Beneath the Covers / DRAMIONE (COMPLETE)

Home for the Summer

It had been a wild year. From Ron's betrayal, to killing Voldemort, to Snape's redemption, to Snape threatening to kill Ron, Hermione had to admit it had been a messy time. The only things she'd got out of it was a boyfriend, her first kiss, and a safer school environment. She could only hope Ron's actions might get him expelled, which was far worse than being killed in her book.

"Have you packed yet?" asked Ginny, bouncing up and down on Hermione's bed.

"Nearly," Hermione replied.

Ginny, like most of the Weasleys, could act like an excited toddler, or puppy, when she wanted to.

Hermione folded the final blouse into her trunk and shut the lid with a snap.

"Okay, done. Lead on."

*

"I wish we'd graduated," Harry complained, as they walked down the many stairs to the Great Hall.

"Harry, this place is your home," Hermione pointed out.

"It's also home to Snape."

"Professor Snape," Hermione corrected.

"And Trelawney," Draco pointed out wryly. "This place has its fair share of ghouls. Both real and metaphorical."

"Ha ha, very funny," Harry said. "I want to become an Auror and save the world."

"Technically you did," Hermione commented. "You died to save the world. Unintentionally but technically you saved the world."

Harry preened a little.

"You also don't have the grades to become an Auror," Draco said, less kindly. "Perhaps turn your focusses to being a barkeep in the Leaky Cauldron? Or you could help Madam Rosmerta in the Three Broomsticks-"

"-Don't tempt him," said Hermione.

She remembered how much Harry and Ron (but mostly Ron) had been interested in Rosmerta.

"-Or even get a Muggle job," Draco finished. "You would fit right in with the amount of magic you are capable of using."

"I'm not a huge fan of the bullying, guys," Harry said, pitifully. "I got enough of that from Dudley."

"I'd like to think our bullying is better," Draco said. "I would be annoyed if not."

"Oh, it is definitely better," Harry agreed. "Well, worse."

"Brilliant," said Draco, relieved.

The four walked past the Thestrals and got into a carriage. Almost every Hogwarts student could now see the Thestrals, since the Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione didn't think she'd ever be able to get the sight of Voldemort's dead spidery body out of her mind.

"I for one am more than happy to get away from Hogwarts," Draco sighed, "even Snape."

"He's your godfather!" Hermione exclaimed.

Draco shrugged.

"I am at perfect liberty to want a break every now and again."

"Fair enough."

"Couldn't we have Apparated home?" Harry wondered.

"If you can do it without splicing yourself, go ahead," Draco said. "I'll stick with the train."

*

Hours later, Draco and Hermione disembarked the train hand-in-hand. They waved goodbye to Harry and Ginny and watched as the two walked towards Molly, Arthur, Fred, George, and a scowling Ronald.

"I don't think I'll join the Weasleys as soon as usual this summer," Hermione said. "I think I'll avoid Ron for as long as possible."

"A wise choice," Draco nodded. 

He paused.

"Well, you're always welcome at my house."

"Am I really?" Hermione asked shrewdly.

"Voldemort's dead along with most of his followers. My dad can go back to being a Ministry bigwig."

"A Ministry bigwig with a blood prejudice," Hermione pointed out.

Draco shrugged.

"My mum's fine with it. Dad will come round. Mum even talked about inviting Andromeda, Ted and Nymphadora round."

"Baby steps," said Hermione.

"That's true enough," said Draco, "but for them it's a lot."

Hermione hummed.

"Well in that case you may hear from me this summer."

"I hoped I was going to anyway," Draco replied with a smile.

"Maybe," she grinned.

She saw her parents in the distance waving at her.

"I should go," she said. "We have all summer to be together."

Draco smiled at her.

"We have all our lives to be together," he corrected. "And our lives are only just beginning."

Hermione squeezed his hand.

"Have a fantastic summer," she whispered and then, very quickly, kissed him on the cheek, before running away.

Draco laughed, and then turned away.

The rest of their lives couldn't come soon enough.

*****

A.N. Pt. 4 of the dramatic return! Aww some soppy Dramione. Draco ships Dramione.

Thank you for reading and please comment!!! :)