Hermione and Draco return to Hogwarts where Hermione shares her story.

When the time came for Hermione to return to Hogwarts after Easter Break was over, it was decided that she would board the Hogwarts Express with the rest of her classmates. Both Tom and Marlene felt it would create too many questions if Hermione didn’t return to school with the rest of her Slytherin classmates; although no one outside of Slytherin, and perhaps Harry, knew for certain Hermione hadn’t been on the train when school had let out for the holidays...

...but thankfully, no one had speculated as to the why.

What was widely known was that Draco had gotten into a fight with Zacharias Smith in the Library and hadn’t been on the train the Friday morning before break.

Many had speculated that the betrothal between Slytherin’s Prince and the daughter of the Dark Lord was off and a few had even hoped that the rumors were true.

So when Draco had shown up the Monday after break was over, on Platform nine and three-quarters with Hermione fixed firmly onto his arm?

Well, let’s just say there were a few unhappy faces that morning.

Draco hadn’t cared to wonder what his classmates thought, as the only thing he was worried about was his witch, who was mostly healed from her ordeal. Her magical core had finally settled—if not quite returned to full strength. The Dark Lord and Marlene had escorted their daughter to the Hogwarts Express, and the rare sight of Lord Voldemort on the Platform quickly became the hot topic of gossip amongst those who were watching the family.

The Dark Lord’s Magic was palpable, as any who got too close to his daughter were quickly scurrying off into another direction. Marlene had chuckled a few times, as some of Hermione’s classmates had come over to try and talk to her and with a single look from her Father, were soon moving into another part of the Platform.

Even Hermione seemed amused by her Father’s overprotectiveness.

Draco’s face was stoic as always, but his eyes held a trace of mirth as he winked at his witch.

When Daphne came over with Corban, upon seeing her best friend—the two girls enveloped each other in a brief hug before Daphne curtsied formally to the Dark Lord.

“My Lord.” Daphne smiled gently, while Corban bowed formally.

“My Lord and Lady—it is good to see you both looking well.” Corban drawled in that deep voice of his.

Voldemort nodded briefly, but Marlene smiled fondly at the couple, who seemed to be radiating that new couple glow.

“It is good to see you both as well. Hermione shared with me that you both were able to spend some quality time together over break.”

Daphne blushed, while Corban smirked at the pretty shade of pink from his witch. “We did indeed, My Lady.”

Voldemort eyed his follower, who seemed more relaxed than he’d ever seen the man, before looking back at Hermione.

“Perhaps you should get yourself situated on the train, Daughter.”

“Of course, Father.” Hermione nodded and went to give her Mum a hug goodbye. When she went over to her Father, he tilted her head up and made eye contact, demanding without words that she stay out of trouble, take care of herself, her magic and she send for him immediately should she need anything. Hermione silently promised her Father she would do so.

He broke eye contact, shaking Draco’s hand and watched his daughter as she got on board the train.

After a few moments he felt Marlene’s hand squeeze his arm. “She will be okay, My Lord.”

“I know. She just has a penchant for trouble, and it makes me wary is all.”

Marlene smiled softly for a moment before her body went rigid. Tom, sensing his mate’s unease looked down at her, only to see her gaze fixated on something, or someone else.

Tom followed her gaze to see the glare of grey eyes staring back at them. Marlene’s gaze held Sirius as she smiled gently and nodded once—letting her former lover know that Hermione had been successful. The wide relieved smile that broke out on Sirius face said more than words ever could. When his attention shifted, the Dark Lord bowed his head in thanks, understanding from his daughter just how she had been able to procure the Cloak from Mr. Potter.

Sirius hesitated briefly, but returned the gesture before giving his godson a quick hug and moving back into the crowd.

Tom pulled Marlene along with him as he stated firmly, “That Wizard is still in love with you, Pet.”

Marlene sighed, but nodded. “I suppose he is. But if it hadn’t been for that...”

“Indeed.”

Was the only credit he was willing to give the wizard. While he was grateful for Black’s kindness, it would be unwise to think that his motives had been entirely altruistic.

Marlene however, gave Tom a wicked look of her own. “You seriously can’t be jealous?”

He chuckled as he shook his head. “Poor choice of words, Pet. But to answer your question, no...I’m not jealous. You are mine and I am yours, and it has always been this way and it will always continue to be, thanks to our brilliant daughter. If you’re unsure however, we can return home where I’m more than happy to remind you just to whom you belong.”

Marlene’s cheeks blushed slightly as she bit her lip in contemplation. “I think that’s an excellent idea, my Lord. I’d hate to become complacent in your attentions, after all.”

Tom’s forest green eyes darkened with lust as he smiled heatedly at his little witch before he apparated them off the Platform without a sound—much to the astonishment of all who were watching.

Hermione and Draco in the meantime, found themselves situated in the same compartment as Blaise and Theo, who looked relieved to see them together. Daphne followed soon after she’d left Astoria with her friends, making sure her sister was alright.

“Merlin, Hermione! Your Father sure seems to know how to make an entrance.” Chuckled Theo.

Smiling softly, Hermione gave Theo an amused look. “He just wanted to come and see Draco and I off today. Is there anything wrong with a Father wanting to see his Daughter off to school?”

“Not at all. I just don’t think I’ve ever seen him willingly mingle with the masses before. He seems to find it distasteful.”

This did get Hermione to giggle softly, while Draco cracked a lopsided grin, and Daphne nodded in agreement.

“Well, I suppose that’s true enough.”

Draco wrapped his arm a bit more firmly around Hermione as she settled into him and sighed, feeling her eyes drooping shut as the train started to pull away from the Platform. He placed a small kiss on her head and whispered soothingly, “Sleep, love.”

“Okay.” Hermione slurred a bit, before she was out like a light, her friends watching with concern.

After a few moments, Daphne gave Draco a look of worry.

“Is Hermione alright, Draco?”

“Yes. I can’t tell you what happened, or why I wasn’t on the train before break but suffice it to say that my brilliant witch managed to find a way to save her mum, and it taxed her core quite a bit.” Draco whispered, sharing the story that Hermione’s parents had agreed upon. At the shocked look on Daphne’s face and the curious looks on his two best mate’s faces, Draco knew they wanted to ask questions—but a firm shake of the head made them all realize that this was one subject he wasn’t planning on sharing at this juncture.

Soon there was a soft knock on the door and Blaise stood to answer it, stunned in disbelief as he opened it and saw Harry Potter standing there, seeming a bit awkward.

“Hey? I’m sorry to bother you all, but I just wanted to check in on Hermione.”

Draco nodded and waved the Boy Who Lived inside the compartment, much to the surprise of his friends. Harry nodded his thanks and took a seat next to Draco, who had Hermione wrapped around his other side. Harry gazed at Hermione with friendly concern, and Draco decided to ward and silence the compartment.

“I’m sorry to barge in here like this. My godfather explained a few things to me when I went home for Easter and I have to say? I’m impressed with Hermione’s devotion to her mum. I just wanted to see for myself that she was alright.”

Draco nodded. “No one knows of the particulars, Potter, and it needs to stay that way. I’m sure you understand that.”

Harry nodded emphatically. “Yeah, Sirius was pretty firm on that. I’d take an unbreakable vow, but I’m not of age yet. Sirius has been working on my Occlumency though...so I’m good there.”

Draco sighed in relief, however Theo, getting a bit frustrated at not knowing what the fuck Potter was talking about, cleared his throat loudly.

“Don’t mean to interrupt, but what in Salazar’s name is going on?”

Draco glared as his friend, when he felt Hermione stirring next to him as she yawned and opened her eyes.

“It’s alright, Draco. I asked if it was okay to tell Theo, Blaise and Daphne and he said it was fine but to tell them if they said anything to anyone, they’d have to answer to him directly.”

Draco smirked smugly at his friends, while Blaise and Theo paled and Daphne looked a bit ill.

“You sure you want to know, smartass?” Draco admonished his friend for waking up his witch.

Theo mouthed ‘sorry’ while Harry just laughed at the dynamic of Hermione’s friends. Theo then sighed and glanced over at Blaise, who shrugged and then nodded once. Daphne gazed over at her best friend, whose amber eyes were fixated upon her blue ones.

Taking out her wand, Daphne placed it in the center of the compartment, her hand extended and said, “I, Daphne Greengrass take a witches oath...”

Daphne finished the words promising to keep the conversation they were about to have confidential, watching as Blaise and Theo did the same. Both boys were of age and even though Draco wasn’t, he was a Master Occlumens and had been trained by the best Legilimens in their world. Harry obviously, would never repeat any of what they were about to discuss, and since he knew the majority of it anyway, it seemed as if he could be trusted.

Draco kissed Hermione’s forehead once the oaths were done and whispered, “Do you want to tell them, or should I?”

“It’s alright, I can do it.” Hermione said softly, sitting up with Draco’s help, smiling shyly at her friends. “My mum as you know, was dying. She and my dad are mated, the particulars aren’t too important, but being separated when my dad was cursed by Dumbledore and left for dead was really hard on my mum. It taxed her magical core to the point she only had a few months left to live...if that.”

Seeing Theo and Blaise’s eyes widen, Hermione decided to forge ahead before anyone could ask questions.

“I had discovered back during the summer after our third year, that Dumbledore had been in a relationship of sorts with Gellert Grindelwald. The two wrote letters to each other that Bathilda Bagshot, Grindelwald’s Great Aunt, gave to me. She had been furious when her nephew had been imprisoned and Dumbledore had been lauded as a hero for defeating him. You see, when they were young wizard’s, both of them actively sought out the Deathly Hallows—they wanted to become all-powerful and take over the Wizarding World together.”

“What happened?” Theo asked, intrigued.

“Well, I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but apparently there was a disagreement of some kind in Godric’s Hollow and Ariana Dumbledore was killed by a stray killing curse. No one knew who had cast the curse, but it was that action that severed Dumbledore’s and Grindelwald’s relationship. Most of what was reported on during our fifth year was at my request. Rita Skeeter owed me a favor, and I couldn’t stand by and allow that man to ruin any more lives. He killed my mum’s family, Harry’s godfather rotted in Azkaban for twelve years without a proper trial. He cursed my Father and left him for dead, robbing me of a proper family and killed Harry’s parents. I had to do something.”

Harry nodded, while Draco smiled inwardly at the incredulous expressions on his friend’s faces.

While Hermione’s story wasn’t quite 100% true, it didn’t change the fact that when shared, it was compelling and no one could refute the veracity of her loathing for the former Headmaster.

“So? I devised a plan to make sure he paid for what he did. I’m not proud of it, but if I hadn’t, that man would still be Headmaster and I’d never have my parents back.”

Waving her wand, she showed them the specter of Ariana Dumbledore and the looks of awe on her friends faces were priceless.

“Dumbledore’s sister?” Harry asked, and Hermione nodded.

“I used this to drive the man barmy and it worked. He attacked me at the end of our fifth year and I disarmed him.”

“Fucking Salazar!” Blaise gasped. “He could’ve killed you, Hermione!”

“He nearly did.” Harry growled out angrily. “I was there when Dumbledore cast the ‘crucio’ and it looked bloody terrifying.”

“It wasn’t pleasant I assure you, but it did serve its purpose and Dumbledore could no longer hide behind his fame and position. Which is one of the things I wanted.”

“And the other?” Asked Daphne quietly, in complete awe of her best friend.

“His wand.” Hermione stated firmly.

“Dumbledore had the Deathstick?” Blaise gasped out incredulously.

“Yes, he won the Elder Wand from Grindelwald in 1945. It was because of that, why he was so powerful and had done so much damage and how he was able to curse my Father back in 1981.”

Harry shook his head angrily. “It makes so much more sense now, you know.”

Hermione reached over and grabbed Harry’s arm in solidarity. “I’m sorry, Harry.”

“No, Hermione. Don’t ever apologize. You did what needed to be done.”

Nodding, Hermione went on to explain about the Gaunt Family ring that her mother had given her adoptive parents when she had left Hermione with them.

“That’s how I’d realized just whom my Father was. After that, it was a matter of getting the Cloak. My mum remembered that your Father had one and that you most likely had it, Harry. Once I had all three, I went to Nurmengard and Grindelwald, who told me how to unite the Hallows so I could save my mum. It drained my magical core and I’m still a bit tired, but my mum is healed and that’s all I wanted.”

Reaching inside her bag, Hermione handed Harry back the Invisibility Cloak (a magical copy her Father had made with the Elder Wand. It was essentially the same Cloak, just not quite as powerful as the original).

Harry took the Cloak with wide eyes and shook his head. “I can’t take this, Hermione. It’s yours now.”

“Nope, it’s yours Harry. I thank you for your generosity, but I can’t keep it. It belongs to you. It was your Dad’s and I’d imagine it’s probably one of the few things you have of him. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t return it to its rightful owner.”

Harry’s green eyes met amber ones as he smiled and took back the Invisibility Cloak, nodding his thanks.

“If you ever need anything, Hermione, I’m your friend too. At least I hope we can be.”

Hermione stood up and gave Harry a hug, which caused everyone in the compartment to stare at Draco to see what he’d do, but to the blonde’s credit? He just sat back and smiled fondly at his witch and Harry.

Harry returned the hug fiercely and stepped back, offering his hand to Draco, who shook it and nodded.

“I’ll let you guys have some privacy.” Harry said kindly.

“Thanks, Potter.” Draco returned pleasantly before adding, “Please keep an eye out for my witch. She’s still not 100% and I don’t trust the Weasel.”

Harry gave Draco a firm nod and left the compartment, while Hermione took her place back on the seat next to him.

Theo looked at Hermione appraisingly. “So, you’re the Master of Death?”

Hermione giggled. “Nope. My Father is.”

Draco grinned at his friend, letting him know that what Hermione stated was 100% true.

“How?” Theo sputtered in shock.

“That’s not my story to tell, Theo.” Hermione said impishly. “But you’re welcome to ask my Father for the particulars next time you see him.”

Blaise, Draco and Daphne all laughed at that while Theo just looked like he wanted to vomit. “I’ll pass, thanks, Hermione.”

“Probably wise, mate.” Draco winked at his friend, who just stared back at him mutinously.