Demeter\'s Embrace

Chapter 4

The Twins had been working extremely hard to have a prototype of their Weasley's Automatic Navigational Device, or WAND as they called it for short, ready for Draco's birthday.

When they arrived at the party, the Burrow was decorated and they couldn't wait to see Draco's reaction to the fast delivery on their promise.

"He better enjoy the ride!" Fred laughed. Laying the remodeled Cleansweep Five on the chimney piece George sniffed once and then a second time.

"Do you smell that, Fred?" He turned to look at his brother with a puzzled expression on his face.

"It smells like a walk in the forest, spiced with a salty breeze, mixed with a good dose of sweets from Honeydukes," Fred's face lit up in a smile. They heard laughter and voices coming from the garden and with boyish sniggers, they raced to the door and opened it onto a welcome sight.

Molly and the girls had spent the morning hoisting a marquee over the newly mowed lawn and setting a table for fourteen as they had invited the whole Weasley clan as well as the Lupins with baby Teddy.

It had been a narrow escape for the little family, as both Nymphadora and Remus had been seriously wounded in the battle. Only the skilful care and healing from the best of St. Mungo's healers had kept Tonks from stepping over the gap between life and death.

She had been devastated to learn that her husband most likely wouldn't make it and had almost given up. It was only when the nurse had brought Teddy to his mother's sickbed that Tonks decided to live.

The Weasley's had invited the little family to live with them "as you are practically family" but Tonks had said she wanted to move back into her childhood home. "I promised Mum that we would come live with her till we know if Remus will survive," Tonks muttered and smiled bravely.


"Oy! Where is the birthday boy?" Fred shouted over the mumbling and laughter from their family and friends. It seemed that they were the last ones to arrive. Bill and Fleur waved over them to the table.

"He'll be right back," Bill answered. "Ron, Harry, move over and make room for the two nutters here," he grinned.

Besides the family, Lupin and Tonks, Molly had invited Rose Zeller and she had accepted with glee. To everyone's surprise, however, it seemed that her attention quickly shifted from Draco to Ron.

The two now sat debating which methods the Cannons should use in their next match to gain the much-needed points. It had been Rose's giggles the twins had heard from the kitchen.

Hermione was stunned that it hurt to see Ron flirting and having fun with another girl so soon after their breakup. However, she knew it was silly; she didn't love him enough to hold on to him. He deserved to be happy so if Rose Zeller was the one to do that, so be it! Besides, she found she couldn't keep Draco out of her thoughts.

As if fate enjoyed taking the Mickey out of her, Draco arrived looking drop-dead-gorgeous; wearing his hair loose making his normally hard and cold look softer and more vulnerable.

"Um, anyone want to give me a hand to an empty seat?" Draco said with an uncomfortable smile. He really didn't know how to react to this surprise party.

It felt bizarre having his former enemies celebrating his birth, knowing that on more than one occasion had wished he hadn't been born at all. Add to that they had gone to great lengths to make it a fun day for him! It has just too weird.

"Here, take my hand, Malfoy," Charlie said. He led him to the only free seat at the table, which happened to be next to Hermione. It seemed the more he fought against his awakening feelings for her, the more impossible it became to stay away from her.

"You look nice." Hermione's voice shook a little.

"Thanks and thank you again for the book. You would be the only one ever to consider buying a blind person a book!" Draco said with a smile.
When she didn't answer back he frowned and added, "I mean it, thanks! Where did you get hold of such a rare book?"

Hermione's heart skipped a beat. At first she had thought he didn't like the gift but she realised they had been right in thinking he would appreciate the value of the book and see passed its raggedy covers.

"Pure luck, I guess," Hermione smiled and added she would love to read it out loud for him until he got his sight back.

"You really believe I will see again someday?" He sounded so desperate to have someone tell him it just was a matter of time that Hermione, without a thought, took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Of course you will."

A jolt of panic flew through her as she realised what she had done. He looked shocked, had she offended him? Would he be offended if she pulled her hand away? It felt like the world stopped for a second until he took a breath and squeezed her hand before letting it go.

She was relieved and sad at the same time. His hand felt soft and strong and, although she really didn't understand it, she felt safe from harm holding Draco Malfoy's hand.

"And he didn't pull away with disgust!" a voice inside her head pointed out. As she regained use of her mind and body, she looked at Draco only to see him in deep conversation with Rose.

Draco’s hand still tingled from holding Hermione's hand. He couldn't believe she did that and couldn't get the feeling of her heartbeat galloping away out of his system.

His heart had stopped for a second, waiting for her to yank her hand back when she realised what she was doing. He'd been amazed when moments passed and she didn't.

Wanting to hold her hand much longer, he regretted letting go but knew it would look suspicious to the others. Not wanting to embarrass her, he pretended it was nothing, but even through Rose's chatter, he had difficulty ignoring the excitement in his heart.


"Oy, Draco! Ready to get the present that tops all presents?" George voice bellowed. Fred commented it didn't quite top getting a manor but it sounded good, which made everyone laugh.
With a cough George tried again, "well, are you ready to get a present that NEARLY tops every present you have gotten on this birthday?!"

Grinning, Draco nodded, wondering what the two mischiefs had come up with. "Happy Birthday, Malfoy; Accio W.A.N.D!" The kitchen door was knocked open and a silver-coloured parcel came darting toward Fred.

Draco knew the sound of a broom any day. Suddenly his heart was beating faster for an entirely differently reason. "You finished it! Already?!" Draco jumped from his seat and grabbed the broom as it flew by him, so fast that the garden went completely silent except for the humming of the bees.

"How did you do that, Malfoy?" Ron was the first to break the silence, asking what everyone was thinking. Draco just shrugged his shoulders as he unwrapped the gift gently, as if it was the most valuable thing in the world.

"Um, yeah…" George said with a sheepish grin. "It's only a prototype," Fred added. "Seeing we didn't have any blind wizards to test it," George finished and placed his arm on his twin's shoulder looking satisfied at their work. Draco sent them a wide smile and with an almost erotic touch ran his fingers down the brooms shaft.

"Take it for a fly, Malfoy. We are dying to know if it works as we planned," Fred and George spoke as one, getting a little impatient watching Draco fondle the silver handle and caress it like it was a lover.


Walking slowly out from under the marquee into the fields just outside the Burrow, Draco felt the coldness of the night moving past him as he kicked from the ground. He was flying!

Finally, he was sensing the wind against his face and through his hair. It felt like his soul was cleansed from all the pain the war had brought him. As he tried to gain height, he felt the broom pulsate and deny him his wish. He realized he was circling the Burrow, frowned and wondered what good that would do!

"You have to tell it where you want to go!" Fred's voice called out from beside him, "its voice activated. Just tell it where you want to go!" George grinned as he flew his broom up to the other side of Draco. The frown on Draco's face told the twins he was considering where to go. Then a wicked smile broke his lips they wondered what he was up to.

"Little Hangleton," Draco shouted and the broom shoot through the air with the twins gaping after him. George frowned and asked where he had heard that name before. Fred shrugged but then it hit him and he swooped down to the happy party below.

"Harry! He's heading to Voldi's Manor!" Seconds later Harry, Ron, the twins and the two girls were in the air, as the rest of the party alarmed the ministry. "We'll go after him and send Ginny for help if needed!" Harry yelled. "What is that bleeder up to now?" Harry growled.

The group shot after Malfoy, hoping he didn't get a nasty surprise entering Death Eater territory. There were still a few Death Eaters on the loose and Arthur had let it slip they were thought to be hiding out in Little Hangleton.


As the broom began to slow down and descent, Draco whispered the access words and entered the damp graveyard he knew so well. Dismounting the broom, he took a moment to recall the layout of the tombs. With cold detachment, he remembered the way to the tomb Voldemort had prepared for himself and walked toward it, an empty look on his face.

Just a few feet from the grave Draco heard a twig snap behind him and spun round, ready to face whoever was out there. "So, Bella's nephew finally comes to pay his respect!" a hoarse and raspy male voice rung out in front of Draco.

"Rabastan, if you are here, so is my uncle. Rodolphus, where are you hiding?" A hard icy laugh sounded from the same direction as Rabastan's.

"Blinded and still you knew I was here. But, where else would I be?"

Draco could hear the two Lestrange brothers come closer and wondered if he ever thought things through before acting on impulse. This could end badly if he didn't play his cards right.

"At least I came! So where is her grave? I plan to honour my promise to her; to visit her grave on my birthdays to come."

The brothers laughed and Rab said that Draco had some guts coming here after turning on a Knut, "you’re not worthy to tread this land."

"Now, now, Rab, let him fulfil his promise to my wife. Then we kill him!" Rod said in a matter-of-fact voice. Draco's head shot to his right as another male voice shouted across the graves.

"What is that little brat doing here?!" Draco's pulse rose in panic. Somehow, the psycho Dolohov had survived the battle without anyone knowing it. Draco had been told he had died and hadn't counted on him hanging out with the Lestranges. This wasn't good news.

"Chill, Antonin, he is here to pay his respects to his aunt as he promised her," Rod barked. He enjoyed being the leader for once and didn't miss his Voldemort-loving hag that much. He had married her because of her beauty, not out of love. He didn't believe in it anyway.

With three steps, he was beside Draco, grabbed his elbow and pulled him to the grave.” Be quick and I'll kill you myself, unless you prefer the talented Antonin to have the pleasure?"

The panic on the young wizard's face amused him and a grim smile lit up his eyes. This was going to be fun!

"We got company! The effing sneak brought a swarm of blood-traitors! Kill him and let's scarper," Rab yelled as Harry led the Weasleys swooping down from the sky.

Clenching his teeth together, Draco awaited the spell, but it never came. Instead, he was thrown down onto the moist soil as Rod spun round to join the battle with the wizards that actually were dangerous. The blind mouse could wait. It wasn't as he could get very far even if he tried to make a runner. With a snarl, Rodolphus focused on the two Jokesters.


Pushing himself back up against the tombstone Draco scolded himself for not realising the birthday party would follow him. Now he had brought them all into danger and he had no choice but to sit and wait it out! From a place deep within him a scream slowly found its way through his body and as it left him, he jumped to his feet. "Accio Rabastan!"

To his astonishment, it worked and Rabastan came flying his way with a roar of anger. Not sure, what to do next Draco summoned his broom and tried to leap into the air but Rab pushed the broom out of his hands.

"So, the blind boy wants to play!" Draco knew he had screwed up. He threw himself behind his aunt's tombstone just as Rab screamed, "Crucio!"

"LANGLOCK!" Ginny had seen whom Draco had pulled to him just as the Death Eater had unarmed Ron.

"Why you little bitch, don't mingle in other people's battles," Dolohov sniggered as he saw her cast the first spell on her mind. He grabbed Ginny by the hair and placed his wand under her chin.

"DROP YOUR WAND OR SHE DIES!" Dolohov was the only one left standing, as both brothers had been bound in magical chains just seconds before Antonin seized Ginny.

He laughed at the youngsters cursing and swearing at him to let the little vixen go. When they didn't drop their wands immediately he smirked and whispered "Diffindo" and a thin cut drew blood on Ginny's neck.

"No, STOP! Don't hurt her!" Harry screamed and dropped his wand and the others followed.

"Good boy, Harry! Now let's say goodbye as me and Little Red Riding Hood find a more private-- HMPF!" In the ecstasy of victory, Dolohov had forgotten all about Draco, a big mistake it turn out as the blind brat just had cursed him with "Duro."

Ginny let out a cry of relief and fell to her knees as her legs gave after under her. Harry closed the space between them in five giant steps and scooped her into his arms, whispering to her that it was all right and the danger was over.

Hermione stood petrified, staring in Draco's direction holding her hands over her mouth and eyes widened in shock as a silvery mist began to creeping towards him. "Hermione, what--?" Fred began and then he cried out in alarm as his eyes followed hers.


A beautiful shimmer, in form of a person stood between him and them. "Guys, look!" Fred murmured and pointed at the mist as it slowly turned into the most stunning woman he had ever seen.

"De-Demeter?!" George whispered and all eyes fell on the Goddess of birth, death and rebirth.

"Mortal, again you surprise me!" Demeter's voice of silver bells sent shivers down Draco's spine. He had felt the electricity in the air but as he couldn't see he hadn't known what or WHO it was.

"Mortal, you tremble. Do you fear me still?" The Goddess sounded amused as she let a finger caress his fine chiselled face and undid the scarf that hid his eyes.

"You have changed dramatically over such a short time. Traitor, you said. Did you deserve to live?" The Goddess smiled, as the young man looked bewildered. "The only thing you ever betrayed was your own heart. To change from foe to friend is a great thing; to change from hate to love even greater."

Draco wondered if he misunderstood her or if he about to get the gift that would top every other gift, he had received that day. "Human, you knew what awaited you if you obeyed your aunt and mentor's wish and yet it didn't hold you back. Coward, you said. I don't see a coward in front of me tonight. Do you deserve to live?"

Hermione still stood clutching her hand to her mouth, scared that the Goddess was here to fulfil Draco's first wish, and by the look on her friend's faces, they wondered the exact same thing.

"Tyrant, you said. Yes, that you were but now you repent, and even feared your actions may do the people you tormented before harm. Do you deserve to live?" Demeter smiled.

The darkness over the cemetery began to give to the oncoming morning and even though it was June, the early morning made the friends shiver from coldness. However, they didn't dare to move, speak or barely even breathe into the chilly morning air.

Again, the Goddess let a finger caress Draco's face, running it alongside his jaw. "Do you wish to live, mortal? Or do you wish to join my daughter in the underworld?" Demeter already knew the answer as she had seen into his heart but she wanted him to say it.

Draco took a deep breath. "I- I get a choice?" He felt a hand on his forehead and pictures of the past seventeen years flashed before his eyes. His first memory of his parents happy faces, his first flight, his first time in Diagon Ally, his first day at Hogwarts. Then he saw, his first fight with the Golden Trio, his first date, his first kiss, his first time with a girl. Voldemort returning, Voldemort sending his father to the Department of Mysteries, his father going to jail, Voldemort choosing him to kill Dumbledore...

Tears began to flow silently from his closed eyes as the memories continued; Harry finding him in tears, the pain of Sectumsempra, Snape saving him from Voldemort's rage, being forced to do the Dark Lords bidding, Snape helping him cope with the guilt, the final Battle at Hogwarts, George's chanting, Hermione's kindness…

Hermione? When had she become Hermione and not Granger? Draco frowned and really thought it through. It had been that night, when he had the nightmare. She was one of the biggest reasons he didn't want to leave yet.

Somehow, he had to find out if there was something more than just passion. The memories stopped, he felt dizzy and then the world went quiet as Draco's body fell to the ground, just as the first rays of sun hit the tombstones.

Hermione shook her head. No, it could be true… Her feet began moving, first slowly then faster, running to Draco side. "NO! No, please Goddess, no!" Falling to her knees, she gently took Draco into her arms, rocking him in mourning.

She held him as the others formed a circle around them, her whispered words left her as tears flow freely, "I'm sorry… I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you that I'm falling in love with you and I don't care if you are a Malfoy! All that Demeter said is true! We’ve all seen how you have changed and it’s not fair that you don't get the chance to become the man we were beginning to see in you."

As Hermione whispered how proud she was to have fought on the same side as Draco; against the Lestrange brothers and Dolohov and won; Draco's eyelids shifted. Slowly he opened his eyes and whispered, "Hermione."

With a wail of relief, Hermione caressed his face and her tears flowed even harder. Draco hadn't seen anything so beautiful in a long time. He lifted his hand, even though it had hurt like hell, and wiped a tear away.
"You look quiet stunning, all red-eyed and tearstained, like this."

"H-he can see!" Hermione stuttered as Draco smiled back at her. "Let's get back to the Burrow, fast!" Harry bellowed. Fred and George nodded and supporting Draco between them Apparated out of the cemetery.

Back in the garden, Minister Kingsley as well as the rest of the birthday guests met them. They were bombarded with questions on what had happened as they Apparated in. It wasn't before Ginny passed out and they realized they had to get her to St. Mungo's.

"I'll stay here with Draco…" Hermione whispered, feeling a little self-conscious, knowing they all have heard her proclaim her love to Draco.

"We'll be back as soon as possible. You're sure you're fine, Draco dear?"
Molly looked worriedly at him. He nodded and said he felt fine but if he began feeling sick, Hermione would be there to help him. Satisfied with his promise, Molly's focus shifted to Ginny.

As the Weasleys and Harry flooed to the hospital, Kingsley asked to have a moment alone with Draco, as they needed to talk. Hermione was left alone in the kitchen to get a hold on herself.