... I need more hellos
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
A petition has been submitted for you to be allowed to complete your N.E.W.T.'s. I am pleased to inform you that the Ministry has agreed to grant you this opportunity.
You may use this school term to prepare for the examinations.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress
Granger, You shouldn't have.
- DM
Draco,
I believe redemption isn't about erasing the past but about forging a different path moving forward. You are worthy of a future.
I have enclosed my notes on Ancient Runes and Potions; maybe you'll find them helpful.
- Hermione Granger
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Draco got to know Hermione Granger through her comments and notes on the education she received during her final year at Hogwarts. She also expressed her frustration that Draco wasn't allowed any tutoring to help him keep up with the schoolwork. However, he didn't mind. Like she had let slip in one of her letters, '7th year wasn't very challenging'.
The letters grew longer, and personal details about Hermione's life at Hogwarts seeped through. He could tell that without her two best friends – who had opted not to return to the school – she was lonely, not really connecting with anyone.
Confiding in her as she did in him, Draco told her he felt alone. While the terms of his house arrest permitted visitors, he found himself without any. His friends, granted permission to attend Hogwarts, spent their time there.
Draco spent most of his days in his study or the library, either working on estate business or schoolwork. All the while, he found himself eagerly awaiting each owl bearing Hermione's distinctive handwriting. The letters served as a welcomed distraction from his otherwise monotonous days.
As the school year drew to a close, her letters became even longer as she tried to share with him every bit of knowledge she had about the curriculum.
Eventually, two official letters arrived. The first was from the Ministry, notifying him that his house arrest would be lifted the following day. The other came from Hogwarts, letting him know that he would be expected to arrive at the school the next day to start his examinations to complete his education.
After all the long letters that Hermione had sent him – and he her –, the letter from Hermione that followed was uncharacteristically short.
Come say hello tomorrow.
- Hermione
Draco couldn't name his feelings with any other word; he felt giddy with excitement. A year had passed, and he would finally – finally – be allowed to leave the grounds of the Malfoy estate.
Narcissa Malfoy had made it her mission to redecorate every single room in the Manor. She had even gone as far as proactively inviting Aurors and curse-breakers to rid the estate of dark magic. While Draco was grateful for her determined efforts, Malfoy Manor would forever remain a place where happiness wouldn't be able to reach him.
With his mother standing beside him, Draco tried to portray patience. As the grandfather clock in the hallway chimed noon, green flames erupted in the fireplace. In rapid succession, two Aurors and Thaddeus Trumbleweed entered the drawing room.
Thaddeus, as animated as ever, shook Draco's hand first, then Narcissa's. Auror Ravenscroft wasted no time on pleasantries; instead, she unfurled the scroll she held.
"Mr. Malfoy," she began reading, "In accordance with the terms of your judgment, you have served one year of house arrest at Malfoy Manor. Today signifies the conclusion of that year. As previously communicated, you are obligated to report to the Ministry weekly for the next six months. Ensure you bring your wand to these meetings for inspection."
The other Auror, a man named Thorne, maintained a stern gaze as he inquired, "Mr. Malfoy, do you understand the terms and conditions outlined for your post-house arrest reportings?"
Draco met Thorne's eyes and replied with a crisp, "Yes, I understand."
Ravenscroft tucked the scroll away, signaling the beginning of the practical aspect of their visit. With a curt nod, she gestured to Thorne, who turned away from her. Both Aurors lifted their wands and started murmuring incantations.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the Manor seemed to constrict around Draco. He felt like he couldn't breathe and he became not warm, but hot. But just as quickly as it came, the physical discomfort left him. Draco coughed, offering his mother a reassuring glance.
"Very well," Ravenscroft declared, unrolling another scroll on the desk, “Now all that's left is signing this.” Thaddeus, present as a witness for Draco's release, leaned in slightly, observing with a practiced eye.
Draco took a moment to read the contents, his eyes scanning the formal language that detailed the conditions of his post-house arrest responsibilities. Satisfied that everything was in order, he signed the parchment, then slid it across the desk towards Ravenscroft.
The Aurors, having completed their task, exchanged a brief nod of farewell before swiftly turning toward the fireplace. Thaddeus followed in their footsteps. In an instant, the green flames licked the air as the trio disappeared one by one into the Floo network.
The number of times Draco had imagined his release from the Manor couldn't be counted. But now that he was finally able to leave its grounds, he was hesitant. He felt for his mother, unsure if she would be comfortable staying here alone.
Narcissa sensed his reluctance and gently put her hand on his arm as she offered him a warm smile. “Go. It's only a week.”
“Will you be okay?” the question escaped his lips before he could stop himself.
“Yes. I will be perfectly fine,” she assured him. “Now go.”
Draco could have chosen to travel through the Floo Network. He could have taken a broom. However, he chose simplicity. He walked. He walked past the gates, past the gardens, into the forest.
As the forest's embrace gave way to the open air, he turned to look back at the Manor. The estate was beautiful, but he no longer felt pride looking at it. He spun, Apparating away.
He knew there would be someone waiting for him at the gate, but he didn't immediately face whoever it was. Instead, he admired the view of the castle in the soft mid-day light. Thank Merlin, Hogwarts had been restored to its former glory, outwardly showing no sign of the war that had happened within.
A shudder went through him as he stood. Before now, he hadn't allowed himself to be nervous about his return here. He turned. He couldn't stop the broad smile that instantly formed on his lips as he saw her.
“Hello, Hermione.”
Draco took a hesitant step into the echoing corridor, his footsteps creating an eerie symphony in the deserted halls. "I never thought I'd see Hogwarts like this," he admitted, glancing around.
Hermione fell into step beside him. "It's strange, isn't it, walking around an empty castle. But maybe it's better this way. Fewer distractions for you during your exams," she remarked, a wry smile playing on her lips.
Draco chuckled, a hint of tension dissipating. "I doubt distractions would be my biggest concern right now."
As they walked, the conversation turned to the upcoming exams. Hermione explained, "The Ministry insisted you complete your N.E.W.T.'s after the regular school year. They didn't want the public to know you're graduating like the rest of us," she scoffed, rolling her eyes.
They entered a room filled with rows of desks and a stern-looking examiner at the front. The atmosphere was tense, but Draco felt a surge of determination. He was here to prove something – not just to the Ministry, but to himself.
As he settled into his seat, Hermione wished him luck with a reassuring smile. "You've got this, Draco."
The examiner handed Draco his exam paper and addressed Hermione.
“Thank you, Miss Granger; you may leave.”
“Oh no,” she chirped, “Headmistress McGonagall has kindly allowed me to stay, thank you.” She sat down a few desks away from Draco, then happily turned to stare down the examiner.
“You have 90 minutes, Mr. Malfoy,” the examiner declared sharply.
Nothing on the paper was unfamiliar to Draco, and he breezed through his Runes examination. Still, he used up the full 90 minutes, revising his answers where he felt they could be more complete.
Instead of leading him to the Great Hall for dinner, Hermione guided Draco towards a hallway on the third floor. Breaking the silence, Draco inquired, "Obviously with the school year concluded, the students have all returned home, but where is everyone?"
“It's just us,” Hermione stated, “Hagrid is at his cabin, and the Headmistress had some business to attend to. She said she'll be back in two days.”
As she reached for a door, Draco subtly breezed past her, opening it for her. Upon entering, he noticed books scattered across tables and the couch. Several open boxes stood next to a cabinet.
“So, they just left a student alone with a Death Eater? Who thought that would be a good idea?” Obviously, he knew he wasn't going to harm her in any way. But he was highly annoyed at this glaring oversight in securing safety.
“Former Death Eater,” she emphasized, “And, no, they didn't leave you alone with a student; I'm a Professor.”
“What?” Draco stared at her, “How did this come about? What subject? Why didn't you mention this in your letters?”
“Well,” she held up a finger, indicating she was answering his first question, “Minerva got fed up with me complaining about the curriculum; she suggested I show them how it's done.”
The corner of his mouth twitched at this. She had always been a know-it-all, and this seemed totally in line with her character.
She held up a second finger. “So, starting next school year, I'll be teaching Transfiguration.” A third finger was added. “I didn't mention it because I wanted to surprise you.” At her last words, a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. Draco found it hard to look away.
"You've just graduated yourself. You'll be only a year older than your oldest student. No one considers that to be a possible problem?"
"I'm a war hero," she shrugged, "I don't think I'll have trouble getting anyone to listen to me. Besides, the fact that I'll be head of Gryffindor House should add some weight."
"Head of House?" Draco echoed, "You must be the youngest Head of House –”
“Ever," she proudly stated.
Draco felt an unfamiliar surge of joy for her. The concept of feeling such happiness for someone else was foreign to him, but he welcomed it without hesitation. Then, a sobering thought came to him.
"How does Weasley feel about this?"
She looked surprised by his inquiry. "Ron? He's thrilled for me, as is Harry. Why wouldn't they be?"
"He's already had to miss you for a year. I figured the two of you would want to settle down by now."
"Settle down?" She didn't track.
"Yes, you know, as couples tend to do."
"I'm... I'm not with Ron!"
It was his turn to be taken aback. "You're not?"
"No. We kissed. Once. But we agreed we were better as friends."
He crossed the short distance between them without a second thought, his lips crashing onto hers. For half a second, Hermione's body tensed, caught off guard. Then, as if surrendering to the moment, she curved into him. Draco's hands found their place on her hips, pulling her closer. She readily complied, meeting him with the same passion that fueled him.
Her hands traveled up his back, and he shivered at the sensation. Hermione's fingers trailed higher, entwining in his hair. Suddenly, he felt the energy shift. Her fingers were no longer tugging, but she pulled back, trying to step away from him. He immediately complied by letting her go, his hands falling to his sides.
"We can't do this," she said, attempting to catch her breath.
Of course she didn't want him to kiss her. Draco scolded himself, what had he been thinking? She made it hard to think though, he found the blush on her cheeks adorable.
"You..." Hermione began pacing, her words sounding more like muttered thoughts than a direct address to him, "I helped you in Azkaban, defended you, helped get you here for your N.E.W.T.'s..."
"You're not suggesting that I kissed you out of... gratitude?" Draco's face twisted in clear disgust, intensifying Hermione's embarrassment.
"No," she rambled, "Of course you wouldn't. But, you've not seen anyone in a year. I guess it only makes sense that you think that you've come to like me."
"Think I like you?" Draco asked, his tone quiet. "You could introduce me to a hundred – a thousand – girls, and I wouldn't care about them."
"You're saying you care about me? But... you don't even know me!"
"Of course I know you!" he objected, "I know that you are compassionate. I know you have an unparalleled sense of justice. I know you like honey in your tea, I know your favorite quill, and I know that you're the most infuriatingly brilliant person I've ever met."
Draco moved closer to Hermione but she side-stepped away from him.
"But," she gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks, "You're a student, and I'm a Professor!"
He laughed, "The new school year hasn't started yet, so you're not a Professor yet. And I'm not a student here. No," he insisted as she opened her mouth, "I'm just here to take my N.E.W.T. examinations, that doesn't make me a student."
"Now," he came closer once more, this time she stayed still, looking up at him. "Your objections are not because it's me, kissing you?"
She scrunched her nose, "Of course not," she resolutely stated.
"Are you with someone else?" he asked, a note of vulnerability in his voice.
She shook her head.
"Good," he murmured, now close enough that he could kiss her again – a desire that pulsed through him. But he waited, tracing her eyes as if looking for something. He leaned in even more, his lips close enough that he could feel the warmth of her breaths on them.
"Do you want me to leave?" he asked.
Her response was a choke in her breath, her eyes steadfast on him. As he waited, not moving, he felt more than he saw that she shook her head. Draco took it as an invitation. Their lips met again, the kiss more deliberate this time.
As the kiss deepened, he held her tighter, wanting to be as close to her as possible. Heat flamed through his veins, spreading throughout his body.
Eventually, they had to break the connection. Hermione giggled, lightly shaking her head. Draco pressed his forehead against hers, watching as she held her eyes closed for a moment longer. When she opened them, she smiled.
"Hi."
Draco chuckled.
"Hello."
Draco excelled in his N.E.W.T. examinations, with only one other outshining him – an outcome he dismissed without a second thought. Being surpassed by her was a pleasure he welcomed any day of the week, any minute of the day.
With a newfound affinity for numbers, Draco immersed himself in accountancy to fill his days with meaningful work. Through Hermione's friendship with George, he secured 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' as his first client, and soon, more businesses sought his expertise.
Draco decided to invest in a flat in Diagon Alley, creating a cozy haven for his weekends together with Hermione. He had an office in his flat, effectively ensuring that he could be home whenever she got a free moment from teaching. It had taken him some effort to leave his mother behind at the Manor, but she insisted that she was perfectly content.
Free from the constraints of the Manor, he embraced a broader social life. Theo appointed himself as a business partner, despite contributing nothing, while Blaise approached the venture with genuine commitment, swiftly expanding the business to France, Italy, and Spain.
Surprisingly, Draco found a camaraderie with Harry Potter and their friendship flourished. Harry even managed to drag Ron to a few outings, who grudgingly admitted that Draco had become tolerable.
At the six-month-mark of his release from his house arrest, the Ministry waived his weekly visits. They had become a formality that only lasted two minutes at most anyway. Along with this, they lifted the last boundary, allowing him to leave the country once again.
Having known for some time where he would go first, Draco secured a Portkey using his connection with Harry. Hermione quickly fell in love with the French seaside, making it the perfect destination for their romantic week at the Malfoy chateau – a trip that would forever be among Draco's favorites. He believed that no memory would ever be able to surpass the perfection of the moment she agreed to be his wife.
It was an unexpected assembly of men, the men present at the groom's suite. Though Theo was his brest friend, Draco knew that trusting Theo with the rings was not likely to end well. Instead, Blaise would be standing by his side. Harry playfully teased Ron as he struggled with his tie, grumbling about the necessity of wearing one. Catching Draco's gaze, Harry winked.
Draco's mother entered the room, returning after delivering a gift from Draco to Hermione. Opting for simplicity, he had chosen a delicate silver necklace, accompanied by a note that spoke volumes: "I miss you, I love you – DM."
Narcissa casually reached out to him as if removing an imaginary speck of dust from his shoulder. Despite having learned to mask her discomfort, her hands still trembled slightly when she didn't have her wand on her. Draco felt immense gratitude that she had gracefully adopted a bi-weekly dinner schedule with him and Hermione at their flat.
"How is she?" he inquired.
“Beautiful, ready for the day,” Narcissa assured him.
"Knowing her," Theo quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "She's probably been ready for an hour. You might want to hurry before she decides to reorganize the entire ceremony. Maybe swap out the flowers or rearrange the seating plan."
The comment drew a chuckle from Blaise, who added, "Draco, mate, don't worry. Everything will be perfect."
As they made their way to the ceremony, Ron continued to grumble about his tie, adding, "I don't see why we can't just wear dress robes and be done with it."
Harry responded, "Hermione likes the blend of both worlds. It's her day, mate."
Theo leaned in and whispered to Draco, "I bet she's making last minute changes to the vows right now. Maybe throw in a few ancient spells for good measure." Draco shot him a look, torn between amusement and anxiety.
The sun bathed the outdoor venue in a warm, golden glow, casting a gentle radiance over the gathered guests. A soft breeze whispered through the air, carrying the fragrance of blooming flowers and the distant scent of the sea.
Rows of white chairs adorned with delicate floral arrangements filled the open space. A majestic oak tree, its branches forming an elegant canopy, stood at the center, under which the ceremony would take place.
As Draco and his mother walked towards the front, the chatter of the guests hushed in anticipation. Narcissa gracefully extended her cheek and Draco accepted the gesture with a tender kiss.
Blaise went to stand next to Draco as the rest of the men took their designated places in the front row. An enchanting melody announced Hermione's imminent arrival, causing Draco's nerves to coil. He glanced at Blaise, finding reassurance in the encouraging smile his friend offered.
The grand doors ceremoniously swung open, and all eyes turned to her entrance. Draco's eyes immediately went to her face, her radiant smile coming into focus. And Draco saw nothing else. He didn't see the grip on her fathers arm was a little too tight, turning her fingers white. He didn't see the long train her white dress had, the lace that covered her shoulders. He didn't hear that Theo joked that if Draco didn't marry her, he would. Everything and anything around him had blurred into insignificance, for all he saw, was her.
Somehow, her journey down the aisle felt simultaneously too slow and too fast. He longed for the moment they would stand together, to be married. Yet, a part of him wanted to freeze time, keep her there, capture the utter joy she radiated, make sure she'd never have a reason to wear any other expression on her face.
Eventually, too soon but at last, she stood beside him. Her father kissed both her hands before placing them in Draco's. She looked up at him, her curls framing her face.
“Hello, love.”