Long Live
January 2, 2004
After Hermione and Pansy were done in the studio, they made their way to their favorite bar in Muggle London to celebrate. Before they left, they had sent an owl to Harry, Ginny, and Neville to join them for a celebration but decided to keep the why a surprise until later. The trio was sitting at a high table with drinks in front of them when Hermione and Ginny walked in.
When the three of them saw Pansy and Hermione walking up to the table, the group got visibly excited, ready to hear about their “announcement”.
Ginny was the first to speak out. “Sit sit guys, tell us what this announcement is! You made us wait, so it must be a good one!” She slid a dirty martini across the table to where Hermione was standing.
Hermione shifted her gaze to Harry, who was looking at her warily and with curiosity. She had told him earlier that she would “tell him later” what she was going to do. She still planned to, but things had kind of started snowballing and she hadn't gotten the chance. Until now.
Pansy looked sidelong at Hermione and smirked. “You want to do the honors?”
Neville smirked and it drew Hermione’s attention. And reminded her that she had to give Neville a strong-worded talking to after this.
Hermione blew out a shaky breath before dropping the bomb. “I may or may not have recorded demos with Pansy and been overheard by the Marc Buckley and he may or may not have made Pansy sign me,” Hermione rushed out in one breath.
It was quiet for a moment before Pansy shrugged and said matter of factly, “Just for the record, I was going to sign her regardless.” She sat beside Neville and gave him a quick kiss.
Hermione realized that they were waiting for her to say something else, or they were just in shock. Five hours ago, she was a ministry employee, now she was signed to a world-renowned record label.
She looked up from wringing her hands to see Ginny staring at her wide-eyed and slack-jawed. It made Hermione nervous. Hermione took a tentative seat on the fifth barstool at the head of the table and took a long drink of the martini that Ginny had gotten her.
She then looked to her left, to Harry. He was her best friend. Hermione was doing this either way, but she wanted his approval.
He looked partly concerned, partly proud. She knew they would be having a lengthy discussion later.
Neville decided it was his turn to speak. “Y’know Hermione, I’ll take my thank you now,” he said with a laugh before taking a sip of his drink.
“Oh no, Neville. Absolutely not! How dare you! I can’t believe you!” Hermione was pointing right at Neville’s face.
Ginny voiced her confusion, and Harry looked just as confused, so Pansy cleared it up for them. “Neville here was eavesdropping on Hermione once back at school and found out she could sing. Told me all about it last week. Long story short, Neville was the catalyst of this whole thing.” Pansy lifted her pointer finger to the ceiling and made a circle on the last part.
Hermione realized at that moment that Pansy was right. She was so focused on keeping her music to herself, keeping it private, that she had skipped the fact that Neville eavesdropping on her led to her being able to pursue her dreams.
She probably could have done it on her own, but would she have sought it out if it hadn’t found her first?
Neville saw the subtle shift in Hermione’s expression and gave her a small nod and smile. Hermione returned the movement, her subtle way of thanking him.
The five of them talked for hours with cocktails in hand.
It was around eight o’clock when the group decided to go home for the night. Hermione walked down the sidewalk to the nearest apparition point, then apparated to her flat.
She had only just gotten out of the shower when there was a knock at her door. There was only one person that went to her door and knocked instead of using the floo.
“Come in, Harry!” She yelled across her flat.
Hermione was getting dressed into her pajamas when she heard the door open and close.
“Hey, Hermione!”
“I’ll be out in just a second!”
“Okay!”
Hermione knew exactly why Harry was here. She loved Harry like a brother and really did want to talk to him about everything that happened today. But she was so, so tired.
Hermione closed her eyes and took a steadying breath before opening her bedroom door and walking into her sitting room. Harry was on her couch, with his elbows on his knees, lost in his thoughts. He didn’t even realize that she had entered the room until she sat on the couch next to him.
Harry’s head snapped to her and Hermione had a feeling that they would be here for a while.
“So tell me what happened, Hermione. Today with Kingsley all the way to you showing up at the pub.”
Hermione took what felt like her millionth steadying breath of the day. But for this conversation, she would really need it.
She went over how she had been trying to convince Kingsley to hold a memorial gala to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and how she kept being pushed off. Hermione also reminded Harry about her trouble with Ron recently. He was there for their fight and subsequent breakup, so a recap wasn’t necessary.
She had always been able to talk to Harry about her relationship with Ron. Hermione and Harry were like siblings. It wasn’t that strange for them.
Harry stopped her before she could get into her conversation with Kingsley.
“Hermione, are you okay?” He said earnestly, looking right into her honey eyes.
“Honestly, Harry… I have no idea. Today has been such a whirlwind that I’ve barely been able to think about what happened between me and Ron. Ask me again in three days…”
“I will. And if you need me before then, you know I’m only a floo call away.’
“Thank you, Harry. I appreciate that.” She leaned over and gave him a tight hug. “Now on to today.”
“Alright, let’s hear it,” Harry said with a long breath. Preparing himself for what Hermione was about to say.
“Essentially, I went to Kingsley’s office and reminded him who I am and that I am worth more than the value they place on me. I realized that I had finally had enough and that playing by others’ rules wasn't how I wanted to live my life.” Hermione finished.
Harry was nodding like he could see the interaction playing out in his head. He looked up at Hermione confused after a few seconds, though.
“Okay but that doesn’t explain the signing with Pansy.”
“Oh yeah… that.” Hermione blew out a shaky laugh. “Well, apparently, Neville found out about my music way back at Hogwarts.”
Harry’s eyebrows raised to his hairline in surprise. He knew how secretive Hermione was with her music. “I heard what him and Pansy said tonight, but it still doesn’t shock me any less. Neville is a sneaky little git, huh?”
Hermione raised her voice in agreement, “Right?! That's what I said!”
She continued, “Anyway, Pansy was telling him about how she wanted to sign a new artist and Neville decided to mention my name. She sent me an owl Friday evening to meet for tea on Saturday afternoon.”
“And what did she say?! ” Harry had no patience when it came to stuff like this..
“She wanted to sign me. She said that she wanted me to record a demo and she wanted to sign me to the record label.”
“Why am I only just now hearing about it?” Harry practically shouted.
“Because I turned her down.”
There was a long silence while Harry was putting the pieces together.
“That’s what you had to do today. When you left, you said that you had something to take care of. You went to Pansy,” Harry guessed aloud.
“Essentially, yes.”
Harry sat back against the couch, finally able to relax a little now that he had the short version of the whole story.
“What changed your mind?” Harry asked genuinely, glancing over at Hermione.
Hermione sighed as she recalled what went through her head in that moment.
“When I was in Kingsley’s office, I told him who I am. That I am Hermione Granger, and that there won’t be another me. I never realized the weight of that. That I can do anything I put my mind to. People say it about me and they believe it. But I never did, it was always just empty words. Today something just clicked. I realized that I really can do anything. Even the things I never thought were possible for me. The things I’ve dreamed of, but never dared hope for. So I decided to do it. I decided to pick myself for once.” Hermione had tears pooling in her eyes.
Hermione let the weight and honesty of her words sink in for a moment. She glanced over at Harry, who had been silent for quite a while. He had tears rimming his eyes, too.
Before Hermione could ask why he was crying, he spoke. “Hermione, I am so proud of you.”
Those seven words broke the dam in Hermione and she let out a broken sob.
It had been so long since someone had told her that. That they were proud of her. She never realized how badly she wanted to hear those words again until just now.
She felt seen. Really seen , for who she was and not what she represented.
She slung her arms around Harry and he wrapped his arms around her in return. They cried in each other's arms for a while.
Once her tears subsided, Harry pulled back and cupped Hermione’s face in his hands.
“Hermione, you have so much to be proud of.” He released her face and sat back further. “I know I don’t say it enough, but I’m really grateful to have you in my life. You’ve always been there for me, and I hope you know I’m always here for you, too. You’ve handled everything that’s come your way with such grace and strength. It’s inspiring, truly.”
Hermione’s tears started started anew.
“Oh, don’t cry,” Harry laughed and wiped a tear from her cheek.
Hermione laughed, too. “That just really means a lot, Harry. Thank you.”
Harry decided to shift the conversation to something lighter.
“So tell me about this plan with Pansy. How does all this work?” He asked curiously.
“Well, today we recorded two demos. We are supposed to meet with Buckley tomorrow to go over a timeline as far as recording and releasing goes.”
Harry had a genuine smile on his face. “Hermione this is brilliant! I can’t think of anyone more deserving. You are so talented, you’ll be selling out arenas in no time.”
“Thanks, Harry,” Hermione huffed a laugh.
She was silent for a beat before curiosity struck her. “Harry… what happened after I left today?”
Harry went still and didn’t dare say a word. Hermione noticed and sat up straighter. That was one of Harry’s tells. When he was nervous or felt uncomfortable, he would freeze. Literally.
“Harry…” Hermione said firmly.
His wide eyes slowly slid to hers, his head moving just as slowly. “Nothing…”
“Harry James Potter that is a lie and we both know it,” her voice getting more stern by the second.
“Hermione, trust me you don’t want to know right now.”
“And why is that?”
“Just trust me. You already have enough on your plate and it would just add to your stress.”
“Harry, right now, you are the only thing adding to my stress.”
Harry sighed, “Fine. You win. Long story short, Ron left and we had a new hire. That’s it.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound like it would stress me out that badly now does it,” Hermione said matter-of-factly.
She could see the wheels turning behind Harry’s eyes but decided not to press the issue further. Harry seemed happy to put it to rest for the time being, as well.
Hermione accidentally let out a wide yawn that she hid behind her palm. Today had been long. Heartbreaking and infuriating, fulfilling and exciting, and very, very tiring.
Harry noticed. “I’ll let you get to bed. I’ll see you later?”
“Of course. It’s weird, isn’t it? You know, that we won’t be working together anymore… I’ll owl you with updates on this little adventure and we can meet for drinks all the time.” Hermione smiled hopefully.
“Absolutely, Hermione. I’ll be there for you every step of the way.”
Harry stood from the couch and Hermione followed suit. They gathered each other in a tight hug before Harry stepped towards her fireplace.
Hermione suddenly said, “Oh, and Harry… please don’t say anything about my record deal to anyone. I just want it to stay between the five of us for now.”
Harry looked back at her and nodded. “You have my word. I’ll let Ginny know, too.” He turned back to the fireplace and stepped through the floo. Back to his flat that he shared with Ginny.
Hermione went to bed that night, her head swirling with replays of the day, with Crookshanks asleep and purring by her side.
January 3, 2004
Astoria insisted on sharing Draco’s bed, much to his chagrin.
He would wake up to straight, blonde hair on the pillow next to him after he dreamed of waking to curly, chestnut hair in the same spot.
It was the worst way that Draco could start his day. Instant disappointment in every single day. It would be easier if Astoria was warm and kind, but alas… She was the opposite. She was cold and calculated.
The opposite of everything he had loved and lost, once upon a time.
Draco gazed over at the clock that read 7:00 A.M. He needed to be at work in an hour.
He got out of bed slowly and quietly, so as to not wake Astoria. Not because he cared, but so he wouldn’t have to deal with her for longer than he absolutely had to.
Once he entered his en suite bathroom, Draco looked in the mirror. He barely recognized the reflection that looked back at him. His eyes seemed sunken in, his cheeks hollowing out.
But he just didn’t care.
After Draco washed up, he went to dress for his second day at the office.
Tilly had left a plate of breakfast and tea on a side table in his dressing room. It looked absolutely delectable, like always. But he didn’t touch it.
Draco had been forgoing most meals recently. Theo, Blaise, and Pansy would occasionally force him into having dinner, but even then, he would just pick at his food.
As he dressed, he was acutely aware of the fact that he had to buckle his belt one notch tighter.
As he left the room, he grabbed an apple from the tray in an effort to try. He hadn’t been doing much of that lately.
As he walked out of his room, he saw Astoria was awake and watching him from her pillow.
She tried to say something, but Draco slammed the bedroom door on his way out before he could hear what she had to say.
“I just can’t believe they hired a Deaheater. Bloody mad if you ask me.”
“Ron, he hasn’t been that in a very long time. In fact, I can’t say for certain that he ever was that.”
“C’mon, Harry! I know it, you know, everyone knows it!”
“Actually, I don't. And I really don’t want to have this conversation right now.”
Draco was walking to his office when he heard Ron Weasley in Harry Potter’s office. Something in his head told him to listen, so he slowed his pace.
What could he say? Hermione had rubbed off on him during their time together. Know it alls and everything…
“Harry, can I ask you a question?”
Harry blew out a sigh, like he was busy and the Weasel was interrupting him.
“Sure, Ron.”
“Did Hermione say anything to you yesterday? After she left, I mean?”
The mention of her name made Draco stop his slow pace right outside Potter’s office door. Out of sight, but close enough to hear everything.
Potter was hesitating. Like he was thinking about how to answer.
What happened yesterday? What made her quit?
“Not really, Ron. She was really busy.”
“But you did talk to her.”
“Yes, Ron. I talked to her.”
“Well, c’mon, what did she say? I tried to owl her this morning, but it’s been nothing but radio silence.”
“Wow, I wonder why. Look, if you’re hoping to hear that she’s heartbroken and crying with a carton of ice cream, then you’ll be very let down.”
Heartbroken? Why would she be heartbroken?
“I was not hoping that, Harry! I just wanted to see how she was. We were together for three bloody years! A breakup doesn’t change the fact that I care deeply for her.”
Holy fucking shit.
It sounded like Harry slammed a book, or something of the sort, closed.
“You sure about that, Ron? After what I heard between you two yesterday, it sure didn’t seem that way!”
Okay, he was making a mental note to get as much information out of Potter as he could.
“Oh, Harry! You know that was just the heat of the moment. I didn’t actually mean it!”
“Then why did you say it, Ron?!”
Harry was practically yelling now. Before the Weasel could answer, Draco decided to make his presence known. He knocked on Harry’s open door, and both men whipped their heads in his direction.
Potter’s face was blank, unsure how to handle this tense situation. His eyes were darting between Draco and Weasley, trying to sense if they were about to brawl. Weasley’s face was quickly morphing into a nasty sneer. He looked back at Potter, shook his head, and shoved past Draco, bumping his shoulder on his way out.
Draco broke the awkward silence first.
“Sorry to interrupt. It sounded like it was getting a little heated in here, I just wanted to make sure that all was well,” Draco said as he walked into Potter's office.
Potter just sighed and put his head in his hands.
“So I take it that all is not well?” Draco continued.
“Not even close…” Harry said with a strong sigh as he leaned back in his desk chair and looked at the ceiling.
Draco saw an opportunity, so he took it. He took a seat in Potter’s guest chair.
Slytherin to the core. What could he say?
“Well, do tell. Maybe I can help,” Draco said sincerely.
Potter was kind to him on his first day. Draco had also just caught Potter defending him behind his back. He had a chance to make a friend outside of his found family.
“I don’t know this may be out of your wheelhouse, Malfoy”
Draco laughed, “Try me, Potter.”
Harry sat up and put his elbows on his desk, ready to tell all.
“Fine. You remember how I told you that Hermione quit yesterday?”
Would his heart always skip a beat when he heard her name?
“I do,” Draco nodded, recalling the memory.
“Well, she didn’t just quit. She broke things off with Ron before she left.”
She did it? Interesting.
Potter continued, “Hermione is like my sister, and Ron said some really nasty things to her. And I just so happen to be witness to the whole thing so now Ron expects me to be his owl since she won’t respond to his.”
Perfect. Another excuse to beat the shit out of the Weasel one day.
“She won't. And rightfully so. If there’s one thing I know about Granger, it’s that she is the most headstrong woman that I have ever met. If she doesn’t want to talk to him, she’d first move across the world and change her name before giving in,” Draco laughed, caught in reminiscence.
Potter eyed him curiously, about to say something but was cut off by Tonks’ voice in the hallway.
“Up and at ‘em boys! We got a new assignment,” Tonks said leaning around the doorframe, not fully in the door.
Draco and Potter stood and made their way to the conference room, ready to receive the assignment.
As they took their seats, they noticed they were the only two in the room. Once Tonks entered, Draco was the one to ask, “Where is everyone else?”
“This is a confidential case. It’s just you boys on this one. I needed people I can trust and who I know are qualified to deal with this,” Tonks said as she sat at the head of the conference table.
Tonks silenced the room. It must be serious.
“Well, what is it, then? There must be another reason that you have, specifically, the two of us partnered on this case,” Potter asked Tonks.
Tonks closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steadying herself for what was to come. Because once she said it outloud, it was real.
“We have a serial killer on the loose… and whoever it is, is killing Muggles,” she said as she opened her eyes and they landed on Draco and Potter.
Draco was confused. “And what does that have to with us? Why can’t Muggle law enforcement handle this?” He asked curiously.
Tonks' eyes dropped to her clasped hands atop the table, “Because the signature left at every crime scene is a symbol that we’ve seen and dealt with before.”
It was silent for a few beats until Tonks’ eyes slowly lifted to meet Draco’s. He knew in that moment why it was him and Potter. Why he had been chosen .
Again .
“The Dark Mark,” Draco said with deadly calm.
Why was it that everything in his life always seemed to lead back to this forsaken mark? He had gotten tattoos to cover the mark on his left forearm in an attempt to be free of it, but it still came back to haunt him, no matter what he did to get rid of it.
“Yes. The Dark Mark. That makes it auror business. I chose you two because, one I don't want to cause a panic by making this public information quite yet, and two because I think you two are the most qualified for the job,” Tonks said as her eyes slid to Potter.
Potter was looking at his clasped hands atop the table. He had been silent for almost the entire conversation.
“Harry?” Tonks asked, trying to get his attention and gauge his reaction.
Potter lifted his eyes without moving his head. “Do we have any idea of who it could be?” He said with deadly calm.
Draco looked over to Potter, inspecting.
“The usual suspects. Any Deatheaters that weren’t captured after the war. Not exactly a small pool to work with.” Tonks explained.
“Not a small pool at all,” Draco stated blankly. Potter and Tonks’ heads followed him in question and surprise.
He explained, “Well, there are more unknown Deatheaters out there. Add them to the pool of people that we do know of…”
Tonks and Potter looked exhausted and frustrated just thinking about it.
“Looks like we have our work cut out for us, then.” Tonks looked between them.
Potter and Draco sighed and said in unison, “Yeah.”