Disclaimer: Same as always

Twisted Roots

Chapter 28

"Do you really think it's all over?" Harry said to no one in particular. "I mean with the Lestrange brothers Kissed, and Matthias and Troy in Azkaban for at least the time being, do you think we can relax for awhile?"

It was the day before Christmas and Harry, Draco, Hermione, and Ginny had all gathered at Grimmauld Place for a short but private celebration. Hermione would be spending the actual holiday with the Malfoys in the morning and Grangers in the evening, and Harry with, of course, the Weasleys. A full week had passed since the Lestranges were caught and the whole event had been kept completely secret just as Shacklebolt wished.

"I don't know, Harry." Draco replied swirling around a glass of whiskey. "Since very few people know about Rodolphus and Rabastan getting the Dementor's Kiss it will take awhile for any of their friends to figure out they were missing. And to be honest with you I don't know if they had any friends left, besides Umbridge, and she won't see the bright side of Azkaban for another fifty years or more. I kind of get what you are saying though, like, what do we do now?"

Harry looked at Draco frowning slightly. He was absolutely right though. This moment felt more final than the Final Battle did. Harry had a sense of peace and calm that he didn't have then but he still held doubts that everything was finally over.

"Harry," Hermione interjected, "I think I know what you are feeling too. This whole business was so muddled and covered up that it didn't really feel it like it happened at all. We are used to war being publicized and since this was a covert operation it felt different. Not to mention the fact that the rescue went off without a hitch and no one died. It probably doesn't feel over because we're all okay and there was no fanfare."

"I, for one, am glad it's over and would like to change the subject." Ginny was doing well since the kidnapping but she didn't like to talk about it. She was so close to being violated by those men that it still sort of scared her. Every time she thought about it she imagined what it would have been like if they had actually raped her. Ginny was a strong young woman but she preferred to live her life without dwelling on the past.

Harry smirked at Draco and Hermione. He had Ginny's Christmas gift with him and he wanted to give it to her that day instead of at the Burrow. Reaching into a pocket he pulled out a red envelope sealed with the symbol of the Holyhead Harpies pressed into the wax.

"Well, maybe this will cheer you up, Ginny." Harry said holding the envelope out to her. Ginny saw the seal and immediately made to yank it out of Harry's hand but he pulled it back just in time to capture her hand with his free one. Pulling her in close he kissed her deeply. After he broke the kiss, he whispered in her ear, "I love you, Ginny. I just want you to be happy."

Ginny broke away from him slightly misty eyed from his declaration. When Harry offered the envelope again this time he let her take it. She opened it quickly yanking out the parchment within. Hermione watched as Ginny's eyes passed over the page twice quickly and then slowly for a third time.

"It's a tryout for the Harpies! Harry, you said they couldn't get anymore on. They told me they weren't going to do anymore! How did you manage this?" Ginny squealed excitedly jumping up and down.

"I'm not proud of it but I used my status as the Boy Who Lived to secure you a spot. Hope you're not mad." Harry said sheepishly.

Ginny wrapped Harry in a bone shattering hug. "Of course I'm not mad! I have no scruples whatsoever when it comes to Quidditch, you know that!"

Draco laughed. "Don't let go of that one, Potter."

"I don't intend to!" Harry said kissing Ginny again.

Hermione sighed audibly her head still on Draco's shoulder. "They are so right for each other."

"I like to think that we are right for each other too." Draco said quietly lacing his fingers through hers.

Hermione lifted her head to kiss him softly on the lips. "Definitely. Uh, Draco? I think we should probably get going now."

Draco looked down at Hermione and then followed her gaze to Harry and Ginny who were still kissing but now Ginny was straddling him in the armchair that Harry was sitting in earlier. She already had the top three buttons of his shirt undone. Draco stood up and pulled Hermione off the couch laughing quietly. Harry opened one eye as Draco lightly patted him on the shoulder whispering a 'Happy Christmas' to let them know they were leaving. Harry lifted an eyebrow apologetically but then returned his full attention to his girlfriend.

"That's not a bad idea, you know." Hermione said suggestively as they exited the Floo into Draco's apartment.

Draco grabbed Hermione and whirled her around so that she was flush against him and kissed her slowly. He teased her mouth for a moment before finally prodding it open with his tongue to fully appreciate her flavor. Hermione reached out and ran her hands through his hair eventually trailing them down his back to rest on his bum. She gave it a playful squeeze and she could feel Draco smiling into her mouth. Backing up he looked into her eyes. His gunmetal eyes were full of love, desire, and mirth. Hermione would never tire of him looking at her that way.

"Ah, Brazen Hermione wants to play." Draco teased.

Hermione backed away from Draco and took off her coat. Then winking at him she started walking up the hallway toward the stairs leaving one of article of clothing at a time behind her as she went. She draped her shirt on the traveling room doorknob, her shoes at the bottom of the stairs; she left her jeans on the rail at the top. Draco followed her slowly his hearting beating wildly with love and desire for her. He had no idea she could be such a vixen. Hermione rounded the corner before he reached the top of the stairs and she threw bra around so that it smacked Draco right in the face. He sniffed it deeply before throwing it on the floor and hastily removing his clothes as he made his way to the bedroom. The door was shut but Hermione's panties were hanging on the doorknob.

When Draco opened the door it was to see Hermione lying against the pillows completely naked her knees bent and her legs spread in what Draco could only think was the most welcoming gesture he had ever seen. Draco felt rather than heard the low rumble that escaped his throat at the sight of her. Her hair was sparkling golden highlights as the afternoon sun drifted in the window, and her eyes were a deep chocolate, darkened with lust. She was rubbing the bedspread on the empty space of the bed between her legs in a come hither gesture.

Draco slipped out of his boxers freeing his throbbing erection gratefully. He couldn't recall ever being that hard without having actually been touched down there before. When he climbed on the bed Hermione wrapped her arms his neck and pulled him in for a long kiss. "I want you." She whispered in his ear as her hands trailed over his body. She wasted no time in reaching down and grabbing his length in one warm palm and began stroking him. Draco groaned with pleasure. He wanted her too, and quickly. He covered the hand she had placed on his cock with his own and joined her in the ministrations. With the other he parted her warm wet folds.

Hermione arched her back and moaned appreciatively at his touch. She thought it was extremely erotic when he helped her stroke him.

"Hermione, I need you now." Draco grunted. He could feels his balls tightening and the tell tale sign of his release coming near, but he wanted to do that inside of her. Yanking her hand away from him he grabbed her hips and held her still as he dove into her to the hilt. Hermione nearly screamed with pleasure as he filled her completely. He continued to hold her still as he moved in and out slowly a few times trying to prolong his orgasm. Finally, he released Hermione who immediately starting bucking against him matching him stroke for stroke. In a matter of moments Draco felt the tingle all the way in his toes as it worked its way up his body.

Hermione started to move faster as her own orgasm was coursing through her. She could feel her vaginal walls tightening around Draco's cock and she could feel it pulsing as his own climax was reached. They rocked together in their ecstasy each calling out the other's name. Draco's body was still slightly shuddering as he pulled out and lay down next to Hermione, holding her close.

"It just gets better every time with you." He murmured into her hair.

Hermione just nodded her agreement, too wrapped up in the after effects of her orgasm and feeling too emotional to speak. She was only nineteen years old but she knew was convinced that there would be nobody else for her in her lifetime. That was the beauty of being magical. When you opened your heart to it, it would give you all your answers. Draco was hers and her magic told her that he always would be. That was the difference she realized instantly. With Ron she let her logic rule and that was a disaster. With Draco it was her soul that took the lead.

"I am so in love with you, Draco." Hermione whispered. It was the first time she had told him that using that exact phrasing.

Draco pulled her closer to his body. He was desperately in love with her too. His mother had offered the ring awhile back and he had thought about it but not much. But now, he found himself wanting to run to the manor to get the ring so he could propose right away. He was terrified at the thought. He couldn't imagine spending one minute of his life without Hermione but they were so young. Surely she would say no if he asked her to marry him already. He was going to have to talk to his parents about this one. Draco knew they were school sweethearts and they were still happily together.

"And I you, Hermione." He sighed deeply.

Christmas at the Malfoy Manor was beautiful. There was a fresh blanket of snow covering the grounds and fairy lights were shining in all the windows. The albino peacocks were charmed so that their feathers flashed red and green as the strutted around the grounds. Inside, decorations were everywhere and the parlor had been converted into a room to house a large and lovely Christmas tree.

"This is really lovely, Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione commented appreciatively as she looked around.

"Thank you, dear. I must admit that I really outdid myself this year." She replied breezily as she offered Hermione a cup of eggnog. "Lucius pretends to act as if he doesn't really care about all the decorations but I caught him last night walking around taking them all in. He does that every year. I know he can be a hard man but he really is sentimental underneath it all. He's changed so much."

Hermione watched Narcissa speak of her husband with awe. The man in question was standing across the room chatting quietly with Draco. He glanced over at his wife who was watching him with adoration. Lucius lifted his glass toward her gently and then turned back to Draco a small smile lifting the corners of his lips. Hermione shifted her gaze to Draco who was deep in conversation with his father. They looked so much alike yet they were so different. Hermione was secretly glad knowing that Draco was going to grow into such a handsome older man. Lucius Malfoy was a lot of things Hermione didn't like but he was definitely easy on the eyes.

Draco caught Hermione looking at him out of the corner of his eyes. He turned slightly so that his back was facing her and looked at his father with concern.

"Father, when did you know that Mother was the one for you?"

Lucius frowned. He knew this conversation was coming but he wasn't expecting it so soon. His old traditional Pureblood values were trying to take hold and force him to tell his son that he couldn't possibly be considering an alliance with a Muggleborn. But his sentimental side, the part of him that wants only the best for his family was positively thrilled for his son. He had chosen a strong, independent, talented, brilliant, and beautiful witch and she was a good match.

"When I first laid eyes on her, Draco." Lucius smirked a little. He recalled all of the horrible things Draco had said about Hermione during their school years. Lucius suspected then that Draco liked her but was battling his father's ideals and his own heart during that time. Back then the ideals had won the battle but it was Draco's heart that had finally won the war. "Son, I know you two have a rocky past but even a fool like me can see that you have a beautiful future. I know what you are asking me, and at the risk of sounding incredibly trite and cliché, love does not care how old its victims are. When the time is right I trust will you do what it feels best, even if that time is right now."

Draco didn't say anything, he just nodded in response and took a sip of his drink. Lucius nodded back and walked over to his wife and Hermione. He wrapped an arm around Narcissa's waist and smiled down at Hermione.

"So how is S.P.E.W working for you right now?" He asked raising an eyebrow jokingly. He would never be able to take her House-Elf liberation goals seriously.

Hermione sighed in defeat. "Actually, I am going to have to find a whole new approach. Instead of insisting on freeing all elves, although that is what I want, I want to push for wages and vacations to start. I have a lot to learn about the bonding ritual that takes place when an elf enslaves him to a family but based on what I do know there is no logical reason to deny such an elf days off and pay. But most importantly I want to stop the abuse of house elves. I heartily disagree with the way elves punish themselves and the way their owners endorse it and I believe it must come to an end."

Lucius was smiling openly by the end of the speech. He knew what was coming next. "And let me guess, Hermione, that you would like the elves in my house to be subject to your new standards?"

Hermione crossed her arms defiantly but she was enjoying where this conversation was going. "Yes." She said plainly.

Lucius smirked and called out for his house elves. Maude and Pogo both appeared before him bowing instantly.

"There are going to be some changes around here. You two are going to receive five galleons a week each and two days off to do as you wish." Lucius said to the elves trying to suppress his laughter.

Immediately Maude and Pogo bent down again pleading with their master to not bestow such gifts upon them because it is unbecoming of a house elf to have such riches. He raised an eyebrow at Hermione as if to say 'see, I told you it wasn't that easy.'

"I insist. This is absolutely not a punishment. And speaking of punishments you are not allowed to punish yourselves anymore either. So you will take the money and days off and you will not punish yourselves for it. That will be all." Lucius turned toward Hermione as the elves disappeared. "You see, the problem is that for all the elves that are already enslaved the owners will have to order them to take money and time off just as I did. That is rather counterintuitive to your purpose, is it not?"

Hermione bit her lip in frustration. Lucius was absolutely right and she hated him for having to show that to her to make his point. But it was a lesson that nobody else would have been able to teach her and she was sure of that. She did know that he would keep his word on paying his elves because she would be checking but it took all of her self-restraint not to stamp her foot in childish agitation.

"Well, at least you agreed to pay them." Hermione said somewhat huffily. Both Narcissa and Draco were stifling their laughter. Hermione was exactly the type of person Lucius needed in his life; someone fresh and challenging.

"Merry Christmas to you." Lucius said jokingly and then setting his face into a stern expression he spoke again, "Ms. Granger, I do have a proposal for you. Draco told me you are not happy in your position at the Ministry and I can only imagine why," He drawled out 'imagine' sarcastically. "However, I would like to offer you a position at the school that I want built. I think you would be a good fit as one of the teachers there. I am not going to give you any more details just yet; I just wanted to plant the idea in you so you have something to think about in case your career does not take you in the direction you originally planned."

Hermione was pleased and stunned. "Yes, I will think about it. Thank you."

Draco laced his fingers in Hermione's and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You have completely won him over."

Later when Draco and Hermione were standing outside of Hermione's house Draco stuffed his cold hands inside his pockets and in the left one he felt a little box. He knew what was in that box and he also knew that it must have been his mother who slipped it in his pocket. Draco smiled down at Hermione as he fingered the ring box. Yes, they were young, but there was nothing wrong with a long engagement. They had a tangled history, their roots both very different but no less twisted. His father was right, regardless of what happened in the past, they had a beautiful future, and for Draco, there was no one else.

The End

A/N: Okay so this is the end. I will write an epilogue if anyone is interested. I will also be reposting this story soon completely edited and revised not that it really matters if you have already read it. But, if you are the type of person who recommends stories to others keep an eye out for the revised version. I will be posting it as Twisted Roots Reprise. I just feel like I could have done much better with this story and am going to give it another shot. Since it is my first fic I don't feel too horribly about it but I want to see what I can do to make it better, for practice if nothing else.

Thanks for reading, thanks for all of your wonderful reviews, and if you want an epilogue I will gladly write one, but I don't want to mess it up by writing a crapilogue so let me know what you, the reader, wants!