The Owl and the Pussycat
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Draco/Hermione
Rating:
Adult
Chapters:
10
Views:
9,694
Reviews:
36
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Draco/Hermione
Rating:
Adult
Chapters:
10
Views:
9,694
Reviews:
36
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Page 1256, and a hue A/N
In answer to reviews. (I have to comment on the wonderful support you have all given!)
> Tarosseli:
In no way do you ramble, I have a tendency to give incredibly large reviews that look at every little aspect of a chapter, rather than the big picture. I love to read what you say about my work!
I like to flesh out characters that JKR has left in the background. I prefer 3D characters to 2D, and the senior Malfoys (and Draco to an extent) practically give me a blank canvass to work upon with description of character, mannerisms, action, syntax, ect.
I always see that the Lucius/Narcissa marriage is a love match, rather than forced by parents – they are both very headstrong and dominant characters that wouldn’t have accepted their parents deciding for them. I view them like I view my parents (whom have been happily married for 26 years; I’ve seen them argue once, and half way through they forgot what they were arguing over and burst into a giant giggle fit!).
I don’t know if I’ll write Hermione’s introduction to the portraits – it will require me to dig out the Oxford English Dictionary to find some blooming good insults! I may just leave that to the reader to imagine! I don’t really want to write a fic that requires a glossary of terms at the end! Lol!
I have a rather quirky mind that decides to wander off on tangents! Originally I just had Narcissa stroking Felina, but then I realised that Crooks is a boy cat and put two-and-two-together to make six! I see the kneazles as highly intelligent and compared her reaction to the strange looks my cat gives when we silly humans do ‘strange’ things! I don’t know exactly what the kittens are going to look like, or if they’ll all be staying at the manor to patrol for more squeakies to bite the heads off… we’ll see in a few chapters.
I LOVE to break stereotypes! You often see Hermione and Draco in a dominant/submissive relationship, an antagonistic partnership or one that is completely sex based and lacks romance. By removing the pressure of sex from the picture I can allow them to actually get to know the other person and become equals. My parents are the model, for this – they are very different people, but always equal.
It seems that the wizarding world is still very archaic, especially with the whole ‘male heir’ thing – I wanted to bring in powerful women, Lets have a witch feminist revolt! I can see them hexing corsets into oblivion in protest of men! Lol!
Yes, I was only a muchkin when true colours came out – but it applies so much to the plot, but Draco’s true colours are rather unknown to the public, I think only Hermione has seen the rainbow – I don’t think even Narcissa is privy to them!
Yay, Draco had to get down on one knee for her! That was a must in my plot plan! Thanks for your congratulating words! I paid the deposit on the sparkler as a valentines day gift – we’d been talking about getting engaged for a while – and when I asked Andy what he wanted for valentines day, he replied “you”… he actually DID get down on one knee 4 days ago! (27th)! It was PERFECTION and he had the guts to do it when 30 members of my family were there too!
Feel free to ramble! I like to know what anyone thinks! Is there anything you want to see in the plot? I might be able to fit in a request or two from regular reviewers as a reward…
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND ENCOURAGEMENT!
***
> paigeey07:
Thank-you for the comments, I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the story, I hope you continue to do so as chapters get added! I already have the very last paragraph written and ready to fit in – I just have to get to it!
Kind Regards, and thanks!
***
> Luvhp:
I’m glad that you liked the description, I like to be able to visualise everything in my mind, I dislike it when fics fall short in painting a picture! Description is vital in all stories!
Thanks for your review, I hope you continue to read to the end – I’ll think of you as I put description in!
***
> Purpletak:
The updates come along when I stop looking at text books for my uni work, my muse seems to have decided to be incredibly powerful at the moment – power fuelled by reviews such as yours.
Kind Thanks!
***
> nonentity
My cat spent forever chasing the fish in my tank and never seemed to realise that paws didn’t go through glass… however, Fidget learnt how to get the lid off it and swiped my male Siamese Fighter! He was fully grown and stunning and she ATE him! I was rather cross with her for that! With a pond, your main enemy is herons, rather than cats!
I’m not sure why I made Hermione the Owl and Draco the Cat; but it all comes back to my love of dismantling the stereotypes that crop up so often in fanfiction – hearing that I have done something nobody expected is a real confidence boost that I’m doing something reasonably original; there isn’t much that hasn’t been done in HPFF, so originality is a pain in the bum to achieve!
Thank-you for your review! Knowing I did something unexpected with the plot is a real bonus! I hope you continue to keep reading!
I wanted to flesh out Narcissa, I don’t see her as a blonde bimbo on Lucius’s arm or as a socialite. She’s a complex character in my mind and I hope to give her a more wholesome characterisation! She’s missing Lucius terribly, I doubt they’ve slept apart more than a handful of times in their marriage and she’s incredibly lonely at night. (Their marriage is based on my Grandparents, who were happily married for over half a century and only spent a few nights apart before my Granddad suffered a huge stroke and we turned off the life support.)
I associate certain scents with people and places; for example: my Dad is a fan of Aramis aftershave and its very distinctive and comforting for me. My fiancé [!!!!] wears Jon Paul Gaultier [sp] and CK one, I stole one of his jumpers just to keep his scent with me when I went to uni (not to mention keep me warm)! I know Andy cuddles my dressing gown when he’s really missing me while I’m at uni, because it smells like me… scents trigger memories and Narcissa’s memories of that aftershave are happy and remind her of brighter days.
I just couldn’t resist portrait baiting!
Hermione and Draco are behaving as much as possible – sudden death isn’t Draco’s cup of tea (lol). There will be some ‘experimenting’ and ‘exploring’, but they’ll have to wait for the wedding night to go further, thanks to the Third Malfoi’s wife.
Kind regards, and thanks.
***
> wudelfin;
As I have mentioned previously, I was aiming for original – I’m so glad you thought it was and told me! Reviews telling me such things let me know I’ve achieved my aims!
Kind thanks!
***
> mosaic
I figured that the talking portraits needed a mention, JKR doesn’t tend to go into them much, I figured they needed a moment of glory and to step into the limelight for once!
Thank-you for your review! I hope you continue to read and enjoy!
***
> princesspeach
Thank-you for your kind complements! I pride myself on my writing skills, and I’m a real nit-pick for spelling and grammar! Even so, my wonderful beta still picks up on the odd ‘oops’ in my work. We tend to proof-read each other’s uni work, so we know what to look for with errors.
Updates will only arrive when they are actually good enough to post; I have to think ‘would I actually enjoy reading this and think it is good enough’. I’m my own biggest critic!”
Kind regards!
***
> sal paradise
Venice is simply SPECTACULAR! I stayed just outside it in a place called Jeselo. The trick is to do the guided tour with the tourguide one day; then go back the day after with a map and go around yourself, then put the map away and just get lost – the backstreets are just as fascinating as the tourist attractions! If you EVER get the opportunity to go, JUMP at it and get on the plane! I just missed the regatta in Venice – but our flight was badly delayed and we watched some of the festivities on the TVs in the airport lounge. Hotels and packages for the carnival are booked years in advance and cost a pretty penny too! I have it on my wish list to get there one day to the carnival, but it won’t be anytime soon! *sulk*
I did German, but I know a bit of Italian from being a musician. Most Italian lads can say: ‘You are attractive, can I have your phone number’ in several languages! Lol!
Ah, the first to directly comment on the chastity charm! Fanfiction generally paints the Malfoy men as playboys/Slytherin-sex-gods and it drives me BONKERS! I wanted to break that particular typecast the most! I wanted a sexually inexperienced Draco, I wanted to dissolve the Casanova image he gets and shed a different light on his character. They won’t be breaking this charm with the help of spells or a cursebreaker – The third lord Malfoi’s wife was incredibly powerful and made sure of that! Nope – the only sex they’ll get is after a wedding! And as an aside: remember Lucius was in the SAME predicament with Narcissa when he was a young man! I may just have to write that… *adds idea to plotbunny food bowl*.
Kinky portraits… oh, this lot are a definite. I think they’re making up for the lost time they didn’t get as hormonal teens! Lol!
Between 1 and 2… no, I’ll let everyone use their highly talented imaginations for that! Basically they were talking and getting to know each other; getting hardships off their chests and talking about hopes and dreams for the future. Hermione helped to pull Draco out of a nasty depression, that would have taken some doing!
THANK-YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW, I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO READ AND ENJOY!
***
>Revenna
Cute – this is just about the only time when I’d take that word as a compliment! I don’t do cute! Lol! You need a good and proper romance to sweep you off your feet into a plot!
Thank-you!
***
> mariecke
Thank-you for those words! I’m honoured you said it was beautiful! I’m glad you find my work nice to read!
More on the way when its polished, and good enough!
Kind Regards.
***
LunaSeay
No ‘full on’ smut until they’re married, don’t want Draco dropping dead on her! There’ll be some playful pleasure, but nothing all the way just yet! I want to build up the suspense first!
Everyone needs some fluff! A bit of “Awwwww” never did any harm! Lol!
Kind regards.
***
> nonentity
Blimey! How could I mess that up?! I’m a flipping Biology student and can’t tell the difference between a barn owl and a snowy owl! I’ll go and make a few edits to the first chapter to fit her costume in with the correct biology! THANK YOU for pointing out such a whopping error! (this is one of the reasons I love an honest reviewer, they aren’t shy of telling you when you cock up!)
Felina’s kittens are going to feature when they arrive – all six little trouble makers! I think Crooks might just have a contraceptive charm placed over him permenantly now though! I’m going to have it that a kneazle life span isn’t much different from the average domestic cat – Crooks and Felina aren’t going to last forever, but a couple of offspring would be good for Hermione and Narcissa when the seniors depart.
Actually, an experiment three or four years ago proved that men are actually redundant! Scientists managed to get two mice eggs to fertilise each other and produce viable baby mice! Though, I think we’re a bit far from that – but that research made me smile! I have always viewed the wizarding world as rather male-orientated, rather like Britain before the suffragettes and women voters, lets get these powerful women in the spotlight!
I hope you continue to read and enjoy!
***
> Kazfeist
I submitted this to coloured grey a few weeks ago and haven’t heard anything of it so far… I write under the same name there too.
I love a happily ever after! And this lot will certainly get one! The wedding is to come, as is Lucius’s home coming – but the Lord of the Manor’s return isn’t what most will expect (I hope!)
I am a big fan of attention to detail! If it doesn’t paint a picture good enough for me then it doesn’t get posted! I like my mind’s eye to see clearly, and I hope readers find a similar situation!
Woah! That everyone so far? I don’t think I missed anyone!
A/N II: This is a rather short chapter, I do apologise, but I couldn’t realistically fit this plot device in anywhere else.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
Hermione leant her back against Draco’s bare chest as they snuggled in front of the fire, on the comfortable chaise lounge that had been a gift from one of the Malfoy Incorporated managers for their engagement. It was
Slytherin green with little red flowers, reminding Hermione of holly at Christmas – but a soft cream throw over it made it easier on the eyes. Felina and her distended belly lay curled up on another gift – a plush rug. Felina had opted to make the expensive floor decoration her nest. It was the only gift that Hermione actually liked, but the Kneazle gained priority at this stage in her pregnancy.
“Prowww, mreep.” She chirped, as Crookshanks brought her another headless mouse.
“There are cravings, and then there are cravings” Hermione chuckled.
“The kittens will be cute though. The head gardener has already claimed a tom for his vegetable greenhouse, he thinks Crooks could do with a deputy in the mouse eating department.” Draco replied, watching in disgust as Felina swallowed the bleeding furry mass whole.
“Neville wants one too, he’s taking the position at Hogwarts as a training professor, Trevor is long gone and he wants a greenhouse-guard too. I think he was talking to the head gardener.” Hermione sighed, watching as Crookshanks was washed. “We’ll see him at the huge engagement party your Mum is planning.”
“That reminds me, Wings… when do you want to have the service?” Draco asked, he’d been rehearsing this speech all day; thinking like a chess player he’d expected one of seven different reactions to his opening line.
“Whenever you want – I’m pretty flexible.” Hermione yawned, wriggling in the open ‘V’ of his legs.
“I want Father to be here for it… Affection might have been lacking when I was a child, but I still respect him and I think I love him a bit. I’d like him to be here.” Draco said, she’d given reply number two.
“Hmm… I didn’t want to wait eight years Drake…” Hermione mused, thinking of a the magical law books she’d studied before they chased horcruxes – most of their magic had been illegal, and Hermione had found enough loopholes to keep Harry, Ron and herself out of Azkaban. Her trump card had been when she stated that Harry couldn’t be sent to Azkaban for casting the killing curse, because he was certified as dead at the ministry at the time.
“I’m sorry, but…” he began, expecting this argument.
“Leave it with me, there might be a loophole in wizarding law to get Lucius here for the big day – I remember reading about it somewhere.” Hermione could narrow the little footnote down to one of twelve books she’d read through… it looked like her lunch hour tomorrow would be spent in the ministry’s law library.
“Oh. Thank-you.” Draco replied, reminding himself to not play chess against her, she thought too quickly and had a tendency to do the unexpected.
Page 1256 of Magical Prison Rights, 1922.
In the event of the death of an inmates spouse or children, an inmate may have twelve hours to leave Azkaban to attend their family.
In the event of a family wedding, held upon the twenty-ninth day of February, at the hour of two in the afternoon; an Azkaban inmate may have twenty-four hours leave from Azkaban, minus their wands and under strict magical control. The law may be invoked fifteen days before the wedding by the groom and bride; with their request written in their mixed blood. The law can be invoked once per family, and cannot be denied.
Footnote 6, page 1256: The law was laid down by Minister for Magic Archibald Withers, to allow his Mother to witness his nuptials.
Hermione flooed directly to Saint Mungo’s, to find Draco munching on a sandwich in his office, ploughing through paperwork.
“Is something wrong? Are you alright? Are you hurt?” Draco said in a rush, his hands and healing skills running over any available skin not hidden under robes.
“I can’t wait eight years… but I can wait for two. Read this.” Hermione handed over the copy of the law and further details of its history and how to invoke it.
“For once, I am glad that the minister for magic is usually corrupt… how Slytherin to change the law for your own purpose! In that case, shall we set a date for two o’clock on the twenty ninth of February?” Draco said.
“Sure, if it makes you happy.” Hermione said, hugging her beloved before flooing back to her office.
> Tarosseli:
In no way do you ramble, I have a tendency to give incredibly large reviews that look at every little aspect of a chapter, rather than the big picture. I love to read what you say about my work!
I like to flesh out characters that JKR has left in the background. I prefer 3D characters to 2D, and the senior Malfoys (and Draco to an extent) practically give me a blank canvass to work upon with description of character, mannerisms, action, syntax, ect.
I always see that the Lucius/Narcissa marriage is a love match, rather than forced by parents – they are both very headstrong and dominant characters that wouldn’t have accepted their parents deciding for them. I view them like I view my parents (whom have been happily married for 26 years; I’ve seen them argue once, and half way through they forgot what they were arguing over and burst into a giant giggle fit!).
I don’t know if I’ll write Hermione’s introduction to the portraits – it will require me to dig out the Oxford English Dictionary to find some blooming good insults! I may just leave that to the reader to imagine! I don’t really want to write a fic that requires a glossary of terms at the end! Lol!
I have a rather quirky mind that decides to wander off on tangents! Originally I just had Narcissa stroking Felina, but then I realised that Crooks is a boy cat and put two-and-two-together to make six! I see the kneazles as highly intelligent and compared her reaction to the strange looks my cat gives when we silly humans do ‘strange’ things! I don’t know exactly what the kittens are going to look like, or if they’ll all be staying at the manor to patrol for more squeakies to bite the heads off… we’ll see in a few chapters.
I LOVE to break stereotypes! You often see Hermione and Draco in a dominant/submissive relationship, an antagonistic partnership or one that is completely sex based and lacks romance. By removing the pressure of sex from the picture I can allow them to actually get to know the other person and become equals. My parents are the model, for this – they are very different people, but always equal.
It seems that the wizarding world is still very archaic, especially with the whole ‘male heir’ thing – I wanted to bring in powerful women, Lets have a witch feminist revolt! I can see them hexing corsets into oblivion in protest of men! Lol!
Yes, I was only a muchkin when true colours came out – but it applies so much to the plot, but Draco’s true colours are rather unknown to the public, I think only Hermione has seen the rainbow – I don’t think even Narcissa is privy to them!
Yay, Draco had to get down on one knee for her! That was a must in my plot plan! Thanks for your congratulating words! I paid the deposit on the sparkler as a valentines day gift – we’d been talking about getting engaged for a while – and when I asked Andy what he wanted for valentines day, he replied “you”… he actually DID get down on one knee 4 days ago! (27th)! It was PERFECTION and he had the guts to do it when 30 members of my family were there too!
Feel free to ramble! I like to know what anyone thinks! Is there anything you want to see in the plot? I might be able to fit in a request or two from regular reviewers as a reward…
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND ENCOURAGEMENT!
***
> paigeey07:
Thank-you for the comments, I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the story, I hope you continue to do so as chapters get added! I already have the very last paragraph written and ready to fit in – I just have to get to it!
Kind Regards, and thanks!
***
> Luvhp:
I’m glad that you liked the description, I like to be able to visualise everything in my mind, I dislike it when fics fall short in painting a picture! Description is vital in all stories!
Thanks for your review, I hope you continue to read to the end – I’ll think of you as I put description in!
***
> Purpletak:
The updates come along when I stop looking at text books for my uni work, my muse seems to have decided to be incredibly powerful at the moment – power fuelled by reviews such as yours.
Kind Thanks!
***
> nonentity
My cat spent forever chasing the fish in my tank and never seemed to realise that paws didn’t go through glass… however, Fidget learnt how to get the lid off it and swiped my male Siamese Fighter! He was fully grown and stunning and she ATE him! I was rather cross with her for that! With a pond, your main enemy is herons, rather than cats!
I’m not sure why I made Hermione the Owl and Draco the Cat; but it all comes back to my love of dismantling the stereotypes that crop up so often in fanfiction – hearing that I have done something nobody expected is a real confidence boost that I’m doing something reasonably original; there isn’t much that hasn’t been done in HPFF, so originality is a pain in the bum to achieve!
Thank-you for your review! Knowing I did something unexpected with the plot is a real bonus! I hope you continue to keep reading!
I wanted to flesh out Narcissa, I don’t see her as a blonde bimbo on Lucius’s arm or as a socialite. She’s a complex character in my mind and I hope to give her a more wholesome characterisation! She’s missing Lucius terribly, I doubt they’ve slept apart more than a handful of times in their marriage and she’s incredibly lonely at night. (Their marriage is based on my Grandparents, who were happily married for over half a century and only spent a few nights apart before my Granddad suffered a huge stroke and we turned off the life support.)
I associate certain scents with people and places; for example: my Dad is a fan of Aramis aftershave and its very distinctive and comforting for me. My fiancé [!!!!] wears Jon Paul Gaultier [sp] and CK one, I stole one of his jumpers just to keep his scent with me when I went to uni (not to mention keep me warm)! I know Andy cuddles my dressing gown when he’s really missing me while I’m at uni, because it smells like me… scents trigger memories and Narcissa’s memories of that aftershave are happy and remind her of brighter days.
I just couldn’t resist portrait baiting!
Hermione and Draco are behaving as much as possible – sudden death isn’t Draco’s cup of tea (lol). There will be some ‘experimenting’ and ‘exploring’, but they’ll have to wait for the wedding night to go further, thanks to the Third Malfoi’s wife.
Kind regards, and thanks.
***
> wudelfin;
As I have mentioned previously, I was aiming for original – I’m so glad you thought it was and told me! Reviews telling me such things let me know I’ve achieved my aims!
Kind thanks!
***
> mosaic
I figured that the talking portraits needed a mention, JKR doesn’t tend to go into them much, I figured they needed a moment of glory and to step into the limelight for once!
Thank-you for your review! I hope you continue to read and enjoy!
***
> princesspeach
Thank-you for your kind complements! I pride myself on my writing skills, and I’m a real nit-pick for spelling and grammar! Even so, my wonderful beta still picks up on the odd ‘oops’ in my work. We tend to proof-read each other’s uni work, so we know what to look for with errors.
Updates will only arrive when they are actually good enough to post; I have to think ‘would I actually enjoy reading this and think it is good enough’. I’m my own biggest critic!”
Kind regards!
***
> sal paradise
Venice is simply SPECTACULAR! I stayed just outside it in a place called Jeselo. The trick is to do the guided tour with the tourguide one day; then go back the day after with a map and go around yourself, then put the map away and just get lost – the backstreets are just as fascinating as the tourist attractions! If you EVER get the opportunity to go, JUMP at it and get on the plane! I just missed the regatta in Venice – but our flight was badly delayed and we watched some of the festivities on the TVs in the airport lounge. Hotels and packages for the carnival are booked years in advance and cost a pretty penny too! I have it on my wish list to get there one day to the carnival, but it won’t be anytime soon! *sulk*
I did German, but I know a bit of Italian from being a musician. Most Italian lads can say: ‘You are attractive, can I have your phone number’ in several languages! Lol!
Ah, the first to directly comment on the chastity charm! Fanfiction generally paints the Malfoy men as playboys/Slytherin-sex-gods and it drives me BONKERS! I wanted to break that particular typecast the most! I wanted a sexually inexperienced Draco, I wanted to dissolve the Casanova image he gets and shed a different light on his character. They won’t be breaking this charm with the help of spells or a cursebreaker – The third lord Malfoi’s wife was incredibly powerful and made sure of that! Nope – the only sex they’ll get is after a wedding! And as an aside: remember Lucius was in the SAME predicament with Narcissa when he was a young man! I may just have to write that… *adds idea to plotbunny food bowl*.
Kinky portraits… oh, this lot are a definite. I think they’re making up for the lost time they didn’t get as hormonal teens! Lol!
Between 1 and 2… no, I’ll let everyone use their highly talented imaginations for that! Basically they were talking and getting to know each other; getting hardships off their chests and talking about hopes and dreams for the future. Hermione helped to pull Draco out of a nasty depression, that would have taken some doing!
THANK-YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW, I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO READ AND ENJOY!
***
>Revenna
Cute – this is just about the only time when I’d take that word as a compliment! I don’t do cute! Lol! You need a good and proper romance to sweep you off your feet into a plot!
Thank-you!
***
> mariecke
Thank-you for those words! I’m honoured you said it was beautiful! I’m glad you find my work nice to read!
More on the way when its polished, and good enough!
Kind Regards.
***
LunaSeay
No ‘full on’ smut until they’re married, don’t want Draco dropping dead on her! There’ll be some playful pleasure, but nothing all the way just yet! I want to build up the suspense first!
Everyone needs some fluff! A bit of “Awwwww” never did any harm! Lol!
Kind regards.
***
> nonentity
Blimey! How could I mess that up?! I’m a flipping Biology student and can’t tell the difference between a barn owl and a snowy owl! I’ll go and make a few edits to the first chapter to fit her costume in with the correct biology! THANK YOU for pointing out such a whopping error! (this is one of the reasons I love an honest reviewer, they aren’t shy of telling you when you cock up!)
Felina’s kittens are going to feature when they arrive – all six little trouble makers! I think Crooks might just have a contraceptive charm placed over him permenantly now though! I’m going to have it that a kneazle life span isn’t much different from the average domestic cat – Crooks and Felina aren’t going to last forever, but a couple of offspring would be good for Hermione and Narcissa when the seniors depart.
Actually, an experiment three or four years ago proved that men are actually redundant! Scientists managed to get two mice eggs to fertilise each other and produce viable baby mice! Though, I think we’re a bit far from that – but that research made me smile! I have always viewed the wizarding world as rather male-orientated, rather like Britain before the suffragettes and women voters, lets get these powerful women in the spotlight!
I hope you continue to read and enjoy!
***
> Kazfeist
I submitted this to coloured grey a few weeks ago and haven’t heard anything of it so far… I write under the same name there too.
I love a happily ever after! And this lot will certainly get one! The wedding is to come, as is Lucius’s home coming – but the Lord of the Manor’s return isn’t what most will expect (I hope!)
I am a big fan of attention to detail! If it doesn’t paint a picture good enough for me then it doesn’t get posted! I like my mind’s eye to see clearly, and I hope readers find a similar situation!
Woah! That everyone so far? I don’t think I missed anyone!
A/N II: This is a rather short chapter, I do apologise, but I couldn’t realistically fit this plot device in anywhere else.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
Hermione leant her back against Draco’s bare chest as they snuggled in front of the fire, on the comfortable chaise lounge that had been a gift from one of the Malfoy Incorporated managers for their engagement. It was
Slytherin green with little red flowers, reminding Hermione of holly at Christmas – but a soft cream throw over it made it easier on the eyes. Felina and her distended belly lay curled up on another gift – a plush rug. Felina had opted to make the expensive floor decoration her nest. It was the only gift that Hermione actually liked, but the Kneazle gained priority at this stage in her pregnancy.
“Prowww, mreep.” She chirped, as Crookshanks brought her another headless mouse.
“There are cravings, and then there are cravings” Hermione chuckled.
“The kittens will be cute though. The head gardener has already claimed a tom for his vegetable greenhouse, he thinks Crooks could do with a deputy in the mouse eating department.” Draco replied, watching in disgust as Felina swallowed the bleeding furry mass whole.
“Neville wants one too, he’s taking the position at Hogwarts as a training professor, Trevor is long gone and he wants a greenhouse-guard too. I think he was talking to the head gardener.” Hermione sighed, watching as Crookshanks was washed. “We’ll see him at the huge engagement party your Mum is planning.”
“That reminds me, Wings… when do you want to have the service?” Draco asked, he’d been rehearsing this speech all day; thinking like a chess player he’d expected one of seven different reactions to his opening line.
“Whenever you want – I’m pretty flexible.” Hermione yawned, wriggling in the open ‘V’ of his legs.
“I want Father to be here for it… Affection might have been lacking when I was a child, but I still respect him and I think I love him a bit. I’d like him to be here.” Draco said, she’d given reply number two.
“Hmm… I didn’t want to wait eight years Drake…” Hermione mused, thinking of a the magical law books she’d studied before they chased horcruxes – most of their magic had been illegal, and Hermione had found enough loopholes to keep Harry, Ron and herself out of Azkaban. Her trump card had been when she stated that Harry couldn’t be sent to Azkaban for casting the killing curse, because he was certified as dead at the ministry at the time.
“I’m sorry, but…” he began, expecting this argument.
“Leave it with me, there might be a loophole in wizarding law to get Lucius here for the big day – I remember reading about it somewhere.” Hermione could narrow the little footnote down to one of twelve books she’d read through… it looked like her lunch hour tomorrow would be spent in the ministry’s law library.
“Oh. Thank-you.” Draco replied, reminding himself to not play chess against her, she thought too quickly and had a tendency to do the unexpected.
Page 1256 of Magical Prison Rights, 1922.
In the event of the death of an inmates spouse or children, an inmate may have twelve hours to leave Azkaban to attend their family.
In the event of a family wedding, held upon the twenty-ninth day of February, at the hour of two in the afternoon; an Azkaban inmate may have twenty-four hours leave from Azkaban, minus their wands and under strict magical control. The law may be invoked fifteen days before the wedding by the groom and bride; with their request written in their mixed blood. The law can be invoked once per family, and cannot be denied.
Footnote 6, page 1256: The law was laid down by Minister for Magic Archibald Withers, to allow his Mother to witness his nuptials.
Hermione flooed directly to Saint Mungo’s, to find Draco munching on a sandwich in his office, ploughing through paperwork.
“Is something wrong? Are you alright? Are you hurt?” Draco said in a rush, his hands and healing skills running over any available skin not hidden under robes.
“I can’t wait eight years… but I can wait for two. Read this.” Hermione handed over the copy of the law and further details of its history and how to invoke it.
“For once, I am glad that the minister for magic is usually corrupt… how Slytherin to change the law for your own purpose! In that case, shall we set a date for two o’clock on the twenty ninth of February?” Draco said.
“Sure, if it makes you happy.” Hermione said, hugging her beloved before flooing back to her office.