When the Stars Fall

FOUR: The First Dance

It was just after sunset when her eyes fluttered open. She turned her head and her eyes widened at the sight of Malfoy in her desk chair at her bedside. He was lightly dozing. She sat up slowly and then snatched up her left hand to examine it. The events from the night before came rushing back to her and the proof of what she'd done lay in a silvery crescent scar on her left palm. She closed her eyes to hide the tears that had begun building behind her eyes. However, when she opened them, the tears still escaped her eyes and rolled down her face. She drew up her knees and wrapped her arms around them. She was crying when Draco awoke in the chair.

She didn't know he had jerked awake until she felt him put his arms around her and draw her close against him. Just the fact that he held her was enough to sooth her. She took a deep breath and her back stiffened as she realized that she'd almost leaned against him, given into him. She also realized that she'd been crying in front of him. She broke free of his hold and then ran to the bathroom, slammed the door, and threw the lock. She leaned against the door and drew up her knees again. She rested her forehead against her knees and tried to clear her head.

What in the world was she going to do? She'd married Draco Malfoy. She knew what she'd said last night, had it only been last night? She'd said that Harry and Ron would have to accept the marriage, but now she would have to tell them. How could she tell them? They would think she'd betrayed them. She'd saved Malfoy's life, but she couldn't help wondering if he was worth it.

Draco stood outside the bathroom door, contemplating knocking or not. Finally he knocked on the door and called her name, asking if she was all right. He leaned against the door and was relieved when he didn't hear sniffling and muffled sobs.

"Please, go away. I need to think. Can't you give me that much?" she managed to say through the door.

"I didn't force you into this!" he snapped.

With that she yanked open the door and stormed out to face him. "You think I don't know that? I just need time, space, to adjust. And now that this is done I don't have any idea how I can tell Harry and Ron. I never thought this through. And I am bound to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Only if I live through tonight. Your father isn't taking this very well. He told me that he would rip me limb from limb and mentioned something in highly poor taste, about me stealing away his only daughter, and when did you tell them about me? They seemed to know my name, although in a most unfavorable manner," he said.

The color drained from her face as her eyes widened in fear. "You mean my parents...they know?"

"We both blacked out last night. I can't remember anything after the mist and the ribbon glowing. I woke up this morning to your parents screaming and shouting. Your father tried to pull me up, separate me from you, but something happened. I carried you inside and up to your room. I heard your parents fighting, so I went downstairs and found them in the kitchen. They thought you were pregnant, and that was the reason behind the hasty marriage. I don't think they thought too well about me telling them that my father would disown me for marrying you. I doubt that I helped anything. So who will send the owl to Scar head and Weasel? I could while you smooth things over for your parents," he offered.

Hermione shook her head. "No, I rather they don't know until I can tell them face to face. As for my parents, you can accompany me. Have you eaten anything? Oh, and who changed my clothes?"

A sly grin crossed Draco's face. "I did. I am your husband now, so you shouldn't be shy around me. You don't have to worry. I used magic. Although I must admit that I was tempted to use muggle methods in the removal of that gown."

Heat rose to her cheeks as she turned her face toward the floor and whispered a thank you. She noticed that he was wearing a pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt. She had to admit she liked how he looked in muggle clothing. The shirt fit him nicely, showing his broad shoulders and the muscles of his upper back and arms. He wasn't spectacularly muscled, but he had a lithe athletic build, all those years of playing Quidditch. His backside was also well shaped in the jeans.

While Draco went into the bathroom, Hermione quickly dressed and looked in the mirror, bracing herself for whatever her parents might say. She was afraid to face them. What would that say to her? She could only imagine the thoughts that were swimming through her parents' minds. She was seventeen and married, but not just married, married to a snotty pureblood like Malfoy. Her parents might have understood if she'd come home married to Harry or Ron, but how could they begin to fathom her married to Draco Malfoy, after all the things she'd told her parents about him?

Once Draco came out of the room Hermione felt she was ready to face her parents. She went down the stairs first, followed by Draco. He unconsciously rubbed his jaw, although Hermione didn't understand why. Shortly after he'd left the kitchen he'd used a healing charm so that Hermione wouldn't know what her father had done, although he wasn't entirely sure why he didn't want her to know.

They smelled food, it was coming from the kitchen, and so they headed toward that room, and that was where they found Hermione's parents. Her mother had pulled a casserole out of the oven and was doing her best to maintain a cheerful face as she looked up at Hermione and Draco entering the kitchen. Hermione's father on the other hand wouldn't meet Hermione's eyes and sent a glare Draco's way.

At Mrs. Granger's cheerful insistence Hermione and Draco took a seat at the table. Hermione sat between her father and Draco. Her father had been reading the paper before they'd entered the kitchen, and after acknowledging his daughter and Draco he returned to reading his paper, for fear that he would say something less than pleasant.

The dinner was in somber silence. Draco was the only one that really ate anything. Everyone else toyed with their food, pushing it around the plate. Draco looked up from his plate and noticed the somber atmosphere immediately; it was like dinner at Malfoy Manner. His father was at the head of the table, his mother was cold and distant at the foot of the table and he was somewhere in between them, silently eating and hoping that his father wouldn't address him.

Feeling the need to break the silence Draco looked at Hermione's mother and said, "Really, Mrs. Granger, the dinner's wonderful. I haven't tasted anything quite so good since my father lost our house elf Dobby."

Mrs. Granger flushed slightly and smiled at the compliment. "Thank you. I'm sure that you've had meals far more extraordinary that my meager cooking."

"Nothing I've ever tasted was prepared with such care."

At that Mr. Granger had had enough. He pushed his chair back and all eyes were on him as he spoke. "This is too much. I can't endure dinner like this. My only daughter is lost to me, and he acts as though it's simply another day."

He left the room. Hermione got up and took off after him, leaving Draco alone with Mrs. Granger. The kitchen was again silent, that didn't last long, but this time it was Mrs. Granger that broke the silence.

"Can you tell me why my sensible daughter would rush into a marriage, without a second thought, to a boy she has despised since her first year at Hogwarts? What did you do to make her marry you?" she asked.

Draco looked down at his empty plate and then looked at her, meeting her brown eyes. He realized with a shock where Hermione got her eyes from as he looked into Mrs. Granger's eyes. He ran his hand through his hair, that was becoming a habit since he hadn't used hair gel in so long, and then he replied.

"I needed help, and Hermione helped me. She took me in, fed me, and let me sleep in her bed, although nothing happened. My father wants me to follow in his footsteps, to become a dark wizard and follow Voldemort, but I don't want to be a death eater. I had to find a way to disgrace the Malfoy name, and the only way of doing that in my father's eyes is to marry a muggle, or worse a mudblood...

"I didn't know she would say yes. In fact I thought I was in for another slap. She agreed though, and something in me changed. I can't explain it. I don't even understand it. No one has ever done something like this for me. I'm almost afraid of it. What am I doing telling you all of this? I suppose it's the lack of decent conversation that I've had at Hogwarts and Malfoy Manor. The only conversations I've ever had were when I was gloating, insulting someone, or graciously praising my father."

Mrs. Granger placed an assuring hand on her new son-in-law's hand, closed her eyes, and let out a the breath she'd been holding. "I can't say that I'm pleased about all of this. Waking up to find that your seventeen year old daughter has married the one person you would least expect is not an easy thing to digest. I don't know you. I only know what she has told me, and from that I can say that you are arrogant, spoiled, and cocky. I wish she'd been more sensible as she usually is and thought this through... And you're certain that she isn't pregnant?"

Draco nodded. "I won't lie. She is very beautiful and I am attracted to her. I think I've admired her for a long time and chose to ignore it for obvious reasons. However, I have never touched your daughter in an attempt to seduce her. She is untouched by me."

"Thank you. You're more honorable than I would have thought. You could have said cruel things to me, as I know you are probably capable of. She's my only little girl. Keep her safe and happy for me. You'll know what I'm feeling when you have a child of your own. I saw her lying there in your arms and a piece of me just died. I knew I lost my daughter this morning. I always expected that she might come home married to Harry or Ron. I assume you know how close those three are," Mrs. Granger said.

The conversation took on a lighter tone. Mrs. Granger seemed satisfied by what Draco had told her. She even let it slip as to why they'd bought the gown for Hermione. She told him about the dance that was coming up on Saturday and said that Hermione hardly ever talked to boys with the exception of Harry and Ron. It seemed that Hermione was always off with her nose caught in a book. It was with the gown that the Grangers had planned to persuade Hermione into attending the dance. Light flickered across Draco's eyes.

"A dance?" he said, "I could take her. It would be something nice after last night. I can't remember much about the ceremony. After we spoke the vows something happened and I blacked out. I don't even think we kissed, but I feel connected to her. We are bound by blood, heart, and soul. That was our vow. I think the least that I owe her is a dance."

"I assume you have something to wear?" Mrs. Granger asked.

He smiled, "I'm sure I could find something..."

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Hermione ran after her father. He'd put on his shoes and coat and then left the house. By the time she caught up to him they were nearly three blocks from home. His pace never slowed and he never turned to acknowledge her presence. She fought the tears that threatened to spill. She'd disappointed him; that was obvious.

"Dad... Daddy, please, you don't understand... I love him," she spoke desperately.

At those words Mr. Granger stopped in his tracks and turned to face his daughter. He looked tired and older. She had never seen him like that.

"How can you love him? Every year when you come home from school you told us how cruel he was to you. He's always hurt you honey. What makes you think that will change now that you're married to him? Why couldn't you have thought this through? You're tied to him for the rest of your life. Do you know what that means?" he asked, despair in his voice.

She ran her tongue across her lips in nervousness. "He lost everything. He was running from something and he was desperate. I know that daddy. He was desperate when he asked me to marry him, but I couldn't refuse. I had his life in my hands. I would sacrifice myself before I gave anyone over to Voldemort. And I love him. I think I've loved him for a while now. I've just been fighting it. He is Malfoy after all."

"Have you forgotten that you're a Malfoy now, too?"

"You're right, maybe I should start calling him by his proper name. His blood runs through my veins now and I feel him. The ceremony we did connected us to each other. I can feel him just as I assume he can feel me... Daddy, you're not angry are you?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No, only disappointed. You're my little girl and you married a foolish, desperate boy, and I had to find out by seeing you lying in his arms in our garden. You couldn't even tell me that you'd kept him hidden in you room since the day before. You've never lied or hidden anything from me, Hermione. Why did you hide him?"

Hermione's stomach tied in knots, and she couldn't think of anything to say. That was the first time in her life that her father had ever been disappointed in her. Her throat tightened and she suddenly felt cold. Her father noticed her shiver, took off his coat, put it over her shoulders, leaned down, kissed her forehead, and said, "Let's go home before you mother starts interrogating the boy. We still need to have a long talk. You could have warned us. You're still in trouble, mind you, but I will try to suppress the urge of knocking him in the jaw again."

"You hit him?" Hermione's eyes widened in shock.

Mr. Granger grinned sheepishly. "Well, I was angry and he was acting so damned cocky and I saw you asleep in his arms. Why him? I could have understood having Harry or Ron in the family. I would have gladly welcomed them. I don't know about this Draco Malfoy. He seems to tread on the darker side of things."

They reached the powder blue door of their home when Hermione replied, "Dad, he is from the Slytherin house. Speaking of Hogwarts, I wonder what their policy on married students is."

As they walked into the house they heard rich laughter coming from the parlor. Hermione and her father looked at each other and then approached the parlor. Mrs. Granger was sitting on a chair she'd pulled closer to the sofa where Draco was sitting. Hermione's eyes widened when she noticed the open photo album between them. There was the picture of her when she was two years old, streaking across the back garden. Hermione's cheeks grew bright red.

"Mum! How could you? I thought you promised never to show that picture to any of my friends!" Hermione's voice dripped with mortification.

Mrs. Granger looked up. "But he's your husband, and he has a right to know what he's gotten himself into. Besides it's such an adorable photo."

Draco looked up with a smirk. "I never would have dreamed that you used to be an exhibitionist. What happened to your wild side?"

"I was only a baby. Honestly, it only happened once or twice..." Hermione replied.

Her father glanced at her and then spoke. "It was hard keeping clothes on her when she was a baby. I never saw a more inventive child. She could even get out of overalls. She became more modest near her third birthday. She was certainly an active baby. But when she discovered books she fell in love. She had a voracious appetite for knowledge. I assume you're aware of how studious she is."

Draco nodded and looked skeptically toward Mr. Granger before answering. "Yes, she is always well prepared for class, especially for potions class. I think she is somewhat intimidated by Professor Snape, although I couldn't begin to imagine why."

Mr. Granger looked at Draco and noticed how Malfoy's hand had rubbed across his jaw, but there wasn't a bruise or even swelling. Mr. Granger cleared his throat and said, "About this morning, I'm sorry for the way I reacted. It came as a bit of a shock. I don't know you very well, so I will give you this warning. Do not intentionally hurt my daughter. Welcome to the family."

It was then that Draco realized something. Hermione's family had accepted him. It was a shaky welcome, but her parents had given it freely. In fact, that day showed him how close a family could be. He'd never had that. Never had a real family. His mother had always been cold and unfeeling and his father was a man driven so obsessively by ambition that he had no time for anything other than himself.

The conversation drew on to a lighter tone and they all talked long into the night and when it got really late yawns were shared and it was obviously time for bed. Hermione turned to the stairs first, followed by Draco. Mr. Granger began to speak, but his wife shook her head and looked up at the retreating backs of his daughter and Draco. His throat tightened, but he managed not to say anything. They were after all married, even if they were both rather young. He looked down at his wife and noticed the tears building behind her eyes. They only hoped that this would all turn out for the best, because they both knew that they'd lost a piece of their daughter.

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Hermione was exhausted as she opened the door to her room and went inside. Draco followed her into the room, and his eyes looked after her as she went into the bathroom. He pulled off his shirt and then began to undress to his boxers. He looked up when he heard the bathroom door open and shut. She blushed slightly at his appearance. She still wasn't used to the idea of seeing him in such a state of undress. He looked her up and down, noting the light green pajama bottoms with the sheep on them and the light blue tank top. Her hair was in messy waves down her back and she was beautiful. He walked toward her, his eyes drinking in the sight of her. His tongue ran over his lips, but he passed her and then went into the bathroom where he used the facilities and brushed his teeth.

When he came out of the bathroom she was already in bed, curled up on her left side, as close to the right side of the bed as possible. He turned off the light and found his way to the bed, this time without any injury. He crawled into bed and then took her into his arms and drew her body against his. Her back pressing into his chest. He felt her tremble. He leaned his face toward her head, pulling her hair back to expose her neck. He caressed her neck, just below her right ear, gently with his lips. She trembled again. He licked his lips and then whispered against her ear, "It's all right for me to hold you. You needn't fall out of bed for my sake. You're mine now, it's only proper that I should hold you throughout the night."

He felt the tension slowly pass in her body. Then she rolled over to face him. He noticed how the moonlight played across her face and smiled, but he felt that something was bothering her. She raised her head up on her hand and just looked down at him.

"What?" he asked.

She sighed. "You must hate me and all of this. You've married a mudblood. Why would you want to touch me? Why did you hold me last night and why are you holding me now?"

"You..." he didn't know how to answer her as he looked up into her face. He took in a deep breath and finally spoke. "You chase away the nightmares. You give me peace of mind and I can sleep. I don't know when I took you in my arms last night, but I found peace, something I haven't known in a long time, if I've ever known it at all."

" If you don't want me to touch you, then just say so. That's all you have to do. Don't try to trick me with silly questions," he snapped after another moment.

She moved her hand and lowered her head back down to the pillow. "I like being in your arms. I feel safe. I want you to hold me if you want to..."

With that he drew her closer to him and ran his fingers through her soft wavy hair and whispered, "You've the best parents in the world. Your mother told me about a dance on Saturday. I want to take you. Will you go?"

"You want me to go to a dance with you?" she asked incredulously.

"I have to show off my new wife somewhere, don't I?" he asked.

Hermione couldn't believe it. She pinched herself and looked at his shadowy form. "But dances are muggle affairs. Could you handle that?"

"I think I should be the one to ask that. Aren't you the former exhibitionist?"

She gave an indignant snort. "I thought destroyed that photo ages ago. You'll never let that alone, will you?"

"How can I?" he smirked, "It's just so adorable."

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Saturday came upon them quite suddenly. Soon it was an hour before the dance. Hermione was busy getting dressed while Draco paced the parlor, looking elegant in black slacks and a black dress shirt and jacket. He could hear her moving around upstairs and shook his head wondering what was taking so long. Finally Mr. Granger had had enough of his pacing and told the boy to have a seat at the risk of being made to have a seat.

Draco ran a hand through his hair, which was looking more natural these days, since Hermione liked snaking her fingers through it. Soon Draco was up again, pacing like a tiger in a cage. Mr. Granger turned his attention back to his paper. There was little help for the boy. He'd already given the boy the talking to, telling him that if he embarrassed his daughter in any way...well the rest is better left unsaid. At any rate Draco had gotten the message. Although it seemed strange to be told that since he was married to her after all.

Soon the sounds of her and her mother in her bedroom stopped and they could be heard in the hall, and then coming down the stairs. Draco went to stand near the stairs, as did Hermione's father, to watch Hermione walk down the stairs. She was wearing the lavender dress, her wedding dress, and her hair was swept up in intricate curls and waves atop her head, a few strands hanging about her face, and she wore a smoky quartz shaped like a tear drop suspended from a delicate silver chain. Draco felt his mouth go dry.

When she reached the first floor he extended his arm toward her and she took it, a small smile playing over her lips. Soon she told her parents good-bye, then she and Draco were headed toward the dance, in a sleek black limo, something that her parents had arranged. The limo pulled up to the entrance of the dance and the driver got out and opened the door for them. He nodded curtly as Draco got out and then helped Hermione. Soon the couple was walking into the dance. The ballroom was dimly lit, a band was on stage, and the music was fast. Draco looked around wide-eyed. Hermione simply smiled.

Several of the girls Hermione knew from her childhood looked up as she'd walked in, and they seemed surprised that she was there, and they were obviously even more surprised by Hermione's date. She smiled in their direction and then she and Draco headed toward a table. He noticed how everyone on the dance floor moved to the fast music and he found it quite entertaining, but what he was really hoping for was a slow dance so that he could hold Hermione close, and have their first dance as husband and wife. Maybe he would get up the courage to finally kiss her properly.

After a few moments of chatting with Hermione a couple of girls, one with long golden hair and bright blue eyes and the other with dark eyes and shoulder length dark hair, walked over and sat themselves at the table. Draco raised his eyebrow questioningly as he turned toward them. Obviously Hermione seemed to know them.

"Hello, Victoria, Emma, how've you been?" Hermione asked.

The two girls flushed and then began to talk over silly things. Draco put on an interested face and ignored them until he noticed that Hermione had said his name. He snapped out of his reverie and smiled charmingly.

"Oh he's handsome, Mione, where'd you ever find him?" the blonde asked.

Draco answered, "We met at school. We've had several classes together for the past six years and I must say we haven't always been on such friendly terms, but things change."

"Do they?" the dark haired one spoke up.

"Yes," he smirked, "I never thought I'd end up married to a girl who has despised me for the better part of six years."

The two pairs of eyes widened and the dark haired one looked at Hermione. "You're married? But where are your rings? When did you get married? You aren't in a delicate condition are you?"

"No. Of course not. Draco asked me to marry him and so I agreed. It was a whirlwind affair. Our marriage followed shortly after our engagement. We've only been married for a few days actually. As for the rings..." Hermione trailed.

"I've ordered them to be specially crafted by a highly respected jeweler. We expect to retrieve them soon," Draco finished for her.

Victoria and Emma seemed to chatter on endlessly after that, but soon the music slowed and began to drift, like magic in the air. Draco excused himself and Hermione from the table and swept her over to the dance floor. He took her right hand in his, then wrapped his other arm around her waist and rested his left hand on the small of her back. She did the same with her left arm, and soon he had her sweeping around the room in a waltz. Her breath caught in her throat as the lyrics drifted to her ears.

"I wanna touch you

I wanna hold you

I want to love you

But not to mold you

I wanna feel you

I want to kiss you

I wanna leave you

So I can miss you..."

They swayed to the music and Hermione felt as though they were the only two people in the world. Her heart soared in her chest as he drew her closer against him.

"Please, show me the way you are.

Show me the answers to how I can start

To find a way to your heart.

I wanna see you...untangled

I wanna see you...from every angle

I can't hold back...things I've never told you,

I believe that love will come around again.

So please, show me the way you are,

Show me the answers to how I can start

To find a way to your heart..."

Hermione rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. He leaned his head down and lightly caressed her cheek with the tip of his nose.

"Open your eyes as you look to the skies

And you see her just floating on by.

Consciously try with the tears that you cried to hold on,

Teach me to love once again.

Reach, if you can, for her angel-like hand

And pull her right into your heart.

Don't' waste a day with your insecure ways,

She'll be gone- and you'll never see her again.

I wanna hear you...whisper softly,

Say you love me...say it softly.

Please, show me the way you are,

Show me the answers to how I can start

Show me the way

Show me the key that will open the door,

Show me the way you are.

Show me the answers to how I can start

To find a way to your heart..."

He leaned down closer, until his lips caressed hers, and then he pressed his lips more firmly against hers. She returned the kiss and parted her lips to deepen the kiss. His tongue slipped between her lips and explored her mouth. He reveled in the taste of her as their tongues met for a small eternity, and then he let her up for air, both of them somewhat winded.

"Show me the way you are,

Show me the answers to how I can start

To find a way to your heart.

I wanna touch you

I wanna hold you

I want to love you

But not to mold you.

I wanna feel you

I want to kiss you..."

As the last note of the song rang in the air, they broke apart and Hermione rushed off of the dance floor and out of the ballroom. Draco took off after her, catching the attention of most of the people in the ballroom. He rushed outside but he didn't see her anywhere. He called her name, but there was no answer. He looked up at the sky and noticed the clouds and sighed. He wondered what he'd done wrong. The mood seemed so right. They'd been dancing, the song seemed to pull them together, and he felt the need to kiss her, taste her. Emotions swept through him as he set out to look for her, hoping that he found her soon, before it began to rain...

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