Chapter Text
Two weeks of Hermione and Draco living together passed without too much drama. She would wake before him and shower before getting dressed and heading downstairs. At seven he would stroll down, most recently in some loose fitting pyjama trousers — which she most definitely did not appreciate — and join her for a coffee before she left for work. Draco spent his days drawing up maps and plans whilst she would research through the archives for any mentions of links to King Arthur.
Then, at five, Hermione would floo home and they would eat dinner together; made by either herself or Emmeline, and spend the rest of the night going through what the other had found that day.
Hermione liked the routine they’d forged for themselves.
Aside from a few teething problems, like Draco accidentally walking in on her in the shower once — thank Merlin for shower curtains — and a few heated discussions about work, it had been rather pleasant.
It must’ve been boring for Draco, though. Hermione tried to bring as much new material back for him as she could, so there was always something to do. She had finally taught him how to use the television to help pass the time; he really enjoyed the cooking shows, apparently. Ironic, really.
But, despite the distractions, it was still not an ideal situation.
Whilst having lunch with Harry in his office on Wednesday, Hermione proposed a plan that would benefit their work, but would hopefully get Draco out of the house for a couple hours.
“I really think it would do him good to get out for a while,” Hermione pleaded. “Plus, I may need backup.”
“Then I’ll come with you.” Harry held his hand up to cut off her next objection. “I understand Hermione, I really do but I can’t just let Malfoy out for a couple of hours, unprotected. What if you’re attacked? Kingsley would kill me.”
He shoved a handful of chips into his mouth and Hermione chuckled.
“No, he wouldn’t. You’re probably the only one he would let off. Harry, you have my word we will be careful, I’ll take the necessary precautions. A costume, glamour, anything.”
He groaned. Hermione was wearing him down, she could see it. Just one more thing.
“I’ll owe you one.”
After a few more seconds, Harry conceded.
“Fine.”
Hermione did a small fist pump under the table.
“But no one can know and you need to disguise him extremely well. Spell him, ward him, make him believe he is an entirely different person. Whatever it takes, okay?”
“Yes, Harry, thank you.”
Hermione shot up and hugged him tightly. He chuckled slightly and hugged her back.
“Wow.” Harry raised an eyebrow, “All of this to go on a day date with Draco Malfoy, eh?”
“Oh, for Merlin’s sake, Harry. I take my hug back.”
There was a smile on both their faces; she didn’t technically deny it.
Hermione took a sip of her tea and allowed her eyes to roam the mess that was Harry’s office — she really wished he would let her organise it.
Harry’s wand buzzed, signalling the end of his lunch hour. He let out a sigh as he threw the burger wrapper in the bin.
“I suppose I should get back to work, then. I’ve still got quite a lot of information to add to that.” He pointed to the geo-board in the corner. “Don’t tell Draco, but it really comes in handy.”
Hermione frowned. “Why would telling Draco be an issue?”
“He just gets insufferable whenever we mention how helpful his board is.”
“His board?” she questioned. “Did he buy it for the DMLE, then?”
Harry scoffed, “I wish he’d only bought it. He invented the damn thing.” He shook his head. “His ego inflates whenever we use it.”
Hermione was shocked. She’d known how impressive the magic behind the board was and understood what an incredible show of magic it was. But knowing Draco created it, Hermione, yet again, was confronted with the realisation that Draco Malfoy was, annoyingly, a very talented wizard.
~
When her day ended, various folders in hand, Hermione eagerly ran to the floo to go back to Draco and tell him the good news. The green flames roared around her and she stepped out to see him in his usual spot with Crookshanks sitting on the armchair opposite. Strange. Crooks only ever sat in the living room if she was around.
“How was your day, Granger? Much the same as the last few weeks I’m guessing.” Draco asked listlessly, not moving from his position.
“No, actually.” Hermione placed her folders on the table and faced him. “I have some good news.”
Draco raised his eyebrows in question.
“I have figured out where to start our quest for the Grail and…” She paused for dramatic effect. Not that he seemed too enthralled. “Harry has said you can accompany me. You just need to be disguised, for obvious reasons.”
A slight shock brushed over Draco’s face before his neutrality returned.
“I see, and where shall we be going on our little trip out of town?”
“To see the Lady of the Lake.”
~
Hermione was nervous. Caught up in her excitement of discovery, and the fact Harry had actually agreed to let Draco accompany her, she hadn’t fully comprehended the potential danger of their trip. Although she had scouted the location out beforehand, and there was no possible way anyone knew what they were doing, the worry began to rise.
She was sure there had been a flicker of happiness in Draco’s face on Wednesday at the idea he would finally be able to go outside somewhere other than her garden.
They both agreed to go early Saturday morning to try and avoid as many people as possible.
So, at five o’clock, Hermione made her way into the living room.
Their final destination of Wales would be far too hard on their bodies for one jump, so Hermione planned a midway point. Harry would be on call the entire time if needed, all they needed to do was tap Draco’s Auror badge three times and he could apparate straight to them.
Draco trudged downstairs, looking far more grumbly at this time of the morning. Hermione handed him a mug of coffee in hopes some caffeine would improve his mood before they left.
Merlin forbid I’m stuck with a moody Malfoy all day.
“Ready, Granger?” he asked groggily, gulping down the liquid mood enhancer.
She nodded. “The real question is: are you ready to be a brunette, Malfoy?”
Draco grimaced. “Is that really necessary? Could I not just change my face slightly, or at least not go brunette.”
“Nope.” She said far too excitedly. “It needs to be more than a simple glamour and I promised Harry we would be careful. But, if you don’t want to be a brunette, that’s fine,” she paused, “I could always make you ginger.” A smile tugged at her mouth.
He looked as though she had just vomited slugs all over his shoes. Hermione couldn’t help but laugh.
“Absolutely not. Brunette it is.”
Draco stood in front of her and she withdrew her wand. It took a few different spells to alter his appearance properly; his hair changed to a dark brown with a bit more length, his eyes adjusted to a slightly deeper blue — like when he was laughing amongst friends — and Hermione changed his face shape to be slightly more rounded.
He ended up looking like a distant cousin of Harry.
She didn’t like it.
“All done.” Hermione tucked her wand into her bun. “Don’t look in the mirror, you’ll hate it.”
Draco looked anyway. Then scowled as his reflection as if it had cursed his entire family.
Draco turned away quickly. “You’re one hundred percent sure this is the correct place? We can always check again.”
“Yes. I believe I have located the lake where, if someone wished to summon the Lady of the Lake, they would try here.”
“How exactly do we summon a mythological female nymph?”
“With a hope that my research is correct.”
Draco offered a small smile. “Then I’m confident we’ll find her.”
Hermione released a nervous breath, her shoulders relaxing.
To be on the safe side, Hermione glamoured her hair, one of her most recognisable features, into a sleek bun of warm strawberry-blonde to avoid any nosy wizards. Once in the muggle world, she could find a small, hidden, corner and return it to the normal brown mess of curls atop her head.
They both stepped into the floo and headed for the Leaky Cauldron.
~
Hermione was thankful to her past self for putting quite a bit of thought into the quickest route there. They had arrived at the apparition point at exactly five forty-five and begun the small walk to the lake. Aware that Llyn Ogwen was a popular muggle tourist spot, Hermione also had the foresight to cast anti-detection charms which would allow them to move without being seen by any stray muggle who decided on an early morning hike.
Sanding at the end of the lake, they took a moment to examine the view before them.
A cool mist rolled across the lake from the early morning dew. A grand expanse of clear, deep blue water was ahead of them; the end disappeared into the two mountains either side, off in the distance. The wind was warm and the water looked cool and refreshing. The air smelled crisp, with a hint of freshly mowed grass from the meadows further away.
Hermione wanted to cup the liquid and drink, as if it would’ve been the purest water she ever tasted.
Draco interrupted her moment of calmness.
“What do we do now?”
Hermione pulled a small necklace from her pocket and held it in her hand. It was a simple gold chain with a pendant containing a small red gem; a gift from her parents for being sorted into Gryffindor.
“Everything I read indicated that a sort of sacrifice has to be made. Nothing serious, just enough to show her you have a true intention of seeking her. I’m not quite sure what to expect after that.” She turned the stone between her fingers, hesitating as to whether to part with it.
She looked up and saw Draco staring down at her, assessing in his gaze.
There was no malice anymore when Draco looked at her. Not since school. But, the more she looked, the less she could read him. He would always be an equation she couldn’t quite solve and, if she ever did, she may have the key to who the real Draco Malfoy was.
“Ready?” She asked, tentatively.
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
Hermione took a deep breath, found her Gryffindor courage and began to walk into the cold lake ahead of them. Sensing Draco tense behind her, she turned to him. The unease on his face was evident; so Hermione held her hand out in offering.
He hesitated to take it.
“Do you trust me?”
Draco didn’t speak but responded by walking towards her, taking her outstretched hand in his.
She hadn’t held his hand like this before. Hermione had grabbed him, and even hugged him, out of heightened emotion, but holding his hand in comfort was new. Hers seemed so small compared to his; it was warmer than she’d imagined and Hermione could feel the small calluses forming on his fingertips from his years of duelling.
They walked further into the water until it reached her stomach.
It was freezing and Hermione began to shiver. With a final look at Draco, Hermione raised the hand containing the necklace to her heart, closed her eyes, and began to recite her intention to meet the nymph. As she opened them again Hermione threw the chain out into the water.
Nothing happened.
There was no sign of anything or anyone.
“Maybe I was wrong.”
Hermione released his hand and wrapped her arms around herself, bowing her head in disappointment; not only for her incorrect guess, but for the fact that she had brought Draco all this way, freezing his bollocks off in a lake in Wales, just for it to be a wasted journey.
“Let’s give it a moment, Granger. You never know, maybe it’s been a while and she’s not ready to see people. Merlin knows how long you women take to get ready.”
She laughed, appreciating his attempt to cheer her up. Hermione looked up at him again and Draco smiled fully at her.
Even though, an that moment, he didn’t look like Malfoy, Hermione knew she could recognise that smile anywhere. She had memorised it the day she first saw it, wanting to be the one to make him smile like that.
Forever.
As that thought entered her mind, the wind rushed around them; warm and inviting.
It enveloped them in a whirl of mist from the lake’s surface before, all of a sudden, it stopped. Hermione was no longer cold and the water around them felt warm; it was as if she had just stepped into a warm bath at the end of the day. Her muscles relaxed under the heat. She looked at Draco to see if he had felt it too and jumped at the sight of familiar blonde hair.
“Oh, no, Draco! Your glamour has gone. Quick! I need to recast them.”
Hermione scrambled to collect her wand from her bag.
An unfamiliar voice spoke from beside them. “There is no need child. You cannot be seen here.”
Hermione let out a squeak of surprise and they both turned to see a figure standing in the water with them.
She was draped in a flowy white fabric; as if her dress itself was part of the water, curling around her figure. Pale skin glowed in the light and hair, as dark as raven’s feathers, fell down to her waist. She looked ethereal and the power that radiated from her was immense.
Hermione’s mouth seemed glued and her eyes widened in awe at the beautiful water deity ahead of them. Draco had frozen, ram-rod straight, beside her; also void of anything to say — for once. Gathering her Gryffindor courage from deep within, Hermione swallowed the unnatural amount of saliva that had gathered in her mouth, and stepped forward.
“You’re Nimue, aren’t you?” Hermione asked curiously.
“If you wish me to be. I have had many names throughout time.”
Her voice was soft and melodic, as if anything she said could put you into a trance.
“We are looking for an item,” Hermione explained. “We believe it to be the Grail.”
“I see.” Nimue didn’t seem to be surprised by their reasoning for seeking her. “What do you wish to do with it?”
“Nothing.” Hermione answered quickly and honestly. “We just want to try and find it first before someone bad gets their hands on it.”
Nimue seemed to contemplate this idea. It was likely an odd request of someone looking for the Grail but not with the intention of using it.
“The Grail is not an item which follows the rules of your earthly plane. It cannot just be summoned. It must be earned.”
“We will do what’s necessary.” Hermione stepped forward. “Would you happen to know where we might find it, or what it may look like?”
“I can point the direction out to you,” Nimue revealed, “but I cannot tell you how to achieve your goal. I also cannot tell you what you are looking for. The Grail can change to fit the needs of the seeker. It has been a chalice, a cauldron and a tray. It has been many more and yet much less.”
“Any help you can give will be very much appreciated,” Hermione said.
Nimue turned her attention to Draco.
“You are silent. Why do you speak not?”
He cleared his throat.
“I must admit I am at a loss for words.” He faced Hermione. “This has been her endeavour and I am simply here for support. Although I want to find the Grail for the same reason, I haven’t done much work to get here. It’s only fair that she gets the time to talk to you.”
She seemed to consider his answer. A soft smile on her lips indicated she was happy with what he said.
“The item you seek
Shall be found where it was lost
The trials await
As the seasons change
And the hoarfrost can roam true
The open of Yule.”
Hermione’s eyes lit up at the riddle set before her, excited to have a new challenge.
“Thank you, m’Lady.”
With a small nod and gentle smile, Nimue disappeared before them, sending another gust of wind swirling around the pair.
Silently, they returned back to the water’s edge and once dry, they began their journey back to their apparition point. Hermione was cold and wet — again, and Draco’s disguise had been put back in place once they exited the ‘in-between’. Even so, she was giddy.
“I can’t believe that just happened. I can’t believe I guessed it right.”
“Wait,” Draco paused, “guessed?”
“I did research it, but it doesn’t specify the exact lake and there are quite a few. I narrowed it down to this one and—” she trailed off, lost in a thought.
“And where? Granger?” He waved his hand in front of her face, pulling her back.
“Sorry. I was just thinking, where did Alecto visit in Wales?”
“Somewhere near Snowdonia, we couldn’t pinpoint an exact location around the mountains. Why?”
“Because I think she chose the wrong one.”
A smile broke out on Hermione’s face and she ran towards the apparition point.
Draco chased after her, calling her name. She could barely hear, so focused on if her theory was true. Just as she stopped to apparate he caught up and grabbed her arm.
“Fucking hell, Granger. Slow down and tell me what’s going on.” He seemed panicked.
“When I was trying… to figure out… which lake was the correct one, it was between here and Llyn Tegid.” Hermione struggled to breathe. “What… ultimately led me here was that it is closer to Mount Snowdon. Oh my God!”
She panted, bending over to place her hands on her knees.
“But, maybe Carrow just read it as Snowdonia, the whole park, and what if she chose the wrong one. We should go and see if there is anything there that could help us locate her.”
She stood, regaining use of her lungs again.
Merlin, I need to work out.
“But, Harry, only said to come here and go straight back.” Draco raised his eyebrow. “You aren’t disobeying orders are you, Hermione?” He smirked.
Her mouth dropped open and he snickered at her confusion.
“What?” He shrugged. “I thought since you called me Draco earlier, you clearly feel we’re close enough for first names.”
“Huh? Wha—”
She recalled the incident of the lost glamour.
“Oh, no, that was just a panic thing. Please, just call me Granger.”
There was no way her composure could deal with him calling her by her given name. Although the way ‘Hermione’ rolled off his tongue had sent a shiver down her spine. He almost purred it. She didn’t even recall saying his name at the time; Hermione avoided it now due to her friends; constant joking.
“Please.”
Something flickered behind those dark blue eyes.
“Okay, since you asked so nicely. Lead the way then, Granger.” His tone was almost playful, but his timbre was low.
She tried not to focus on the way it made her feel as she grabbed his arm and spun them away.
With a crack, they reappeared towards the edge of the second lake. It seemed eerier somehow but Hermione couldn’t quite put her finger on it. They disillusioned themselves in case Carrow did happen to be there, and made their way further down the side of the water.
As they approached the midway point, Hermione felt a little disheartened that they weren’t going to find anything but Draco tensed beside her.
“There are wards here. I can sense the change in the air.”
He cast a few detection charms. They didn’t indicate anyone was present, but they did show the blurred outline of a small building hidden behind some defence wards.
“It’s a house of some sort,” he said, “My guess is that Alecto was using it to stay in whilst looking for the Grail.” He raised his wand once more and began dismantling the wards.
“Wait!” she shouted quickly.
Draco paused.
“If we do something now and Carrow comes back, she will know we were here. Your magical signature may be present and she’ll know you aren’t as ‘out of action’ as we’ve made you seem. Let’s leave for now and tell Harry. He may be able to come back with us to investigate.”
Hermione could tell he didn’t particularly like the idea, but knew that it was the smartest choice. He voiced his agreement and they returned to their apparition point before leaving for home.
~
They stepped back through her floo and Hermione removed the glamour she had, once again, placed on her hair, before removing all of Draco’s.
“There, back to normal.” She smiled.
“I’m surprised you weren’t more fond of me as a brunette.” He quipped. “Your track record with my blonde hair is not as fun.”
“No, but I’ve grown to like it; something about it suits you. To be honest, you looked too much like Harry and it was a bit off putting.”
Draco barked a laugh. “True. I guess it’s bad enough that he has to look like that all the time, without me copying.”
Hermione rolled her eyes and proceeded to the kitchen. She would definitely need more coffee to begin figuring out Nimue’s riddle.
She carried the cups into the living room and cleared space on her living room floor before she accio'd various books and maps, spreading them around the space. Draco took a seat beside a few tomes which depicted the battles of King Arthur.
“Well at least we know one thing.” Hermione said as she joined him. “We are definitely ahead in finding this damn grail. Alecto won’t stand a chance.”