Nusquam aliud est vertere (Nowhere else to turn) Chapter 34
āBoth Grangers are eyeing Draco intently. He speaks slowly, striving to express himself honestly and succinctly.
āUntil recently, Iāve been estranged from my father. Having reinstated regular contact with him over the past month, I can tell you that he does seem altered ā mellowed is far too strong a descriptor, perhaps ādiminishedā is more accurate ā in terms of his former racist outlook and ingrained snobbery. However, I donāt trust him as far as I could throw him; and I have no intention of introducing Lucius into Hermioneās life, unless she wishes it.ā Dracoās lips thin at the thought of his crafty father and his traditional propensity for conniving schemes and plots.
He continues, āMy mother has met with Hermione, and apologized for her part in the pain that the Malfoys have inflicted upon her. Narcissa formally welcomed Hermione to our home and family, and I believe in the sincerity of her motives.ā
Jane Granger nods. āYour motherās keen to see you settle down, I take it? Perhaps pushing for grand-babies?ā. Draco flushes as Jane smiles and Bernard glowers. āDonāt worry, Mr Malfoy ā I know itās far too soon for that.ā
āIt bloody better be ā if I hear about my girl being up the duff to this silver-tongued devilā ā Hermioneās father snarls.
āLetās all take a step back from this particular topic,ā Harry hastily intervenes, as Draco and Bernard turn similar shades of crimson; Jane hides a smile behind her hand at the menās consternation.
āPerhaps we can come to a consensus as to the safest place for Hermione to convalesce, once Healer Carpathia deems her ready to be discharged?ā āPeacemakerā Potter suggests.
Jane huffs resignedly. āHermioneās already told us she intends to stay with Mr Malfoy, Harry. I wonāt waste my time trying to change her mind, provided her doctor ā sorry, Healer ā agrees.ā
āPlease call me Draco, Mrs Granger. And rest assured, you are both always welcome at my townhouse,ā Draco soberly invites.
āThank you, Draco. Do call me Jane. And weād love to visit; isnāt that right, honey?ā Hermioneās mother returns the granted intimacy and unsubtly digs her husband in the ribs.
āYou can call me Mr Granger ā and youād better believe Iāll be turning up to check on my daughterās welfare.ā Bernardās glare softens infinitesimally as he pronounces, āIāll accept this⦠relationship between the two of you at face value⦠for now. But Iāll be watching you, Draco. And I might not be a wizard, but I am a dentist ā I know a thing or two about inflicting pain. Keep that in mind, boy.ā
His menacing statement is incongruous with his bourgeois attire and appearance, but Draco doesnāt doubt that Bernard Granger means every word. He stiffly nods as Bernard makes a weird forked gesture with his index and middle fingers, pointing them first at his own eyes, then at Dracoās startled heather orbs.
āIām watching you,ā Bernard whispers again. Potter smirks.
Must be a Muggle thing. Draco checks his silver wristwatch; he is aching to return to Hermioneās bedside, but he doesnāt wish to incur her fatherās further wrath. Jane notices his agitated movement and takes pity on himā¦ā
https://archiveofourown.org/works/23994118/chapters/62965330