A/N: I noticed that I messed up the labeling of my chapters, sorry if there's any confusion there! Also, to answer a common question in the reviews, the details of their marriages will come about later on when they are better established ;) so there is an explanation coming I promise!
Chapter 3
Week 8
The following Tuesday Draco sat with Hermione in that blasted Gryffindor red living room. He had no doubt that she picked this room simply to annoy him. Surely the entire house wasn't done like this.
"Found the house alright, did you?" She smirked.
Despite himself, he smiled at her. "Oddly enough, I did."
"How was your week?" She asked as she prepared a cup of tea and handed it to him.
"Long." He answered with a deep breath. Honestly his week sucked. He wasn't used to being so alone again and damn it, he missed Astoria, but he certainly couldn't tell her that. "I have a case I'm working on that's become quite a pain."
"What's it about?"
"Nonsense." He said bitterly. "A law that the Ministry is trying to pass to have more members added to the Board of Governors."
"At Hogwarts?" Her voice showing her surprise.
He gave a curt nod.
"Why? The ministry wants to do this? How does that even work?"
Draco took a sip of his tea and thought about how much he really didn't want to talk about this case anymore. It's been the only thing his entire firm has discussed since it was offered. In the interest of progress though, he decided he should tell her at least how he got the case to begin with.
"The Ministry changed the ways that hearings are conducted and laws are passed after the war. If they have something that they want to move forward on, a law for example, they assign a few lawyers for the defense and a few others for the prosecution, so the wizengamont hears both sides and acts more or less like a jury at a mock trial of sorts. I was assigned as the prosecution, which means we are arguing in favor of the new law."
Hermione nodded. "I take it you don't care for it?"
"Not particularly, but it's not my job to tell them how I feel, my job is to present a case that we can win, and therefore get this law passed."
"Why don't you agree with it?" Hermione asked. "Surely, the more people that come together with ideas the better off things could be."
Draco shook his head. "The more hands in the cauldron the dirtier it gets. There's twelve members on the board now. If you increased that number to twenty, thirty, fifty members, that just means more red tape. More people that have to hear your idea before anything can be done about it, more room for corruption, more chances of someone taking advantage of their position."
"Does this case bother you because of your father?" Hermione blurted out before she could stop herself. Her eyes got wide at his stone cold reaction and she felt so heartless. "I'm sorry, I-"
"Don't be, It's not like I haven't heard this before." He ground out as he stretched his neck from side to side in a useless attempt to alleviate some of the stress he felt.
"Still, it was harsh, and I'm sorry." She said softly.
"My father was exactly the type of man that I want to prevent from getting a seat on the board." He admitted. "I can't ask to be removed from the case because it will look like it's personal-"
"But it is."
"And it will also go against my record." He said as if she hadn't spoken. "It took a long time for people to take me seriously and I'm not going to back down now."
Hermione gave a small nod, understanding why he was so stressed about this case. As much as he didn't want to admit it was personal, it was. She felt the need to help him suddenly. He was aggravated and tired and most likely nervous about how this case would affect his image. "Would you care for a walk?"
His eyes locked onto hers and he was momentarily confused. He was certain that they would never leave this blasted and highly uncomfortable room. "Yes, I would."
"Alright." She set her tea cup on the tray and stood, causing him to stand as well. "Let me just tell Harry."
Draco couldn't stop his groan. "Is Potter coming with us?"
One side of her lips curved into a smile as she watched him. "He may want to, Yes."
She left the room and he wasn't sure if she wanted him to follow, so instead he just stood where he was. Looking around the hideous room he saw the many pictures that littered nearly every surface. He spotted several of what could only be described as a gaggle of Weasley's, if the obnoxious red hair was any indication. He skimmed over most of him, his eyes trying to find some of Hermione.
He didn't have to look long, wandering over to the wall to take a closer look he noticed that she was in several of them. Hermione, Potter, and Weasley at some kind of family function he was guessing, then another of Hermione, Ginny and that weird blonde girl... what was her name? Looney something. He almost felt bad because he couldn't remember her name, he knew she had been a prisoner at his home during the war. Truthfully he was rather surprised when that little detail came out, he had tried his best to lock himself in his rooms whenever possible. He had no desire to know anything he didn't have to, including who was in the dungeons of the Manor.
Next he saw a picture from what must have been Potter's wedding. The man at least attempted to do something about his mess of hair, he noticed. He would never admit it, but it was a rather nice picture of them. Draco watched as the two laughed before he encased her in a hug, then pulled away to once again look at the camera. Looking around some more he spotted a smaller picture on a book shelf of Hermione in a bright white dress standing with Harry and Ginny. Her wedding day. He picked up the picture and watched closely as the three looked at each other then smiled back at the camera. This one was different than the one from Potter's wedding, their smiles were different... fake almost.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Harry said from behind him, making him nearly jump right out of his skin.
"A little warning next time, Potter." He spat as he set the picture back on the shelf.
Harry just ignored his attitude and picked up the picture himself. His smile was tight, almost sad and Draco couldn't help but wonder why.
"So." Potter said suddenly as he set the picture back down. "Taking a walk?"
"Her suggestion." Draco felt the need to add.
"Where to?"
"I have no blasted idea."
The man simply nodded, then turned his gaze to stare right at Draco. It made him very uncomfortable.
"I don't like the idea of you being alone with her."
"What could possibly happen, Potter?" Draco said sarcastically. Really, they would most likely take a turn about the block and call it a day.
"Several things, Malfoy." He answered coldly. "If she returns with so much as a hang nail or a wet eyelash you will never see her again."
Something deep down told Draco that this was more than a threat, more than just a scare tactic from her over protective, pain in the ass almost-brother.
"Why is she here?" He demanded. "Why isn't she at her home? Your address isn't listed as her primary residence. What happened?"
"That's not my story to tell, and if it were up to me you would never hear it. She's here because I want her to be. Because she feels safe here, and she will stay here as long as she wants to."
Harry took a step closer to Draco and his voice sounded low and dangerous. "I'm serious, Malfoy. The only reason I'm not going with you is because she insisted it be just the two of you. I don't like that she already seems to have some kind of pull towards you. You will not push her into anything, are we clear?"
"Harry?" Hermione called from down the hallway.
"Coming." He called back. "Are we clear?"
"Whatever you say, Potter." Draco answered tightly. He hated submitting to anything, but he was more intrigued than annoyed about it this time. Something happened to Hermione Granger, and he wanted to know what.
"Good." The man smiled at him, then left the room leaving Draco to follow behind him.
"There you are." Hermione said brightly. "What were you doing?"
"Just having a little chat, I wondered if Malfoy knew where you wanted to go."
"Just because I stood outside of your door for three bloody weeks doesn't mean I have the area memorized." Draco spat.
"Oh, well there's a nice little walking path around the park across the street. I figured we could go there."
"Sounds excellent." Harry beamed. "I'll be watching from the window."
"Harry." Ginny said sternly from behind them all.
Draco whipped around to face her, where the hell did she come from, and why was this walk turning into a damn project? It was just a walk for Salazar's sake!
"I watch from here or I tag along." He said as he did his best to glare at Ginny.
The red head strode right passed her husband and gave Hermione a hug, whispering something that made her smile.
"Ready?" Hermione asked him.
"Of course." He held out his elbow and she hesitated for just a second before placing her hand on it, then walking out of the house with a wave.
"What did you say to her?" Harry asked the moment the door was closed.
"One." Ginny said forcefully as she turned to stare down her husband. "It's truly none of your business, but if you must know I told her to relax and try to let whatever this is happen on its own! And two, You need to stop trying to control this, Harry."
"I'm not trying to control anything, I'm trying to protect her!"
"Your trying to keep her from her soulmate!"
"I'm trying to keep her safe! I don't trust him!" He shouted right back. Pushing his hands through his mess of hair he sighed heavily. "Gin, it can't happen again."
"It's not going to."
"How do you know?" His voice coming out broken and raspy. "How can you tell me that she will never get hurt again?"
"I didn't say that, but I do know that Malfoy will never hurt her like that bastard did." Ginny said as she came up and wrapped her arms around Harry's waist.
He breathed her in, letting her presence alone comfort him.
"Do you feel that?" She said quietly. "She could have this if she lets herself. She could have that security, and comfort and love. I know you're just trying to keep her safe and protect her, but your scaring her, too."
"I love you."
"I love you." Ginny moved to give him a soft kiss on the lips. "When they come back you will not make an ass of yourself, do you understand me, Harry Potter?"
"Yes, Ginny Potter." He said right away.
"Care to explain what all that was about?" Draco asked as soon as they crossed the street and entered the park.
Hermione sighed and slowed their pace as they began to walk around the paved pathway that encircled the entire park. She glanced back and then quickly turned when she saw Harry coming to stand by the window. Wonderful. She couldn't bring herself to be upset with him, though. She knew it was all out of love, Harry was the sibling she never had and they had been through so much together. She often found their relationship hard to explain. The connection she had with Harry was different than anything else she had ever felt, but it was never romantic. She couldn't see how anyone could possibly think that, especially if they had ever seen the way Harry looks at Ginny.
"He's just concerned." She answered slowly, nearly forgetting that he had asked her a question. "What did he say to you earlier?"
"The usual. Don't hurt her or I'll kill you is what it really boils down to."
He said it so bluntly Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Oh is that all?"
She seemed to be in a good mood and Draco wondered if he should push his luck. "Why is he so protective of you?" He felt her stiffen beside him, and he thought she wouldn't answer.
"I've been hurt, badly. Harry's just trying to watch out for me."
"Because of your divorce?"
"As well as other... situations, yes. Why don't you tell me what happened with your marriage?"
He'd pissed her off, and that was her way of telling him to back off. He could hear it in her voice that she didn't want to discuss her divorce. "We were to be married, the goblet didn't glow, end of story." He said tightly. He didn't want to talk about Astoria, just as much as she didn't want to talk about McClaggen. "I apologize. I see now how rude of a question that was."
She dropped her hand from his elbow and inched away slightly. "I have no intentions of giving you details involving... that. That conversation is very far in the future, just so we're clear."
"Understood. I would like the same conditions for Astoria, I would rather not talk about her, either."
She could hear something in his voice, something like... pain. Heartache. Something more happened other than that stupid goblet not becoming the right color. She was intrigued and she now saw why he kept trying to bring up her divorce. He was just as curious as she was. Was this the bond? The communication and the understanding that Ginny was talking about?
"Is there a confidentiality agreement on your Hogwarts case? Maybe I could help you in some way."
"There isn't one, but I'm not sure how you could help." Then a thought hit him. "Why is that you're not on the Board of Governors?"
"I've never been offered. It's never been something that I thought about."
"It would make sense, if you love your job because it keeps you close to the school."
"Could I do both? I like what I do now, it also helps me keep the people like Umbridge out of the educational system."
Draco suppressed a shudder at the thought of that woman. True, at first he had went along with her ideas because he had agreed with them, but later on when he no longer felt that way there was nothing he could do. He was suddenly sensing a pattern...
"You cold do both, if you wished. I don't believe it would be seen as a conflict of interest. You should look into it."
"We'll see how this law goes first."
"Are you hoping that I'll lose?"
"Are you hoping that you'll lose?" She countered.
"Yes." He barely said it, but he knew she heard him.
"And that's why you're having a hard time with it?"
"Partially. I don't like to lose. I'm a good lawyer, but I don't agree with this law and I'm having a hard time putting everything I have behind it when I don't think it should pass. People like my father will have a better chance of interfering and that's the last thing that I want."
"I think that's very brave of you. To fight it for that reason."
He glanced over at her. "What do you mean?"
"You can see the difference between a good intentions and bad intentions."
Draco let out a small snort. "I grew up with Death Eaters. I know exactly what bad intentions are. Hell, I had bad intentions for most of my life."
"But not anymore, and that's what matters, Draco."
He stopped suddenly at her words.
"What's wrong?" She asked, genuine concern in her voice.
"Nothings wrong. You just... you called me Draco."
"Oh. Should I-"
"No, no. I-I like it. Hermione." It felt so foreign yet so natural on his tongue. He walked up to catch up with her and without warning she yanked his arm behind a tree where a bench was. "What-"
"Ginny told me there was a spot here that you couldn't see from the house." She said as she sat down and patted the spot next to her.
"I might grow to like that red head." He smirked as he sat down next to her.
"You know, I have called you Draco before. You haven't been Malfoy in every conversation."
"Do tell." He mocked.
"Sixth year." She said confidently. "When Harry was obsessed with figuring out what you were up to, I remember..."
He turned to face her and saw her scrunched up face. "You remember what?"
"I remember defending you. I called you Draco several times. I just couldn't believe that you could possibly be a real Death Eater, even though Harry was convinced."
She defended him? Why? He wanted to ask, but knew she wouldn't have an answer. Just like he didn't have an answer when he lost interest in teasing her. They stared at each other, her eyes locked onto his and Draco saw a ring of yellow gold in her eyes. It was a beautiful color, bright and happy. Looking into them felt... He shook his head, and the moment was gone.
Hermione swore she felt something. Something familiar, a warm, comforting feeling that felt like... home. It felt safe and made her feel grounded and protected. Which was completely ridiculous, this was Draco Malfoy!
"Should we head back?" Hermione suggested.
"Yea. Sure." He answered absentmindedly. He was still hung up on what had just happened. "Did you feel that?" He blurted out.
"What?"
"Did you feel anything? Just now?"
"No." She said quickly. "I didn't feel a thing."
"Hermione-"
"Harry's probably looking for us." She said, cutting him off. "You know he will come out here to find us."
"Why did you take the chance at being alone with me, then?" He asked as he stood up to stand in front of her. "What made you do that? I had no idea this spot was here, we could have just kept on walking."
His question made her feel cornered. She had no idea why she pulled him behind the tree so they could have some privacy. What did they need privacy for? Certainly she didn't trust him already, but not once did she feel threatened or afraid. In fact she felt quite the opposite.
"I want to go home, Malfoy." She said tightly.
Draco sighed in response. He could see that he was pushing her and starting to withdraw into that shell she lived in these days. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to upset you, I just thought I felt something. Before. Can we please just forget about that for now? I liked you calling me Draco."
"Alright. Draco." She said slowly.
"Alright. Can we take the long way around?" He begged. "I really don't want to spend anymore time in that house than I have to."
She smiled and began to walk again, heading deeper into the park instead of turning around. "It's just paint. A wall can't possibly bother you this much."
"It's Potter's House. Of course it bothers me." He fell into step beside her, grateful that she didn't insist on going back yet.
"He doesn't like you very much." She giggled.
"Funny how this all worked out, isn't it? I mean don't you find it odd?"
"Ginny doesn't think it's odd at all."
The sincerity in her voice got Draco's attention. "Why?"
"Aside from the obvious... differences, she thinks we have quite a bit in common."
"Oh, this should be good." He said sarcastically.
"You know, you might want to consider being her friend, at this point she's the only person on your side." Draco didn't say anything so she continued on. "She believes very strongly about soulmates, and the connection that they can have. She and Harry really have something."
Draco kept his eyes on the ground as she spoke. He wanted that, he had that. With Astoria. She was his something. Being with her was effortless, he wondered if he and Hermione could ever have something like that. She was his soulmate after all, all of the books he'd read told him about the work that sometimes had to be put into relationships where the bond wasn't openly accepted.
"I don't know if she'd really want to speak with me. My family did some pretty terrible things and she paid for them."
"And I haven't?"
Draco stopped walking and turned to look at her. "That was a really stupid thing to say. I wasn't thinking."
She nodded and continued walking then. "You know we're going to have to talk about all that right? Eventually?"
"Yes." He said as she let out a deep breath. "We have a lot of things to talk about. Things neither of us want to bring up."
"Good thing we have lots of time then." She tried to joke but the truth was that she knew this was going to be hard. She didn't want to talk about what happened at Malfoy Manor, and he didn't either. She didn't want to talk about her marriage, and he didn't want to talk about Astoria. They would never be able to move on if they couldn't move passed their past. Her thoughts were beginning to overwhelm her. She was just about to suggest that they head back to the house so she could hide away when he began talking.
"I think we should make a list."
"A What?" The comment caught her off guard.
"A list. Of things we would like to know about the other. Neutral topics, nothing too serious. And maybe a list with things about ourselves that we're willing to share. Think of it like homework."
His last thought made her smile. She liked how he explained it so that it was comfortable for her, so that she could understand him. "I like that idea."
"Yea?" His voice giving away his shock. "Okay then. Are you ready to head back?" He could feel her unease and he didn't want to ruin any progress that they may have made. He got her out of the house, and he wasn't sure why, but he felt like that was a good sign.
"Yes, please. It hasn't been two hours yet, we can still talk if you'd like."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. We've given each other a lot to think about." When the hell did he become so understanding?
They walked back to Potter's House, mostly in silence, but it wasn't awkward. Potter was standing in the doorway with the bloody thing hanging wide open the moment they came into view from across the street.
"Have a nice time?" He asked as he stared at Hermione, trying to gauge her mood.
"We did. We might do it again next week." She said simply as she walked into the house.
"Hear that, Potter? We might do it again next week. When I come back." Draco smirked. Really, he couldn't help himself.
Potter glared at him, making his distress even more enjoyable.
"Draco, don't push it." Hermione warned.
He didn't say thing, but he didn't have to with the smug little smile that was plastered on his face.
Once they were inside Hermione turned to him. "I'm looking forward to next week."
The soft smile she wore looked so genuine, and Draco couldn't help but smile back. "As am I. Until then." With a small nod to her, and one last glare at Potter, he left.
Harry shut the door and turned to look at Hermione but she had already left the hallway. He didn't like this one bit.
"Hermione?" He headed for the kitchen figuring she went to find Ginny. Sure enough, he was right. He gave Hermione a kiss on the temple and sat next to her, mostly to stay out of Ginny's way while she was cooking. The woman had pans and vegetables flying everywhere.
"Anything interesting happen?" He asked her.
"Not especially." She answered with a shrug.
"Then why are you excited to see him again?" He didn't miss the death stare he was getting from his wife. Best not to make eye contact. Never poke a sleeping dragon.
"I didn't say I was excited, Harry. I simply said I was looking forward to it. We've decided to do some homework."
He damn near rolled his eyes. Of course Hermione was looking forward to bloody homework!
"What do you mean homework?" Ginny asked.
"It's quite brilliant actually. Draco thought-"
"Since When is he Draco?" Harry huffed out.
"Since today." Hermione answered with a glare of her own, he really was trying her patience. "We thought that first names is more than appropriate and it might help us get passed... everything. And the homework is coming up with a few neutral questions to ask one another, and a few things that we are willing to share right now. I think it will make the conversation feel less forced."
"That's a really good idea, Hermione. Have you read anymore of those books he sent you?"
She looked to Ginny, grateful for her support with this whole thing. "Some, I've been avoiding them mostly, since that first day. But now I think I'm ready to see what they say."
Ginny reached over and squeezed her hand. "That's great. That's really great."
"I think I'll start now." Hermione bounced off the stool she was perched on with more enthusiasm than Harry had seen since she's been there.
"Dinner will be ready in an hour!" Ginny called after her.
"Yes mom!" Hermione said over her shoulder.
They both watched as she practically ran up the stairs to head to her room. Harry turned back to Ginny and nearly jumped at how her face went from happiness to rage in those three seconds.
"Harry." She growled.
"I don't have to like this." He said in his defense, which sounded more like a pout than anything.
"Of course you don't, but when was the last time you've seen her like that?" She jabbed a finger towards the stairs. "Since before that bastard and you know it. Hell, before even Ron!" She hissed.
"Ginny, it's Malfoy! I don't trust him!"
She threw her hands in the air and let them smack her hips loudly when they came back down. "This isn't about you! This is about Hermione and her happiness. This is about what makes her whole again! And you know damn well that she craves your approval more than anything now. Stop trying to get in the way!"
He felt guilty at her words. He knew that Hermione felt that way, especially after their conversation from last week. He just wanted her safe and whole. He just wanted her back, was that too much to ask? There was no way in Godric Gryffindor's name that Malfoy was her soulmate. He refused to believe it.
"I know that look." She said to him, interrupting his thoughts. "You are too stubborn, Harry Potter. Maybe you should join them one day, or we can have Draco over for dinner one night. He will have to get used to us just as much as we have to get used to him."
"I don't want Malfoy over for dinner." He retorted, with extra emphasis on the name. He was not going to call him anything else.
"You will put some effort into this, Harry." She warned. "That woman up there is your sister. I know you want to protect her, but you have to let her grow or she will never be able to get back to being comfortable in her own skin. She seems to be taking this slowly and carefully."
Harry sat with his arms crossed, looking every bit the child that just got scolded. "Send the Ferret an owl then."
Ginny smirked at him and came around the corner and put her arms around his neck. "This is new for everyone, I'm just asking that you try to support her. Watch her, of course. Watch him, absolutely. But just see where this goes."
"I still can't believe that you believe all of this. I know, I know, I saw the bloody goblet." He said when it looked like she was going to cut him off. "After everything she's been through, did she really have to be given this, too?"
"Oh, Harry." She soothed right before she kissed him.
"It scares me."
"I think it scares the both of them, too. Be patient."
"Never my strongest quality, love."
That made her giggle. "Nor mine."
Harry sighed and laid his forehead on her shoulder. "I will try a little more for her."
"Good. Now, I have to finish making dinner."
Harry snorted. "In other words leave you alone? I like to watch you though."
"Just don't get in the way." She said as she rounded the corner to take control of the knife that was currently chopping the vegetables.
Ginny was just walking in with dessert when Pig came flying in and circled the table, landing on the back of her chair.
"Hello, Pig." Ginny said as she put the treacle tart down right in front of Harry. She swore the man was drooling already. She fed her puffy little owl a piece of left over crust of bread from her dinner plate and accepted the letter he had tied to his leg.
"Who's that from, Gin?"
"I can cut this, right?" Harry asked at the same time.
"Harry." She said with a shake of her head, she saw his pout from the corner of her eye. "It's from Draco."
"What? Really?" Hermione didn't bother to hide her surprise. She certainly didn't think he would take her seriously when she said that he might want to consider a friendship with Ginny.
"Dear Ginny," She read aloud. "While being on a first name basis with Hermione feels comfortable, I must admit that this feels incredibly awkward. I welcome your invitation to dinner, only if it is agreeable with Hermione. She has several rules, as I'm sure you know. Please inform me of a date and time, and if your dining room is also that blasted Gryffindor red. I need to prepare. Draco."
"Smartass." Harry grumbled.
"You've invited him to dinner?" Hermione questioned, ignoring Harry.
"I did. We will all have to get to know each other eventually, I thought that maybe it would help break the ice if we showed him how supportive we are with all of this." She locked eyes with Harry, who only nodded. Well at least he held his tongue, beggars can't be choosers.
"That is very sweet of you. I think that would be a good idea."
"So, What are these rules?" Ginny asked her. "Whatever they are he seems to be following them."
"He acts like there's an entire book of them. We just agreed to two hours every Tuesday, that we be honest with our answers to each other's questions and not push for information that we don't want to freely give, that he's not allowed to touch me-"
"What? Really?" Harry was quite surprised by this one, although he had no idea why. It was obvious why she would make that a rule, to him anyway.
"Well, Yes. Any touch between us has to be initiated by me. Do you think that is too harsh? I just don't want to be s-... surprised."
Scared. Everyone knew that's what she really wanted to say.
"If that's what you're comfortable with, then I think that is just fine." Ginny answered decisively.
"Which day would you prefer, Hermione?" Harry asked her.
"Umm, Friday. He can come on Friday."
This meant a lot to her that Harry was extending this invitation. It was uncomfortable for everyone, but hopefully this would help.
"Friday it is." Harry said with a nod. "Now can I eat my treacle tart?"
