Hermione massaged the stem of her wine glass as she was gazing out the window. The house was lovely as always; Ginny did well to take care of the children and tidy the house while Harry worked. It was all so homely. She lifted it to her lips and watched the legs of the wine trickle as she tasted the robust flavor; Hermione took note to find out the year of the wine.
"Don't you think you went a bit too overboard with this one," Harry's voice finally startled her from her mind.
Her eyes skated to the gangly wizard entering the warm sitting room. "Never, Harry. No one should be forced into marriage and children with a select list. Fuck those old codgers," Hermione spat with a glare.
"Woah, Hermione, PG, the kids are still awake," Harry grumbled as he flopped over on the loveseat. "What are you going to do?"
"Exactly what I planned. Prove that this list was a ridiculous concept. Yes, us witches could choose the father of our would-be children, but at what cost? Yes, feminism is alive in well in our society, but what does this do for romance?" Hermione questioned before swirling her glass and sipping it.
"You chose someone you knew wouldn't work," He said flatly.
Hermione waved her hand in the air. "And what? Who else would choose him for sound reasons? He doesn't want this either. If I can convince him to stop spitting at me and turn it on the Wizengamot, then it will serve its purpose."
Harry's hair shivered as his head shook. "Hermione, I love you, but I think you're wrong. Look, Neville was happy for the prospect of finding the ballocks to ask Hannah to marry him because of this."
"And what of all those that are single and not wanting to pick from a list? How do you know that I didn't want to see if witches worked for me?" Hermione questioned with a glare.
"That's a clause though, isn't it? If you had an issue with that, then Kingsley could remove you from the list, and you could marry the witch you wanted. Adoption is still a prospect for those couples too…" he insisted as he scrubbed his face. "My only worry is that you jumped too swiftly on this. Kingsley said you had a day to think about it, but you saw his name and picked him. That isn't like you at all."
"Two years, Harry. Two years to marry someone and have their children. It's disgusting!" Hermione huffed as Ginny walked into the room.
"The kids are asleep so you can get as rowdy as you need, Hermione. I'm in agreement with you. They shouldn't be forcing anyone to make this choice. It's not organic," Ginny agreed as she collapsed next to her husband.
"Merlin, Gin, can't you back me as your husband? I'm trying to talk my best friend off the ledge of ruining her life," Harry's voice was strained.
"And the last cock in the world I would want to touch me is Malfoy's," Ginny retorted with a squinted glare at him.
Hermione rocked her head. "Yes, that prospect is quite unbearable. Luckily for me, he doesn't want anything to do with me, so this worked out in my favor."
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Ginny sighed as she leaned against Harry.
"Me too, Gin, but he's happy now," Hermione mumbled as she ran her fingers through her hair.
Ginny motioned agreement as Harry squirmed with a grimace. "It wasn't right what he did," Harry grumbled.
"Right or wrong, he shouldn't have left you," Ginny hissed as Hermione drained her glass.
The older witch suddenly felt far older and worn than she was. It sunk on her shoulders and put a pressure on her chest as she leaned against the sofa. Hermione wanted to keep doing what she was to get over it, but then the bill struck her at the shins, causing her to fall flat on her face. Ronald Weasley was never going to be a door she opened ever again.
"Katie is a good witch," Hermione murmured as she traced her jawline with a thumb. "He's a dunderhead if he lets her go."
"This was months ago, we should worry about the present," Harry said with a nod.
"Valentine's Day is coming up," Ginny pipped with an eyebrow wiggle. "I could see if Krum would like to come out…"
Hermione waved her hand in frustration. "No, I don't want to him to know about all this mess. I told him things were fine last we wrote. His girlfriend is already pressing him on why we write so much."
"She is a model after his money, Hermione. Boring as a stone statue," Ginny bit at her words as she jerked in Harry's gentle embrace.
"No, Ginny, just leave it alone. I need to fix this whole bill situation before I can even romance the idea of an old flame." Hermione stood up and stretched. "I suppose I better get back to my burden before Crooks starts crying at being locked up."
Harry jumped up and took her small shoulders in his hands. "Listen, Hermione. I really want you to think about using the amendment and back out of the coupling with Malfoy. Find someone, anyone, that would help you with this; just not him, please? I don't care what he's been through; he's still Malfoy. He has no respect for you."
"We're a match made in hell, Harry. I have no respect for him either, so it's the perfect example of why this is a dull bill that won't pass. I have meetings on Monday with a few from the Wizengamot and then on Tuesday Kingsley told me he would review my qualms with the proclamation." Hermione finished as she nodded up at him.
Harry gripped her shoulders and leaned to her. "Hermione, he isn't going to help, you chose him. They won't just excuse a bill that will proactively push war survivors back into a dutiful purpose. There are many out there listless, and that's why this happened. I don't defend it, but I'm worried someone like Oliver, who would be decent to you, will be picked and you will be left with Malfoy if it does actually get pushed through."
Hermione patted his hand and exhaled. "Harry, I know what I'm doing, I promise."
"Harry, let her work it out. She has two months. If it looks like it's going to be pushed through, she can amend then and choose. Malfoy won't be sorry to see her go and she won't have any obligation to fighting it," Ginny insisted.
"I promise, Harry. I can do this," Hermione assured him with a nod. "You fought enough, let me do this."
"You fought too, Hermione," Harry sighed as he caressed her cheek. "You're all I've got outside the Weasleys. I can't lose you, you know?"
She smiled up at him and kissed his cheek. "I love you too, Harry. I promise I won't get stuck with that wanker."
"Okay," Harry conceded with a big breath. "I love you too much, Hermione. I only want you happy."
"Some people aren't meant for that, Harry," Hermione murmured as she pulled from his grasp. "I will see you this week at dinner, Potters," she declared as she approached Ginny and kissed her face.
"Yes, and be sure that you save your energy. I heard George is bringing his cupid's arrows," Ginny warned.
Hermione groaned and shook her head. "Somehow I knew that was going to be the case. I will see you," she responded and went to exit.
"Don't drunkenly shag him!" Ginny shouted with a giggle.
"Merlin's beard, Gin. I don't even want to think about that," Harry gagged, causing Hermione to laugh under her breath as she walked down the hallway.
She caressed the doorknob and glanced down at the shiny metal in her fingers. Hermione didn't want to go, but she had to do it. Bouncing her head, she opened the front door and left, disappearing from the porch. Reappearing in front of the dark manor made her wince at the concept of walking in as she belonged. Hermione belonged less on this doorstep than she did anywhere else. A muggleborn. An Order member… not their type of people to be precise.
Hermione scoffed at her mild cowardice and opened the barrier to see it barren and quiet. It felt warm and welcoming aside from the portraits that glared wordlessly at her. The witch turned her vision to the staircase; a warm bath and an early night sounded appealing.
Her footsteps were heavy on the steps, even as quiet as she was trying to be… well, there would be no sneaking around without alerting anyone she was coming. When she got to the next floor, she saw her door was open. Hermione rushed inside and saw that it was cleared and righted. What the…
"Granger," A whispered voice startled her as a heavy weight touched her shoulder.
Hermione pivoted with her wand out. "Merlin, Malfoy, don't scare me!" She hissed through her teeth as her heart jumped in her chest.
He pressed down a curve to his lips. "I moved your things for you. Let me show you to your more suitable residence while you're here," Draco said with a tilt of his head.
Hermione swallowed down her adrenaline build up and motioned agreement. "Where's my cat?"
"He's there already. He wasn't as feisty as I remember. Climb in the carrier and meowed after I asked him to get in. You know, you probably should teach him about strangers. You don't want him to be catnapped," He snickered as he walked down the other end of the hallway.
"Crooks is intelligent; he probably assumed you were taking him to me. I felt bad to leave him alone so long in a strange place," Hermione responded as she followed him.
"My mother took a shine to him. I might need to get her a cat now," Draco sighed, his hair dancing on his head as he swayed it.
Draco opened a large door and offered her to walk inside. Hermione just gave him a single nod before stepping into the wing. It was a hallway that opened to a sitting room. The area was delicately decorated in feminine accented decor. The furniture very elegant and gentle against the muted eggshell walls.
Hermione turned and rose her eyebrows as she noted the comforts offered to her. Bookshelves were near a nook by the window where a bench rested under with cushions. A fireplace was already engaged in crackling and warming the room and sconces were lit lowly to illuminate the room. There was a french door that likely led to a patio and a staircase to the left of it.
"My parents used to put their valued guests in this wing. Up the stairs is your room, not to worry, I didn't set any hexes in your bed; my mother handled the business of decor up there. The bathroom is connected to the bedroom. The balcony connects all the way around, so don't come knocking on my door, please. If you need anything, my mother asks you kindly to request it from her or the house elf, Minky. I'm too busy with Scorpius and my investments to handle your issues," Draco finished, and Hermione turned to see him standing awkwardly at the entrance.
"Thank you, Malfoy. This is far more accommodating than I expect," Hermione said.
A loud meow was heard, and Crookshanks climbed out of the hole in the giant cat tree. Hermione clicked her tongue against her teeth, and the cat jumped down and came running. He purred loudly and wove in between her legs. Hermione giggled and bent to pet the large cat. "There you are, big baby. You like our temporary place?"
The cat meowed again and climbed on the sofa. "He's a good little creature. My mother was quite pleased with his presence. She won't complain if he roams, but my father might have a word or two to say about it. They moved back in after… well, he's been sour at the changes I made since their departure the first time."
Hermione rocked her head and exhaled. "Thank you for your kindness, Malfoy. I want this over with as much as you do and I appreciate your willingness not to watch me flail at putting you in the thick of it."
Draco snorted and waved his hand. "Well, only you, Granger, would choose an enemy to align with to make a point. It takes ballocks and a bit of naivety, but I respect it. Nothing ever is meant to last, not even good things. I'll see you around the manor," Draco finished and moved to leave.
"Thank you," Hermione repeated.
"Your welcome, Granger. Good night," he grumbled and left through the doorway.
When the door clicked shut, Hermione turned to her cat. "Well, I have to admit, that was cordial. Maybe he was drunk," she teased as she approached the feline.
The cat purred in response to her doting. It might be a long few weeks, but at least she had her own space to work. Now, she just needed to make for sure that it would work...
Author Notes: Wow, guys! I'm happy you all are intrigued! I hope you continue to be so!