From Venice with Love

“Draco?” Pansy pushed past Harry and walked quickly over to where Hermione and Draco were standing.

Draco stared at her, words failing him. “Pansy, why are you down here?” he said finally.

“I saw you walking down here through the window, thought I’d say hello since I didn't see you on the train,” Pansy said, looking from Hermione back to Draco. Hermione saw Ginny running back towards the castle, but Harry stayed where he was, his hand gripping his wand. He looked as clueless at what to do as Hermione felt.

“I was looking for Crabbe,” Draco said weakly. “I thought I saw him coming down here.”

“By himself?” Pansy asked. “You can think of a better lie then that.” Hermione could actually see Pansy’s thoughts working behind her eyes as she tried to figure out what she’d just seen, her mind trying to put it together. She looked at Hermione again. “Why would you be here with her? Let alone touching her?” Suddenly, Hermione could see it all clicking in her mind. “Oh Merlin Draco, no!”

“Pansy-“ Draco began but was cut off.

“How could you, Draco?” she hissed, her eyes blazing with anger. Draco moved slowly in front of Hermione, but Pansy didn’t seem to notice. “How could you even sleep with her, let alone get her pregnant? She’s a Mudblood!”

“Watch your mouth,” Draco said in a low voice. “You’re talking about my wife.”

“Your what?” Pansy looked even more angry. “You married her? Are you insane? Do you have any idea what your father will do?”

“He won’t know,” Draco said.

“Of course he’ll know,” Pansy snapped. “You betrayed your family, all of us for that little whore!” She lept at Hermione, but Draco held her back. “I’ll kill you myself, you little bitch! You and that thing inside of you!” Draco grabbed her wand out of her hand and threw it on the ground.

“Stop it, Pansy, or I’ll-“

“You’ll what?” she laughed bitterly. “Once I tell your father you’ll be as good as dead anyway.”

“That’s what you want?” Draco asked, his wand out and at her throat, but she didn’t flinch.

“I’d rather see you dead then living with that Mudblood scum,” she said, looking straight into his eyes.

“Draco, put your wand down,” Hermione whispered. “She’s unarmed.” She looked over at Harry.

“Malfoy,” Harry started.

“Stay out of it, Potter.”

“So, you’re friends with Potter now?” Pansy raised her eyebrows. “How proud your father will be.”

“I am not friends with Potter,” Draco said, his wand still at her throat.

“You can’t kill me Draco, and barring that, I will tell your father straight away, so you might as well put the wand away.” Pansy said.

Draco looked as if he wanted to do just that. “Draco, put it down.” Hermione touched his shoulder. He didn’t look at her, but lowered his wand.

“Good boy,” Pansy gave Hermione a look of pure hatred before turning on her heel and walking up the path, back towards the castle.

“Now what?” Hermione asked as Pansy walked away.

“Can you obliviate her?” Draco asked her.

“No, even if I could I wouldn’t.” Hermione said.

“I could try, but I’m not sure it would work.” Draco said.

“Leave it.” Hermione rubbed his arm. “What’s done is done.”

“It’s my fault. I should have waited for you at the castle,” Draco sighed.

“It doesn’t matter now.” Hermione looked at Harry. “Harry?”

Before Harry could answer, Ginny returned with Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape.

“Ms. Parkinson has left?” Snape asked.

“She’s gone to tell everyone, I’m sure,” Draco told him dully.

“Then you, Mr. Malfoy, are in more danger than your wife,” Snape said irritably.

“We’ll move Draco up to Hermione’s room immediately,” Professor Dumbledore said. “They are married, and that will give the Slytherins less of a chance to get to him.”

“Let them try,” Draco snapped, gripping his wand tighter.

“I don’t have to leave yet, do I?” Hermione asked.

Professor Dumbledore hesitated. ”It’s up to you. We can try this. You and Draco must not ever walk anywhere alone. Always with a teacher. Your packages will have to be opened first, and Mr. Malfoy, no contact with your father for any reason. If it doesn’t work, we’ll have to move you to Headquarters.”

“Where?” Draco said, but everyone ignored him.

“I’d like to try,” Hermione said. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

“I’ll get the elves to move Draco’s things,” Snape said, walking back towards the castle.

“It will be hard. A lot of people will think that you both are traitors. Are you sure?” Dumbledore asked.

Hermione nodded. “My true friends will stay with me,” she said.

Draco shrugged. “I still think obliviating Parkinson would be easier,” he said.

“You did this, you and Hermione,” Harry said. “You knew there would be consequences. You need to accept them.” Draco glared at him, but didn’t respond.

“Draco? Would you rather we just leave?” Hermione asked.

Draco hesitated before shaking his head. “We can wait until the end of the year. It’s only 2 more months. I’ll live. Your N.E.W.T.S. are important. I’m not sitting at the Gryffindor table though,” he said.

“We can have you eat in your room,” Professor Dumbledore said. “I’ll have the room changed immediately, to accomidate a couple. I’ll make an announcement at dinner as well,” He shook his head. “Let’s go back then. You can sit in my office until the changes have been made.”

“I’ll go back to Gryffindor, let them know so it’ll be less of a shock.” Harry took Hermione’s hand and smiled briefly. “It’ll be okay, Hermione.”

“Thank you Harry,” Hermione smiled back.

“I’ll see you,” Ginny said, hugging her friend. She and Harry walked back up to the castle with Hermione, Draco and Professor Dumbledore, then walked towards Gryffindor tower. Hermione and Draco followed Dumbledore to his office. They sat in tall backed chairs in front of his desk while Dumbledore left to talk to the other teachers.

“What do you think will happen?” Hermione asked.

“Well, I doubt anyone will really care but the Slytherins and the Gryffindors,” he said. “Some of your lot might be angry with you so be prepared.”

“Like Ron,” she said sadly. Draco nodded. “They’re not sneaky like Slytherins either, they’ll just come up and yell at you. Just do what Dumbledore says, never be alone. I doubt any of them could actually kill you but who knows what Pansy can incite.”

“I thought she’d be mad, but not mad enough to tell your father.” Hermione told him.

“She may not, but someone will,” Draco said.

Professor Dumbledore came back in with Snape and sat down behind his desk. “Lemon drop?” he offered them. Both shook their heads. “Your things have been moved Mr. Malfoy, and the Head Girl room updated. I have made Mr. Macmillan aware of the situation, he is changing the Head Common Room password so that only you three will have it, for privacy. I will be making my announcement in the Great Hall if you would like to attend.” Hermione nodded and Draco shrugged.

“I will be speaking to the Slytherins before dinner,” Professor Snape said. “I will suggest that the matter is being handled by others and that they shouldn’t harm you. That there is a reason for all of this above what they know.”

“That I’m married to her to get to Potter?” Draco asked.

“Precisely. That’s what I will imply. If they believe this is a Death Eater plan they may not mention it to their parents and buy us time. I’m going to speak to them now,” Snape said, nodding at Dumbledore before leaving the room. Dumbledore stood. “I’ll walk you back to your room.”

“We finally get to live together,” Hermione grinned. "That's one good thing."

They walked back to the Head Girl room where Hermione said the password and they walked in. It had been enlarged to include a kitchenette and a living room. The bedroom and bathroom stayed the same.

“It’s very nice, thank you,” Hermione said.

“The elves will come bring you meals from now on. I’ll let you settle in. I’ll send Professor McGonagall to get you for the announcement,” Dumbledore said, and left.

Draco walked around and looked in the wardrobe for his things. “We have an hour until dinner,” he said, smirking at her.

“Yes,so?”

“Well…” Draco walked over and sat down on the bed, smiling suggestively.

“Draco, I look like a whale!”

“Yes, but you’re my whale.” Hermione laughed and joined Draco on the bed.