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Chapter Twelve
Stand

"Life's like a novel with the end ripped out. The edge of a canyon with only one way down. Take what you're given before it's gone. Start holding on – keep holding on." *

October 6th, 2012

"You think what now?!" Theo Nott's mouth was hanging open in utter astonishment.

"I think I soul bonded," Draco repeated patiently, unable to believe those words had just come out of his mouth. If anyone had come to him with this conclusion, he was sure he would have reacted the same way. When the silence had dragged out a bit too long, he peeked up to see his friends giving each other concerned looks.

"Are you sure?" Pansy held a sleeping five-year-old Emma Nott against her shoulder, staring at Draco with wide, unbelieving eyes. "I mean, what you're proposing is rather extraordinary"

"Yes, I realize that. Thank you for stating the obvious, Pans."

Nonplussed by his outburst, Pansy prodded. "Okay, start from the beginning, I assume you went out with Granger. You were actually out with her?"

"Obviously," Draco responded with a roll of his eyes."I finally asked her out, she said yes and now my fucking life is balls-up," Draco told her with a touch of annoyance.

Pansy let out an exasperated huff of indignation. "Okay, okay. No need to be an arse." She kissed the forehead of the sleeping child who had been running a fever throughout the morning. "I'm going to put Emma down and check on the other two brats. I'll be right back and we'll talk this through. Just calm down."

"Soul bonded?" Theo muttered, crossing the library. Draco had basically dragged them to the room the moment he had come barreling through the front door of Nott Manor. "I know we have some books on that over here somewhere." Draco watched his life-long friend start rummaging through a couple of bookshelves while he answered Pansy.

"Sorry, I don't mean to sound unappreciative, I'm just losing my mind, that's all," he grumbled as he rubbed his eyes. When he opened them it was to find her watching him with an understanding smile. They stared at each other in quiet understanding for a minute. Seeing her so happy...so pregnant. Every now and then, his curiosity led him to wonder how different his life would be had he married this woman. But it would have never worked. They would have killed each other. Besides, she and Theo were so perfect for each other it was almost eerie.

The petite blonde left the library and Draco's attention was brought back to Theo as he dropped a stack of books on a research table. Both men flopped down into chairs.

"Tell me again what happened," Theo asked, running his finger down the table of contents page in the first book he opened.

"When our lips met, there was a shot of magical energy, it actually puffed her hair," Draco answered, almost too calmly. "Then a shimmer of silver light enveloped us. She pulled away after that. She was upset." Draco let out a breath and collapsed into the leather wingback chair. "I can't blame her. It was…unexpected and slightly terrifying."

"That bad of a kisser, are you?" Theo teased, an easy grin crossing his face as he looked up at Draco.

"Hardy, har, har," Draco rolled his eyes, but internally he was thrilled his friend was helping him. Theo never let him down. "No. I'm an excellent kisser, if you must know. I think her distress came from it being the first time she's kissed anyone other than her dead husband, whom she was with for over fifteen years. People do tend to get a little emotional in times like that." He shrugged; his tone less sarcastic at the end.

That reminder wiped the smirk off Theo's face quickly, and Draco immediately felt bad for his sour mood. This wasn't Theo's fault, and Draco knew he shouldn't take it out on him. His friends had been more than supportive throughout this entire mess with Granger.

The feelings he was experiencing were no one's fault – at least he didn't think so. He was a bit of a mess. The moment Hermione had Apparated away from him, he had felt as if half of his heart went with her. It was taking a lot of effort not to figure out where she lived and turn up on her doorstep.

"Sorry, mate," Theo said quietly. "This is all just a bit... odd. I'd forgotten about Weasley. I mean, I knew he died and all…it's just…I haven't really been dwelling on it. You know?"

"No, you don't have to apologize. Bloody hell. I feel really off balance." He paused before continuing. "When you add the magical spike, or whatever it was, on top of her emotions - it's really no wonder she ran." Draco leaned back in the chair and ran his hands through his hair, letting out a deep breath. "There's no way she didn't feel the magical current, either, it was intense. It happened both times we kissed, but the silver glow only happened the first time. Her eyes were closed, I don't think she saw it."

Theo nodded seriously, taking in what Draco had to say. He reached up with one hand to scratch the top of his head while he thought. "Tell me in what way you feel off balance," he said finally, looking up when Pansy came sauntering back into the room. She went right up to her husband and kissed him sweetly on his upturned mouth before Theo assisted her down into his lap and settled his chin on her shoulder, continuing to scan the book he was looking at as his hands absently rubbed Pansy's pregnant belly.

"Where are the twins, Pans?" Draco smiled at the blonde.

"With Pickle," Pansy grinned. "They love that damn elf. He was the best thing that ever happened to this family."

"He's a good elf," Theo agreed. He turned to Draco. "I need you to tell me what you're feeling. You said, 'off balance.'"

"Oh, yeah," Draco shrugged. "I'm uncomfortable and feel edgy. The moment she Apparated away from me, it was like I was suddenly panicked that she wasn't there."

Theo and Pansy exchanged surprised looks, two sets of eyebrows disappearing into their hairlines. "What?" Draco sounded maddened.

"Well, dear Draco," Pansy slipped off her husband's lap and plopped into the chair next to him. She reached for the next book on the stack and opened it. "It sounds like you're in L-O-V-E, love."

Draco swiped the air with a hand as if to say do shut up. "Do I like her? Yes. A lot. We've only been on one date, though, I'm not in love with her."

"This says differently," Theo answered softly. Flopping the book he had been scanning out in front of him, he pointed to a passage. Draco took the hardcover and quickly scanned it.

Soul Bondingis a rare occurrence, happening infrequently throughout the centuries. Currently, as I write this section on soul magic in 2007, there are four couples alive today that are soul bound. There hasn't been a documented case of soul binding in Great Britain since 1791.

There are many things not known about soul magic, but tales of this rare binding remain consistently documented throughout the eras. All documented cases match the recounts of those four couples I interviewed personally.

People who are destined to be soul bound and who find each other can have no affinity for each other if they spend no time together alone. One of my interviewed couples said they had known of each other at Mahoutokoro but were three years apart in age and never ran in the same social circles. Their bond did not occur until five years after the younger of the couple graduated from school and met again at their respective workplace.

Therefore, it is presumed that soul binding will only take place when the two souls that are meant to be together find themselves in close, intimate proximity. Those who have been bound in the past report an affinity with one another once a relationship is established. Ease of conversation, companionable silences, and common interests tend to be the first things noticed.

The actual soul bonding occurs when two soulmates are intimately connected, be it a kiss or intercourse. When couples share a kiss, a reverberation of magic is felt. A pulsing silver glow follows. Of couples who do exchange a kiss, all documented cases report that physical intimacies occurred within a fortnight as the need to be with each other is acutely physically painful. Of the four couples I've spoken with personally, three were intimate immediately following their first kiss. The fourth couple was intimate within one week.

Once physical intimacies are established, a soul-bound couple will experience a more intense surge of magic followed by a golden glow. The tie that happens at this stage is as strong as a magical marriage bond. Core magic is immediately entwined, and emotional ties are interwoven solidly.

Soulmates report a desperate need to be within proximity to the other and are only truly calm when they are touching, especially when the connection is new. A passionate, fulfilling love is also a consistent documentation.

Draco stopped reading there, stunned disbelief filling him.

Pansy's teasing smile fell off her face when she saw the color drain from Draco's complexion. She glanced back at Theo, who met her glance knowingly. The gravity of the situation hit them all full force. They both looked back to Draco.

Theo spoke softly. "Draco, you need to tell her. She needs to know what's going on."

Pansy nodded. "Being Muggle-born, she probably has no idea. If she's going through what you are…" she trailed off a moment before continuing. "She's probably freaking out if she's having the same feelings you're describing."

"From what that says," Theo started, nodding to the text Draco was staring at in disbelief. "She's feeling exactly what he's feeling."

Draco closed his eyes, horror struck. "Oh Merlin, how do I tell her this? If this had happened to me four months after losing Astoria, I would have been devastated. There's no way I would have accepted it." There weren't many things that scared Draco but telling Hermione Granger she was soul bound to him just topped his list. "I don't know how to tell her."

It started to become difficult for him to draw a breath as panic set in. He was crazy about this witch. Had been crazy about her since the moment she had shown up in his life again. Apparently, he'd been aware of her all his life, if the commiserations with Theo and Pansy over the past couple of months were accurate – and he knew they were.

Had it all been their bond? How was she going to handle this information? Fuck! How was he supposed to tell her that they were soulmates when she had just lost her husband?

"Okay, mate, calm down," Theo was alarmed as he witnessed his usually collected friend start to fall apart. "From how it sounds, there's really no fighting this. She's going to be as drawn to you as you are to her."

"And that's all fine and dandy, Theo! But there are children involved here, too! How are they supposed to understand this? And our families? Oh, Gods. My father will lose his ever-loving mind!" Draco exclaimed, tears sprung to his eyes, shocking him. He touched one eye hesitantly and pulled his fingers back, staring at the moisture curiously. He hadn't cried since after Astoria died. "Fuck," he hissed, a hand flying to settle over his sternum.

Anguish rose in his chest. Anguish? He wasn't feeling anguish. Why would he feel like this? His eyes continued to swell with tears. Why the fuck was he crying?

Then it hit him…

Was he feeling her emotions? He had no reason to be feeling these things. He was awed and nervous - scared even - but not grieving. He wasn't in pain. Was she in this much pain? The ache in his chest rose tenfold. His breaths started to come in shuddered gasps. Bloody hell, how did someone survive a feeling like this? He felt as if his chest was going to cave in.

"What's wrong?" Pansy stood in alarm as tears slipped past his eyelashes and splashed down his face.

"I don't bloody well know, do I?!" Draco roared, pushing away from the table as he swiped at his face. One hand clutched at his chest, trying to stave off the discomfort. "I think it's Hermione, I think I'm feeling what she's feeling."

"Put up your Occlumency shields, Drake," Theo suggested calmly, watching his wife round the table and start rubbing Draco's back in slow, soothing circles.

Draco did as Theo suggested and smoothly pushing his shields into place. Immediately the torment he had been experiencing disappeared and he was just left with his nervousness and fear. "It worked," he said quietly. His oldest friends looked at each other, concern marking their faces.

"This changes things significantly…doesn't it?" Pansy whispered.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Draco stood outside a pretty little two-story home on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole. It reminded him of Hermione, and he gave it a small smirk. Its siding was a beautiful, steel-blue with navy shutters and was trimmed with white windows, soffit, facia, and gutters. A grey brick chimney jutted out from a slate capped roof. The front door was bright red and inviting and held a large wreath of autumn leaves, acorns, pinecones, and gourds. The house had a whitewashed wraparound porch where a bench swing hung, and there were autumn flowers – mums, if he wasn't mistaken – everywhere in a rainbow of colors. They were in window boxes, porch rail boxes, and ceramic pots. A fading honeysuckle filled a trellis off to one side of the porch, leaning up against the house. Rose bushes encircled the house in front of the porch and lined the tiny walk. A perfect, white picket fence lined the small, immaculately kept lawn.

Draco stared at the house; his hands shoved deep in his pockets. It had only been hours since he had seen her, and the ache in his chest – the one that demanded her presence – had not diminished even a little. He wondered if she was struggling the same way. He had been maintaining his Occlumency shields to block her emotions from him, he wondered if they also blocked his own from her.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the gate on the fence and slowly made his way to the front door. He had just raised his hand to knock when the door was pulled open, narrowed brown eyes focused on him and he felt a shudder of nerves cascade down his back.

"Mrs. Potter," he said softly in acknowledgement. He was very relieved to find that someone was with her. "Is Hermione home?"

Ginny didn't speak, just continued to stare at him through her narrowed, judgmental eyes. He really couldn't blame her. If any of the Gryffindors he had gone to school with had shown up on his doorstep, Draco would have probably given them the same look. After a few uncomfortable moments, Ginny's face finally smoothed.

"She's upstairs taking a shower. She's been quite emotional, I'm trying to help her calm down," the redhead answered. Her voice was gentle but guarded.

"Good," he answered firmly. "She needs to calm down. She was almost hysterical. What about Rose and Hugo? Are they here?" He knew he sounded worried.

Ginny looked momentarily surprised before she took a deep breath. Pausing to lick her lips, she answered him, "Rose and Hugo are with Harry at Grimmauld Place." Her voice sounded just a bit suspicious. "I'll be going back to help him in a little while. I told them that Hermione was sick, and I was going to stay with her until she was settled. We're keeping the kids away, so they don't get 'ill'. Hermione doesn't want them to see her like this."

What a fabulous fib, he thought with a small quirk of his mouth.

"Ginny?" A voice called tentatively down the stairs. "Ginny – I know this is really odd, but…" Hermione trailed off.

"What's up, 'Mione?" Ginny yelled back.

"Is Draco here?" Her tone sounded…scared, her voice was trembling.

Ginny looked at Draco in shock. She hadn't even let him in the house yet, there was no way Hermione could hear him. Draco's nervousness overtook him, and he reached up to run his hands anxiously through his hair. He felt calmer just knowing she was on the same piece of property he was, but he could hardly wait to see her – touch her. To have her physically near him. On the flip side of this, he was terrified by how she might react to his little tidbit of information.

"Yes," she called back in a clipped tone. There was a small gasp from the back of the house.

"He is?" Her disembodied voice trailed down to them; a tinge of distress evident in it.

"He just showed up on the doorstep." Ginny moved back and indicated for him to enter the house. She gestured pointedly to a comfortable looking sitting room, making it abundantly clear he was not allowed to follow her. "I - I need to get back to her. May I tell her why you're here?"

"Um…we…er." Gods, how was he supposed to answer that? He hated the slightly desperate edge to his voice as he answered. "I just need to talk to her for a few minutes, if…if she'll see me." Auburn eyebrows rose at that statement. "It would be good if you stayed with us," he added in a rush. Those brows rose higher yet.

There was an awkward silence before she turned suddenly and stalked out of the room. The several long, uncomfortable minutes left Draco lost in his worry as he stared around the living room. The couch and loveseat were brown, overstuffed leather and obviously well-loved. There was a wooden rocking chair in one corner with an end table at its side and a little round footstool in front of it. The table held a stack of books. Some open, being held to certain pages, others obviously bookmarked, and dog-eared. Beside the chair was an overflowing basket of multi-colored yarn and knitting needles. Draco gave the little corner a small smile. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he was positive that it was her little niche.

He took in a large, flat screened…telly? He was pretty sure that's what Muggles called the moving picture machines. It was encased on each side by floor to ceiling bookshelves that were jam packed. Gods…she would love the library at the Manor. The thought brought a genuine smile to his face. Instantly, he couldn't wait to show her. He continued to scan the room and his gaze fell on a wall of photographs. His stomach leapt, and he couldn't help the pull that made him walk over to take a closer look.

There were dozens upon dozens of photographs. Many from their Hogwarts days of the Trio together. His heart went into triple time when he found one of Hermione on what must have been her wedding day. Her unmanageable curls were piled on top of her head around a delicate looking tiara, her cheeks were flushed with pleasure. The secret smile that kept repeating on her face spoke of unmitigated joy and happiness. She was absolutely breathtaking. Draco found another photograph from her wedding day of her and Weasley together, whispering in each other's ears and kissing. He was pleasantly surprised to find no stab of jealousy – he was just happy she had been so happy. There were more photographs of the happy couple and their children as they grew, many of them as a family, more of them with their friends and extended family, and a couple of shots that were still and had to be of her parents.

The last photo his eyes fell on must have been done professionally – like the wedding portraits – and absolutely stole his breath away. It was of Hermione, very obviously pregnant. She was laying on her back on what looked like white fur, her body angled slightly away from the camera. Her back arched and her knees were bent so that her feet were flat on the floor. Her lovely face was tilted to the lens, her rambunctious curls fanned out all around her. She was smiling, her eyes twinkling with happiness. She was wearing a pale pink lace top that left her shoulders bare, but covered her breasts, and matching shorts that went about six inches down her slender legs. Her smooth, pale stomach rose gorgeously with one hand cupped protectively around it. He had to swallow back his emotions at seeing her thus. An image of her ripe with his child filled his mind. Oh, Merlin. He was truly done in by this witch, nothing and no one would be able to replace this feeling. His Occlumency shields fell without his permission, he was too overcome with intense emotions to maintain them.

Suddenly, Draco's heart accelerated, and he knew she had entered the room. He turned to her, an overpowering feeling of relief crashing through him. She was dressed in a pair of baggy sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt, her hair hung in wet ringlets around her face. He could see the look of relief mirrored in Hermione's expression, though it was mingled with a slight mien of trepidation.

"You're okay?" he whispered. It took every ounce of strength to keep himself from striding across the room and pulling her into his arms. He knew that would only lead to fervent kisses and him carrying her up the stairs to ravish her – Ginny Potter be damned. He shoved his hands into his pockets to help control his urges.

She gave a slow nod. He didn't miss the way one hand automatically reached out for him as she took a step forward, but then she stopped, looking confused. Draco wondered where the Weaslette had gone…he shook his head. She wasn't a Weasley anymore.

"Where's Potter?" he asked. "I think it would be good if she was in here with us."

Hermione's confusion seemed to only deepen at that statement. "Ginny's making some tea."

"I have to tell you something, but I – I think you'd like her here for support." He watched, fascinated, as her chin rose defensively, and her eyes narrowed. She crossed her arms over her bust.

"If you're here to tell me you don't want to see me again, Malfoy, just be done with it." Her voice shook with emotion. "I realize I probably overreacted a bit this morning, I was just so –"

Draco couldn't stop himself, her hurt and anxiety had welled up in him the same way it must have risen in her. Pulling his hands from his pockets, he crossed to her in three long strides. He grasped her upper arms and pulled her forcefully into his embrace, burying his face into the damp hair at the crown of her head. "No, Hermione, no." He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to control longings he knew were being brought on by the soul bond and her proximity. His voice was soft, but his tone was slightly urgent. "That's not it, you silly witch. Not at all. I swear."

Her relief was palpable as she melted into him, her arms snaking around his torso, her hands sliding up his back. He gritted his teeth, stifling a groan. It got worse when she turned her head and raised herself on her tiptoes to plant a soft kiss on the side of his jaw. He jerked in her arms, physical needs becoming extremely overwhelming. Hermione's instant flood of lust mingled with his own and she tilted her head back, begging him with her eyes to kiss her. He let out a soft moan as his head dipped to do just that before he was able to jerk the reins of his control and come back to himself.

"Wait," Draco said gruffly. Gently – but firmly – he pushed her away from him. Another needy sound escaped him as he took in her glazed look of desire. Needing to maintain control, he whirled away from her, dragging a hand over his face in frustration.

He felt her confusion – and she could probably feel his frustration and hunger for her. Then, a wave of fear crashed through him. It was definitely not his emotion and he spun back to her, his eyes wide. Unexpectedly, all emotions that weren't his faded in a breath of a second later.

"What is happening?" Her voice was almost deadly calm, her face smooth and void of emotion. Hermione had put up Occlumency shields. "Draco…" she trailed off. Her voice trembled terribly.

"I know, I know," he said, trying to reassure. "I'm trying to control mine, too."

Her face became a mask of incredulity as her shields slipped and he felt her surprised reaction slither through. He gently raised his Occlumency shields, trying to help keep her calm – trying to keep himself calm.

"What do you mean?! Trying to control what?" Hermione demanded.

"Is everything okay in here?" Ginny appeared in the doorway carrying a tea service, confused by the tones in the voices she was overhearing.

"Please put that down," Draco directed the redhead. When she looked affronted, he continued, "I need your help, Potter." His voice softened with a touch of desperation. "Please, Ginny, put the tray down and hold Hermione's hand. Keep me away from her, okay?"

Ginny looked utterly perplexed as she set the tray on the coffee table. She took in Malfoy's deadly calm expression and Hermione's blank face. "What is going on?"

"We have our Occlumency shields up," Draco explained as Ginny crossed the room back to Hermione and laced their fingers together.

"Hermione, I want you to take your shields down," Draco said softly. "I'm going to take mine down, too. I need you to feel what I'm feeling so you know I'm telling you the truth, okay?"

"Draco…" Hermione whispered. Her voice was threaded with fear, her eyes were wide. He watched as her face drained of color. Then she did as she had been asked, letting her shields fall. He saw the return of her need for him, the desire to be with him; saw the confusion and fear in her eyes, felt it in his heart. Under it all, he could sense an emotion she was trying to suppress. It warmed his heart even though it was probably the one that terrified her the most.

Draco let his own shields slip and was overcome with a desperate need to go to her, to hold her until her fear stopped. Above all that, he wanted her…he…loved her. His heart exploded with it and Hermione gasped, a hand covering her mouth as tears slipped down her cheeks. He knew she could feel it – part of him was mortified, the other part of him didn't care who knew. He wanted the whole world to know.

Ginny looked from one to the other, bewilderment and distress playing in the features on her face. "Are one of you going to tell me what the hell is going on here? This is seriously intense. I don't understand!" She placed her free hand on her hip in attempts to look threatening. Her eyes widened when Draco, ignoring her completely, attempted to stalk Hermione. Wildfire was bright in his eyes and lust clearly written on the features of his handsome face.

Merlin, me. If he came at me like that, I'd shag him on the coffee table with the neighbors watching! Then she remembered she had a job to do.

"Hey now!" Letting go of Hermione, Ginny put both hands up and stepped in front of him. "You told me not to let you touch her – go sit on the effing couch!" She gave him a slight push; he looked down at her hands in surprise and shook his head, trying to clear it.

Meanwhile, Hermione was wrapping her arms around herself. Her strongest emotions were fear and confusion, but that hadn't completely stopped the animalistic reaction to him when he had attempted stalking her like innocent prey. She wasn't ready to feel so intensely for another man, it was too soon and too fast. This was completely surreal. She could sense his lust for her, but more engulfing were his feelings of love and affection – why could she feel his emotions?!

She watched as Ginny forced Draco back until he was sitting in the corner of the loveseat. He appeared to be in better control of himself. Ginny turned to find Hermione feasting on her lower lip.

"Mione, stop," she chastised her best friend. "You're going to make that lip bleed!" She picked a spot on the couch and indicated Hermione should join her by patting the cushion next to her. "Sit."

Hermione complied, even though every fiber of her being wanted a very different seat…

"Out with it, Malfoy," Ginny demanded as Hermione made herself comfortable. Draco leaned forward in his seat; both of his elbows supported on his knees. Dropping his head, he cupped his hands behind his neck and rubbed.

"There is really no easy way to say this, so…I'm just going to come out with it, and it'll have to be what it is…" he trailed off. The pause lasted too long.

"Malfoy!" Ginny snapped and watched as his head snapped up. He heaved in a huge breath of air before speaking.

"Hermione, you and I soul bonded today when I kissed you in the café." It was said in the rush of a single breath and he flinched at the incredulous look on Ginny's face. Then he turned to Hermione and forgot everything else.

Her face was flushed with what appeared to be relief, her eyes bright with understanding. He could feel a gush of affection flow through him. Her affection for him! He almost groaned aloud with the desperation of it and she actually did let out a soft noise of pleasure.

"What?!" Ginny's shriek of shock made the soul bound couple wince.

"Draco…" Hermione breathed, ignoring Ginny completely. She stared at him in obvious shock but he could see it on her face the very second it all came together for her . "Are you…sure? I didn't…I didn't…see the silver light."

His eyes slid shut in relief. Hermione knew about soul bonds – of course she did, she knew about everything. She didn't sound upset and he wasn't perceiving any anger or sadness. His chest had filled with a light peaceful feeling. "Your eyes were closed," he returned, whispering the words.

"That certainly makes all this more understandable," she said, sounding awed. "I just... Draco, I'm not sure I'm ready for this."

He nodded his understanding. "I know, I'm so sorry. I…I had no idea this would happen." His eyes never wavered from hers, he desperately wanted to go to her, wanted her to come to him.

"How could you?" she murmured. "No one can know until it happens. We just thought we liked each other."

"We do like each other, it's…it's just so much more than that, now." Draco replied, avidly watching her lip disappear into her mouth again, he had clenched his jaw to keep the visceral reaction at bay. He couldn't believe what that simple gesture made his body feel.

"What do we do now?" Her voice sounded small, and he could feel a bit of fear seeping in around the wonder. "Draco…it's too soon. My…my kids will n-never understand!"

Unexpectedly, she burst into tears. Gods in Heaven, that fucking hurts! Draco grasped his chest when her guilt and shame washed over him. The next thing he knew, he was kneeling at her feet, not even sure how he got there. He had to have catapulted over the damned coffee table. Draco had her face in his hands, had pulled her forehead to touch his and was murmuring frantically to her, wiping her tears with the pads of his thumbs. Pressing gentle kisses to the bridge of her nose and corners of her lips, trying his best to calm her. It felt as though she had always been in his arms, he was amazed at how completely natural this tender intimacy felt.

"It's okay, sweetheart, shh!" he pleaded, eyes locked on hers. "We'll figure it out. We don't have to let this control us. I swear we can take this at whatever pace you want to. I'm so sorry this is happening. So sorry, Hermione. I can't even imagine…"

He had intended to say, 'how you're feeling right now,' but that wasn't quite true, was it? He could imagine exactly what she was feeling, because he, too, felt it. Her anguish, her grief, her guilt – it was utterly all-encompassing. He pressed his lips to her forehead as her hands came to wrap around his wrists, holding him to her.

"I know we will, Draco," she answered in a scratchy, tear-stained voice. "I know it'll be okay." She wasn't sure how she knew, but there it was.

If Draco had been worried that their physical contact would push them into overdrive, he had been wrong. Right now, all that mattered was Hermione's grief and guilt and his desire to soothe it away. He needed to reassure her that everything would be okay, that he wasn't going to let the bond push her into something she wasn't ready for yet. He was relieved to find that her voicing her unpreparedness for a physical relationship seemed to temper the bond. It was almost as if the bond was responding to her more pressing emotional needs as well as allowing him to overcome his physical desires in order to help care for her.

Through everything that was happening, Ginny Potter, neé Weasley stared at them in complete shock. This was totally and completely … what? Incomprehensible? Horrifying? Amazing? Bewildering? Shocking? Wonderful? She wasn't sure how to feel.

It was one thing to have her sister-in-law be casually dating Malfoy. If it had been a normal progression, where the relationship had built slowly, she would have had time to adjust. To help Hermione with the transition. To assist her in breaking the news to their family if it turned into love. It was an entirely different situation to find Hermione soul bonded to the one and only Draco Malfoy. Their childhood enemy.

Her parents, to this day, despised the Malfoys for what the patriarch of the family had done to her in her first year with Riddle's diary. They would not take well to this relationship. And Harry. Oh, sweet Merlin – Harry!

Harry was going to flip his lid. He was nowhere near ready for Hermione to date, let alone be in love. The fact that it was Malfoy would only make it ten times worse. She raised a hand to rub her forehead, she could feel a headache coming on.

As Ginny watched Malfoy and Hermione whisper to each other and exchange gentle touches and kisses and endearments, she knew that's what it was. It was love, or it would be in no time flat. How could it not be? If it was a soul bond, they literally had no choice in the matter. Nor would they ever want to have a choice. They had been born to be with each other.

What an incredibly romantic way to fall in love, though. Ginny gave a little wistful sigh. Every little witch's fantasy was to soul bond someday. There were fairy tales and fiction galore in the wizarding world that depicted the phenomenon.

Ultimately, as she continued to watch her best friend in the whole world with a man she had despised for most of her adolescence, Ginny began to feel a sense of peace wash over her.

Yes. This was going to be hard.

Very hard.

Hermione was going to need her to lean on as she figured it all out. Ginny would need to stand firmly by Hermione's side against her own husband, her siblings, and her parents until they realized there was no stopping this. That it would be fruitless to try and put an end to it.

The family would just have to realize that their Hermione was going to be loved and cared for so very well. Making her happy, keeping her safe and protected and cared for would be his utmost desire. Hermione's love for her children would inspire his own love for them and they, too, would want for nothing. All their material and emotional needs would be seen to with the greatest of care. All Ginny's worry for them would be able to be put to rest. She would no longer have to fear that Hermione might lose herself completely in her grief. Someone now existed to help heal the hidden wounds in her best friend's heart.

When Ginny came out of her thoughts, it was to find the couple kissing deeply. Granted, their hands were staying in appropriate places, and it wasn't like they were tearing each other's clothes off. But hadn't she just heard Hermione say she wasn't ready for a physical relationship?

"Hey!" she shouted, making the couple jump apart guiltily. Ginny suppressed a snort of laughter in favor of trying to look stern and motherly. "How are you guys going to handle being alone if you can't go thirty seconds without shoving your tongues down each other's throats?" Hermione's cheeks were flushed crimson and Draco (I can't believe I'm already thinking of him as Draco) looked properly abashed.

"Not gonna lie, Potter," the blond man answered with a sheepish smirk on his face while carding a hand through his hair, "it really doesn't feel like we have much control over ourselves."

"We have to figure out how to get control, though, Draco," Hermione said softly, attempting to smooth her hair out of her eyes. "If we can't, I agree with Ginny. I don't think we should be alone. I don't want to do anything I would regret because -"

Ginny broke in, her voice laced with sympathy, "Hermione, listen. I know you're feeling uneasy about this, but…it's a freaking soul bond. You get what that means, right? You were destined to be together. You will never want to stray; you'll never have to worry about him straying. He will love you unconditionally for the rest of your life, and you will do the same for him.

"I'm just going to say this to get it off my chest – and it doesn't mean that you shouldn't take all the time you need. You're the one that knows your own heart. However, don't fight this because of guilt. You have absolutely no reason to feel guilty."

Hermione's eyes were soft and shiny with unspilled tears. "Thank you, Ginny."

Ginny gave her friend a gentle smile but said nothing. She watched with warm eyes as Draco slowly slid in beside Hermione, pulling her into his chest. Hermione's arms wrapped around his torso and she lay her head on his shoulder, sighing as her eyes closed in utter contentment.

For the first time since Ron had died, Ginny felt hope blossom in her chest. It seemed that true happiness for her friend was just around the corner.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

* "Stand." Written by Blair Daly and Danny Orton. Performed by Rascal Flatts from their album Me and My Gang