You Are In Love
Hermione-You Are In Love
And for once, you let go
Of your fears and your ghosts
One step, not much
But it said enough
You kiss on sidewalks
You fight and you talk
One night he wakes
Strange look on his face
Pauses, then says
You're my best friend
And you knew what it was
He is in love
You can hear it in the silence, silence, you
You can feel it on the way home, way home, you
You can see it with the lights out, lights out
You are in love, true love
And so it goes
You two are dancing in a snow globe, 'round and 'round
And he keeps the picture of you in his office downtown
And you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars
And why I've spent my whole life tryin' to put it into words
Hermione felt infinitely dumb at not knowing where the French hospital was. It had been an oversight on her part and it would’ve caused her to panic even worse if Narcissa hadn’t taken control. It was a reminder that she had gotten relaxed since the war. After almost five years of the Second Wizarding War being over, Hermione had started losing that edge of constantly being alert, but it didn’t take away the instant panic of assuming the worst.
“Hermione dear, take a breath. If Draco was gravely injured I would’ve been notified by now. Watch the twins and I’ll go pay the check” Narcissa informed sharply, the calloused tone bringing her closer down to earth.
“Mini, you otay?” Scorpius blinked up at her, of course the little Malfoys, or ‘baby snakes in training’ according to Theo, would be perceptive of her mood change. With a quick ruffle of his hair that had him scowling, Hermione forced a small grin.
“Of course, my love. We’re just going to visit Uncle Harry for a bit” she said, now standing on slightly shaky legs as Narcissa approached the table again.
The older woman helped Scorpius out of his chair and Hermione followed, Sterlings warm hand in her clammy one helping her breathe just a little easier. The walk through the street back to the cafe that housed a floo was one that had Hermione counting the seconds. Draco was fine, Narcissa was being logical and so should she. She couldn’t freak out in front of the boys, she was an adult and needed to hold her composure. She was an adult and she needed to be stable for the boys.
It was a blur of green as Narcissa tossed the powder into the floo and called for the hospital. Sterling clung to her, still terrified of magical travel. The smell of sanitizer hit her nostrils and Hermione wanted to wretch. Merlin, she hated hospitals. Nobody was ever in the hospital for a good reason, at least she’d never been to a hospital for a joyous visit.
Narcissa handed Scorp over and the small boy immediately made grabby hands for her. Hermione quickly scooped him up and he buried himself in her neck. Feeding off his brother's clingy nature, Sterling hooked a hand around her leg. They all watched as Narcissa approached the front desk, speaking in smooth french for which room her son was in and his current condition.
Hermione watched as Narcissa slightly paled, but her demeanor didn’t change. Deciding this was taking too long, no offense to the receptionist, Hermione swished her wand calling her otter patronus forward, “Harry, we’re here” With another swish the little glowing woodland creature was scampering through the hallways to find its recipient.
Narcissa was still trying to glean information from the bint at the reception desk, it was taking too long so there was an offence meant now, when Theo came sprinting down the hallway. “Hermione! ‘Cissa!” he called, causing all eyes in the waiting area to turn towards the curly haired wizard. He looked on the rougher side as far as appearances go, but his eyes were dry and that put Hermione a little more at ease.
“Theo, thank god! How is he? What happened? Can we see him?” questions tumbled out of her mouth quicker than even she could keep up, but Theo’s face only softened. He squatted down and patted his leg for Sterling and the boy went running. Once Sterling was in arms, Theo stood and motioned for both women to start walking with him.
“He’s stable, been out for a bit now but should be waking soon. I’ll let Harry explain everything later” he nudged his head towards the boys and Hermione understood quickly that it would be a story for adult ears only.
“He’s not…physically altered is he?” Narcissa asked, her only sign of discomfort were her wringing hands. The question sent a shock of irritation through Hermione. Draco was alive and that was all that mattered.
Theo snorted before making another left turn, “Salazar no, but he was…approached” Both Hermione and Narcissa stayed quiet at that and instead followed Theo through multiple floors of the damn hospital. Seriously, what hospital didn’t have an elevator? That had to violate multiple codes, magic be damned.
Finally Theo stopped on the fourth floor, the door slightly ajar as two soft spoken voices filled the room. Before any of them could enter though, Theo turned to both her and Narcissa. “I can stay out here with the boys for now. Maybe Harry and I can take them to the cafeteria and get them something to satisfy those sweet teeth”
Harry must’ve had his name as a taboo because he was filling the doorway immediately as if summoned. “Oh Hermione, Narcissa, you’re here, good” his demeanour was much calmer than his patronus had been and that helped her calm just a tad more.
“I was just telling them we could go get the boys a treat before they release Draco” Theo said and Scorp clung a little tighter.
“No! I stays with Mini!” Scorp said, his voice sounding close to tears. Hermione felt a stab of guilt in her stomach. She thought she’d done a decent job of hiding her anxiety but she supposed not if Scorpius was refusing sweets.
“Scorpy don’t you want to spend time with Uncle Theo and I? We’ve missed you” Harry said, his hand going to cradle his godson’s head.
“No! Mini and Daddy!” the blonde baby said, pulling away from Harry’s hold. Hermione watched as Harry frowned, whether it was because of his godson's rejection or his exhaustion she didn’t know.
Deciding to step in, Hermione hoisted Scorpius higher on her hip. “He’s not bandaged up or anything, is he? Like he’s not gory?” she said as quietly as possible, grimacing as the words left her lips.
“No” Harry shook his head and exhaled, “it was a more internal spell he took. The healer said he was cleared for all visitors” Her best friend explained as his hands went to massage his neck.
“Then I’m sure they’re fine to be in the room, knowing Draco he’d probably prefer it” Hermione nodded, taking a step towards the room. Harry moved and gestured for the others to file in after her. The light was dimmed as she walked in, a man that she vaguely recognised from the ministry gala was standing off in the corner.
Her eyes glimpsed past him though, focusing on Draco instead. A small, unabiding whimper left her lips at the view of him laying in a hospital bed. It wasn’t the same as it had been in sixth year, he seemed almost at ease now. The only sign that he belonged here was his skin reverting back to a more pale complexion and deep bruises under his eyes. For now, she’d delude herself into thinking he was sick with the flu and not some mystery spell damage.
At the sight of his father, Scorp threw himself from her hold, landing him roughly on the bed but luckily not on Draco. “Daddy!” Sterling squealed, doing his best to join his brother on the bed now too. Hermione helped him up onto the bed, directing both boys on how to behave.
“Shh boys, we need to be quiet while your daddy sleeps. Easy there, darling” she gently grabbed Scorp as he went to fling himself at Draco’s slowly rising chest, the poor boys were avid cuddlers. Hermione sighed, wanting to crawl into the hospital bed with Draco too. “How about you take a nap, too?” she asked quietly as Narcissa approached the bed, running a hand through her son's hair. The woman could act like she was made of ice most days, but it melted in an instant for her family.
Both boys nodded and clumsily peeled back under the covers and snuggled up to their father who thankfully was still asleep. A chair was pulled up and a strong hand she innately knew was Harry’s was on her upper arm, forcing her to sit. “I still need to talk to Alexandre” Harry titled his head towards the tall man still standing in the corner. Oh yes, Draco and Harry’s boss. Lovely, he’d seen this entire affair, Hermione thought.
“Go on, I’m sure between Narcissa, Theo, and I all three Malfoy boys will be just fine” she gave him a weak smile. Adrenaline was now fleeting, leaving Hermione weary and exhaused. Harry eyed her, but when Alexandre cleared his throat he seemed to accept her answer. Squeezing her shoulder, Harry stood back up and both him and Alexandre swept into the hallway, the door snicking shut behind them.
xXx
She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but at some point Hermione had fallen asleep right along with the boys. She had grabbed Draco’s cold hand and squeezed it for dear life, watching as the boys breathing slowly evened out. Narcissa continued to hold her stiff upper lip but did not try to hide the sheen to her brilliant blue eyes. Hermione didn’t try to hide her anxiety now that it was just the two women awake in the room and from what she could tell, Narcissa wasn’t judging her for the wobble in her voice or the shake in her hands.
Theo had joined them shortly after, striking up a conversation with Narcissa about how Christmas plans should proceed. Hermione had summoned her journal from her gym bag and started to scribble idea after idea. It was a secret she’d kept to herself just as she had dancing. Hermione had loved to write but she’d nary told a soul lest she would be made fun of for an eternity. But as she took in the scene of Scorp and Sterling cuddled up, ideas flowed out of her and into her pen.
It wasn’t long though until sleep nipped at Hermione’s mind as she tried to keep up with her ideas, but the boys looked so cosy cuddled up and she couldn’t resist the call of closing her eyes. And so that was the last she remembered, laying her head to rest the only people she considered family inches away from her.
That was until she felt strong fingers running through her knotted curls, a rough voice reverberating oh the chest her head was laid upon. It was tempting to just cuddle in deeper, to breathe in the scent of mint and sandalwood that was stronger than the claustrophobic smell of antiseptic. Truly, it was a magical hospital, they could do something about the smel-
Hermione pushed up from the body wrapped around her, eyes snapping open to find Draco staring back at her just as surprised. “Oh thank Merlin” she breathed, before throwing her arms around his neck and giving him a true Gryffindor squeeze. Draco hissed and Hermione immediately remembered why she was so relieved to see him in the first place.
She pulled away as if she had burned him with fiendfyre, inspecting him up and down. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t hurt you did I?” Hermione worried her lip but Draco just shook his head and smiled.
“I’m perfect now that you’re here” He gave her leg a good squeeze and she felt herself deflate a little more.
Theo clapped, “Great, now that sleepy head over there is awake we can actually discuss what happened. Harry, my love, take it away” Theo bowed dramatically as if he was a narrator for a play, causing said love of Theo’s life to scoff.
“Wait, shouldn’t Narcissa be here?” Hermione questioned, searching the room for Draco’s mother.
Harry went to open his mouth but Theo beat him to it, “Since she’s his next of kin listed with the hospital she got the rundown from the healers AND the aurors. A crock of shit if you ask me” He crossed his arms, pouting like the boys when they weren’t allowed a treat before dinner.
“Sorry mate, would you like to get married so you can be alerted first in the case of my untimely demise next time?” Draco raised a brow in that way that always made Hermione want to smooth it out. She didn’t miss the quick intake of breath Harry took, but it seemed to go unnoticed by the pair of bickering morons.
Theo clapped a hand of his mouth, “Why my darling I thought you’d never ask! Of course I will, though you’ll have to be okay with Potter joining”
Hermione narrowed her eyes at the curly haired menace, “Aren’t you forgetting someone else?”
“My my Granger, I didn’t know you’d laid claim to my boy. I suppose I’ll let you keep him, though the competition is on for his mini me’s” Theodore smirked, right before Harry’s hand connected with the back of his head.
“Continuing! Narcissa took the boys back to the townhouse. Draco has to stay overnight before he’s released due to the cru-”
Draco barked, “Potter!” Cutting off whatever Harry was about to say.
Hermione swallowed, “Due to the what? Is this about the curse you took?” She couldn’t help the way her hands started twisting the hospital sheets she had been tucked under, her eyes going from Harry to Theo and finally Draco.
His lips flattened into a grim line, “I was going to tell you this in a better manner, but since Potter can’t keep his yap shut I suppose I’ll spit it out now. I was at work when the wards at home registered someone had come in. I thought you and Mum were back with the boys so I popped in to have lunch at home with you guys but obviously as you know it wasn’t you there…” Draco pulled in a deep breath, his grip on her leg tightening.
Hermione could feel it in her gut, she knew who had been there but she asked the question all the same, “Who was at the house, Draco?” The words felt heavy on her tongue, clunky almost.
Her boyfriend licked his lips, clearly not wanting to say but forcing himself to anyway. “Death Eaters” was all he said and Hermione felt her breath leave her for a second time that day. Theo too seemed panicked but both auror’s stayed calm, hardly flinching at the idea of Voldemort defenders still being loose and targeting the Malfoy family.
“But- but those wards are sealed tight!” Hermione yelled, her mind moving miles per second to understand how death eaters got through such impenetrable magic.
“We seemed to forget another player was on the board” Harry explained, his arm going around Theo’s waist.
Hermione felt her brow crinkle, “What do you mean?”
Theo closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, “Fucking Lucius” He nearly shouted, his cheeks turning red with anger.
Beside her Draco nodded, “It was my fault-” he rushed, “assuming that he’d remain out of my life forever. I should’ve known not to rely on blood wards” Hermione took in the solemn look on her partner's face and she felt her heart pang at the look of guilt on his face. He’d put his sons in danger, or at least he thought he had.
“Draco…” she started, a hand going to his arm but he shook her off.
“Hermione no. There’s no excuse for it. Still to this day, after everything, I expected him to protect those with the same name as him and he didn’t. I already knew he didn’t care and I didn’t set up any precautions for this!” He was gesturing everywhere, his face wincing as he tried to get up and stand to pace.
“Mate come on, don’t do this” Theo went to help Draco, who was now trying to extend and bend his joints. He really shouldn’t be up and out of bed.
Draco shook his head vehemently, “No! You know how those blood wards work. They didn’t even register as intruders. It was Malfoy blood. There are only four Malfoys they could’ve gotten it from and only one would’ve given it freely” Draco ran a hand through his already ruffled hair. Hermione was about to open her mouth to correct him that there were in fact five members of the Malfoy family tree but then remembered Narcissa introducing herself by her maiden name a few months back. Well that trimmed it down some at least, Hermione thought.
“You still didn’t say what they did to you” Hermione said softly, holding back the urge to force Draco back into the hospital bed.
“They hit me with a few crucio’s before I called for backup” Draco said softly, almost soothingly. The tears in Hermione’s eyes were instant and she felt her arm sting with phantom pain. She was off the bed and in his arms in seconds, reminding herself that he was tangible, he was with her now and safe.
His hand snaked its way into her curls again, messaging her scalp. “It’s okay. I’m fine, I’m just sorry I put you and the boys in danger” his voice whispered in her ear and it just made her cry harder. She'd been choking back sobs since Harry’s patronus had found her in that french restaurant and now she couldn’t hold them back even though he was the one hurt.
“Hermione…” Harry’s voice called and she felt the warmth of Draco’s arms leave her only to be replaced with her best friends. She squeezed him as hard as she wished she could’ve Draco.
“It’s happening again, Harry. I can feel it” Hermione gasped, a feeling of dread settling in her bones. For years she had missed her best friend, her lover, her parents and one by one they had been taken away from her. Her parents had never been given back, but Draco and Harry had been along with a few other curly haired boys and now it was all getting stolen again.
Hermione felt the wave of a muffliato wash over them and Harry spoke again. “Shhh love, everything will be okay. You’ll see. You and Malfoy are sickening and before you know it my godsons will be calling you mum and you’ll be a Malfoy yourself”
“Granger-Malfoy” She corrected automatically, coughing on some of her saliva.
“Granger-Malfoy and then I’ll pluck up enough courage to ask Theodore and then all four of us will be grand” Harry pulled away and wiped some of her tears.
Despite her quick breakdown, Hermione built herself back up quickly. Pulling her shoulders back she took Harry in, “There is no way in Godric Gryffindor’s balls I’m getting married before you”
Harry laughed, “You keep looking at Draco like you have and he’ll have a ring on your finger in a flash. And you’re telling me what happened eighth year before he does!”
“How do you know about eight year?” Hermione asked. She never told a soul and as far as she knew, neither had Draco.
“I didn’t until now” Harry winked, dropping the muffliato as he did.
Hermione didn’t hesitate to slap him in the arm, “Harry James Potter!” She warned and he had the audacity to laugh.
“While you two were off in your bubble, we decided to have the Malfoys move in indefinitely!” Theo announced, a glimmering smile on his lips. The man really was gorgeous, it was a nice confirmation that both she and Harry had amazing taste.
Draco on the other hand was not sporting a happy face, “I said until we figure out the wards situation, not till the end of time Theodore” He said, crossing his arms over his chest hotly.
Theo shrugged his friends attitude off, “Quit your whining. You get to live with your girlfriend now”
“Yes and listen to you and Potter shag like you don’t know how to cast a silencing charm” Draco deadpanned, causing Hermione to burst out with laughter.
xXx
Harry and Theo had shortly seen themselves out after Draco had begrudgingly agreed to move into the NottPott townhome. The hospital staff had tried to tell Hermione that visitor hours were over and she needed to head home as well. To which Hermione had threatened to hex the nurses into oblivion, showing the hospital staff just how fluent the English war heroine’s French was.
“Christ love, I don’t think I’ve been so scared and turned on at the same time!” Draco had exclaimed as Hermione transfigured the bed to better suit two people instead of one.
She kicked off her shoes and crawled back into the bed, wishing they were back at Draco’s country home. “You’ve been spending too much time with Harry if you’re swearing to Christ, and don’t even think about it you scoundrel” Hermione laughed. The hospital had given her linen pajamas after she had reluctantly apologized to the nurses in Draco’s charge, she was feeling the quite opposite of sexy at the moment.
“Scoundrel?” Draco smirked, laying his head next to hers. She was supposed to make sure he drank a dreamless sleep potion but as of yet it still sat on the stand next to his side of the bed.
“Yes, dare I say you’ve corrupted me!” Hermione put a hand to her chest in faux indignation. Draco smiled even harder now, a rare dimple making an appearance. His forefinger and thumb lightly pinched her chin, his other hand went to her waist.
“Well if I’m a scoundrel then you are an absolute minx” He declared before leaning over and kissing the absolute daylights out of her.
When he pulled away, Hermione winked, “You caught me, my love”
Draco’s smile fell into something more resemblant of a soft gaze. “Say it again” He asked quietly, his voice hoarse. Probably from screaming in pain, her brain reminded her but she pushed it down.
“You caught me?” Hermione asked, cocking her head to the side.
Draco shook his head, his eyes still looking starry, “No, what you said after that”
“My love?” She asked again, her heart starting to race.
Draco’s hand on her waist lightly squeezed her, “Again” He pleaded.
Hermione licked her lips, “Draco, my love, what is this about?” Her own voice was airy now, but just as quiet as his. Draco’s eyes were that glorious light grey in the lamplight and he was silent for what felt like an eternity.
“You-you’ve never called me that” His words almost seemed to caress her just as his hand did on her stomach.
Hermione blinked, “Surely you know that you’re mine. You call me that all the time”
“Hoping and knowing are not the same thing. I hoped that you were mine, I knew that I was yours. Just like I know that I love you and I hope that you love me” Draco whispered into the silence once again and it was like everything was right in the world. There were no death eaters, there had been no war, and her parents were eagerly waiting to meet the man she loved and his beautiful babies.
“I do. Gods, I love you so much it sometimes hurts and I cherish that just as much” She breathed, her heart feeling like it was coming to a stop. She had thought it was too soon to say the words. Hardly over a month ago she’d told Astoria just as much, but hearing the words leave Draco’s mouth made time feel nonexistent. Time didn’t matter because he loved her! And she loved him.
“You do?” Draco asked, his bottom lip seeming to wobble. “You love me?”
“I am in love with you, Draco Lucius Malfoy in every sense of the word” Hermione confirmed, for once letting go of her fears of rejection and her ghosts of the past. It was only one step, not much by any means, but it was a step closer to him.
His hand had traveled from her chin to now her cheek, his thumb on her lip. “I am completely enraptured by you, to love you is just as much a privilege as it is to love my sons. I am in love with Hermione Jean Granger with all that I am” He spoke and they felt like wedding vows as tears pooled in her eyes. Draco Malfoy would almost never be described as gentle, but for her he was.
“You’re my best friend and my lover and I couldn’t ask for more” Draco said, and she understood even more now. As a teenager she had always known love was her reason for fighting. She had and still did love Harry Potter like the brother he was to her, but now she knew fighting for love even more innately. Because she would go to war in an instant, she would kill to keep what she found in Paris. Her eyes flickered to her journal laying on the nightstand. This feeling, this was what she’d spent her whole life trying to put into words and she still wasn’t sure she’d ever do it justice.
“You don’t need to ask because I’ll still give it to you. You and the boys, Draco” His thumb swiped at her tears and he leaned down to kiss her again. It was so tender, in a way nineteen year old Hermione could’ve never imagined. She pushed further, going to straddle him, hospital bed be damned, when Draco groaned not in lust but in pain.
Hermione pulled away again and caught her breath, “Sorry” She said sheepishly, pulling her hair into a braid as a distraction.
“Hermione Granger loves me, never be sorry” Draco winked, his own eyes looking a little watery. Hermione felt almost lightheaded as she reached over and snatched the dreamless sleep, popping the cork off.
“You gave me one of these a couple years back, I believe I should return the favor. Drink up, Casanova” She handed him the potion and Draco scowled.
“I’m not ready for this to be over” The blonde pouted, and Godric bless her she loved him even more for it.
“We still have the Christmas hols before the investigation on the wards begins. Don’t even try to lie, I know Alexandre put both you and Harry on leave for the week, so throw that back and get some sleep. You’ll need it when you move into Theo’s” Hermione lectured, though a smile stayed on her lips the entire time.
Draco finally conceded after another tremor went through his hand, causing him to grimace. He scooted further down the bed and wrapped an arm around her, pulling him closer to his chest. Hermione waved her hand and the lights went out. “Goodnight my girl, I love you” He said, sounding seconds away from being out.
“Goodnight Draco, I love you too” Hermione said back. And then she saw that their love had always been there. It was in the silence of their light hearted insults and academic arguments. It would be on their way home from the hospital or possibly England if they ever went back. And even now she could see it with the lights out in their tiny room, and maybe if she had squinted as hard as she could, she would’ve seen it in the dark of their Hogwarts dormitory six years ago.