Demeter\'s Embrace

Chapter 3

Although he spent time with everyone in the Burrow over the weekend, Draco didn't find the source of his unbearable yearning. It left him in a state of denial as it weeded out all but one of those present at the time. ´
He would have freaked if it had turned out to be Harry or Ron but the confused terror of the truth scared him even more; it was Granger. It wasn't possible!

He was overcome with a hysterical laughing fit when his mind first made the connection. It seemed as farfetched as if it had been between Aunt Bella and Ted Tonks! Nevertheless, it had happened, as impossible as it sounded. Hermione Know-It-All Granger had made his head spin with just a touch. And to add to the hilarious situation, Granger and Weasel had split up!

She was free game. He screamed at himself for even letting the thought enter his mind, as if it would EVER be a possibility, as if he WANTED Potter's little Mudblood!

The word tasted sour in his mouth and he felt shame; shame over using that word so many times before when speaking to or about her.

Now she was returning within hours! He had to get control of this, this urge and longings to tell her. She probably wouldn't give him a second thought.


Hermione had been relieved to leave the Burrow and return to her childhood home. However, even there she couldn't escape the memory of that unnerving moment when she felt a cascade of love flow from her centre and spill over Malfoy. The touch had lasted for less than a minute, but even a weekend after she could feel it when she closed her eyes.

Hermione let out a cry of despair. She had just broken off her relationship with Ron, for Pete's sake! It would be so wrong to even consider… and it was MALFOY!

He, who had been her greatest tormentor through all her years at Hogwarts and for all she knew he still hated her simply because she wasn't a pureblood. Never in a million years would he fall for her.

She didn't really care, anyway, it was Ferret. He was a charlatan, cheat and was known for using a girl and tossing her away when he had gotten what he needed. Maybe he wasn't all bad, maybe he had saved Fred, maybe his looks had even the most anti-Slytherin girls turn their heads, but he was still Draco Malfoy!

Feeling the butterflies start in her tummy once more, she reminded herself that even if she might have ever so faint affections for him he would never return them, she was just a Mudblood to him.

She grabbed a handful of Floo powder and called out for the Burrow. She smiled and decided it was best not to act on those silly feelings. Throwing the powder into the flame her smile faded. IT HAD TO BE!


"Mrs. Weasley? Ginny? Anyone?" Hermione stepped out into the cosy kitchen. The dishes were washing themselves and a smell of vanilla and strawberries made her mouth water.

"They're in Diagon Alley with Ferret. He said he needed to talk with Fred and George," Ron murmured. Hermione turned to see him sitting in the corner window. "Um, hi Ron."

Of all the possible people, he had to be the one she would be stuck with alone after a long frustrating weekend. Hermione wondered how long it would be awkward between them. Judging from the way he sat there staring into the garden it could be quite some time! Turning to leave the kitchen, she stopped as Ron sighed.

"Wait!" Ron swung his legs out on to the floor. "We need to talk, that's why I stayed back." Ron looked so hurt and uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry that I was such a bleeder about, well… us not being us." He walked slowly across the kitchen over to her. Hermione could see this speech was something he had practiced a few times.

"We've been friends for along time, 'Mione, maybe that was the problem, but I don't want to lose you as my friend, as well." His voice was hoarse and quivered a little, as he looked into her eyes for an answer. "Can we still be friends? Or has this summer fling ruined that as well?"

Hermione didn't expect this at all and stuttered, "sure, forever!" Ron pulled her in for a hug. "Mum's made strawberry–vanilla mousse. Rumour has it that it is Ferret's preferred afters. She's spoiling him rotten!" Ron said in a clearly jealous voice.

He really, really wished Draco would move out so Ron would get his family back! Hermione smiled and teasingly asked if he favoured chocolate mousse instead. "Oy, unfair, 'Mione!" Ron glared at her.

"Sorry, Ron. Forgive me?" Hermione smiled and walked to the living room area.

"If we hurry we can just catch the latest scores. The Cannon's up against Kenmare Kestrels," Ron grinned and they ran to the couch like so many times before.


Draco had a smug smile on his face as he spoke to the twins. "I would like to cash in some of your debts to me!"

Fred and George looked puzzled at Draco. "You wanna fly again? Alone? Not as a passenger?" How the bloody hell did he expect them to pull that one off?

Draco nodded, with a wicked grin, and reminded them of their promise to do anything for him. If he could fly, he could avoid Granger until he figured out what to do about it.

"Just be happy I'm not asking for the deed to your so-called shop!" he couldn't help the smirk sneaking onto his face.

"Oy, are you listening?!" Draco frowned and turned his head towards George's voice, "if you wanna fly alone, guess you need an autopilot!"

Draco nodded, "and you can make me one, right?" Fred and George looked at each other and shrugged. "We could try; might be some cash in it if it works!" Fred grinned. The two looked at the blond and it was their turn to smile.

The silence made Draco a little unsure. Had he made a mistake?

"We'll make a first-class auto-piloted broom for you, Dracey, if we get the rights to sell it. That is if it works." Grinning wickedly, they awaited for his answer.

At the exact moment Draco nodded, George ran to the back of the shop, and Fred announced that the shop was closed until further notice "as we have been assigned to a very important project."

In the chaos, the twins pushed Draco out as well as the outraged customers. In the turmoil, Draco lost his sense of direction. "Damn it!" he growled as he stood helpless in the main street of Diagon Alley, panic starting to get to him.

He had to be more careful not to let something like this happen again. He was an easy target for nosy gossipers or worse, being as blind as a mole.

"Draco? Draco Malfoy?" Draco turned his head toward the familiar voice. "It is you! My, my, my! Even with that horrid scarf, you look handsome, though I can’t see why you would hide you eyes. You were blinded saving Fred Weasley; you should be proud!" The woman's voice purred and he picked up then scent of wild flowers. "Oh, where are my manners? It's me, Rose Zeller. We went to Hogwarts together." Before Draco could stop her, she dragged him away.

Zeller was one of the girls he had flirted with, just for the fun of it, and now she had dragged him into the reopened Fortescue's. She blabbered on and on; saying she always knew he wasn't a bad guy and often thought about what had happened to him.

"Were you too shy to ask me out? You clearly were interested in me but you were shy, right?"

Draco couldn't even remember what she looked like but she took his silence as a yes and continued rabbiting on. Draco pushed the triple chocolate ice cream she had bought for him around in the glass; he didn't like chocolate at all. A small laugh escaped him as he realized Zeller probable thought of this as a date.

"Yes, it is rather funny and now destiny has led me to you when you needed me!" Draco's head snapped up. He hadn't heard a word the girl had said and feared that he had missed something extremely important. However, Zeller was too busy with her conversation to see his panicked reaction.

"Someone save me!" a voice inside of Draco screamed as the girl placed her hand on his.

"There you are!" Molly Weasley's voice cut through the humming of the ice cream parlour. "We've been looking all over for you." Rose smiled at the newcomers and slowly pulled her hand away.

"Fred and George shoved me out of the shop by accident, and Rose here helped me," Draco explained with a constrained smile. "Time to go?"

Ginny had a hard time not giving in to a giggling-fit, as it was clear that Draco was desperate to get away from Zeller. After exchanging addresses and Draco promising to write her soon, he left with the others.

They all returned to the Burrow in good spirits, laughing and teasing Draco about his new admirer. As they told Ron, Hermione and Arthur the funny story Ron stated this might be the turning point for the Malfoy's bad luck.


Two days later, his foresight came true. Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy had finally been granted a visit from their son, given that his birthday was coming up. Draco was nervous about facing his father knowing Lucius didn't approve of the Weasleys, Potter or Granger. Draco didn't know if Lucius even wanted to see him or if he considered him a blood-traitor.

Draco had begun wearing a simple black scarf to cover his eyes after Zeller had called the other one horrid. He might not be able to see his own reflection but he was still a bit vain and wanted to look as good he could.

"Are you ready?" Ginny's voice called from the door behind him. With a sigh, he turned around and answered, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Arthur squeezed Draco's shoulder as a sign for him to step into the flames with him. Draco momentarily considered running away but the longing for his mother's embrace was stronger than the fear of his father's possible rejection and he stepped into the fireplace.

With a whoosh and some spins, Arthur proclaimed their arrival to some guard and placed Draco's hand on the handrail.

"I'll be back for you in an hour or so. If you need me before that just let the guards know," and with another whoosh Draco was left alone in the damp and smelly prison. The metallic smell made him wrinkle his nose.

"Yes, it doesn't smell like lilies in here," the guard laughed and placed Draco's hand on his arm to guild him to see his parents. "Nice thing you did for Artie and his family. You're a good boy after all, eh?"

Draco just nodded and took a deep breath as he heard keys rattle and the metallic click of a lock turning. "Happy birthday, boy," the guard whispered as he opened the door and gently pushed him inside. Draco's heart skipped a beat as the door was shut and locked behind him.


"Mother?"

A little whimper sounded to his right, and then his mother's voice called out his name. The sound of naked feet told him she was coming towards him. He felt her throw her arms around his neck and let out a little laugh and pulled her close.

"Mother," he whispered, "I wasn't sure I was welcome."

"Of course you are welcome. Your mother has missed you and so have I!"

Lucius stood back to let his wife enjoy her first visit from their son. As he did, he studied his son. The young man before him looked so much like Lucius had at that age but without the coldness, Lucius had worn as his mask.

He thought he had lost Draco when he heard the Dark Lord had recruited him for an impossible task. Instead, Draco had performed his role as a humble loyal servant so perfectly he had been allowed back into Hogwarts as a spy. Draco played the role convincingly and survived.

With a proud smile, Lucius walked over to his family, placed a hand on Draco's shoulder and with a short laugh added, "Draco Malfoy, the hero."

"Are they treating you properly?" Narcissa gave her son a thorough look to make sure he was all right. "Do you get enough to eat? It looks like you are gaining some weight, so they must be feeding you."

"Cissy, he's all right and you have seen the Weasley children, blood-traitors they might be and poor but they don't starve in that hut!" Lucius scoffed.
At the words blood-traitor Draco grimaced. It seemed his father still had negative feelings for the families that hadn't supported The Dark Lord.

"So, any news on how to get you're sight back, son?" Draco shrugged his shoulders and said they were working hard reading up on how to revert it.

"I hear from Mrs. Weasley that you ran into the Zeller-girl in Diagon Ally?" Narcissa smiled, as Draco bowed his head at the memory.

"Zeller, Zeller, pureblood?" Lucius frowned and tried to remember anything about Ambrose Zeller. If he recalled correctly Mrs. Zeller had died giving birth to a baby girl.

"No, father, half-blood, so stop trying to pair me up, okay?" Draco sighed. "Would it be the end of the world if I eventually marry a half-blood or even a Muggle-born?" There, he had said it! Now he would get his father's true view on mixed marriages.

To his surprise, his mother was the one that reacted. "You know the saying, my dear; birds of a feather flock together. We just think it would be easier for you to get along with someone more like yourself." She sounded so natural that Draco didn't know how to respond.

"What your mother it trying to say is that it is normal in our community to find a spouse in the same circle but if you should find a nice young bride that isn't from our social group, we wouldn't disown you."

Draco's jaw dropped. He knew the Malfoy name was equal to the wizarding elite but he couldn't believe that they were still so focussed on blood-status.

All faint hopes for any approval to go forth and see if there really was something between himself and Granger shattered into a million pieces. He had tried to convince himself that he wasn't curious to how it would feel to hold her close, to kiss her and-- "Stop torturing yourself, Draco!" he said to himself and turned his face to the ground.

"Have you heard any news of a trial date?" Draco murmured, wanting to change the topic. He didn't really listen as his father complained that no one would tell them anything and that it was horrible to go around in uncertainty.

"But in a way no news is good news," Narcissa sighed. "Goyle got news a day ago. It wasn't good!"

"Guess the Ministry got control of the Dementors," Lucius said in a dry voice and cast a look out of the small window in the cell. Narcissa let out a nervous laugh.

Draco frowned, "you don't really think--?" It hadn't even entered his thoughts for a second that the Ministry would condemn his parents to that!

"Well, if it ends that way, know that your mother and I have taken care of everything, and you will never be knutless." Lucius smiled and gave Draco's shoulder a squeeze.

He laughed at his son's confused look. "Don't look so surprised. It is your birthday gift. We have signed the manor over to you in the case we-- won't be needing it."

Draco stood gaping. If he was the owner of the Manor that would make him— “Lord Malfoy, I'm Lord Malfoy?”

Narcissa sobbed and his father muttered, "My, he isn't too bright, is he?" He added that all the things of a dark nature, at the manor had been removed so not to make it easy for anyone with bad feelings against the Malfoy's to pull Draco into trouble.

"I didn't think you would have thought it best to remove the things yourself," Lucius said with an amused look on his face. Draco had never been concerned about having his friends over to view the things and had even bargained with Borgin over some ancient, dusty books of poisons and deathly elixirs back in his third year at Hogwarts.

A knock on the door told the family that time was up, making Narcissa hiccup and tears run down her face. Even Lucius had a hard time letting his son go, but he didn't let it show.

"Behave, and do us proud!" were the last words Draco caught before the guard cast silencio on the cell door. He wondered how he was supposed to do that, when his curiosity drew him in a forbidden direction; towards Hermione Granger.