Fade Into You

Chapter 2 - The Plot Thickens

It is the 21st century and Hermione is a Muggle-born. She had quickly learned that once you were out of Hogwarts mobile phones were a good idea so she had equipped both Harry and Ron with one for keeping in touch. Ron barely used his, he preferred owling and floo calls but Harry realised that phones were much faster and much more practical.

Hermione had texted him asking if they could talk and now she sat on a bench in St. James Park in London, awaiting his arrival.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry says cheerfully as he sits down next to her and hands her a Starbucks coffee.

"Thanks," Hermione says with a smile.

"Whats up?" Harry asks.

"I sort of have a job offer for you," Hermione admits sheepishly.

Harry raises an eyebrow at her, "I thought you didn't have a job at the moment."

Hermione shakes her head, "I don't...it's a job offer for both of us."

"Together?" Harry asks in surprise.

Hermione nods, watching Harry warily as she says, "Seb says there is demand for the old show, with the co-hosting aspect."

"He wants us to co-host again?" Harry asks, looking up and catching her eye, "Doing the same show?"

"Well it would have to be modernised a little but it would be the same chat show concept," Hermione says, watching Harry carefully for his reaction, "What do you think?"

"I think it's a great idea," Harry says, "I loved doing that show, best time of my career. I'm surprised you agreed to it though."

Hermione detects the hint of bitterness in his voice but ignores it, "I need a job, Harry. And you aren't a nightmare to work with like the other offer."

"Who is the other offer, Chelsea Clifton?" Harry asks with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione nods, "The Quidditch World Cup with Chelsea Clifton. Sounds like a terrible nightmare."

Harry snorts, "Well it's probably not the best thing anyway is it? The QWC would take you all over the world."

"Exactly, and I want to be around for Cassie before she goes to Hogwarts," Hermione agrees.

"Well don't worry about me, I'm definitely up for bringing back the show. How did you get Malfoy to agree to it?" Harry asks, he is trying very hard not to sound bitter but he has failed as far as Hermione is concerned.

"Why do you two have to be so bitter about each other?" Hermione asks with a sigh, "He isn't happy about it, did you expect him to be?"

"Well you're not exactly thrilled that the gits running for Minister," Harry remarks.

Hermione glares at him, "Harry, he's my Husband."

Harry just shakes his head, "Draco Malfoy is one area we'll never agree on Hermione. Let's just make a conscience effort to not talk about him unless we have to, for the sake of the show."

"No, I won't not talk about him just because it annoys you," Hermione says hotly, "And besides, hes our first guest on the show."

"Everything comes with a price with you, doesn't it?" Harry asks, partly amused and partly exasperated, "Are you sure you weren't a hat-stall?"

"You know I was a hat-stall," Hermione says irritably, "But not for Slytherin like Draco seems to think, for Ravenclaw."

"Well you've got plenty of Slytherin qualities," Harry says as he gets to his feet, "You're pretty good at having people wrapped around your finger so they will do exactly what you what. It doesn't bother me, you've had me hooked for years. But just be warned, it might rub some people up the wrong way."

Hermione rolls her eyes, "I'm not doing anything of the sort. I just want a job and this is the best offer so let's just try to put the past behind us."

"I can if you can," Harry says, holding out his hand to her.

Hermione nods and shakes his hand, "We've got a practice run tomorrow, and then if that goes well we'll record the first episode next week."

"Alright, what time?" Harry asks.

"2pm," Hermione replies.

"See you there then," Harry says with a smile as he turns and walks away. Hermione is left in his wake, thinking about everything that is happening in her life.

Her relationship with Harry is rocky, it has been for years and they have both just learned to dance around each other in that way. Harry would always be her best friend but things were different to the way they used to be, partly down to things that had happened in the past and mostly down to Hermione's marriage to Draco.

"Cassie get dressed, your tutor will be here in 10 minutes!" Hermione calls, knocking on her daughter's bedroom door as she hurries down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Morning love," She says to Draco as she grabs a bit of toast off of his plate.

"You're in a hurry this morning," Draco says, looking up from the prophet.

"It's the test run for the show," Hermione says in-between mouthfuls, "Which means it's a busy day getting things set up. Don't you have your first debate with Percy today?"

"Yes," Draco says, "Although I don't envisage it being hard to win."

"Don't get overly confident, Percy is a fantastic politician and he has been Minister for the last 4 years. People like him," Hermione says.

"Well people like change and he hasn't exactly done anything innovative in his time in office," Draco says.

"I think he has," Hermione says simply, "But then I don't know anything about politics, right?"

Draco rolls his eyes, "It's too early in the morning to fight."

"We're not fighting," Hermione says, "We're debating, think of it as practice. Anyway, I need to get going, I'll probably be late tonight so can you get the kids dinner sorted?"

Draco nods, "Of course I will."

"Good luck with the debate," Hermione says.

"Good luck with the show," Draco says in response.

Hermione sighs, she can tell he still isn't happy about the whole situation, "See you tonight," she says as she leaves the house and apparates to the alley where the entrance to the WWN is. As usual she makes her way in, gets her wand checked and jumps into the elevator where she bumps into none other than Harry.

"Morning," He says, handing her a cardboard cup of coffee.

Hermione laughs, "Thanks, I need it. Why are you in so early? I always did the set up when we used to do the show, you just showed up 5 minutes before we went on air."

"I'm turning over a new leaf," Harry says honestly, "I actually want to help set up these days. I took a lot for granted back then, the show…you...I won't be doing that this time."

"Well I appreciate your help," Hermione says as the elevator comes to a stop and they step out onto their floor. They would have the same studio and the same people working on the show so this didn't feel particularly uncomfortable or scary yet.

"Are you ready, Draco?"

"I'm fine, Mother," Draco says firmly, "Like I told Hermione earlier, I don't feel like this Weasley is a particularly difficult opponent."

"Never underestimate your opponent, it is the worst thing you can do," Narcissa warns her son, "Just go in there and do what we spoke of and things will be fine."

Draco nods and smiles at his Mother before walking into the debating room.

"Minister Weasley," Draco says politely as he holds out his hand to Percy.

Percy responds just as politely, "Hello Mr Malfoy," He says, taking Draco's hand and shaking it "I look forward to our debate today."

"As do I," Draco says with a false smile. He then takes his seat opposite Percy in the debating room. There are reporters in the audience with quick-quotes quills and photographers ready to capture the action.

They go through the motions and then the debate begins. Percy first highlights his reasons for running as Minister and talks of how he will keep up the good standard he has set in the past 4 years if he is elected.

When it is finally Draco's turn to speak he stands and begins, "The reason I am running for Minister is because I truly think I can make the wizarding world a better place. I agree with Minister Weasley, he has set a good standard for a new Minister but all of the hard work he did, was done is 4 years ago. Since his first year in office he has comfortably sat on the reforms he made and has not made any improvements to them or headed any further innovations. If I am elected I will bring new innovations to the wizarding world, I will rearrange the Ministers offices finances and direct more at the most important parts of our society, such as Hogwarts and St. Mungo's. I will spend less money on the running of the Ministry and dedicate that money to our essential services."

With his short speech finished he says, "I will now take questions."

"What sort of innovations do you speak of, Mr. Malfoy?" Rita Skeeter asks.

"One of the innovations I would like to put in place is to provide muggle-borns with the news that they are magical as early as possible and offer them the same basic education wizarding children get before their years at Hogwarts. I believe this would do much to take away the class divide and the prejudice towards Muggle-borns if they were equipped with the same education as wizarding children," Draco says firmly.

"As a pureblood with far from a clean record in the Second Wizarding War, why would you want to partake in something like that?" Another reporter asks, one he recognises as Parvati Patil.

"My wife, as many of you well know, is a muggle-born. Thus my children are not purebloods. I do not care about blood purity in the way it was believed during the war, my children were bullied when they went to a public tutoring session for having a muggle-born Mother. I think this is incredibly wrong and more needs to be done to mend this divide in our society," Draco answers.

There are nods and murmurs in the audience. Draco answers a few more questions before lunch break is called. He nods politely at Percy and steps off of the small stage they are sitting on. As he is walking in the direction of his Mother he bumps into someone he hasn't seen in a long time.

"Draco! I can't believe you're running for Minister for Magic!"

Draco has to do a double-take at the woman who has just walked up to him. She is tall and dressed in smart black robes, she has long, dark brown hair and she is wearing far less make-up than he remembered her doing in the days he had known her.

"Pansy!"

"I know, I'm not exactly recognisable," Pansy laughs, "I don't look much like I used to."

"No, you don't," Draco admits.

Pansy smiles, "Less make-up, more glamour charms," She jokes.

Draco chuckles, "What are you doing here?"

"My husband wanted to know the results of the debate but hes out of the country working so he asked me to come for him," Pansy says, still smiling.

"Who did you marry?" Draco asks, he really hasn't seen Pansy for a long time. Since he had married Hermione in fact. That decision had taken him right out of his old pureblood social circle so he did not keep in touch with many of the people he had been at school with.

"Oh, Marcus Greenwood," Pansy says offhandedly, "I doubt you would know him, he had left Hogwarts before we even started."

"Older man huh?" Draco asks as they walk into the break room together to grab some coffee.

"Yeah," Pansy admits, "We met a few years back at a charity event."

"Any kids?" Draco asks, pouring himself a coffee.

"No," Pansy says, sounding a little disappointed, "But you have children, don't you?"

"A daughter and a son," Draco says proudly, "Cassiopeia and Scorpius."

"Lovely names," Pansy says with a smile as they stand to one side while drinking their coffee, "I couldn't believe it when the press said you were marrying Hermione Granger. It all happened very quickly."

Draco smiles slightly, "I don't think anyone could believe it, but yes things did all happen very quickly."

"Was she pregnant?" Pansy asks with a raised eyebrow.

Draco simply nods, "It's not exactly a secret. Our daughter's date of birth says it all really, but regardless of what the press say, I did marry her for love."

"You're lucky your Father wasn't alive to see that," Pansy remarks.

"I think I'd have been disowned," Draco agrees, "Luckily my Mother is more open-minded, and forgiving."

"Is she the one who convinced you to run for Minister?" Pansy asks.

Draco nodded, "She is, I had wanted to do it for a while but Hermione didn't like the idea. She thought the power would go to my head."

Pansy scoffs, "Of course it won't. You'll be a fantastic Minister, you're doing a great job worming your way in with the muggle-borns and half-bloods through your wife."

"I need to try and worm my way back into the pureblood circle too," Draco admits, "They basically exiled me after my marriage to Hermione. But the Wizengamot is split these days as you well know, to become Minister I'll need the votes of the purebloods as well as the half-bloods."

"Well you will get the half-bloods on your side if you keep talking about muggle-born reforms," Pansy says, "And if you like I'll join your campaign and help you out on the pureblood side?"

"You'd do that?" Draco asks.

"Of course I would, you're my friend Draco," Pansy says with a smile, "And I'd love to see you as Minister."

Draco smiled and says, "Well I'll accept that offer but we'll need to be careful given whats happened in the past."

Pansy nods, "I'll be careful, I promise."

"Thanks Pansy," Draco says as they are called back into the debating room, "I really appreciate it."

"Are you two ready in there?"

Hermione smiles at Sebastian through the glass wall of the studio, "We're good for a first rehearsal."

"Alright, we aren't recording," Sebastian says, "And I'm off to get coffee for the inevitable freak-out you'll have when you realise how much you've forgotten about co-hosting."

Hermione rolls her eyes as Sebastian leaves the little observation room. She turns to Harry who is in an armchair at a diagonal angle, apart from that and a small table with some papers on it, the tiny room is empty

"Alright so we'll start by opening the show like we used to. Do you remember?" Hermione asks, feeling a little nervous even though they aren't on air.

Harry nods with a comforting smile, "Good evening and welcome to Weekly Bite, the show where myself, Harry Potter, and my co-host, Hermione Granger give you the low-down on the events of the week."

"That's the news, the music and of course the gossip," Hermione says, smiling at Harry about how natural it felt, "And staying true to the original show, there will of course be a challenge for Harry and I to complete. As always at the end of the series we will see which one of us has won the most challenges and therefore won the series."

"And as always I will beat Hermione and she will huff," Harry adds with a smirk.

"I don't think so," Hermione says in amusement, "I have a good feeling about this series."

"Well we will see," Harry says, picking up a piece of parchment and handing one to Hermione, it is their basic transcript with the stories from the week.

"Yes, we will," Hermione says, turning her attention to the transcript, "But back to the whole reason for this show, this weeks round up of events. As we are now midway through April plans for this year's Memorial Day are well under way. Memorial day is of course the 2nd of May and commemorates all wars involving wizards, witches and magical creatures."

"Something which you campaigned for, Hermione," Harry adds, this is the style of the show, informal and cosy.

"I did, and I am more than happy to announce that I will be speaking at this year's Memorial Day about the recent improvements in rights for magical creatures," Hermione says with a smile.

"Something the current Minister for Magic had quite a hand in," Harry says sneakily.

"Yes but my Husband, Draco Malfoy, who you may know is running for Minister, has plenty of ideas about reform for magical creatures," Hermione says, "And he will be with us a little bit later to talk about his campaign."

"Yes, he will be," Harry says diplomatically, "But before that we have our weekly gossip round up. Whats real and whats complete nonsense? What do you think Hermione? The biggest story this week is of course the rumoured affair between Padma Boot and Blaise Zabini."

"I don't think that's true," Hermione says frankly, "I know Padma and I know how happy she and Terry are. I think it's just nonsense sparked by the fact she and Blaise Zabini were working on the same case."

"Padma and Blaise both being lawyers after all," Harry agrees with a nod, "I side with you here, I don't think it is at all true."

"And the other story that has been in the news a lot this week is the true love article written in the prophet by an anonymous writer," Hermione says.

"Indeed," Harry says, "It has seemed controversial to some because of its contents."

"Yes, the article is one person's take on true love. She claims to have found a definitive way of proving true love. According to her study, the person you think of when you wake up in the morning, dream about the most often and who knows you best is your true love."

Harry nodded, "But of course the person you are likely to think of in the morning first is the person you wake up next to and you dream about the people you see the most often. So once you've met somebody how do you know it's still true love years down the line going by this authors theory?"

"Well when you marry someone you do it because you love them and that doesn't often change," Hermione says, "So maybe you don't just think of them first thing in the morning because they are there, maybe it's still a subconscious notion."

"Well according to this article, it not only defines true love but soulmates," Harry says, consulting his parchment and getting back on track, "The author defines a soulmate as your best friend but more. They are the one person that knows you better than anybody else and when you are with them you're a better person because they inspire you."

Hermione swallows. She knows what Harry is doing. He is staring at her as he speaks as if to say, 'come on, you know it's me,' but she pushes that thought away and continues, "The author also says your soulmate is someone you will carry with you forever. They are the person who knew you and accepted you and believed in you when no one else did or when no one else would."

"Sort of like the one person who has never abandoned you," Harry says with a pointed look at Hermione, "Who has stuck by you through everything. Who you need in your life no matter what, right?"

"I suppose so," Hermione says stoically, "But the author finishes by saying your soulmate is the person you will always love, no matter what happens, nothing can change the fact that you love them."

"And whats your take on that, Hermione?" Harry asks calmly, "Is your Husband your soulmate?"

Hermione swallows again and takes a moment to compose her thoughts. Draco isn't her best friend, Harry is but Harry hasn't always inspired her to be a better person. When they were young he inspired her, he taught her how to be brave, he taught her how to withstand the storm. When the war came to its bloody end, Harry lost control of his life. He had fallen into the trap of taking comfort in a bottle, he had not inspired her when he had been a drunken idiot.

Things are different now though, and Hermione had stuck by Harry's side through all of that because she loved him, because she had wanted him to get better. But time and time again he had come out of St. Mungo's appearing fine and then the second something had reminded him of the war he had started drinking again. He had barely been able to look at Teddy without feeling guilty and he hadn't been in the little boy's life until he was about 5 years old.

Despite it all though, Hermione has always believed in Harry, she had never abandoned him as Ron had and even though he showed no signs of stopping drinking she had always believed that he would stop one day until she and Draco met and reconciled.

"Granger!"

Hermione inwardly rolls her eyes as she recognises the voice. She turns around from where she is standing by the banks of the River Ness and sees him walking towards her smiling. She expects the worst, a grilling of some sort.

"Malfoy," She says politely.

"What brings you to Scotland?" Draco asks with a smile, leaning against the railing and looking out over the river.

Hermione frowns, "Business, you?"

"Business too," Draco says with a nod, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Hermione says, her frown deepening, "Look I don't know what your game is here but-"

"There is no game," Draco says, "The war is over. My Father is dead, my Mother and I can finally relax now he isn't looking over our shoulders anymore."

Hermione is taken aback by his honesty, "I'm sorry about your Father's death."

"Don't be," Draco says a little bitterly, "I guess some time alone in that cell in Azkaban got him feeling guilty about everything he did in his life. He couldn't hack the pain."

"You seem…different," Hermione says honestly.

"I feel like a new person," Draco says with a smile, "Free finally, if that makes any sense."

"It does," Hermione says.

They fall silent as they observe the river that is flowing through the centre of this beautiful northern town, "What business brings you all the way up to Inverness?"

"A case, actually," Draco says, "I'm a lawyer now and I'm currently working on that big scandal about the kelpie in Loch Ness, in conjunction with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures of course."

Hermione nods, "The Muggles don't really believe that crazy old wizard though do they?"

"The conspiracy theorists do," Draco says, "But it's nothing a few memory charms can't fix."

"Isn't that the kind of thing that the Aurors are supposed to deal with?" Hermione asks.

"They are pretty understaffed at the moment so they've pulled in a few lawyers to help out," Draco says, "Anyway, what brings you all the way up here?"

"The same as you actually," Hermione smiles, "My researcher is taking some time off so I'm on my own. I have a radio show where we cover the news, I came up here to get the low-down on the story."

"I know, I like your show," Draco admits, "The guy I share an office with listens to it. Potter isn't my cup of tea, but I still enjoy the style of it. He hasn't been on air with you for a while though has he?"

"He's having some difficulties at the moment," Hermione says evasively.

"Very diplomatic of you," Draco says in amusement, "I can't believe you're dating him, I mean I always thought you would when we were at Hogwarts. But then it looked like you'd end up with your respective Weasels."

Hermione rolls her eyes at him, "Those respective Weasels are still my friends, you know."

"Sorry," Draco says with a cheeky smile.

"No you aren't," Hermione says in amusement, "But yes, with regards to Harry and I, the war changed a lot I guess."

"I know it did," Draco says with a solemn nod, "The wizarding bars of London have never been so teaming with people. That's what war creates you know, alcoholics, emotionally damaged people, and babies of course. There are always baby booms after wars."

"It's sad," Hermione says with a frown, "I always thought I'd be happy after the war. I thought that things would just go back to normal. But they don't just go back to normal."

"It takes time, but the world is getting there," Draco says, "We're rebuilding our society from the ashes. I think it's fitting they called the new rebuild scheme the Phoenix Regime."

Hermione nods, "It's hard to believe that we're still not there yet. Even four years after the war ended."

"Things will get back to normal soon," Draco assures her, "The finances just needed rebuilding and the Ministry reformed before any real progress could be made."

"A lawyer with an interest in politics," Hermione says with a slight smile, "Why am I not surprised?"

Draco laughs and it is such a strange but pleasant sound, "And you are a reporter who butts her nose into everything. I guess our first impressions of each other were pretty accurate."

Hermione can't help but laugh, "I guess so."

Draco is still smiling slightly when he says, "While we're both here, why don't we go out for a drink together and catch up? There's a nice wizarding place by the castle."

"I shouldn't," Hermione says honestly, "Harry and I are together."

"I'm not asking you on a date Granger," Draco says, "Just a drink to apologise for everything that happened during the war."

"None of it is actually your fault, you do realise that right?" Hermione asks.

Draco shrugs, "I still take the blame on my shoulders. And everything that happened before then, the way I talked to you and treated you, I definitely need to apologise for that."

"Why did you?" Hermione asks, still bemused by this whole conversation.

"I was scared of my Father," Draco says honestly, averting his eyes to the ground, "So I did what he wanted. I always felt like he had eyes in the school, that no matter where I was he knew what was going on. I expect Snape was the reason for that."

"He wasn't all bad in the end," Hermione says, thinking back to her professor's death.

"But he was never all good either," Draco says.

Hermione nods thoughtfully.

"So about that drink?"

"Alright," Hermione agrees, "But only as budding acquaintances. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Hermione?"

Hermione snaps out of her reverie, "What did you ask?"

"Is Malfoy your soulmate?" Harry asks, "Did he fulfil the criteria?"

"Harry, why are you doing this?" Hermione asks, snapping out of presenter mode, "All of these years we've been friends and it's been fine-"

"Fine for you maybe," Harry says harshly, "It's never been fine for me Hermione. I got out of St. Mungo's to find you marrying the man you'd cheated on me with!"

Hermione gets to her feet, "Harry, we are not talking about this again! You were a mess, and I was a mess. I married Draco and I'm better for it, so are you. You got better after I married him."

"Better is an interesting word," Harry mutters, "Not the one I'd use."

"I don't understand why you are doing this now!" Hermione exclaims in frustration.

Harry pushes himself to his feet and says, "You know exactly why I'm doing it and now doesn't even come into it Hermione. I could have done this at any point in the last 13 years!"

"But you didn't, so you don't have any right to now," Hermione says.

Harry is staring her down, "You don't love him, do you?"

"Of course I love him; why do you think I married him?" Hermione replies shortly.

"Well maybe you did then, but you don't now," Harry says, "I can see it in your eyes. I know you better than anyone else Hermione, I can practically read your mind."

"Well clearly your inner eye is cloudy then," Hermione retorts angrily.

Harry smirks a little. They are now standing rather closely together and Hermione can feel her heart sink at the way she is feeling. She can feel his hot breath on her cheek, she can sense his gaze boring into her soul and all she wants to do is grab him and kiss him. The smell of his cologne, combined with his closeness and the fact she can feel his breath flashed her back to memories of years before. Memories of dancing in a tent together, falling back onto the bunk-bed laughing, looking at each other in disbelief as they realised how they felt. And then sitting in awkward silence afterwards trying to work out where the hell you went after you had just blown up the best friendship in the world and turned it into something more complicated.

"Hermione-" Harry says softly.

Hermione turns instinctively to his voice and is faced with his lips practically against hers. She pulls back before he can kiss her, "No," she says harshly.

Harry steps back, looking angry, "I know you want this! Don't think I can't tell!"

"I don't care what you think I want," Hermione says, grabbing her handbag, "I'm married and this arrangement isn't going to work."

"Are you firing me?" Harry asks in disbelief.

"Yes, I am," Hermione says hotly, "You're fired, so go and find a new job!"

Without another word she turns on her heel and leaves.

"Hey Han," Hermione says with a fake smile to her friend as she walks into the Muggle café they had agreed to meet in.

"What's wrong?" Hannah Longbottom asks Hermione anxiously, "You sounded upset in your text."

Hermione is so glad that Hannah has a mobile phone, she is Hermione's closest and most trusted friend after Harry. Things with Ginny are still strained because of Hermione and Ginny's shared past with Harry, so Hannah really is Hermione's only female friend.

"Harry is whats up," Hermione says with a sigh, "I need to fill you in on some stuff. You know the show got cancelled obviously but one solution was to relaunch the old show with Harry and I co-hosting."

"And you said yes?" Hannah asks in disbelief, "How did you get Draco to agree to that?"

"He didn't really, it's still an area of contention," Hermione admits, "But I thought it would be alright. I didn't think it would be awkward or hard, then one of the news stories was about true love-"

"I know the one," Hannah says with a sympathetic glance at her friend, "What did he do? Tell you he loves you?"

"He had this rant at me about how I apparently don't love Draco," Hermione says with a frown, "Then he tried to kiss me."

Hannah gaped, "He tried to kiss you? Does he really not care about the fact you're married?"

"I don't know," Hermione sighs, "You know how he feels about Draco. Either way I fired him."

"You fired him?" Hannah asks.

Hermione nods, "And I don't really know how to feel now. I mean hes my best friend, hes been in my life forever. The kids call him Uncle Harry, but I can't have him ruining my marriage or breaking up my family."

"Sounds like that's your head speaking," Hannah says, "You still have feelings for him don't you?"

"I'll always have feelings for him Han," Hermione says with a sigh, "But being back in that environment did bring it all back."

"What are you going to tell Draco?" Hannah asks.

"Just that it isn't working out so I fired Harry," Hermione says.

"You think he'll believe that?"

"I doubt it, but I'd never be able to explain the situation to him properly even if I wanted to," Hermione says as she feels a migraine coming on.

TBC :)