A dubious reunion

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco was a Malfoy, and one of the lessons he'd learned was to never tell anyone anything. Not even Hermione although he told her more than he told most people, and although Hermione knew his basic goals and plans she didn't know all the plans he had in store. And McGonnagal was unaware that Hermione was even involved.

"You ready, Hermione?" It was amazing how good she looked in his robes and he glanced appreciatively at her as he took the handful of flue powder. "Hogwarts Reception Room." One squeeze of her ass before he stepped into the flames.

Comments

[mudblood_andproud]

"You could have said something to me, when you realized it." Hermione pointed out. She felt a little disappointed, quite honestly.

[dragons_can_learn]

"I only did after we walked in to the library." Draco frowned. "What would you prefer me to have done?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"The same thing I have asked you to do, again and again. Talk to me. Share your ideas with me. We had time to stop and talk, after we walked in the library. The other books could have been given to the librarian first."

"I am sorry if that seems to be a big demand. But you have to understand I spent years trying to figure out mystery after mystery, secret after secret. Things that were kept from us, for the 'greater good'."

"I just want us to feel that we can take that time to talk to each other. To share our thoughts. Our ideas. Our realizations."

[dragons_can_learn]

"Sorry." Draco bit his lip, looking at her. "I'm not used to working with an equal. And I'll try to do better, but I know it won't come naturally to me."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione moved forward, so she can take his hands in hers. "As long as I know you are trying... then that is all I can ask."

"Just like I hope you understand why it upsets me so..."

[dragons_can_learn]

"I can." Draco squeezed her hands. "And I can't promise to always get it right. Just to try." And with a gentle tug he drew her closer to him.

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione wrapped her arms around him. "This day has been a lot of information to absorb all at once. I just need time to sort out my head."

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco hugged her back. "Should we leave it before trying to find the headmaster's office?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"There is a lot of stuff that my head won't be able to sort out, until I know if we can open the Headmaster's office or not. So if you are okay with heading there now, that would be my preference."

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco smiled. "And the longer we leave that the worse my nerves will be. So let's go there." Regretfully he let go of the hug, for once resisting the temptation to squeeze her ass.

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione takes Draco's arms as they head to the main foyer of the castle, then towards one of the moving stairs, in their quest to reach the Headmaster door. She is content in taking their time. Looking over the students and the teachers who fill the halls. There has been some repair work completed, but there are still signs of war everywhere.

"Do you think Hogwarts will ever truly heal from what happened?"

[dragons_can_learn]

"Would you erase all your scars if you could?" Draco shrugged, looking round. "Or are they things you've lived through, learned from, and allowed you to grow stronger and wiser? Hogwarts will heal but won't forget."

He stepped onto the stairway. "Don't look down. This isn't the route we took."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Most scars disappear over time. But that doesn't change what I have lived through, or what I have learned from."

"And yes, there is a scar I would want healed, if it could. I would also want the mental scars of the Longbottoms to heal. I would want the mental scars of my parents to heal. A person can heal, without forgetting what they went through."

Hermione shrugged slightly. "So? That was the point, right? To let the stairs lead us."

[dragons_can_learn]

"Other than the scarring on your mind which is quite literally what memories are." Draco shrugged again and stepped into a darkened doorway before coming out again, frowning. "Dead end. Try that staircase?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"I would not call my memories scars in my mind. They are an experience. A lesson. A part of life. And even though I have experienced some dark times, I don't dwell on them."

She shrugs again. "Lead the way."

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco nodded slightly awkwardly as he headed up the stairs. "If you could do it all again, would you?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"I know the importance of not changing the past Draco. The events that happened to me were part of making who I am now. I would not change that."

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco nodded with finality. "And Hogwarts can be healed. Where are you going to start? And do you have plans for the Chamber of Secrets?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"I think the better question is where should we start, Draco."

"Hogwarts needs many people helping to heal the school."

[dragons_can_learn]

"I was asking about you personally." Draco turned to a door. "Where you are going to start."

[mudblood_andproud]

"For my own self-healing? I have already started, Draco. I am on a path of journey."

[dragons_can_learn]

"Then this is where you are going." Draco opened a door and Hermione could see the Headmaster's study ahead from the side with Draco walking down a staircase at the back of the room. And when she looked back to the Draco she'd been talking to he'd vanished.

The first person to speak was, of course, the Sorting Hat.

"Here's something new.
With headmasters two
Always started a duel
Tradition becomes fuel
For what you will do."

"Well that's not the reception I was expecting." Draco's tone was back to its animated, sardonic, and affectionate self.

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione took a moment to collect her thoughts, and smiled slightly to herself. And she listened carefully to the Sorting Hat.

"Neither was I."

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco walked over and hugged her. "We both made it. And you aren't an illusion."

The Sorting hat continued, off key.

"Caretakers of Hogwarts neither are
And even outside you will go far
Tested you will be
After year three
And even a pass year eleven will bar"

Draco shrugged. "So we've a decade at most. And three years to get started."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione settled her arms around Draco, resting her head on his shoulder. "The school had to test us. Make sure we were ready."

"And it sounds like should expect more tests along the way."