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“I’m so tired,” Hermione mumbled, stumbling onto the sofa that had been set up as a bed for the night. She collapsed onto the pillow and was asleep before she even finished exhaling, her body and mind exhausted.
Luna carefully pulled the blanket over her. Even now, in deep sleep, Hermione’s brow was furrowed in tension. Her fingers clutched the blanket tightly. Luna’s heart twisted painfully at the sight of her friend in so much pain.
“She took the journey the hardest,” Harry said, his voice rough, breaking the silence that had settled over the room.
Luna glanced up at him, finding his face tight with guilt.
Ron sat in chair quietly behind him, arms folded, looking deeply uncomfortable. “We should have taken better care of her.”
Luna sighed, brushing a strand of hair from Hermione’s forehead. “She’s not just tired,” she said quietly. “Mates aren’t meant to be separated for long. Her body, her magic — everything has been fighting against the distance. It’s been draining her slowly, every day she’s been apart from him.”
Harry frowned. “Mates?”
Ron glanced at Harry in confusion, but before either could ask anything further, Ginny walked into the room a cup of tea in hand, saving Luna from having to answer.
“How was the last mission?” she asked, eyes flickering worriedly towards Hermione.
Ron shifted. “Lucius Malfoy’s the only dead. The death eaters evacuated fast after they realized his death. Wrong place, wrong time, caught a spell from his own side. Serves the bastard right.”
Ginny’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait — Lucius died?!”
“Yes,” Ron confirmed grimly.
“That means… Draco’s the head of the house now,” Luna said, her voice tight with realization. Her eyes snapped to Hermione’s sleeping form, panic stirring in her chest.
Which meant— Before she could finish the thought, they were all alerted of a breach in the wards.
Everyone froze.
“Shit,” Harry cursed, grabbing his wand. “Outside! Now!”
“Dobby!” Luna called urgently. “Get Hermione’s bags ready!”
The little elf popped into existence and immediately began gathering Hermione’s things as Harry, Ron, and Ginny sprinted out, wands drawn.
Luna wasn’t far behind.
They burst into the open, the night air crackling with raw magic.
Standing just inside the shattered ward lines was Draco Malfoy, his wings spread behind him. Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini were behind him, calmer but just as alert.
“What are you doing here, Malfoy?” Ron barked, wand pointed.
But Draco ignored him entirely. His silver eyes locked on Harry, seething.
“You have something of mine. And I’m here to take her back.”
Harry stiffened. “I have nothing of yours, Malfoy. Stay away. The wards have been set off — backup’s on its way.”
Draco’s wings ruffled once, a warning. His voice was almost a growl. “Where is my wife, Potter?”
There was a beat of stunned silence.
Ginny blinked rapidly. Blaise muttered under his breath — something that sounded suspiciously like “drama queen,” but the tension was too thick for anyone to laugh.
Ron recovered first. “We didn’t even know you were married, you slimy git—” he started.
“Wait!” Luna shouted, stepping in front of Harry and Ron, her arms thrown wide.
“Draco! She’s inside — come in! Quickly!”
“Are you mental, Luna?!” Harry shouted after her.
Behind them, Ginny’s mouth had fallen open in shock. But Luna caught her gaze — and Ginny understood.
“Trust me!” Luna begged, turning to Harry and Ron. “Please, trust me.”
Draco didn’t wait for permission. He moved like a striking hawk, darting past them and into the house.
“Harry! Ron! Wait!” Luna screamed, but they were already tearing after him.
With a frustrated cry, Luna flicked her wand, sending a harmless but effective tripping jinx their way. Harry and Ron both crashed to the ground with matching grunts.
“What the hell, Luna?!” Ron roared, scrambling upright.
“Listen to me!” Luna snapped, panic making her voice sharper than usual. “You can’t just charge in there! You’ll make it worse! Draco’s been suffering just as much as Hermione. He’s barely holding himself together.”
Harry stared at her, stunned.
“Mates aren’t supposed to be apart this long. Their magic’s… collapsing into itself. If you look like a threat — if he thinks you’re going to take her away — he might not be able to stop himself.”
Harry’s mouth went dry.
Ron growled low under his breath. “You’re saying Malfoy — Draco Malfoy — is Hermione’s—?”
“I’m saying,” Luna interrupted, “that if you love Hermione at all, you’ll trust her choices.”
Harry swallowed, the anger draining out of him. He reached for Lunas hand and squeezed tightly.
“Okay,” he said hoarsely. “We trust her. And you.”
“Thank you, my stars,” Luna whispered, pressing a quick kiss to Harry’s cheek before pulling them both up.
Carefully, she led them back toward the house.
Inside, Dobby was finishing transferring Hermione’s bags to another elf, who vanished with a pop.
In the center of the room, Draco sat curled protectively around Hermione’s form. His wings were wrapped tightly around them both, shielding her from view. His body shuddered with every breath he took, fury and desperation barely restrained.
A deep, warning growl rumbled from his chest as they entered.
“She told me she’d be safe,” Draco said, voice trembling. “That she would be cared for. Instead, I find her starved and so exhausted she doesn’t even wake to my kisses”
Ron tried to lunge forward, but Luna tightened her grip on his arm.
“Get your hands off her, you bastard!” Ron snarled.
Draco’s wings snapped wider in warning. His voice was low and lethal.
“She’s my wife and my mate.”
Harry went rigid. Ron looked like someone had physically punched him.
“You’re lying—!” Ron spat.
“It’s true,” Luna said softly. She stepped forward, voice steady even as her heart raced. “I was there.”
“What do you mean — you were there?!” Harry shouted, eyes wide.
Theo cleared his throat lazily. “They married in sixth year. Secretly. In the Room of Requirement. Snape officiated.”
“Snape married them?!” Harry snorted.
“That’s what you’re focusing on??” Ron screamed.
“And no,” Theo added dryly, “Hermione wasn’t under Imperius or any bloody curse. She was very enthusiastic, if I remember correctly.”
Draco tucked Hermione closer against him, his nose brushing her temple.
“I’m taking her home,” he said. His voice softened only slightly. “with Lucius gone we were able to retake the manor. A good number of Death Eaters have defected, and are currently residing there. But I needed my Lady Malfoy to take her rightful place.” He explained. “If the order needs any support, we will happily provide.”
Ron bristled. “You can’t just take her!”
“She’s mine,” Draco said simply. “You won’t take her from me again.”
“That’s not your call!” Ron barked.
“I don’t care,” Draco snapped, his magic crackling dangerously.
“Alright, alright,” Blaise interjected, stepping between them with a hand raised. “Let’s all remember Hermione wouldn’t appreciate us screaming over her.”
Ginny nodded sharply. “Three days. Neutral ground. She’ll tell us herself.”
Harry took a long breath, then nodded too.
“Three days.”
Draco stared at them for a beat before giving a clipped nod.
“Three days.”
Ron grumbled under his breath. “Doesn’t anyone care what I think?”
“No,” everyone said at once.
Hermione floated back into consciousness slowly. The warm scent of lavender and chamomile enveloped her, easing the tension from her body. She realized she was soaking in a warm bath, herbs swirling around her like protective spells. Strong arms cradled her gently, hands running through her hair.
She blinked blearily up to find Draco smiling down at her.
“Good afternoon,” he whispered.
“You couldn’t even wait a day,” she rasped, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Didn’t even let me explain anything.”
Draco flushed faintly. “Let’s not talk about that.”
He tipped a vial into the water, the producing more bubbles and making the herbs glow faintly.
“Let me take care of you first,” he murmured. “Then we can sleep. We’ll figure everything out in the morning.”
Hermione hummed, closing her eyes, allowing herself to surrender to being taken care of. “Well, get to it then.”
“You’re a menace,” Draco muttered affectionately, running a cloth gently down her arm.
“And you’re my knight in shining feathers,” she whispered back, teasing, making him laugh.
Hermione sank deeper into the water, letting the warmth and Draco’s presence finally healing the ache inside her.
They would figure everything out. Tomorrow.