I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER!
Ch. 5- At the Ministry
The elevator opened and Hermione stepped out onto the floor, her arms loaded with various legal papers. They were all concerned with the case of Bryce Seamore, one of the few remaining Death Eaters who had managed to evade the Ministry for two decades. Fortunately, Harry and Ron had caught up with him. Today, as Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Hermione was prosecuting his case.
Hermione stumbled and the papers went flying. She groaned, pulling out her wand. "Accio documents!" The papers rose from the polished floor back into her arms.
"You look like you're having a bad day," Ron said, approaching her.
Hermione glared coldly at him. "Oh? Are you speaking to me now?"
"I was never not!" Ron retorted, blushing.
"Ron, you were one step away from accusing me of having an affair with Malfoy," Hermione hissed. "You don't trust me, do you?"
Ron nodded his head solemnly. "I do trust you. It was just when Scorpius showed up at our door last night, all those old feelings of betrayal and suspicion came back. I was wrong, though. I know you wouldn't ditch me for anybody, least of all Malfoy."
Hermione felt her anger ebbing away. Ron wasn't usually open about his feelings, and rarely admitted when he was wrong. Now that he had, Hermione couldn't possibly stay mad at him.
"I love you, not Draco," she murmured. "I need you to know that."
Ron wrapped her in his arms. "I do. I love you too." He kissed her red lips. Hermione felt blissful at the intimate contact. All other fears and emotions were temporarily abandoned in return for this single moment of unadulturated joy and love.
...
Later, Hermione exited the courtroom with a feeling of smug satisfaction. That satisfaction instantly turned to discomfort as she saw Draco Malfoy round the corner.
"I see you won the case," Draco said. "I saw the guards leading Seamore away. Good thing the dementors are gone or half the building would have been lying on the floor in grief!"
Hermione laughed at the hyperbole. She looked Draco in his gray eyes, the coldness they once possessed now replaced with warmth, but also a bit of concern. Hermione knew what was coming.
"I want you to come to the manor tonight for dinner," Draco said, in a surprisingly smooth tone of voice. "I want you to talk to Scorpius. You can't possibly say no!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Still used to getting your way, I see! Draco, you know that wouldn't work. Scorpius doesn't want to see me."
"He's confused," Draco persisted. "Try him again. Help me help him through it. Tonight at six. See you then."
He turned around and strutted off. Hermione was left standing in the middle of the corridor, her smug satisfaction long gone.
Hermione went searching for Ron, finally finding him in the Auror office.
Ron looked up. "I heard the case went well... What's wrong?"
"Draco asked me to dinner tonight so we could speak with Scorpius," Hermione admitted.
Ron's face fell. "Oh..."
"I want you to come with me!"
Ron's face fell even furthur is that was possible. "I can't. Harry and I are on the trail to finding Seamore's nutjob of a brother. We're working overtime tonight."
Ron and Hermione stared at each other, neither sure of what to say to break this thick silence which had built up between them. Ron eventually jumped up out of his chair and embraced his wife. "Look, I told you that I trusted you and I do. Go to Malfoy's place and try to win your kid back."
Hermione found herself smiling. She leaped forward and kissed Ron deeply and passionately. They were finally on the same page. Now All that remained was to regain the son she had regrettfully given up, and hopefully build the groundwork for the bit of trust Hermione knew she didn't deserve, but desired with all of her heart.