LIFETIME MATE

Chapter Sixteen


It was decided by Hermione and Katrina, that for Kat’s 10th birthday in March, they would celebrate at home by the pool, with a few close friends and relatives. Hermione charmed the house and the surrounding grounds to a warming spell, as it was only March and still a bit chilly for the pool. She also charmed a snitch for underwater, so that she and Katrina took turns trying to catch it, much to the laughter of Hermione’s parents.

They spent the day before the party outside, swimming and relaxing. The grandparents had arrived earlier that day and were inside getting dinner ready, leaving mother and daughter alone.

They were sitting at the pool edge, their feet dangling in the water, when Katrina looked to her mum. “Mum.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you happy?”

Hermione looked to Katrina with an odd expression. “Yes. Why?”

“No reason.”

“Are you happy Kat?”

“Yes. I do wish that I could practice some magic though.” She said hopefully.

“Soon. Dumbledore assured me that you are on the Hogwart’s registrar. A couple more years.” Hermione said smiling.

“Have you heard from Chase since you came home from the infirmary?”

Hermione looked down seemingly absorbed in a tile by the pool. “No..... No I haven’t.” She got up suddenly and grabbed her towel. “Well, should we go in? I’m pretty sure I smell those steaks on the barbeque.” Here sae said, not really wanting to talk about Chase at that moment.

“Sure.” Katrina got up and walked beside her mum, almost coming to her shoulders.

Hermione put her arm around Kat’s shoulders and drew her close to her side as they walked. “I love you Kat.”

“I love you too mum.”


The next day they awoke to an already warm day. They dressed in shorts and t-shirts with their swimsuits on underneath, then went out to prepare for Katrina’s guests.

The first to arrive were the Potter’s, all in various forms of summer wear. Braeden came running up to Hermione to hug her in greeting then went to Kat to give her a hesitant hug. “Happy Birthday Kat.” He smiled.

“Thanks Braeden. Do you want to go swimming or play some video games first?” Katrina asked.

“Swimming. Can Lily and Mya come too.”

Kat looked to Ginny. “Sure, but I’ll go with you.” Ginny smiled, not being able to resist the look on Braeden and Katrina’s face.

Kat took one of the twins while Ginny held the other then walked to the shallow end of the pool. Harry and Hermione followed, but sat back in the lounge chairs off to the side, watching as the babies squealed in delight as Kat and Braeden were splashing them gently with the water.

Hermione looked to Harry. “So Harry, what’s been bothering you lately? You regretting leaving the Ministry?”

“No. I know I made the right decision. Being an Auror, there’s too many risks. I want to be able to spend more time with the kids and be there for them.”

“So what’s on your mind then. It’s like you’ve been avoiding me lately. Did I do something wrong, do something to piss you off?”

Harry took her hand in his and turned to look at her. “It’s not that I’ve been avoiding you, it’s just that I’ve been wanting to tell you something and I can’t yet.”

“It’s okay Harry. I’ll be here when you can, although you’ve got my curiosity peaked now, you do realize that don’t you?” She smirked.

Harry smiled back at her. “Just remember ‘Mione, whenever you need me. I’m there.”

“Hmm...that sounds rather ominous Harry. But okay, and thanks. Now let’s go get wet.
They look like they’re having way too much fun.” They joined their families in the water, Kat and Braeden jumping on them, trying to get them down into the water.

During the course of the morning the other guests slowly arrived, some of them looking out of place in muggle clothing. Ron and Lavender soon joined the kids in the water letting Ginny and Harry have a break from the twins. They sat back contented, glancing to the water every few minutes when they would hear the kids laughing.

Severus soon came walking out of the house, followed closely by Dumbledore and McGonagall, as it was arranged for them to apparate from their downstairs rec-room. Hermione approached them and hugged them in welcome.

“Nice to see you could make it Severus.” Hermione said as she kissed the corner of his mouth.

He hugged her, then stepped back. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

Hermione watched as the three of them sat in the shade by her parents. It was weird seeing them without their school robes. The three of them wore some loose fitting pants with shirts that had the long sleeves rolled up to their elbows. Severus actually looked quite good in muggle clothing.

After cake and gift opening for Kat, Dumbledore had asked Hermione for a private word. She led him to a grassy area shaded by a large tree at the side of the house, where they both conjured up some lawn chairs. Harry and Severus followed them with their eyes then looked to each other nervously, knowing what the two of them would be discussing.

“So, what did you have to say Professor Dumore?ore?” Hermione asked.

“First of all, call me Albus.”

“Okay....Albus. What did you need to speak to me about?” Hermione asked again smiling.

Dumbledore smiled back. “I was wondering how your teaching job is going at the wizard’s preschool?”

“It’s going great. I love being able to teach kids something new, especially when I know that it’s something they would remember for themselves. They’re young, but I find it very uplifting.”

His eyes twinkled in response. “Yes. I know the feeling. Being able to mold young minds, it’s very gratifying.” He paused and leaned back steepling his fingers. “How would you feel about coming to Hogwart’s as a Professor?”

Hermione wasn’t sure what to say but was finally able to ask. “A Professor? For what class?”

“Why for Transfiguration. That is what you majored in, wasn’t it?” He asked smirking.

“Well, yes. But what about Professor McGonagall?”

“She has decided to semi-retire. She will be teaching the Advanced Transfiguration only.”

“Are you sure Albus?”

“Yes Hermione. You were one of the brightest students at Hogwart’s. I think you will do a remarkable job....and besides we need some young blood at Hogwarts. Too many of us old folk there.” He smiled.

Hermione smiled. “Yes of course, I would be happy to accept.” She said eagerly.

“Katrina can also start the same term you start. She’s a bright girl, I don’t think she’ll be lost.”

She beamed at the praise of her daughter. “Thank you. Thank you so much. Kat has been really looking forward to starting at Hogwart’s. She’s already read, ‘Hogwart’s: A History’a few times.

“Like mother, like daughter, right Hermione?” Dumbledore stated smiling. “There is also some other new professor’s to start the next term.

“Like who?”

“Well Defense Against the Dark Arts position is open again. It is so hard to keep someone for that class. Harry has agreed to teach that class.”

“Harry! He will do a great job. He taught a few of us a lot in out fifth year. It looked like he really enjoyed it.”

“Yes. Harry will do a superb job. He has found a cottage by Hogsmeade so he can be close to his family.”

“You said professors, as in plural. Who else?”

Dumbledore smiled but the twinkle had gone from his eyes. “Hermione, the new professor will be teaching the younger students in Potions, as Severus has expressed a wish to just teach the Advanced Potions.” He paused as if weighing his words.

“Yes, Severus has mentioned that. He must be happy about that.”

“Yes, he is. Hermione what I am about to tell you, it will be hard to accept, but there was good reason for what I did?”

“What? Surely it can’t be that bad.”

“Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that.” He leaned over and grasped both of her hands in his, holding on tight. Hermione’s hands shook all of sudden, not wanting to know. “Hermione, Draco is alive.” He blurted out.

She tried to pull away but he held on with amazing strength for an older man. “What? What do you mean he’s alive? The Ministry said that he died in the house explosion. How can he be alive?” Her voice quavering, close to tears.

“Yes, it was reported that Draco and his mother had died. The Ministry believed that, but the two of them had flooed their way to me scared and close to death. We felt it was safer for them, and you Hermione, if Lizette and the death-eaters thought they were dead. Lizette would not stop until all of the Malfoy’s were dead. I didn’t want yours and Katrina’s life in jeopardy.”

“You said they were close to death, what happened?” Hermione cried, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “Where is he? Why hasn’t he tried to contact me?”

“Well Narcissa had the ‘Crucio’ curse done on her numerous times, she was quite weak, but she pulled through okay. Young Draco had been shot in the leg and the shoulder. The wounds were not able to heal very rapidly due to the poison in the bullets....much like your wound last year. The one in the shoulder went right through to exit through the back. His mother and I were quite worried for his life. Lizette had left them for dead, but when Draco was awakened by a blast from the lower part of the manor, he dragged Narcissa into the fireplace and flooed their way to me.”

“Did you say he was shot twice, once in the shoulder and once in the leg?” A sickening dawning of realization seeping into her shocked mind.

Dumbledore saw her face, the different expressions of sadness, hope and a bit of anger. “Yes. Hermione, that was him.”

She got up and paced in front of him, Harry and Severus still watching with worried expressions. “How could he? Chase always reminded me of Draco. His smell, his body, his piercing. Why did I not connect the two? Was I that stupid to realize it? Do you realize that I was falling in love with Draco all over again as Chase?”

“Hermione, you were not stupid. Draco had used a very powerful charm, not only to change his appearance, but also to deflect you realizing that Draco and Chase were one in the same person. You also were told by maeopleople that he was dead.”

She stopped short and sat down heavily. “Does he know about Kat?”

“No, he doesn’t. Right now he’s a very bitter man and has a bit of anger to deal with. I didn’t feel it was my place to tell him he has a daughter. I thought it also might put her at risk.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s at Hogwart’s. I told him to stay there, for you to talk to him. He’ll be in the astronomy tower.” He watched as Hermione stood to go. “Just don’t expect him to be the same person Hermione, ten years is a long time.”

She gave a sad smile. “Yes, I know.”

She approached Harry and Severus who were standing, waiting expectantly. She looked to one, then the other. “You knew?”

“Yes, we did. Severus just found out before Christmas. I found out a couple of years ago.” Harry said looking to the ground.

She walked to Harry. “Why didn’t you tell me Harry. I thought we were friends?” She cried.

Harry had tears of his own falling. “I am your friend ‘Mione. I didn’t want to lose you and Kat. If Lizette had found out that Malfoy was to marry you and had a daughter, your life would have been at risk. I’m really sorry ‘Mione, but I would do it again. I don’t want to lose you.”

Hermione threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. “Harry, I love you. You are my best friend.” She pulled back. “There’s a lot of questions I want to ask you, but right now, I’m going to see Draco at Hogwart’s.”

“I’ll go with you Hermione. I need to get back anyway.” Severus said smiling sadly.

Hermione hugged him also. “Thanks Severus. I think I’ll need a bit of moral support. I just need to let my parents and Kat know where I am going.”

She went up to Kat and they walked along the forest edge at the back of the house. “What’s wrong mum?” Kat asked noticing her puffy red eyes from crying.

Hermione stopped and faced her daughter, who looks so much like her father. “Well, first of all, I found out I’ll be a professor at the next start of term at Hogwart’s....and that you are able to start a year earlier.”

Kat beamed with pleasure. “That’s awesome. But why the sad face, this is great news mum.”

“Oh it is. But I also found out......your father will also be a professor.” She blurted out.

“What? My father? But he’s dead.” Kat stated, her hands shaking.

“No, Kat he’s alive. I just found out.”

“But why hasn’t he come home to us?”

“I guess he couldn’t. He and his mother had to make Lizette Riddle believe they were dead, to protect them, and us.”

“What’s going to happen now?” Katrina asked, scared.

Hermione gathered Katrina in her arms. “I don’t know honey. I honestly don’t know.” They stood like that for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts.