The Family Jewels

Chapter 19
Hogsmeade

When the Head Boy and Girl of Hogwarts entered breakfast together, he was laughing at something she had said. It was as if life at the house tables was in slow motion, people seeing a true smile on Draco’s face rather than a sneer or a smirk, then swinging to her new boyfriend to get his reaction, then back to the Head Girl again. Blaise smiled at the two of them, ignoring the undercurrents around him, which faded at his non-reaction.

Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table and helped herself to bacon, eggs and toast. She was really hungry this morning, and besides it was Hogsmeade today, no telling when she’d eat lunch. Ron watched her a minute, then he couldn’t contain himself. “Hermione, I can understand about Zabini, he seems to be an all right bloke, but do you have to hang out with Malfoy, too?

“Ron, Draco is Head Boy. We share a dorm, almost all our classes, and he’s Blaise’s best friend. Why shouldn’t we get along? He has been really nice to me all year, and he hasn’t done or said anything to either you or Harry for the longest time. He’s having such a hard time with his parents right now; can’t you give him a break?” Hermione made her plea to Ron, but she was looking at both of them.

“It’s just hard for me to accept him as any sort of friend to you,” Rom said mutinously.

“Ron, it’s like this. Imagine that Pansy is your girlfriend,” Hermione paused and Ron leaned back and smiled. He could imagine that all day long and half the night. Hermione continued, “Harry is your best friend, and you would like Harry and Pansy to be friends, so you can really share your lives. So it’s not all compartmentalized, this is time with Harry, who hates Pansy and keeps trying to get you to break up, followed by time with Pansy, who hates Harry and keeps insisting that she should be more important than your old friends. Are you getting the picture?”

Ron raised his head and nodded at her. Then he turned to Harry and said very quietly, “I do really like Pansy, you know. Do you think you might be willing to be friends with her?”

“Sure, Ron. That’s what friends do for each other,” Harry answered Ron sincerely, but his smile was all for Hermione, who smiled back at him gratefully.

“Are you ready, cara?” Blaise and Draco paused on either side of Hermione and waited for her to leave her seat. “Gentlemen,” Draco said in goodbye, sweeping off with the other two.

“He really seems like he isn’t as bad as he used to be,” Ginny whispered to Lavender and Parvati, “But he’s still a bad boy, and Merlin, is he hot!”

Lavender and Parvati agreed, giggling. Miles Bletchley also approached the Gryffindor table and held his hand out for Parvati’s to help her up. “Morning, angel,” he said softly, kissing a glossy cheek. “See you,” Parvati said vaguely in farewell, tucking her hand into the crook of Miles’ elbow.

The remaining Gryffindor men looked at each other with one thought running through their minds, “Damn Slytherins.”

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Hermione got out her list on the walk to Hogsmeade. She missed the amused glance Draco and Blaise shared over her head. “Where should we go first?” she asked them with an eager grin.

“Princess, wherever you want, we are completely at your leisure today,” Draco said.

Blaise nodded his head in confirmation and kissed the inside of her wrist. “I was all for staying in bed today, but I don’t think I’ve told you no as yet, and I thought today might not be the best day to start,” Blaise said.

“Why? What’s special about today?” Hermione wanted to know.

“Beside the fact that this is the first public outing for the three of us? It’s also the first for Pansy and Weasley, and we’ve already witnessed how smooth he is. She really likes him, and I wouldn’t want it to fall apart simply because we weren’t here to help things along,” Blaise said.

Hermione’s smile spoke volumes that they were willing to help one of her friends, because she knew that she was the reason for their interest. She looked at her list again. “Can we go to Flourish and Blotts? I ordered a book and it might be in by now.”

“Great, maybe they will have that new Arithmancy text Vector was taking about on Wednesday,” Draco said as they discussed the new book on their way.

‘Great?’ thought Hermione. ‘When had she ever heard that in response to her expressed wish to go to a book store?’ She walked almost in a daze to the store, wondering how she ever got so lucky to attract the attention of the two wizards that were with her.

She was walking into the store behind Blaise, when a cane came down behind her, blocking Draco’s way. She tried to turn back, but Blaise grabbed her arm and pushed her behind him as fast as he could. “Father,” Draco said in a sneering voice that she hadn’t heard in some time.

“I don’t like that tone, Draco. Must be the company you are keeping these days. Come along, this won’t take long,” Lucius Malfoy said with a cold smile.

Draco shook his head at Blaise and Hermione almost imperceptibly, and then followed his father down the street. Hermione went to follow them, but Blaise stopped her. “Don’t. He is a dangerous man. Draco knows what he is doing, don’t put yourself into a position where he gets distracted trying to save you.”

Hermione nodded, but her heart was in her mouth. She wasn’t sure how much Blaise knew about the jewels, but Draco had ignored his father’s warnings. She hadn’t even told him that she loved him today.

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“Wasn’t that the Granger girl you were with?” Lucius Malfoy asked in a deceptively mild tone.

“Yes, Father. She’s Head Girl this year and she’s Blaise’s girlfriend,” Draco said in explanation, while wishing he had the guts to acknowledge his relationship with her. Then again, this was his father he was talking to, and Draco also liked her alive.

“Well, he is Italian, perhaps he doesn’t know better. I’ve always said Dumbledore is a Muggle loving fool. I had hoped that he was going to show better judgment after he made you Head Boy,” Lucius said, quickly pulling Draco into an alley and casting a Disillusionment charm.

“It’s been a long time, Father. You’re looking well.” Draco was angry, but thought it best not to antagonize his father before he understood the situation.

Lucius gripped Draco’s chin in brutal fingers, “Do not mock me, boy. I want to know where the jewels are.”

“They’re at the castle. Severus has them locked up,” Draco said with a show of reluctance.

“Don’t lie to me, Draco. I know. I know you put something from that chest on someone. So which little slut did you get to spread her legs for you?” Lucius leered at him.

“Don’t say that again,” Draco ground out.

“Don’t tell me you actually care about the girl? I thought I had taught you better than that.” Lucius looked down his patrician nose at the faint blush on his son’s cheek.

“I am not finished amusing myself with her. She is quite willing and…adventurous. I left the necklace in the box. I only took out some of the more carnal bits of jewelry,” Draco hated his father at that moment for the power he had over him. He hoped this lie would satisfy, however, he noted the relief on his father’s face warily. “Why didn’t you give them to Mother when you were married?”

“That is none of your concern,” Lucius said as he allowed Draco to wrench his face away. “Soon you will take the Dark Mark and follow our Lord. I won’t tolerate any of the foolishness that you attempted with your mother.”

“Why was it foolish, Father? You yourself taught me that Malfoys were better than anyone else. Why should I follow the Dark Lord? We take care of our own. I am not sufficiently interested in others that I care if someone outside my circle is a Mudblood or a Muggle. What are they to me?” Draco’s voice was getting louder.

“The Dark Lord possesses gifts beyond your comprehension. Do not turn your back to him.” Lucius had a rather manic gleam in his eye. “Although, I do understand your point. Malfoys are better than anyone else. I have been most concerned that you were following Dumbledore against the Dark Lord.”

“Don’t be, Father. I care neither for Dumbledore nor the Dark Lord. I fight for myself only,” Draco gave his father a defiant look.

“And what of me, Draco? Am I not one of your own?” Lucius was not prepared to lose an argument of this importance with a mere boy.

“I would fight for you alone, Father, not him,” Draco allowed, “Would you fight for me?”

Lucius dropped his eyes from his son’s face. “It is not safe for me to be out in public for long. Obey my orders, Draco, if you know what’s good for you.” With one last hard look at Draco, he Apparated away.

“Oh, I know what’s good for me,” Draco muttered to himself, walking back to the bookstore.

Blaise and Hermione were sitting on a bench outside Flourish and Blotts. Her face was hidden in his neck, and he had a protective arm around her. He looked up with relief when he saw Draco coming toward them, quickly scanning him for apparent injury.

“Here he is Hermione, perfectly fine,” Blaise whispered to the frightened girl.

Hermione’s dark eyes flew to stormy grey ones as he sat next to her on the bench and gave her a very quick little hug. “I’m fine,” Draco said shortly, before turning to her slightly, “What were you thinking trying to follow us? My father is a Death Eater. Promise me that you will keep yourself safe. Go to Blaise or Snape, hell; go to Potter if there is danger.”

“I can take care of myself,” Hermione was a little offended.

“I know you are a powerful witch, but I’m not sure you have it in you to actually use an Unforgivable. Saying the words isn’t enough, you know. You have to mean it. You must truly want, no need, to hurt or to kill another person, to make those curses work. You might be able to use them to save someone you love, but to save yourself…” Draco gave her a skeptical look.

“What did your father want Draco?” Blaise asked in a low voice.

“Just belated birthday wishes,” Draco said quickly.

Blaise nodded, understanding correctly that Draco did not want to talk in front of Hermione. She had dealt with the likes of Lucius Malfoy before, but not while she was in love with his son. However, Hermione was not the smartest witch in a generation for nothing. She looked between the two of them, frowning. “Don’t do that,” she said. “Don’t ‘protect’ the innocent little girl. I might be the one saving your sorry arses some day.”

“I know, love, but I hope that day won’t be today,” Draco said smiling into her eyes. “He’s gone, let’s just try to enjoy the rest of our day.” Draco stood up, walked to the door of the store and held it open for the other two.

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Ron waited for Pansy outside the Great Hall rather nervously. He had been loathe to approach the Slytherin table. Actually, she had been the one to suggest they meet after breakfast, in front of fewer prying eyes. He was reading the notices on the message board when he felt small hands slide around his waist. “Are you ready for me?” Pansy whispered in his ear, her perfume making his senses swim.

‘As I’ll ever be,’ Ron thought to himself. “Of course,” he answered with a smile. He thought she looked very pretty. Her dark brown hair was cut in a chin length bob, and she was wearing tailored black wool pants and a cream cashmere sweater.

Ron reached for her hand, and found it to be icy cold. Pansy was only mildly embarrassed, saying, “My hands are always freezing.”

“Maybe if I hold them enough, I can keep them warm,” Ron said as he took her hands in both of his and gently rubbed them to warm them. Pansy was so touched by his simple gesture that she could barely look him in the eye. He ducked down a little, as he was about a foot taller than her, and swiftly kissed her on the cheek. “Let’s go, love.”

Harry and Ginny were loitering just out of hearing range, but they could follow the action fairly well. “My brother isn’t a git anymore. Harry, when did this happen?” Ginny was amazed that ickle Ronnikins just made Pansy Parkinson blush. And in a good way.

“Damn if I know. Soon I’ll be asking him for advice on women,” Harry said. But when he looked into the face of the youngest Weasley, he quickly added, “Because who would know you better than your own brother?”

“Uh huh,” was all Ginny said as they followed Ron and Pansy out of the castle and down to Hogsmeade, at a respectable distance, of course.

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Ron took Pansy to Madam Puddifoot’s for hot chocolate. He was surprised how in control he felt. They talked and laughed, the conversation was not stilted at all. If some of the other couples were surprised to see a Gryffindor and a Slytherin having such a good time together, they took no notice. Pansy was not political in the least, and she definitely fancied Ron. They had much in common, after all. She was also from an old Pureblood family, and was the youngest of a large family.

Ron finally glanced at his watch, and was surprised that so much time had passed. “Would you like to get some lunch here, Pansy? It’s nearly 1:00,” Ron said.

“Whatever you would like, Ronnie,” Pansy answered with a small smile. As long as she got to sit with him and have him look at her like that, she didn’t care what they did.

“Lunch would be nice. They do have food here, don’t they?” Ron looked around to find that a few other people had nice looking sandwiches and cups of soup in front of them.

He signaled the waitress and they ordered lunch. “Would you like to take a walk after we eat?”

“That would be nice,” Pansy said, wondering if she should say what was on her mind. “Ron, I like you. But the fact remains that you are a Gryffindor, and I am a Slytherin. I am willing to put up with all the hassles if you really want to try to be together. Are you? Are your friends?”

“I am, and so is Harry. Hermione is already dating a Slytherin. I really like you, Pansy. I know I will kick myself if we don’t give it our best.”

“All right, then,” Pansy said calmly. “If I remember correctly, your best was pretty damn good.”

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Draco, Blaise and Hermione browsed in several shops in Hogsmeade, and then ate lunch in a small café there that Blaise liked. They had pizza which was different than any pizza Hermione had ever seen before, there was no cheese. She started to ask about cheese, when Draco gave her a small shake of his head. She rolled her eyes at the two of them; apparently she was being horribly pedestrian.

They didn’t talk much at lunch, Hermione was still shaken about Draco’s father, and the two boys had their own thoughts to occupy them. Hermione looked at them, “Let’s go back to school. We need to talk where no one can hear us. Perhaps between the three of us, we will come up with the best plan for dealing with…this new development.”

Draco and Blaise nodded, and Draco threw some money on the table. Hermione opened her wallet to offer him some money, when she got the small shake of his head from Blaise. Apparently, she couldn’t do anything right today. Draco and Blaise followed her out of the restaurant, both wishing that they had stayed with their initial plan for the day: stay in bed and see how many orgasms they could give her. The fact that they all knew where to lay the blame for the unsettled feelings between them now was cold comfort.


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A/N Thank you to all who have read and reviewed. Please leave me a note if you like my story.