Down on the Farm
Chapter 20: A New Home?
Day 21: Friday
Hermione and Draco were awoken the next morning by a crash. Followed by a thump and a cry of – well we don't need to go there. They both ran out of their rooms and ran into each other in the hallway.
"Sorry, I just-," Hermione started.
"Heard a crash. Me too," Draco finished.
"Right, let's go find out what happened."
They both then ran down the stairs and were met by a cloud of dust surrounding three figures. Two of the three were coughing the other looked like it wasn't affecting him. And knowing who he is, it probably wasn't.
"Who's there?" Draco asked.
"Son!" one of the figures cried running out and wrapping Draco in a hug.
"Nice to see you too Dad," Draco said looking uncomfortable.
"And you must be Miss Granger," Lucius Malfoy said turning to Hermione and extending a hand.
"Yes," Hermione said with a bit of a delay before shaking Lucius's hand.
"Draco, go put some clothes on," Lucius said in response to Draco running down stairs in just his pajama pants.
"Oh right," Draco said turning and walking up the stairs.
"I should probably go change," Hermione said referring to the fact that she was wearing her pajamas also.
"Yes that would be nice seeing as it's 11 o' clock, Miss Granger," another figure said.
"Professor Snape?"
"Way to state the obvious," Snape said.
"Sorry," Hermione said turning and practically running up the stairs. She ran into Draco on the stairs. "Professor Snape is here," Hermione warned.
"Okay, thanks for the heads up," Draco said walking past her. Hermione ran up the stairs and got dressed.
xXxXxXx
"Nice to see you Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said as Draco walked down the stairs.
"Sorry we weren't ready for you, Professor," Draco said.
"Nonsense, we didn't tell you we were coming," Dumbledore said.
"Are any of you hungry?" Draco offered.
"No, thank you," Dumbledore said.
"No, thanks," Snape said.
"Not right now, Draco," Lucius said.
"Okay, well I'm starved so if you want to come into the kitchen…" Draco said.
"Of course, lead the way," Dumbledore said answering for all three of them.
"Have a seat," Draco said as they walked past the kitchen table. He himself continued into the kitchen to make himself some Cocoa Puffs. He took his bowl and sat down at the table to eat.
"What is that?" Lucius asked with a look of disgust on his face.
"Cereal. Muggles have the best food," Draco said eating it.
"Interesting."
"I wonder what's taking Hermione so long." Draco wondered aloud.
"She is a woman Draco. Your mother always takes forever getting ready as I'm sure you remember," Lucius said.
"Yeah, but all Hermione's doing is getting changed."
"Sorry it took so long. I had to explain to my Aunt and Uncle what happened, and then I had to convince them that everything was fine and that they should go on with their day," Hermione apologized as she walked in and pulled an extra chair up to the table next to Draco.
"Miss Granger, everything is not fine," Dumbledore informed her in a serious voice.
"I know that, but they don't need to. They'll just worry," Hermione said.
"As they should," Snape said.
"Uh, what are we going to do?" Draco asked having now finished his cereal.
"Well, we think you should be moved to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.
"But what about-," Draco started.
"Your mother and I'll be there too," Lucius said.
"Oh, good," Draco said.
"While that's fine and dandy, what about my family?" Hermione asked.
"Well we have placed extra protection on their house," Snape said.
"Like that'll do anything! My parents work all day, my older brother is rarely at the house, and my little brother is always at a friend's house! So putting protection on an empty house is useless!" Hermione said hotly.
"Miss Granger, we have done all we can," Dumbledore said gently.
"No you haven't!" she screamed. "I won't let them die because of me!" she sprinted out of the room and up the stairs.
"Draco, I believe you should go after her," Lucius said.
"Why me?"
"Why would she want to see any of us?" Lucius said pointing at himself and Dumbledore and Snape.
"Why would she want to see me?"
"Mr. Malfoy, please go make sure she doesn't do anything stupid," Snape said. Draco obeyed more out of shock that it was Snape that said this than anything else.
Once upstairs Draco saw Hermione throwing her stuff into a bag. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Packing," she said without explanation.
"Where are you going?" Draco asked.
"Home."
"Why?"
"To make sure nothing happens to my family."
"That's stupid."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is. You'll be the perfect target for Voldemort."
"So what about them?"
"I'm sure we can bring them to Hogwarts."
"Dumbledore won't go for that. He'll have to charm either them or the castle so that they can see it."
"So? It's not like that's hard for him."
"Fine, you go tell him."
"Only if you promise to stop packing."
"Promise." Draco then turned and walked back down the stairs. He returned 5 minutes later and saw Hermione sitting on her bed with her face in her hands crying. He didn't know what to do.
"Hermione? What's wrong?" he asked tentatively.
"Everything," she sobbed.
He sat down next to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sure it's not that bad."
"My family's in danger, Voldemort wants me on his side, and then there's you," Hermione stopped.
"What about me?" Draco asked curious.
"If I do what my heart tells me to do then my friends will hate me," Hermione told him.
Draco raised his hand and wiped her tears away. "Will they?" he asked.
"Yes," Hermione said pulling her head back to avoid his eyes.
"Are you sure?" Draco asked turning her head back to face him.
"Yes, because what I want to do is…"
"What?" Draco asked suddenly aware of how close they were.
"This," Hermione said closing the distance between their faces. This kiss was even better than the last one. Draco was making her feel things she never knew she could feel. Hermione was doing the same. Neither would have been surprised to have seen fireworks exploding behind them. That is until they were interrupted by a coughing sound.
"Well, you two are getting along fine," Lucius was standing in the doorway.
Hermione blushed, Draco just rolled his eyes. "Is there something you want?" Draco asked.
"Yes, actually, there is. I needed to tell you that Dumbledore, Severus, and I are going to Hogwarts to set up the arrangements. We will come and collect you at three."
"Okay, sounds good," Draco said. With a last knowing look, Lucius left the room.
"That was embarrassing," Hermione said once he was gone.
"Not really," Draco said.
"Whatever," Hermione said turning away.
"Hermione?" Draco asked.
"Yes?"
"Did that kiss mean something?" Draco asked.
"I think so," Hermione answered.
"You think so?"
"Let's find out," Hermione then kissed him again.
xXxXxXx
"Draco?" Hermione asked later after they were finished packing and were eating lunch.
"Yeah?"
"If your father stays at Hogwarts won't Voldemort know he's a spy?" Hermione asked.
"I hadn't thought of that. I can't let him stay."
"Draco, I'm sure Dumbledore's thought of that and has a reason for wanting your family at Hogwarts," Hermione assured him.
"Then why did you ask that question?!" Draco shouted,
"I'm sorry, I just thought of the answer. Stop yelling," Hermione told him.
"This is all so frustrating. I shouldn't have taken it out on you though," Draco apologized.
"This relationship won't work if you can't control your temper," Hermione said grabbing their plates and taking them into the kitchen.
"So we have a relationship now?" Draco asked.
"Do I look like the kind of girl who kisses random guys?" Hermione laughed.
"No, you don't. So it's a good thing I'm not random."
"Prove it."
"Is that a challenge?"
"You bet," Hermione said with a smile before running out the door.
Draco chased her around the house until he finally caught her in her room. He tackled her onto the bed and started tickling her mercilessly.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Hermione cried laughing.
"If you insist," Draco said as he ceased his tickling. He instead covered her lips with his own.
xXxXxXx
It was almost time to leave and they were sitting on the couch waiting to be taken to Hogwarts. They were glad that they had already said their goodbyes. Nancy and Drew were out shopping so they wouldn't be here to see them off. Hermione couldn't help but think that this might be a good thing.
The two of them knew that privacy could potentially be scarce once they arrived, so they were taking this time to talk; about everything and nothing.
Suddenly Dumbledore flew out of the fireplace and landed gracefully in front of them. "Time to leave," he said handing them each some floo powder. They took it and made a move to grab their trunks, but stopped when Dumbledore shook his head. "I'll take care of those," he informed them.
"Thank you Professor," Draco said.
"Yes, thank you sir," Hermione added.
Draco went first and called out "Hogwarts!" and was swept away. Hermione followed and Dumbledore brought up the rear shrinking their trunks to fit into his pockets.
Soon they were standing in Dumbledore's office surrounded by their families. Hermione went and hugged her parents and brothers while Draco's mother acted as though she hadn't seen him in years.
"Mum? This is my girlfriend Hermione Granger," Draco introduced after greetings were done.
"Oh, pleasure to meet you dear," Narcissa Malfoy said shaking Hermione's hand.
"You as well," Hermione said avoiding eye contact with her older brother, Brad, as he glared at her.
"Mum, Dad, Brad, Joey, this is Draco Malfoy, my boyfriend," Hermione said. "Draco this is my mother, father, my older brother Brad and my younger brother Joey."
Draco shook hands with them all and soon they were standing their awkwardly.
"Well then, let's show Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger to their quarters," Dumbledore said cheerfully leading the way out of his office.
"What, you mean Hermione isn't staying with us?" Brad asked.
"Of course not. Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger are Head Boy and Girl, they will be staying in the Heads' quarters," Dumbledore said.
"Is that appropriate?" asked Mr. Granger.
"Of course, they're both responsible students, are they not?" asked Dumbledore. Both sets of parents nodded their heads and everyone proceeded to the Hermione and Draco's new quarters.
Once they entered the quarters Dumbledore resized their trunks and said his goodbyes. "I'm gonna go check out my room," Hermione said walking to the door on the right side of the room.
"I'll come too," Brad said.
"That's cool, see ya later Hermione," Draco said turning to go to his room.
"Draco?" Joey said.
"Yeah?"
"Can I come hang out with you?" he asked.
"Sure man, come on," Draco said leading the way.
"We're going to stay in here and… chat," Lucius said.
"Fine by me," Draco said walking into his room.
xXxXxXx
"Hermione your taste in guys has proven faulty, and now you're dating him! I know how he's tormented you!" Brad said angrily.
"He's not like Viktor!" Hermione said.
"How do you know?"
"I don't, but life's about risks and I can't help but feeling like this is a good one," Hermione told him.
"Yeah? What gave you that idea?"
"He won't hit me if that's what you're thinking," Hermione said quietly.
"Hermione, I don't know if I'm willing to take that risk," Brad said. "Remember what happened last time?"
"How could I forget?"
"What if I hadn't been there?"
"I don't know alright! I'm glad you were there but you have to let me make my own decisions! Stop acting like you're my father!" Hermione cried.
"I'm your brother and I just want to protect you," Brad said softly.
"And I'm glad that you have, but please just let me do this," Hermione said.
"Okay, but I don't trust him," Brad said grudgingly.
"Thank you and I hope you learn to trust him. Now let's go see what Joey's doing."
xXxXxXx
"Hermione! Hermione! Draco plays guitar!" Joey shouted as she and Brad walked into the room. "Isn't that cool Brad?"
"Yeah, so cool," Brad said coldly.
"I didn't know you played guitar," Hermione said sitting on the bed next to him.
"Yeah, have since I was ten."
"Play something!" Joey said jumping up and down. Being only 10 years old he had a lot of energy.
"Okay," he said and he started to play and sing.
We'll
do it all We don't
need If I lay here I
don't quite know Those three
words If I lay
here
Everything
On our own
Anything
Or anyone
If I just lay
here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
How to say
How I feel
Are said too much
They're not enough
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget
the world?
"That was beautiful," Hermione said. Draco slid his arm around her waist and she leaned her head on his shoulders.
"It's called Chasing Cars and it's by Snow Patrol," Draco told her.
"Good song," Brad said.
"Oh dear, look at the time," Hermione said. "It's time for dinner. Come on."
"Okay," Joey said grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her off the bed. "I love this castle!"
"When did you guys get here?" Hermione asked.
"About an hour before you," Brad said.
"Oh, here we are, the Great Hall," Hermione said as they approached the doors.
"Sweet!" Joey said letting go of her hand and running in. Brad sighed and followed him.
"Hermione?" Draco said as Hermione went to follow them.
"Yeah?" she said turning around and seeing that he was down the hallway she walked over. "What's wrong?"
"What did your brother say to you?" Draco asked.
"He doesn't want me to see you. He feels I'm making the same mistake again," Hermione said looking at the ground. Draco grabbed her chin and gently moved her head so she looked him in the eyes.
"What mistake?"
"The one I made with Viktor," Hermione whispered
"What happened?" Draco asked. When she was silent he added. "You can tell me."
"It was the summer before 6th year and he was visiting me at my house. I broke up with him telling him we'd be better off as friends. He got angry and well Viktor's not the best conversationalist. When he gets angry instead of shouting he turns violent. If Brad hadn't shown up something bad could have happened. Worse then what did," Hermione had tears in her eyes as she finished her story.
"Oh Hermione, I'll never hurt you," Draco promised.
He just hoped he could keep that promise.
xXxXxXx
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chasing Cars lyrics.
A/N: So? Happy? I am. Sorry for any mistakes and typos, I wanted to get this out so bad I didn't edit it thoroughly before posting it. This is a nice long chapter so enjoy it. I mean it's the longest chapter yet! I'm thinking of ending this story in around 10 chapters, but they won't be day by day. Sound good? Tell me what you think!
Please Review!
-Sugar Quill High-
P.S. I saw the 5th Harry Potter movie today and even though they cut out a lot of the funny parts and didn't follow the book, it was good. As good as expected.