Nothing lasts forever, but this is gonna take me down
Hermione
Hermione stared at her reflection in the mirror. It had been several months since the war had ended and she still felt like she was trying to figure out who she was and what she wanted. She hadn't had one second to herself, being pushed and dragged to give different speeches and interviews across Great Britain. This was something she expected, but it had gone on long enough. Ron was the only one seeming to enjoy the extra attention the trio was now receiving.
Harry and Hermione were not too surprised, seeing how Ron had always felt outshone by Harry and being a part of a large family, now was his chance to let the world know he existed. Even though Hermione felt sick of all of the attention, she always knew Harry had it worse, having endured both negative and positive backlash his whole life.
She heard a knock on the bathroom door, "Hermione! It's time to leave for the ship!", Ron called enthusiastically. Just three days ago, the trio had found out that they were going on a ship across the Atlantic to America to give yet more speeches of inspiration and hard times. Hermione sighed and opened the door.
"Hermione! Aren't you excited? Can you actually bloody believe they are sending us on a huge ship?", he grabbed her, pulling her into him, "Can you imagine all of the places we can snog on a ship?".
"Ehh hemmm", Harry awkwardly announced himself, as Hermione slipped away from Ron's grip. "Let me just go grab my bag out of Ginny's room", Hermione said has she hunkered away from her two favorite men.
While she was thrilled to finally have Ron as her boyfriend, she couldn't help feel like he was treating her as if she was Lavender Brown. Of course she enjoyed a good snog now and then, but what happened to their conversations filled of intellect and intrigue? But who was she kidding, this was Ron she was talking about. She counted on Harry more for these conversations. Sometimes she wondered what it would be like to be with Harry instead of Ron, but she always quickly shoved those thoughts to the side. After all, Harry was practically her brother. She couldn't help but wonder what made Ron so different.
Lost in her thoughts, she was brought back to reality by Ginny prodding her in the shoulder. "Ummm, hello Hermione? Have you finished packing? Please tell me you are taking all of those beautiful dresses we picked out? I would kill to be going on a ship with Harry".
Before she could answer, Harry poked his head in. "Ginny, aren't you packed?"
"Packed? Me? What?", a look of disbelief and then sudden excitement written on her face. Answering her before she could scream, Harry hurriedly said, "Yes, I want you to come with me Ginny! I had to pull some strings, but me being me, who were they to say no?", he said with a smirk on his face. Ginny jumped into his arms as they began to sway together in the door way, laughing and snogging happily.
It was Hermione's turn to, "Eh hemmm, I guess you will be needing some of your dresses back after all Ginny!", she said smiling towards the happy couple, making another mental note of why she wasn't currently in the sassy red heads shoes, that were still lifted off of the floor by Harry.
Draco
Draco was standing at a window, staring out at the sunrise over the bay. Since the war, he had grown accustom to seeing different views every morning, all seemingly more beautiful than the dull and dark views of Malfoy Manor. Despite his current predicament, he finally felt at peace with who he really was. Most people would look at the Malfoy's fall from grace and society with pity, loathing and even, a well thats what they get attitude. Draco could not blame them, and he found that nor did he care. His father remained in Azkaban, while his mother had no choice but to start her life over. The manor, the family business, and all of their riches had been stripped away from them.
Once Voldemort was gone, there was no more hiding who Lucius really was. His name no longer was a saving grace, nor could they use it to buy their way out of a bad situation. Malfoy was an ancient name hiding ancient debt and unfortunately for Narcissa and Draco, this meant that the Manor, everything in it, and all of their money was taken away from them.
Draco had some money put aside, hidden from the Ministry, he gave most of this to his mother, and took the little amount that was left to escape. As long as his mother was safe, then everything would be okay.
Draco had turned to hiding in muggle villages, occasionally showing up in a wizarding one. He was mostly ignored, besides a few looks of pity. Blaise was the only one that knew all of the details of Draco's situation. He had offered both him and Narcissa a place to stay while they figured things out. While Draco turned him down, Narcissa agreed to stay with Blaise's mother for while.
Blaise took this opportunity to travel with Draco, claiming he wanted to escape the past as well, but really just wanted to keep an eye out on him. "What in Salzar are you doing up so early Draco?", Blaise asked squinting at his blonde friend as he continued to stare out of the window. "I don't know why you are surprised Blaise, as if you ever see me sleeping anymore".
Blaise sighed. This was true. Draco was always still awake when he finally fell asleep and he was already awake whenever he woke up, even if it was before the sunrise. "So where should we get into trouble today?", he asked, deciding to ignore the truth in Draco's comment.
"Well", Draco said with his signature smirk, "I have a few ideas".
