Hermione and Draco

Disclaimer: These characters are not of my creation (I wish!). Everything belongs to JK Rowling, I'm just delving into the Pensieve and playing around with the memories a little!

Chapter 10 – Heartbonding

“Thank you, Drucilla,” Hermione whispered as she lay back down with one hand over her belly protectively. “Make sure Daddy knows we both love him, please,” and with that, she fell asleep.

Sunlight streaming through the huge windows in the office woke Draco. At first he thought it had all been a dream until he looked at the fireplace and saw the blanket and pillows they had used when they had made love last night.

“Thank you, Drucilla,” said Draco into the stillness of the office. “Please make sure Mummy knows I love her. And I love you, too, pumpkin.” He then got up, picked up all the photos, pillows, and blanket and whistled his way upstairs to get ready for the day.

*************

Neville woke up, reaching for Ron. When he realized he wasn’t in bed with him, he flung back the covers, got out of bed, threw on his robe and went to go look for him.

After he had searched the entire flat, he went to sit down in the living room to have a smoke and try to think of where Ron could have got to. As he reached for his cigarettes he noticed they were sitting on top of a folded parchment. He grabbed both, and as he lit his cigarette he shook open the paper to read it:

Neville,
I know you’ve probably looked all over the flat for me, and I’m sorry if I’ve worried you.
I had to leave, though, because I’ve done something horrible to Draco and Hermione.
Something they will probably never be able to forgive me for, and if and when Harry and
Ginny and the rest of my family find out about it, they’ll hate me, too. I left before everyone
could find out. I probably could live with my entire family hating me, but you finding out
and having to face the hate and horror in your eyes would be too much for me to live with.

Just remember, I will always love you.

Ron

What he read made his face pale and his hand started to shake.
Ron left because he did something awful to Hermione and Draco?

Oh, no, Neville thought This is bad, very bad! If he’s able to break those compulsions I’m in a lot of trouble!

He paced around the room, trying to figure out how to minimize the damage this could do to him.

If I go to Hermione with this note, he thought. I could cover my tracks. Ron doesn’t know yet, or he’d have gone straight to her and told her everything!

As he formed the plan in his head, he nodded to himself and ran into the bedroom to throw on his clothes from the day before. He raked his fingers through his hair, mussing it up even more and worked himself up so he had tears running down his cheeks.

Then he apparated to Hermione’s Cottage.

*************

When Hermione woke to sunshine streaming through her bedroom window, she smiled sleepily. She could still feel Draco’s hand roaming her body, his kisses caressing her lips. She sighed heavily, threw back the covers and went to shower.

Once she got all of her toiletries taken care of she realized how hungry she was. As she headed to the kitchen, she paused to Floo Harry and Ginny and invited them to lunch.

The Potters readily accepted her invitation. She didn’t tell them about Severus’ planned visit, she’d tell them when they Floo’d in.

As she was getting the salad thrown together for lunch, she head two pops in the other room and a moment later, Harry and Ginny walked into the kitchen.

They smiled broadly at their friend, hugging her tightly in turn.

“You think you’re making enough salad there, Mya?” teased Harry. “That’s enough for a small army!”

Hermione grinned at Harry. “Well, I’m expecting Narcissa and Severus for lunch, also. I figured it would be rude to eat in front of them!”

Harry quirked an eyebrow at her, but when she didn’t elaborate, he let it drop. If she didn’t want to discuss it without the other two, he could wait.

As Hermione finished preparing lunch, there was a knock on her door. She excused herself from the kitchen and went to answer it.

Harry and Ginny heard the murmur of voices and Hermione, Narcissa, and Severus walked into the kitchen.

“Narcissa-mum!” Harry jumped up from his seat and hugged his godmother, using their favorite nickname for her.

Severus quirked an eyebrow at Narcissa.

“You know I’m his godmother, Severus. That’s his nickname for me – and I’m afraid all three of them use it now!”

To everyone’s amazement, Severus started howling with laughter.

“Oh, how I would dearly love to see the look on Lucius’ face when Harry Potter calls you ‘Narcissa-mum’,” he chortled. “He’d Avada himself right then and there!”

Everyone laughed and sat down to eat. After lunch Severus stood up and held the gaze of each of them in turn.

Harry sobered instantly. “It’s serious, isn’t it, Severus?”

“And we’re not going to like it one bit,” Ginny finished.

“Why don’t you all adjourn to the living room where we can do this more comfortably? I’ll clean the dishes and make some coffee. Narcissa-mum, will you help me in the kitchen?” Hermione asked giving her mother-in-law a look.

Narcissa caught it and raised an eyebrow slightly, but nodded. “Of course, dear.”

The Potters and the Potions Master left for the living room as Hermione and Narcissa started clearing the table.

“Alright, Hermione – what’s going on?”

“Let’s get the dishes loaded and the coffee on, then I’ll fill you in.”

So, they cleared the dishes and as Hermione loaded her dishwasher, Narcissa put the coffee on. When they were done and waiting for the coffee to brew, Narcissa turned to Hermione.

“Alright – so. Will you please explain why you asked me to help? I assume you have something you wish to share?”

Hermione nodded. “I saw Draco last night,” she glowed. “Drucilla took me to him so we could spend the night together.” She smile brightly, then sighed sadly. “Draco told me that Severus was coming to discuss who he and Draco suspect is being controlled by Lucius and Drucilla wanted me to tell him that he’s on the right track, but the wrong direction.”

Narcissa’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “They have a suspect? Who?”

Hermione sighed again. “The same person that Harry and I first suspected, then dismissed; Ron Weasley. And I’m afraid they’re right.”

Hermione walked over to the coffee pot while Narcissa sat there in shock. Lucius controlling Ronald Weasley, one of the best Aurors in today’s business? How did he do it? She knew Lucius was audacious, but he had never openly flaunted the authorities before.

And what is this doing to Hermione? Narcissa knew that Ronald and her son had never been friends – they loathed each other, in fact, but Hermione and Ron were best friends, had been engaged – how was this affecting her?

“Mya?” Narcissa walked to Hermione’s side and wasn’t surprised to see tears coursing down her cheeks as she put the coffee pot and cups on a tray.

“Hermione Jane Granger! Don’t you dare blame yourself for this!” Narcissa said firmly and the girl she’d come to think of as a daughter whipped her head around with round eyes. ”It’s. Not. Your. Fault! You didn’t do this, nor did your love for my son, do this, to Ron. Lucius did. It’s his fault and nothing you did or did not do is to blame!”

Hermione took a step back, staring at her mum-in-law as if she’d just struck her. With a wail she collapsed into Narcissa’s arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

As Narcissa held the weeping young woman, the others came into the kitchen to see if the two women needed some help. When Harry saw Hermione crying her eyes out, he went to her side. When she realized he was standing next to her, she flung herself out of Narcissa’s arms and into his, sobbing and speaking incoherently. He smoothed her hair and rubbed her back, murmuring comforting words into her ear until she once again had her emotions under control.

“Thanks, love,” she gave him a watery smile.

“Anytime, sweets,” Harry gave her one last hug and ushered her to the kitchen table.

“Why don’t we sit in here, Hermione?” Severus suggested with a gentleness that he had not used often. “We will be just as comfortable sitting here than we would be in the sitting room.”

So they all sat around the table, passing around the coffee pot until they all had cups. Severus cleared his throat once everyone was settled and began to tell everyone his suspicions about Lucius and Ron. He was surprised when no one jumped up and cursed him, and said as much.

“Hermione and I had suspected him a while ago,” Harry explained to Severus’ surprise. “We disregarded our suspicions because we knew, no matter how hurt or angry Ron was, he’d never knowingly hurt either one of us.”

Severus nodded. “That’s exactly my point – because I know he wouldn’t. My guess would be that he’s being controlled by Lucius…”

Just then they heard the whoosh of the Floo activating in the living room and heard someone moving toward them, calling frantically, “Hermione? Hermione?!”

When Neville Longbottom came through the kitchen door, they all looked at him with surprise. He was pale and trembling, with tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Hermione! Harry! You’ve got to help me! Ron was gone this morning. He took his money and clothes and left this!”

He handed the note to Hermione. She went pale as she read the note. “Well, it looks like we were right.” She said with tears in her eyes as she looked at everyone else and laid the note on the table.

They all just sat there and stared at her.

*************

Ron had stopped to rest when he got into Northern Germany. He could feel everyone looking for him, but he couldn’t trust himself to go to them.

He’d already betrayed them at least once that he knew of. How many other times had he done it before?

He could feel Lucius’ compulsions trying to get purchase, but as far away as Ron was, they couldn’t get a firm grip and Lucius was so mad he was literally frothing at the mouth. Definitely an incentive to stay as far away as possible, for as long as possible.

He hurt. He ached. He wanted to go to his friends so badly, ask for help, but how could he? How could they forgive him for helping Lucius keep Hermione and Draco apart?

And what about Neville? Now that he’d left, he could feel Neville worrying himself sick, knew that Neville’s heart must be breaking like his was. How could he forgive Ron for not only doing what he’d done to their friends, but for breaking his heart?

These questions went round and round in his head as he ate, even more so when he lay down to sleep. He started crying when he thought about all the trouble he’d cause everyone and cried himself to sleep.

*************

After a month of looking for Ron and having no luck, the group of searchers decided there was only one thing to do: go to Ron’s father, the Minister of Magic.

Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Severus were getting ready to Apparate to the Ministry when Neville showed up.

“I’m going with you.”

They looked anxiously at their old friend, taking in the dark circles under his eyes, the think cheeks and his unkempt appearance. They’d already had to have him checked into St. Mungo’s once, against his will, because he refused to take care of himself until Ron was found. It was starting to look like they’d have to do it again, and soon!

“Neville, c’mon, why don’t you help yourself to something in the fridge and lay down for a while? We won’t be very long, and we’ll tell you everything that happens,” Harry cajoled, very worried about his friend.

“I can’t sleep anyway,” croaked Neville. “I might as well go with you to help. Ron and I have some sort of special connection. We can sometimes feel what the other is feeling. I know he’s scared, hurt and lonely. Maybe they can do with that.”

“Oh, Neville, we all know Ron’s scared and lonely,” snapped Hermione, more sharply than she’d intended. She truly felt badly for Neville, but she was growing tired of his whining. He wasn’t the only one suffering. “That doesn’t mean you have a connection. I’ve never heard of anything like that!”

“There may not be, but we feel it all the same!”

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but Severus help up his hand, forestalling the bickering. She closed her mouth with an audible snap as he walked over to Neville.

“So, you can feel what he’s feeling? And so can he with you?”

Neville nodded, swallowing.

“Neville, give me your hands.” Severus held out his hand to him. Neville looked at him a if he weren’t sure he could trust him. “Come, now. I won’t snap your arms off. Give me your hands. Now!” instantly Neville held out his hands and Severus took them in his own. He closed his eyes in concentration for several moments. When his eyes snapped open again he let out an explosive sigh.

“Heartbonding,” he said finally. “It only happens to magical folk, and it’s very rare. I have not heard of anyone who had developed it within the last 150 years,” He said back and ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re quite right Neville, you and Ronald do have a connection and it’s very strong. No only is it you and Ron, but also Hermione, Draco, Harry, and Ginny. Once it’s fully developed you’ll be able to communicate with your thoughts alone.”

They all stared at Severus, trying to tell if he was truly serious.

“Severus – you can’t be serious,” scoffed Hermione. “Those things only happen in fairy tales!”

He quirked an eyebrow at her. “So do witches, wizards, dragons, giants, merpeople, and hippogriffs.” He smirked. “We’ve all been made into literary devices, Mya. That does not mean we are not real.” Hermione gaped at the Potions Master, not sure if the most amazing thing was that he confirmed the existence of the connection, or that it was the first time he’d ever used her nickname.

“But what does that mean, really?” asked Harry. “Are we able to find Ron with it? Can we help others to find him? What, exactly, can be done with this… ‘Heartbond’?”

And exactly how did Draco become bonded with the rest of us? He kept that thought to himself, for the moment, not wanting to upset Hermione with it.

“Well, as far as I can see, the four of you are the closest to him, therefore if you all concentrate on Ronald, we should be able to get a fix on him. If we use it in tandem with one of the Ministries Aurors, we should be able to find him ad bring him back.” A shadow crossed Severus’ face briefly, before he ran his hand through his hair again. “As for was a heartbond is… think of the concept of what is commonly called “soul mates”, and you won’t be far off. Although, anyone, Muggle or Wizardkind, can have a soul mate, only magical folk can develop a heartbond… it’s much stronger and much deeper than soul mates.”

They all looked at each other for several moments. Finally, Hermione stood up.

“Well,” she started, straightening the front of her blouse. “If we’re the best chance of finding Ron and bringing him back in one piece safely, let’s go to the Ministry and get to it.”