Disclaimer - Dont own anything relating to the Harry Potter verse, just my perverse manipulation of it

'I'm sorry Hermione, it was just those two times, the second time we didn't even do anything… well… not much… '

The hanging sentence left a myriad of things to the imagination and Hermione who had come over here to hint at the further developments of her life was flawed. This morning she had been bursting with joy, she couldn't tell Draco till he arrived home later that evening but felt the need to not tell someone exactly but at least hint towards it. After letting her girlie moment transpire she was then planning to go home and prepare a romantic evening. However she could not be more shocked than in this moment. How could this be happening to her, she knew Draco, better than anyone. Better than Pansy or Blaise, and now this. To top it all of Ginny knew things, things that only someone who had been intimate with Draco would know and she knew that she had been around but Ginny weasley was many things however she wouldn't fabricate a story like this. Her mouth was parted and her eyes felt like they were stinging but everything just felt numb, like she was frozen. It was amazing really, the emotions she was feeling right now, she had supposed that upon learning about one of her friends dalliances with her boyfriend that she had considered the love of her life, she would feel an anger that would rival Voldemorts hatred for muggleborn's. Now all she could feel was a deep sense of sadness and regret.

Never let it be said that Hermione Granger was anything but practical, she had a sharp mind and given enough information about any situation she was the person to go to for help. She was a compassionate person who never let her feelings get in the way of anyone else's happiness and for the sake of her health she was not going to let Ginny Weasley get the better of her.

'To what purpose were you thinking that your little confession here would serve Ginny?'

Each word was said in such a deliberate and steady manner that Ginny thought it sounded like they were merely debating the local Quidditch team for all her confession had affected Hermione. She had imagined crying and cursing but Hermione hadn't even shed a tear yet. If that was the way she wanted to deal with it then Ginny would just have to ham it up.

'I just thought you should know Hermione, the guilt, you don't understand it, how could you, your just so good, I think that's what attracted Draco to me in the first place… how different we were'

Ginny was biting her lip as though she was contemplating what she was saying but from right after the confession Hermione knew exactly what was going on, it didn't take an up market shrink to figure this out.

She had never forgiven her over Harry.

Ginny had expected to be with Harry as Hermione had with Ron but after their failed attempt they had called it quits for various reasons. He had wanted to travel and she… didn't know what she wanted… just knew what she didn't want, which was Ron in a love interest capacity. During Mrs Weasleys shunning period of Hermione it had provided her with an exorbitant amount of free time that had always been occupied either at the Weeasleys or doing something for them. She had always been grateful for them but during that time she had actually started to visit her parents more and being around them had made her realize that she did in fact have a family of her own. The void that she had felt when she first started Hogwarts was easily flled with the weasleys every holiday and spare moment because Harry was there. Which meant she was there. Now though, started to connect with old friends and had surprisingly enjoyed it. So much so that after Mrs Weasley had welcomed her back after her three month exile, she had become so used to mixing her old life with her new she could only spend an evening a week or maybe even a lunch hour to visit. She had never realised how much time the weasleys had occupied her time and altered her decisions before then in regards to holidays and weekly dinners.

It was at one of the weekly dinners that she witnessed the deterioration of Harry Potter, he had come in tired after training but was now becoming more and more depressed during dinner, between Ginny's under the table groping and Mrs Weasleys over the table mothering who wouldn't be feeling a bit down so she had decided that they would go out, just the two of them, just for a piece of normalcy, even if it was only for a moment. When she had first suggested it to Harry he had seemed reluctant but after Ginny wafted past them smirking and saying how she couldn't wait till later Hermione was shocked at how quickly he was out the door and yelling thanks to Mrs Weasley for dinner.

Magic was wonderful but they were both part muggle and so their roots were still ingrained in them. Harry didn't have such an aversion to muggle life now since he was no longer living with the Dursleys and after that first night of letting loose and relaxing, he became a welcome and frequent guest in the Granger household.

It was also a couple of months later that he had met up with Luna. A Halloween party that her cousin Grace had organized was on one of their nights out so as a favour to Grace she had promised that she would bring a couple of friends to make it more authentic. They had arrived late but from the moment they walked inside there was a certain energy in the air that, whether it was the music or the real witches and wizards that made it that was she wasn't to know but as soon as they walked downstairs she knew why. There in the corner was Luna dressed as the Lady in the Lake and dancing with her cousin. She looked ethereal with her long blonde hair and so carefree, her and Grace were both laughing and taking turns spinning each other around. When she turned to Harry to point her out Harry was staring fixatedly at the scene before him with an expression of mild surprise on his face. After the initial shock wore off he started to move towards her with a sense of purpose that she hadn't seen him in quite some time. Once he was next to Luna she could clearly see that he was calm and making idle conversation while taking furtive looks at her and around the party so as not to seem too interested. Watching Harry with Luna that night was when she herself started feeling like everything was coming together. Harry was happy, Ron was travelling and she knew herself that jer life was coming together. The only glitch would be Harry and Ginny's failed relationship however she had thought it was for the best since he and Ginny obviously wanted different things. It would be slightly awkward for a while but he deserved happiness and if his look was anything to go on he was working his way towards it.

She sees now though how vindictive and petty people were; looking at Ginny now she couldn't help but wonder how she ever made it into Gryffindor. Time really does change people. Ginny must have thought it was Hermione's fault for Harry finding someone else, in her opinion Harry didn't so much as stray as just finally follow the right path.

'You must think highly of yourself Ginny, to think that you've somehow outwitted me and obtained your revenge but in fact you've only harmed yourself'

All pretenses being lost Ginnys face went from sorrowful to a sneer.

'And how is that Hermione? You couldn't even get Draco Malfoy to stay with you and we all know how desperate he is to rebuild his family name, anyone would think that you would be the perfect person for that but look at that, he still needs to be with a pureblood after he's tainted himself with you'

Hermione felt a cold rage come over her at those words but this felt right, this wasn't a sickening kind that would make her dry heave and cry her eyes out till there was nothing left and then have her grieve for weeks on end, this was a calculated feeling, one that she could feel and draw strength from. This type of rage was the type that wouldn't dissolve you into a mess of emotions; this type would drive you to overcome the greatest tests in your life with poise and grace. Plan in mind she thought over the best way to execute it and found herself moving towards Ginny. She pasted a subtle smile onto her face and leaned forwards to give her a brief friendly hug that to any outsider would appear to be a couple of friends who were reunited. Drawing back she had the same smile on her face and looked at a stunned Ginny who didn't know what to make of the situation.

'I hope your happy Ginny, I sincerely do, because you see, there's something I did come here to tell you before you revealed yourself. I'm carrying Draco's child'

The shocked look on Ginny's face was exquisite but not enough for Hermione.

'But you see, I'm in quite the predicament, what would people think once you went public about Draco and yours extracurricular activities'

Ginny went to say something but Hermione placed a finger over her mouth.

'Hush now, I'm not finished, it would be quite the scandal and to be honest, even with an Unbreakable Vow from you to not go public why would I ever want to stay with Draco, no… that just won't do… so I find myself in a bind.'

She pretended to mull over things, Ginny may not be as bright but she must have already figured out the end.

'I think you'll agree that I will have to disappear for a few years, I have always wanted to travel'

She seemed to be lost in thought but in reality she was basking in her unwanted victory. It would be bittersweet, her leaving. She loved Draco with everything she had and more but she would not allow this to happen to her. Not even for him. It seemed as the slow realization crept over Ginny Weasleys face just how far Hermione was willing to go that she started to go red and panic.

'You can't do that to Draco, he won't allow it'

Ginny's eyes had become fearful, she knew exactly what Hermione was capable of and knew Draco's reaction to it. If Hermione left and he somehow found out that she was involved he would go crazy, after both incidences he had felt remorseful but as she was Hermione's friend he had refrained from obliviating her. She had to make her stay; no matter how painful it was to beg.

'I'm sorry okay, I shouldn't have done what I did, Draco didn't even…'

After feeling some of the warmth come back into her body it was once again drenched in white heat as she listened to Ginny's pleas.

'Don't… Draco no longer has a choice… and neither do you. Be glad that I'm leaving Ginny and be thankful that every year that passes is another year that Draco hasn't learned the truth. Say what you will about me but I know how much he loves me and if it was just me involved then maybe I would have stayed for the right reasons but I will not let my child be brought up in a sham of a household.'

Ginny made to turn towards the floo, she had to contact someone to stop this but Hermione was still close, too close, she closed her hand around her arm mid turn and held her in place.

'You will keep today to yourself, you've done me enough damage, for the next two days I don't want you leaving this house, don't talk to anyone'

As Ginny struggled against her grip, Hermione let her go and watched as she rubbed her arm, stepping away she went to the nearby chaise and picked up her coat and purse. While pulling the scarf around her neck she fixed Ginny with a look of pity. She knew that Ginny was confused. To Ginny setting this string of events off was just an easy fix to a much larger problem and even though they were friends maybe Ginny had held a certain amount of resentment for her. It was just unfortunate that whatever childish game Ginny had thought she was playing had such dire consequences for all involved.

' I must say my goodbyes and I won't have you ruin them.'

Walking to the fireplace she took a handful of floo powder and chanced one more look at Ginny. Ginny who she had befriended on the first day of visiting the Weasleys at Diagon Alley, the same person that she had stood up for and defended to Ron whilst in Hogwarts. The first person that she had told about Viktor Krum and who she used to go shopping with was also the same person who in a span of fifteen minutes had made a complete mockery of. Before she threw the floo powder and said her next destination she turned once more.

'You will never tell him anything of this conversation'

With a shout of 'Malfoy Manor' she was gone.

That was the last time that Ginny had seen Hermione Granger. For five years she had lived in relative calm, she had learnt from her old ways and tried to change. Become the girl that had first started Hogwarts instead of the one that had left it. She was working at the Ministry in her father's office, had taken up volunteer work and was casually seeing Lee Jordan. There was a time in her life when she had had fanciful dreams about being a model or an actress but as the years went by she was finding simple things to be more pleasing.

Harry rarely talked to her and had distanced himself from the Weasley family. He still stayed in touch with the boys she supposed so really he was just distancing himself from her and her mother. She couldn't blame him, she would have done so herself if she was ever in his position. In part she had figured that Hermione must have told him some if not all the truth and he was still somewhat resentful towards her. After all, by all rights Ginny should have been the one in exile not Hermione.

Draco Malfoy had moved on to many witches, been engaged twice although it appeared to be more for show than with any actual intent. The ones he seemed to be engaged to were for lack of a better term fly by nighters and the ones that managed to keep him entertained for more than four months were always humiliatingly disposed of by the fifth month. At first it was credited to his lost love Hermione Granger however as the second year of her disappearance passed that storyline grew old and he was simply back to his playboy ways.

It was on October 28th while in attendance to one of the Ministry's many celebratory Balls for closer working relations to the United States and in honour of the new diplomat that she found herself in the same room as Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy again.

It was quite a unique experience, to know everything about an awkward situation and she felt quite detached leaning on the banister overseeing everyone. There was something in the air tonight, a subdued peculiar feeling that she could not figure out. As she looked over all the happy and smiling couples she allowed a small smile to grace her mouth. Not for the first time she had wished that Lee was here but he had been dragged off with George on 'Official WWW' business. In other words, George had concocted some other little trick and they were off to Hogsmeade to round up their merry little bandits of Hogwarts students to test and trial them on unsuspecting first years. Scanning the crowd again she saw Draco's desperate attempt to divert two women flirting with him so outrageously she could see it a good 50 metres away, it was a pity that neither could see the disinterested look on his face and his obvious displeasure at having to be subjected to their advances.

Harry almost never attended these events however it was nice to see him happy. He was busy on the dance floor twirling his fiancé around looking as ever the poster boy for the new and improved Wizarding World… so unlike the Yule Ball at Hogwarts. When they were seeing each other he had this strange aversion to it however from the looks of things you would think he had been dancing for years. George had mentioned in passing to her the other day how he had received his invitation to the wedding; it was in 5 weeks if she remembered correctly.

She eyed Draco again and thought back to the last two times of seeing him, it was humiliating to even think it but she couldn't be sure if he even knew who she was, he could probably hazard a guess but she was probably nothing to him. When Hermione was around he had to know her name because she was her friend and then after their tryst he had to know her name to keep her in line however as soon as Hermione was gone she was no longer a liability which means no longer worth mentioning or remembering. Like so many before and after her. There was only one that ever mattered and she was practically untraceable. She knew of Harry and his brief unexplained absences, she could only guess where he was going. She also knew of Draco's ongoing search for Hermione but she wasn't the top of their class for nothing. Hermione would only be found when she wanted to be.

It was with that in mind that she hailed a waiter and switched her empty champagne glass for a full one which was fortuitous since the Minister appeared at the top of the staircase and seemed to be trying to get everyone's attention. After a false start the Ministers voice boomed and then coughed behind her so she turned and faced where he was standing with another man. She glanced over her shoulder and noticed Harry looking up at the man with a faint smile which she found strange but thought nothing of it. Draco Malfoy seemed as unaffected as he was with those two girls practically pawing all over him. Looking back up the staircase the Minister started his speech.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to a remarkable young man. He was born in Britain but had moved to the United States as a young lad. After completing his education with exemplary marks which could rival only one other person that I know of, he set to work on the ground level to help the underprivileged and to further communication between Wizarding communities and the Muggle world. He has moved up quite quickly in the United States Ministry in just a few short years and now we are honoured to be sent a Wizard that is not only well thought of in both his native and adoptive countries but the world over. We can only hope that with all of our involvement and participation we can further bridge the gap between our communities. Now is a time for peace and reflection so it is with great honour that I may present to you Mr. Alexander de Lioncourt'

He stepped forward and was met with applause from all around. He seemed to be 6'2, dark sandy blonde hair that was stylishly cut, not short but not too long that he would be mistaken for a girl either, he had green eyes and he would not be over 30 but was well into his twenties. She had thought that the new guy would be older however things change she supposed. He seemed relaxed and humbled, Ginny had seen many men appear humble but he looked like he actually meant it. After shaking the Ministers hand and speaking a few words to each other he faced the crowd and the Minister stepped back with a smile.

'That was quite an introduction and I could only hope that I may fulfill my obligations and your expectations, it may seem strange since I seem to be on the wrong side of 50 to be taking up this post since many in my position seem to be very experienced'

At this the crowd chuckled in good humour and Ginny was surprised at how fast he was winning over the crowd. His smile was of the dashing sort so she supposed that helped.

'I also came back to England for another reason entirely'

The crowd hushed appropriately and Ginny's eyebrow rose, that uneasy feeling was coming back.

'A little over four years ago I met an amazing woman who was from your fair England and she showed me how to use the government to better enable the underprivileged, the needy and how to better sustain our environment so that we may all benefit from a better future. She encouraged me to take this post and has been an integral part in better communications between our Ministries. Many of you already know her…' his dashing smile now seemed to leave a bitter taste in Ginny's mouth.

'My fiancé Hermione Granger who many of you know has taken somewhat of a sabbatical these past years'

Understatement of the century was on many people's minds after hearing that statement.

'However when this post was opened she has shown nothing but support so we decided that it would be best to move our family back here'

Many people's eyebrows were raised after that statement and Draco Malfoy's expression particularly looked as though he was about to cast an Unforgiveable.

'So, may I not only introduce my fiancé but also our son Gabriel who we hope will benefit from a traditional Wizarding education so a toast'

With those words Hermione stepped forward with a little blonde headed boy beside her, all smiling and raising their champagne glasses which was closely followed by everyone else.

'A toast, to new beginnings'

With raised glasses everyone took a sip and applause broke out. Something went past her in a blur and only when they came to a halt and lifted Hermione up in the air did she manage to make out that it was Harry. Who else would really have the audacity to pick Hermione up and twirl her around?

For some, time just seemed to stand still.

As Ginny looked upon Hermione, she noticed few changes, her hips were a bit wider but only someone who she shared jeans with would notice, she was still slim, her hair seemed a tad darker but that could be because of the lighting. She was dressed in a beautiful gown that complimented Alexander's suit. They looked perfect together, his hand around her waist, her radiant smile shining through the flashes of cameras going off. They contrasted each other perfectly. As they made their way down the stairs she chanced a glance at the child who was at this moment being lifted by Alexander, he had a soft face with a slightly pink tinge to his cheeks, clearly not used to the attention. His hair was a shock of platinum but she supposed that many children's hair was that colour, they would only need to worry once he became older and have people start noticing that it wasn't changing. As they walked past her not even noticing her there she dipped her head slightly but once she lifted her head back up she caught the boy's eye and he offered her a smile which she couldn't help but return.

There was no doubt about it, the boys eyes were grey. She wondered how long it would take Malfoy to figure it out; as she chanced a glance in his direction she saw his face go from stunned then contort with an uncontrollable amount of rage. Obviously he had already gotten over the shock and was onto the next emotion, anger. However, from the look of utter contempt and rage building on his face she figured that he was a lot quicker than she gave him credit for.

He knew.