Pansy looked searchingly from Malfoy to Hermione, and back again. "I'm aware," Malfoy said briefly.

"My jeans!" she shrieked, pointing at Hermione's attire.

"Hattie gave them to me," Hermione said defensively, exposing her wand.

"But they're my jeans!" stressed Pansy. "You bought them for me!" she said to Malfoy.

"They're Muggle jeans, you've never worn them."

"But…" Pansy's rambling was muted by the loud cry from Malfoy's eagle owl. He'd swooped through the open doorway, causing Pansy to duck, whimpering a cry. She was not impressed when she resurfaced and straightened herself out. The large owl landed by Hermione's feet, and nipped at her shoe until she took the letter.

Hermione,

I recognize that owl; it looks exactly like Malfoy's! I wrote to your parents' and they said you weren't there, they haven't seen you in days. Where are you? If you write back telling me you're at Draco Malfoy's for some insane reason, I'm going to have a mental fit. If you're not back at The Burrow or send me an owl soon, I'm going to search Draco Malfoy's house from top to bottom. I mean it, Hermione.

I want you home safe NOW.

Ron

Hermioneexhaled nervously. What was she to tell Ron when she arrived back at The Burrow? Her stomach twitched with guilt as she read the letter over once more. As she heard Malfoy snarl, "So where's Zabini?" to Pansy, Hermione reached for the pouch of Floo powder in her pocket. Blessing Hattie for scrounging the small amount of silvery dust, she ran to the nearest fire place, lit the fire, scattered the dust, and with one last look at Malfoy, shouted 'The Burrow!'

The arrival at The Burrow happened quite suddenly. Ron was sitting by the fireplace, waiting for Hermione to wander through the grate. As Hermione was fanning the soot out of the air, Ron came running towards her.

"Where have you been?" he said crossly, though he couldn't help but hug her tightly.

Ideas wafted into her head, and back out again. She couldn't think of a feasible excuse, and the distractible image of a startled Malfoy and irritated Pansy was still fresh in her memory. She waited until Ron had pulled away, and said with a stone hard, serious expression, "I was at Draco Malfoy's helping him destroy dark artefacts."

Ron's face had completely fallen. He let go of Hermione as he flared his nostrils and furrowed his brow. "You better be joking, Hermione."

Hermione kept a straight face to make sure Ron could see she wasn't joking. "No, Ron. I'm not joking. Now if you don't mind," she said stepping past Ron. "I'd like to see Ginny."

Ron stood on the spot rubbing his head irately. His face hadn't quite yet matched the deep red colour of his ears, but the anger emanating from him could be felt until Hermione had walked a clear meter away. She could feel his hard gaze on the back of her head, and hear his heavy infuriated breathing until she'd reached the stairway.

Ginny was sitting on her bed cross-legged, examining a book when Hermione entered her bedroom. "Hermione," she said with a smirk. "Have you been fraternizing with the enemy?"

"And what does that mean?" asked Hermione defensively.

"Ron told me he thought you were at Draco Malfoy's." She paused to flip a page in the book she was reading. "His eagle owl perched at our window seemed a bit obvious too. You should've seen Harry's face."

"I've been back not even a minute and it's already such an immense deal. I helped him – just did him a favour, that's all."

"Since when has Draco Malfoy deserved favours?" Ginny asked critically.

"Truthfully," said Hermione bashfully, "he wouldn't let me leave until I destroyed a few dark objects."

Ginny smiled. "That sounds more like Draco Malfoy."

Hermione looked to the book at Ginny's knees. "And what's this?"

"I found it in Ron's room when I was searching for Pig to send a letter." She tried suppressing a giggle, however didn't succeed. "It's called Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches, it's all about how to impress girls." She straightened her expression, and said, "And I found this inside." She handed a piece of parchment to Hermione.

Ron,

I'm glad you've asked me for help; dad tried explaining sex to me when I was sixteen, it was a complete wreck, and Mum, well, you know. I don't need to tell you who is the right person, that part's up to you, but if you're sure it's Hermione, that's great! I think you two are perfect for each other.

Hermione couldn't help but smile apprehensively as she read on.

Most importantly, let her know what you're thinking, hint, or ask her about it. And if she decides it's too soon, wait, it'll be worth it. I'm guessing you know what happens from here on, the most important thing: be gentle. If you need anymore help, come visit!

Good Luck,

Bill

A twisted, nauseated feeling wrapped its self around Hermione's stomach, and tugged tightly. She couldn't help but feel nauseous. Of course it was something she'd thought about, but never to this extent. This was proof that it was finally on Ron's mind. The pressure that Hermione faced was vast; she became anxious. Reading the letter over once more, she handed it back to Ginny, looking searchingly.

"How exciting," said Ginny admiringly. "He asked Bill for advice. I must admit for Ron, that's rather sweet."

"Yes," mumbled Hermione. "Sweet…"

"Oh, you haven't heard!" exclaimed Ginny, standing from the bed. "Harry applied to become an Auror, and Kingsley came to The Burrow to congratulate him on being accepted. And now Ron's applying, did he tell you?"

Hermione shook her head briefly. All she could think about at the moment was Ron and the next moment she'd be alone with him. Would he try to seduce her, even whilst holding this grudge? Or would it be a few more days until she had to mentally and physically prepare for such an evening?

It had been a couple of days since Hermione has been back at The Burrow. The mood seemed a lot more cheerful than it had been when she'd left. There wasn't moping any longer and no more random fits of anger. Mrs Weasley was so fondly fussing over Hermione, for it was refreshing having another female, other than Ginny, around the house. "More eggs, dear?" Mrs Weasley asked Hermione, as Ron traipsed down the stairs.

Ron sat next to Hermione; she could see his jaw flinch violently from the corner of her eye. He looked at her momentarily, and then stared down at the plate that had been placed in front of him. So far it'd been a day of ignoring Hermione, and when forced to speak to her, he'd do it in a rather dull monotone. "I don't understand why you'd do such a thing like helping Malfoy." He spoke quietly so Mrs Weasley couldn't hear, and he remained staring down at his food despite Hermione's noticeable attempt to divert his attention. "After all that happened at the Malfoy's, I'm surprised that you'd ever want to set eyes on that place ever again…But I don't care why," he continued. "Are you finished?" He indicated towards Hermione's food scattered plate. "I'm not too hungry, will you come for a walk with me?"

Hermione went to nod, and Ron took her hand hastily. They strolled the length of the backyard, hand in hand. Hermione couldn't help but think of the blatant letter Ginny had found as Ron rambled about his Auror application.

"You know you better decide what you want to do with yourself next year," he told her.

"I know, Ron."

"I saw your letter from the Ministry, are you going to accept their offer?"

Hermione sighed and then smiled widely. "I think so. I'd like to take SPEW further, but I suppose I can do that in my spare time… They've arranged for me to spend time at the Ministry next week."

"Well, go on then!" he said energetically. He gave her a soft nudge. "Send the Ministry back a letter."

In the midst of the worry about Ron, Hermione hadn't had time to think twice about her career. She was glad that he was helping push her in the right direction. Smiling admiringly, she turned on her heel to walk back inside the house. "Hermione?" called Ron. Hermione turned back once again and looked expectantly. "I love you." It was the first time in a long time that Ron looked shy. He blushed bashfully as Hermione smiled and said, "I love you too, Ron."

Although those words could be expressed so easily on Ron's behalf, it wasn't nearly as easy for Hermione. She hoped that he hadn't seen her hesitate, and she was definitely pleased that he couldn't see her insides churning with doubt.

Kingsley Shacklebolt had been the one to ensure Hermione was considered for a role in the Ministry. As she was more than competent in several fields, she had been asked to spend a week examining what all the sectors of the Ministry consisted of, and where in particular she wanted to work.

Monday morning was positively worrying for the trio. Hermione was to begin at the Ministry in the Department of Magical Transportation, whilst Harry and Ron would spend the day learning about the duties of an Auror. Much to Hermione's dismay, Ron was rather cocky after having been accepted to be an Auror.

"I don't know why we need to sit in a shabby room for a whole day, learning about the duties of an Auror," he said. "We've spent the past three years in close company with them! We must know more than anyone else." Hermione saw Harry roll his eyes.

Once arriving at the Department of Magical Transportation, Hermione was greeted by Madame Edgecombe. She soon remembered that she had had the pleasure of cursing her daughter in the fifth year. Madame Edgecombe was a squat woman with curly, strawberry-blonde hair just as her daughters, yet greying at the roots. She wore quite thin, rectangle glasses, and as she greeted Hermione she peered over the top of them and noticeably surveyed her from head to toe.

"Miss Granger, how very nice to meet you." Hermione couldn't help but hear insincerity. "There's been a change of plans," she said as she looked to the watch on her wrist. "You will be spending the day in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and there's a trial they'd like you to sit in on. It begins in five minutes so you must hurry." She tilted her head and smiled once again. "The Minister is waiting for you at the lift." And with that she waddled away.

Kingsley took Hermione to level ten. "I have to leave you here, Hermione," said Kingsley urgently. "I'm speaking with the new Aurors quite soon." Hermione smiled knowingly. "After the trial is over, you can meet me on level two." Before leaving, Kingsley opened the chamber door for Hermione where she was greeted with such an exciting hectic sight. Witches and wizards were bustling around all over the place, many starting to take seats and others carried away in conversation in cliques around the room.

Taking a lone seat, Hermione retrieved parchment and a quill from her bag, ready to take notes. It wasn't until much of the commotion had died down, and the Wizengamot had seated, that the chamber door opened creakily once more and in traipsed Draco Malfoy.