Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Closer	By : Nocturne Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 29797 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling. I do not own the Harry Potter fandom, nor do I make any money from this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 1-Closer
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-11
- 12-12
- 13-13
- 14-14
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-18
- 19-19
- 20-20
- 21-21
- 22-22
- 23-23
- 24-24
- 25-25
- 26-26
- 8
- 9
- 10
They were in a muggle pub, somewhere in Manchester. The night was warm and so were Hermione’s cheeks any time her husband caught her wandering eyes. It was odd to think they were married, yet still caught in that awkward playground phase – intrigued and disgustingly bashful.

She took a seat in the booth whilst Blaise and Draco went to grab drinks. Pansy’s eyes were fixed on Hermione like lasers.

Please don’t talk to me. Please don’t talk to me. Please don’t talk to me.

“So,” began Parkinson. “Appears you’re over your hatred towards Draco.”

The way she uttered his name made the former Gryffindor want to reach across the table and slap the smirk off Pansy’s face. “Yes,” Hermione answered through gritted teeth. “Though I wouldn’t classify my previous attitude towards him as hatred. He was merely misled. That much was apparent.”

“I see. Do you believe I was misled?”

“I think it’s best we wait for the boys before we get into it.”

Pansy’s smirk deepened. “You love him already.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You love him,” she repeated, clearly loathing each word as it left her thin lips. “And I regret to inform you he will never reciprocate those feelings.”

All right. Now she was just being a bitch. “I don’t think that’s any of your concern.”

“You know I’m right. That’s why you’re angry.”

At that point Hermione shoved her propriety aside and straightened her posture, looking Pansy in the eyes. “Listen,” she said carefully. “I understand whatever you and Draco shared back in Hogwarts was meaningful, in some way, but he has grown since then, matured immensely from what I’ve noticed. I don’t know what happened between you two to give you the notion that he isn’t capable of love, but I can safely say the ins and outs of my marriage are none of your business. So turn your nose in another direction before I really lose my temper.”

Pansy opened her mouth to say something, undoubtedly another pitiful attempt at a retort, but she lost her chance. Both girls shifted their attention as the boys returned from the bar with drinks in hand. They brought beer and slid into the booth, completely oblivious.

“So why are we here?” Draco asked after a lengthy silence.

Blaise cleared his throat before Pansy had the opportunity to think of a response. “We heard Date paid you a visit.”

“Ah. Yes, he came around early in the day.”

“We also know why.”

“Oh?”

Blaise nodded. “I caught up with him before he left.”

Hermione glanced between them, instantly realizing Blaise and Pansy were in on the rebellion. Why it hadn’t occurred to her earlier was beyond her understanding. She took a few small sips of her drink, paying close attention to the conversation.

“So we’re here to discuss a plan of action.”

“Not quite,” said Blaise, exchanging a look with Pansy. “We already have a plan.”

“What is it?” Hermione found herself asking, shrinking in her seat as Blaise turned in her direction. He was kind enough, but he had a seriousness about him that she found surprisingly intimidating.

This time Pansy spoke, looking directly at Draco with that a nauseating expression. “We’d like you to go to the Dark Lord and pledge your unyielding allegiance once again. It’s the only way to distract him from our plans.”

“You’re mad,” he blurted. “I can’t go to him. I’m done with that life, even if it isn’t real.”

Blaise offered him an understanding look, awfully considerate for someone from the Slytherin house. “We need you, D. Parkinson was right. It’s the only way. It’s our only option. Trust me when I say we’ve exhausted everything else. Lucius can’t go himself for obvious reasons. The next best option would be his son, no?”

Hermione wanted to butt in, to say something, to defend her husband’s safety, but she remained silent.

The expression on Draco’s face was illegible. He looked blank, and just from that she knew he felt defeated. Blaise and Pansy were definitely onto something. “How long are we talking?”

“Just a few weeks,” answered Parkinson. “We need some time to finalize things with the Order before we continue.”

The Order. Hermione felt a pang in her chest at the mention of them. She hadn’t seen or spoken to any surviving member of the Order since Harry’s passing. It felt like a lifetime ago.

“And what about Hermione?” he asked, speaking her name delicately. Just then she felt something underneath the table. It was his hand on hers, atop her knee. He gave it a light squeeze, transferring his emotions to her via a connection she didn’t know existed.

One touch. It took just one touch.

“That’s the messy bit,” muttered Blaise, glancing away guiltily. “She needs to go with you.”

“Absolutely not.”

“We’re sorry, D. It has to be done.”

“No, fuck both of you,” Draco said, standing and lifting his wife, not unkindly, from the booth. “I’m not putting anyone but myself in danger. Do I make myself clear?”

Pansy huffed. “Honestly, I don’t like her,” she said, eyes darting to Hermione for a brief second. “But I’m not too proud to admit she’s a good witch. She’s been through more than any of us, at such a young age, too. If there’s anyone who can pull it off, it’s her.”

Hermione could do nothing but blink.

“She’s right,” added Blaise. “Granger can do it.”

“I don’t care,” Draco argued. “We…we’ve barely had any time to…to be a couple. I’m not budging on the subject.”

“And what about her?” asked Blaise, facing Hermione. “What’s your stance?”

She felt the pressure, all six eyes on her at once. Hermione took several deep breaths. “I…I…I have no qualms if it’ll help the cause,” she finally answered. “For me the worst has already happened.” There was a sharp pain in her chest as she recalled the manner in which Harry died. “I’ll be in worse danger if we do nothing. It only makes sense for me to go.”

“Then it’s sorted,” concluded Blaise, giving her a thankful smile. “Both of you are to leave on Saturday. You have forty-eight hours to tie up any loose ends. I’ll owl you when the Port key is ready.”

The adrenaline that erupted in her core at the mention of danger made her feel uneasy. It had been a long time since she’d experienced any sort of adventure, and after seven years of it nonstop, the withdrawal had been tough. Yet as Hermione glanced to her husband, the adrenaline disappeared, replaced with emptiness she didn’t know he could conjure. His gaze was cold and laced with hurt.

He felt betrayed. After all, she had taken their side, leaving him out to dry. It was cruel, but it had to be done. This mission was beyond them. He would realize it soon. Hopefully.

rate and review! :)

xo
- 8
- 9
- 10
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Closer