Blaise, Theodore and Adrian were blabbering incessantly just half a step behind Hermione as she led the group towards the Hospital Wing. Occasionally she would tune her hearing in—their conversation jumped from Quidditch to school to Draco to the House Cup and to their plethora of projects. Hermione heaved a heavy sigh; it seemed like just yesterday she was worried about how to get through the many projects she had but now, all of a sudden, she was worried about Draco's arm and the whole Dragon thing.

Who was I kidding? Hermione snorted to herself. This will be anything but a normal school year.

"DUCK!" Blaise roared but not soon enough. Hermione looked straight ahead to have an overgrown barn owl fly directly into her face. Spluttering, Hermione stepped backwards and Theo grabbed her by the waist to steady her.

"You alright?" He asked, worriedly. Hermione nodded and regained her composure. Theodore released his hold from her waist but opted to wrap an arm around her shoulders instead. Adrian had his arms crossed as Blaise went to check up on the owl; it seemed to be unhurt. The owl recovered and flew off, leaving a letter in its wake.

Blaise picked it up: "For you, Hermione."

Hermione took the letter from his outstretched hand and immediately recognized the handwriting: it was from Gabriella Mitt, her muggle best friend and confidant.

Theo poked her cheek. "You going to read it, Hermione?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and shrugged his arm off her shoulder. "Yes, but in my Common Room. You lot are nosey and I'll not be reading my letter here."

"Darn." Adrian playfully snapped his fingers. "I was hoping to see which bloke, other than Draco, you've enticed."

Hermione rolled her eyes, again. "The 'I' in Hermione is dotted with a heart—I'd say the handwriting is rather feminine." The boys chuckled, loving how easy it was to rile the Gryffindor girl up. The girls in Slytherin were never so easy to speak to and it was rather refreshing to have a new brain to banter with. None of the Slytherins ever wanted to date anybody outside of the house… mainly because they all thought they were better than everybody else, but also because they feared persecution from their peers. Draco, clearly, didn't give a rat's arse and followed his heart.

Something the three boys respected deeply.

"Shall we go see Draco, then?" Blaise interjected. Hermione, Adrian, and Theodore nodded and they were off on their way again, just one corridor away from the Hospital Wing.

.xx.

The Cuaili di Shehad – or, the Room of Royals in the mortal tongue – inside if Rilark Zabini was filled with the many members of Kapral Zabini's assembly: his advisors Ixen and Xarzith, his Lady of Eternity Lise, his wife Aurelia, the members of his Biwheg and the Wadoya. Maximus called for the assembly and promptly brought his wife over to Thaczil; he deemed the meeting to be pertinent before the crowning of Draconis Malfoy as the new heir to Thaczil.

"Darastrixi!" (Dragons) Maximus roared, his voice mirroring the tone of his inner beast. "Vi z'ar dian tepohaic lleisgartor." (A new dawn has risen) Cheers were heard from every corner of the Cuaili, but they were not cheers of excitement. Many members of the assembly were distraught that the Zabini reign was coming to an end. After many millennia, the unthinkable was happening.

"Wer Malfoy Clan geou jaka tuka!" (The Malfoy Clan will now reign) Maximus raised an arm to stop the shouts. "Si tor batobot wux tekilek wer ghergo kapral." (I ask that you respect the young emperor). Maximus scanned the eyes of his people.

Of his dara.

"Kapral Malfoy will be an honourable and great ruler." Maximus bellowed. "Rilark Zabini will be proud and honoured to become Rilark Malfoy. Our young Kapral is currently selecting his council—I am honoured and blessed," Maximus bowed his head, "that he is considering my son—the abdicated heir—as his Darzulf."

Maximus allowed for cheers at that moment. He knew his assembly was glad one member of the Zabini Clan would be part of the new reign.

"Upon his coronation, I will step down and replace juanth Kapral Bytooxis on the Wadoya."

An older dragon with a grand moustache coming out of his nostrils nodded his head in respect. Maximus bowed his head in return. "Juanth Kapral Bytooxis will leave the assembly and lead a normal life until he returns to the vignari… to the ashes."

Both joyous and saddened cheers filled the Cuaili. Joy, because all dara look forward to returning to the ashes that they were born from, and sad because their long-time friend from centuries old, Bytooxis, will no longer be with them.

"Alas! The universe is such that happiness cannot exist without pain," Maximus reasoned. "Let us raise our goblets and drink to this occasion. Perhaps it is high time that Thaczil had a new ruler with a fresh pair of eyes. Pour your Wicken Root and let us dance the night away!" Maximus raised his goblet with his right hand and wrapped his left around Aurelia's waist. Lise stepped up to stand to Maximus' right.

"Do you think your new Kapral will do well, Maximus?" She has, her accent thick with the dragon tongue.

"He will." Maximus kept his eyes trained on his people. Aurelia glanced at Lise, her rival for time but her companion as well. Lise had vied for Maximus' love, but in the end Aurelia had been the one to be in his favour. Unfortunately, she had turned down the role of Lady of Eternity, at which point Maximus turned to Lise. It wasn't because he loved her. He did care, deeply, but he knew because of Lise's love for him, she would always strive to keep him anchored.

"Draco is a smart boy," Aurelia murmured. "He and Blaise grew up together. If anybody could rule Thaczil with an iron fist, it'd be him. That I can promise you."

Lise's deep brown eyes flickered to Aurelia before returning to watch the drinking dragons. Lise pressed her goblet to her lips. "I pray that you are right, Kapraliv."

Empress.

Now there was a title Aurelia did not hear frequently. Only when she spoke to those native to Thaczil did her true title be used…

Kapraliv. But not for much longer…

.xx.

Oh, Hermione! I could've told you that you loved the boy—augh! I am so excited and happy for you! Hermione's eyes skimmed over Gabriella's letter as Draco joked around and talked with his mates. He slipped his dragon arm into makeshift sling to keep it hidden and, in Hermione's opinion, it worked out very well.

Weird, Hermione thought. I don't remember posting the letter?

Perhaps she did but she didn't recall? She was going through a great number of things.

It is very much possible to fall in love so quickly. To be frank, the both of you have such an intense history that nobody could possibly question your love for him. I mean, the man saved you but this also isn't a case of Stockholm-Syndrome as… well… he didn't kidnap you. Hermione had to roll her eyes at that one.

You should tell him. Forget what he could be feeling, you need to tell him how you feel. Just watch! You're going to contemplate the pros and cons of telling the man… and there ARE no cons, by the way (him not loving you back isn't an option based on what you're telling me), and then the next big adventure is going to happen and there will no longer be a perfect time to tell him how you feel.

Trust me on this one, will you? I've always been the smarter one and whatever I say somehow, always, seems to come true. You should be of the mindset to always trust me by now, Hermione. Tell the bloke you love him, make loads of babies and make me an auntie? But not yet, you're still young… just, go with the confessing your love bit right now.

Hermione's eyes were wide reading her friend's letter. Gabriella, truly, was insane!

But I somehow get the feeling there is more to the story than you're letting me believe. That's okay, though… you have a strange life and I will never hold it against you to withhold certain facts from me. If, somehow, this means that you cannot come visit me for Halloween, I'll forgive you this year Hermione Jean. But, next year, you and Draco better come to my shindig… and maybe even for Christmas this year? Please? I want to meet the man, goddammit!

Okay, enough pestering from my end. Let me give a quick update on me: Jeremy and I are now officially dating! He's such a sweetheart… so kind… considerate… caring… I know, the usual. The only thing he has going against him is he was never my mortal enemy turned boyfriend but hey, we all can't live fairy tale lives, now can we?

Hermione gawked. He was never MY mortal enemy, Gab. She corrected internally.

Write back soon!

Love you,

Gabriella.

Hermione, carefully, folded the letter and tucked it into her pocket before turning her attention to a laughing Draco and a very much embarrassed Theodore. Adrian was hanging off of one of footboard of the hospital bed and Blaise was doubled over, clutching his belly from all the laughing that he was doing.

"Are you for real, man?!" Draco bellowed and Theodore glowered at him.

"Cut it out, Malfoy. If you weren't hospitalized, I would've sent you here myself!"

Hermione stood up from the chair to the right of Draco's hospital bed. "What are you lot guffawing at?!"

The four boys turned to her. Draco grinned, toothily, and her heart began pounding uncontrollably.

"Can't tell you, Granger. This is men's talk."

Hermione snorted. "I daresay, it's 'Little Boys' talk'."

Straightening up, Blaise adjusted his robe and playfully glared at Hermione. "You are a stuck up prick, you know that, Gryffindor?"

"I do."

"Good." Blaise snickered. "Now, men, let's depart and let this love birds catch up. It took Gryffindor there quite some time to read her lover's letter."

Theodore smirked. "The 'I' was dotted with a heart, so clearly it's from a girl." His tone was mocking and even Hermione had to laugh at him teasing her. One by one, the boys gave her a hug goodbye before leaving the Hospital Wing, leaving Hermione and Draco alone.

Hermione slid onto the hospital bed beside Draco and interlaced her fingers through his left hand. Draco rubbed his thumb in circles just over the junction of her thumb. "Gabriella wrote to you?" He asked, trying to keep his voice level. If his assumption was correct, this would've been the first letter Gabriella sent since he sent out the one where it said she loved him.

Hermione nodded. "Yes she did."

"And what did she say?"

"Nothing of importance."

My perfect Malfoy behind! Draco wanted to call her out on her bullshit, but didn't have the chops to do it. She would definitely get upset at him for reading her private letter that was addressed to her best friend. Best keep some facts to yourself, Draco. He told himself.

"Fine. Come here, will you Granger?" Draco tugged at her until she was lying atop him on the bed. Hermione smiled and gently gave him a peck before snuggling up against his perfectly toned chest.

"Why'd you want to see Harry?"

She was listening to his rhythmic heartbeat. It was calming her… relaxing her…

"Asked him to be my Darharkt." Draco said without hesitation. Hermione thought he was going to beat around the bushes… but apparently not. Their relationship was definitely a lot more mature than she had expected… but that was a good surprise.

"What did he say?"

"That he'd think about it."

Sounds like a Harry Potter answer. Hermione thought.

"Does he know about—"

"He knows everything, Granger."

Hermione chewed on her bottom lip. "You weren't afraid he'll tell everybody?"

"Not at all." Draco was running his fingers down the length of her back. "He is fiercely loyal to you. If he tells anybody about me, he's telling everybody about your secret too—your boyfriend is a dragon emperor. He won't tell anybody. The weasel, though, probably would."

Hermione giggled. "Will you stop bullying my friends?"

"It's just so easy, Granger." Draco chuckled, his chest rumbling.

With that, they were enveloped in comfortable silence. To Hermione, this was home. Being in Draco's arms was the most comfortable thing she could ever experience—every time she was wrapped up in him, all her worries and troubles disappeared. For Draco, though, having Hermione in his arms was his life. He couldn't even begin to fathom a world before Granger, which was ironic as she was just a recent addition to his life. She completed him, made up for everything he lacked, and grounded him.

Throwing himself in front of that curse for her was probably the best thing he could've possibly done.

"Potter was saying," Draco hated to break the silence, but he did have things to tell his girlfriend. "That I should consider a Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw to be on my council of advisors."

Hermione glanced up to look at him, her chin resting on his chest. "Oh?"

Draco nodded and brought his head up to gently kiss her forehead. "Yeah. Something about the Sorting Hat prophecy… it makes sense. If Potter accepts, I'll have Slytherin and Gryffindor represented through my wingmen. If I am to select two members on my Biwheg, both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw can be represented as well."

"Any potential candidates?" Hermione cocked an eyebrow.

"I was thinking my cousin Tonks for the Hufflepuff." Draco murmured and Hermione nodded.

"Sounds like a good choice. And Ravenclaw?"

"Perhaps that Lovegood girl," Draco breathed. "She, truthfully, is the only Ravenclaw I know anyway."

Hermione laughed. "Don't be silly. Those are good choices, though… but would Tonks accept? Does their lifespan need to be lengthened to match yours?" Draco watched as his girlfriend spewed out her sensible questions… as she always did. "And if Tonks were to lengthen her lifespan, would she? Could Remus and Teddy also lengthen theirs?"

"I haven't thought of those questions yet, Granger." Draco rolled his eyes. "When Maxy boy comes, I'll ask him… happy?"

"I'm only asking for your benefit, Draco." Hermione muttered before resting her head back against his chest.

"I know you are, bookworm." His voice purred. "Can we put business behind us for a moment, though?"

Giggling, Hermione decided to get up off of him and sit down on the chair beside his bed. "Fine. Business is behind us—what now?"

"When the bloody hell can I leave the Hospital Wing?"

Hermione crossed her arms. "How am I supposed to answer that?"

Right on cue, Madam Pomfrey strolled up to Draco's hospital bed with a canteen of some sort. "Drink up, boy." Draco sent Hermione a pleading look as he began to drink the concoction and she knew he wanted her to ask Madam Pomfrey.

Fine. She'd do it.

"Madam Pomfrey…"

The nurse glanced up at Hermione. "Yes, Miss. Granger?"

"When can Draco take his leave from the Hospital Wing?"

Madam Pomfrey began to untie his sling. "You should be ready for discharge tonight, Mr. Malfoy. But refrain from revealing your right arm—keep it in the sling until Headmistress McGonagall has figured out what to do." Madam Pomfrey also whispered an afterthought, more to herself than the couple, but to keep things hidden from the head of the nurses?! What is Minerva thinking?!

After she completed her checkup, Poppy scurried off to the next bed. Draco smiled over at his girlfriend. "Discharge tonight. It's Sunday, Granger… care to take a stroll with me?"

Hermione smiled. "I'd love to." She leaned forward and met Draco halfway for a chaste peck before the couple began talking about irrelevant things—anything that had nothing to do with dragons, Hogwarts, or a scaly arm.

.xx.

Harry was sitting in the courtyard, lost in thought. Everything Draco said to him sounded like a story! But Harry was in no position to question the legitimacy of Draco's story; Harry was subject to unfathomable suffering for the better part of his life, and all of that sounded like a story!

He felt somewhat honoured that Draco thought of him to be one of his advisors. It meant that Draco was beginning to accept those around him, and that meant that for the little time Hermione had been part of his life, she had already changed him.

But what about lifespan? Harry knew that he probably had to undergo some sort of ritual to extend his lifespan, if that feat were to be possible. He rubbed his hands over his face and inhaled deeply—he couldn't talk to Ginny because she didn't know about Draco's lineage. His only options were Blaise and Hermione…

He wasn't going to talk to Blaise, but he had an inkling where Hermione was.

Might as well talk to her and Draco at the same time… Harry thought as he pushed himself off of the stone bench he was sitting on. He already knew what he was going to do… he just needed to rationalize his thoughts before he vocalized them.

.xx.

Cousin Tonks,

Trust you are doing well? I need to discuss a very important matter with you. It has nothing to do with Voldemort or the Death Eaters… this is something else altogether. I can hope that you understand I have no other option, hence me owling you.

If you would let me, may we meet at Diagon Alley or Hogsmead? Today would be preferable…

Send Aunt Andromeda my love.

Draco

Nymphadora Lupin read the letter four times before heading over to her small writing desk. She had no idea what her cousin was up to, but as her Black family blood was cursed— her curiosity got the best of her.

She poised her quill over a small parchment, her owl resting on her shoulder.

Cousin Draco,

I will meet you at the Leakey Cauldron. I will wait no longer past midnight.

Tonks