In-Laws

In-Laws

By: Tassana Burrfoot





Chapter One





Hermione had never been more angry in her life. She stared daggers at Ron. "I can't believe you would do that! You know damn well last year had been an accident. Harry had even said as much!" she shouted, not caring about the specticle she was creating.



Ron didn't seem to care much either, for he returned with venom, "That arsehole deserves what he gets! I don't know what went on between the two of you and I don't care. It makes me sick to think you would choose him over me, especially after all we've been through."



Hermione's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. Without warning, she slapped Ron across the face. "You're jealous," she accused. "You're jealous because I chose Draco and not you. You don't really care what happens to him so long as he's away from me. You think you have a chance with me? Well, you can forget it! My marriage to Draco has all ready been validated and consummated. All we wanted was the actual ceremony, which I will have. I am legally a Malfoy and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."



She turned on her heel and ignored his shocked sputtering. Looking at McGonagall, she asked, "Professor, may I be granted full access to the library throughout the summer? I need to work on a defense for my husband and my father-in-law. Also, I'll need someone to fetch my parents from Australia and restore their memories."



McGonagall, impressed with how Hermione handled Ron, nodded. "You may have all the access you need, Mrs. Malfoy, for as long as you wish."



"Thank you, Professor," the girl said. She looked around her. "Now, I just need someone who can bring my parents back home."



Professor Flitwick spoke up. "In Australia, you say? I wouldn't mind popping down under. And, if it was a Memory Charm you used, I can restore their memories without a problem," he suggested.



Hermione smiled kindly at the petite professor. "Thank you ever so much," she told him. She turned to a distraught Narcissa. Sitting next to the older woman, Hermione offered in a soft voice, "I'm going to my parents' home to freshen up and begin working on this case. If you would like, you're more than welcome to join me."



"I have no wand," the woman stated. "I had given mine to Draco during Easter, after Potter had stolen his. That wand Draco handed over was not mine."



Hermione understood. "Draco must have lost your wand in the fire. I believe Harry had mentioned it to me. I know Mr. Ollivander is retiring, but I believe I'll be able to convince him to make you a new wand. Once Mr. Malfoy is out of prison, I'm sure I can persuade Mr. Ollivander to do the same for him."



Narcissa stared at the girl. "Why?" she questioned. "I can understand your kindness to Draco, but why me? Why Lucius? What have we ever done for you?"



The Gryffindor smiled. "You had Draco. You are a part of Draco. And Draco loves you so much... I'm not going to pretend that I like you or your husband. I don't really know either of you well enough to come to that conclusion. I'm not delusional, either. I know you don't like me. You'll probably never like me. However, I'm willing to put aside our differences for the one thing we do have in common: our mutual love for a man who has risked everything to keep us alive. I know how much he'll appreciate my efforts. I love Draco very much and will do everything in my power to fight for him. To fight for us."



The woman just stared at her. "I've never heard anyone aside from my husband and myself speak of my son with such conviction," she quietly appraised. "I believe, from all I have witnessed from you, he is a lucky one. You may be a Mudblood, but apparently you know what you are doing. At least, for the sake of our family, I hope you know what you are doing."



Hermione felt her heart swell. She knew she shouldn't expect such a compliment from Narcissa Malfoy. For the first time in her life, Hermione did not mind being called a Mudblood.



"Hermione?" Luna said, jousting the Gryffindor from her thoughts. "If you don't mind, I would like to help you with your case. Mr. Malfoy did not kidnap me. Nor did he hold me hostage, though I was in his home. And Draco did sneak food to Mr. Ollivander and me on a couple occasions."



Hermione smiled. "Are you willing to repeat that in court? To testify?" she asked.



"Yes," the Ravenclaw stated.



Hermione nodded. "I'll appreciate your help, Luna."



"I want to help, too," Ginny offered. "My brother is the biggest git."



"I'll help, too," Harry told her. "I was there on the tower that night. I can testify in favour of Draco. If you would like, I'll also testify for his dad."



Hermione looked at him curiously. "You'd do that?"



Harry just shrugged. "I don't like either one of them one bit. But, I love you more. You're the sister that I never got to have, Hermione. If getting those two prats out of prison would make you happy, you can count me in."



"I'll testify," Seamus piped up. "Draco Malfoy saved my life. He may have been a prat in school, but I owe him."



"As do I," Dean Thomas added. "I've never seen anyone fight like Malfoy did. He stood against everything he had once believed in."



Hermione was overcome with emotion as Padma and Blaise also offered their help. Even McGonagall offered to testify on the Malfoy's behalf. After all, next to Hermione, Draco was a top student and proved his worth on more than one occasion.



Ginny giggled as she took a seat next to her brunette friend and gave the Muggle-born a hug. "You let these people testify and they'll be pulling Draco out of prison and slapping an Order of Merlin on his chest!" she joked. "He'll be a right hero!"



Hermione thought about that as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I might even be able to procure one for Lucius if I play my cards right."



As the friends laughed, Narcissa and McGonagall stared at Hermione "Can you do that?" the older Mrs. Malfoy asked.



Harry snorted, "I think Hermione could do anything she set her mind to. She's stubborn and knows how to use facts to her advantage. She's scary sometimes."



Hermione just held her head up proudly as Narcissa declared in wide-eyed amazement, "You are a Malfoy."



On the other side of the Great Hall, away from the laughter and cheers, Ron sat with his crying mother. He did not bother to look in the direction of Harry and Hermione. Once again, he felt as though they had deserted him. But, this time, they had.



At the moment, it did not matter to Ron. If he had anything to do with it, the Malfoys will remain in Azkaban for the rest of their lives. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to procure a Kiss for them as well...



(II) (II)



So, Draco was not expelled. He and his father left the Great Hall in silence. Neither fought, though both knew it was hopeless. They were both guilty of the crimes that had been piled against them.



The journey to Azkaban was long and seemed surreal. Draco kept wondering if perhaps the entire thing was a dream. A nightmare he was having. He desperately wanted to wake up.



They climbed into the boat that had been provided for them. Draco just stared out at the open water. Never in his life did he believe he would be sent to Azkaban.



"The dementors are no longer there, son," Shacklebolt assured the young Slytherin. "Seeing as I'm the new Minister, I got rid of the foul creatures. The place is being run by Aurors now."



Draco glanced at his father, who said nothing. Hermione had stated her wish to be an Auror. Perhaps Draco could convince her to change her mind.



Hermione. Draco wondered briefly if this was Fate's cruel way of telling him they were not meant to be together. It seemed Fate continued to throw obstacles in their path towards happiness.



They should have been in Cancun. He should have taken Dumbledore's offer. They should have married with a small, private ceremony consisting of close friends and family.



Draco glanced at his father again. "She's going to fight this," he said, causing his father to give him a confused look. "Hermione. She's going to fight it. Even if we must still serve time, she'll at least get the time reduced."



"How can you put so much faith in a Mudblood?" Lucius asked, not convinced.



Draco shrugged. "You've never seen her in action. She's determined and refuses to accept failure... Just like any other Malfoy," he explained. Then, he added, "And don't call her a Mudblood. She's my wife."



They were given separate cells. Since Draco wasn't an actual Death Eater, he was placed in a less secured area than his father. Course, it didn't bother Draco. What did bother him was the small cell, small bed, and striped clothes.



"I hate stripes," he complained as he looked down at the black and white tunic and trousers he was forced to wear.



The Auror who led Draco did not respond. Instead, Draco heard a loud click of the lock being placed on the door.



He glanced at the single, dull bed. Even the beds in the hospital wing at Hogwarts had been more cheery. However, he did his best not to complain too loudly. As bad as he had it, he couldn't imagine what his father was going through.



For both of their sakes, he silently prayed that Hermione would hurry.

---

Author's Note: Just to forewarn everyone, since I've already seen one comment in regards to this. This story isn't much more smutty than its prequel. There is a more detailed scene, but it's not really that bad. However, do not worry. I have a couple one-shots that I've been thinking about writing that will more than make up for it.