I Know Places
Hermione-I Know Places
Somethin' happens when everybody finds out
See the vultures circling, dark clouds
Love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out
It could burn out
'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes
And guns
They are the hunters, we are the foxes
And we run
Baby, I know places we won't be found, and
They'll be chasing their tails trying to track us down
'Cause I, I know places we can hide
A combination of light from the morning sun and a full bladder roused Hermione from her dream, reminding her that she was in fact in Draco’s bedroom and not having high tea with Snape and Mcgonagall. The thought of Trewlany insisting that mess of a dream meant something dragged a small giggle out of her.
The arm slung around her waist tightened, just like it did every morning before she decided to crawl out of bed. It was only when her cover slipped that she realized she was naked, the lusty memories of last night filling her head. Deciding to be an absolute minx, Hermione pushed her arse back, meeting Draco’s rapidly hardening cock.
“Good morning” came Draco’s raspy voice, still rough with sleep. When he went to push his hard on into her, she jolted forward, evading the skin contact.
“That’s for all the teasing for last night, you git” she squealed, laughing as he pulled her in with both arms, spooning her tightly. Giving up on her own teasing, Hermione snuggled in, relishing in the calm before the morning paper arrived.
“If you’d like a repeat without all the teasing, I’d be more than happy to oblige” He whispered, sneaking a kiss on the lower of her jaw. Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but as fate would have it, she was interrupted by the sound of the floo going off downstairs.
They didn’t have to guess who their visitor was because Theo was instantly yelling, “Drake, ‘Mione, you have five minutes to get your arses downstairs or I’m joining you in bed!”
Harry’s voice wasn’t far behind his boyfriends and Hermione could hear the man hissing, “Theodore Nott!” in a reprimand that reminded her of when she would chastise Harry himself for saying something out of pocket.
Draco groaned into her neck while Hermione snickered. They should’ve expected the couple to come bursting through, no doubt with The Prophet in tow. Hermione leaned over and grabbed her wand, with a quick swish, the time showed that it was nine. “Your mum is supposed to be here soon, so don’t act too pouty”
“I won’t, I’ll simply start plotting how to become Theo’s own personal cock block” Draco said smugly, crossing his arms over his naked torso. She couldn’t help but agree with Draco’s sentiment, dragging her away from staring at toned abdominal muscles was a criminal charge on Theo’s end.
Grudgingly crawling out of bed, Hermione padded her way over to the bathroom while Draco started dressing. Once both were ready, they stared at the closed bedroom door. “Well, time to face the music” Draco said, looking a bit peaky. Hermione quickly squeezed his hand, pushing her shoulders back.
“No matter what they say, we have each other and Theo and Harry. They can’t say things we haven’t heard before” She didn’t give him time to question any further and pushed the door open, making her way downstairs.
“Oh there they are, Draco you desperately need a kitchen restock. Not a damn pastie in sight” Theo said, not stopping his search in the pantry.
“Sorry my kitchen isn’t up to your standards, let me get right on that like a damn house elf” Draco sniped, his attitude quickly turning ugly in preparation for reading whatever trash Rita Skeeter cooked up.
“When I said not to act pouty, that included not being a total arse too” Hermione said, lightly smacking her partner in the stomach. The blonde said nothing else as he trudged to the table and plopping into a chair beside Harry.
“It’s not as bad as you think” Harry said, holding up the Prophet, a picture of both all four of them twirling on the dance floor, other couples scattered among them. “Seems Skeeter couldn’t choose which to make a main spectacle of so she tried to split it evenly. It’s relatively short, too. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was paid off” Harry chuckled at his own joke, letting Hermione snatch the paper from him.
“Paris: The City of Love or The City of Snakes?” Hermione read aloud, her brow furrowing, “Harry that doesn’t sound good at all” She said, rolling her eyes.
“Keep going ‘Mione” Theo said from across the kitchen, his mouth full of cereal.
“As you dear readers know, I was allowed entrance to the illustrious Annual Winter Gala hosted by the French Ministry every year. While the decor was absolutely gorgeous and the hosts were ravishing, the true topic of conversation this year were the guests, four in particular. It is widely known that Harry Potter, The-One-Who-Lived, The Chosen One, The Vanquisher of He Who Shall Not Be Named-”
“Was reading all of those really necessary?” Harry interrupted, whining at the ridiculous titles.
Draco snorted, Theo smirked over the spoon in his mouth and Hermione hissed “hush”, before continuing. “Harry Potter had moved to France some years back, his pursuit of rogue Death Eaters carrying him away from his beloved home. So, it was no surprise to see the man attend as one of the departments head aurors, however who was on his arm was not his long time lover. Instead of escorting ex-lover Ginevra Weasley, or a lucky French woman, Theodore Nott was on the end of Harry Potter’s arm”
“Rita Skeeter try to not bring up grotesque Weasley’s: Challenge Impossible” Draco said sarcastically, though his bite had gone down. It was Theo’s turn to snort now while Harry just shook his head. He was afraid he’d always be associated with the family, not that all of them were bad, but he had a new family now.
“While the sight was strange, I originally thought that maybe they had become very close friends. That was until, my dear readers, Theodore Nott yelled at the photographers to “Back the fuck up from my boyfriend before I unleash Hermione Granger on your arses”” Hermione stopped her reading and looked back up at said man, “Yes, that was very classy of you Theo, Draco and I really appreciated that” she said with pursed lips.
Theo saluted and then fake bowed, “At your service anytime, Granger”
“Anyways… ‘It was then that crowd and I shifted our attention to the woman standing the entrance, another familiar Hogwarts Alumi escorting Miss Granger, one third of the Golden Trio, best friend to Harry Potter, official ex-flame to Viktor Krum and most recently Ronald Weasley(see the accomplishments for both Weasley family members on pg 8). Miss Granger is also touted to be the Brightest Witch of Her Age up until a few weeks ago when Mr.Ronald Weasley claimed Granger had a psychotic break” Hermione’s words were starting to get snappy as she continued to read the article.
“I knew we should’ve killed him when given the chance,” Draco said, leaning back in his chair, looking more murder-ish than usual.
“I agree with, Drake” Theo mumbled, finally joining the others at the table. At least he was seeming to come back to his normal self, Hermione thought.
“Murder isn’t an option, it’s much too risky. Now a good hex to the bollocks…” she drafted off, ready for the day Ronald decided to speak out to the press about her again. It was safe to assume that day would be soon based off this article.
“Well let’s continue, I’d rather this be done before the twins get home and beg everyone to play” Draco said, getting up and fetching all the fixings for tea. It was still sometimes a weird sight to see him do such mundane tasks.
Not needing to be told twice, Hermione continued. “While I was originally worried for Miss Granger’s mental health too, Mr.Weasley’s claims were worrisome at best, as she walked hand in hand with Draco Malfoy it was easy to see the witch was properly enamored. However, she was not the only one with hearts in her eyes. My darling readers, the two gave us quite the show as Draco Malfoy claimed Hermione Granger for all the world to see” Directly below the paragraph was a picture of the exact moment Skeeter was referring to.
Flipping the article towards him, Hermione smiled, “I think we outta get this one framed” Draco’s face seemed to soften, some of the stress leaving. “It is a rather nice picture, my love” he said as he sat the full tea set on the table, everyone reaching for a cup.
Once her cup was properly made, Hermione continued reading aloud, her shoulders relaxing a tad. “It was no secret that Hermione had been missing from Wizarding Britain for a few months now, leaving everyone wondering where one of England’s Darlings had gone. But it seems she’s found herself a new home in the arms of Mr.Malfoy, leaving Ronald Weasley in the dust. It brings into question what happened between all three for Miss Granger to leave her childhood sweetheart and seek a new relationship with her known school rival. It is quite interesting how two thirds of the Golden Trio have left Weasley’s and are now in open relationships with two Slytherins. In case you have been living under a rock, the names Malfoy and Nott were both big names in Voldemort’s ranks”
Theo patted Draco’s arm in consolidation, “Prepare yourself mate”
Hermione took a deep swallow, “Lucius Malfoy and Tiberius Nott were some of the highest ranking Death Eaters caught after the war. While Tiberius Nott died during his imprisonment in Azkaban, Lucius Malfoy is still serving his life sentence. Theodore Nott served parole for his unannounced crimes during his trial after the Second Wizarding War. While Draco Malfoy was a known marked Death Eater, he too just served parole, for both wizards were underage. Some of his crimes included conspiring against the ministry, use of unforgivable curses, and attempted murder against Albus Dumbledore”
“Go down the fucking list, why don’t you” Draco grumbled into his tea and Hermione shot him an apologetic look. “It’s not like you didn’t know them, I’m not blaming you” He assured her. She nodded and continued her breakdown of the article.
“Despite all of the crimes stacked against both ex-Slytherin, pureblood heirs, it looks like new leaves have been turned. When asked about Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, Alexandre Moreau, Head of the French Ministry Auror Department had this to say. ‘Potter and Malfoy had a rough go at first. Malfoy had come with a letter of recommendation from the British Minister and had entered training quickly after his graduation from Hogwarts. I had a big hand in his trainings, we learned a lot from each other and while quiet, he was one of my best trainees. When Potter came to join the search for more Death Eaters refugees in France, it was not the best of reunions-”
Hermione was cut off by a snort and some laughter. She looked up to see both Harry and Draco shaking their heads, laughing at their no doubt ridiculous behavior. “Do you remember when Moreau locked us in the same room for hours like some muggle shrink?” Harry grabbed his side, a boyish laugh being the cause.
“Gods, we really were awful,” Draco said, going back to his tea.
“Were awful? Try present tense, babe” Theo said, winking over his cup.
The blonde narrowed his eyes in the cheeky wizard’s direction, “You’re so lucky you’re my son's godfather”
“Okay I’m reading again” Hermione announced, looking at the time. The boys would be due in just a few more minutes. “But when partnered together, the two make quite a productive team. As the department head, it had been a great honor watching two different men of such varying backgrounds work so well together. I dare say they’re friends on most days. I wish both the best in all of their endeavors. Thank you’ and what a statement that is, readers. Neither of the couples have come out for comment, but when owled last night for one, Narcissa Black, once Narcissa Malfoy sent me this-”
“Okay pause, should we wait for mum to read this?” Draco said, his eyes wide in surprise. Hermione just crossed her fingers under the table, hoping Narcissa held up her end of the bargain and gave a supporting statement.
“It’s not like she doesn’t know what she said” Harry shrugged, having already read it.
Taking that as her cue, Hermione finished the article, “‘I have come to know Miss Granger in the past weeks and I have known Mr.Potter to be in my son's life for years. Both are excellent additions to my son and Theodore’s lives. Mr.Potter is one of my sons godfather’s and both Scorpius and Sterling absolutely adore Hermione. I couldn’t ask for either of my boys to have better partners. The Malfoys have outgrown the old traditions, I think it’s time for us to start some new ones’ It is not super known knowledge that after graduation, Draco Malfoy married Astoria Malfoy nee Greengrass. A little over three years ago Astoria passed in childbirth, leaving her husband and twin sons. While many questions were asked last night, it seems only some were answered. Only time will give us more answers to our tantalizing questions. Until next time readers, Rita Skeeter”
The group sat in silence, taking in the article. “Honestly…” Hermione started. “It’s not the worse” Draco finished.
“I told you so” Harry said, finishing his drink. The floo went off and Narcissa stepped through with one boy on each side.
“Well I see you’ve read the papers” She said, taking a seat at the table watching as the boys crawled into Draco and Hermione’s lap. Theo grumbled about not being the favorite while Harry slid her a cup of tea.
“Not abysmal” Draco said, running his hands through Scorpius’ hair.
“No. Not abysmal, though I do believe you have two more people you need to make your announcement to” Narcissa raised her brows and tilted her head towards her grandsons. Draco nodded but didn’t take his eyes off his mother.
“You know, Potter joked earlier that Skeeter almost seemed to have been paid off. I’m almost inclined to agree” her son said, his tone mischievous.
Narcissa drained her cup in one go, it was unladylike but she had places to be today. Gifts didn’t buy themselves after all. “I had an agreement to uphold and a family to protect. I must be off my dears, do behave yourself Theodore” and with that she was off.
xXx
They had decided to let Draco announce his and Hermione’s relationship alone. Hermione didn’t want her presence to affect the boy's reactions. If they were upset, then she wanted them to feel comfortable expressing that to their father. Thank Merlin that they had been as happy as a niffler with a galleon. Both boys had jumped out of bed, their little feet finding her in the living room.
Obviously three year olds didn’t have the best comprehension of what dating was, but they knew she would be around for a while now. Draco, Harry, Theo, and Narcissa had all drilled into the boys head’s that Astoria was their mother and that families came in all sizes. She and Draco did their best to show that Tori was still their mother, but that Hermione was similar in that aspect of her relationship with Draco. There were only so many ways you could explain the situation to a toddler, but all in all both adults thought it went well.
As Hermione wrapped up her last class before the studio closed for the holidays, two familiar voices reached her ears, “Mini!” and sure enough when she looked at the doorway, Scorpius and Sterling were standing in the doorway, trying their best to look sneaky.
“Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy and Sterling Orion Malfoy I told both of you to not interrupt!” came the chastising voice of Narcissa. Her class who was going through cool down stretches laughed at the boys' slightly scared faces. Their grandmum wasn’t one to be trifled with. Seeing no one would be bothered, Hermione waved her hand forward motioning for the boys to come in.
“It’s okay Narcissa, we were just finishing for the day” Hermione called, catching a glimpse of the older lady in the door, clearly still cross with her grandchildren. To be fair, Hermione had told her to bring the boys a tad early. Both boys came running, hiding behind Hermione’s legs, seeking refuge from their grandmum.
“Mini, you’s dance like fairee?” Sterling asked, his hand gripped in her long skirt.
“Not today, my little love” Hermione whispered back quietly. Usually she’d dress just as her class, often dancing variations with them, but today she’d dressed for their outing after class. “But would you like to see something cool?”
Scorpius and Sterling both nodded excitedly, looking out at the class less timidly. “Would anyone like to show these two a quick variation?” She said, watching as a couple hands went up. Draco really didn’t realize how dangerous his sons were when it came to getting people to do their bidding.
Hermione watched as the two Malfoy’s clapped as a few of her students danced across the room, nothing crazy but enough to make the boys giddy. “Well I do believe we might have some ballet dancers in the making” she called as the boys began to dance around her, causing the adults in the room to laugh.
“Alright, class finished, go get your Christmas shopping done before it gets late! Happy hols!” Hermione called as the class packed up, her students giddy at the prospect of a break. Once the room cleared out, Narcissa let herself in, her eyes now bright.
“I do have to agree with Scorp and Sterling that I can’t wait to see you dance, Hermione” Narcissa said, looking around the studio with delight.
Hermione gathered her bag and pulled her coat on, “Oh I’m not nearly as good as my students” she said, a blush on her cheeks.
“Nonsense” The older witch tutted, “Draco said you dance beautifully”
Walking out of the door, Hermione swished her wand and the lights went out. “Well your son is terribly biased. Speaking of which, are you excited to pick out some presents?” she asked the twins, leaning down to pull matching beanies over their curls.
“Bien! I buys daddy a dragon!” Scorp chirped, taking her hand as they walked out of the studio. Sterling took Narcissa’s and they set off on their adventure of letting the boys pick out christmas presents for their father and godfathers. It had been Narcissa’s idea to let the boys get some more bonding time with Hermione.
“I’m not sure how well we can sneak a dragon under the tree, what if we get him a stuffy like your rabbit?” Hermione suggested, walking into a wizarding toy store similar to Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes. The thought that George would absolutely adore the boys and their knack for mischief hit her in the face as their group filtered in.
Pushing down the small feeling of homesickness, Hermione continued to peruse the shelves. She had ignored her friends and they had eventually started to ignore her, but George had been family. Did he still think she and Harry family after the article a few days ago? They hadn’t heard from anybody they once knew, unless you counted Blaise and Pansy both sending an owl commending everyone on looking “Right shaggable” in the Prophet photos.
As she followed her boys and Narcissa through the streets she considered her life here in Paris. It was almost sad how nobody had reached out, no congratulations, no questions, not a peep from anyone. England had been her home, but there was nobody tying her there anymore. Everyone she cared about was here, Paris was their home and they were hers. As Scorp and Sterling turned to her for approval of gifts, her decision was only made further. She’d follow Draco and the boys wherever they went for as long as they wanted her to, even if that never led back to England.
Decision made, Hermione felt herself properly relax as she and Narcissa led the boys into one the bigger cafes in Wizarding France. It was Thursday, Harry and Draco’s last day at work, and Christmas was saturday. The only people who would be missing were her parents. It would be her third Christmas since their death, it would be the seventh year since they’d last celebrated together.
No matter what she did, it never got easier. Each year she’d expect to wake up, her parents down stairs waiting for her by the tree. As Hermione cleaned Sterlings hands after their meal, she remembered this year she would be the parent waiting by the tree instead. Draco had invited her to stay for Christmas morning and she had no power to say no. So instead of focusing on her parents' absence, she’d focus on filling the absence that the boys felt for Astoria. She had promised Astoria she’d be there for the both of them, because Tori deserved to see her boys grown and happy and if Hermione could help do that, then she would.
But her train of optimistic thoughts didn’t last long because a familiar stag patronus burst through the restaurant, delivering news she’d been scared to hear since she’d found out Draco was an auror. “Get to Mother Anaïs Hospital now, don’t let the boys or Narcissa go home. Draco’s been injured” and all thoughts of Christmas came crashing down.