Unforeseen Adore

Chapter 1

Unwanted Visitor

By: Maeve Malfoy

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Summary: Set six years after the final battle. Hermione is a Healer/Auror. Draco has spent the last six years in America. He comes back to England working on a case and gets partnered with Hermione. Harry and Ginny are already married. Ginny is pregnant with their first child. This story is slight AU as in basically it's the same as Deathly Hallows but with slight differences.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It all belongs to Rowling. Anything you do see that isn't in her books is my own creations. I'm just borrowing her character and playing with them for my own amusement.

A/N: This story is not Beta'd but I am looking for one. If you find this story interesting and would like to be my beta, I'd appreciate it. As is, I've read through this chapter about ten times, hopefully I caught the mistakes, but I won't make any guarantees. Enjoy!!

Slam! Twenty-four year old Harry Potter looked up to see an enraged witch, standing with her hands on her hips, at his desk. He looked at the file that was slammed onto his desk, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Hermione?"

"Bloody ridiculous," Hermione mumbled.

"What is?" Harry asked, cautiously, he knew that look on her face. She wanted blood and he wasn't looking to get into a duel with her. Mostly because he was sure she'd kick his ass if he was forced to duel with her. Her eyes darkened and her brows where drawn together, scowling.

"What, you haven't heard?" Hermione asked sarcastically, looking into the emerald green eyes of her best friend. She began to pace his office, shaking her head as she continued. "Draco freaking Malfoy is back in London…and just guess who he is partnered with?" Hermione paused in her pacing to look at Harry. "Well?"

"I heard he was back…"

"Me!" she interrupted, almost yelling. "That's who. Me, Harry. They partnered him with me. What are the crazy? I can't stand that git and he certainly can't stand me," Hermione exclaimed before dropping into the chair before Harry's desk and dropping her face into her hands.

"From what I heard," Harry started, "it deals with illegal potions. And potions are your specialty. It makes sense for you to work together."

Hermione looked up at Harry incredulously. "Whose side are you on, Harry? It's going to be a bloody nightmare. Ugh! Why? Why now? We've had six years free of Malfoy. Six wonderful years."

Harry shrugged. "Perhaps he's changed. He did help us with the war."

"It's Malfoy, Harry! Come on, I can't believe you just said that. I mean, I know he didn't want to be a Death Eater during the war and yeah, he helped; but he was still a prat to us for the six years while in school and the entire time he spent at Order Headquarters. "

"Look, Mione, I'm sure Kingsley will explain everything at the meeting later today."

"Oh, Merlin," she said, looking genuinely concerned. "Ron's going to flip when he hears Malfoy's back."

Harry sighed, knowing she was right. "Ron will just have to get over it. It's Malfoy's case that he's been working on for over a year in America. From what I heard…"

"Where do you hear all this from, Harry?"

"Are you kidding? Do you even go into the lunch room, Mione? It's gossip central. You would be amazed at what the secretaries around here hear or see for that matter. Besides, there are some perks to being the 'Chosen One', "he smirked at her, waggling his eyebrows comically. Hermione rolled her eyes at him. After Harry defeated Voldermort, he became an even bigger celebrity in the wizarding world than ever before. He had escaped to the Burrow for the whole summer before he decided to face the world in which he was a part of. He still had people gawk at him when he went out on the streets. Over the years, he had gotten use to it and handled it very well. "Anyway, as I was saying. He's apparently been tracking these two wizards' all over America for over a year and now it seems they have moved their illegal potion business to Wizard and Muggle London. Seems that got all they wanted out of the States or maybe they just handed off that part of their business to someone else. No one really knows. There hasn't been any lead as to who these two are."

"Really?" Hermione said, looking exceedingly curious. "They're targeting Muggle's as well?"

"That's what I heard. They use gel capsules for selling to Muggle's, placing a small portion of their potion into the capsules. That's all you need to get the desired effect apparently," he said. "We'll hear more shortly, but really Mione. I wouldn't worry too much. We'll be here for you if he is still his same git self."

Hermione shifted in the chair and looked up at Harry, and sighed. "I guess you are right. How's Ginny doing? Any more morning sickness?"

Harry's face lit up at the mention of Ginny, "No, well at least not much, that potion she designed has really helped. Makes her working at Hogwarts a lot easier; her poor N.E.W.T's class they had no clue what to do when she started throwing up in the middle of class. She told me there were all scrambling around trying to figure out what to do for her and totally forgot about their potion." He chuckled at the memory of Ginny telling him this. It was the first sign they had that she might be pregnant. "I still can't believe I'm going to be a father."

Hermione smiled to herself. Harry and Ginny had been married three years ago. The wedding of the century for the Wizarding community, even though it had been a small affair. They had married right in the Burrows' backyard with only their closest friends and family attending. Harry and Ginny had both completed hard training after the Final Battle. Harry with his Auror training and Ginny with getting her Potions Masters; she had been asked three years ago from the current Headmistress of Hogwarts to fill in as Potion Master. It had been hard for McGonagall to find a replacement after Snape decided to retired from teaching and open his own apothecary. For all their part in the defeat of Voldermort, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny (and the rest of the student's who fought) had been granted permission from the Minister of Magic to being their training in their field of choice, instead of going back to school. Over the summer after the Final Battle, they had all studied hard and passed their N.E.W.T's with flying colors. (Hermione being the slave driver she is when it comes to her studies). Hermione went on to do Healer and Auror training; finishing in two years instead of the normal four. Harry and Ginny had been engaged during their three years of training and were married shortly after finishing training. Not wanting to be away from each other any longer than they already had. Training hadn't given them much time together during those two years. They had rebuilt Harry's parents place in Godric's Hollow and lived there now. Number 12 had gone to Ron, even though he fought Harry on it, not wanting it to seem as charity. Ron had reluctantly taken over Number 12 and now loved having a place of his own.

Hermione and Ron had dated for three years before breaking it off. Ron had been pushing for marriage and she just hadn't been ready for all that, and sometime during those three years, she had just fallen out of love with him. Everyone thought they should be together, but really all they did was fight and make up (not that the making up part was bad, in fact it was very, very good). Hermione broke it off after the second time Ron purposed to her. They ended up not speaking to each other for six months.

"Coming to lunch at the Burrow on Sunday," Harry said, breaking Hermione out of her thoughts.

"Yes, but I'm not sure how I am going to deal with those looks," she paused and looked pointedly at Harry, "you know those looks that Molly throws at Ron and I, whenever we are both single. I wish she would just understand; it's just not going to happen. Ron and I are friends and nothing more."

"I know, Mione. I think she just really wanted you to be her daughter. She has always felt like you were one of her very own and that being married to Ron would make you even more. She means well. She really does."

"Harry…it's been three years. Ron and I have had other relationships during that time."

"None that have lasted," Harry said pointedly.

"Your point?" Hermione said testily.

"The point I was trying to make is that she still thinks there is some kind of hope. I'm afraid she'll have that hope until one of you gets married," Harry explained.

"Yes, well," Hermione sighed. "I guess I should get back to my office and look over this case file. I just hope they don't hold me responsible if I end up killing Malfoy before this is all over and done with."

Harry laughed; glad to see she wasn't angry anymore, "I'm sure they won't. I'll see you this afternoon for the meeting."

She nodded distractedly at Harry before exiting his office. Thinking of Ron had brought up some painful memories. She hadn't wanted to hurt him, but she just didn't love him anymore, not in the way he deserved to be. She loved Ron, but she just wasn't in love with him. He had pushed and pressured her into getting married and settling down. He had wanted her to be Molly and that was something she didn't want at all. Not that she didn't want to get married and have children, one day, she did. She just didn't see that happening for many more years. She still had so much she wanted to achieve.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione had Aapparated home from a long day at St. Mungo's. There had been additional patients then standard that came in. There had been a collapsed tunnel in underground London. Numerous witches and wizards had been hurt and brought in. She had worked a very lengthy twelve hour day. All she wanted as a long shower, some food and to fall into bed and sleep; but she couldn't. It was her birthday and she and Ron had plans to go out into Muggle London. She kept thinking of excuses to try and get out of it, but couldn't think of anything sufficient and she knew being exhausted would not be adequate for Ron.

"Mione," said Ron, coming into the living room where Hermione was taking off her work robes. He grabbed her wrist, spun her around, and pulled her to him bending down to place a small kiss onto her lips softly; his arms coming around to her waist, pulling her close. She sighed mentally, she knew she needed to break it off, but didn't know how to go about it. She still loved Ron, as a friend, but she wasn't in love with him anymore. Hadn't been for almost six months now, she didn't know when or why it happened, but they just drifted apart. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks," she said, smiling at him. "Let me take a shower and then we can go."

"Want company," he said, waggling his eyebrows at her suggestively.

She sighed to herself. "We both know if you joined me we'd be late for dinner," she said pulling herself out of his arms. Even though she didn't love him anymore he was still a great shag, even if she didn't have any other references to compare him to. There was nothing wrong with them in the bedroom, but a relationship had to be more then sexual. At least for her it did.

He smirked and winked at her. "Too true. Alright, off with you. We'll save that for later."

Hermione groaned as she ascended the stairs to the bathroom. She really didn't want to have sex, even if it was her birthday. She just wanted to get through dinner and sleep for two days. She quickly showered and threw on a black slinky dress that hugged her curves. Using her wand she dried and straightened her hair. Her hair, had thankfully, been tamed and was no longer frizzy. (Thanks to a shampoo and conditioner she designed herself). Normally, it fell in soft curls to the middle of her back, but tonight she had decided to straighten it. It wasn't everyday a girl turned twenty-one.

She came out of her bedroom and ran right into Harry. "Whoo, Miss Granger, you are lookin' good."

"Oh, Harry," she rolled her eyes at her best friend, "what do you and Ginny have planned for tonight?"

"Oh, we're just staying in, since Ron's whisking you off for a fancy dinner," he said. He and Ginny had given her gifts to her that morning.

"So, basically, since Ron's going to be out of the house for a while, you are going to shag like rabbits," she teased.

Harry blushed and ran a hand through his already messy black hair, "Well, yeah," he said, grinning.

Ron still had a problem with thinking about his baby sister having a sex life, even if it was with Harry. He made it very difficult for Harry and Ginny to be together sexually. It had gotten so bad that once, Harry had come to Hermione's office at St. Mungo's and begged her to take Ron out of the house for the night.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Please, Mione," he begged. "We are both going crazy. Ron's always there. I swear he has like a sixth sense when it comes to Ginny and I shagging." She had laughed and agreed.

"Don't worry. I'll keep him out for a few hours."

"Thank you, Mione, really, I owe you."

"You know, once you and Ginny get married he'll back off."

"I know, but it's very hypocritical of him," he scowled. "I mean, I know what you and he get up to."

Hermione blushed deeply, "What do you mean? Did he tell you something?"

"No," he teased, "about a week ago, I came home early from work. You two didn't seem too noticed, ya know, since you were too busy shagging right there in the kitchen."

"Oh, gods, you saw that?"

"Thank Merlin, no, but I did hear."

"Oh my gods, how embarrassing," she flushed.

Harry laughed, "I know, it's wrong, but it was fun teasing Ron all of last week about it."

"Harry!" She punched him in the shoulder. "Well, I will see you later." She waved and continued down stairs. Ron was in the living room lounging in a chair. He looked up and his mouth dropped open. She cringed inwardly. She really wished she was still in love with him.

"Wow, Mione, you look absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you, Ron. You ready to go." He nodded and got up. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply and she couldn't help but respond. Opening her mouth under his, letting him slip his tongue into her mouth, making her shiver, pulling from him she broke the kiss and smiled at him. She took his arm as she didn't know where in muggle London he was taking her and she felt that disconcerting feeling of being pulled through a tube that was associated with Apparation.

They had a very nice dinner. Talking about what was going on with work. Hermione worked three days at St. Mongo's and two days at Auror headquarters. It had been a great dinner, up till the desert came. Buried in her chocolate cake was the diamond engagement ring. Thankfully, Ron hadn't felt the needed to get down on one knee in the middle of the restaurant.

She had started to open her mouth when Ron placed his hand over her mouth, "Please, Mione. Hear me out." All she could do is nod. "Hermione, I love you and I am so in love with you. I know you said you weren't ready for marriage but I'm willing to wait and have a long engagement. Just, please, will you marry me?" He held out the ring to her and all she could do is stare. Oh, gods, she thought, why now?

She reached out and curled his fingers around the ring, "I'm sorry Ron, but I can't marry you. Not now and not ever. I've been trying to find a way to tell you this for a while now, but, it seems now is the time. I don't love you anymore, not the way you want me to. You are one of my best friends and I love you, as a friend. I'm so sorry Ron, but I'm not in love with you anymore."

"How long?" Was all he said, his eyes boring into hers. She could see the hurt and pain there and buried underneath was the anger he was reining in, a true testament to how mature he had gotten over the years.

"How long what?"

"How long have you, "he flipped his arms between them, his tone hard, "not been in love with me. I thought we were on the same page, Hermione. I, mean, I love you Hermione. Doesn't that matter?"

"Six months," she whispered, "I'm sorry, Ron. I don't know what else to say."

"Six months," he said, mouth gaping at her. She looked away from him, ashamed all of a sudden. "You've felt this way for six months." All Hermione could do is nod her head, blinking back tears and trying not look him. He got up suddenly and pushed away from the table and stalked out of the restaurant, leaving her there, tears streaming down her face.

Ron had moved out that night. There was no big blow out like she had thought he would have. At least not then, that would come later. They didn't talk for six long months, and while she wasn't in love with him, it had felt like she had lost part of herself. They had been friends for so long and poor Harry was stuck in the middle of it all. The only time in those six months Ron talked to her was Harry and Ginny's wedding. It was so hard to sit there and pretend that they were alright.

About six months after her birthday, he flooed into her new flat one night. She had gotten the flat shortly before Harry and Ginny moved to Godric's Hollow. Ron had completely caught her off guard.

"Ron, what are you doing here?" She asked the moment he stepped from the floo. She was dressed in her pj's. It was late, too late for him to really be there. She crossed her arms over her chest as her pj's didn't hide her cleavage very well.

"I miss you, Mione," he started, staring at his feet, not looking at her at all. "I miss our friendship. I understand that you don't love me anymore, but I think I will always love you as more than a friend Hermione, but I can put that aside and be your friend again. Please, Mione, I miss hanging out with you."

Hermione jumped from her couch and flew into his arms, tears streaming down her face. "I've missed our friendship too, Ron, more then you can even imagine. These past six months have been so hard. I've felt like a piece of me was missing. You'll always have a piece of my heart Ron. You were my first love," she said, continuing to cry into his shirt, "The first person I was with. I will always treasure that. All want is to be friends again too. I'm so, so sorry I hurt you." He held her while she cried and comforted her until she was drained.

"Want to shag for old times' sake?" he joked and Hermione pushed him away and punched him playfully.

Hermione laughed uncontrollable gasping for air. "I don't think that would be a good idea, seeing as we just became friends again."

"I was joking, Mione," he paused, "well, sorta." And he flashed her a cocky grin. Hermione rolled her eyes and they spent the rest of the night just talking.

Hermione spent the rest of the morning in her own head. She didn't even look at the file that Kingsley had handed her that morning. She was dreading the meeting that was going to be held that afternoon. Why, oh why, did they have to put her with Malfoy? Though, she wasn't going to admit it to anyone, she was curious to see what six years in America had done to him. American wizards are more intermixed with muggles then England's. Hermione had visited the United States last summer and was amazed to see how wizards and witches had integrated themselves into the muggle culture; using their technology as their own. The ministry there was equipped with computers and cell phones and all sorts of muggle technology, though everything was powered with magic and not electricity. (A simple charm had been developed making it possible to use Muggle electronics in magically atmosphere). There was even a wizarding world wide web and internet. Yes, she was very curious to see how Malfoy had adapted in with America Wizards.

Narssica and Draco Malfoy had been pardoned for their participation (and help) in the war with the help of her, Harry's and other Order member's testimonies. Lucius did not have such a kind fate. He was sentenced to life in Azkaban and had died two years later. Draco had left for America shortly after being pardoned and Narssica stayed in England. Hermione had heard (from Ginny) that Malfoy had come home to bury his father and only stayed long enough to go to the funeral. He had left for the States the day after they buried Lucius. Hermione speculated that Malfoy had just wanted to get away from it all. She really didn't blame him in that respect. The months after the final battle were so hard on everyone. So many good people had died. Draco Malfoy may have not wanted to be a Death Eater and was forced to take the mark for fear of his family's lives, but she still thought he was an evil git. He had tortured her in school and called her Mudblood whenever he had had the chance. She wasn't sure how she was going to survive this partnership with Malfoy. Who knew how long it was take them to catch these wizards. He had already been working on it for over a year, or so the rumor has it.

"Mione," Harry said, sticking his head into her office. Harry watched Hermione carefully, she seemed to be more stressed then usual and he had to wonder if it was just Malfoy or something else. Something for Harry to think about later. "It's almost time for the meeting."

Hermione muttered something under her breath that he didn't catch, picked up her wand, case file, notes and followed him out of her office and down to the conference room, wondering what this meeting was going to hold for her future.