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Love and Forgiveness	By : HarryGinny4eva Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 16328 -:- 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
- 6
- 7
- 8
CHAPTER 19

At her parents� house Hermione pulled back from Draco and ran over to her
parent�s waiting arms, �Daddy! Mom!�

�Hey, babygirl,� her father smiled. Then he turned to reach out a hand to Draco
as he laughed, �And, I see you�re this Draco fellow we�ve heard so much about.�

Draco shook his offered hand, �That I am, Mr. Granger.�

Not letting go of her daughter, her mother beamed at him, �Well, I�m Julie and
this is Rich. Come on you, two, let�s go have some tea.�

Hermione�s parents were warm, friendly people, and despite her nervousness at
having to introduce them to Draco, he won them over rather quickly. They knew
of him from their daughter�s years at school, but trusted Hermione enough to
give him a chance. His declaration of love for their daughter had made them
forget completely the boy they had heard so much about, and aim to get to know
the man Hermione clearly loved.

After tea and conversation, where her father grilled Draco on his future plans,
changed beliefs, and general intentions towards Hermione, they sat down to a
comfortable dinner.

It was later as they taught Draco how to play the card game Uno, that
her mother asked their plans for the next day.

Hermione shrugged, �Well, not much really. I do want to take Draco to see my
primary school and show him around the neighborhood, but I hadn�t really
planned anything else. Why?�

Her father played a card and laughed, �Your mother wants the family to meet
your young man.�

�What? Mom,� Hermione whined, �how many people did you invite?�

Draco laughed, �Ashamed of me are you, love?�

�What! No,� she answered.

�Honey, it�s just a few people,� her mother answered and played a card. �Just
the family.�

Hermione sat back in her chair and asked her father, �My number of few, or
hers?�

Rich shook his head and laughed, �You know your mother.� Then he looked at
Draco and said, �Julie doesn�t know the meaning of a few. Son, you�re about to
get your fill of us muggles.�

Later that night, Hermione sat on her bed dressed in an old night shirt as she
listened to Draco moving about in the guest room next door. She heard her
parents talking in their bedroom and smiled at the comforting sounds of home.
She laughed to herself as she realized they had uncharacteristically kept their
bedroom open, she guessed to keep an eye on her and Draco.

She was still a bit miffed with her mother and the �small� party she had
planned for them, but she looked forward to seeing Draco interact with her
aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. And, she had missed her family. She
had already warned him that most of them did not know she was a witch, so magic
wasn�t to be performed, and explained the cover story about her being away at
boarding school all those years. Before parting for bed, he had even seemed to
be partially excited about meeting them after she had tried to kiss some of his
trepidation away.

She thought back on their conversation as she flipped to a more comfortable
position on her childhood bed.

�Wow, you really are nervous!�

He flushed a little and she saw his gaze flick over to the kitchen, where
her parents were cleaning up.

He nodded and swallowed, �Yeah, I am. It�s just going to be so weird.�

She laughed and took his hand, �Are you calling my family weird?�

�No,� he smiled at her. Then he leaned back a little on the sofa and looked
at her seriously, �It�s just what your father said earlier keeps playing in my
head.�

�What did he say?�

��you�re about to get your fill of us muggles,� Draco said and shook his
head. �I�ve lived twenty two years on this planet and you were the first
muggleborn I ever spoke to that I was aware of. I mean, my parents and their
friends were the only people I knew until school. Then, well, you remember, I
wasn�t so keen on getting to know anyone who wasn�t a purebl�well, like me.
And, you were a witch, so it wasn�t like you were really a muggle.�

She looked at him and wondered where all this was headed, �But, you see and
talk to muggles every day at home?�

�Yeah, kind of,� he shrugged. �But, it�s more like they exist and I exist
and I pass them every day, but until Beth, I hadn�t really ever talked to one.
Really talked to one. Then, meeting your parents tonight. I didn�t know what to
expect, and I was ready for anything, but they�re ��

�Yeah?�

He looked at her and grinned, �Normal.�

When she laughed at his incredulous look, he continued, �I don�t know what I
thought they would be like, but I guess I never expected them to be so, just,
normal. I mean, they have a witch for a daughter, and they can�t do magic, but
they love you unconditionally, and are just�parents. I guess I didn�t expect to
like them so much.�

He smirked at her, �I guess I thought this would be a really strange weekend
filled with all kinds of muggle customs I wasn�t aware of, but��

�But?� she prompted.

�But, I like them,� he confessed. �And, magical or not, they�re good
people.� He laughed to himself, �Man, would Father keel over if he ever heard
me say that. I, Draco Malfoy, like a set of muggles.�

She laughed with him, �And, what would your mother say?�

He reached out and ran his hand through her hair. As he watched the myriad
of colors shine through it, he answered honestly, �Depends on the day. Maybe
nothing more than �That�s lovely.� But on other days, that it was a mark of my
good breeding that I was able to accept creatures less than myself. But, not to
get carried away and get too friendly with them.�

�Wow. But, that�s so�� she didn�t know what to say that wouldn�t sound mean, so
she stopped.

�I know,� he laughed a little. �Bigoted, backwards, stupid. But, that�s who
they are and after all this time, I�ve learned to live with it. I don�t agree
with them, but they are my parents and I love them. We aren�t as comfortable
with each other as we used to be, but they love me, even if they don�t fully
understand me.�

�I�m sorry,� she whispered. Then a thought occurred to her, �Do they, uh,
know about me? Us?�

He looked her in the eye when he answered, �Yes. Are they happy about it?
Yes and no.�

�Oh?�

�Well, they aren�t happy in the least that I have chosen a muggleborn witch
to, as Father put it, �spend my spare time with�, and they aren�t looking
forward to us visiting any time soon, that�s for sure. But, since they knew who
you are, and they respect you for your intelligence and all you�ve done,
although very begrudgingly, they figure it�ll make them look good to say we�re
together, so they�ve chosen to accept it.�

She sneered, �Well, gee, thanks! I�m only good enough for you because I make
them look good?�

He laughed at her disgruntled look and kissed her softly, �According to
them. But, since I am still trying to figure out how I will ever be good enough
for you, I think we can ignore their issues for the time being.�

She lost her sneer. �Draco, I like you just the way you are. Now, that is. A
few years ago not so much,� she teased and laughed. Then she remembered what
had started the conversation, �So, back to the beginning, if you like me, and
my parents, and Beth, why are you so nervous about meeting the rest of my
family?�

�They�re all muggles,� he answered as if that explained it all.

She looked at him in confusion and asked, �And?�

�What if I screw something up and embarrass you? I mean, I know how to act
at a family event at my house; formal manners, ballroom dancing, seven-course
meal, conversations about who�s who and such. But, being at Ginny and Po�Harry�s today, I got to see that�s that not how
everyone acts at family gatherings. They were loud, the music was a crazy mix,
there were all kinds of foods, people just everywhere, children everywhere,
unruly really. But, it was, I don�t know�kind of fun to be so carefree for a
while.�

When he remained quiet, lost in thought, she prompted, �Well, your birthday
party wasn�t all stiff and formal. You know what it�s like to have fun.�

He looked at her and shrugged, �Yeah, but that was different. Just a bunch
of friends hanging out. Everyone there knew about magic, Mi. And, I knew
everyone. I have no idea what to do with your family. What do I talk about? I
don�t know anything about the muggle world. Your other world. What do we eat?
What games are played other than Uno? Are there current events I should
know about? What do I say if they ask what I do? What if I screw up and disapparate
a table or something?�

She giggled at his pout, �Oh Draco, honey, you�ll be fine. Just be yourself.
They already want to like you, because I do, so all you have to do is show them
why I love you so much. They�re people, just like you and me. Like my parents.�

Her parents called out goodnight to her one last time, breaking into her
memories, and she heard their lights click off. Then she heard the bed next
door creak and she sighed at the thought of Draco in bed so close to her. She
wasn�t brave enough to sneak over to the room, but she wondered what he looked
like when he slept. What he wore. With another sigh she turned off her lights
and lay back on the bed. For the next fifteen minutes she tossed and turned as
thoughts of him, his lips, and their morning in her kitchen ran through her
head.

Every time she closed her eyes an image from the day would come back. Draco
kneeling next to the boys looking adorable. Draco kissing her goodnight. The
look of desire on his face as he kissed his way down her body that morning. His
declaration of love in her parents� living room. She moaned softly and rolled
onto her stomach. Then she heard the bed next door squeak again and whispered,
�Night, Draco.�

She closed her eyes once more and tried to get to sleep, but her mind kept
racing.

Argh! I wish I could just�duh! I�m a witch!

She eased out of bed and tried to make as little noise as possible. Then, she
reached for her wand and flicked it at the wall. She giggled quietly as a door
appeared and then tiptoed over to it.

Just as her hand reached the knob, it turned and there he stood with a smirk,
�Took you long enough.�

She took in his black silk sleep pants and naked broad chest and with a smile
she fell into his arms. As their lips met in a heated kiss, he picked her up
and reached out to close the door. Their lips never parted as he walked the two
of them to his bed. But, before he could lay her back on it, she stopped him
and took out her wand.

�Squeaky,� she whispered and pointed to the bed. Then she quickly charmed the
bed springs to make no noise and turned back to him with a shy smile.

With a wolfish grin he answered in his regular voice, �I put a silencing charm
on the room the second that door appeared.�

She laughed and jumped on him, �Good thinking.�

�Well, you do get a bit loud,� he teased as he laid her back on the bed.

She blushed, but held his stare, �You aren�t so quiet yourself.�

�That may be, but I only lose control like that with you,� he purred in her
ear.

A thrill ran through her as he kissed her neck and nibbled his way down her
collarbone on his way to her chest. Her fingers found his head and she slid her
fingers through his hair. She sighed at the feeling of it and then pushed him
back, so she could roll him onto his back. She then leaned forward and kissed
him, bracing her hands on either side of his head as she got up and straddled
him.

He was a bit surprised, but didn�t stop her. And, as he felt the heat from her
body press down on him, he groaned and reached up to fondle her breasts. When
she arched into his hands, he slid his thumbs over her hardened nipples and
felt her body quiver against his. His body answered with a shiver of his own as
her tongue found his ear and her hips rolled against his. He wanted nothing
more than to rip off their little bit of clothing and end the torment, but he
figured she wouldn�t appreciate that in her parents� house, so he settled for
sliding his fingers under the edge of her underwear to caress her butt and pull
her closer.

She knew this wasn�t the best time for them to finish what she had started, but
she couldn�t pull away. His scent, musky, yet clean, called to her and she
couldn�t get enough. She kissed him and sent her tongue in to drink in his
taste. Her hips seemed to move of their own accord and as the sensations pulsed
through her, she wanted more. When his long fingers finally found her and one
slid into her core, she moaned and fell against him. It wasn�t enough.

She opened her eyes and met his blue grey ones in the dim light.

�I love you,� he said softly, as he watched the pleasure play on her face.

She leaned down, kissed him softly and then pulled back.

When she stopped moving her hips and sat up on him, he looked at her in
question, �Mi?�

�Shh,� she answered with a smile. She ran her hands down his chest and sighed
at the feeling of his muscles shifting under her hands. He moved a little under
her hips and she felt his hardness press up against her.

Her decision was made.

She stared into his eyes as she said, �I love you, too.� Then, with a murmured
chant, their clothes were gone and she felt his length against her moist heat.

Draco lost his breath at the feel of her naked body pressed against his. He
held her stare as he slid a hand down to her hip, but otherwise remained as still
as possible, not wanting to jump to any conclusions.

She smiled softly at his unspoken question and leaned down to press her chest
against his. Then she nibbled along his jaw until she reached his ear, �Make me
scream, Draco.�

That was all the encouragement he needed and he smirked, �I thought you�d never
ask.�

She smiled and sat back up to move off of him, but he held her in place and
smirked, �Uh uh, you started this, you�re finishing it.�

Her eyes widened and a blush crept up her cheeks as she confessed, �But, I�I
don�t�I don�t know what to do.�

He whispered a contraception charm and answered, �Just keep going and do what
you feel.� Then he moved to sit up against the headboard with her on his lap.

She was unsure, but didn�t want to stop, so she did as he suggested and started
to feel. She moved her hands up to his hair and ran her fingers through it as
she leaned in to kiss him once more. As the fire was already stoked, it didn�t
take long for her soft, searching kisses to turn hard and demanding. His hands
slid over her and lit tiny fires along their path, until she was once again
moving against him.

Draco was shaking as he tried to keep from flipping her over and plunging into
her. But, he held himself in check and slid his hand down to find her warmth.
Her hips jerked against his hand and she groaned and sighed his name.

As his finger moved against her she rolled her hips to his rhythm and gasped
his name, �Drac�Dra�Dra��

He inhaled the scent of her and their arousal and leaned in to devour her lips
once again.

Hermione had always thought about this moment as huge, monumental. She had
thought about how it would happen; how it would feel. And, she had prepared
herself for the pain. But, in the moment, with this man, there was no planning,
no thinking. There was only feeling as she lifted her hips to slowly slide down
his pulsing length.

Draco kept himself from grabbing her hips and slamming her down against him,
and felt the moment she tensed against him.

�Okay?� he asked.

Hermione had expected a sharp pain, or at least a dull aching feeling. She
hadn�t expected the feeling of fullness or completion that overrode any amount
of discomfort.

�Mmmm,� she answered. �I love you.�

She raised and lowered herself experimentally as his hands slid down to grasp
her hips. His low groan, intense stare and clenched jaw, let her know of his
pleasure. She sighed his name and set her rhythm.

�Mi�I love�love�love you,� he gasped as he felt her heat engulf him. When her
pace increased and she whimpered in his ear, he slid his hand down to help her
reach completion.

�Dra�.ohhh,� she said loudly and then exploded around him.

The clenching of her walls around him and puffs of air against his neck as she
gasped his name and shivered against him, breached his last hold on his
control.

�Gods, Mi,� he groaned as he took control. Without leaving her he changed their
position until she was under him and he could grind against her to his own
rhythm.

Their new position allowed him to reach deeper and fill her more than before.
With her first orgasm still pulsing in her blood, she felt another wave build.
He kissed her deeply as he picked up speed and she wrapped her legs around his
hips to hold him closer. When the wave broke over her again, she heard her own
guttural cry of his name.

Draco felt her entire body clench around him again and let go. He chanted her
name and how much he loved her as his body emptied into hers. And, she rubbed
his back as he calmed.

When she could breathe once again, she laughed and whispered, �Wow!�

He raised his head from her shoulder and smiled at her, �Yeah.� He moved off to
the side and pulled her over his chest, �Are you okay? Did I hurt you?�

She smiled at his concern and traced circles on his chest as she shook her
head, �Yes, and no. Was it�I mean, was I��

She felt his chest shake as he laughed, �Are you kidding me? You were perfect.�

�Oh,� she answered. Then she raised her head and looked up at him with a smirk
worthy of him, �I bet I could get even better with more practice.�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

CHAPTER 20

The next morning Hermione awoke spooned next to Draco and felt his even breath
against her neck. She smiled at the naturalness of it and marveled at what had
occurred the previous night. Several times. They had only been asleep for a
couple of hours, but she knew she needed to get up and showered soon, as her
mother was big on serving a full English breakfast on Sunday mornings.

She started when Draco mumbled in her ear, �Mi, love?� but he didn�t say
anything else. He just pulled her closer, inhaled deeply and sighed a little.

Talks in his sleep, huh?

She stopped herself from giggling and slid from his embrace. Then she picked up
her clothes and placed his neatly on the chair by the desk. Hermione then moved
back to the bed to indulge her fantasy of watching him sleep. Her smile widened
when he pulled her pillow to his face, sighed her name once again, and
continued to sleep.

He looks like a sexy, fallen angel. And, he�s all mine!

She leaned over, placed a kiss on his forehead, went back to her room and
resealed the wall.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Draco woke to an empty bed and the smell of Hermione on the pillow. Then he
heard her moving about in her room and closed his eyes once again to relive the
night before. A part of him hoped she didn�t regret it, she hadn�t seemed to,
and he knew he didn�t, but he wanted to see her to confirm it for himself. As
he thought back on the night he decided that of all the nicknames women had
tried to give him over the years, Dra was his new favorite and one he wanted to
hear again really, really soon.

When he heard her bedroom door open and listened to her pad down the hallway to
the bathroom, he was sorely tempted to go join her. But, he assumed neither she
nor her parents would appreciate it. He heard her parents go down the stairs to
the kitchen and heard Hermione humming in the shower and decided this
definitely ranked in the top ten of the best mornings of his life to date.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

The morning past quickly, and although neither was really awake enough to go
out sightseeing, there was no way to explain the reason why to her parents, so
they went. As they walked the neighborhood holding hands, they spoke of the
night before and expressed their desire to get back to The States. She showed
him her childhood haunts and they shared stories from their lives before they
met. And then, as they neared the house, she told him about things she had seen
on the news that morning, in case anyone brought something up at the party and
once again tried to calm his trepidation about messing up in front of her
family. By the time they returned to her parents� house, her family had already
started arriving and she felt him grip her hand more tightly.

Over the next hour, Draco was pulled into one exuberant hug after another as he
met her family. It amazed him that she had so many people in her life that he
had never considered. It was like she had a completely other life that he
wasn�t a part of, though he found he wanted to be. He floundered a little when
left alone with anyone, but was soon able to repeat her story about him just
starting his career as a �police officer� with ease. Due to their earlier
conversation he was able to laugh with her cousins about the state of the
London Wasps rugby team, and comment on how strange the Prime Minister�s recent
actions had been when he talked to one of her aunts. He only slipped once, when
he referred to her father as a muggle, but his comment was quickly lost when one
of her younger cousins broke a glass in the other room and everyone went to
check on him. He didn�t remember most of their names and didn�t understand much
of what they talked about, but he soon realized he enjoyed their company and
felt very comfortable with them. He was surprised by his ease with them and
theirs with him, but very pleased.

A few hours later Draco pulled her aside to kiss her softly, �I like your
family. And, your Grandmother is one funny woman.�

Hermione laughed, �I�m glad. They like you, too. And, Grams said I should hold
on to you because you have a sexy walk.�

�Oh really,� he smirked and leaned down to kiss her neck and up to her ear.

She felt her body warm to his, but laughed, �But, Granpa Granger said I
shouldn�t trust your walk and that you looked to pretty to do any real police
work.�

�So, your Granpa thinks I�m pretty, huh?� he asked with an eyebrow wiggle.

�Oh, stop,� she laughed with him.

They stood together and looked out over the party. Hermione�s family was more
conservative and laid back than he would have thought. The adults lounged in
groups and talked, while the children played kickball in the lower part of the
yard. Soft music played in the background as her father and uncle manned the
grill and kidded each other about who was the better cook. Julie flitted from
group to group checking to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. Initially, he
had been shocked by how her family had accepted him without question. But,
Hermione�s pride in him and her family made him feel more comfortable than he
ever had before with a group of strangers. They accepted him without
reservation and treated him like family.

Her family was comfortable and happy just being together and their love flowed
easily to one another. It was like nothing he had ever experienced. His history
had proven that love and acceptance went hand-in-hand with how much one had
accomplished or how much power one held. Being with her family was so very
different, but he realized it was how he hoped to live and be with her someday.

With Hermione Granger. Huh? Did I mean that? Wow, yeah I did. I do. I know
it�s too soon, but wow. I want this with her. Gods, our kids will be gorgeous
and brilliant. Hogwarts won�t have seen anything like them since�well, us. Ha
ha ha

He smiled against her head as he smelled her apple scent, �It�s funny how
different this is, though. I mean, it�s like there�s four different worlds.�

She looked up at him, �What do you mean?�

He smiled and shrugged, �Your family, The Potter-Weasleys, my, we�ll call it
more reserved, reclusive and slightly uh, stuffy family, and then our life in
The States. All so different. Each nice in their own way, well, maybe not mine
so much, but so completely different, you know?�

�Is that good or bad?� she asked, as she wondered which he preferred.

He knew that sound to her voice and pulled her closer to peck her on the lips,
�It�s all good. But, I think I like us best.�

She smiled up at him and nodded, �Me, too.�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Draco and Hermione got back later than they had planned to her apartment. But,
with the time difference it was barely six at night. With one last long kiss he
went home to get ready for the week. Hermione went about putting her things
away and was surprised to hear her cell phone ring in the other room. She ran
out to get it and saw his number.

�Miss me already?� she laughed.

�Of course,� he answered. �But, uh, are you still dressed?�

�Yeah, why?� she asked and heard laughter in the background.

He laughed and said, �We�re coming over.�

Before she could ask who �we� was, he had hung up and she heard the pop of
apparition behind her. She turned around to see Draco, Blaise and Beth, who was
swaying against Blaise dizzily, smiling at her.

�What�s all this?� she asked as she put down her phone.

Beth launched herself at Hermione, �We eloped!�

�What? Who? When? How!� Hermione sputtered.

Blaise laughed and picked up the tiny blonde to twirl her in a circle,
�Married. Us. Yesterday. Vegas.�

Hermione stared openmouthed from one to the other, �Huh?�

Draco laughed and went over to her, �That was my reaction, too.� Then he turned
to the beaming couple, �So, now that we�re all together��

�Snoop!� Beth interrupted. �I have to tell her, too!� She ran to the phone and
dialed the number.

�Hey! Get over here to Mione�s now! I have news! �No, nothings wrong,
just�Snoop, just come over here�well get dressed�okay, hurry!�

She hung up and turned back to smile at the rest of the room. It was only a few
seconds before both Snoop and Ron popped into the room.

Ron immediately demanded, �What happened, Mione!�

Snoop turned to see Hermione and Draco standing together smiling and gripped
his hand hard. �Beth said SHE had news, honey.� Then she turned to her friend
with a smile and said, �Well, I�m here. What�s the big news?�

Beth�s face was radiant as she held her left hand up to show off her shiny, new
ring. As Snoop squealed and sputtered in much the same way as Hermione had
done, Blaise held up his matching ring and said, �We eloped yesterday!�

All but Ron were dying to hear all the details and everyone took a seat as they
told their tale. Ron stayed away from the group and tried to pretend Draco
wasn�t in the room. He ground his teeth together at their easy familiarity with
each other. And, when he saw Draco playing with Hermione�s fingers, he got up
and went to get a drink in the kitchen, so that he didn�t leap across the room
and strangle him.

Everyone else did their best to ignore Ron�s actions as they listened to Beth
and Blaise�s story, laughing as they overlapped each other in the telling of
it.

�So, with all of you gone, we were left to our own devices. And, he told me
Friday night that he�d never been to Vegas and I said we should go��

�And, she called and got us a room for the night and I apparated us there��

�And, we had the best time. He was so funny learning Blackjack! He kept
counting on his fingers��

�Thanks, Bethy,� Blaise laughed. �So anyway, we were having a blast��

�And, he let me play with his money �cause you know I sure couldn�t afford to
gamble all night in Las Vegas��

�And, then we went for a walk��

�It was getting hot in there, and kind of stuffy��

�So, we were walking down the street looking at all the lights and stuff��

�And, this couple came running out of this little chapel, looking so happy��

�They were trashed, hon,� he laughed.

�But, they were happy,� she retorted. �So, as we�re walking by, I said how
sweet it looked and he agreed.�

Draco looked at his friend and asked shocked, �So, you guys just went in and got
married!�

Beth and Blaise laughed and Blaise shook his head, �Nah, man. We passed by the
place, but it got us talking.�

Beth looked up at him and smiled, �Yeah. We talked all night. About
everything.�

�What we wanted in life. Who we want to be��

�How much we had in common. How we want the same things��

�And, I told her how much I liked her and how sexy she is��

�And, I told him I didn�t think I could ever find someone who understands and
accepts me like he does��

�And, the sex is amazing��

�Blaise!�

�Well, it is��

�So, anyway, we hung out all day today and just kept talking��

�I know I have never talked to one person that much in my life��

�He told me about stuff from when you guys grew up, stuff I didn�t know from
Mione��

�I confessed, she means��

�And, I told him I thought I could really grow to love him��

�And, I said we should go ahead and get married then and deal with all the
bullshit later��

�And, I laughed and said, yeah right��

�But, I told her we had as good a shot at making it work as anybody, and
knowing each other for another year or two wasn�t going to make any
difference��

�He said we were friends who truly liked each other and that since we wanted
the same things and wanted each other��

�She said she wouldn�t let me touch her unless we knew each other better, or
were married��

�I was joking about the married part��

�So, I figured, if it worked for Mel Gibson, it would work for us.�

Hermione was flabbergasted, �So you just went ahead and got married!�

Beth blushed and nodded, �Well, we talked about it a bit more first.�

Snoop finally closed her mouth, which had been hanging open as her head swung
from one to the other in shock. Then she started questioning them, �What about
kids?�

They both answered with matching smiles, �Two.�

�Religion?�

�Christian, but varied a bit,� Beth answered with a smile.

�What about your parents?�

�We called them earlier tonight and told them the news. My folks kind of
flipped, but Blaise�s were okay about it. We�re taking some time off this week
to go see all of them.�

�Did you tell them he�s a wizard?� Hermione asked.

�Well, no, not yet, but they will find out eventually,� Beth answered.

Draco leaned forward, �And, your parents know she�s a muggle? Not just
muggleborn, but a muggle?�

Hermione�s eyes flew to Ron�s face across the room and watched his jaw work
furiously. She knew he wanted to jump on Draco�s statement, but he didn�t. His
face reddened dangerously, but after a few tense seconds, he swallowed back
whatever he had wanted to say and threw back his drink. She almost thanked him
out loud she was so relieved.

Draco continued, �And, I don�t mean that in a bad way, Beth. Not against you
anyway. But, his parents are�well, um, a lot like mine, you know. Not very
tolerant.�

Blaise leaned back and pulled Beth closer, �Yeah, D. They know. People change.
Mom was a bit upset about her potential squib grandchildren, but believe it or
not, Dad was fine with it. He only asked if she was pretty.�

When they rubbed noses and pecked each other on the lips, even Hermione had to
roll her eyes, �Okay, you two. Don�t you realize how important marriage is? I
mean, this is big! It�s not like you can just take it back.�

Snoop nodded, �Yeah, guys, no offense, but you�ve barely known each other for a
month. This is crazy.�

Draco added, �B, I�m happy for you man, if you�re happy, but it�s just a
surprise. Are you sure you thought this through? This is a serious step.�

Blaise nodded, but Beth answered for them, �We know it�s crazy, and fast, and
ridiculous, but I love him and he loves me. It�s going to work.�

�Yeah,� he smiled and kissed her again.

Hermione shook her head as if to clear her mind, �Okay, wait. You love each
other? Since when? Just last week, you weren�t even dating?�

Beth giggled, �Come on Mione, haven�t you ever heard of love at first sight?
Well, ours was more like third sight, but whatever.�

�But, B, you do realize you are married, right? To one woman. Forever.�

Blaise laughed, �Yeah, we talked about that, too. Bethy�s promised to make me
happy enough for that to be enough for me.�

Snoop shook her head, �But, if you didn�t have sex before this wedding of
yours, how can you say it�s great?�

�Well, it has been a few hours since the wedding,� Beth laughed and blushed.

Ron had come back in and heard most of the explanation. Ignoring Draco and
Blaise he asked Beth, �Do you know what you�re getting yourself into, Beth?
Really? Have you really thought this through?�

Blaise stiffened, but Beth put her hand on his knee to calm him. She knew Ron
asked because he cared about her. They had known each other almost as long as
he and Snoop, and she wanted to make him understand. �Yes, Ron, I do. We do. I
know what you think of him, but you don�t know Blaise, not really. You never
did. I know you�re worried about me, but as my friend I�m asking you, actually
all of you, just be happy for us, okay?�

Hermione was the first to respond. She jumped up and reached for Beth, �I am
happy for you, I really am. Congratulations.�

Snoop joined their hug, �Yeah, honey. Congrats!� Then she turned to Blaise and
leaned down to hug him, too, �You, too, Studly. Make her ecstatically happy,
okay?�

Blaise nodded and winked, �I plan to.� But then he looked to Draco, �D?�

Draco smiled at him and reached across to shake his hand, �I can�t say I�m not
surprised as hell, but you know me. If you�re happy, I�m happy. Congrats, B.�

Blaise felt the tension drain from him. He hadn�t realized how much he�d wanted
Draco�s approval until then. They had been through so much together in their
lives, that they were closer than brothers. And, if Draco hadn�t approved, he
didn�t know what he would have done.

�Thanks, man.�

Hermione sat back down and snuggled next to Draco, �So, tell us about the
wedding, since we didn�t get to see it.�

�Well, it was actually kind of fast and simple,� Beth answered. �But, we are
planning to do it again, so everyone can be there.�

�Cool, when?� Snoop asked.

Hermione sat forward, �Yeah, when?�

Blaise chuckled at their excitement, �Told you they�d like that part.�

Beth laughed and answered, �Well, we haven�t gotten all that set yet. I was
hoping you guys would help.�

The girls squealed and went into wedding planning mode, as the guys leaned back
and listened to them plan.

Draco looked at his watch and realized it was after seven. He was hungry and
knew the evening was going to be a long one.

�Pizza anyone?� he called out as he stood up to go order.

Blaise got up to join him and the women called out what they wanted on theirs
and went back to planning. Ron still sat off by himself and didn�t speak. He
was torn. He wanted to be there for Beth, and as her friend, he was happy for
her. Her joy was contagious. But, the other part of him wanted to leave and get
away from Draco and Blaise. He didn�t have any real feelings either way about
Blaise, but talking about love, marriage, and kids with Draco in the room, made
him want to puke.

He jumped and almost reached for his wand defensively when Draco called out,
�Weasley?�

He had to bite back his immediate retort when he saw everyone�s eyes on him.
Without looking at Draco he swallowed and asked, �What Malfoy?�

�Pizza.� Draco spat. He had seen Ron reach toward his wand and watched his hand
flex by his pocket. His immediate urge had been to hex the man into the next
week. But, he knew he had to at least be civil to Ron for Hermione�s sake. He
didn�t like the hothead, but he didn�t want to be the cause of more upset for
her. And, he had to admit, as much as Weasley hated him for the actions of the
past, he had acted the same. He didn�t know Ron as an adult. He didn�t much
want to get to know the man, but he hadn�t wanted to get to know Harry either
and look how that had turned out.

Ron nodded, but refused to look at him, �Yeah, whatever�s fine.� When Snoop
raised her brow at him, he sighed heavily and mumbled, �Thanks.�

Draco nodded stiffly and turned to leave the room with Blaise, but Hermione
caught his eye and mouthed, �Thank you.�

Her smile was his reward.

The rest of the evening went quickly as Beth, Snoop and Hermione started
planning the wedding, Draco and Blaise shared more about their respective
weekends quietly at the bar counter and Ron flipped channels on the television
until he found an American football game and tuned everything else out. By ten
everyone was ready to call it a night. Beth and Blaise were rather quick to
leave as he planned to spend the night at her place. Draco realized then that
they hadn�t talked about living arrangements. Would he now have the loft to
himself? Or was he going to have to find some place else to live?

Hermione and Snoop continued to chat after the couple had left and Ron and
Draco sat in silence as the women pretended they weren�t there. Soon enough
both women decided to let the guys off the hook. Ron hadn�t contributed to the
evening, but he hadn�t stepped out of line either. They didn�t want to push him
too far. Hermione was still hurt and angry with him, but he had partially
redeemed himself by simply keeping his mouth shut for most of the evening. When
the couple stood to leave Hermione gave Snoop a hug and whispered to her that
she would call her the next day with more details about her time at her
parents�. Snoop laughed and whispered back that she would tell Hermione all
about what had happened after they�d left the birthday party.

Both men stood when the women did, but neither acknowledged the other. Ron
seemed to want to hug Hermione goodbye, but since she stood next to Draco, he
only mumbled a quick goodbye to her before he apparated home.

Snoop sighed and looked apologetically at the couple, �Give him time guys.
He�ll come around eventually.�

Draco nodded and looked away. He really didn�t care about Ron�s feelings, but
he didn�t like that Hermione kept getting upset over it.

�Don�t worry about it, Snoop. I�m fine,� Hermione answered. �It�s not your
fight to fix.�

Snoop nodded, but looked at Draco, �I know, HG. Can I be honest with you,
Draco?�

He met her eyes in surprise, braced himself for the onslaught of insults, and
nodded, �Sure. Go ahead.�

�I like you,� she smiled softly. �I know you and Ron have this whole history
and stuff, but you make HG happy, so you�ve got my vote.�

When he just looked at her in shock, she continued, �We all make mistakes in
life Draco; some big, some small. And, from what I�ve heard, you made some real
whoppers. But, if HG, Harry and all the rest of the Weasleys can get over it,
then I have no issues with you. I just thought you should know that. Just treat
my friend like the queen she is, and you and I are good to go.�

Hermione felt a tear slide down her cheek and hugged her friend again, �Thank
you.�

Draco nodded and let out a deep breath, �Yes, thank you. And, not that you
asked, but I like you, too, Georgina.�

�You can call me Snoop,� she smiled as she shook his hand.

He opened his mouth to repeat it, but years of upbringing rebelled at using the
pedestrian nickname and he finally laughed as he shook his head, �No, I don�t
think I can.�

Both she and Hermione laughed with him and then they said their goodbyes as she
too apparated home.

When they finally stood alone they looked at each other in silence for a
moment.

Then Draco blinked and said, �Well.�

�I know,� Hermione nodded. Then a laugh bubbled up, �I still can�t quite
believe it.�

�Me neither. B married. And, happy about it.� He laughed, �We always joked
about marriage like it was some disease.�

She tried to keep her voice light as she looked up at him and then away and
asked, �Is that so?�

He noticed the way her hands fisted together as she turned away. He didn�t want
to start planning his own nuptials yet, even though he saw it in their future.
It was still too soon for them to start talking about it. But, he also knew she
would start over-thinking things if he didn�t act fast.

He reached out to stop her from moving away, �Yes, that�s so, Mi. But, neither
of us had met the right woman yet, I guess.�

�So, it doesn�t sound so horrible now?� she asked, only half joking and not
looking at him.

He put his hand under her chin to force her to look up at him as he answered,
�No. Not any more.�

She smiled shyly and nodded, �Oh. Okay.�

He smirked down at her and then kissed her softly.

She pulled back and asked, �So, have you thought about the fact that you just
lost your roomie?�

He nodded and laughed in relief that the crisis seemed to have passed, �Yeah,
that thought did cross my mind. I have no idea what he wants to do. But, I
guess we�ll figure it out tomorrow night after work.�

Just then she stifled a yawn and grinned, �Sorry. Long weekend, and I didn�t
get a whole lot of sleep last night.�

�I remember,� he smiled wolfishly. �I remember quite well. You know, we could
call in sick tomorrow and��

�No way, buddy!� she laughed and stepped back from him to clear her head before
his nearness made her lose her resolve. �You haven�t even been on the job two
weeks. No calling in sick yet. �

�Yes, mother,� he teased. �One more kiss and then I will be good and leave so
you get some rest. You�ll need it, as I hope for a repeat of last night really
soon. Like tomorrow night.�

She grinned wickedly at his answer and stepped back into his arms, �Well, if
you insist, then I think I can manage.�

He laughed, �Mmm, the lioness is really a sex kitten.�

He saw her blush and open her mouth to retort, but before she could he leaned
down to kiss her goodnight. Then, he whispered, �I love you, Mi.�

�I love you, too,� she smiled up at him, her thoughts completely scattered.

With one last peck, he popped away.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Over the next few days Blaise and Draco talked more about their living
arrangements. It was decided that for the time being Beth would move in with
them in the loft and give up her apartment. Draco wasn�t really happy about the
arrangement, as he felt he was infringing on the new couple�s privacy, but both
convinced him to stay. It helped that Hermione mentioned he could always come
to her apartment if he needed time away from the new lovers. She even told him
to bring a few things over to her place to make it easier to stay overnight, if
need be. They had shared a laugh at his desire to test out the theory
immediately, and had made the most of their first night together in her
apartment. By the end of the week, without ever agreeing to it, or even
mentioning it, Draco had already begun to live with her. Neither minded; it fit
like it was meant to be.

Friday morning as they were getting ready for work, Draco looked over at her as
she put on her makeup and sighed, �If I asked you for a huge favor, would you
say yes?�

�Depends on the favor, Draco,� she answered cheekily. �But, since I haven�t
said no to you yet��

He grinned at her and came up behind her. Bending low he put his arms around
her and leaned in to inhale her scent before he kissed the nape of her neck.

�Well, this is a big one,� he sighed and met her eyes in the mirror.

The look of seriousness on his face made her stomach clench, but she turned and
faced him, �Okay, what is it?�

�Well, um, I got an owl last night from Father...�

She tensed, but nodded for him to continue.

�Well, you see, um, Mother�s birthday is Sunday and she really wants me to come
visit.�

�Oh,� she breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn�t about them or their
relationship. �Then you should go.�

�Well, here�s the thing, she�s having a kind of party and, um, well, she�I��

Hermione arched a brow at him and finished for him, �And, you told her WE would
be there.�

He nodded and looked at her pleadingly, �Kind of, since we�re both off Monday
anyway. It won�t be that bad, I promise. And, if it gets bad or you�re too
uncomfortable, we leave, no questions. Please. I want them to get to know you.
I want them to see us together.�

�And, they want to show me off to their friends,� she said as she stepped back
from him. �like some damned prized pony. How could you ask me to do this!�

�Mi, listen. I know I�m asking a lot, but please do this. For me.�

She harrumphed and crossed her arms over her chest.

He continued with a little more anger than before, �Look, I have done
everything you�ve asked where Harry and Weasley are concerned. I have played
nice and tried my damndest to make things work with them, for you. They�re my
parents, Mi. I love them and I want them to get to know you and you them. It�s
your turn to give a little here.�

�We know each other already,� she grumbled. Her resolve had crumbled a bit when
faced with his argument. He had put himself out there for her and she should do
the same. But, these were The Malfoys, the people who had tried to eradicate
her and her kind from the planet. How could she be civil to them? And, in that
house?

�No,� he answered and turned her to face him once again, �you know of each
other, but you don�t know each other. And, regardless of their motives, they
love me, Mi. In their own way they�re happy for me. After I told them how I
feel about you they figure they should get to know you at least a little. I
want to be there for my mother�s birthday and I want you with me. Besides, they
want this to work, too. One day, a few hours, is that too much to ask?�

She instantly thought of hundreds of reasons why it was too much to ask of her,
but her tongue stalled at the look on his face. With a heavy sigh, she instead
said, �No. No, it�s not. But, you have to promise we can leave if things start
to go downhill.�

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her softly, �Promise.�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

CHAPTER 21

That evening Hermione sat on her sofa and waited for Draco to come back from
work. She used the time to call Ginny to talk about the upcoming weekend.

�Is he back to sleep?�

Ginny sighed, �Yeah. Five year olds! It�s so hard to get him down some nights.
Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom, mommy I want some water, mommy I blah blah
blah. Some nights I want to just strangle that child!�

�What? He never asks Daddy for anything?� Hermione laughed at her friend�s
exasperation.

�Sure, but it�s so much more fun to bug the shit out of me. Harry just tells
him to go back to bed in that no-nonsense way of his and he does it.�

�So, try that,� Hermione suggested.

�I have!� Ginny sighed. �But, then he starts to cry and I cave. That little
beast has me wrapped around his finger and he knows it!�

Hermione laughed, but then Ginny said, �So, back to the reason you called��

Her laugh died as she blurted, �Draco wants me to go with him to Malfoy Manor
for a birthday party for Narcissa on Sunday.�

She smiled again when Ginny sputtered, as it felt good to have someone
understand her feelings on the matter. All day the thoughts of all the horrible
things that could happen had plagued her, and she needed someone to listen to
her and be on her side. Plus, Ginny had a way of helping her think more
clearly.

�How can he expect you to go back there!�

�I don�t know. It�s like he�s forgotten everything or something.� Hermione said
as she shook her head.

�Maybe he has,� Ginny said after a pause.

�What? How the hell can you forget something like that!�

Ginny took a breath, �Well, what if his memory was erased or something? I mean,
Lucius wouldn�t want his son to remember all the horrible things he�d done,
would he? Especially after they didn�t win. He knew Draco wasn�t really on
their side. Maybe he wiped Draco�s memory of that night to save his sorry
hide.�

When Hermione said nothing, Ginny continued softy, �Have you two ever talked
about that night?�

�No,� Hermione answered, �not really. I mean, we�ve talked about school and
stuff that happened back then. And, we�ve talked about the war in general, but
he never talks much about that last year.�

�Well, maybe you should try to get him to talk about it,� Ginny answered. �Or,
just feel him out and see if he says anything.�

Hermione sighed and sat back to close her eyes, �Yeah, I guess. But, what do I
say? And, if he doesn�t seem like he remembers, how can I not go with him?�

�Well, do you think you can go? I mean, can you really go there and act like
nothing happened?�

�I don�t know Gin.� Hermione sighed. Then she pouted, �And, I shouldn�t have
to! Why should I bend to the wishes of people who hate me!�

�Draco doesn�t hate you,� Ginny gently reminded her. �And, with all we�ve put
him through to be with you, maybe you sho�well,� Ginny finally took a breath
and muttered reluctantly, �Well, he�s been doing a lot for you, Mione, maybe
you should try to go, if you think you can.�

�That�s what he said,� Hermione grumbled. �But, we�re talking about that place!
And, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy! The only person they hate more than me is
Harry. And, Draco as good as said they don�t want me there, they just want to
show me off to all their pureblood cronies. They want to show that they still
have power and influence, even after all this time. I�m not a damn checkered
flag for them to wave!�

�I�m sorry, what?� Ginny asked.

�Never mind, it�s a muggle thing.�

Ginny heard the anger and frustration in Hermione�s voice, but also the fear.
�Mione, maybe you should look at it as a kind of compliment.�

�What!� Hermione gasped.

�Think about it. They hate everything you stand for, they don�t like you
personally, but they respect you enough to want to brag about you being with
their precious, pureblood son. It�s a compliment in a very strange, crazy,
screwed up, Malfoy way.�

Hermione finally voiced her fears, �But, Gin, what if they have something
planned to humiliate or�or hurt me? And, how do I face that room again? I
can�t. I really don�t know if I can. Besides, I won�t know anyone there or what
to do. I�m on my own. And, they�re so bloody rich, it�s disgusting. He told me
once what their parties are like. If they don�t kill me first, I�m going to
make a fool of myself! I haven�t ballroom danced since Hogwarts, and I was
awful at it then! That�s probably what they want. Then, they can tell Draco how
we don�t belong together.�

Ginny shook her head at her friend�s insecurities, �First of all, there is
nothing his asshole parents can do to make that man stop loving you or break up
with you, so get that out of your head. It�s actually kind of disgusting the
way he fawns all over you, really.�

She heard Hermione�s light giggle and smiled as she continued, �And, Mione,
think about it. They couldn�t be planning to embarrass or hurt you if they want
to show you off to their friends. It wouldn�t make sense and would defeat their
purpose of being able to say their son snagged Harry Potter�s best friend.�

�I guess,� Hermione sighed.

Last, Ginny added softly, �And, as for that room, I don�t know, hon. If you
decide to go, try to make sure you don�t go near it. You�re brave, Mione. Prove
to them that they didn�t best you. And, you won�t be alone, you have Draco.�

Hermione felt a tear of frustration, confusion and fear slide down her face as
she nodded against the phone. �Okay. You�re right. I can do this. But, what do
I do about everything else? If they really do want this to work, then what
happens if I blow it? I can handle dinner and I can get past the dancing. I
have to go shopping, but I know how to dress. But, what the hell do I talk to
these people about, Gin? We�re talking about a house full of ex-Death Eaters,
who wanted nothing more than to see me dead only 5 short years ago!�

Ginny sighed, �Mione, I hate to say it, but you�re sounding a bit like Ron.�

�What!� Hermione yelled. �I am not!�

�Yes, you are!� Ginny answered back. �We all keep telling Ron how everyone has
changed since the war and how he should give Draco and Blaise a chance. I know
it sounds weird, but maybe you should do the same for Draco�s parents? Everyone
has changed, you�ve said so yourself. There is a slim chance that they aren�t
the evil asses we remember.�

�Fine,� Hermione huffed.

Ginny giggled as she imagined her friend�s pout, �Just keep telling yourself
that no matter what, they wouldn�t want to embarrass Draco, so they will be on
their best behavior.�

�Yeah, I guess.�

�And, I am sure he�ll make it worth you�re while, if you just ask nicely,�
Ginny said with a wicked laugh.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

By Saturday morning Hermione had let Draco convince her that things were going
to be fine. Several times. She grinned to herself as she showered and recalled
his way of thanking her for giving his parents a chance. A shiver ran over her
skin when she thought about his promise to continue thanking her later that
night when they got back to the apartment from the wedding planning they were
going to do with Beth and Blaise. Her smile slid a little as she recalled his
complete lack of awareness as to why she wouldn�t want to go though.

As he had put it, �Just wait until you see the manor, Mi. Despite the
ugliness it saw, Mother has really turned it into a rather spectacular place.�

Could Ginny have been right? Did he truly not recall that night? Could Lucius
have wiped out that memory?

Come to think of it, he�s never mentioned much of what happened that year�

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the bathroom door open and he
entered.

�Mi, love?�

�Yes?� she called over the water.

�How long before you�re ready?� he said as he peeked in past the curtain.

She smiled at him as she rinsed off in the water, �Almost done, about another
half hour. Why?�

He couldn�t stop himself from running a hand over her wet body as he answered,
�Blaise just called and I have a few things over there that he thought I might
need. I was going to pop over and get it and I didn�t want you to wonder where
I was.�

She leaned toward him and gave him a quick kiss, �Okay. But, you don�t have to
come back for me. I will just come over when I�m done. We can bring it back
later.�

�Okay,� he said. �Hurry up. I�ll see you there.�

Hermione heard him pop away and finished up the rest of her shower. She was
collecting her purse to leave when she heard a pounding on her front door. She
thought of ignoring it, but decided to check the peephole anyway.

When she saw who it was she took a deep breath before opening the door. With
all the thoughts in her head, she really wasn�t in the mood for this now.

With a frown she opened the door and said coldly, �Wrong place. We�re meeting
at the loft.�

�I know,� Ron said. �But, I wanted to talk to you. Georgie said she would
explain why we�re late.�

When she didn�t answer, he smiled a little, �Mione, can I come in?�

Her hard expression didn�t change as she stepped back and then shut the door.

When he didn�t speak she snapped, �Look, I�m really not in the mood to fight
with you today, Ron.�

�No,� he shook his head, �that�s not why I came.�

She raised a brow at his silence, �Well?�

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked sheepish, �Well, Georgie and I
were talking again this morning and she thought I should come talk to you. To
apologize.�

�Huh?�

�I�m sorry for all of this crap,� he said.

�Why?� she asked with her arms folded over her chest. �Why now?�

He shrugged, but answered, �Because I am honestly tired of fighting with you
and everyone else over it. He�s what you want and whether I like it or not,
you�re with him, so I need to accept it and move on.�

�Sounds just like something Snoop would say,� she commented. �Why are you
really here, Ron?�

�What do you mean? I told you, to apologize.�

�You could have done that at the loft,� she reminded him.

�Well, I didn�t know how well it would go and with him there, I didn�t fancy
getting into another row about it.�

She sighed again, �So what? I�m supposed to believe that all of a sudden,
you�re fine with it? Just like that?�

�Well, no, I�m not okay with him, but I don�t want to fight about it with you
anymore, Mione,� he said.

�Right, Ron. Say his name,� she challenged.

�What? Why?� he asked.

�Because, if you really want to make this work, and you want to continue
spending time with me, then you are going to be spending time with Draco. And, you
are going to have to be at least civil to him. That includes being able to say
his name without sneering,� she answered with her hands now on her hips.

�Malfoy,� he growled. �Okay, Malfoy. You happy now?�

�Not really, Ron, no. What would make me happy? For this to be behind us
already. For you to honestly give him a chance. For you to be happy that I am
finally happy for once! For you to NOT try and set me up with Seamus, or anyone
else for that matter, behind my boyfriend�s back!�

At his shocked look she said in a scathing tone, �What? You thought I wouldn�t
find out? Give me some credit!�

Ron had the grace to look ashamed, �I just wanted to help, Mione. I know you
think this thing with that gi�ahem, Malfoy is serious or something, but don�t
you see, you have other options. Other guys want you, hon. You�re not even
giving anyone else a chance!�

Hermione shook her head at him, �Ron, I want you to hear me when I say this,
because I know you are trying the best you know how, but Ron, I love him. I
don�t want anyone else.�

Ron flinched as if she�d slapped him, but she continued as if she hadn�t seen
it, �And, he loves me. We�re adults, not children and this isn�t a game we�re
playing. This is my life we�re talking about. And, I know you�re trying in your
own way, Ron. I know you are.�

She stepped in front of him and took his hands as she looked at him sadly,
�But, an apology isn�t going to cut it this time. I love you, Ron, and I don�t
want to lose you over this. But, it�s up to you. It took me a while to get past
my guilt about all this, but I have. I haven�t done anything wrong. I fell in
love with a man who makes me feel treasured, loved and respected. He loves me,
Ron. Me. Bookworm, muggleborn, bushy-haired friend of The-Boy-Who-Lived. The
woman who helped bring down his entire family and their whole belief system.
It�s amazing, Ron. I feel so�never mind, you don�t care. Look, it�s my life and
Draco�s the man I want to spend it with, at least for now. You have to give up
this anger and mistrust you have towards him and let go of the past. Until you
do, nothing�s changed. I�m sorry.�

He stepped forward and pulled her against him, �I�m trying, Mione. I know you
don�t really believe that, but I am. And, I do care. I love you and I want you
happy. I just can�t get it out of my head that he�s going to hurt you. That
he�s using you. I can�t bear to think about it. Every time I see him touch you,
I want to rip his hands off his body and beat him with them until he tells what
he�s got up his damn sleeves.�

�Nice,� she laughed softly against his chest.

�I know,� he laughed with her.

She stepped back and looked up at him, �Why can�t you at least give him the
same leeway you�re giving Blaise? You aren�t jumping all over Beth and she
married Blaise.�

�She�s not my best friend and first love. And, he�s not my lifelong enemy,� he
answered honestly as he hugged her close once again. �And, it�s not jealousy,
as everyone seems to think. You and I had what we had and it was great. I
treasure every moment of it, but it�s over. I just want nothing but the best
for you, Mione. I just can�t see him as it. Not now, not yet. But, I�m going to
try to see what it is you see, okay? Hell, what everyone seems to see, but me
and Dad.� He pulled back and looked down at her, �Give me some more time okay?�

She looked up at the face she knew so well and nodded, �Always.�

�Okay, well that wasn�t as bad as I thought it would be, I guess,� he sighed
and laughed a little.

�Thank you for continuing to try,� she said. �Ready to go finish all this
wedding planning?�

�Sure,� he sighed. �Why not?�

Hermione laughed at his disgruntled look and shook her head as she apparated
away.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

When she and Ron popped into the room, everyone looked at them apprehensively. In
the sudden silence Hermione walked over to sit next to Draco and Ron crossed
the room to sit on the arm of the chair next to Snoop.

�You two all right?� Beth ventured.

Ron nodded dismissively, �Yeah, fine. What�d we miss?�

For the next few hours all six finalized plans for the wedding, made calls to
friends and family, and helped Beth and Blaise set everything up. Although Ron
never spoke to Draco voluntarily, he didn�t ignore him completely if asked a
direct question. Draco, for his part, refused to let Ron�s attitude or actions
ruin his best friend�s plans. As much as he loved Hermione and would do
anything for her, for the time being, Blaise was his main concern. He loved
Blaise and didn�t want anything he himself did to cause Blaise�s level of excitement
to wane. He was so happy about his marriage and upcoming second wedding, and
for all that Blaise had done for him, he would reciprocate, even if it meant
playing nice with Weasley. It didn�t hurt though that Hermione was looking at
him with such love and gratitude.

�But, I hate hunter green!� Beth finally exploded. �I look sick in it!�

Everyone jumped and looked at the couple who had previously been talking
quietly on the sofa.

Blaise ran his hand through his hair and tried to remain clam, �But, Bethyh,
green and silver are my colors. Both my school and family colors. They need to
be a part of the wedding.�

�Silver!� she sputtered. �You�ve got to be kidding me! No!�

They watched as she stood up and put her hands on her slim hips, �Blaise
Zabini, I will NOT get married surrounded by colors that make me look like a
dying hospital patient!�

He finally had had enough, �Well, I�m not getting married in any pansy colors
like sea foam green and yellow, for crying out loud!�

�Oh, so now you don�t want to marry me?� she cried.

�What? Beth, no, that�s not what I�Beth!�

She had already run into the bedroom and slammed the door. Everyone stood
around unsure of what to do for a minute and then Blaise flopped back on the
sofa.

�Fuck!�

Draco put down the phone he was holding and went to him, �B? Maybe you should
go talk to her.�

�I can�t talk to her when she�s like this!� he shook his head. �That woman�s
ridiculous! Not get married in green and silver, what colors did she think I
would want?�

Draco didn�t know what to say and looked at Hermione for help.

She came over and sat down next to Blaise. �Blaise, maybe you two should try to
come up with a compromise.�

When he just crossed his arms and harumphed at her, she tried again, �Okay, how
about I go try and talk to her?�

�Whatever,� he mumbled. �This whole thing is stupid anyway. We�re already
married. I don�t see why she can�t just��

Draco nodded at Hermione and she went to check on her friend. Snoop followed
Hermione and left the guys in the room behind them.

Ron felt very out of place, as he watched the two friends talk across the room.
He didn�t really care about the wedding or Blaise, but he did care about Beth.

He hated to bring attention to himself, as they were nicely pretending he
didn�t exist, but he couldn�t seem to keep his mouth shut, �Maybe you could do
like light and dark green, in like the flowers or something.�

Both men looked at him and then at each other. When they looked back at him
like he�d sprouted another head, he mumbled, �Never mind, I was just trying
to�never mind.�

Silence engulfed the room as all three tried to figure out what to say next.

In the bedroom the girls were finding it easier to talk to each other, but not
any easier to get through to their now distraught friend.

�And, he leaves his clothes on the friggin� floor, I mean��

�Beth��

��hasn�t he ever heard of a hamper! And, he never puts anything away. He comes
in and just drops his shit wherever, like I�m his maid or something. And��

�Honey, maybe you should��

��he�s always here. Always. He won�t leave me alone and give me some damn
space. He�s always��

�Well, he doesn�t have a job yet, so��

��touching me and trying to get me in bed. And, then he gets mad when I�m not
ready at the drop of a damn hat. I have to WORK you know. I need sleep and my
own money! Not everyone can just snap their fingers and have money appear out
of nowhere!�

�Okay, but Beth, you said you lov��

�I happen to like my job! And, working! And, his mother! ARGH! She won�t stop
calling me! She�s all, �We must get together dahling, I want to get to know the
mother of my grandchildren.� Jeez! We�ve been married like a minute and she�s
got me barefoot and pregnant!�

�I�m sure she�s just��

�Mom�s told me again and again that I made a mistake. Maybe she�s right. This
was stupid! What was I thinking!�

�Okay, stop!� Snoop finally shouted startling Beth into silence. �You�re being
an idiot.�

�Gee, thanks!� Beth said sharply. �Way to be a friend!�

Hermione tried a different approach, �I think what she means, Beth, is that
you�re having a meltdown and need to calm down.�

�No, I mean she�s being an idiot!� Snoop corrected. �I�m not being mean, Beth,
but listen to yourself. He�s messy, wants to screw you blind, can�t stand to be
away from you and wants you to quit your job and spend his money. Come on! Duh!
He�s male.�

�Okay, I know that, but��

This time Hermione cut her off, �Beth, what did you expect when you married
him? I thought you two talked about this stuff. It doesn�t sound like he�s
changed in the last week. So, what�s really wrong all of sudden? This can�t
really be about having his house colors as wedding accents.�

�Okay,� Beth took a deep cleansing breath. �But, seriously, a dark green and
silver wedding. Puhleeeze!�

Hermione and Snoop each sat on one side of her and she looked from one to the
other before she burst into tears.

�Oh, honey,� Snoop sighed. �Come on, what�s really going on here?�

They both had to lean in to hear her whispered answer, �What if this really is
a mistake? What if I don�t really love him like I think I do? What if he
doesn�t lov�love me? What if he leaves me for some other�I don�t know what to
do! This is all just happening so fast all of a sudden.�

Hermione thought for a moment before she answered, �Beth, look at me. I know
you�re scared. And, yes, this was fast, but just a few days ago you gave me all
the reasons why it�s right. Have your feelings for him changed?�

�What? No!� Beth gasped.

�And, has he given you any indication that his have?�

Beth looked down and mumbled, �No, but��

�But, what?� Snoop asked.

�What if he does stop loving me? Wanting me?�

Hermione laughed softly, �Look, I don�t pretend to understand how you two feel
so much so fast. But, just watching the two of you, it feels right. Real. And,
you should be scared. You�ve made a decision that changes everything. But, that
doesn�t mean it�s a bad thing, honey.�

Snoop chimed in, �Yeah, just because it was fast, doesn�t mean it was wrong.
The only reason you�re panicking and second-guessing is because it�s so
different. I mean I took 4 years to get to where you are in only a week. And,
HG over there has taken, what? Twelve?� She laughed at the look on Hermione�s
face, but continued, �Fast and different doesn�t mean wrong, Beth. And, it sure
as hell doesn�t mean it can�t work.�

�And, you have to a lot to get used to,� Hermione added. �And, a lot to learn
about each other. Remember when I told you that Draco and I were doing
everything backwards? Well, you just went the opposite. You got to the end
before the beginning. You just have to learn each other.�

Beth nodded and blew her nose in the tissue Snoop made appear in her hand.
�Thanks. I guess I did lose it a little. But, really, he said dark green and
all I could think was I don�t know this man. What the hell have I done?�

�Well, get to know him,� Snoop laughed. �He is your husband after all.�

They all laughed and let the tension roll away a bit.

�I�m so glad I have you guys,� she smiled at them.

�Yeah, aren�t you the lucky one?� Snoop grinned.

�You know,� Hermione smiled softly, �as happy as I am that you can talk to us,
there is someone else you should be telling all this to.�

Beth nodded and the three hugged before the two stood to leave.

When the bedroom door opened all three men straightened. Ron still stood off by
himself, and Draco and Blaise were still on the sofa. It was apparent that not
much had been said between them, but there was also no lingering hostility, for
which both Hermione and Snoop were grateful.

�She wants to talk to you,� Snoop said to Blaise as she walked over to Ron.

Blaise�s shoulder dropped as he stood up, �She�s calling it off, isn�t she?�

Hermione smiled at him, �No, Blaise. But, you two should talk. How about we
clear out? We can come back later if you want.�

Blaise crossed the room and gave her a brief hug, �Thanks, babe.� Then he
leaned down and whispered in her ear, �Is the fact that I�m scared of her
leaving me a good thing? Like �we have a chance� kind of a good thing?�

She put her hand to his cheek and looked up into his eyes, �Yeah, I think it
is. Now go.�

�Thanks guys,� he called over his shoulder as he went to the room and shut the
door.

Draco went to Hermione and pulled her back against him, �He�s so confused. I�ve
never seen him like this. I don�t know what to do.�

She looked up into his sad face and knew he wanted to fix things for his best
friend.

�Just be there for him,� she said softly as she turned in his arms, �They took
a huge leap and they just landed on the hard ground of reality. Now they just
have to find a way to recover together.�

He nodded and closed his eyes as he pulled her closer.

Snoop stood holding Ron�s hand as she silently watched Draco and Hermione. She
risked a glance up at Ron and saw him looking at them with a mix of anger,
confusion and awe.

�Babe,� Snoop said softly, drawing his attention to her, �Why don�t we go get
some lunch.�

He nodded and glanced back over at Hermione. It was on the tip of his tongue to
invite her along, but the thought of Draco coming killed the thought. He kept
his voice neutral and his eyes only on her when he spoke.

�Give us a call or owl us when they�re ready to finish this, okay?�

Hermione nodded and hugged them both. She watched as Draco and Ron nodded
briefly to each other and then Snoop and Ron apparated home.

�Come on then. Let�s grab your stuff and go back to the apartment. They�ll call
when they�re ready.�

He nodded and went over to grab the two boxes he�d packed. When he got back to
her she saw his eyes flick back to the bedroom door.

�They�re okay,� she said. When his eyes met hers she added, �Blaise is going to
be fine, Draco, stop worrying. Beth loves him.�

He smiled a bit and nodded, �Okay.�

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