When the Stars Fall

TWELVE: Changing Houses

Draco ate his meals at the Gryffindor table with Hermione on his left, a very uncomfortable Neville Longbottom on his right, and Potter and Weasley across from him. All throughout dinner Draco had been speaking to Hermione in hushed tones, telling her about his dream from the previous night. Ron and Harry were curious about what he was saying, especially by the expressions that crossed Hermione's face at Draco's words, obviously whatever he was saying must have been important.

"What's he saying 'Mione?" Ron asked impatiently.

Draco looked up and acknowledged Ron and Harry's presence with a glare and turned back to his hushed conversation with Hermione. Harry kicked him under the table and spoke in a low menacing tone.

"You know very well that we will find out eventually, so tell us now and save us the guesswork."

"Kick me again, Potter, and I won't be held responsible for my actions," Draco spat and then spoke more calmly after receiving a reprimanding look from Hermione. "Besides we were only discussing a dream I had about my mother."

"It could have been a memory or have some kind of meaning," Hermione sighed and turned to look at Draco, "If she did change the color of your eyes, then she had to have a reason, and McGonagall was in your dream, right? Talking to your mother like they knew each other well. How would your mother know McGonagall?"

Draco shrugged. "My mother was a student here at Hogwarts. Come to think of it, she was a Gryffindor, and her mother viewed that as scandalous. Both my mother and her twice removed sister, Andromeda, were Gryffindors. Maybe that is how she knows McGonagall. Of course my mother redeemed her ill housing placement by going through with the marriage her parents had arranged with my father. Andromeda turned her back on the family and married a muggle, Tim or Tom Tonk, I think."

"When did your mother and father go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.

"Oh, my father already had a job in the ministry by the time my mother began at Hogwarts. He's eight years my mother's senior. My mother went to school with your parents though. She had a lot of classes with your parents, I think they were in the same year," Draco replied nonchalantly.

Hermione's eyes widened. "So your mother went to school with Harry's parents and Snape!"

"So, what are you getting at? His mum probably knew Harry's mum and dad and Snape, although who would want to know Snape is beyond me," Ron said.

Hermione jumped to her feet for a moment coming to a startling revelation, then she noticed the curious stares she was getting, blushed, and resumed her seat. Draco looked at her with a raised brow.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

"Lucius Malfoy is not your father," Hermione spoke so softly that only Draco, Harry, and Ron could hear her. "The dream makes perfect sense! You mother had a son, you, but she told McGonagall that you weren't Lucius' son, and that seemed to make sense to McGonagall, she wasn't surprised by the news. Which would suggest that McGonagall would know your father, so your father is probably someone your mother went to school with. Your mother also requested that McGonagall keep her secrets, so basically you and your real father would never be told the truth. You must have his eyes, so your mother enchanted your eyes to look like hers until the day that she dies. McGonagall must know who your father is! And Snape! He's been harassing McGonagall about his son!"

Harry got the gist of what she was saying and stepped in. "Are you suggesting that Draco's mother and Snape were involved?"

Draco burst out laughing. "Are you suggesting that I'm the heir of Snape? You aren't sick are you? Potter, are you mental, and Hermione, do you need to visit Madame Pomfrey after dinner?"

"Hermione has a point. Your mother was in school with Snape," Harry said in Hermione's defense.

"She was in your father's house! Remember my mother was a Gryffindor!" Draco snapped at Harry, "For all we know, my mother and your father could have had a fling! My eyes could really be whatever color your father's were and that would make you my half brother!"

"Now this is bloody ridiculous! You and Harry, brothers? That's funny. But you and Snape do sort of act alike, and he's always favored you above all the other Slytherins," Ron said.

"Lucius Malfoy is my father, it was a stupid dream! My mother never would have batted an eyelash Snape's way, so LEAVE OFF!" Draco said with a tone of finality that rang throughout Great Hall.

Still, as everyone glanced at the Gryffindor table to see what was going on, and the Gryffindors shakily went back to eating, Draco couldn't help but recall his mother's words from the dream...

"No, Minerva, and you must keep my secrets. Please, no one is to know, especially my son...and his father."

The rest of dinner went by uneventful, but before the students were dismissed to their various towers, McGonagall and Snape stood up at the staff table and demanded everyone's attention. Everyone looked from McGonagall to Snape and wondered what was about to be announced, but there were no announcements to be made.

"Will Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger Malfoy please come forward," McGonagall said sternly.

Hagrid raised his head at the mention of Hermione's new surname and then stared in disbelief as together Hermione and Draco stood up and walked proudly toward the staff table. All eyes were on the pair as they approached the staff table. Pansy Parkinson looked as though she'd been kicked in the stomach as she stared at Draco and Hermione, she had been hoping up to that point that the rumors were some sort of joke. Obviously Draco was no longer available.

McGonagall and Snape looked at the two and then looked up as McGonagall spoke to the rest of the school, "These two students of Gryffindor and Slytherin have been married, and the Hogwarts' rules on married students clearly states that married students, while in attendance at this school, are to be in the same house, so a change in houses is in order, but first, we request that both of you return your prefect badges as you are both no longer worthy of the position. You should have immediately informed a professor of your situation, and by not having done so have broken a highly valued school rule."

Hermione and Draco unpinned their prefect badges and handed them to Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall took them then put them on the staff table and she and Snape walked around the staff table with their wands out. Hermione and Draco looked ominously at the wands and then at each other, wondering what was to come next.

"Now, we will strip Mrs. Malfoy of her Gryffindor colors and give her the colors of Slytherin, and then the rules will be satisfied," Snape said.

"No," Draco's voice filled the room, "No one in the Slytherin house would accept her, and although I probably won't be accepted by Gryffindor, I know she won't be in constant danger from the rest of the Slytherins. Take my colors and make me a Gryffindor."

Snape looked at Draco in shock and awe. Silence filled the great hall, as everyone stared in disbelief at Draco, he couldn't possibly be the same Draco Malfoy from last year, it was as though he'd become a completely different person, he was even selfless.

"Do you realize what you are saying Mr. Malfoy? What this would mean?" McGonagall asked.

Draco looked up at her with disdain. "Yes, and what I don't understand is that you were willing to make Hermione switch houses without asking her if she knew what that meant. I've already told you that I am more than willing and capable to take the appropriate actions necessary to ensure her safety. Well, am I going to be the newest Gryffindor or are we going to continue to stand here while the entire school gawks at these awkward proceedings?"

Snape smirked. "The boy does have a point Minerva."

"You would know," McGonagall muttered under her breath, but not before Hermione caught it.

With that being said Snape raised his wand at Draco and said, "Betrayer of this house depart, let the wind howl at your back, follow your heart, and may you find a piece of yourself you may lack."

A silver mist surrounded Draco and the Slytherin coat of arms embroidered on his robes and his green and silver Slytherin colors were removed. Snape shook his head solemnly and scowled, as McGonagall raised her wand, "Son of Slytherin, welcome to your new start, here anew you begin, and henceforth bound never to depart."

A gold mist surrounded Draco as the Gryffindor coat of arms and colors replaced the empty patches on his robes where the Slytherin coat of arms and colors had been. Red and gold took the place of green and silver. Snape shook his head again as Minerva extended her hand to Draco and said, "Welcome to the Gryffindor house, Mr. Malfoy."

Hermione had watched the ceremonial change of houses with wide disbelieving eyes. He'd given up his house for her. He'd also given up his position as seeker for the Slytherin team, and he would have to adjust to being a Gryffindor and deal with the hostilities from the majority of Gryffindors that couldn't hardly stand him. He'd spent his entire existence at Hogwarts making Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the other Gryffindors as miserable as possible, and now was time for his comeuppance.

McGonagall took a look around Great Hall and finally said, "You are all dismissed to your common rooms."

Draco and Hermione were about to depart with the rest of the students but McGonagall's voice stopped them, "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, my office please, and Severus, I assume you will join us?"

"Of course, lead the way," Snape's voice was soft, but menacing nonetheless.

McGonagall led them through the teacher's entrance into Great Hall and then up several flights of stairs and down a few corridors until finally they reached the Transfigurations classroom and then her office. Once there, she took her place behind her desk and motioned to the three chairs set before her desk. Hermione and Draco took a seat, then Snape looked disdainfully at the chair that was on the other side of Draco, and finally took a seat in it. McGonagall reached into her desk and pulled out a schedule. She looked it over, shook her head, rapped her wand sharply against the piece of parchment, and then handed it to Draco.

Hermione was relieved to find that the hastiness of the House Changing ceremony made McGonagall forget to summon Harry and Ron. Apparently some things could slip even McGonagall's sharp mind. She was sure that Ron and Harry were probably relieved that they hadn't been summoned, and were worried on behalf of Hermione. Hermione was snapped out of her thoughts when McGonagall spoke.

"Your new schedule, Mr. Malfoy. You still have the same courses only a couple of your classes have been rearranged since you're no longer in the Slytherin House. I trust you have no complaints?" She didn't wait for him to answer as she continued, "As for your living and sleeping arrangements. I do not care for the details. I assume that you wish to have a room to yourselves? The matter has been taken into consideration and the house elves have your room prepared. It is the door at the far end of dormitory hall on the second floor in Gryffindor tower. It is right next to the seventh year boys' dormitory. You have an adjoining bathroom, and all of your things have been moved to that room. Do either of you have any questions?"

They shook their heads and then Snape spoke, "Now that that has been taken care of, there is the matter of our bargain. I've already informed Professor McGonagall about the formal ceremony. I will be overlooking the proceedings. We are making the arrangements, and all costs have been taken care of by a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous. Do you have any objections?"

"You will be overlooking the ceremony? As in performing it?" Hermione's voice shook with shock.

"Yes, Granger," he growled, "Do you have a problem with that?"

She shook her head and then said, "No, and you can call me Hermione. It is after all my name."

"Very well, Hermione," Snape spoke impatiently and then almost smiled, "If we are dropping the formalities, call me Severus if you want, but not in front of any of the other students. Understood?"

Draco raised an eyebrow at this, "You mean that?"

"Well, as both of you are mature enough to be married, and deal logically with the consequences of your actions, I see us as equal, therefore there is no need for formality when we are the only ones present Draco," Snape answered tiredly.

"I assure you that I will not be addressed so informally by a student," McGonagall broke in and then said, "We are planning the ceremony to take place in two weeks on the night of the full moon. Do you have tokens to give as a sign of your union?"

"Will rings do?" Draco asked.

McGonagall nodded and then said, "If that is all, then the two of you are dismissed to your rooms."

Hermione and Draco exchanged a look and then walked out of the office. They closed the door behind them and then knelt by the door to listen in on what Snape and McGonagall had to discuss.

"How can you allow them to address you so informally, Severus? Honestly! They are students," McGonagall said in exasperation.

"That is not why I stayed and you know it. I want you to tell me the truth, Minerva," Snape's voice was harsh and cold.

There was a moments pause and then, "First tell me something, Severus. We both know that boy's account was empty after he ran away. Lucius closed it, so who opened a new account at Gringotts under that boy's name, with such a small fortune?"

"You know very well who it was. She came to me in my dreams, asking me to help him. You know I can't resist her. Besides I couldn't leave the poor boy penniless, although his father most certainly would."

McGonagall snorted. "I wouldn't be so certain of that."

"Are you implying what I already suspect? He looks so much like her. I have to know Minerva, is he my son?"

"I won't say a word until the time is right, Severus. I cannot betray my word," There was a pause and then McGonagall continued. "Is that why you are insisting on a formal ceremony for those two? And you want to overlook the ceremony. You're a fool. You've always bent to her will and it's nearly destroyed you."

"It wasn't my fault," Snape growled.

"I know, He Who Must Not be Named arranged the marriage with the Blacks. There was nothing to be done..."

"Say his name, Voldemort! Yes, he's taken many lives, and ruined hundreds, thousands more. He won't have them..." Snape let out a derisive laugh, "I would die before he had Draco or Hermione, or even Potter and Weasley for that matter. I'm not proud of my past, and I swear that I'll make it up to those countless people I helped to destroy."

"You were just as much a victim," McGonagall said softly.

"That is no excuse," Snape roared, "I've had more mercy thrust upon me than I deserve. I should be rotting in Azkaban, instead I'm here, and I get to watch my son from a distance, I'm free, and I'm alive. James Potter has never been able to watch his son grow up. I would give anything to go back."

"You're not as free as you would like to believe if you feel that way."

"I have more freedom than those rotting in the ground!" Snape snapped and with that he rushed toward the door. Hermione and Draco went to either side of the door as Snape threw it open and walked out. When he was gone the two crept out of the classroom, leaving McGonagall to be alone in her office. Hermione and Draco hurried to Gryffindor tower. Once there they gave the fat lady in the pink dress the password. The painting swung open and then Hermione and Draco were climbing through the portrait hole and into the Gryffindor common room.

Several Gryffindors looked up, expressions of loathing and disgust openly displayed on their faces. Harry and Ron waved Hermione and Draco over to their table in the corner where they had their homework set up. Hermione and Draco went to join them for a moment. After a few minutes of idle conversation the young couple decided to go upstairs and have a look at their room. They said "Goodnight!" to Ron and Harry, ignored the disdainful looks they got from the other Gryffindors, and headed up the stairs, and then down the corridor to the door at the end. Hermione turned the knob. The door swung inward and soon the couple walked into their new room. The room was decorated in red and gold. A king size four-poster bed with red velvet curtains, red silky sheets and a golden silk coverlet was against one wall. The furniture was made of oak, and glowed with a reddish luster. The floor was also covered with thick plush crimson colored carpet. The room was large, elegant, beautiful, and completely theirs.

Their trunks were at the foot of the bed, and their quills and parchment were set out on a desk made of the same wood as the rest of the furniture. Once they were finished gawking at their room they went into the bathroom and were floored. The bathtub looked like a swimming pool, there were faucets everywhere. It was just like the prefects bathroom.

"I thought they were punishing us by terminating our positions as prefects, and then they give us this room with this bathroom? I think someone has their wands crossed, but I'm not complaining if you aren't," Draco said with a wry grin.

"Not a word," Hermione spoke softly and then leaned up to kiss him.

He wrapped his arms around her and she sighed and leaned her back against his chest. He bent down and cradled his chin on her shoulder and sighed. After a few moments of lingering in their bathroom, they parted, dressed for bed and then crawled beneath the silky covers of the huge four-poster. Draco gathered Hermione into his arms and soon they had both dozed off...