The war was over. The community was recovering, and Hermione Granger was doing exactly what she was supposed to do. She smiled as she stood behind Harry, now more famous than ever. She attended interviews with him, and sat next to him when their pictures were taken. Newspapers proclaimed that the chosen one had finally defeated the most evil wizard of all time. No one saw the price he paid, the shadow under his eyes. But Hermione did, and she did what she was supposed to do. She supported Harry, she told him what he needed to hear.
Ron and Harry of course were both offered Auror jobs. How could they not be aurors, after defeating the evil Voldemort. Hermione was offered a position in the Ministry as well, not an auror as she maybe would have liked. Just a low job in the department of mysteries, with chances for promotion. She took the job because that is what she was supposed to do. No Hermione was not auror material apparently, and she pretended she didn't mind. She was the brains after all, she was not meant to be on the battlefield.
Hermione and Ron were planning to move in together. They were dating after all, and this is what people who dated did. They fell in love, moved in together and lived happily ever after. Everyone was just so happily ever after. Ginny and Harry were almost sickening with their happiness, which gave Hermione a sinking feeling in her stomach. Not because she wanted Harry, but because she wanted what Harry had. Ron no longer looked at her with eyes of adoration. He just looked at her, almost right though her, as if not seeing her at all. Hermione wanted what Harry had. She wanted someone to look at her and think that she was his entire world. She wanted his eyes to carry her away. She wanted passion, explosions.
Instead Hermione did what she was supposed to do. She and Ron started to pack, they had a small condo, just big enough for them and her cat. And the cat had caused fights. They had fought over that cat more than she ever thought possible. She wanted the cat, he didn't. The fighting was tiring, it didn't end in passion and lust. No the fighting just ended in anger, in tired compromise. He no longer cared enough to try, to care about how she felt. In the end the cat moved in, but barely. Ron seemed bitter about it too, he hated the cat even more, if it was possible.
Hermione spent days perfecting the condo. The one bed room flat was almost as she had always pictured it. Book shelved filled empty walls, Hermione's large collection of books filling the shelves. Some people displayed trophies, Hermione displayed books; her own personal trophies. The bedroom was cozy, inviting, perfect for a happy couple starting their lives together. Hermione spent hours picking the perfect shades for the walls, debating where the furniture should go, and just making everything perfect. Ron never commented on anything she did except once to ask why the kitchen was "such a weird colour."
This is where Hermione was in her life a year after the war ended. Her life appeared perfect. Friends with and part of the most famous trio of all time, dating one of them even, her life seemed together. She had a decent job, a cozy condo. But Hermione was not happy. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She remembered being happy with Ron. She remembered when he used to look at her and she knew he loved her, when the sex was passionate and daily. Now she was lucky if he looked at her at all, if he touched her. Things like hand holding and cuddling were things of the past. Ron was always at work, or out with the boys. He came home tired, he came home drunk. He came home and kissed Hermione on the cheek before going to sleep. No "how was your day dear" or "I love you dear."
Hermione found herself often alone, she felt terribly alone. She had no other close friends. She had always thought Ron, Harry, and Ginny was all she needed. But now they were all busy, leaving her terribly alone. Ginny and Harry were too happy to notice her unhappiness. Ginny was busy living her happily ever after with the boy who lived. Ron was busy being finally popular, finally he was a success. People loved him, adored him, and wanted to hear his stories. Ron was often out with his new friends and leaving Hermione alone.
Hermione sat at the table in her kitchen with the latest daily prophet and a coffee. The gossip pages drew her attention. A large picture of Harry and Ginny having a romantic supper together was splashed across the page. Harry fed Ginny a forkful of whatever they were eating. He whispered something in her ear, she threw back her head and laughed. Then they just stared into each other's eyes, getting lost. Sickening, thought Hermione. She told herself she didn't want romantic dinners with Ron, she just wanted a sensible relationship. All she needed was a warm bed and a sense of belonging, she told herself. Hermione told herself she was not a romantic, she wasn't just a silly girl who needed silly things. No she was perfectly rational, and being with Ron was the rational thing to do.
Right below the picture of Harry and Ginny was a picture of Malfoy. Malfoy had come out of the war alright. He helped catch the remaining death eaters and was pardoned for his offenses. Malfoy was now a famous socialite. He was constantly in the gossip pages with one model or another, at one party or another. Hermione watched the latest picture. Malfoy was sipping a champagne flute while the gorgeous blonde on his arm smiled seductively for the camera. Funny, last week he was with a redhead, same pose. Hermione and Ron were often invited to these socialite gatherings, but Ron never wanted to attend. He preferred bars with "The lads" and watching quidditch while drinking pitchers with "His boys."
Hermione sorted through the rest of the mail, bills, a letter from her parents, and a white envelope. She opened it, an invitation, to a Malfoy party. Hermione and Ron were often invited to many parties. No doubt Ron would refuse to attend, like he always did. But why couldn't Hermione go without him, she was her own woman after all. Hermione read over the invitation, it was odd she was invited, almost civil of him. She hadn't seen him in person since Hogwarts. Hermione considered the card and played with her hair. Perhaps she would go, she had been working very hard, and she deserved a night out. Perhaps Ginny or Harry would go with her. Hermione was tired of staying at home, in the background while everyone else had fun.
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Ginny and Harry agreed to attending the Malfoy party. Harry felt obliged to attend events such as this because the ministry was promoting mingling with old slytherins and Gryffindors. The ministry was attempting to eliminate old stereotypes and racisms and had recruited Harry to the cause. A party hosted by a famous Slytherin was an obvious chance for Harry to try and promote this new idea. Harry and Malfoy had a sort of agreement ever since Harry saved Malfoy's life. They were civil, polite, but nowhere near friendly. They often met each other at the ministry and had a civil and increasingly warm relationship. Ron still hated Malfoy of course, and Hermione was sure she did as well. But after the war Malfoy had tried hard to become a leading member of society, going so far as to do volunteer work, unheard of for a Malfoy. Ron as predicted had refused to come to the party, he had other plans with his brothers. Hermione barely cared about his absence as Ginny, Harry and her walked up the stairs and into the newest Malfoy manor.
Inside the Malfoy manor was gathered the elite of the wizarding world. The high ceiling and large windows made the room appear much larger than it was, thought it was still fair sized. Waiters walked by with trays of small, bite –sized over priced food and various varieties of drink. Hermione grabbed herself champagne, partial to the bubbly drink. Immediately people swarm to the happy couple pushing Hermione further and further into the background. Everyone wanted to know the famous couple better, to be next to the chosen one and his chosen woman. Reporters circled the frenzy snapping pictures of a glowing Ginny and an embarrassed Harry, who had never come to like the spotlight. No Harry was uncomfortable as ever with the attention. His messy hair, his glasses, he would always be the same old Harry. Harry was trying to slowly draw attention away from himself, impossible really when you were who Harry was.
Hermione watched from the side lines, she spotted a door not far from her. Crossing the distance she walked through the large French doors and into a beautiful court yard. Hermione followed the white brick path though various flowers and trees, it really was a gorgeous yard. Hermione studied a plant realizing she had read about in a botany book recently. As Hermione tried to remember the property of the plant she heard footsteps coming down the path. A set of them, two people were coming, one was giggling. Malfoy and the blonde stepped out of the shadows. Hermione starred, she blonde was clutching Malfoy's arm and staring at him. Malfoy was looking at Hermione.
"Granger." Malfoy greeted. Nodding his head so his silver white hair fell lower across his forehead. Malfoy took in Hermione's appearance. She had the same unruly hair, though longer. She looked the same, just more mature, more grown up.
"Malfoy." Hermione returned and tried to be friendly by adding. "Beautiful garden, thank you for the invite."
Malfoy raised an eyebrow, seemingly not expecting the civility of her comment. They had been all but enemies in school.
"Where is the weasel?" Malfoy asked raising one eyebrow. "I thought the happy couple would be out together showing the world how terribly happy they are."
Hermione blushed. "I can go places without him you know. I am still my own person. I don't need him everywhere I go." Hermione crossed her arms and raised her chin in her familiar stubborn pose.
Malfoy looked at her for a few seconds. "No, I remember Hogwarts. You two were attached before you were even dating. You wouldn't go anywhere without him unless you had to. There must be trouble in paradise, pity. No more weasels coming into the world anytime soon then?" Malfoy glanced at Hermione's flat stomach. "Sad really, who knows what a weasel and a book worm mix could do."
Hermione wasn't really sure what to make of Malfoy's comments. "There are no problems thank you very much for your concern but we are perfectly happy. And I do think my children have a better chance than yours ever will!"
Malfoy let out a generous laugh at this comment. "Well perhaps, Granger, we should have children together then?" The blonde beside Draco looked at him in shock then softly punched his arm.
Hermione opened and closed her mouth, her eyes wide. "That's vile. I think this discussion is over. It was nice to talk to you Malfoy." Hermione backed away, but then added. "You too blondie."
The blonde on Malfoy's arm had been standing beside him quietly. She glared at Hermione and dragged Draco away with whispers of delights to come.
Hermione was angry, she was disgusted. Malfoy was strange, he was different. He was still infuriating, he still made her want to punch him the face. She wasn't as insulted as she had been in school though. He no longer called her mudblood, he couldn't if he wanted to keep his new image. She was almost entertained as she ran the brief encounter through her head again and again. She felt, she felt passion again. She felt alive again, because of Draco Malfoy.
Hermione looked down the path in the direction that Draco and Blondie had gone. She couldn't remember the last time she and Ron had done something romantic, or dirty outside, somewhere exciting. If she and Ron managed to have sex at all lately, it was short, boring, on the bed. She remembered back to when they first got together, when the sex was everywhere, all the time. They had spent hours sweating, thrusting, but no longer. Now between Ron's whiskey dick and her cold demeanour the sex was terrible, like how sex was supposed to be after a 20 year marriage, not a year relationship.
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Hermione walked back into the party. After a glance around the room she spotted Harry and Ginny whispering in the corner. Unsure of whether to interrupt them Hermione hesitated, but decided standing alone was worse and she began to walk towards them. On the way Hermione ran into someone she would have rather not seen. Lavender walked up to Hermione and gave her a large fake smile with a fake hug.
"Oh Hermione! It's been for-eva." Lavender began. "I don't think I've seen you in years, well not since Hogwarts anyways. I mean you never came back for seventh year so I mean the last time we really saw each other was like sixth year. When I was dating Ron. I imagine you remember, we had quite the hot tryst. Too bad really. Oh But I guess now he is with you anyways. That's happy I'm sure. You know I am happy too. Yes with a nice wizard, very rich. He is over there." Lavender pointed to a man Hermione had never seen before. But before Hermione could excuse herself Lavender continued. "He didn't attend Hogwarts of course, no. He went to school with Krum! Imagine. That's how we met. I was at a party and went to talk to my old friend Krum and he introduced us and it was love at first site!"
Hermione was trying to get in a word to try and excuse herself from the force that was lavender Brown. "Err... I have to go talk to Harry now." Hermione finally managed to fit into Lavender rambles.
"Oh yes of course. He is with Ginny still then I see? Of course he is anyone can see how happy they are. Anyone who reads the prophet anyways."
Hermione excused herself and walked away towards Harry while silently fuming inside over Lavender's reminder of Lavender's relationship with Ron. Hermione had found it hard to forgive him for being such a prat with Lavender, but she had, she had moved on over this. It sometimes bothered her that Ron had dated Lavender when Hermione had truly dated no one but him. Hermione didn't even truly know what it was like to date someone else. Only Ron, dependably fiery Ron. Maybe Hermione should have seen what other relationships were like before settling down with Ron. Perhaps what she and Ron had was normal, maybe all relationships were like this? Hermione didn't know only having ever been with Ron.
Hermione finally reached Harry and Ginny. "Hey, so how about this party." Hermione joked.
"I think we are going to head out soon." Ginny said while looking at Harry seductively. "I am just so tired I think I need an early night."
Harry looked embarrassed for the second time that night. "Well... I mean I really only wanted to stop in briefly. You know I can't stand these fancy parties. They are truly quite awful."
"Oh." Hermione was not sure why she was disappointed. She wasn't really having fun anyways. "I guess I'll leave too, there is no one I really want to talk to anyways..."
Harry Ginny and Hermione walked towards the exit with Ginny and Harry being one of those annoying couples who were flirting like crazy, Hermione knew what they were doing tonight.
"Leaving then?" A low voice behind them cause Harry, Ginny and Hermione to stop and turn around.
"Draco, great party." Harry said. "But yes I think we best be going, but thanks for the invite."
Hermione looked down at the ground, not sure why the faint blush had risen in her cheeks. Harry and Malfoy were making small talk about the news, work, sports.
Harry and Malfoy talked for a few minutes until Malfoy ended it. "Okay, well thanks for coming. Later Potter. Ginny." He smiled in their directions. "Granger..." He added with a look in her direction and before Hermione could look up be was walking away to where a group of people was gathered talking.
"Wow." Said Ginny with a look of surprise. "I know you said he changed but really, that was unexpected."
"Yes well, as I told you he is trying very hard to impress the wizarding community. Though I suspect deep down he is the same old Malfoy." Harry joked.
Hermione was silent while Harry and Ginny joked about the new improved Malfoy. Hermione wasn't sure he had changed at all.
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Hermione arrived room to find Ron home early. "So how was the party then?" Ron asked.
"Oh it was fine." Hermione answered while taking off her heels and walking into the house. "Lavender was there. But really no one else too interesting." Hermione left out her brief talk to Malfoy, she didn't know why.
"Lavender, oh well I really didn't miss much then." Ron said although worried Hermione might be angry.
"No." Hermione added. "It wasn't really very exciting. I'm tired. I'm going to bed." Hermione walked out of the living room and into the shared bedroom, knowing Ron would follow some time later. And he did. Twenty minutes after Hermione lay down, Ron walked in. Hermione pretended to be asleep. But Hermione was up, and for some reason Malfoy kept entering her mind. Hermione tried her best to ignore it. After all she loved the goof lying beside her. Right?