Chapter 1


Hermione

Mione,

How are you holding up? We heard about you and Ron… We're really sorry. We just wanted to let you know, if you need a friend or two, we are always here for you…

Your ever loving friends,

Harry and Gin

Hermione tossed the letter aside after reading it for the fifth time. By now it was covered in tear stains. She shouldn't be crying over Ron, she scolded herself. He wasn't worth the exhaustion. Guiltily, she picked up her quill and wrote a reply

Harry and Gin,

Thanks for the concern. You are amazing friends. I'm coping well. Ron's giving me a month to find a new apartment before he kicks me out. So I suppose it's not all bad. As for the wedding, it's off obviously but Ron won't let me take off the engagement ring. I guess he's still a little possessive over me… Once I find my own place and get settled, I promise I'll visit you.

Your faithful friend,

Hermione G.

Hermione called out to Zenith, her owl. She tied the letter to her claw and whispered

"Bring this to Harry"

With that, Zenith was gone into the night. Crookshanks jumped on Hermione's lap, gently purring as Hermione stroked his matted, untidy fur.

"At least I have you, Crookshanks. At least I have you."


Draco

The Golden Duo?

Harry, Hermione and Ron, the golden Trio, have been reduced to two after the recent break up of couple of the year Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Ron dumped Hermione just a week before their wedding. Unfortunately due to unknown reasons, the pair will not disclose anything else to the media but as soon as we hear more we will tell our faithful readers!

Draco couldn't help smirking at the front page headline of the daily prophet. Deep, deep inside his heart, he felt a little sorry for Hermione. Dumped a week before her wedding. Not that he cared. Or at least that's what he tried to convince himself. He was about to put the paper down when he caught a glimpse of the picture. Ron and Hermione kissing. As they pulled apart, Hermione laughed and smiled. Real laughter, real joy. But there seemed to be something wrong with Ron's smile in return. He'd seen enough. He picked up his quill and started to write.

Miss Granger,

Me contacting you doesn't mean anything. It's just, I read about you and Ron in the Prophet and I wanted to let you know that I always knew that Weasel would leave you. I bet he's kicking you out tomorrow, isn't he? Look if you need an apartment, I've got one spare. I'd only put it up for sale anyways. Just let me know if you're interested, ok?

D. Malfoy

He didn't care about her feelings, he told himself. He just wanted her to stay off the streets, safe.


Hermione

Draco,

First of all thank you. I appreciate the concern, but an apartment won't be necessary. I applied for a job at The Leaky Caldron and they offered me a room for cheap. It comes out of my wages. I don't get paid much, but it's enough to get food for the week and some clothes. I can get by. Sell the apartment so you can get your own place, your mother has enough on her plate without paying to keep you alive.

Hermione G.

At first Hermione was shocked by the letter and even laughed while reading it. After the shock, she set about writing a reply. Out of politeness and to show she appreciated his kind gesture. Which she did, in her own special way. It wasn't just the gesture she appreciated. It was the laughter, the glimpse of happiness she felt. Though he didn't realise it, he'd given her hope. That someone other than Harry cared about her feelings. After the media spread it around, she felt exposed and embarrassed. Embarrassed by the pitying looks she received. Embarrassed at the way people looked at her in Diagon Alley. Embarrassed at being embarrassed. At least the promise of a job, a new chance at life, would be a reason for her to get changed out of her comfy pjs and back into the wizarding world. Her only problem was… Ron. He often drank there on Friday occasionally dragging some of his mates down with him. She didn't want the humiliation of facing him in the bar. Especially after seeing her 'uniform'. Seriously, it couldn't get sluttier if she was wearing lingerie. No, she shouldn't worry about Ron. He'd obviously moved on, now that Lavender was back on the scene. I wonder what the male bartenders are wearing… she thought cheekily. She was single now after all. And wearing 'this' it would be like throwing a lamb in a lion's den. Why did she like that feeling? Maybe she was all grown up… After graduation, she didn't feel that different. Maybe cause before Ron had always been there a constant reminder of her childish days. Now she was free and ready to grow up and blossom. Even if it meant taking baby steps. You have to go backwards to go forwards she reminded herself as she kissed goodbye the flat that had been her home for just over a year. The flat she had decorated with just a few pots of paint. She sighed remembering…


"You sure you don't want to use magic?"

"No… It's more fun this way!"

Ron looked Hermione in the eye, clearly not convinced at his future wife's claim. But he saw the look in her eye, a look of hope, of happiness

"Ok… fine."

He agreed, sighing. She kissed his cheek

"Thanks, sweetie!"

She started painting. At first, block colours for the living room. White mostly with black for a touch of class. She then moved onto the bedrooms, starting with the master. Painting big beautiful flowers all over the walls, singing as she went

"So she said what's the problem baby?

What's the problem?

I don't know

Well maybe I'm in love

Think about it every time

I think about it

Can't stop thinking 'bout it"

Ron sighed. A muggle song, so he obviously didn't know it. Despite the fact his dad studied them. He didn't really care to listen to anything his dad said and didn't regret it. He always found muggles slightly boring. Even Hermione at times…


Draco

Hermione,

You can be a real cow sometimes, you know? I ain't selling the apartment. I don't trust The Leaky Cauldron. But if you insist, I'll leave you be. Write to me if you need anything, ok?

Draco Malfoy

What Draco didn't tell Hermione, was that he'd be paying her a little surprise visit… Just to be on the safe side.


With thanks to AeronaVxx, my good friend, who gave me a hand with some of the difficult parts of this fan fic. Please Review, it really helps me out!