To a Better End

Chapter 30

September 2nd 1945

Since Tom's return, she sparsely left the flat, opting to stay tangled with his limbs under his sheets. They had each taken turns travelling each other's memories. It had become a form of foreplay for them. While her mind showed that she took comfort surrounded by books, his mind showed that he was comforted by the castle. It was his home, the first place he felt truly welcomed.

Tom would play with her curls while they lay in bed, and he would talk of his dreams for them. He would imagine them both living in Hogwarts again but as professors. He told her she would have made a fantastic Charms or Potions professor. She would always put forth her most encouraging voice, knowing that he would never have the opportunity to experience any of these moments.

A tapping on the window pulled Hermione from what felt like a cross between a long goodbye and the start of her happy ending. Groaning slightly as she gingerly lifted the arm of her sleeping boyfriend off of her, she padded to the window and grabbed the letter from the dark brown owl. She recognized this as one of the owls used in Hogsmeade.

Granger

Need to talk.

DT

Expelling a vexed sigh, she pushed the letter into the pocket of her pants that had been abandoned on the floor. There were a number of things Malfoy would want to talk about it, but she was quite sure she knew the conversation that she was going to be walking into. After glancing back and admiring the sleeping wizard, she got dressed.

Leaning over the edge of the bed, Hermione lightly rubbed Tom's arm. "Hey, Tom?"

He made a light moaning sound at her touch. Rather than respond to her, he quickly wrapped his arms around her middle and pulled her back into bed. He nuzzled into her neck, causing a burst of giggles to erupt. They stayed in each other's embrace for a moment, sighing in contentment.

He opened one eye, observing Hermione in bed. "My witch is dressed, and I'm not. Something is wrong with this image, no? I believe I have over two months of affection to make up for."

"You'll make up for it plenty, Tom." She knew that was a lie. "I have to head for a bit. Draco wrote me and he seemed quite curt. It may be urgent."

He groaned, loosening his grip. "At least wait for me to dress so I can walk to the Leaky so you can floo into town. I don't fancy my love walking Knockturn Alley alone or apparating that far." He stretched his arms and yawned. "I have errands I should run anyway."

Tom begrudgingly left the bed and dressed for the day. Donning a smart suit, he grabbed her hand and escorted her through Diagon Alley, wearing a smile of pride and joy. Hermione looked much the same. He kissed her goodbye at the entrance, long enough for a few of the early risers heading for breakfast to whistle at them. She pulled away, laughing shyly.

He pushed her curls behind her ear, lingering at her neck. "You'll come back tonight?"

"Of course," she responded, placing one final kiss on his lips.

Hermione quickly took the floo to the Three Broomsticks and apparated to her small cottage-like home. It was slightly colder than it was in London. Suppressing a chill, she stepped forward, feeling the brush of the wards as they accepted her. When she entered, she found Malfoy standing in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hands and another cup on the counter under a stasis charm.

"Granger." His voice sounded cold, and she could tell by the numb tone and expression that he was occluding.

She glanced around the house, seeing no one home and noticing that the house was in a nearly impeccable state. It looked how it would before they would leave it unattended for years. She stood unmoving in the doorframe while she surveyed as much of the home as she could.