Meet the Parents

Hermione Granger sat at her desk in her Head Girl dormitory. Hogwarts: A History just wasn't any good when one was anxious and bored all at once. And after having read it as much as she did, she had it memorized. So what was the real point in reading it? She sighed, resting her head on her hand as she went back to plowing through the book, patiently, or not so patiently, awaiting his return.

She was just in the middle of the chapter entitled A Brief Biography of Rowena Ravenclaw when a big, white, furry critter jumped into her lap. She screeched and jumped up from her seat, causing the creature to fall to the floor as she raised Hogwarts: A History high above her head and chunked it only to be caught by a laughing blonde-haired boy now laying in the little monster's place.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy," Hermione yelled, "don't you ever do that to me again."

"I'm sorry, 'Mione," he grinned, sitting up. "I couldn't help myself."

"You're completely insufferable," she growled at him. "Wait, you're an animagus?"

"Yeah," he said, standing up slowly. "Kind of left overs from fourth year when I got transfigured into a ferret."

"What's your animal?"

"A ferret," he admitted. "I'm not too happy with it, but," he shrugged his shoulders, "it works."

"What did Snape say?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"Well," Draco began slowly, "he said that it wasn't something normally permitted and that if anything happened to you he'd be up to his ears in trouble with the Min-"

"Draco, can I go to Malfoy Manor with you or not?" she demanded.

He smirked at her. Damn that smirk.

"He said for us to meet him after curfew tonight in the Entrance Hall with everything we plan on taking," he informed her and then had to dodge a well aimed shoe, almost falling down in the process.

"Why didn't you just say so, you ass?" she asked, unable to hide her amusement

"Dramatic effect, love," he replied.

"It's all about being dramatic with you, isn't it?" Hermione asked, walking up to him.

"You know what they say," he started. "One of the signs of a good villain is excessive melodrama."

Hermione rolled her eyes as he slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush up against him.

"Just because you have a penchant for histrionics doesn't make you a villain," she argued.

"You're right," he agreed. "I'm no villain. I'm just evil."

"Evil is a point of view," she countered. "But you are indeed an evil, wicked man, Draco Malfoy," she said, tracing his chest though his shirt.

"I am wicked," Draco smirked, leaning his forehead against hers. "And it's all your doing."

"I know," Hermione smiled as she leaned up and pressed her lips gently to his.

"You're going to have to do better than that, 'Mione," he stated. "That's not a kiss."

Rolling her eyes at him again, she slid her hands around the back of his neck and slammed his mouth down onto her own. Taking control, she darted her tongue out and pushed it past his lips, forcing his mouth to open to her assault. She kissed him fiercely and broke away just as abruptly.

She leaned back in his hold and watched him as he slowly opened his eyes, running his tongue across his lips as he did.

"That's more like it, Granger," he smirked lazily. She tried to turn in his arms to go but he held her tighter. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I need to pack, Draco," she stated, trying to go again.

"You know better than to get me all hot and wanting and then leave me be," he whispered in a low voice by her ear, his breath making the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. She shivered lightly as he let his hands fall to her hips and stepped up closely, making sure she felt every inch of his front pressed firmly to her back. He inhaled her scent deeply, smelling faint traces of lavender, and placed a gentle kiss on her neck. "You can pack later," he spoke finally. "Just give me a little bit, please."

"Please?" she repeated. Draco Malfoy never said please. He never asked for anything. He took it and he knew that she'd never say no to him even if he didn't ask. What's more was, he knew it too. He knew she couldn't resist, could deny him no matter how hard she tried. "On hour, Draco," she answered him. "One hour and then we both need to pack."

Afterward, Draco collapsed onto the bed beside Hermione. Still breathing a bit laboredly herself, she brought a hand up to his sweaty hair and stroked it out of his face.

"I love you," he stated, more controlled now. "And not just for the sex. Which is phenomenal, by the way."

She smiled at him, still stroking his hair. "I know. I love you, too. That's why I'm going with you."

"I know," he echoed, perfectly content to stay exactly like that for all of eternity.

***********

"Where is that man?" Hermione demanded as she paced the Entrance Hall.

"Relax, 'Mione," Draco replied, leaning calmly against a window sill. "It's five minutes until curfew."

"Still," she grumbled, "he should be early."

"Getting impatient, are we?" he smirked.

"No," she answered. "Bored."

"Well, I do know a way to pass the time," he said, lifting an eyebrow suggestively.

"Excuse me?" she nearly stuttered. "What if Filch comes by, or if-"

"I just really want to kiss you," Draco stated, cutting her off abruptly.

"How badly?" she asked, considering him.

"Very badly."

He stood up from where he was leaning and slowly made his way to her.

"Oh, yeah?" she asked, barely above a whisper.

"Oh, yeah," he answered in a low, husky murmur.

"Show me."

The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers, moving against hers. She felt his hands go to her waist and pull her to him as he opened his mouth against hers. He ran his tongue slowly across her lips and smirked when she shivered in his hold. He knew just what to do to get her all wound up. She mimicked his actions, allowing for his tongue to jut into her mouth, colliding with her own in a heated duel. She arched her back in his hold, pushing her hips against his as he slipped one hand under the material of her shirt, caressing the smooth skin of her back.

Hermione slid her hands along his arms, tracing the firm muscles beneath his shirt all the way to his shoulders. He broke away from her lips, breathing a bit laboredly, and began trailing small kisses over he cheek and down her neck as she twined her fingers in the baby soft tendrils of blonde hair just at the nape of his neck. She inhaled sharply as she felt his hot, wet tongue run along the column of her throat followed quickly by a shock of cold air. She jerked his head up and looked at him pointedly before slamming his lips down onto her own in a violent kiss.

"Ahem," someone cleared their throat.

Neither Hermione nor Draco paid any mind to the intruder, but stayed in their own blissful silence and embrace as if the outside world meant nothing.

"Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger," the voice of Severus Snape sliced through the passion and intensity between them. There was nothing like Snape to ruin the mood. "Please disengage and disentangle yourselves from one another."

He looked them up and down as the two students smoothed over the wrinkles in their clothing and Hermione adamantly tried avoiding eye contact with the Potions Master.

"Now that I have your complete and undivided attention," he began, "might I assume that you've both got all that you wish to bring?"

Both nodded in silent agreement.

"Peachy," Snape said and then turned to the massive front doors fo the castle. "Come."

He moved through the doors and Hermione and Draco followed closely with their luggage trailing not far behind.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" Draco asked, peering toward the carriage.

"What?" Hermione asked. "Oh, the thestrals? I always thought they were on the unattractive side, myself."

"I find them fascinating," he said, loading his trunk and then hers.

"Yes, you always do find something even in the most atrocious of things," she grinned wryly. "Like Parkinson."

Draco shuddered near violently. "Don't get me started on her. Besides, she's in the past and best left there for my mental well-being."

"Agreed," Hermione said as she opened the door to the carriage.

"I'll be expecting an owl from the both of you when you arrive at the Manor telling me when you plan to return and whether or not Lucius Malfoy is still all hunky dory about all of this," Snape cut in as Draco was climbing into the carriage.

"Yes, sir," Draco answered, sitting down beside Hermione.

"Listen to Draco," Snape spoke to Hermione. "Don't pry into things that aren't your business. And don't do anything stupid."

With that, he shut the door and the carriage moved on into the night.

***************

"I hate you, Draco Malfoy."

"Say it like you mean it, Granger," he replied, placing a soft kiss to her temple in their small carriage.

"Why do we have to go to the Manor?" Hermione asked. "Would it really have neem that bad to go to my house?"

"It's no that, Hermione," Draco said. "You know my father is anxious to meet you for real."

"You mean get me alone and then curse me to bits," she grumbled under her breath.

He chuckled at her remark and put an arm around her shoulders. "You really shouldn't worry so about my father," he said, smirking at her. "Father's out on probation and is under heavy surveillance from the Ministry. He's not likely to try anything. And besides, it'll be my mother who'll be doing all of the cursing."

"Your mother?" she asked incredulously. "No, I rather think she'll thank me for taking such an ungrateful whelp off of her hands."

"Ungrateful whelp?" he sounded scandalized and the muttered as an afterthough: "you weren't saying 'ungrateful whelp' last night."

*WHACK*

"Ow, 'Mione," Draco whined, rubbing his shoulder where she frogged him. "What was that for?"

"I can't imagine," she rolled her eyes at him. "You're completely horrible."

"I prefer insufferable, but," he paused, seeming to think on it, "if you insist."

"I still can't believe Snape was so ready to let me go with you to the Manor," Hermione commented, changing the subject. "It's kind of odd."

"It's my irresistible charm," Draco smirked. "Not even our illustrious and practically unmoveable Potions Master can resist the Malfoy Charm."

"Oh really?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "The what's that on your nose I see?"

"What's what?" he asked, feeling to make sure that nothing was there. His suspicions were correct. "There's nothing."

"Are you sure? I could have swore I saw something brown just there," she said, pointing a finger at his nose.

"Brown?" he asked in confusion and then immediately stopped, dropping his hands and glaring at her. "You..."

Hermione was fighting hard not to laugh out loud but it was proving to be near impossible as she let out a few strangled chuckles.

"I am not a brown-noser by any means, I'll have you know," he stated indignantly, crossing his arms over his chest in a very pouty manner.

"Sure," she drawled out, laughing to herself.

"Laugh all you want," Draco said with a devious smirk. "You'll get yours. You just wait."

All of a sudden, the carriage slowed and came to a halt. Draco pushed a curtain aside and peered out.

"We're here," he said with a grin- an evil grin if Hermione thought anything about it.

"What can I expect?" she asked as they both exited the carriage.

"With what? The Manor or my parents?"

"Your parents," she answered curtly.

"Well," he began as they started climbing the broad steps up to the front of the spacious manor, "they are a bit different, I suppose, but good people overall. Like I said before, relax and you have nothing to worry about."

"That's what I'm worried about," she mumbled to where he couldn't hear her.

"Ready?" he asked, preparing to drop one of the huge silver knockers on the large double mahogany doors.

"Nice doors," Hermione commented., noticing intricate patterns of all sorts carved into the doors.

"Yes, they are," he stated, letting the knocker fall three times.

Apprehension welled up in the pit of Hermione's stomach, boiling up until she thought she could take no more. What could she expect? The last time she saw Lucius Malfoy, he was ordering Death Eaters to kill her at all costs. And Narcissa? Well, she hadn't necessarily come across as a kind-hearted and gentle woman.

Sure, relax, Draco, Hermione thought to herself. I'll relax as soon as the have my head on a silver platter and my guts for garters.

The door Draco had knocked on opened abruptly, showing a woman in her mid-thirties, clothed in a light blue robe that was reminiscent of Fleur Delacour. She had shining blonde hair that fell in limp, straight locks down past her shoulders. Hermione's eyes drifted up to the woman's face and found a pair of sparkling blue eyes and a broad smile.

"Draco," the woman Hermione recognized as Narcissa Malfoy said, "you finally made it!" her smile grew wider as she reached out and snatched her son up into her arms.

"Hello, mother," Draco said, looking down at her with a small smile.

Narcissa released Draco and turned her attention to the small, scared-looking creature next to him. "And you must be Hermione," she stated. Hermione nodded. "Oh, I've heard all about you. Good things, of course," she added hastily, beaming at her. "Well, don't just stand out here all day. Come in. Dinner's about to be on the table and your father is very anxious to speak with you both," she said, turning to lead them through the manor. "I haven't seen him this giddy in years. He reminds me of a school boy in a candy shop filled with his favorite sweets."

Hermione tensed, recalling all of the former things that made Lucius Malfoy giddy. Sensing her distress, Draco reached out and pulled her arm into his own, pulling her closer to himself.

Patting it as he felt her tighten her grip on him, he leaned down and whispered: "I'll take care of you. He won't even dare to try anything."

"But what if he does?" she asked.

"Then I'll hex him seven ways to Sunday," came Draco's cool reply.

"And this is the dining room," Narcissa explained, pushing open heavy mahogany double doors. "Ah, Lucius!"

Both Hermione and Draco's attention snapped immediately to the man sitting at the head of the table. Draco, Hermione mused, was the spitting image of his father, from that deceptively angelic beauty right down to his nasty sneer.

"Draco," Lucius called from the other end of the long table. "Come, come. Don't stand there all day. The house elves-" Hermione flinched "-have prepared an excellent meal, and we wouldn't want it to turn cold, now would we?"

"No, father," Draco answered, tugging a very reluctant Hermione after him.

"And this is...?" Lucius trailed off, waiting for a response.

"Hermione Granger," Narcissa filled in before anyone else could open their mouths. "Isn't she lovely?"

"Yes," Lucius agreed, looking at her scrupulously. "We've met before. Haven't we, Miss Granger?"

"In one sort of way or another," Hermione replied, not wanting to drudge up any sort of memories.

"Indeed," he commented, taking a seat and motioning for the rest to sit.

"Anyway," Narcissa cut in, "shall I have the food brought up?"

"Oh yes, that would be quite nice," Draco hastily agreed, eyeing Lucius.

In a snap, thick cut filets, green beans, and mashed potatoes appeared on their plates. Draco cocked his head to the side, looking on curiously. He glanced up at his mother who simply smiled and mouthed your father to him. Shrugging his shoulders and giving Hermione a glance, he dug in with the rest of them.

after dinner, the four of them moved into the sitting room where the house elves had a roaring fire going.

"Draco," Hermione said quietly so that only he could hear her. "I'm a bit worried by your father's behavior."

Draco turned his head to look at his father. Indeed, the man was acting a bit peculiar. Not entirely like himself. Of course, Draco reminded himself, he had been in Azkaban for nearly two years and had received treatments from St. Mungo's for some sort of psychosis. What, though, Draco hadn't a clue.

"It's bothering me, too," he answered, turning back to face her. "It's probably got something to do with St. Mungo's, but I really don't know why he's acting like that."

"Draco," Lucius called to him. "Come with me to the drawing room. I have things I wish to discuss with you."

"Yes, father," Draco said to his father and then to Hermione: "I'll be back soon."

*************

"I don't want you to go yet," Hermione whined as Draco mentioned the time. "I don't feel safe all alone in this big, scary room."

They were sitting together on her expansive bed. Though she was tucked comfortably under sheets and covers of emerald green satin, she really did feel that at any given moment the room would open up and swallow her whole. Looking up at him with the saddest puppy dog eyes she could manage, she began to pout. Draco just laughed at her.

"You're over exaggerating," Draco scoffed. "And for the umpteenth time, no one is going to come in and curse you."

"I'm still not too sure about that," she said. "So what did your father want to discuss with you?"

"He rambled on for quite a bit on how he was getting on in his years and I'd be head of the Malfoy family soon," Draco began. "It was all kind of depressing, really. He went on about the Manor and various estates and-"

"And will you get to the point?" Hermione asked anxiously. "I know you're just dragging this out to torment me as much as possible."

"Of course," he smirked at her. "He wants to give us the summer home until we can move in here."

"But- but we're not even married," she stuttered. "We haven't even talked about it. Draco, we're still in school. None of our friends know about this. Is your father insane or-"

"Shh," he said, pressing his index finger to her mouth, silencing her. "In time, 'Mione, in time."

he replaced his finger quickly with his lips, one hand going up to cup her cheek and the other holding her shoulder. He pulled her closer to himself as he darted his tongue out, deepening the kiss. Draco pushed her slowly down onto her back, her head resting on a feather soft pillow as he leaned down for another passionate kiss. She gave in for a bit, lacing her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. Then, she suddenly pulled away.

"What?" he asked huskily, confused as to why she was refusing him all of a sudden.

"Should we be doing anything like this?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" he was looking down at her in confusion again.

"I mean, we're in your parents house," she began. "I know that my parents would have your head and then mine if they knew. What of yours?"

He smiled softly and shook his head. "They won't do anything. I can go back to my room if you'd like me to."

"No," she said quickly. "Stay here."

"All night?"

"Of course."

"Can we...?"

"What else are you good for?" she replied, watching his face scrunch up in indignance.

"I'm good for more than just that and you know it," he scoffed at her.

"Of course I do," she smirked. "No funny business now, Ferret Boy. I know you're good for lots of things, this being one of them."

"That I am," he said with a cocky grin.

Carefully, he scooted himself underneath the covers and snuggled up next to Hermione. He lightly stroked her hair, twirling a curl around one finger. Her hair felt silky smooth against his hand, something he always liked. It felt like expensive Chinese silk to him or smooth, rich chocolate mousse. She closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his fingers in her hair. People playing with it always did make her relaxed and sleepy.

Draco propped himself up on one elbow and watched her. She looked so soft in the dim light of the moon coming in from the only window in the room. When he could hold himself back no longer, he leaned down to place a gentle kiss upon her lips, a bit surprised when she responded and kissed him back.

"Mmm," he hummed and then smiled. "You sure you don't want to go to sleep?"

"Yes," she smiled back. "I'd rather spend all night with you."

"That's what I was hoping you'd say," he said as her arms went around his neck and pulled him in for another soft kiss.

**********

"Ooo! Lucius Malfoy! Stop it!"

Draco and Hermione stumbled downstairs the following morning to find a rather chipper Lucius chasing Narcissa around the breakfast table. He had just succeeded in pinching her rear in an ambush, causing her to squeal in surprise.

"This may just be a wild poke in the dark, but I'm going to say that this isn't normal behavior for them," Hermione managed to say quietly to Draco.

"That would be a resounding no," he replied. "I've never seen either of them behave this way before in the entirety of my life."

"Oh, Draco. Hermione. You're up," Narcissa said when she caught sight of the two of them standing in the doorway. "Your father has been in quite the playful mood all morning," she said with a smile to Draco.

"Yes," Draco said. "I see quite clearly that he woke up a few fries short of a Happy Meal."

"Happy Meal?" Narcissa asked, looking confused.

"Never mind," Draco stated. "Let's eat."

"So Draco," Lucius began with a knowing twinkle in his eye, taking his seat, "did you sleep well?"

Draco eyed his father curiously as everyone else took a seat at the table. "Yes, I did."

"How about you, Hermione?" he turned his attention as breakfast was served and everyone began to eat. "I suspect you slept well also."

"Yes, sir," Hermione answered slowly, cutting into her pancake with her fork.

"With my son," Lucius added. The shock of his statement caused Hermione to drop her fork to her plate and nearly choke on her pumpkin juice.

"Pardon me?" she coughed out, still stunned over his blunt remark. Her stomach twisted into knots faster that one could say alohomora and her heart dropped flat to her feet. She began to feel nauseated as a wave of panic washed over her.

"I'm not entirely stupid," he smirked. "What does a nearly empty house, no parental control, and a hormone-driven seventeen-year-old boy equate to?" he raised an eyebrow. "And don't tell me that you haven't a clue. You are the brightest witch to grace that blasted school in ages, are you not?"

"Lucius," Narcissa began in a quiet tone. "I'm not quite sure this is proper meal-time discussion."

He waved her off. "Anytime's good for talking about this."

Draco took the initiative while Hermione sat in stunned silence.

"I never knew you to be that kind of a pervy bastard," he said to his father.

"Whatever do you mean?" Lucius asked in reply.

"You watched."

Cooly: "so what if I did?"

"I'm not the type for exhibitionism, father," Draco stated firmly. "Though I do believe without reserve that you certainly are."

"I always knew you were a smart boy," his father said with a smirk.

"Funny how you failed to mention that before."

Lucius simply shrugged. "Oh well, it's your life. Do with it what you will."

A loud clank sounded through the cavernous room as Draco dropped his utensils and looked immediately at his mother. "What in the bloody hell is the matter with him?"

"What do you mean?" Narcissa asked.

"Why hasn't he said something about her yet? Why hasn't he cursed anyone? Why haven't I been disinherited?" Draco shot at her. "It's like I've slipped into some bloody alternate dimension where Lucius Malfoy is a Muggle-loving freak and it's alright if I prance around with a Muggle-born, sullying the Malfoy name to bits."

"It's a charm, Draco," the more refined voice of Lucius came out. "If I think, speak, or do anything negative toward anyone it'll be like a little shock collar for a dog. One bad thought and zap. Such a tacky thing for them to have to do, but precautions had to be taken to make sure I wouldn't try anything," he articulated, turning his cold gaze toward Hermione. "I may not be acting myself, but I do believe that I am well aware of that fact," he calmly folded his hands in front of himself, locking eyes with Draco. "I would have thought with all of the complaining you did about your childhood, you would have appreciated a more relaxed and carefree me. Your mother certainly does."

"So you're alright with this?" Hermione asked hesitantly. "With me?"

"Heavens no," Lucius scoffed. "There's a wealth of nasty little things I'd get pleasure out of doing to you and especially to my ungrateful whelp, but alas, I cannot. Instead I must grin a bear my only son and heir to frolic through pretty little fields with pretty little flowers and prance around in front of my very eyes with a scum-sucking, bottom-feeding Mudblood like you. The only placating part of this entire fiasco is the knowledge that when Potter finds out about my son's little affair with you, his head might spin round till it simply pops off," he grinned wickedly as he said his piece with rapt enthusiasm. "Oh how I wish I could be there to see the look on his face. I might even congratulate you, Draco."

"And that means so much to me," Draco bit back sarcastically.

"I suspect it wouldn't," Lucius replied. "Well, I suppose the Mudblood has had more than enough shock for one weekend. It was lovely visiting with the both of you. I do hope you enjoy your summer house, procreating like rabbits I will assume. As long as I don't have to set eyes on any dirty-blooded grandchildren before I die, we can call it even."

"Even?" Draco asked.

"I let you cavort with her without any restraint, further comment, or punishment. I give you the summer house. In return, all that I ask is that I never see any of your offspring," Lucius grinned, cat-like and malicious. "Does that sound like a deal?"

"About as good a deal as I'll ever get out of you," Draco answered coldly. "We do have classes tomorrow and will be returning to Hogwarts this evening," he said, getting up from the table and walking to the doorway.

"Where are you going?" Lucius asked, stopping Draco in his tracks.

"I have to pack our things," came his flat response. "You know, the least you could have done was put up a facade. But it would just kill you to be nice, even under false pretenses, wouldn't it? No, that would have been a bit too much for you. I'll be back later." Then as an afterthought: "they should have had you kissed."

Narcissa gasped audibly and Hermione's eyes widened in shock, but Lucius sat with nothing other than an amused smirk.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, that was completely inappropriate. He is your father and-"

Lucius held up a hand, stopping her reprimanding him.

"She is a fine girl," his father's words stopped him again. "She's strong, self-reliant, intelligent, very talented. Powerful. I should know," he said with a knowing glance at her. Hermione paled. "She' also very beautiful. It's a damn shame, her unfortunate birth, but that doesn't change the fact that she is a very smart match for you."

"Is that your blessing?" Draco asked over his shoulder, not wanting to face the object of his anger.

"About as close as I can come to one."

****************

"Are you glad to be out of there?" Draco asked on the way back to Hogwarts. He certainly was.

Hermione sighed heavily in thought and shifted against him, leaning her head down onto his shoulder. "Yes, I quite am," she answered. "This weekend turned out to be very... interesting."

"Interesting," he repeated, leaning his head down onto hers. "Yes, it rather has been. But we've got my father out of the way and he didn't seem to be all that upset about it. I don't know exactly what you've done or nearly done to him in the past, but it must have been something. He's got respect for you. That's something that he doesn't just hand out randomly. It's a rarity. And mother seemed to just love you to bits. Of course, she's always wanted me to settle down with a nice, intelligent girl outside of the pureblood arena-"

"There you go talking about settling down and moving in and all that," she laughed. "We haven't even told Harry and Ron yet. Your days may still be numbered," she said with a grin, playfully poking him in the ribs.

"As long as they're with you, I really don't mind."