�Well, isn�t that a nice entrance,� her mother called out.

They jumped apart and turned in surprise to the older couple.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

After Hermione and Draco flooed away, Harry and Ginny shooed the boys back out
to the party and returned to their guests. When they reached the back yard,
they noticed that conversation was more quiet and stilted than before, and they
saw Ron and Snoop off by themselves talking.

Harry squeezed Ginny�s hand and said quietly, �We�ll handle it later, okay?�

Ginny�s stiff, angry stance relaxed and she nodded and pasted on a smile.

Soon, the party went back to normal, although much of the conversation centered
on Draco and Hermione and their relationship, as well as Ron�s reactions to it.
Neither Harry nor Ginny would comment on the missing couple, except to say they
had had to leave to get to her parents on time.

But, once the party ended, and the children had been put to bed, things finally
came to a head.

Ron walked into the kitchen with the last of the items from the party and saw
that only Ginny was in the room finishing up the dishes. Thinking it was Harry
she turned with a smile, but it fell quickly when she saw her brother and she
turned away with sniff.

Ron sighed heavily, �Okay, out with it.�

�I�m sure I don�t know what you are talking about,� she answered stiffly.

�Yeah, right,� he mumbled. Then he thrust his hands in his pockets and said,
�Look, I�m sorry, okay?�

Ginny calmly turned off the water and dried her hands. Then she turned to look
at him and asked, �About what exactly, Ronald?�

He looked away from her and sighed, �Making Mione leave early. I didn�t mean to
really. I just saw that ass put his hands on her and kind of flipped, I guess.�

�Is that all?� she incredulously.

�What do you mean, is that all?� he asked back defensively. �What more do I
have to be sorry for!�

She shook her head at him and walked out of the room in disgust.

�Wait, a minute, dammit, Gin,� he said as he followed her into the living room.
�Seriously, what else do you think I need to apologize for? I was civil all
damn day! I didn�t say a word to that git!�

�Exactly!� she exploded. �You didn�t even try to give him a chance, did you?
Your BEST FRIEND asked you to give her boyfriend a shot and you couldn�t even
do that for one damn day!�

�I don�t have to. I know who he is and what he�s after!� he shouted into her
face.

Harry stepped up and put his hand on Ron�s arm, �Calm down, mate.�

Ron had had enough and pulled away from them, �No! This is ridiculous. I will
not have all of you making this my fault! First, Georgie, and now you, two!�

�Three,� Percy interrupted from where he stood in the corner of the room.

�Oh, don�t you start!� Ron spit out. �You don�t know anything about it!�

George stood up from his seat next to Angelina on the sofa and said, �But, I do
and you�re being an ass Ron. Like it or not, she�s with him. Get over it!�

�Get over it!� he sputtered. �Have you forgotten who it is we�re talking
about!�

Molly harrumphed, �WE�RE talking about a man that our Hermione seems to like
and who makes her happy. YOU�RE still talking about a boy who didn�t know his
ass from his elbow!�

�Didn�t know wha�Are you freakin� kidding me! Malfoy, remember! Death Eater,
only out for himself and his pureblood bloody family! Malfoy!� he shouted.

�I hate to say it, you know I love Hermione like my own daughter and I want her
happiness above all else, but I agree with Ron on this,� Arthur Weasley added
as he stood by his youngest son. �That whole family is nothing but evil
trouble!�

�Arthur, listen�� Molly began only to be cut off by her husband.

�No, Molly. You listen this time. I have known Lucius since we were boys. He
was horrible then and he only grew uglier as he gained his family�s power and
money. And, that woman he married was just as bad. They can only have raised
the devil�s own spawn!� he spat.

�Yeah,� muttered Ron. He was happy to finally have someone on his side.

Arthur continued, �I think it best we get Hermione away from that boy as
quickly as possible. She�ll get over it and move on, but at least she won�t get
hurt!�

�Arthur, you�re being as ridiculous as Ron!� Molly sighed.

�Oh, thank you!� he said sarcastically. �Just because I agree with my son, I�m
ridiculous.�

�I didn�t call you ridiculous, I said how your acting��

�Mom, Dad, can we get back on topic?� Ginny interrupted them.

A heavy silence fell and finally Angelina rested her hand on her rounded
stomach and said softly, �Ron, Fleur and I both talked to him today. And, yes,
before you yell at me, too, I do remember what he was like in school. Too well.
But, he�s different now. That was not the same guy we used to know.�

Ron looked around the room and actually shook in anger. Before he could explode
again, Charlie said tiredly from the chair he shared with his wife Cynthia,
�Look, I was in that war, too, Ron. We all were. But, that was five years ago.
None of us are the same. Why can�t you wrap your thick head around the fact
that he might have changed, too?�

Ron sniffed and folded his arms across his chest and turned to Bill, the only
one who hadn�t commented. �Wanna take a shot at me, too?�

Bill shook his head and sighed, �Nope, you are doing a fine job of making an
ass out of yourself without me helping.�

�I can�t believe we�re actually fighting over this!� Ron said as he ran a hand
through his hair. �Why can�t any of you understand? I�m not the bad guy here!
He is! He got people killed. And, he enjoyed it! If not for him, Fred might
still��

Snoop went over and took his hands, �Ron, stop. Listen to yourself. That war
wasn�t Draco�s fault. And, neither was Fred�s death.�

�But, Georgie he�� he interrupted.

�I know. He was there and on the wrong side. But, you said yourself, he paid
for it.�

�Yeah, but that was to save his own butt after he was captured!� Ron spit.

�What else would you expect?� Ginny said. �He was alone and facing Azkaban! Of
course, he was saving his butt. But, he didn�t run. He didn�t deny anything. He
took his punishment and faced all that he�d done.�

Harry decided it was time to tell Ron the truth of Draco�s actions in hopes
that Ron would start to see reason. This fighting was tearing everyone apart.
�Ron, Draco was never actually captured.�

Both Snoop and Ron turned to him in shock, and Harry looked around to see
matching looks on everyone�s face, save Ginny and Percy�s.

�There wasn�t enough evidence at the time to charge him with much of anything.
The Aurors and I went there to get his parents, not him. We planned to
confiscate everything we could and put those two away.�

�But, he spent two months in Azkaban,� Ron said in his confusion. �He was
guilty!�

�Yes, he was,� Harry nodded and sat on a chair. �But, Ron, he turned himself
in. He came to me and confessed to things we didn�t even know about. He gave up
information about things we only had general ideas about and helped The
Ministry get more people than we ever would have.�

Ron fell back into a chair, �But, he WAS guilty. He did horrible things.�

Snoop sat on the arm of his chair and patted his arm as Harry continued, �That
he did. Not as bad as I wanted to think at the time, but enough to get him put
in Azkaban for a while.�

Percy took up the story, �But, if you�ll remember it was only two months,
Ronald. That�s because Mr. Malfoy proved useful to the ministry. And, he did
seem actually remorseful. He earned his forgiveness for his actions and paid
for his crimes.�

Ron shook his head at the new information, �Okay, so the git was sorry for all
he did, and turned himself in, but that doesn�t mean he�s actually changed.
Come on, Malfoy on the side of all that�s good in the world? Please! He�s using
Mione, and I won�t stand for it.�

Ginny bristled at this, �What exactly could he be using her for, you idiot!
What? He can�t just be attracted to her for who she is?�

Snoop joined in to defend her friend, �Yeah, honey. Don�t you think Hermione
can get a man just because of who she is? She�s smart, pretty, self-sufficient.
She has a lot to offer! Maybe you just can�t believe any man would really want
her!�

�Georgie,� he sighed, �that�s not what I meant.�

�Or, maybe you just can�t see her with anyone, but you,� she added with an
understanding look on her face.

Ginny realized what Snoop meant and added, �Yeah, Ron. You were in love with
her for like half your life. Maybe it�s not so much that you can�t see her with
Draco, maybe you just can�t see her with anyone.�

Ron shook his head at both women and grabbed his wife�s hand, �No. I have
considered that and that�s not it. I know she deserves to be happy. To find
love. And, I want that for her. But, you guys don�t get it, it�s not her, it�s
him! I know you lot want to think he�s changed, oh so much, but he�s a Malfoy!
He�s got to be using her to get something. And, when he�s got it, he�s going to
crush her. I just can�t stand by and let that happen. I can�t believe all of
you can!�

Molly leaned forward and asked, �Okay, Ron, Arthur, let�s say you two are right
and we�re all wrong. What if he is using her for whatever nefarious purpose?
What do you propose we do? Go over there, bring her back to England and strap her to a bed
until she gets over him? Or, maybe you think we should all keep harping on her
until she either breaks it off with him or with us?�

�She loves him, Ron,� Harry added. The look of horror on Ron�s face was almost
funny, but no one laughed. Harry continued, �If you keep pushing this, we lose,
not him. I, out of everyone here, get how you feel, but you have got to try and
calm down about this.�

Ginny nodded, �I honestly believe Draco loves her, too, Ron. You don�t have to
like it, but you need to accept it. For her. You�re pushing her away, don�t you
see that?�

Angelina added, �Like I said, he�s not the same guy we knew back then. Give him
a chance.�

Ron looked from one person to another and sighed heavily. He couldn�t make
himself accept Hermione with Malfoy. But, he didn�t want to lose her,
especially to HIM.

�Okay, okay. I�ll leave it. But, when he finally shows his true colors, I�ll be
there. And, all of you will see that I�m right.�

Snoop shook her head and patted his hand, �That�s all we ask, honey.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
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Love and Forgiveness