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“You wear that trinket always… you have for years now, I had to commission new cuff links. Do not think we don’t know why.” Narcissa stated matter of factly.
He opened and closed his mouth.
Lucius glanced up from his plate, “did you think us imbeciles?”
”blind?” She added.
Draco stuttered. “well… not, exactly… I just, I think… are you angry? Will you hurt her?”
His expression held sincere concern.
They had previously discussed how to approach this issue.
”angry? No…” Lucius answered.
Narcissa replied. “Hurt the muggle girl? Of course not… but, you endanger her. She is not merely muggle son.”
”you have noticed, do not treat us at idiots. Let us be frank, it is why they placed a ring on her… why we had to add wards to her family’s land. They are deeply rooted in matters even they don’t understand.” Lucius explained, he appeared saddened. “I hoped you would lose interest.”
Draco’s eyes widened.
”that was very foolish of your father, he should have truly watched how she looked at you and vice versa.” Narcissa smiled fondly at her son. “Youth can be innocent and sweet, affection and love cannot be deterred once set on a particular path by fate or nature’s plan.”
”love? We’re too young for love?” Draco urgently muttered.
He looked back and forth.
Granted, Hermione snuck onto his property as well when he came home from school now too…
He had taught her things…
She was special.
Muggles could do magic… muggleborns. He read about them. They were different. Special. Rare. He hid the fact she was one… is that why they spoke this way? A warning? The ministry… the government? Yes! They would hurt her!
He scowled.
”they can’t have her! Promise father… mother… ! Please!” Draco began to cry with frustration, his own magic becoming unstable. “She… she’s mine… I feel like, we’re friends…”
His parents offered him a quiet smile each, their calmness unnerved him.
So strange.
More than if they’d raged or thrown him in the dungeon.
Confused.
He was very confused.
”her father has an arrangement. She is safe mostly. But, someone has noticed. It took a while.” His father pointed out. “They will observe for now, she won’t realize it any time soon. Do not tell her unless there is a reason to. No need to scare the girl. Let her continue to grow, keep her protected from the rest of them. If you don’t, you will lose her.”
Draco understood.
More…
He needed more time.
As they lay together in his mother’s garden the following morning, Draco was quiet. They were 13 now.
Teenagers.
She still complained about him being away at school, and her parents only allowing tutors to see her. Hermione was so utterly lonely.
Draco noticed her ring was different.
He gifted her a necklace for her birthday early. He made sure it held calming and protective enchantments. He wouldn’t see her on her birthday. But, she said he was all she wanted for it. It had made him blush.
They swapped gifts on his actual day.
Her gift to him was their first kiss…
And… an engraved pocket watch.
It held a lovely image of a daffodil and a serpent. The silver surface gleaming brightly in the sun as he held it, made him feel such warmth.
He was standing there staring at the watch in his palm grinning when Hermione leaned forward, kissing him. Startling him at first, then he continued it… kissing her happily back with a hum.
A breeze blew soft through their hair, when they drew apart shyly… both were pink cheeked. Laying on the cushioning grass, they enjoyed the serene feeling. Held hands, and just were happy.
Draco felt simple bliss.
Their magic seemed to be dancing together inside.
Everything around them was brighter and more beautiful. The birds singing, flowers scent amazing, twice as many blooming, and he just couldn’t stop turning to look at her.
They both kept grinning and chuckling.
He hated he’d have to return to Hogwarts eventually.
It was so drab there.
It seemed like nature itself loved Hermione, why couldn’t he just stay with her? Hide her within the manor? Away from her family and the outside world?
She would be safer with him?
Didn’t his parents think it was fate?
Plan?
Path?
Or whatever?
Hermione left Draco reluctantly, she almost didn’t that day. It had gotten harder and harder.
She stepped in through the door to the main dining room. “mother?”
She screamed.
On the floor, were both her parents.
Madalyn and Frank Granger were laying dead. Eyes facing up and wide, blank stare.
”I suppose it is time to formally introduce myself dearie…”