Chapter Thirteen

‘Are you sure you won't stay?’ Narcissa asked, hugging Hermione.

‘No, I must be going. But I'll visit you some other time.’ Hermione added, hugging her back.

‘I'll be back tonight, okay? Take care of yourself.’ Draco said, kissing his Mother on the cheek, not wanting to leave her by herself.

‘Sometimes I wonder if I'm the parent.’ Narcissa joked, pulling Draco in for a hug, ‘I'll see you tonight.’

Draco and Hermione made their way outside into the fresh, but snowy, air. He held her hand and her trunk with a smile plastered on his face. Hermione apparated this time as Draco didn't know where her house was.

When they got there Draco was nervous although he was careful not to show it. They walked down, passing houses and trees. Everything was in place, neat and tidy, the ground was icy and there was a thin layer of snow at places.

Hermione squeezed Draco’s hand, wondering why he was so unusually quiet.

‘Nervous?’ Hermione asked, winking.

Draco’s heart lightened, he placed an arm over her small waist.

‘Of course not.’ Draco muttered.

Hermione chuckled, leading him up a set of stairs.

Draco looked up at her house, perfect for a couple with only one child. Small but comfy and homey.

Hermione rang a doorbell and they waited. The door opened after a few seconds and thin woman with white skin hugged Hermione. She had brown hair tied up into a ponytail with a fringe.

‘Mum!’ Hermione cried out, hugging her.

Draco smiled at the sight in front of him. He loved how emotional Hermione got and he knew that she had really missed her parents.

‘Hermione?’ a deep voice exclaimed, pulling her into a hug too. He let out a deep burst of laughter, his eyes wrinkling at the sides.

This man had a few wrinkles near his brown eyes, so familiar to Hermione’s, and short, balding light brown hair. Draco watched them hug, feeling a little jealous since he didn’t have a father like that.

Mrs Granger was looking at Draco, a small smile shadowed on her lips, wondering if this was the boy Hermione had been talking to her about. She waited patiently for Hermione to introduce him.

‘Mum, Dad, this is Draco, my... boyfriend. Draco, these are my parents.’ Hermione said as her father hugged her with one arm.

‘Nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs Granger.’ Draco said politely, carefully shaking Mr Grangers large hand.

‘Please, come in.’

Draco walked in, careful to wipe the snow of his shoes. He was led down a hallway that held many pictures of Hermione and her parents. He looked at every one in turn before getting to a kitchen.

‘In through here, I made breakfast.’ Mrs Granger said, offering a chair to Draco, at the four seated table.

He sat, feeling slightly nervous since he had never done meet-the-parents before. Especially not meet-the-Grangers. Hermione sat opposite him and Mr and Mrs Granger sat down too. They passed out the plates.

‘Help yourself,’ Mrs Granger said, with a smile.

Draco nodded appreciatively and took some eggs and toast as Hermione did the same. She glanced at him and smiled, trying to get him to relax a little.

‘So, how was Hogwarts?’ Mr Granger asked Hermione.

‘Yeah it was good, this year had it's downs but after that we had a great time.’ She replied, smiling warmly at Draco.

‘Why didn't you tell us about Draco sooner? He's a lovely boy,’ Mrs Granger said, patting Draco’s arm, ‘how did you two meet?’

‘Well, we were in each others classes since first year,’ Draco said, looking at Hermione, ‘and, uh, I fell for her first.’

‘And she soon followed,’ Mr Granger chuckled, looking at his daughter as she blushed furiously.

They ate and talked about other things, mainly about Draco and Hermione. Draco enjoyed himself, relaxing a lot more now. He felt as though he had eaten a full horse by the time everyone had finished.

‘Tea?’ Mrs Granger asked.

Hermione nodded after a look at Draco.

‘Yes, thank you.’ Draco said, sitting back in his seat.

‘Draco, how about we go and I'll show you my study?’ Mr Granger asked, getting up.

Hermione widened her eyes at Draco. He knew what was coming. The ‘Dad - my daughter’ speech. None the less, Draco got up and walked out of the room, a little curious as to how this would go down.

Mr Granger led him to his study. He opened the wooden door and Draco’s eyes fell upon two bookshelves opposite each other. One contained files, dentist books and, by the looks of it, Hermione’s wizardry books. The other held books for free time reading. A small desk was opposite the door, complete with a picture of Hermione as a child and a family picture.

‘Please, sit.’ Mr Granger said, sitting behind his desk.

Draco took the seat opposite him, feeling a little like he was in a meeting with someone very important. He kept himself from smirking as he levelled his gaze with Hermione’s father.

‘So you like my daughter?’ He asked, fiddling with a ball of blue-tack and leaning back in his chair although his eyes were trained to keep on Draco’s face.

‘Yes sir. I love her.’ Draco said, trying to keep his voice confident.

‘The problem is, son, my daughter is very naive. She isn't the best judge of character.’ Mr Granger leaned forward.

‘Sir?’ Draco asked, confused.

‘If you try any funny business or hurt my daughter, you'll have to answer to me. I know your family, boy. I get the Daily Prophet mailed here,’ Mr Granger said, analysing Draco’s face.

‘Sir, with all due respect, you can not judge me by my past or my family. I love your daughter. And I wouldn't hurt her. Ever.’ Draco said, enunciating the last word.

Mr Granger kept his eyes on Draco’s face, ‘I’m warning you now. You’d better not hurt her or you’ll have to deal with me.’

‘Understood,’ Draco nodded.

They both stood up and walked back into the kitchen, Mr Granger changed the subject to something less serious. Hermione’s eyes flickering to Draco, she raised her eyebrows in confusion but Draco only shook his head.

The rest of the day passed by them talking together and sharing a few laughs.

 ---

A few hours later, Hermione was grabbing onto Draco by the door. She had grown accustomed to having Draco around her all the time since they had classes together, they did homework together, they did Head Boy and Girl duties together, and they shared a dorm.

‘Don’t leave,’ Hermione whispered, too quiet for her parents to hear.

Draco chuckled at the look in her eyes and nearly leaned down to kiss her but a throat clearing from Mr Granger stopped him.

‘I'll walk you to where you're apparating.’ Hermione said, her mind made up.

‘Okay, but don't be too long.’ Mrs Granger said before Mr Granger could open his mouth.

Draco and Hermione walked down the steps and down the street. Hermione looked back to see her mother closing the door. She grabbed Draco and dragged him under the cover of the trees.

She pressed her lips onto his. Draco grabbed her waist with one hand and his other hand was tangled in her hair as they kissed.

‘I've been waiting for that all day.’ Draco whispered, nibbling on Hermione’s lips.

‘What did my dad say to you?’ Hermione asked, suddenly pulling back slightly so she could look him in the eye.

‘He told me not to hurt you. But... I wouldn't.’ Draco said, ‘of course I wouldn’t. You know that.’

‘I know... I wish I could stay with you.’ Hermione whispered, their lips close together.

Draco leaned forward to kiss her and they kissed for a while, not stopping to breath. Eventually, they had to stop.

‘I'll miss you.’ Draco said, hugging Hermione.

‘I'll miss you too.’ Hermione said.

She waved goodbye as Draco walked down the street and out of sight. She heard a crack and knew he was gone.