Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter. All ideas and characters belong to the lovely J.K Rowling.
* Rated M for later chapters HG/RW&HG/DM (Ron is only introduced as the boyfriend once)
(( This is my second story. This is the world where Voldemort never came back, basically everything that happened at the end of the fourth book and on did NOT happen. Although there are still rumors of Death Eaters and the likes, but no Dark Lord threat. I'm going to try and take it a little slower than my last and give it detail. I know it seems a little slow at first, but just bare with me, we will get to the good stuff soon, you must have a good introduction and back story :D Please let me know what you think. I get disheartened and lose interest in my stories if I find my readers don't care for it. Here's chapter one! ))
Chapter 1- Life is Full of Changes
Hermione squealed in excitement and ran down the stairs of the familiar Burrow and into the kitchen. With a glowing face and smile from ear to ear, it didn't take long for her best friend Ginny to understand.
"My letter came in, too" Ginny said laughing, holding up a Prefect Badge. Hermione laughed again and looked at the gold badge in her hand. Six years of studying nonstop had paid off. She made Head Girl. She couldn't wait for the boys to come downstairs, although they had been reassuring her all summer that no one else could have possibly been close in the running against her. Hermione always told them she wasn't sure, it wasn't just intellect that went into the pickings of Head Girl.
"Well, I think Dumbledore has found an excellent replacement for Gryffindor," Hermione said smiling at Ginny.
She turned her head as she heard a grunt and thumping on the stairs. She broke into a wide grin again and ran to the stairs. Shortly, two ruffle-haired boys came down yawning, holding unopened envelopes, and greeted the bouncing Hermione with grunts. Ron passed her without so much of a glance, but Harry stopped and straightened his glasses, a small grin on his face.
"Did you get your letter?" He asked, laughing. She nodded. "Am I allowed to say I told you so?" She smiled and playfully pushed his shoulder.
"You know being the top of the class isn't a guarantee for a Head position," she said. Ron grunted again behind her. Ginny glanced at him and disgust crossed her face while he shoved his face full of food.
"So do you evolve passed a caveman in the morning or is grunting your new form of communication?" she asked her brother. Ron rolled his eyes.
"S'e jus 'orrie' 'oo mu'h" he said with his mouth full of food. Hermione matched Ginny's look of disgust.
She loved him, Merlin knew she did, but lately she was so sick of how immature he acted. They started dating at the end of term last year, which is what her heart desired more than anything. And it had been great, for the first month. After that she felt more embarrassed by him.
"Ronald, close your mouth," Molly snapped, making everyone jump slightly. She turned on her cheery smile and greeted Harry and Hermione a good morning.
"I thought I heard owls this morning," she said nodding at the boys' envelopes. Molly turned to Hermione.
"I take it yours came with a pretty gold badge?" she asked winking. Hermione smiled and lifted it up to show her. She nodded towards Ginny.
"You should see what came with Ginny's as well." Ginny shot her a look. Molly whipped around and stared at her expectantly. Regretfully, Ginny nodded and held up the Prefect badge and flinched at Molly squealed in delight.
"Oh! That's Four! Four Prefects! Oh I'm so proud of you Ginerva! This calls for a celebration! My baby," she said wrapping her hand over Ginny's cheek. Ginny's face turned red as Harry and Ron started snickering.
"Mum!" she murmured. At that moment, Arthur walked in and Molly turned to him.
"Ginny made Prefect!" she said loudly. Arthur smiled.
"Well done," was all he said as he made his way to the breakfast spread. Hermione smirked, no wonder where Ron gets it, but at least Arthur speaks English.
According to Molly, a trip to Diagon Alley was in order.
"You need to get your school supplies anyhow, plus my baby still needs to decide what she wants," Molly said softly at Ginny. Ginny's face grew red again, shaking her head.
"I've already told you," she said, as Ron disappeared in the fireplace and she grabbed a handful of powder from the mantle, "I don't want anything." Molly shook her head.
"Nonsense, we'll find something." Ginny rolled her eyes and shouted "Diagon Alley!" and disappeared after her brother in green flames.
"Go right ahead, dear." Molly said smiling at her. Hermione took a handful and shouted her destination and felt herself flying through fireplaces. When she finally stepped out, she saw the Weaselys and Harry in a semi circle, awaiting her and Molly. Hermione used a Scourgify spell to rid herself of soot and did Harry and Ron the same favor.
"Thanks 'Mione," Ron said smiling at her. She smiled back, feeling her heart tug as an internal war raged.
"Right then," Molly said after emerging from the fireplace, "You kids go off and get your supplies then meet Arthur and I at Flourish and Blott's in two hours. That should be enough. Oh and Ginny, if you find anything you want, just come find me." With a smile, the pair walked away and Ginny scoffed.
"I don't understand why they have to buy me something. I don't want anything," she said shaking her head. Ron laughed.
"Go on Gin, everyone who got Prefect got something. Hell, Mum bought me a broom. Not a very good broom, mind you, but it was new."
"But Ginny's stuff is usually new, at least when it comes to clothes," Hermione pointed out. Ginny folded her arms and walked down the street, Harry raced after her. Hermione took a step towards them, but Ron held her back.
"Nah, let him go. Besides, we get to spend two whole hours together, just you and me." he said smiling sweetly at her. Hermione forced herself to smile instead of grimace, knowing she would barely be able to keep him going from store to store on a school supply mission.
Two hours later, Hermione's hunch proved right. They were due to meet Molly and Arthur and still had one more stop to make. Hermione was irritated with Ron, who was acting like a little kid, trying to touch any and everything. She literally felt like his mother. Except, of course, the time he tried to pull her in between two stores to snog. She was fuming as she stomped down the street when she heard Ron from behind her.
"Oiy! 'Mione! Check this out!" She turned on her heel and watched as Ron started messing with knick knacks from a kiosk on the side of the street. He held up a small figurine of a cat.
"Ya reckon Umbridge would like this for her collection?" he asked, laughing. Hermione couldn't take it anymore.
"Honestly Ron! Could you act anymore like a child! We are here to get school supplies and are late to meet your mother because you want to stop and touch everything like a four year old! God, it's a wonder you even made Prefect last year! I can't believe you!" she stopped yelling, distinctly aware there was a small crowd gathering. Ron opened his mouth to reply but she cut him off. "I can't believe me! To honestly have thought I could put up with this immature behavior! Merlin knows I've seen who you really are for the last six years, how could I have possibly been so stupid as to believe I could be in love with England's biggest idiotic child" Hermione knew it was harsh, but she didn't care at the moment. He had wasted her shopping time to act stupid. She turned on her heel, walked a couple steps and turned back around. Pulling a red ring off her thumb.
"And take your stupid Chudley Cannons ring back. More proof you're an idiot, I hate Quidditch!" she said throwing it at him and turned around, stomping off, leaving him staring at her with an open mouth.
"'Mione!" she heard him call. "Hermione!" She ignored him, her anger flaring. She was gritting her teeth so hard her jaw hurt. She walked into the nearest store to get off the street and almost laughed at the irony. It was a book store. She wandered around, lost in her thoughts.
And he can be such a prat sometimes! One thing sets him off and he's in a bad mood all night unless you admit you're wrong and he's right. He's such a slob, too. Always stuffs his face full of food and continues to talk with it full, never cleans up after himself. The only reason he had any laundry was because of me!
Hermione ran through their argument in her head and was then angered at all the things she hadn't said to him. She took a deep breath and wondered briefly if she should go back and apologize. Then it hit her, she'd broken up with him. At least, what else would have been signified with her throwing his ring back at him. Shockingly, two emotions entered her heart: relief and despair. She couldn't explain why, but she felt sad about no longer having him as her boyfriend. She unexpectedly started crying, not hard, but tears were rolling down her cheeks and once they started she couldn't get them to stop. She stepped closer to the book shelf and leaned her head on it trying to hide from the few customers that were in the store.
"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" a voice came from the side. Hermione started and looked to her right to find a very familiar face with platinum blonde hair looking at her with first concern, then shock, then confusion. She angrily wiped her tears away, upset he had seen her crying.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" she asked, trying to sound venomous but knowing she only sounded pathetic in the attempt. He raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Well, first I was wondering about your mental health. I see you walking around here, muttering angrily either at yourself or the book shelf and then I'm assuming it said something nasty in return because then you started crying out of no where," he finished, still smirking at her. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"It's none of your business why I'm upset," she started.
"Oh I don't care why, or that you're even upset, like I said I was worried about your mental state, can't have a loose psychotic Mudblood on the loose," he sneered. Hermione shot him a look, her anger starting to flare once more. She grabbed for her wand.
"I've had just about enough of your mouth ferret!" she said through gritted teeth. Malfoy simply chuckled.
"It's not my fault. What else was I supposed to think? Although, seeing how it's you I should have expected as much. What did the books not like you being angry so they broke up with you?" he taunted. Hermione felt herself blink, once, twice and then the tears pooled in her eyes. She swallowed hard and tried to push the phrase "broke up" from her mind. Malfoy saw her waver and smiled.
"Dear Merlin, they really did, didn't they!" He ran his fingers over the spine of books on the shelf next to him. "I knew walking in here was the right thing to do," he said almost cheerfully. Hermione blinked once more and felt the tears roll down her face. Her wand dropped to her side and she leaned her back against the shelf and put her face in her hands and cried.
"Uh…" Draco said as Hermione slid to the floor, her knees bent. She couldn't stop crying and right now she didn't care if the Ferret of Slytherin saw her doing it. She heard the Malfoy shy and heard shuffling of feet and assumed he had left her there, which is why she jumped and looked up from her hands as she felt something bump into her shoulder. She turned and saw Malfoy sitting next to her, his legs in front of him, slightly spread to either side. He sighed and reached into his robes and pulled out a green handkerchief and held it out to her. She stared at him, tearstained, with her mouth slightly opened.
"Merlin, just take it Granger," he growled, shoving it into her lap. She took it hesitantly, and wiped her eyes and nose.
"Thank you," she said, holding it back out to him He shuddered and shook his head.
"Egh, no. I don't want that back," was all he said as he stared at the floor. She sat there, confused, and just stared at him.
"Uhm.." she started "Why…er, I mean to say…you didn't have-" she felt her face blush as she stammered for words. He swung his head towards her, looking at her through his blond bangs and smirked at her.
"Don't think yourself special. A woman crying is every man's weakness," he said, shaking his head. But Hermione did feel special. Not only had he put her in the general category of females, it was him! She shook her head and looked at her hands, at a loss for words and feeling, strangely, grateful for her enemy. He grunted and got to his feet quickly, Hermione followed and shifted from one foot to the other, feeling uncomfortable. He coughed slightly and glanced at her.
"Erm…just give it back later," he muttered and stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked off. Hermione stared after him, mouth gaping open. She was completely confused. Granted Malfoy hadn't been completely obnoxious this last year, although Hermione put that to the fact that society had finally accepted the fact that Voldemort was done for. Most Purebloods were laying low, denying any alliance with the Dark Lord and praising Dumbledore with newly found enthusiasm. Hermione couldn't, however, remember noticing anything about the Malfoys, reprisal or otherwise. Hermione sniffed again and looked at the green handkerchief in her hand. She saw in three letters embroidered in the corner. They were a silver color and read 'DLM' in cursive writing. Suddenly, she remembered she was supposed to meet up with the Weasleys nearly thirty minutes ago and she still didn't have all her supplies. Sighing, she wiped her eyes and straightened her robes, hoping her eyes weren't too red to take notice.
Hermione finished putting all her things in her trunks and locked them tight. She sat on her bed next to Crookshanks and looked at him jealously as he sat there in content. When she had finally met up with them, Molly had been frantic.
"We'd been so worried! Ron said you two had gotten separated and he couldn't find you!" Hermione almost scoffed. Of course, Ron wouldn't tell them of the embarrassing scene, instead he chose to lie and hide it. Hermione apologized and said she lost track of time and still hadn't finished her list.
"Oh, well that's no bother really. The boys wanted to take a walk around the brooms and Quidditch supplies, so Ginny and I were going to go around window shopping! You can join us and we'll go get the last of your supplies together!" she said cheerfully. Although Hermione loved Molly like her own mother, she really wanted to be alone. Ginny gave her a questioning look and Hermione shook her head slightly signaling they would talk later, but definitely not here.
Hermione sighed again and grabbed her bags, Crookshanks following and slipping through the door before she shut it. She thumped the trunks down the stairs as softly as she could, and walked into the kitchen. Harry and Ginny were sitting at the table, playing Wizard Chess. Hermione smiled seeing Ginny was winning. Molly came over and gave her a concerned look.
"You don't have to leave.." she started. Hermione shook her head. She had explained it to Ginny when they had gotten home (Ginny still empty handed for a gift, much to Molly's displeasure) and explained what happened. Ginny had the idea of maybe staying at the Witch's Inn in Diagon Alley for the next two days until they boarded the train. Hermione jumped at the thought, anything to get away.
"I know, I just…it's easier this way. No forced smiles and his mood should lighten once I'm not here. It's okay, really. I'd like some time by myself anyway." she said, forcing a smile. She walked over to the fireplace, not looking at anyone and grabbed a handful of powder. After making sure she had a firm hold on her luggage she looked at Crookshanks, "Stay here with Ginny, I'll see you soon," then dropped the powder and shouted "Witch's Inn!" and she was engulfed in green flames and was gone.
Hermione had finally sank onto her mattress after getting a room and setting a few things she'd need daily out. Arms under her head, she looked at the ceiling, debating whether being alone was really what she wanted. She felt tears start to pool in her eyes again and shook her head angrily. She stood up and paced her room, hands on her hips debating what to do to keep her mind preoccupied. She spied the books sitting at the desk and for once in her life, she turned away from their comforting pages. She went into the bathroom and drew herself a bath. Once the tub was full, she undressed and sank deep into the water, letting her muscles relax. Her thought floated to this past summer, which of course starred Ron.
Like she had said, the first month or so was perfect. It was all sweet and romantic and he had taken her out on a picnic. Hermione was so happy. Then it's like, he snapped out of whatever fantasy land he was in and became his usual obnoxious immature self again. No more sweet kisses or cuddling at night. Instead, it was replaced by his begging that they go farther than his hands groping in the darkness under her shirt. Hermione couldn't help it, call her old fashioned, but she wanted to wait. She wanted to make sure it was real before she gave that away. And Merlin, was she happy she waited.
Ridding her mind of Ron thoughts, Hermione shaved her legs and stepped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around her. She grabbed another and started drying her wet curls. She looked at herself in the mirror and, like many times this summer, was pleased how different she looked than a year ago. Ginny was always the more girly one of the two, Hermione preferring a book over eyeliner, and finally convinced her to learn a few beauty spells. Her hair had lost it's bushiness and instead fell a few inches below her shoulders in soft , precise curls. She had wanted to learn to put make up on the Muggle way, but she learned that her wand was definitely more efficient and accurate to what she desired. After fixing her hair, she decided light make up would be okay, she hardly wore it anyway. She got dressed and headed out the door, her final destination a complete mystery to her.
Hermione being Hermione, of course went to a bookstore. Then another when she was done with that one. She found she could lose herself in the many rows and volumes. Finally she found herself walking into a pub only to freeze right in the doorway. Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach flipped as she saw her newly found ex sitting at the bar next to Harry, his head in his hands.
Unsure of what to do, and completely taken by surprise, she couldn't move for a second and suddenly felt someone bump into her from behind causing her to tumble forward. Someone grabbed her arm to stop her from hitting the floor and settled her back on her feet.
"Gotta watch where you stand, your right by the-" Hermione was looking up at the same blond she had seen earlier. He smirked.
"I can honestly say I'd never have imagined the Goody-Two Shoes in a pub," he laughed. Hermione quickly turned to see if Ron had noticed she was there….and of course he was glaring right at her, arm still held by Malfoy. She felt her face grow red. She started shaking her head as Ron started walking towards them, Malfoy oblivious to the oncoming red head. Ron quickly came upon them and yanked Hermione from Malfoy's grip and pushed him back. Malfoy sneered at him and then plugged his nose.
"Whoa, been drinking a bit tonight Weasel? Or is that the norm for you?" he said laughing.
"You stay away from 'er I said! She's my girlfriend!" Ron hissed. Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it at this exact moment in time. Something in Malfoy's mind clicked. He look from Hermione's panicked face to Ron's drunkeness. He shoved a finger into Ron's chest and glared.
"You were the one that made her cry?" he asked. Ron blinked, unsure of how to answer, Hermione had made sure she was tear free by the time she met up with his family. "What the hell did you do to her?" Malfoy demanded. This accusation made Ron angry.
"I didn't do a bloody thing! She broke up with me!" he said, pointing at Hermione. Malfoy laughed.
"Because of something you did. Merlin knows, you cant be that stupid to leave the only girl who could stand you. And I do mean past tense," he added with a smirk. Ron balled his fists. Hermione saw Harry come up behind Ron and grab his shoulder, pulling him away.
"C'mon mate, not a good idea. You're upset and drunk-"
"I am not drunk! I know perfect'y well wha's goin' on! Didn't ya see, 'arry?" Ron said turning and looking at him. He then shot Hermione a disgusted look. "She came in with 'im and he was holdin' 'er arm. She left me for him!" At this, Malfoy snorted.
"That is all the proof we need to cut you off, Weasel." he smirked. Harry gave his friend a concerned look.
"Well, let's handle this at home. Come on then," he said, taking Ron by the arm. Ron shrugged him off and turned to Hermione.
"Are ya comin'?" he asked, leaning in close to her. Hermione gasp as he was inches form her face.
"Mmm, ya know I love ya…ya don' hafta make meh jealous…" he whispered, leaning in closer, He grabbed for her hand, but Hermione pulled away from him.
"Ron, you are drunk. I am not talking to you like this. We broke up, it's what I want. Nothing you say is going to change that!" she said firmly. The hurt on his face almost made her take her words back, but then his features turned to rage.
"And why the bloody hell not?!" he demanded, smacking the wall behind her. Hermione jumped at the sound. "I loved you! I still do! I didn't do anything! You just up and leave and come in here and you come with him!" he said pointing at Malfoy. Malfoy merely shrugged, but Hermione saw the ice in his eyes as he watched Ron. Harry came back up to him and pulled his shoulder.
"Come on Ron, don't make a fool of yourself." Hermione almost closed her eyes, knowing this was going to set him off.
"But she just left! She gave no warning, no reason! She just left me there after yelling at me in front of everyone in Diagon Alley!" he turned and looked at her, anger flashing through his eyes. "How could you do that to me? I even waited for you 'cause you wanted to hang on to your precious virginity! Ha!" Ron laughed and rolled his eyes. "I bet you just didn't want me to see the other side of you. The side that couldn't say no-" SMACK! Hermione heard it before she felt the sting in her palm. Ron's cheek had a replica of her hand across his face and he stared at her in shock as what just happened registered. Suddenly, as it clicked, Ron balled his fists and grit his teeth.
"You little-" Harry and Malfoy both yanked him back. With a clearing made for her, Hermione rushed out the door, fresh tears threatening her eyes. She raced around to the other side of the pub and for the second time that day, sank to the floor and cried. A few minutes later, she heard steps coming closer. Smiling, she raised her head.
"I'm fine, Har-" but stopped as she realized it wasn't one of her best friends. Malfoy came over and knelt down.
"Prick had no right getting mad at you," he said firmly, staring her in the eyes. Hermione just stared back, unsure of what to say. "You deserve better, you understand? Don't go back to him." he looked at her expectantly and Hermione nodded quickly in agreement. His face relaxed. He stood straight up and looked down at her.
"Come on, get up," he said, walking away. She stood and watched him until he turned around.
"Coming?" he asked over his shoulder. Hermione tilted her head in question but followed after him.
Malfoy had led to a different hotel, the one where he was staying. She followed him to his room and hesitated at the doorway when he walked in.
"I'm not going to rape you, if that's what you're worried about," he said flopping onto the couch. She made a face.
"That's not what I was concerned about. More along the idea of why exactly I followed you and what you could possibly gain to use against me later for going against my better judgment," she snapped at him, but walked in anyway. She stood next to the couch, arms crossed. He shook his head tiredly.
"You've had a long day, a long emotional day, I just figured you could use company. Unbiased company that is to say," he added thoughtfully with a smirk. Hermione scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"And you think you are the company I want?" Malfoy's face contorted.
"Fine!" he said loudly, "If you don't want to be here then leave Granger! I didn't force you to come here! A woman was upset, a man was about to let out his drunken anger on her, I thought 'Hmm, maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to let an emotionally unstable woman roam the streets with an ex pissed at her'. Excuse me for being polite!" he ranted to her. Hermione put one hand on her hip and pointed a finger at him.
"You? Polite? To me?! Are you off your rocker, Malfoy? Since when do you care about some filthy, now loony, Mudblood? Aren't I just taking up some of your breathing space?" she countered angrily. She was completely confused. Not only had he tried to console her earlier, he wanted to make sure she was safe? This made no sense. Malfoy sighed.
"Have you wondered to yourself yet why I'm sitting in a hotel room by myself in Diagon Alley instead of cuddled up in the Manor?" he asked, looking up at her. Hermione faltered. No, she hadn't given it a second thought. She looked around the room and noticed is wasn't ever a particularly nice room, either. Definitely not fit for Malfoy's standards. She looked back at him and raised an eyebrow questioningly at him. He sighed.
"Another story for another day…Just, stop living in the past for right now, alright?" he asked softer, looking up. Hermione bit her lip and let her arms drop to her sides and sat down on the couch.
"Against my better judgment, fine. But only because I do technically owe you," she replied. Malfoy smirked.
"You and your judgment will get you in trouble some day." Hermione felt herself actually smile.
"Probably. Look what it got me with Ron," she said then immediately clamped her mouth shut. She looked away quickly, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"So," Malfoy said, bringing her attention back to him. "Care to challenge me in a game of chess?" he asked smirking. Hermione gave a small smile and nodded.
Hermione squinted against the sun that was trying to force it's way into her eyelids. Trying to go back to sleep, she made to turn over but stopped moving abruptly as she felt something or someone next to her. She opened her eyes wide and found a sleeping Malfoy next to her. She bolted up and slowly remembered the night before. They played chess, they talked, they ate…that's it. She remembered yawning and Malfoy saying she should get sleep and then….she glanced over at him. His face was serene as the sunlight tickled across it, catching the blond of his hair that hung in his eyes. Hermione slowly got up, trying to not wake him, and tiptoed out of the room, closing his door with a soft click.
Walking back to her own inn, Hermione played through the night before. He hadn't really said much about himself. He let her do most of the talking, and to be honest most of it revolved around Ron. At first, she was very skeptical about opening up, but once she started, she just couldn't shut up. She wasn't sure what exactly had changed in Malfoy, or if he had changed at all or even possibly if someone taken poly juice potion and was impersonating him, because the Malfoy she hung out with the night before was not the one she had known for the last six years.
After arriving to her room, Hermione was happy with the thought that tomorrow she would be headed off to Hogwarts as Head Girl for her last year. She then began wondering who the Head Boy would be. It wasn't one of the boys, they're envelopes were too small, also there couldn't be two Gryffindor Heads. She shook her head, putting the matter away for the moment and went to her school supplies on her desk. She smiled as familiar territory looked back at her. She could always count on books.
(( So lay it on me. What did you think? I know nothing really too exciting happened, but I needed to introduce everything. I know Draco is extremely OOC, but it will be thoroughly explained next chapter. Please review! I live off these, it keeps me going and motivated to finish! Also let me know what you would like to see happen or any ideas and/or criticism! Thanks! ))