AN:I rarely update this close together. But I finished it and wanted to get it posted it.

Just a quick note on my story. I have no idea how this going to end. I am literally just winging it. But all issues will be dealt with- Ron, Draco and Mrs. Flint.

Enjoy. R&R, folks.

Marcus's mother didn't bring up Hermione until dessert was served.

"So, I hear there was scene at Cici's today involving you, the Parkinson girl and Hermione Granger," she said without looking at him.

Marcus cleared his throat, "I wouldn't call it a scene exactly."

Ursa Flint fixed him with a hard look, "Then what would you call it?"

Marcus shrugged, "A misunderstanding?" he supplied.

"A misunderstanding?" Ursa echoed. "How so?"

"Pansy seemed to be under the impression that she can tell me who I am allowed to socialize with," Marcus replied.

Ursa raised an eyebrow, "You socialize with Hermione Granger now?"

"I do," Marcus replied.

"Since when?" his mother asked.

"We spent some time together at the Quidditch Gala," Marcus did his best not to smirk when he said that.

His mother was quiet for a long time and it made him nervous, "Marcus, if you want to take the Muggleborn as a whore that is entirely your business, you father had a few Muggleborn whores in his time, but do not think for a second that I will support an actual relationship with you and- that girl."

Marcus felt himself getting angry, "You don't even know her," he said.

"I don't need to," Ursa said. "I know they say she is very smart and an excellent witch. I don't wish her ill or dead. I know we must co exists with her type but I won't allow my bloodline polluted, understood?"

"Mother, you have no right to tell me who I can and cannot date," Marcus replied, still trying to keep his temper.

"I am your mother and this is my family. I have every right." Ursa seethed.

Marcus threw his napkin on the table and stood up, "Well, you have no leverage. I already have most of my inheritance."

Ursa frowned, "I can keep you from getting anything from my side of the family and the rest of your inheritance from your father."

Marcus turned away from the table, "You can keep it. I don't need it."

"Marcus," his mother called to him as he walked away. "I have not excused you and I am not done talking to you."

"I am done," Marcus replied, he kept walking. Once he was outside he disapparated.

He reappeared on the front porch of the flat he shared with Adrian. He opened the door and walked inside. He really just wanted to be with Hermione right now-alone.

But that wasn't going to happen because he walked in on a little party.

Marcus rolled his eyes and surveyed the room. Adrian and Blaise were seated on the couch with the Patil twins. Adrian had his camera out and was snapping pictures of the girls. Terrence and Graham Montague were sitting at his small dining room table chatting up Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass, both girls looked bored.

Hermione was lying in a plump arm chair with a glass of firewhiskey chatting animatedly with Theo Nott. Both were gesturing wildly and grinning.

Marcus saw Malfoy standing across the room watching Hermione and Theo with a frown. Astoria, Malfoy's girlfriend, was trying to get his attention and failing miserably.

"Marcus!"

He smiled as he felt Hermione collide with his chest. He wrapped his arms around and he could smell the whiskey on her. "Hey," greeted her. "Quite a party I missed, eh?"

"You haven't missed anything," Adrian snapped a picture of Marcus and Hermione. "Grab a drink friend."

"How was dinner?" Hermione asked.

Marcus grunted and Adrian shot him a sympathetic look, "That good, huh?"

Hermione looked concerned and Marcus wasn't ready to talk to her about this so he just said, "It wasn't great. Let's leave it at that."

"Ok then," Adrian said, he could obviously sense Marcus's discomfort. "Someone get this man a drink."

"I will," Hermione said pulling away. "I need a refill myself." She walked into the kitchen.

Marcus sat down at the dining room table with Terrence, Graham, Tracey and Daphne. The latter of which put her hand on his, "How you holding up?"

Daphne and Astoria were his cousins. Their mother was his father's sister. Just about all of the pureblood families were related. Marcus knew he was related to the Malfoy's, the Nott's, the Black's ...even the Weasley's probably. He wasn't very close to Daphne and Astoria when they were younger because their parents wanted to keep neutral in the war with Voldemort and Marcus's father was a death eater.

"I am ok," Marcus told her.

"I take it your mum wasn't pleased with your new friend," Daphne guessed.

"No, she didn't," Marcus replied. "But I do not want to talk about it."

"I am here if you do want to talk later," Daphne said. She smiled at him, "Oh and for the record, I like her."

"So do I," Marcus replied.

His friends laughed.

"Here," Hermione said as she sat a glass down on the table in front of him. She sat down on the chair next to him. "What are we talking about?"

"Nothing," all of the Slytherins answered in tandem.

Hermione raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.

"So Granger," Graham said, "How is S.P.E.W. going?"

Everyone laughed except Marcus, " S.P.E.W. What is that?"

"Nothing," Hermione was smiling albeit a little sheepishly. "I will explain another time."

*Knock* *Knock*

"I will get it," Adrian called.

Marcus turned around and watched Adrian opening the door wondering who else would be coming by at this hour. Most of their friends were here. His blood started to boil when he saw Weasley and Potter standing there.

"Is Hermione here?" Potter asked.

Adrian nodded, "But I don't know if she wants to see you."

"That's just too bad," Ron said and he pushed past Adrian and into the house.

"I don't remember inviting you in," Adrian snapped.

Ron walked directly to where Hermione was sitting next to Marcus. Ron took a hold of Hermione's arm and tried to pull her to her feet. "Let's go Hermione," Ron ordered.

Marcus jumped to his feet and shoved Ron, "Get your hands off of her," Marcus growled.

Ron turned on him, "Get away from me," Ron snarled at Marcus. He looked back at Hermione, "Let' go."

Hermione narrowed her whiskey colored eyes at Ron and told him, "I am not going anywhere Ronald and certainly not with you."

"Hermione, I am sorry about earlier. I know I am being arse but I am trying to protect you. These people are not your friends. They haven't changed that much. They still think you are beneath them." Ron told her. He jerked his head at Marcus, "He is only interested in one thing and that is it."

Hermione stood up and grabbed Ron's hand, "Outside," she demanded. "Now."

Marcus watched Hermione lead Ron and Harry outside. He put his hand to his head and fought the urge to follow Hermione and her friends.

No one knew what to say. Adrian cleared his throat and turned on the stereo.

"That was-" Daphne started.

"-damn uncomfortable," Terrence grumbled. "Who the fuck does Weasley think he is? He doesnt know us or what we think."

"Stuff it, Higgs," Marcus snapped.

"Marcus, are you alright?" Daphne asked.

"What do you think?" Marcus shot back. Then he softened, "Sorry, this is just more complicated than I thought it would be."

"Things worth having are worth fighting for," Daphne told him.

"Not now Daph," Marcus said. "Let's not talk about this."

"Ok, moving on," Graham said and he engaged Terrence in a conversation about Quidditch. Daphne was watching Marcus and Marcus was watching the door.

"You have a lot of damn nerve," Hermione told Ron after she shit the door behind her.

"You can be mad at me if you want," Ron said crossing his arm across his chest. "But I just want to protect you."

"When have I ever needed you to protect me Ronald?" Hermione argued. "I can take care of myself."

"Can you?" Ron countered, "Because you aren't acting like it. You're carrying on with like he is your boyfriend and we both know that won't work."

"Why not?" Hermione demanded.

"Why not?" Ron repeated. "Why not? Hermione, Flint's father was a death eater. The prick died in Azkaban last year."

"I know who Marcus's father was, thank you very much," Hermione informed him.

"So, you are fine with dating a death eater," Ron asked her.

"Marcus was not a death eater," Hermione replied.

"No, but he is friends with Draco and Draco was a death eater," Ron said.

"Ok, first of all Draco was a reluctant death eater. We all know he was forced into doing the things he did. But even if he wasn't, I am not dating Draco nor do I have any intention of dating Draco anytime soon," Hermione told Ron. Then she rounded on Harry, "And what were you thinking coming here with him? How could you validate this nonsense?"

"I was trying to keep him from doing something stupid," Harry defended himself but he looked guilty.

"Well, good job," Hermione replied her tone dripping in acid.

"How is this my fault?" Harry threw his hands in the air.

Hermione felt tears sting her eyes, "You always take his side."

"I do not," Harry whined.

"You do too," Hermione wiped the tears off of her face.

Harry looked like Hermione punched him. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her, "I am sorry," he said quietly. "I will get Ron out of here. I will handle it."

"You're going to handle me, are you?" Ron asked.

"I will," Harry nodded, "Or Ginny will." Harry pulled away from Hermione and said, "I am sorry. It won't happen again." he disapparated with Ron.

Hermione heaved a sigh and took a moment to compose herself. She was embarrassed, it took all of her willpower to force herself to go back inside and face her new friends. She opened the door and everyone was watching her. They tried to pretend they weren't watching but they were. Hermione crossed the room and sat down to Marcus who appeared to be sulking.

"I am sorry," Hermione said. "It's handled."

"Is it?" Marcus asked tersely.

Hermione made a face, "Are you ok?"

"It's been a long day," he sighed. He looked at her, "Maybe Weasley was right?"

Hermione recoiled, "What?"

"Marcus, don't-," Daphne breathed.

"Ron was right?" Hermione asked. What was Marcus trying to say?

"Not about my friends and what we think of you. That is ridiculous. But maybe he has the right idea. This might be too complicated. We are from different worlds." Marcus wasn't looking at her.

Hermione stood up and left the room before Marcus could see her crying. She went into his bedroom and she shut the door behind her. Hermione sat on the edge of his bed and let herself cry. She jumped a little when the door opened.

"Hermione?" Daphne Greengrass said. "Came I come in?"

"Sure," Hermione said. "I was just leaving."

Daphne came in and shut the door behind her. "Please don't?" She sat down on the bed next to Hermione. She brushed her dark hair behind her ears.

"Don't what?" Hermione asked, wiping the tears from her face.

"Don't leave. I know Marcus hurt your feelings and he was wrong but he had a bad day," Daphne said.

"So did I," Hermione told her.

"I know," Daphne sighed" He had a really bad evening with his mum."

"What did she do?" Hermione asked.

Daphne shook her head, "I can't tell you. That's his story to tell. But he is really stressed out. Give him a chance to make it right."

Hermione exhaled, "Alright," she relented. "I will give him a chance to talk this out. But I need to stay in here a little longer."

"That's fine," Daphne smiled. "I hope it all works out."

"Me too," Hermione huffed as she threw herself backward onto Marcus's bed.

Marcus saw Daphne rejoin the party. She slapped him on the back of the head .

"What the hell was that for?" Marcus demanded.

"Being a git," Daphne told him. "You should thank me."

"For?" Marcus prompted.

"I just stopped her from leaving," Daphne said.

"What did you say?" Marcus queried.

"I told her you were stressed out after having dinner with your mum," Daphne answered. Marcus opened his mouth but Daphne cut in, "I didn't tell her what you argued about or how your mum feels about-you know..."

"Thanks," Marcus muttered.

"Mark, I know things are complicated but she is taking a risk on you and you need to acknowledge that and be willing to reciprocate. Don't screw this up. I know you like her and she could be good for you." Daphne lectured him.

"Alright," Marcus grumbled.

Astoria approached the group. She looked agitated, "Draco has been an arse all night. I want to leave. Are you coming?"

"Yes," Daphne said. "Tracey? Staying or going?"

"Going," Tracey replied. She eyed Marcus, "Don't be a dumbass Flint."

"Shove off Davis," Marcus told her.

"Were going to go too," Graham said. "Come on Terrence."

"Later Flint," Terrence said.

"Bye," Marcus told his friends.

Within minutes everyone was gone except Adrian, Blaise and the Patil twins.

"What did you say that made Granger run off, Flint?" Adrian asked.

"I have already been scolded by Daphne," Marcus answered. "I don't need your imput, Ade."

"You going to let her hole up your room?" Blaise asked. "Or are you going to-?"

"I am going. I am going," Marcus complained. He finished his drink before standing up. He stalked to the door of his room and knocked on the door. It felt a bit ridiculous to knock on his own door but he didn't feel right just walking in.

"Come in," called a small voice.

Marcus opened the door and stepped in. "Hey," he grunted.

Hermione was lying on her bed. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked at him, "Hey," she said.

"I don't know what to say," Marcus admitted.

"What do you want to say?" Hermione countered.

"I want to apologize," Marcus told her.

"Then apologize," Hermione said.

"Can I-?" Marcus gestured to the bed.

"It's your bed," Hermione replied.

Marcus sat down and rubbed his hands on his thighs nervously, "I am sorry," Marcus said.

"Do you not want to see anymore?" Hermione implored. "If so we need to just end this now and be done."

"I want to see you," Marcus said. "I don't want to end this."

"But you said it was complicated," Hermione said. "I know it is and maybe it isn't worth it-"

Marcus interrupted her by pressing his lips to hers. "We will work it out," Marcus told her.

Hermione smiled and pressed her forehead to his, "I am so glad you said that."

"What do you want to now?" Marcus asked.

"I am going to go and take a shower, if that is ok?" Hermione said. "Then we can talk, maybe?"

"Sounds good," Marcus replied.

Hermione grabbed some stuff from her bag and walked out of his room.

Marcus sat there for a moment. He had no idea what was going to happen but tonight he just wanted to be with Hermione.