Circle of Love

Remus and Draco left the Burrow in the mindless vortex of the portkey and landed at the druid circle seconds later. Remus looked down at Draco sitting on the ground and laughed. “Someday boy, you'll land on your feet.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Draco mumbled, wiping the leaves from his pants as he stood.

“You two are early,” Snape announced as he stepped out of his tent, his wand pointed at the intruders at his camp. “What's happened?”

“Hermione was almost taken tonight, Severus.” Remus said. “They caught her at the ruins of her home. That should have been enough to convince-”

“Remus, I was there when Lucius made his report. Your actions tonight, Draco, has not made the Dark Lord pleased.” Snape smirked as he interrupted Remus. He looked at Draco as he added a warning. “I've been charged to eliminate you, so be on your guard in the open. For I am not the only one who will be hunting you.” Snape turned back to Remus and asked, “How is Granger?”

“She's shaken up, but well. She seems to be dealing with her parents' death well. I think its time-” Remus was interrupted again by Snape's next words.

“Have you started moving all the Muggleborns' parents? The Granger incident was only the beginning.” Snape warned. He hadn't been given his orders yet for the next attack, but his gut told him it would soon. He could take the Dark Lord's ire over empty targets, the Grangers' successful attack being the only excuse he needed to explain it all away.

“Tonks and Shacklebolt have the list you provided, and with tonight's encounter, I'm adding Ted and Andromeda also. Bellatrix has promised them a nice cozy family meeting and I'd rather relieve Tonks of that worry.” Remus rubbed a tired hand across his forehead. Bellatrix's words still gnawed at his heart, and without the Wolfsbane potions Snape had brewed for him, it could very well happen. Tonks was stubborn in sticking by him though, and refused to leave him.

“The funeral is set for tomorrow?” Snape questioned.

“Is there really any need to continue this? The Dark Lord surely has from tonight's reports seen that Hermione's grief is real, and that the Grangers are truly gone?” Remus despised himself in deception. The sooner it was over the better in his mind.

“Any one connected with Potter or his close friends are in danger. The Dark Lord has begun with this attack, so use the Grangers as a warning and get them moved or protected before more tragedies occur.” Snape looked towards a silent Draco, standing aways off. “How did he do tonight?” He asked Remus.

“You'd have been proud, he faced his father without fear. You've trained him well in defense these last few months.” Remus patted Snape on the shoulder. “Narcissa would be so proud of him.”

“Yes, she would,” Snape smiled sadly as he remembered the witch who still held his heart. “How's Potter taking Draco being an open member of the Order?”

“With his usual skepticism. They'll probably kill each other before Harry backs down because they are both so stubborn.” Remus chuckled as he remembered the boys facing off yet again. Perhaps Hermione was correct in the thought that a duel would help clear the air between them.

“Potter will need him for the final battle. He'll need all of his classmates that choose to follow the Order whether he accepts it or not. He may be the Boy-Who-Lived, but he can't defeat the Dark Lord on his own. Just as the Dark Lord has his Death Eaters, Potter will have to have his own army to back him up.”

“We still need information on the last horcrux before anything can happen. Without its destruction Voldemort won't be defeated for good.”

“I'm still searching, Remus. It has to be something so inconsequential to others, but not to the Dark Lord.”

“Perhaps the snake, Nagini?” Remus suggested.

“I don't think so, no. She's a living being, so if she died, that itself would destroy the horcrux. The Dark Lord isn't stupid enough to make a vulnerable horcrux.” Snape looked back to where Draco stood off alone, deep in thought.

“Go talk to him, Severus.” Remus prodded as he watched Snape stare at Draco guardedly. Snape nodded without a word, and walked over to the stone pillar Draco stood at.

“Draco?” Snape watched as Draco turned to look at him. “Your very public denouncement of your father has placed you in a lot of danger. Not just from the Dark Lord, but your father and aunt and uncle.” He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.

“I couldn't take it any longer!” Draco looked up at his former professor. “I can only wonder at how you did it for so long without slipping!”

“You forget, Draco. When I first joined, I was a real Death Eater. It took me a year or so before I realized the truth of his lies and turned to Dumbledore for help.” He grabbed Draco's left arm and pulled up his sleeve, exposing the Dark Mark to the moonlight.

“Your mother never wanted this life for you. I never wanted it for you either. But I honored her wishes by allowing you to make your own choices.” Snape allowed Draco to pull his arm away. “I loved your mother, Draco, and one day I'll make sure Lucius pays for all that he has done.”

“Why did you want me not to return to the Dark Lord? I thought the plan was for me to spy and report, and learn from you?”

“So far I have kept you from the killings the Death Eaters enjoy performing, but soon that would impossible.” Snape looked away for a second before looking back. “I care for you as a son, and the love I have for your mother made me hate the idea. Once you kill for the Dark Lord, it brands you far worse then that Mark. It kills a part of your soul, and I couldn't allow that. Not Narcissa's son.”

“Professor?” Draco felt shocked. He had known his mum and Snape had been friends since Hogwarts, and had even watched as Snape grieved over her death, but never till today realized the depth their relationship had gone to. It made since now, it wasn't just the Order that had bound them.

“Go back with Remus, and be safe.” Snape started to walk away, not hearing Draco, lost in his memories of the past.

“Professor?” Draco repeated. With a sigh, Snape turned back to look at the boy.

“Now what?”

“Thank you.” Draco gave him a smile, “You would have been a great dad if you had ever been given the chance.” Certainly better then the one I was blessed with! He thought as they both touched the portkey and Remus activated it.

“Be safe,” Snape repeated quietly, returning to his memories.


****


Remus and Draco arrived back to number 12, Grimmauld Place and opened the door quietly, not wanting to disturb Tonks and Hermione as the slept. They were surprised by the sight of a very exhausted Tonks sitting on the stairs waiting for them.

“Wotcher, boys!” She greeted them as she yawned and stood up.

“Sweetheart, you should be in bed!” Remus said as he wrapped his arms around her slight figure and kissed her. Draco looked down from the sight and gave a small cough to remind them he was there.

“Hermione is in there,” Tonks pointed towards the sitting room door as they broke apart. “And she won't answer me. She's been crying all night. Dumbledore's portrait assures me she's okay, but still-” She added worriedly. “Maybe she'll answer you, Remus.”

Remus nodded and made to knock on the door.

“Wait, sir. Let me,” Draco interjected. “With my oath not to discuss what's up I can't reveal anything.”

“True, but I doubt-” Remus looked worriedly towards the locked door.

“Let me at least try, I'll even have an excuse. I'll get some pumpkin juice and cookies.” Draco headed for the kitchen, and turned back to look at the adults. “You two go to bed. You both look like something the cat dragged in.” He laughed at their astonished looks.

“Not a way to complement a lady, Draco.” Remus said as they both observed Tonks disgruntled look as she padded up the stairs.

“Effective though, sir. Good night.” Draco headed to the kitchen to fetch his 'excuse'. Pouring the juice into two tall glasses on a tray, he looked at the jar of cookies. Hope there are some left! He thought as he lifted the lid to spy the jar crammed to the top with fragrant oaty smell of the cookies. Amazing, Mrs Weasley is a goddess! Charming the jar with an ever-full spell. Draco nodded his pleasure, and place the full plate on the tray and picked it up.

“Night, Professor Lupin and Tonks.” Draco said to the couple hiding on the landing. He heard their sighs and footfalls as they continued up the stairs. He waited for the telltale click as their bedroom door before returning to his mission.

Draco knocked softly on the door and waited.

“Granger, open the door.” He said impatiently as a few minutes passed. He grasped the knob, and it turned. He walked in and kept his eye out for an odd hex depending on the mood she was in. Draco saw Albus's portrait nod at him approvingly as he set the tray on a small end table.

“Granger, thought you might like some of those cookies from the other night.” Draco said to the silent girl on the couch.

“Go away...” Hermione finally mumbled as she wiped her sleeve across her face.

Draco looked at the portrait again, Albus's eyes twinkling over his half moon glasses at him. Help me! He mouthed to the Headmaster who only winked at him as he popped a yellow painted candy into his mouth before disappearing from the painting. Damn! Damn! Damn! Draco thought in frustration.

“Drink some of the juice, nibble on a cookie and I'll leave you alone.” Draco said as he advanced towards the couch, a cookie and a glass in hand to offer her. Really should have let Professor Lupin do this. He sighed in reflection.

“Malfoy, I said go away!” Hermione exclaimed angrily as she knocked the offered cookie from his hand. “A cookie is not going to bring Ron back! A cookie is not going to bring my parents walking through that door!” Her face fell into her hands as a fresh burst of crying racked her body.

How little she knew. Draco thought as he felt helpless in the sight of her. He placed the juice back on the tray, the cookie crunched under his foot reproachfully as he stepped closer to the mourning girl.

“Hermione,” Draco said quietly as he placed a warm hand on the side of her face. “Hermione,” He repeated.

Hermione looked up, tears rolling down her face and her eyes glistening from the unshed ones.

“What did you just say?”

“Her-my-o-nay,” Draco said, the syllables coming slowly from his lips as he pulled the girl into his arms and held her. He sighed as her face snuggled into his shoulder and her arms wrapped around him.

“Why?” Draco could hear her muffled cry as her tears soaked his shirt and he ran his hands across her back soothingly. He almost gasped as she pulled slightly away to look at his face.

“Why?” Hermione asked again.

“Tonight, I am not Malfoy. I am not the school bully, or the ferret. I am just Draco.” He grazed the side of her face his hand, wiping away a stray tear.

“Draco?”

“Draco,” He said firmly as he pulled her face closer and kissed her, tasting the bittersweetness of her tears. A low growl emitted from his throat as he felt her kissing him back, a jolt of magical electricity passed through them as the kiss deepened. Draco felt his knees weaken as he collapsed on the couch pulling her with him into his lap.

He breathed in deeply as he layered kiss upon kiss softly on her face; he groaned as she pulled his lips back to hers, and sighed as their tongues entwined. Hermione shifted her arse on his lap and he grabbed her hips.

“Don't do that...” Draco mumbled against her lips as he let out a groan of pleasure. His fingers dug into her hips as she laughed softly and moved again. “Minx...” He breathed out as their kiss deepened once more.

“Draco...” He heard her repeat as he felt her hands touch the sides of his face, holding his lips to hers.

“Her-my-oh-my-gods!” Draco uttered as her hands drifted down to toy with the top button of his shirt.

This was not supposed to be happening! Popped into his head with regret as he grabbed her hands and held them close to his chest. Draco broke their kiss regretfully.

“Slow..” He mumbled into her brown hair as it tickled his nose.

“...down.” Hermione finished for him as she laid her head on his shoulder; his chin rested upon it.

Draco laid back on the couch, still cuddling Hermione in his arms. “Sleep,” He whispered.

“Draco,” Hermione mumbled sleepily, “My name is pronounced Her-my-oh-nee.”

What just happened? He asked himself as Hermione's breathing slowed and she drifted into sleep, her head nestled on his chest. He kissed the top of her head without realizing as his eyes closed.


****


Hermione woke to a cough from above her, and the arms that wound around her tightened as she moved. The heartbeat in her ear quickened as Draco Malfoy sat them up and looked into the eyes of Remus Lupin.

“Good morning, you two. Tonks has some semblance of breakfast ready if you'd like to join us.” Remus shuddered, Tonks was not a cook.

“Thanks, sir.” Draco looked at Remus, a nod answering Remus's unasked question. His eyes followed Remus as he exited the room, and his arms still wrapped around Hermione.

“Last night-” He started to say, but her finger touched his lip softly.

“Shh,” Hermione looked him in the eye, both unsure of what happened and what to say. “You helped me last night, and-” She blushed, her eyes looked down. “And...just...well..” Draco had never seen the self assured Gryffindor stutter before, “Thanks.”

“Grang-”

“Her-my-oh-nee” She said as she stood up and held out her hand to him. “I kind of like hearing you say it, Draco.”

“Hermione,” Draco said as he took her hand. “Let's see what my cousin has cooked up for us.” And he walked beside her, never feeling more like a heel; knowing what was to come was bittersweet, for once again Hermione Granger would hate him.


****


The sun seemed to mock them as it shined glaringly over the few mourners surrounding two dirt covered mounds. Harry and Ginny stood next to a silent Hermione, and Harry shot daggers with his eyes as Draco stood next to her. Remus and Tonks stood behind them, watching for intruders as the clutched their wands defensively. Draco had seen Harry's look of anger at Grimmauld Place when Hermione had requested he join them. Duel? He had mouthed over both girls' heads before sneering. Remus looked at both boys and arched his eyebrow. “Truce or stay here.” He whispered an order to them. They nodded.

Neither of Draco or Hermione had eaten much, runny scrambled eggs and burnt, no flaming toast made them lose what appetite they had. At that moment, his level of respect for Remus raised, cause only a man in love would take a second helping and actually eat it with a smile.

The Muggle, Pastor Davies closed his bible and they bent their heads as he uttered one final prayer. Draco turned his head and looked at Hermione. Just a little longer, He thought, And this farce will over. He felt her hand slip into his, and he squeezed it lightly in reassurance.

Hermione spread the bouquet of flowers she held in her hand over her parents' graves before she knelt down between them. “Good bye, mum and dad.” Draco helped her stand, much to the Harry's ire.

“Thank you, Hermione for requesting my services. Your parents were loving and generous to the poor in my parish.” Pastor Jess Davies said as he shook her hand. “They will be missed.”

Hermione simply nodded, as her grief spilled over and the tears rolled down her face. The young pastor walked to his car and drove off.

A camera flashed, and both Harry and Draco turned angrily towards its owner. Remus placed a heavy hand on each of their shoulders.

“No! I asked Mr Lovegood here to record Voldemort's work.” Remus said softly. “Let's go. It's been a long day for all of us.” They five wizards disapparated back to Grimmauld Place.

Molly looked at her handiwork and smiled with satisfaction. The kitchen table was laden with food enough to feed a starving army.

“They'll be back soon, Arthur. You think I made enough?” Molly looked at her husband worriedly.

“Yes, my dear.” He kissed her cheek as the door opened and the mourners entered the house.

“Sit down, sit down... you all must be hungry.” Molly urged them all, as the Order arrived also behind them.

It was time.

The sitting room doors parted slowly, and Severus Snape and two figures walked out towards the kitchen. Hermione looked up as Snape entered and screamed as she pointed her wand at her former teacher.

“Accio Granger's wand.” Snape sneered as he twirled her wand in his hand. “I have something very special planned for you.”

Hermione looked at the other members of the room, none of lifting a wand to protect themselves. What is going on here?

“Draco? Harry? Professor Lupin?” She questioned as each only gave her a faint smile. “Tonks? Ginny?” She stumbled back as Snape advanced closer to her. She gasped as he moved to the side and his companions came into view.

“Mum? Dad?” Hermione stood in shock, then ran to hug them; tears of joy streaming down her face.

“Yes, Hermione, it's really us.” Jane Granger said as she held her daughter tight.

“Your Professor Snape with his friends Tonks and Shacklebolt saved us.” Harold Granger added.

“Why didn't anyone tell me?” Hermione turned to look at her friends again. As she scanned Draco's face, he gave her a small smile before looking down. “You all knew, and none of you could tell me?”

“Now, Hermione...” Harold patted her shoulder.

“You all let me suffer for two days?” Hermione exclaimed.

“It was necessary, dear.” Molly walked closer to the girl. “Voldemort needed to see you truly mourning for your parents to be safe.”

“I could have faked it!”

“Really, Miss Granger?” Snape looked down at her, a faint look of concern on his face that was gone in a blink of an eye. “If you hadn't been able to 'fake it', my status as spy and my life would have been endangered.”

Hermione looked him in the eye in silence for a moment, her face an agonizing image of emotions before nodding.

“Thank you, sir.” She felt her mum's arm around her and her dad's hand in hers.

“Let's sit down and eat. Shame to waste all this food my Molly has prepared for us all.” Arthur said. “Explanations later!”

For now it was enough, her mum and dad were alive.