Remain Nameless

Chapter 43

Trigger warning for this chapter: discussion around past child abuse and violence.

January 1, 2009

It was the first day of a brand new year and instead of waking up alone and slightly hungover like last year, Draco had Hermione wrapped around him while Crookshanks squashed his shins. Draco gave his lower limbs an irritable shake, dislodging the obstinate creature who had rendered his legs partially numb. The ginger furball gave him a mutinous glare before flouncing off the bed.

Hermione's comment to Pansy last night about retiring to private quarters within the Lestrange Estate was all bluster. They'd instead exchanged stilted goodbyes with Narcissa and immediately left for Hermione's home where she made good on her promise to let him shag her in naught but a goblin-wrought necklace.

She might try to downplay it, but Draco thought his girlfriend looked ever so enticing when nude and riding him while draped in expensive jewels. Said girlfriend stirred sleepily at his side then pressed a kiss to his shoulder.

"I'll fix the eggs and bacon, but you're responsible for your own coffee. I believe in you, I think you can finally master the brewing machine," she teased and Draco rolled his eyes.

Now quite at home in Hermione's kitchen he was more pleased than he intended to ever admit that he successfully made a pot of coffee all by himself. He picked up the morning copy of The Daily Prophet and flicked through it idly as Hermione approached from behind and slid her arms around his torso.

"Will your mother be pleased with the coverage in the society pages this morning?" she inquired and bustled past him to fix her tea. Draco took a seat at the kitchen island and flipped toward the back sections of the paper.

But a several page spread and dozens of column inches detailing the ins and outs of the most infamous of pureblood holiday balls did not await him on the society pages. No, instead Draco found the press space usually dedicated to Narcissa Malfoy and her gala taken up by an announcement and accompanying story that made his face crack into a wide and incredulous grin. The bubble of loud laughter that burst past his lips caused Hermione to jump and whip around, spatula in hand.

"Astoria Greengrass, you sneaky, magnificent witch," he chuckled and handed the paper to a confused Hermione.

"Oh my gods..." she whispered in shocked awe and had to take a seat next to Draco. A black and white photograph of Astoria Greengrass and her brand new husband, Dennis Creevey, smiled up at them. Their arms were looped through one another's as an older couple beamed fondly in the background. The paper's caption identified them as Dennis's father and step-mother.

"They eloped... how wonderful!" Hermione enthused and eagerly read the details. Apparently, Astoria Greengrass had in truth shown up on the arm of Theo at Narcissa's party already officially Astoria Creevey. They'd been wed at a registrar's office in Muggle London at noon, with Dennis filing the paperwork to the Ministry of Magic mere minutes before the Hall of Records had closed for the day.

Several things fell into place for Draco as he thought back to his conversations with Astoria and he wondered how long the witch had needed to hide her relationship with a Muggleborn. A feeling of pride at her bravery swelled within him. Astoria knew what this would cost her and she'd pursued her own path regardless. She'd probably be disowned, and would have had to plan her exit from her estate for months.

"We should send them a wedding present! I have Dennis's address, I assume she's moved there by now," said Hermione thoughtfully.

"Let me take care of it, I've got several bottles of champagne I can send for them to celebrate properly."