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The Pianist	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 13338 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own HP, JK Rowling does. I make no money doing this.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
“Fuck!”

Hermione giggled and blushed, looking down at the sexy little frock she’d purchased at the spur of the moment before they’d hopped on the port key to Venice. It was a black lace teddy with a g string, nothing overly extravagant but sexy just the same. At least Draco approved.
“Do you like?” she asked, batting her eyes coquettishly.
“I’d like you in a burlap bag, but that’s fucking sexy.”
She blushed harder, amazed at how self-conscious and shy she still was around Draco. He’d shagged her rotten every chance he’d gotten and still couldn’t keep his hands off of her. But in their time together, she’d gotten to know him much better. She knew that he hated asparagus and paisley prints, had a fondness for coffee, and would rather cut off his arm than go without shaving for a few days. They’d even had a few fights, but the making up was amazing.
It had taken a few weeks to convince Rose to stay with Ron, and Ron to accept Scorpius as well. But something that Draco had said that night at the concert hall had struck a chord with the normally stubborn red head and he relented. There were rules though. Rose wasn’t allowed anywhere near the bedroom Scorpius would sleep in and was to be supervised during their time together. The children didn’t care, so long as they got to be together and Scorpius didn’t have to stay with Lucius or Astoria.
“Come here,” Draco drawled, shaking her out of her thoughts.
She walked towards him slowly for effect. And maybe so she could ogle him as well. He looked amazing in his low slung silk pajama bottoms. She’d gotten her hands on every inch of his sculpted physique and she still couldn’t get enough. She wondered if this was what honeymooners giggled about. She certainly hadn’t felt that way with Ron, but she was starting to now. If she could just run away with Draco for a few weeks, she was sure they wouldn’t make it past the bedroom door the entire time.
“Damn you’re sexy,” he breathed, watching her crawl up the bed towards him. She blushed again and ducked her head. He clicked his tongue and brought her face up to meet his. “I mean it.”
He pulled her into his lap, kissing her deeply. She relaxed into him, allowing him to take control. She got lost in memories of their day. They’d had an amazing lunch, taken that gondola ride complete with an absolutely horrible serenade, walked in Casanova’s footsteps, strolled St. Mark’s square at sunset, and had a moonlit picnic by the canal. Now they were about to have an amazing evening in a lavish suite complete with silk sheets and rose petals on the pillows. But just as he started peppering her jaw with kisses, her phone rang. She sighed and went to find her purse.
“Can’t even leave for one bloody day,” Draco huffed.
She frowned when she saw the read out and answered cautiously. “Jennifer?”
“You’ve got to come right now!” Jennifer shrieked in her ear. “That Lucy guy showed up and Ron’s dueling him but he’s done something to Scorpius!”
Draco apparently heard every word because he sprang out of bed and reached for his clothes, donning them hurriedly before stuffing their belongings in the bag. Hermione caught her clothes as he tossed them to her and started stumbling into them, trying to figure out what was happening.
“Jennifer, what happened exactly?”
“He said something in some language and Scorpius started bleeding. Oh, hurry. He can’t move!”
“Fuck,” Draco roared. “Hang up. We’re leaving now.”
“We’ll be there in a minute, okay. Stay calm.”
She snapped the phone shut and stuffed her feet in her shoes before digging the portkey out of her purse. It was her official Ministry port key, to be used in emergencies only. If ever there was an emergency, this was it. Draco snapped their bag shut and grabbed on to her and the little golden muggle whistle. She spoke the activation word and felt the sickening tug behind her navel.
When they landed at her flat, she immediately yanked the bag from Draco’s hand, threw it down, and apparated them to Ron’s house. Ron was in the side yard, furiously exchanging hexes with Lucius, who looked a lot less frail than he had before.
“That bloody bastard,” Draco growled. “He’s leaching from Scorpius.”
“What?”
“He’s taking his strength. No wonder he can’t fucking move.”
She didn’t have time to question as Draco charged into the duel, easily knocking Lucius down to the ground with a single blasting charm. Then he stomped on the older man’s chest and began muttering something in Latin. She watched in horror as an apparition of Scorpius rose from Lucius’s chest and floated back into the house. There was a bright flash, she assumed from Scorpius, and Draco cut the spell. Then he punched Lucius in the nose.
“FUCKING BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU HURT MY SON!”
“Draco,” Hermione squeaked, trying to calm him down.
Draco looked over to her and took a deep breath before turning back to Lucius and punching him in the temple, knocking him out cold.
“Bind him Weasley,” Draco snapped before running to the house.
Ron wasted no time wrapping Lucius in rope and taking his wand. “Go on Hermione,” he said gravely. “I’ll call the Aurors.”
She raced inside, skidding to a stop when she got to the den. Scorpius was lying in the floor in a pool of blood looking deathly pale. She wanted to vomit. How had Lucius become so unhinged as to hurt his own grandson like that? Rose was rocking back and forth beside him, one hand clutched around his and the other around her knees.
“Come on son, wake up,” Draco muttered, uttering charm after charm.
Finally Scorpius came to with a groan. “Hurts.”
“I know,” Draco said. “But I’m here. You’re going to be fine.”
“No. Curse. Permanent.”
“Shit,” Draco whispered. “No. No, no, no. Not my son.”
“What is it?” Hermione asked softly.
Draco wasted no time ripping Scorpius’s shirt off. Hermione gasped in horror when she saw the angry red wound. It was… what was it?
“The Malfoy coat of fucking arms,” Draco said bitterly. “Meaning that he’s set the curse in the wound. Scorpius will never be able to take less than a pureblood wife. Hell, I doubt he’ll even be able to touch less than pureblood people.”
Rose shot backwards. “Oh gods, did I hurt him?”
“Ow,” Scorpius groaned. “Bloody hurts.”
Draco nodded grimly. “It will hurt worse when it sets. I’ll not let him do this. Not to my son.”
“Draco, what do you mean?” Hermione asked.
He looked up, his face haunted. “I’m going to take it.”
“What?”
He sighed. “It’s not set yet. I can still take it. I’m sure that’s what his plan was all along.”
“No,” she said, her hopes and dreams crumbling like dust before her.
“I have to.”
She shook her head, knowing all the while that he was right. Tears streamed down her face. She was losing him again.
“I love you,” he said, tears in his eyes. “But I can’t let this happen.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I love you too.”
He closed his eyes and pulled a two way mirror from his pocket. “I can’t do this alone. I… gods I don’t even know if he’ll come.”
Hermione knew who he meant immediately. Snape. “What does it require?”
“A rare potion that only the highest skilled potion master can brew. He actually happens to have a bottle. I helped him brew it, thinking it a mere exercise. Irony?”
“Always,” she said bitterly. “Anything else?”
He huffed. “What else? Just a dark spell.”
“Call him,” she said softly.
Draco nodded and flinched when Harry raced into the room. “What in the bloody hell happened?”
Hermione blinked back her tears and took in her friend’s appearance. He’d obviously been dragged from his bed to answer the call. His trainers were untied and his untucked shirt was buttoned up wrong. His auror robes hung in a drape over his shoulder.
“Lucius,” Draco said in a dead voice.
“Oh Merlin,” Harry breathed, taking in Scorpius’s curse wound.
Draco nodded and gazed into the mirror. “Toby Phoenix.”
“Isn’t that your potions master, Hermione?” Harry asked.
Hermione silenced him with a wave of her hand and watched the mirror. It didn’t spark to life and Draco was starting to lose it. She yanked it from him and took it to a corner so no one would hear her.
“Damn it Severus Snape, you better answer,” she whispered.
“What the bloody hell is going on?” Snape growled, his face flickering into the mirror.
“Well we tried the other name but you didn’t answer,” she snapped stalking back over to Draco and handed him the mirror.
“Well?” Snape drawled.
Draco merely turned the mirror so Snape could see the cursed wound.
“Merlin’s bollocks,” Snape breathed. “What in the bloody fuck is going on?”
“Lucius,” Draco said softly, turning the mirror around. “I’m going to take it… and I need your help.”
“How long?”
“About fifteen minutes from what I gather,” Draco said, looked back at Scorpius with a pained expression.”
“I’ll be there in five,” Snape said. “Just give me the location.”
“Weasley’s house,” Draco said. “In town right down the road from the Burrow.”
Snape nodded. “You will owe me.”
Draco nodded. “I know.” He snapped the connection and put the mirror away before taking Scorpius’s hand. “It’s going to be all right.”
“W-who was that?” Harry asked softly.
Hermione looked at him in tears. “Someone who can help.”
Harry was pale as a ghost. No doubt he’d recognized Snape’s voice. It wasn’t exactly non-descript. She felt horrible for everyone in the room and sorry for herself as well. She wanted to go outside and murder Lucius herself and then curl up in a little ball and cry her heart out. She jumped when Draco’s hand landed on her knee. She scooted closer and allowed him to hold her one last time.
“Where’s Lucius?” Draco asked numbly after a few minutes.
“Still outside,” Harry said. “He’s been stunned and petrified on top of bound and disarmed. I… I haven’t called anyone to take him away yet.”
Draco’s eyes were dull and lifeless as he stared up at Harry. “Thanks Potter, but it’s too late now.”
Harry’s eyes narrowed. “No. That can’t be it. Not after everything.”
Draco laughed darkly. “Well, why don’t you ask the expert then, hmmm?”
“Expert?”
“He means me, Mr. Potter,” Snape drawled as he entered the room. Harry spun so fast he toppled over, stumbling halfway across the room to brace himself up with a wall.
“No bloody way.”
Snape smirked but it quickly slid off his face when he laid eyes on Scorpius. He gingerly picked up his robe hem and stepped over the blood, kneeling with the grace Hermione remembered from her younger years. His wand was out in an instant, waving back and forth with the precision of a marksman. The words were melodic but they made her skin crawl. She could practically feel the darkness creep out into the room. Scorpius started coughing up blood and the potions master frowned, stopping the spell work.
“Say your goodbyes Draco,” Snape said softly. “We have to do this quickly. He’s too weak to sustain the curse much longer.”
Draco yanked Hermione closer to him, turning her head so he could look into her eyes. “It’ll be worse this time. I know exactly what I’ll be missing.”
“There’s got to be another way,” she choked.
“No time,” Draco said sadly before crashing his lips over hers. The kiss was brief, too brief, but it had to be. He pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I love you. Always.”
She hugged him as hard as she could. “I love you forever.”
And then they were being pulled apart. She watched in fascinated horror as Snape poured a bit of the potion on Scorpius’s chest and then dabbed some on Draco’s after he’d exposed it. Then he poured some more down each of the Malfoy’s throats, chanting in low tones. Draco cried out in pain, falling to the floor. His fingers dug into the carpet as blood started flowing from his chest. Both he and Scorpius screamed as a dark purple light enveloped them and then they were still.
Hermione crawled over and lay down beside Draco, facing him. She put her hand mere inches from his, not willing to touch him. He was breathing too heavy and it worried her. She watched in a daze as Scorpius sat up and allowed Snape to scourgify the blood away. He was once more blemish free. Rose tackled him to the floor, hugging him as they both cried. Draco slowly opened his eyes and gazed into hers. He looked like he was in an immense amount of pain and she wanted desperately to take it away. But there was nothing she could do.
“I still love you,” he whispered and reached out, grazing her fingertips.
She jerked back when he growled in pain. “Stop. You’ll hurt yourself worse.”
“Worth it,” he said sadly.
“No,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes, fresh tears falling from them. She joined him, weeping for what could have been and what would be no more. The room spun in and out of focus, pieces and parts jumbling in her mind. She saw Jennifer in the doorway to the kitchen with a look of sheer terror, clutching Sarafine to her chest. Hugo was wrapped around her leg. Lisa sat on the floor at their feet, tears streaming down her face. Scorpius and Rose had managed to scoot next to them, still crying and holding each other for dear life. Harry and Ron stood in the entrance, matching looks of disbelief on their faces. And Snape, he was calmly cleaning up the blood like he’d done it every day. She shuddered, realizing that for the better part of twenty years, he had.
“That can’t be it,” Harry said, his words startling her. “It just can’t be.”
Snape sighed and stowed his wand away after vanishing the potion bottle. “I’m afraid the other option isn’t feasible.”
“What other option?” Harry growled.
“It’s a pure curse, Potter. Only pure blood can counteract it. And it can’t be in his direct bloodline.”
“So Andromeda is out,” Harry muttered.
Snape nodded. “And even if you did find a pureblood, no one would be willing to pay the price.”
“What price?” Harry asked.
“The curse is a binding curse. It takes an hour to set and binds the person to that specific set of rules for a lifetime. In Draco’s case, it will not allow anyone of less than pure blood to contact him skin to skin. Once set, it is unbreakable, even if Lucius were to know the counter, which I’m sure is why he chose it. Draco can’t break it after Lucius dies either. But it’s based on blood purity. If you found a pureblood willing to perform the counter before it sets, then he will be shot of it.”
“Doesn’t sound so bad,” Harry said.
Snape scoffed. “The only way to counteract a binding is with another binding.”
“What, like a marriage?”
Snape rolled his eyes. “There is more than one kind of binding, Potter. There are three main types, family, brother, and lover.”
Harry frowned. “What’s the difference between family and brother?”
“A family bonding is used by older purebloods to adopt in the case of not having an heir. If someone were to bind with him in that way, they would essentially adopt him and take away his Malfoy name. That isn’t an option because the Malfoys also happen to have a curse against that too. A brother bond, on the other hand, is not a family bond. It’s more like… loyalty… a pledge if you will. It was common among warriors. They would take it before entering battle to lessen the fear of betrayal and to negate the effects of long lasting dark curses.”
Harry frowned. “So like… an unbreakable vow to have each other’s back?”
“More than that actually. The binding will allow the two to feel each other’s feelings and in some cases, during the binding, they will experience pieces of each other’s lives. They say it helps with understanding in case of unfriendly bindings.”
“So if a pureblood that isn’t directly related to Malfoy binds with him as a brother, or sister I suppose, then they’ll have to experience each other’s pasts?” Harry asked.
“Precisely,” Snape said. “And furthermore, they will be able to sense each other’s moods. It does lessen over time but they say it can be quite overwhelming at first.”
“How long does he have?” Harry asked.
Snape frowned. “Twenty minutes, half an hour tops.”
“And then?” Harry asked.
Snape sighed and looked down at Draco and Hermione. “They’ll never be able to touch each other again. It’ll burn Draco when he does, down to his very magical core. Too much exposure and his magic will deplete. It will hurt her as well, zapping her magic with each touch instead of a gradual build.”
“Blimey,” Harry whispered.
“How close am I?” Ron asked, making half the room turn to him in shock.
“What was that Mr. Weasley?” Snape drawled.
“How close am I to Malfoy in blood?”
Snape frowned. “Arthur’s mother was a Black but she was blasted from the tree if I recall correctly. Therefore, while you are cousins, your blood is unrecognizable to other Blacks after that generation and by the way of marriage, Malfoys.”
“Andromeda was blasted off the tapestry,” Harry said.
“But she is in Narcissa’s generation,” Snape countered. “And she was blasted after Narcissa married Lucius. The blood still recognizes her. Why, Mr. Weasley, would you ask?”
Ron took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Bind us.”
“WHAT?” everyone seemed to shout at once.
Ron frowned and walked over to Hermione, kneeling beside her. He reached out and grabbed her hand. “As much as I hate to say it, Malfoy was right. I… I did take advantage of you. And I really didn’t try as hard as I should have. I did expect you to just love me. But… I see how you look at him… and how he looks at you. I listened to Rose and Scorpius blather on about how much they’d love to become siblings and how sad they were that you two couldn’t be together. I… I was angry for so long. And come to find out he did help us, and you. I… I love you Hermione. You’re my very best friend. I can’t stand to see you like this. So… so I’ll bond with Malfoy.”
“Weasley,” Draco sighed. “You do realize that you’ll be sensitive to me.”
“Yes you git,” Ron growled. “I know you hate me and believe me, the feeling is mutual. But we do have something in common. We both love Hermione. So consider it me doing this for her. Besides, I’m the only pureblood right here right now.”
Draco frowned and looked at Hermione, his face softening. “Okay.”
“Very well,” Snape drawled. “Kneel beside Draco, extend your left hand.”
Hermione forced herself to sit up and watch as Snape took out a dagger and sliced then men’s palms before putting them together. Then he muttered a few words and wrapped their hands with a thin piece of cord he conjured. He brought their joined hands over Draco’s seeping curse wound, Ron’s hand to Draco’s chest, and took a deep breath before transfiguring the dagger into a wicked looking needle several inches long. He started chanting again, louder, more melodic. The room grew cold and Hermione shivered, jumping when Harry draped his cloak around her. She clutched onto his hand and watched in horror as Snape stabbed the needle through both men’s hands and into Draco chest.
Their screams were the stuff of nightmares. She’d only heard something that awful when they were destroying one of Voldemort’s horcruxes. Her stomach dropped down with Ron fell on top of Draco. Blood poured out of both of their noses and mouths. Lisa, Rose, and Scorpius had to hold Jennifer back to keep her from running towards them. Being a muggle, she didn’t really grasp how serious interfering would be. Hermione scooted closer into Harry and tried to stay quiet. He scooped her into a one armed hug and held her tight against him. All the while, Ron and Draco were screaming.
A dark green bubble formed around them, making it hard to see what was happening. Snape stood back and chanted a few more things before ending with a flourish of his wand. The green bubble didn’t disappear though. He stood still, his black eyes focused on the bubble.
“Why didn’t it go away,” Harry asked.
Snape’s eyes flickered to his and then back to the bubble. “The binding has been made. Draco’s curse is broken. But they must still experience their pasts. It could take several hours.”
“Will they be okay?” Jennifer squeaked.
Snape’s face softened as she turned to her. “They will be fine Mrs. Weasley, though I dare say they will have a hard time in the beginning. They had vastly different upbringings and they’ll have to work through that before they can move on.”
“So much blood,” Jennifer whispered.
Snape nodded. “An unfortunate side effect of a binding. But fear not. It will not drain them. The spell doesn’t want them to die, and so it won’t allow it.”
Jennifer wiped tears out of her eyes and batted her mahogany hair from her face. “There’s so much I don’t understand about magic.”
Snape gave her a gentle look, an odd look on the dour man’s face. “There are things that wizards and witches don’t understand about magic, especially the darker branches. It is not unusual to feel a bit lost in the presence of it. I suggest we leave these two be for a while. Perhaps we could have a cup of tea in the kitchen?”
Jennifer nodded, stumbled to the kitchen, and sat the baby down in the high chair before fumbling around for the kettle.
“Let me,” Hermione said weakly, making her way across the room, albeit shakily.
No one said a word until they were all seated at the table with their respective cups. It was Harry who finally broke the silence.
“Where in the bloody hell have you been?” he seethed, staring at Snape with dozens of emotions swirling in his eyes.
Snape sighed and set his cup down. “Retired, Mr. Potter. I stayed with the Malfoys until I was healed and then I left for America. Call it… a journey to find myself.”
Harry looked down and studied his cup for a while, fingering the brim while he tried to process everything. “I never got to thank you.”
“There was no need,” Snape said softly. “It is in the past. Leave it there.”
Harry looked up and blinked. “Have you made peace with it then?”
Snape gave a curt nod. “I have moved on. I suggest you do the same.”
“But I have so much I’d like to talk to you about,” Harry said softly. “So many regrets.”
Snape scoffed. “You think I don’t have them?”
“I never said you did,” Harry growled and then rubbed the bridge of is nose. “Don’t you get it? You… you’re the only one left really. I just… wanted to talk. You know what? Forget it.”
Harry started to get up but was stopped by a hand on his wrist. “Wait,” Snape said softly. “Perhaps… perhaps it is time that we should.” Harry’s eyes filled with hope as he sat back down. Snape growled. “But understand that I have no wish to return, Potter. Nor do I want my survival spread to all and sundry. I’m quite happy where I am and it is a much better life not being hounded by the bloody press at every turn.”
Harry laughed bitterly. “Fair point.”
Snape nodded curtly and turned to Hermione, who had tears in her eyes. She’d wished for that moment since she’d first learned Snape had survived. “Hermione, might I borrow your mirror? I’m afraid I left mine in my rush to arrive.”
“Oh, um,” she frowned. “I think Draco has it.”
“Ron has one,” Jennifer said softly. “I’ll be right back.” She fled up the stairs.
“You think she’ll be okay?” Lisa whispered.
“Your mum’s tough,” Rose said soothingly. “She’s just got to get used to it, that’s all.”
“Think your dad can get used to it?” Lisa asked.
Rose blew her bangs out of her face. “I recon they’ll both have some interesting times ahead.”
Scorpius laughed. “If only grandfather could see it. He hates Weasleys, says the only thing worse than a Weasley is a Mudblood.” He blushed bright red. “Sorry!”
Rose nudged him. “You shouldn’t repeat what he says.”
“I know,” Scorpius said softly. “I… I’m sorry.”
Rose rolled her eyes. “You can stop apologizing now. I know you didn’t mean it like that.”
Snape smirked as Scorpius ducked his head.
“Shit, Lucius,” Harry cried and jumped up to run outside.
“Save your breath, Potter,” Snape said. “He won’t be going anywhere for a very long time.”
“What did you do to him?” Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head. “Don’t ask. For the love of Merlin, please don’t ask.”
“Astute as always Hermione,” Snape said with a smirk. He turned when Jennifer came back in, mirror extended. “Thank you Mrs. Weasley.” He took it and held it out. “Penelope Snape.”
“Oh Severus,” Penelope said, relief evident in her voice. “Is everything all right?”
“It will be. I’m afraid I shall be a few more hours yet. Give the boys my apologies.”
“Here, tell them yourself.” Penelope said. “They’ve all been waiting up for you.”
“Dad!” Snape’s boys yelled into the mirror. “How’s Uncle Draco?”
“He’ll be fine,” Snape said soothingly. “But I am afraid I will miss our lesson for tonight.” He waited patiently for the groans to stop. “To make up for it, we shall have two tomorrow.” Hurrays sounded out and Snape fought back a smile. “But you must be off to bed now. Do not give your mother a hard time or I shall have to cancel lessons tomorrow as well.”
“Yes dad,” the boys said in unison.
“Good night boys.”
“Night dad.”
“Thank you dear,” Penelope said.
Snape gave her a soft smile. “I will be home as soon as I can.”
“Be safe. Give everyone my love.”
“I will,” Snape said. “Goodnight darling.”
“Goodnight sweetheart,” Penelope said. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Snape said softly before breaking the connection and handing Jennifer the mirror.
Harry had a goofy grin on his face. “You got married.”
“Well spotted,” Snape said sarcastically.
“And how many brats do you have?” Harry asked cheekily.
“I do not have brats, Potter,” Snape said with a smirk. “I have three highly intelligent boys and one beautiful little girl.”
“Takes after her mother then,” Harry said softly.
Snape narrowed his eyes. “Yes she does. I would hope your brats do the same.”
Harry laughed into his tea and the rest of the table followed. To see the former enemies picking at each other was a sight and a sort of calming balm to everyone. When tea was finished, the children were sent to bed, regardless of the oldest ones’ complaints.
“How will it change them,” Jennifer asked after a few hours.
Snape sighed. “I’m sorry I can’t answer that question.”
“You said they had vastly different upbringings?”
Snape nodded. “While Mr. Weasley was raised in a loving home filled with laughter and warmth, he grew up in poverty. He always had to deal with hand-me-downs and second-hand items, always felt as if he stood in the shadows of his older siblings, even his sister since she was the only girl. Still, he was well cared for, well fed, and despite his temper, he was taught that love and forgiveness was most important. He has a close-knit family, a strong sense of loyalty, and plenty of familial support.”
Jennifer nodded. “He’s a good man.”
“Lazy dunderhead,” Snape said with a scowl. “But I have to say he is a brilliant strategist.”
Jennifer sniffed and shook her head. “And Mr. Malfoy?”
“Draco was spoiled rotten, given anything his heart desired… except the one thing he truly craved.”
“What was that?” Jennifer asked softly.
“The love and approval of his father,” Snape said darkly. “He was raised in the lap of luxury, never having to lift a finger, but he had to play the perfect son. He wasn’t allowed to run and play, rough house as young boys are want to do. While his mother loved him dearly and coddled him when she could, his father was very harsh, pounding pureblood doctrine into him from the cradle. If he didn’t live up to expectations, he was verbally berated… or worse. He grew up in a cold home where love was portrayed as a weakness and loyalty was bought with money or shady deals.”
“Sounds horrible,” Jennifer breathed.
“He persevered,” Snape said. “He was brilliant but arrogant. And like all children of his time, he was forced to fight in a war he didn’t truly understand until it was too late.”
“How much longer?” Hermione asked softly.
“Shouldn’t be long now.”
They only had to wait another half hour before the men started shuffling around. They went back to the den to find Draco and Ron on opposite sides of the room. They were both covered in blood, wide eyed and panting, staring at each other in horror. Neither one appeared able to speak, or even come to terms with what they had seen.
“Are they okay?” Jennifer asked.
Snape quietly walked over to each, scourgifying them and checking their vitals. “They should be fine. I’m told the experience is quite traumatic.”
“N-no shit,” Ron squeaked.
“Ah, Mr. Weasley. How lovely of you to join us,” Snape said dryly.
“Hermione,” Ron whispered. “You… you slept with him?”
She knelt in front of him and nodded. “Sixth year.”
“Why… why didn’t you say anything?”
She looked away, ashamed. “What was the point?”
“The point?” he squeaked. “The point was that you bloody slept with him! You loved him and you… you just let me think that you-“
“No,” she said fiercely. “I did love you, Ron. I still do. But… but I didn’t love you the way you loved me. And I’m sorry, okay? I… I really thought I could make it work. We’re best friends. Everyone expected us to be more. And… and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have… but… but it didn’t matter then.”
“Didn’t matter,” Ron whispered.
“Not really,” she said quietly. “Draco was marrying Astoria. He couldn’t marry me and I didn’t want to sit and pine away for something that would never happen. So I moved on… or I tried. And…and I never meant to hurt you.”
Ron stopped her with a hand on her mouth. “I get it,” he said quietly.
“You do?”
He nodded. “I get a lot of things now.”
“What did you see?”
Ron shuddered. “I’d rather not say. But I get it now. I still don’t like the git, but I understand. And I’m sorry too. But I guess it worked out for the best, yeah?”
“Oh Ron,” Hermione cried and hugged him fiercely. His embrace was warm and comforting and for the first time in a long time, she realized she could have been happy with him. But he was right. Things had worked out for the best.
“Dad?”
Hermione let go of Ron to see Rose peeking out from the corner. “Rose, you should be in bed!”
“I… I wanted to see if they were okay,” Rose whispered.
“Never better,” Ron said dryly and Rose ran over to him, throwing herself in her lap.
“Daddy.”
Hermione walked over to Draco to allow Ron and Rose some time together. She breathed a sigh of relief when they muttered their apologies to each other.
“See, worked out,” Draco said softly when she sat beside him.
She reached a cautious hand out, breathing a sigh of relief when he didn’t grunt in pain. His hand slid around her waist and pulled her closer, though his hold was very weak. She curled into him, laying her head on his shoulder.
“Hufflepuff,” she said affectionately.
He chuckled, wincing a bit. “One too many sessions with mother and a muggle telly set to those awful soap operas.”
Hermione smirked. “Draco Malfoy watches muggle soap operas?”
“Shush you,” he said, dropping a kiss on her temple. “She loves the stories. And they’re quite addicting.”
Hermione giggled, picturing Draco and Narcissa glued to a telly while they ate little finger sandwiches with their tea. He tickled her side and she scooted in a little closer. “So was it horrible?”
He sighed and rested his chin on her head for a bit. “Probably worse for him.”
“How do you feel now?”
“Still don’t like the git.”
“But?”
He sighed. “I owe him. Big time. And I feel a bit… hungry.”
“Hungry?”
He nodded. “Does Weasley have any memories that don’t involve food?”
Hermione laughed and settled in to watch Ron and Rose reconnect.
“Where’s my father?” Draco said after a while.
Snape smirked. “Outside. He’s been taken care of.”
“Oh, well, sorry I missed it,” Draco said lightly.
“What exactly did you miss?” Harry asked.
“Go on and see for yourself, Potter,” Snape said, giving a long suffering sigh. “Merlin knows your curiosity will kill you if you don’t.
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“Don’t tell me you’re nervous,” Ron said as she straightened her simple blue dress for the twelfth time in as many minutes.
“Of course not,” she lied.
Ron laughed and pulled her into a hug. “He’s just as nervous you know.”
“And that’s really creepy,” she said, allowing him to hold her for a minute or two.
“It’s really a pain in the arse actually. I don’t want to know how Malfoy’s feeling, but I don’t really have a choice.”
She sighed and pulled back, kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you… for everything.”
He gave her a sad smile and cuffed her chin. “Anything for my best mate, right?”
She nodded and swiped a tear from her eye. “Damn. I told myself I’d stop doing this.”
“We both love that about you, you know,” Ron said.
“What, that I’m a sap?”
“That you have such a soft heart,” Ron countered. “It’s entirely too easy to fall in love with you.”
“And Jennifer?”
Ron gave her a goofy grin. “She’s just as sappy, only she doesn’t try to free house elves.”
“Ronald!”
Ron chuckled and dodged her slap. “Easy slugger. You’ve still got a wedding to attend and you don’t want your best man injured, do you?”
She rolled her eyes and nudged him. “Suppose not.
“Come on then. Your man is getting impatient.”
“When is he not impatient?”
Ron chuckled. “Do you really want to know?”
“No, I think I can live without knowing that,” she said quickly, blushing profusely.
Ron grinned and waved, marching down the aisle to take his place on the opposite side of Snape, who was wearing his non-descript blonde look again. They had all had a great deal of fun when the press got wind that there was a mysterious bloke standing in for Draco’s best man. The guesses were sometimes a bit too close but amusing none the less. Someone even guessed that Draco had managed to befriend the muggle Minister of France.
“Ready dear?”
Hermione turned and beamed at her father. He was getting grey in his old age but she thought he was still handsome. She took his arm and allowed herself a deep breath. This was it. She was finally getting married to the man of her dreams. Harry and Ron were supportive. Her family was happy for her. If her father wasn’t holding her up, she would have fainted dead away by now.
She didn’t really pay attention to the ceremony. Draco’s eyes were much too captivating. He held her in a soft stare the entire time. But her ears perked when the priest ask if there were any objections. She was sure there would be some. After all, Draco was a known Death Eater. She was the poster child for muggle-borns. And then there was Lucius. She smirked at that thought and breathed a sigh of relief when everyone was silent.
“At this time, the head of the Malfoy family will come and give his blessings for this bonding.”
Draco gave her a subtle wink as Lucius clambered up to the front and hastily wrapped their hands together with a pure white strip of silk embroidered with the Malfoy family crest. If someone looked closely, they might be able to see the slight jerk in his movements or perhaps a flicker of hatred pop into his eyes. But Snape had covered his tracks well. Lucius was seen as the embodiment of change, giving millions to muggle-born charities and volunteering to help the new muggle-born students ease their trip into the magical world. And his grandest gesture? Lifting the Malfoy family curse… and insisting he give his personal blessings as their binder. It was a binding no one could break. Not even if he managed to break the dark spell controlling him.
“I now pronounce you wizard and wife,” the priest said as the cloth disappeared into their skin in a burst of pure gold magic. “You may kiss your bride.”
Hermione’s breath left her as Draco planted a deep passionate kiss on her lips. She knew what he was feeling… relief. They were finally together… for better or worse.
“May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy!”
They turned to see their guests clapping, some hooting and hollering with joy. Rose and Scorpius, their second attendants, were giving each other thumbs up signs. It was everything she could ever hope it would be.
“I really hope this party isn’t going to last forever,” Draco said under his breath as he lead her down the aisle and out into the reception hall.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I’m not sure how long I can keep my hands off of my sexy wife.”
She blushed looked down at the floor. It had taken them until the following Christmas to decide to marry. Well, it had actually taken Lucius that long to be amenable to it, under careful guidance of course. Narcissa was on board immediately, warming up very quickly. She was also pleased to see her old husband return and no one had the heart to tell her the truth, though they knew she probably suspected. In that time, she thought she knew Draco better than anyone. They’d made a point to talk every day, trying to make up for years of being apart. She wasn’t sure she could love him more and he’d do something that made her heart melt… like buying a small cottage like he’d talked about so many years before, complete with a croup puppy and a ginger cat since Crooks had died several years earlier.
“May I have your attention please,” Scorpius yelled, drawing everyone’s attention over to the side of the reception hall. He was standing in front of a baby grand piano. “Rose and I would like to say that we’re glad that our parents finally decided to get married.” He waited for the applause to die down with a wide grin. “And we figured, since it all started here, maybe it should continue. So… dad… um… mum? Would you care to take a spin?”
Hermione had to blink tears away again. Scorpius had taken to her almost immediately, insisting he call her mum, since she’d be more like one than his real one. Astoria had pretty much washed her hands once the engagement announcement was made. She couldn’t understand it but Scorpius had taken it quite well.
“We’re not exactly dressed for the part, son,” Draco called.
“Well, get undressed then,” Scorpius huffed.
Draco chuckled and leered at his new wife. “What do you say, love?”
She blushed profusely and shook her head. “I’m not stripping.”
“Then how about a wardrobe change?” She spun to see Andrei holding out a deep blue dance outfit, complete with tights. “Sans shoes of course.”
“You planned this,” she breathed.
Andrei grinned and pulled Ivan out from the crowd. The shy muggle ducked his sandy blond head and waved. “Actually, it was his idea.”
Hermione shook her head and walked over to accept the clothes. “Thanks.”
Ivan blushed. “You’re welcome.”
“And something has changed,” she said with narrowed eyes.
“He finally broke the news,” Andrei whispered loudly.
“Congratulations,” she said warmly and Ivan blushed again. She did adore Andrei’s partner. No matter how much Andrei said he was no shirking violet, the man always seemed to be sweet and shy.
“Dressing room is that way, koroleva,” Andrei said with a wide grin.
She sighed and hurried to change. By the time she was done, Draco was sitting at the piano in his vest top and trousers. She knew if she looked, he’d be barefoot. He was never really comfortable playing in full dress, though he could certainly do it. She’d heard him several times. But he said his happiest moments were playing in the dead of night for his mother, when he’d just throw on a pair of trousers and play. She bowed to him and took her position.
When the first notes started, she dropped her jaw in shock. She knew this one! It was a muggle rock song but she had to admit that it was beautiful on the piano, if a little somber. But the words rang true. She sang them in her head as she spun, mimicking finding her true love through her dance.
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
She spun and leapt in the air, feeling free as a bird. The music was right. They were together. Nothing else mattered.
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“No, no, no!”
“MINE!”
“No, that’s mine, give it back.”
“MINE!”
“You’re going to ruin it!”
Draco placed a kiss on top of a frazzled Hermione’s head. “They’re at it early this morning.”
She sighed and sipped her coffee. It was just about the only thing that kept her going sometimes. “Why I let you talk me into having another one, I’ll never know.”
“You love them.”
“I said one, not twins,” she grumbled.
Draco chuckled and sat beside her, allowing her to lay her head on his chest. “You’d have ten more and you know it.”
“Four is plenty.”
“We’ll never catch up with Severus with that attitude.”
She snorted. “For a man who hates children, he sure has a lot of them.”
He grinned. “He insists that the sixth was a surprise and the seventh was an accident.”
She fought back a smile. She suspected the truth was that Penelope caught baby fever again and he couldn’t tell her no. Besides, Severus loved his children dearly. And as the creator of the cure for Lycanthropy, he could afford to house them in the manner in which he thought they deserved. It wasn’t opulent but they wanted for nothing. His four boys and three girls were all well versed in potions and DADA, as well as gifted in transfiguration and charms, a specialty of Penelope’s. While Severus was still dead to the wizarding world, he regularly stepped out as the non-descript blond, Penelope by his side.
In fact, they were out and about so much that young Alexander had taken a shine to Lily, something that Harry and Severus had found outrageous, though they dare not try to ban them from seeing each other. No one could say they didn’t learn from others’ mistakes. Everyone else thought it grand. Harry and Snape got on unbelievably well, having worked out their pasts to an end they could both be comfortable with. Things had worked out quite well, actually.
She shook herself out of her musings and glared at Draco. “Well, all together we have six. I’m done.”
“Spoil sport.”
“Twins will do that to a girl.”
He chuckled and kissed her temple. “You’re still as beautiful as the first day I saw you.”
She blew a strand of hair out of her face. “I was eleven with buck teeth and bushy hair.”
He laughed out loud then. “Okay, well, you were still cute, if a bit… frizzy.”
“And bossy.”
“Mmmm. I kind of like it.”
She smirked at him, watching his eyes heat up with lust. Twelve years of marriage and four kids together and he still treated everyday like it was their honeymoon. And he was fond of her taking charge in the bedroom, a concept she really did enjoy. Having the blond Adonis writhing under her touch was highly satisfying… and addicting.
“What’s on the docket for today?” He asked, setting the paper down so he could give his full attention to their plans.
“Rose has a performance tonight but said she was going on a date with Jared afterwards. I think it’s starting to get serious.”
Draco frowned. “Jared… isn’t that the little punk that used to make fun of Lisa in her orchestra for being a bit different?”
She nodded. “Apparently, after Rose slugged him, he had a change of heart.”
Draco chuckled and rubbed his own nose. “Well, a punch can do that sometimes.”
She smirked. “He has changed. He can barely keep from drooling in Rose’s presence and he’s apologized to Lisa.”
Draco nodded. “Well, we’ll see.”
She smirked. Since binding with Ron, Draco had a soft spot for Ron’s children. She continued on with her schedule. “Scorpius and Lisa invited us over for dinner. He said to make sure I had a camera. I think he’s going to propose tonight.”
“Bout time,” Draco mumbled. “They’ve only been dating since fifth year and he’s had the ring for nearly six months.”
Hermione laughed. “How does Ron feel about it?”
“Surprisingly acceptant,” he muttered. “Scorpius asked for her hand almost a month ago. He didn’t seem all that surprised.”
“That’s still weird,” she whispered.
And it was. The first few years, the men had an uneasy truce, though they didn’t fight. After that, they’d grown closer. They still couldn’t play chess together. Their emotions would give them away and they’d end up knocking over the queen and admitting defeat before even one piece was moved. They’d worked through their troubles and while they still weren’t best mates, they did get along well.
Draco snorted. “Agreed. Anything else I should know about?”
“Well, it’s Abigale’s first day at Hogwarts today.”
Draco sighed. “You just had to bring that up, didn’t you?”
“They’ll all go eventually, Draco.”
He sighed. “I know. I remember Scorpius’s and Rose’s first day.”
Hermione chuckled. “That was something, huh?”
“I still have that little quidditch player,” he said suddenly.
Hermione fingered her music box necklace. It had dozens more on it, each with a perfectly beautiful story. All she had to do was open one of them and close her eyes and she was back in the ROR again, dancing for a boy who’d lost his way. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The Hogwarts school song,” she said softly, fingering the tiny red and gold music box he’d given her the day Rose had gone off to Hogwarts. “Music really did change everything.”
Draco pulled her into his lap and kissed her deeply before pulling backwards and grinning. “It really did.”

AN: There ya have it. Hope I sovled all your delimmas for you. I even gave it an extra fluffy ending, which is completely opposite of how I feel at the moment. As always, thanks to everyone who reveiwed. Keep them coming and maybe Muse will pop her little snobby arse out here and give me an ending for Fooling Fate that you guys can be proud of. Until the next one... love you guys!
The song for the wedding is : Nothing Esle Matters by Metallica. But... look it up under Scott. D. Davis to hear it on piano. It's amazing.
*I'm working on formatting issues so bear with me guys. Sorry. That should have fixed it. I hope. :(
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