“Daddy! Daddy!”
The Aurors all turned to look at the 11-year-old girl running into their offices and headed towards the Head Auror office. It suddenly felt like the sun was shining brightly despite knowing it was dreary outside. Their faces broke into grins, some waved happily at her before they continued their work.
“Daddy!” She pushed the door open then climbed onto her dad’s lap. In her tiny hand was a letter she was eager to show him.
“I’m sorry, Kings.”
Kingsley chuckled. “That’s alright, Harry. We are almost finished anyway.” He looked at the familiar letter on the little girl’s hand and smiled knowingly. “Congratulations.”
Once Kingsley left, Harry turned to look at her. He settled her properly on his lap and pretended not to know the content of the letter she was holding.
“Dad.” She sighed exasperatedly. “It’s my Hogwarts letter! If Uncle Kings can recognise it then why not you?” She pouted.
"Ah must be my poor eyesight.” Harry removed his glasses earlier so he could use that as his reason. “Now let’s see.” He read the content in McGonagall cursive writing. It was the usual with a list of the school supplies attached to it.
“There you are. Don’t go running like that. The Ministry is a big place and you could get lost.” Theodore Nott took a steadying breath after running around looking for her. “Hey babe.” He kissed Harry’s lips.
“Hey. Don’t worry, Theo. She knows where my office is and besides, your office is just at the end of this floor.” Harry smiled fondly at his husband.
“Yeah…in a Ministry of Magic, Harry.” Theo emphasised the word magic. “Not in a muggle building.”
“Sorry daddy.” She looked down.
Theo’s heart melted. “That’s alright. Just…please at least get Aunt Luna to accompany you, okay?” He kissed her cheeks.
She nodded, then she brightened up again. “So, daddy…when can we go shopping for my school supplies? I can’t wait to get my own wand.” She bounced on Harry’s lap.
“Hmm…well we can go this Saturday. We can go together with Dean and Seamus. Their son is also going to Hogwarts this year.” Harry suggested. “So are Luna’s twins.”
“Huh. Blaise will definitely weep on 1st September.” Theo chuckled at the thought. In the beginning, Blaise was known to play the field until he met Luna Lovegood again and well…the rest was history.
“I think I will weep too.” Harry said softly as he ran his fingers through her hair. “James will miss his partner in crime.” He looked at Theo who had suddenly gone quiet. “Theo…”
Theo blinked his eyes in hopes to get rid of the tears but one stray tear managed to escape. “She’s going to Hogwarts and…they are not here to see her.”
Harry closed his eyes and when he opened them, he looked at the photo frame of a beautiful couple on their wedding day. The bride was a curly brunette haired witch whose hair was styled in an elegant French chignon with a few tendrils of hair framing her face while the groom was a blond haired wizard with a perfectly tousled hairstyle. They were sharing their first dance as husband and wife and everyone, even through a photo, could feel the love radiated from the two soulmates. They only had eyes for each other, as the world around them faded. Throughout the night, they hardly left each other’s sides. With beaming smiles and happy faces, the couple shone, leaving no doubts that the love they had for each other was strong.
That wedding was 12 years ago. 3 years after the war, the two souls met again at Weasley Wizards Wheezes of all places. The blond wizard who had just finished his community service and house arrest after a year in Azkaban following his actions during the war, was perusing the shelf to buy a gift for one Teddy Lupin. Apparently, the Malfoy matriarch reconnected with the disowned Black sister, Andromeda Tonks, during her own house arrest sentence. Andromeda took the olive branch with no hesitation - family, she had said, and had visited the Malfoy Manor. With her help, they refurbished the gloomy manor into a more homely place.
When the brunette witch caught sight of him, she greeted him like an old friend, which shocked him to the point he stared at her and was speechless long enough to make things awkward.
“Umm…Malfoy…” She snapped her fingers in front of his face.
“Oh!” Draco flushed in embarrassment. “Sorry.” His voice came out like a squeak. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I…I’m…you…Hi. Hello, Granger.”
Hermione was amused but the feeling was quickly replaced with a pang of sadness. The confident Slytherin Prince was stuttering and looking like he would rather sit in Trewlaney’s class. It was true - the war changed everyone including those on the opposite side. Malfoy was merely a pawn, like Harry. No one had it easy. She pushed the thought aside and bestowed him with another smile.
“So, Malfoy. How about we grab something to eat?” She smiled at him.
“Are you sure you want to be seen with me?” Draco eyed her nervously. He was grateful that George Weasley didn’t shoo him out but instead greeted him cheerfully and asked if he needed assistance. Now, it was Granger’s turn and she was asking to eat together?
Hermione frowned. “Why not?” Realisation dawned on her. “That was in the past, Malfoy. Now that we are adults…well, I have felt like an adult for years…” She chuckled softly. “Anyway, we are older now and we should open a clean slate.” She offered her hand for him to shake. “I’m Hermione Granger.”
Draco looked at her small hand then to her face. She was smiling but he could read her easily - her pupils were wide and there was a twitch at the corner of her eyes. She was nervous and somehow, he found that adorable. Gone was the bushy haired girl. In place was a beautiful young woman.
“I’m Draco Malfoy.” He grasped her hand, giving it a shake before bringing her hand to his lips. “Pleasure, Miss Granger.” He whispered against her knuckles. “Now, about the food…”
That was the beginning of their love story. It started with that lunch. Draco apologised to Hermione for all his atrocious behavior, calling her the slur, wishing for her to be the next one when the Chamber of Secrets was opened, for being on the wrong side and worse of all, he was sorry that he was such a coward for not stepping in to stop his lunatic Aunt.
“But Malfoy…” Hermione held his hands tightly. “You couldn’t have done anything. She was unhinged. She was powerful. She could lash out at your mother and think what would happen if she informs Voldemort of what you were trying to do. You were trapped, Malfoy. It was a war. I understand now that…one would do whatever it takes to survive. I was glad and still glad that you survived the war.”
Still, Hermione sat and listened to Draco’s apologies, of how he started doubting about blood purity when he saw wizards and witches like Hermione excelled in Hogwarts. How he began questioning his father’s ideology when Muggleborns were doing great despite being ‘tossed’ into a foreign world. But he kept such thoughts to himself. He was a Malfoy after all and his father’s approval mattered the most.
“I did say clean slate earlier, right Malfoy? How about a clean slate in your life too? You have a new path now, Malfoy. You can write your own story, be a hero in your own story.” She said excitedly. “Well…if you want it.” She smiled sheepishly at him.
Draco was quiet for a moment. “I think you are right, Granger. Ya. I don’t have my father breathing down my neck. No more Dark Lord terrorising me.” He smiled his first genuine smile at her. “Thank you, Granger. I’ve been lost. I don’t know what to do and I’m worried no one would want to do anything with me but you, Granger. You just…wow. I’m glad we bumped into each other today.”
“Me too, Malfoy. You are not so bad after all.” She winked. “We should meet up again.” She blurted it before she realised what she just said.
But since it was out, she wouldn’t take it back. Talking with Malfoy was fun. He was smart, she knew that, but to actually talk with him about many topics really showed that he was indeed smart, perhaps smarter than he looked. Their conversation flowed easily and there was never an awkward pause even when there was a lull. All in all, Draco Malfoy was a great conversationalist.
“Well, Granger. Missing me already? I’m still here.” He teased, loving the blush on her cheeks. “But yes…yes let’s meet again. I’ll owl you.”
And so, the letters began. They owled each other almost everyday then they would meet every Saturday at the same little cafe where they had their first lunch. Hermione was the first person Draco informed when he received news that St. Mungos agreed to hire him in the Potions Research & Development since he had obtained his Potion Mastery in record time during his house arrest. The same with Hermione. Draco was the first person to know any little success or progress she achieved as a lawyer.
They had lunch or dinner at each other’s place. Sometimes, they just watched movies at Hermione’s place. The first time Draco saw a television, he was amazed with how it worked that he asked too many questions about it till she suggested searching it up on the internet, hence introducing him to the internet. She was touched that Draco was happy to learn and was humbled that he didn’t know a lot of things about muggles. At the same time, she was often amused at the childlike wonder whenever he encountered muggle appliances.
He brought her to the library in Malfoy Manor and he watched as she was fascinated with the amount of knowledge stored in that place. He teased her when she burst into tears after locating a very rare book on ancient magicks and extinct magical animals. He calmed her panic attack when she suddenly realised where she was - the place she was tortured. He held her in his arms, whispered sweet nothings, and assured her that she was safe.
Their first kiss was under the rain. Not because they were fighting like a cliche in romantic movies she loved to watch with Ginny. They were just walking in the streets of muggle London, talking about the gift she wanted to buy for Ron Weasley who was coming back from Romania. No surprise there when it suddenly rained - it was London. Hermione wanted to find some shade but when she ran towards the nearby bus stop, she noticed that he wasn’t following her.
He was standing under the rain with his eyes closed, arms spread wide and a blissful smile on his face. It was then Hermione realised she had fallen in love with the man who had grown up from a spoilt brat to a wonderful man. She ran towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a hug. Despite being taken by surprise, his arms were around her body as he hugged her back, burying his nose in her already wet hair.
“I’ve got something to say.” They laughed because they said the same thing.
“You first.” Draco urged her.
She pulled away but still had her arms around his neck. “You make me very happy, Draco. My thoughts are constantly about you. Your smile, your laugh, your scent, your uncanny ability to annoy your mother.” She giggled. “Your brotherly act with Teddy…your charm towards Molly when you first visited the Burrow and you making my mom like a blushing teenager but mostly, your bravery, Draco. You may not realise this but you are brave.” She bit her lower lip. “What I’m trying to say is…I love you, Draco. I’m in love with you.”
Draco cupped her jaw, tilting her face close to his. “Thank Salazar, Granger…because I fucking love you so much.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I’m in love with you too.” He kissed her full lips softly, to show how he meant it. She responded eagerly, parting her mouth to deepen their kiss.
The need for air pulled them apart but their lips were merely inches away. Draco pressed his forehead against hers. “Granger…Hermione. You brought love and happiness into my life. You become the reason to live, to strive for the best. Every time I look at you…I just hope that I am worthy in your eyes. You make me a better man, Granger. I want to be the man you’d be proud of. You taught me how to forgive myself, my father and told me that it is okay to be scared and…I felt free. I feel free with you. Free of guilt and burden.”
“Oh, Draco…You are worthy and…I am proud of you. I love you.” She kissed his lips again.
And Draco cried. He cried as he kissed her back. He cried as they made love with moonlight piercing through the window. He worshipped her body, whispered words of love and kisses every inch of her skin.
She held him tight when they fell asleep. Dried tears visible on both their faces.
Some in the Wizarding World didn’t take their relationship well. The purebloods who were secretly still prejudiced. The ones who hated Draco for snatching the wizarding golden girl. The ones who thought Draco didn’t deserve to be with Hermione. But they didn’t care. Other peoples’ thoughts meant nothing to them. They were just strangers. What matters the most was that of each other.
Plus, their friends and families blessed them. According to Ginny, it was only a matter of time. They were all just waiting for either Draco or Hermione to make the move first. George, Charlie, and Ginny bet on Hermione, though technically it was at the same time. Semantics, George had teased. Nevertheless, they enjoyed their winnings.
Draco proposed to Hermione at the beach in early December, a year after they started dating. He whisked her off for a two-week trip, saying they needed this since they had been working their arses off. Hermione agreed wholeheartedly - she had accumulated days off and it also took Kingsley “threat” to fire her that she said yes for the two weeks trip.
He serenaded her with her favourite 90’s love song by Michael Learns To Rock which went by the title Paint My Love. He learned how to play guitar with the help of Richard Granger and when he couldn’t sleep, he would practice to perfection. Of course, he sang to her many times but usually it was just for a minute or a few seconds. Hermione had the most beautiful wide smile on her face as he sang and she sang along with him.
“Hermione…I want you to keep painting my love, my life…because you bring colours to my dull, dull life and without you, I don’t know what I would do. I want to be this happy and loved forever.” Draco opened the velvety box to show her the simple diamond sapphire cut ring with small rubies around. “Will you make me even happier by being my wife?”
All Hermione could do was nod as she was already a crying mess. She took a shaky breath and managed a croaked “Yes Draco!” before she felt the ring slip into her finger and seal her lips with a kiss.
“I love you, Hermione Granger.”
“I love you too, Draco Malfoy. Oh, I can’t wait to be Mrs. Draco Malfoy.” She sighed dreamily.
And indeed she couldn’t and didn’t wait. The wedding was three months after Draco proposed but thanks to Narcissa’s planning skill together with the excited Jean Granger and helpful Molly Weasley, the wedding preparation was smooth…sort of. There were small arguments on colour schemes, flower arrangement, guests sitting and other things that gave Hermione and Draco thought to elope, but in the end, surprisingly with Blaise’s help, everything went back smoothly.
It was the only time Blaise got to give orders to three scary women (yes including Jean Granger because one could never underestimate a muggle woman).
“Knock knock.” Harry entered the room where Hermione stayed to get ready for her wedding. “You look breathtaking, Hermione.” He admired his best friend in the beige coloured wedding dress.
“Thanks, Harry.” Hermione smiled shyly at her best friend, her brother really. “I take it Ron is with Pansy.”
Harry chuckled. “Yes. He is worried Pansy is going to pop off anytime. She is due in 2 weeks but still…one could never know.”
Hermione nodded. Her own birth was earlier than the due date so she understood Ron’s worry. “How’s Draco?”
“He’s nervous but excited. He keeps saying ‘Mrs. Malfoy’. Please don’t tell me this is some kind of weird foreplay.” Harry muttered, grimacing at the thought.
“Harry!” She slapped his shoulder, laughing with him. “Well…I keep saying it too.”
Harry shook his head at Hermione’s dopey smile. He hugged her tightly and the two of them stayed in that position for a few minutes. “I love you, Hermione and I’m so happy for you.”
There was another knock on the door and this time it was Richard Granger. Harry discretely wiped his tears then gave another hug to her before exiting the room. One moment, she was Hermione Jean Granger and the next moment, Harry was watching her walking with her husband after Kingsley announced “Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy”.
The newlyweds returned from their one month honeymoon with news - Hermione was pregnant. She was already pregnant before their wedding but she wanted to pass the first trimester before breaking the news. Harry and Theo were named godfathers, much to Theo’s delight. However, Draco was worried that he would not be a good father. He confided in Harry about it when he roped Harry into decorating the nursery.
“Every father, whether a new father or not, is always worried, Draco. Fatherhood is not easy but you know what, you have a partner. You have Hermione. Things may be tough but you two will have each other. That’s the most important.” Harry had said.
But when Dean Thomas sent a distress call coupled with Anthony Goldstein’s patronus, it was the day Harry felt like the world ended.
“Harry! Harry… Hermione and Malfoy…”
Hermione was cradling a bloodied Draco in her lap while trying to get into a comfortable position considering her 7-month pregnant belly was making it difficult. Her breathing was laboured and shallow when the Aurors arrived at the new house.
“Harry…I don’t have long…” Hermione closed her eyes. “Name her Lyra Jean Malfoy.” She winced when she felt another shot of pain running through her body.
“No. No. Shut up, Hermione.” Harry gather her in his arms. He tried some healing spells but whether it was because his mind could not focus or because the injuries were too serious, nothing he did was making anything better. His hands were shaking when he searched for Draco's pulse - it was there but too weak. “Where’s the fucking portkey?!” He snarled.
Someone tossed the portkey and immediately the three of them were whisked off to St. Mungos. Hermione held on as long as she could but it was too late. Draco Malfoy was pronounced dead minutes after he was brought into the emergency ward while the medi-witch could only manage to save Lyra and even that was a touch and go case.
Lyra Jean Malfoy was a tiny 7 month old baby but healthy. She inherited Draco’s grey eyes but that was where the resemblance was. She had Hermione’s curly hair and small nose. Hermione got to hold Lyra for a few minutes before she took her final breath.
Her last few words were “Mommy and daddy love you, Lyra…”
While Theo mourned, Harry worked extra shifts to the extent of working alone to catch the perpetrator. And it was hard, so hard. Every time Lyra cried, her hands moved like she wanted her mommy and daddy to hold her. When Theo or Harry held her, she cried even louder. It took some time to cope, to learn, to calm the baby.
Theo jokingly suggested a stuffed ferret or otter or maybe dragon for Lyra to hug. His suggestion was met with Lyra sleeping contentedly and easy to calm when she cried. The dragon was Draco’s old toy which Narcissa preserved while Jean gave Lyra the Gryffindor scarf which acted like a blanket for the baby.
It took Harry and the rest of the Auror team months but finally they caught the culprits - Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange with Antonin Dolohov, the three death eaters they had been searching for since they escaped the Battle of Hogwarts.
“Bloody kid married a mudblood. I keep telling Lucius his son was weak. Now, he can die with that bitch.” Rabastan had said.
“Little Draco failed to uphold his pureblood upbringing. A mudblood is supposed to be his sex slave, a mistress. Not a wife. He deserves to die.” Rodolphus grinned maniacally. “Was actually aiming that mudblood bitch for tainting the bloodline but…” He shrugged. “Draco suddenly played the hero.”
Antonin Dolohov had a smug expression on his face. “Just finishing what I started at the Department of Mysteries.”
The three of them were sentenced to Dementor’s Kiss. Harry felt like he had closure but somehow he was still sad. Sure, these rogue Death Eaters were gone but so were Hermione and Draco. Harry finally mourned for them, taking a month leave and drank himself to oblivion. He hated thinking about how he had another child having to grow up without loving parents.
But Lyra Jean Malfoy was a strong child. Hermione and Draco would have been proud.
A hand on his shoulder jolted him out of his thoughts. He looked at Theo’s red rimmed eyes and he realised he was also crying.
“Where’s…” Harry cleared his throat. “Where’s Lyra?”
“Out there playing with Dean.” Theo chuckled softly. He wiped the tears on Harry’s cheeks, bent down and kissed his head. “I love you, Harry.”
“I love you too.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hi mommy, hi daddy.” Lyra sat on the blanket Theo conjured earlier. She placed the bouquet of tulips and hydrangeas on top of her parents’ graves. “I made this. Nana Cissa and Grandaunt Andy helped.”
Draco Lucius Malfoy ~~Hermione Jean Malfoy (nee Granger)
05/06/1980 - 15/07/2003 ~~ 19/09/1979 - 15/07/2003
**soulmates till the end**
“Guess what? I received my Hogwarts letter!” Lyra smiled. “I’m going to buy my school supplies and get my wand. I’m so excited for my own wand. I wonder which house I’ll be sorted into. Daddy Theo wants me in Slytherin but daddy Harry wants me in Gryffindor but we’ll see.” She shrugged.
She touched the engraving on their tombstones. “I miss you two so much. I wish mommy and daddy could be there at King’s Cross. But I know you two will always be here.” She touched her chest. “I hope you two are watching me, taking care of me.”
Her lips wobbled as she started to sob. Clutching the stuffed dragon, she sobbed into her mom’s Gryffindor scarf. She thought she was strong enough but despite never meeting her parents, she missed them badly, everyday, every single minute, every single second.
“I’ll make mommy and daddy proud. I’ll be the best student in school and the best seeker ever. I want everyone to remember Hermione and Draco even when you two are not here.” She wiped her tears. “I love you mommy. I love you daddy.” She kissed their tombstones then went to hug Theo and Harry.
“Hear that, Hermione? Draco? Merlin. Your daughter is already a walking library. That’s what we get when two smart people make a baby.” Harry chuckled.
“She has started to explore the Manor library, Draco. You have a competition, Hermione.” Theo joined, laughing along with Harry.
Harry sobered. He touched their tombstones as he crouched down. “I missed you two. So much. There is never a day I stopped missing you. Yes you too, ferret.” He smiled. “Your daughter is growing up well. She brings colours and joy and light. We are proud of her too.” He glanced at Lyra in Theo’s arms.
“She will continue to shine, Hermione…Draco. She’s your little rock star.” Theo kissed Lyra’s cheek.
Hermione and Draco watched their girl walk in between Harry and Theo as the three of them left the cemetery with Lyra talking excitedly about a book she just read which cousin Teddy lent her.
“Our little rock star indeed…” Hermione leaned against her husband.
Draco wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to him and pressing a kiss on her head. He hummed in agreement.
Go little rock star…