Hermione was stressed out of her mind as she packed to go to Malfoy's Quidditch match. She knew it shouldn't stress her out this much. It was only a Quidditch match and she had been to plenty of those, it wasn't as if she didn't know what to wear or where to go, but Ron was going to be there.

The Chudley Canons were according to Harry going to be staying in the same town as Malfoy and his team. They were going to be there for a few days before the match and a few days after. Same as Hermione because she had let Harry and Ginny talk her into a mini-holiday. Mr and Mrs Weasley were going to watch the children and she should have been excited except all she felt was nerves.

Would Ron go mental when he saw her again?

What would things be like between her and Malfoy? They hadn't actually seen each other or talked since she had proposed. It wasn't something she had given a lot of thought to and that alone was unlike her. Ron had made her and angry her kneejerk reaction had been to do the thing that would anger him most. Now, she had to deal with the consequences of it.

She finished packing, feeling harried. Then Ginny and Harry Apparated into her living room the second she was done. She came out with her suitcase, which she had enchanted to make lighter. Ginny was grinning from ear to ear and Harry's green eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Are you ready for a long weekend in Northern Ireland?" Harry asked.

"So excited," Hermione said. Malfoy had offered to let them all stay at his flat.

"Are the nerves due to Ron or Malfoy?" Ginny said with a sly smile.

Hermione glowered at her. "Both of them, but mostly Ron. He's not acting like himself."

"He's been off his nut for months," Harry agreed. "But the three of us are going to have fun regardless of the chaos that is your love life, 'Mione."

"Makes you miss Krum, yeah?" Ginny winked at her.

Hermione blushed and covered that with a bout of bossiness. "Let's go."

Firmly, she picked up her suitcase and Disapparated.

She arrived in a cheery if bare living room. There was a lit fire, but no knick-knacks or photographs to make it homey. It was stylishly decorated and Malfoy was on the couch with a book. He looked up when she arrived.

Before she could say anything Ginny and Harry arrived with two cracks, only seconds apart. They greeted Malfoy cheerily, while Hermione hovered behind them feeling out of place.

"Your room is on the other end of the flat," Malfoy said and told them exactly where to find it. When they left, he turned to her. "Your room is this way."

Hermione followed him, still not convinced it was a good idea. Her first instinct had been to stay at home, but then Harry had been so enthusiastic and Ginny used her connections to get a ticket. Then for some reason Harry and Malfoy were owling and next thing she knew, they had been invited to stay at Malfoy's flat, which was the part that bothered her the most.

"Thanks for having us."

"It's not a problem. Might as well get to know each other."

"Might as well," she agreed realizing it was the most mature approach. And they had formed a friendship of sorts.

"You know if someone had told me years ago if I was going to have Potter and the girl Weasley as house guests, I would have taken them to St Mungo's."

"Things change."

Malfoy led her down the hallway to a lovely room.

"It's right across the hallway from mine. Not a lot of space here."

"Your flat is lovely," Hermione said genuinely meaning it. Like his home it was brighter and lighter than anything she could have imagined him living in. When she thought of Malfoy's home, dank dungeon were the words she most associated with him.

"It's just where I stay during the season," he shrugged. He looked around as if he hadn't actually properly looked at the flat in years or ever, and perhaps he hadn't. "Reckon I'll sell it once I return to the Ministry full-time."

"Suppose so," she echoed. It was strange to think the decisions they made about their careers affected each other. "We'll have to find out where we'll live."

Malfoy looked at her. He appeared thoughtful. "I'd rather not sell my home, I've grown rather attached, but I'm certain you feel the same way about your childhood home."

"I do actually. We can work it out later," Hermione said with a smile she hoped was confident.

The truth was, Hermione was a lot more comfortable with books and facts even life or death situations than she was with romantic relationships. Until she had arrived at Hogwarts, she'd never had friends. Not until Neville, then Harry and Ron. Back at school, she had been too bossy, too much of a know-it-all.

A problem that still haunted her to this day. It was not easy for her to make new friends. Most of the people she met wanted to be her friend or more for the same reasons as Tom. Others like Andrew didn't care about things like reputation or fame. Most of the people she associated with were friends from her Hogwarts days. Oddly enough, most of the new people in her life were Slytherins. Her reputation as a war heroine didn't appear to matter to them. Maybe because they were trying to live down their own pasts so they didn't put much stock in those things.

"We have time," he agreed with a lazy smile. "What do you want to do tonight?"

"I don't know. You know the area better than me. What is there to do here?"

"There's the local pub?"

Hermione laughed. "There's always a pub. There must be more to do."

"There's a bookshop," he suggested with a mischievous look that made her smile and shake her head.

"I do have other interests, you know."

"You do? What are they?"

"Equal rights for all magical creatures with human-like intelligence."

Malfoy snorted. "That's not a hobby, Granger that's a cause."

"Oh? And what makes you such an expert? What are your hobbies?" Hermione crossed her arms, huffed and waited for him to answer with a haughty expression.

"I fly."

"That's also your job."

"I brew potions."

"Anything else?"

"I read, I travel."

"Travel is a hobby now?"

His lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "If you don't think travel is a hobby, you've been doing it wrong all these years."

"Oh, I know! I knit!" Hermione said feeling a sense of satisfaction she had found another hobby. It would be sad to think she only had the one.

"Do you really?" he looked fascinated. "Using magic or the Muggle way?"

"The Muggle way if I have time. It's more relaxing to actually have it between your hands."

Realizing what she had said a split-second too late, she turned a bright shade of red. It mightn't have been so bad except Malfoy was suddenly smirking in a worse way than before. His gaze was heated and she felt a spark in her lower stomach.

"Is it now?"

"Oh, shut up."

He chuckled. "So the pub then? Have you played darts before?"

"Of course, I have," she said with a glower.

An hour later and they were ready to go. The only hiccup was when Hermione had to help Malfoy picked out a sweater that didn't look as if it belonged in the 80's. Dressing as a Muggle wasn't his strong suit. But she helped him pick out a pair of jeans and a black knit sweater that made his hair look even paler than usual. She didn't tell him, but the look suited him. He was fuller in the face now than he had been at school and it only emphasised the sharp angles of his face.

Hermione had decided to wear a pair of light blue denims that were bootcut. She wore a pair of black, shiny pumps and a white sheer top. She had styled her hair in bigger ringlets than usual.

"Bushy hair! I love it!" Harry exclaimed with a twinkle in his eye when he saw her.

"Harry!" Ginny scolded.

"No, really I like it!" Harry said wrapping an arm around his wife.

"Thank you," Hermione said and fluffed her hair with her fingers.

Malfoy didn't say anything, but he winked at her when the others weren't looking. She blushed again.

The pub was a ten minute walk into town. The air was starting to warm up, but it was still damp and cold. Hermione was sure by the time they got there, her hair was bushy again. All of her smooth curls were probably dissolved into their usual mess, but she decided not to care for tonight and next time, she would remember to use Stay-Long, the wizarding world's version of hairspray.

The pub was milling with people. There were those that she could see by the way they were dressed were plainly Muggles. But the majority of the guests were clearly wizards. There were two women, who were wearing men's suits. She could tell because they were baggy and didn't fit right. These were not tailored, stylish pantsuit many Muggle women wore. No, these had been found in the men's department.

That sight paled in comparison to one man, who was clearly wearing a long white nightgown tucked into a pair of trousers. The sight made her giggle and Harry laughed into the crook of his arm so the wizard wouldn't see. Ginny grinned broadly. Malfoy looked a little confused, but even he seemed to notice something wasn't right about the man's outfit.

The second someone spotted them, cheers greeted Harry and a round of drinks was immediately bought for their group by two older wizards, who threw a whole pile of cash at the bartender.

"You sort it out. I can't understand your Mug- I mean British money."

The bartender looked at him skeptically. "You sound British, mate."

"Me?" he pointed to himself. "No, no, I'm French. My uhm – just get them their drinks would yah? That's a good lad," he said when the bartender starting drafting their pints.

The bartender hurried over with their four beers. They all accepted and thanked him. Then they thanked the two wizards, who beamed and waved.

Ginny and Harry automatically migrated toward a table filled with Chudley players. Hermione recognized them and she did not feel like approaching them. Instead, she let Malfoy guide her to a table with a couple of players from his team.

"Granger, this is Scott and Harrison."

"Hello," she smiled and shook hands with them.

"Well if it isn't the war heroine herself," Scott said. He was an Irish wizard with a heavy brogue and bright blue eyes. His hair was a sandy blonde and he couldn't have been more than eighteen. "I'm the Keeper."

"Right."

"Same as your ex, love," Harrison nudged Malfoy. "See you've come to your senses."

Hermione tensed. This was precisely why she had been hesitant to come here. She didn't want to talk about Ron or listen to people compare him to Malfoy. She was still confused about the changes to their personalities.

"Shut it, Harrison," Malfoy drawled.

Harrison and Scott laughed. They grabbed Malfoy and pulled him into their booth. Scott hopped up and bowed deeply to Hermione. He waved with his arm in a dramatic flourish.

"After you, my lady."

"Alright."

Hermione sat down next to Malfoy and drank her pint. She was content to listen to the boys talk about Quidditch and their lives. It was nice to sit and watch the people in the pub. It felt normal.

Sometimes when she was out, she felt like she was on display. If there weren't people waiting to thank her for what she had done during the war or express their admiration for her work, she had people wanting to ask her about Ron or Harry. It could be exhausting when all she was trying to do was have a normal social life. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate people's support, she did, but it was like when the wizarding world thought she was dating Malfoy on New Year's Eve, she had received hundred of letters from strangers. All with an opinion on her love life.

For a while, she watched two witches play darts. They were actually quite good, but they got worse the more they drank. Eventually, they were distracted by two warlocks, from the Chudley Canons no less. Hermione was surprised Ron wasn't here. From what she had heard about his love life, he should be here trying to meet another eligible witch. Not to say, she wasn't relieved he was absent.

"Care for a round?" Malfoy suggested nodding towards the abandoned darts board.

"Certainly. Would you like to join us?" she asked Harrison and Scott.

They both shook their heads. "No way!"

"We've had enough of Draco kicking our arses at that."

"He's too good."

"Unbeatable," Harrison said agreeing with Scott.

Hermione laughed and got up. She walked over to the darts board with Malfoy right behind her. When they got there, she smiled at him and wondered if he knew, her parents had made her take archery lessons as a child. They knew she loved to read and it was a passion they encouraged, but they wanted to make sure she got some exercise too. It had been the only sport, they could convince her to try. It had actually been fun and she suspected darts was very much the same.

"Are you as good as they say?"

Malfoy smirked. "I'm a fair shot."

Malfoy took the darts from the board and put them down on the table near their mugs of beer. He handed her one, with the point aimed at himself.

"Ladies first," Malfoy said.

Hermione accepted the dart and took a moment to adjust to its weight. She felt it in her palm and took aim. The dart soared through the air and hit bulls eye.

"You didn't mention you were brilliant at this as well."

A heavy hand landed on her shoulder and when she looked back at him, he was smiling at her. It wasn't what she had expected. She had seen a more competitive side of him when they were at school together and he had certainly been a sore loser. Maybe it was another trait he had outgrown?

But when it was Malfoy's turn, she saw that wasn't the case. He was trying his best to beat her. They played a few rounds. Hermione won all of them, but Malfoy wasn't far behind.

With each round, they had grown more competitive, trading insults and jabs. By the time it was over, Hermione was grinning and she threw her arms up.

"I won!"

Harrison and Scott, who had been watching from their booth, clapped and cheered. Scott whistled.

"She did it! We have a new champion!" he announced loudly. "Bartender, a round for the whole bar on me!"

The bar clapped and cheered then too. The bartender smiled and waved, indicating he would get on it.

"What are we celebrating?" Harry asked appearing with Ginny, hanging onto his arm.

"We have a new darts champion and it's not Draco!" Harrison whooped.

Hermione laughed with the others.

"Amazing! Bloody brilliant!" Ginny squealed. "Is there anything you can't do?"

"Not our Hermione," Harry said and winked at her.

Malfoy smiled and put his arm around her shoulder. It was a familiar gesture and she was surprised by how much she enjoyed it. He was warm and she leaned into him.

"In all seriousness, is there anything you can't do?" he asked in a whisper.

His lips brushed the shell of her ear and an electric tingle shot through her. She blushed and turned to face him. Belatedly, she realized they were close enough to kiss so she turned more toward his shoulder.

"I'm a rubbish cook."

"Really?" his thumb stroked circles on her shoulder.

"Really," she confirmed.

Deciding to hell with it, she put her arm around his waist.

"What about you? Anything you're not good at?"

"Bowling."

"Bowling?" Hermione felt certain he must be pulling her leg. She couldn't picture Malfoy bowling. He was too dignified for that. Rented shoes, a crowded alley, balls that were covered with germs from countless customers.

"Yes, bowling. I met this Muggle girl right out of Hogwarts."

"How did you meet a Muggle? I can't imagine you ever go anywhere with a lot of Muggles."

"That's true enough. I certainly didn't growing up. However, I was tired of the whispers and the judgements in the wizarding world and I know I'll never live those down and that's fair," he shrugged, but there was a tension to his jawline that made Hermione think he wished he could change the past. "So I wandered into the town near Malfoy Manor. I just wanted to be invisible. I met this Muggle girl, she invited me out with some friends."

"You went on a date with a Muggle?" she gaped at him. "That's – that's just wow."

A few months ago and she wouldn't have believed him, but now she did.

"Yes," he closed his eyes and shook his head as if he was trying to push aside the urge to laugh. "And she took me bowling. I was atrocious. I don't think I knocked down more than three pins during the whole game. Needless to say, I didn't see her again."

Hermione giggled. "Oh Merlin, the mental image of you in rented shoes," she had to cover her mouth with her hand. "It's absolutely brilliant."

"To the grave, Granger," he warned her, but the corners of his mouth twitched like he wanted to laugh with her.

"I won't tell anyone," she promised still shaking with laughter.

After that, they played a few more rounds of darts with the others. Harry and Ginny were one team, Scott and Harrison the second and two of them. Needless to say, Hermione and Malfoy were in their third winning round when the game took on a rather dangerous turn that Hermione did not care for at all.

"Oy Malfoy," Harry said and his smile revealed how drunk he was. "Do you remember how back at Hogwarts, we thought nothing could kill me except for Voldemort."

"Harry, no!" Hermione said knowing she was about to be ignored.

Ginny looked resigned and went to the bar to get herself another drink. Hermione knew she would be no help. Having grown up with Fred and George, Ginny had an amazing knack for ignoring trouble and simply carrying on with her day. Other times when she felt like it, she joined in.

"Are you challenging me to another absurd near death experience, Potter?"

"Scared, Malfoy?"

"Stop it both of you right now! Harry we never had any evidence to indicate Voldemort was the only one that could kill you and Malfoy even if that is true, it doesn't cover you as well!" Hermione exclaimed. "Honestly, you are not teenagers anymore!"

Just as before at Hogwarts, they both ignored her.

"What did you have in mind?" Malfoy asked.

Harry went and stood in front of the dart board. "Just hit the bulls eye."

"Harry no!" Hermione exclaimed.

"You're on," Malfoy said with a smirk.

He picked up a dart and threw it. Hermione couldn't look, she turned away.

"You can look," Scott told her and patted her shoulder.

She sighed in relief when she saw the dart had landed just above Harry's head.

"If we have to go to St Mungos tonight, I am going to kill you both," Hermione muttered.

Malfoy ruffled her hair. Then he traded places with Harry. This made Hermione particularly ill and stressed as she knew Harry was not nearly as good a shot as Malfoy.

"Stop it! Both of you! Right this instant!" she cried.

Harry ignored her and aimed the dart. At the last second, she covered her face with her hands. She only looked up when there was a hand mussing up her hair.

"I'm alright, Granger."

She sighed in relief upon hearing Malfoy's lazy drawl. She looked up and saw he was grinning at her.

"This is the height of childishness and if you two are going to act like fools, I am going to go home, right this minute."

"Alright, calm yourself. Your hair is bushy enough without you frizzing it up with stress."

She scowled at him. He tried to ruffle her hand again, but this time she slapped it away. He chuckled, but at least their foolish game had ended so she could breathe easily.

Two witches joined them. They introduced themselves to everyone. They were pretty and if Hermione had to guess, they were just out of Hogwarts. They introduced themselves as Lizzy and Harriet.

Harriet had black hair and eyes. Her hair was braided in corn rows and she was obviously flirting with Malfoy. Hermione was both relieved to know there was at least someone in the wizarding world that didn't believe she was dating Malfoy and irritated that she was flirting so blatantly with Malfoy.

Malfoy didn't seem to notice or really care. He kept his eyes on the crowd and was indifferent. Hermione felt it was unfair to him in a way. He had wanted to try for a real relationship with her and she had turned him down. Yet now, he wasn't free to pursue anyone else. She knew he was getting a raw deal. Just because she wasn't ready to start dating after her divorce, didn't mean he wasn't.

"So do you live around here?" Harriet asked with a flirtatious smile.

"No," Malfoy replied having a sip of his beer.

Hermione ignored the two of them. Instead, she found herself thinking about the idiotic stunts Harry and Malfoy had pulled back at Hogwarts in their sixth year. There hadn't been much fun that year, the mood was heavy and tense yet there was the occasional memory she could hold onto where they were still just ordinary teenagers.

She could still recall that day on top of the Astronomy tower when she had caught them trying to race down it with shopping carts. Ron had egged them on and Harry was certain nothing short of Voldemort could kill him. Somehow, Malfoy had gotten involved. He had been spying on them and decided if Harry could do it, then he most definitely could.

The whole thing had ended with Hermione yelling at them and threatening to tell Professor McGonagall, which she felt certain was the only reason they were still alive.

Then there was the time she had caught them trying to see, who could make it through the Whomping Willow first without magic. That had been absurd and they had both ended up scratched and lucky to avoid time in the hospital wing. Then there was the time, they tried to see, who could stay in the lake the longest in the middle of November. That time, Hermione had actually got Professor McGonagall, which meant the end of their stupid game.

Hermione spotted Andrew and Heath as they entered the pub. Andrew had told her, Heath never missed a Quidditch match so she knew they would be out sometime this weekend and they had plans to meet tomorrow, but the couple hadn't been sure if they would make it tonight. She was happy they had.

A little drunk and with a big smile, she shoved her way through the throng in the pub to greet them.

"Andrew!" she exclaimed and threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her back and swung her around.

"'Mione, you look like you're having fun," he purred and winked.

She giggled and whispered, "I am."

"Hullo Hermione," Heath said with a smile, but he made no move to hug her.

That didn't surprise her. He was more serious than his boyfriend. He was tall and broad. Where Andrew was shorter and skinnier. He wore his hair in dreadlocks and his eyes were dark. He was always dressed in black and white. Just like now, he wore a Muggle suit in black and white without the tie. His hair was artfully mussed. Andrew on the other hand, was wearing blue jeans and a blue T-shirt with a blue scarf with sequins around his neck. When he wasn't at the Ministry, he wore a diamond nose piercing.

"Hi, I'm so happy you made it tonight. Come on, we're playing darts."

"Hold on," Andrew grabbed her wrist. "Not before you check out this article in the latest Witch Weekly."

"Andrew you know I don't read that rubbish."

"And as well you shouldn't," Heath agreed. "It's all gossip, worse than the Prophet even."

"No, really you need to see this."

"Andrew, no. She's having fun."

Now Hermione was starting to get a bad feeling. It was like ice had settled in the bottom of her stomach. Just when she was starting to think this weekend might actually be minimal on drama.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ginny had dragged Harry over to Malfoy and Harriet. She was firmly placing Harry between the two of them. Ginny said something to Malfoy and he laughed.

"Show me," she said turning back to Andrew and Heath.

Malfoy was on her way over, she noticed. At the same time, Andrew pulled out the magazine from his back pocket. It had been sticking up and she wondered how she could have missed it before realizing she was a little drunk and too busy enjoying herself. Andrew opened it to the right page.

Immediately a portrait photograph of Ron jumped out at her. It was moving, he wasn't smiling, he looked sad and mostly studied his shoes. Wondering what her ex was up to now, she snatched the magazine from him and started reading the article. She hardly noticed when Malfoy came up behind her.

Ronald Bilius Weasley has a double-claim to fame. War hero and Keeper for the Chudley Canons, he is often credited with bringing the team to its current glory. There is however, in one area that Ron is not achieving. His love life.

Recently divorced, he misses his ex wife.

"It's just not the same with Hermione. I know I made mistakes, but I have tried to make things right. But she's just not having it."

"And why not?" the reporter prodded.

"Because she's under the spell of that Death Eater. The Ministry matched us and I know that means we are meant to be together. I've always known that."

"How do you mean?"

"I think Malfoy has her under the Imperius Curse. There's no other explanation, but Hermione is strong. I know she can fight it off and when she does, I'll be right here."

"Have you tried appealing to the Ministry for help?"

"Of course, I have, but the Aurors won't do anything and neither will The Ordinary Magical Law Enforcement. They think he's changed, but I know better. I remember him at school. He used to bully Hermione. Call her a Mudblood and other foul names, and now they're together? It doesn't make any sense."

Shocked, disgusted and enraged Hermione folded up the magazine and gave it back to Andrew.

"Take it, I can't read another word of that trash."

"Imperius Curse?" Malfoy whispered, he sounded shocked. "And Granger I'm sorry you know –"

"You don't need to apologize," Hermione said straightening up. "You did that years ago and you meant it. I know you did or you would have done it again. And really, you bullied almost everyone."

"That's not much of an excuse. And he's right, I was horrid to you. I was to everyone."

She turned around and saw Malfoy looked drawn. He was paler than usual.

"No, I suppose it's not and maybe he is, but that's the past. I know how much you have changed. Perhaps better than anyone," she told him. "And he has no right to go to the press accusing you of casting one of three unforgiveable curses on me."

Malfoy laughed.

"What's funny about that?" Heath asked in his usual serious way.

"Nothing I suppose except it's so like Granger to recite facts."

Hermione laughed, but it was cut short. "And what the bloody hell did he mean, he's talked to the Aurors and the Ordinary Magical Law Enforcement? He has no right to do any such thing on my behalf!"

"Oy, Potter!" Andrew called out and when Harry looked over, he beckoned with his index finger. The gesture was flirtatious and Heath looked completely exasperated with his boyfriend.

"Must you flirt with everyone?" Heath muttered.

"It's all a part of my charm," Andrew patted him gently on the chest. "But you know I love you best, darling."

Harry sauntered over and smiled. He nodded at Heath and Andrew.

"What's going on?"

"Did Ron try to talk to your office about me and Malfoy?"

Harry turned red and looked extremely guilty.

"Out with it, Potter," Malfoy drawled.

Hermione looked at him and saw the cold mask of indifference that had settled upon his features again.

"He did, but I told him he was a nutter. I know the signs of the Imperius Curse and I know 'Mione can fight it off. She figured it out during the War. I knew it was absolute rubbish, which is why I didn't say anything."

"So you dismissed him? You told him it was rubbish?"

"Course, I did. Why wouldn't I?"

Andrew showed him the article. Harry skimmed it before putting it down and running his hands through his hair.

"What the hell is going on with him?"

"I don't know, but you need to set him straight," Hermione said crossing her arms. Her voice was bossier than usual.

"Yeah, I'll try, but this is – this is a whole other level of delusional, 'Mione."

"Then perhaps a visit to St Mungo's is in order?" Malfoy suggested with a nasty sneer.

Hermione elbowed him in the ribs. "No, just tell him to stuff it or I'll hex him myself."

"I'll talk to him, I swear."

"Oh dear," Hermione sighed. "Mrs Weasley is going to read this."

"Poor her," Andrew sighed and shook his head. "I think this calls for another drink."

"No thank you. I think I'd rather just go to bed," Hermione said with what she hoped was an apologetic smile. "Will you tell Ginny I said good night, Harry?"

Harry nodded. "Do you want me to walk you back?"

"I'll be fine, Harry," Hermione said bristling. "I'm not exactly helpless, now am I?"

"No, I just thought – well it's getting late and –" Hermione looked like he was at a loss for words as he slowly turned pink.

"It's alright," Malfoy interjected "I've rather lost my interest in the pub as well."

The walk back to the flat was silent.

Hermione stopped just outside of the door to her bedroom. Malfoy was already stepping over the threshold to his room. His shoulders were hunched and he hung his head.

"For what it's worth, I know you would never cast the Imperius Curse to get a date."

"Thank you," he told her with a small smile. "Oh, that reminds me."

He took out a black velvet box from his jeans pocket. He tossed it to her. Hermione caught it and opened it. She stared at it, blinking. It was an engagement ring. It did not take an expert to see it was expensive. She studied it for a moment. Taking in the oval cut, the clarity of the diamond and how it was surrounded by rubies that shone in competition with the diamond. The cut was perfect and the silver band was intricate.

"Malfoy, I can't accept this," she looked up at him in amazement. "It's too much."

He shrugged. "I have a my own fortune and my family's as far as I'm concerned, it's just a trinket."

"Oh," she was taken aback by his careless demeanour. "I suppose if you're certain – I mean it is beautiful. Thank you."

"It's nothing," he looked as if he meant that.

"Right. Well good night."

"Good night."

Malfoy still looked morose as he went into his bedroom and closed the door. Hermione sighed and went into the guest bedroom. She was exhausted with fury and despair. She had no idea how to make Ron stop.

Still plagued by these thoughts, she went to bed. She put the jewellery box on the nightstand. She didn't even realize that it was still open.

It felt like hours before she finally fell asleep.

XXX

Draco had another drink before bed. It wasn't something he normally did however, he might need tonight. He was half-tempted to drink a Calming Draught however, with the alcohol he had already consumed he worried it could be hazardous.

His past was something he would always have to live with. He had long since learned to live with the fact that some people would always doubt or hate him. Still, it was difficult especially as his popularity as a Seeker had gone up. He had been given a lot of leeway and public opinion had grown in his favor the more matches he won. Much like the wizarding world had looked away for the Ludo Bagman's crimes they were willing to turn a blind eye to his.

It had helped that both Potter and Granger had given testimony to his benefit in court. Then there were the students and Order Members at the Battle of Hogwarts, who saw that he had traded sides. All in all, it made life bearable. He went from shunned and hated, to popular among Wimbourne Wasps fans. The last time he had played in the World Cup, he had helped England win. Earning him another bout of good-will from the people. Someone had even leaked his donations to charity to the press. Over the years, it was a sizeable sum. Life had been good and looking better now that he had a chance with Granger.

Now the Weasel was looking to take away everything he had worked for. All of that effort to turn his life around, to make amends for his family and his crimes it would be for nothing. No longer would the doubters and haters be in the minority. It was a painful reminder that made him consider relocating from England, not for the first time. But running away would be cowardly and cowardice was something he tried to avoid these days.

Eventually, he had fallen asleep. Images and phrases from Weasley's article ran through his head. The Imperius Curse, he couldn't even recall ever having cast that outside of his training. He'd never had use for it and it would not occur to him to ever use it on Granger. That said, he wasn't even sure he could cast it any longer. How did the wand movement go again? It was heartening to know Granger did not think him capable of it.

He had no idea what time it was when a blood curdling scream woke him. He shot awake and grabbed his wand.

"Lumos."

The tip of his wand lit up with a glow. He cast a spell to check the wards on the flat. Potter and the girl Weasley weren't back yet. That meant –

Granger.

He hurried across the hallway and cracked the door to Granger's room open. He didn't see anyone else in the room. Instead, he just heard Granger's screams.

She jerked upright in bed and he knew she was awake when she looked toward him.

"Malfoy?"

"Yes, I heard your screams. I thought perhaps someone had broken in, but it must have been one hell of a nightmare."

"Yes, it was."

"Does it happen a lot?"

"Sometimes. It started after the war."

He felt himself go cold. He was no stranger to nightmares after the war both awake and in his sleep. He hadn't had in years though and truthfully, he was surprised he hadn't any tonight.

"A lot of people did," he said looking over her head. He snuffed out the light. "Is this why you've looked thinner."

"What do you mean?"

"You've looked thinner, I assumed it was stress, but it was the nightmares."

"Yes."

"You hid the circles under your eyes with a spell."

"Yes," she sounded worn out and like she was on the verge of tears.

Shit, Draco thought. What did he do now? Pansy never cried and she was the only real female friend he'd ever had. He was rubbish when girls cried, it tended to send him into a tail spins.

"When did they stop?"

"After about a year. For a while, Ginny and I shared a room. She helped me through the worst of them."

It was nice to know someone was there for her when it had happened. After the war, Draco had been alone. None of his friends were the kind of people that talked about their emotions. However, they did all find a variety of flimsy excuses to spend time together right after the war. They all knew why, but none of them ever talked about it.

"The Weaselette is not back yet."

Draco did something he desperately wanted to do and knew he was going to regret in the morning. He went over to her bed and sat down.

"Are you joining me?" Hermione's voice held shock.

"If that's alright."

"I suppose," she sounded hesitant. "I'll probably be fine."

"On the off chance you aren't, I'll stay."

"Thank you."

He got under the covers. She moved over and let him. He stretched out and made himself comfortable on the pillows. He could feel the warmth of her body underneath the covers. She was lying next to him. He couldn't see her with any certainty, but he thought she was on her side, watching him.

"Can't have you running yourself ragged over nightmares, now can we?"

She snorted and he was sure she was rolling her eyes. "You're a softie underneath it all."

"Don't tell anyone."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Draco wanted to reach for her, tug her into his arms the way he had on New Year's, but he knew she wouldn't want that. He didn't want to rush things, Granger wasn't over her messy divorce and he understood. If he had married for love, he might have taken things harder as well. He liked Daphne and respected her, he could even understand the affair. The two of them had never had a spark of real passion. He had only realized how long they had both wanted out when the affair came to light and a part of him was actually relieved as mental as that was.

"Did you know, I keep most common potions on hand in my laboratory at home."

"I'm not surprised," Granger's voice was filled with sleep. "What are you getting at?"

"I took the Draft of Remembrance."

Abruptly, Granger appeared properly awake.

"Don't just lay there! Tell me what you remembered!"

Draco chuckled. "You'll be relieved to learn nothing of interest."

"We didn't…?" her voice trailed off and she cleared her throat clearly embarrassed.

"No, we snogged and then we passed out together. If we'd been a little more sober, we might have made it to the finish line however, we did not."

"Oh, what a relief!" Granger sighed and fell back into the pillows.

It didn't need to be quite that big of a relief, Draco thought.

"Yes, well the war hero can't have her perfect reputation sullied by someone like me."

Granger laughed. "Oh, Malfoy remember when you thought I was the filthy one?" she laughed and then grew more serious. "It's just I would like to think I am handling my divorce better than a drunk one-night stand."

Draco chuckled. "I suppose it's hard to take offence at that."

"Thank you for staying with me tonight."

"It's nothing."

Draco felt his eyelids go heavy. He was lulled to sleep by the sound of Granger's soft breathing. He could feel her presence in the bed next to him.

The next thing he knew, he must have slipped into a dream because a small hand slipped into his.

XXX

It was still dark out even though the clock on the nightstand said it was 8 am. Hermione woke feeling refreshed for the first time in a long time. Her hand was tangled in something and when she looked, she saw she was holding Malfoy's hand. Her head was on his shoulder, his face was turned to her forehead. His other arm was draped over her waist. It wasn't very comfortable, but it was intimate.

Had this happened while they were in their sleep?

It was more comforting than she had thought possible with Malfoy. Relief washed over her as she realized, the nightmares hadn't returned when he slept in bed with her. She had fudged the truth a little for him. The nightmares had stopped sometime after her engagement to Ron. Feeling secure and like she wasn't alone helped.

At least, that was what her therapist said. Hermione hadn't been in a long time and maybe it was time to start again. It was a Muggle therapist, the wife of a wizard and she helped council Hermione through the worst of it. She thought Hermione's nightmares were PTSD and triggered by feeling alone. A normal reaction, now that she was for all intents and purposes an orphan.

Hermione turned toward him. Gently, she nudged his chest with her free hand. "It's morning, Malfoy."

He mumbled something in his sleep. He rolled onto his side and pulled her against his chest. He put his head on top of hers.

"Must you be such an early bird?"

"Malfoy," she whined pushing on his chest. "Don't you have training?"

"No, just the match later today," his voice was filled with sleep.

Hermione surrendered to his warmth. She snuggled into his chest and let him tuck her head underneath his. Malfoy smelled incredible even after a night of drinking. He did smell like alcohol, but she could also smell his cologne, it was a spicy fragrance and she breathed it in. logically, she knew it was pheromones that made her think he smelled nice after a night of drinking and she also knew that meant on some level she was attracted to him. However, she supposed she knew that from before. She felt small and safe as he wrapped his well-muscled arms more tightly around her.

"Just a few more minutes," she agreed. "But then we have to get up in case Harry and Ginny are already awake, alright, Malfoy?"

"Alright," he groaned. "Suppose you can call me Draco, if you prefer."

Hermione thought it over for a minute. It felt strange to call him Draco after all these years, but if they could sleep in the same bed, first name basis was hardly a big deal.

"Yes, I reckon you're right. Then you must call me, Hermione."

"Hermione," he mumbled sounding as if he was falling back asleep.

Surrendering to the comfort and his snuggles, she closed her eyes.

When she woke next, it was an hour later. Draco still had her tightly in his arms and he was snoring softly. The sound made her smile.

"Draco," she pushed on him. "Draco, wake up."

Draco groaned and rolled onto his back. He rubbed his eyes.

"You don't sleep in much, do you?"

"No."

Draco surprised her by wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her onto his chest. She was hesitant at first, but then she relaxed into him. She draped her arm across his stomach and listened to his heartbeat.

She felt him fidget and pick something up off the nightstand. "If you don't like the ring, I can get you something else."

"It's lovely, I just don't feel right letting you get me something that expensive."

"Well I could hardly give you a family heirloom."

"Of course not."

Draco ran his hands through her curls, mussing them up.

"I'm fairly certain most of them are cursed. I had one ancestor, who gave his mother's ring to a half-blood witch, she died of a nasty blood curse."

"Oh, dear," Hermione sighed.

It would always be like this between them. A long history of prejudice that had nothing and everything to do with them at the same time.

Hermione got up. Draco caught her wrist and looked at her with serious grey eyes.

"You know I don't care about blood status, right?"

"Right."

She smiled at him, hoping to alleviate some of the tension that had come into his expression. It reminded her that thanks to their engagement he was now under fire again. There would be those that would suspect him and the unfairness of that made her feel both angry and exhausted. Draco was not the same boy he had once been. He hadn't been a bully in years and had changed more than most people ever did in a lifetime in a few short years. Yet Ron wanted to accuse him of casting the Imperius Curse on her?

"I think we should report Ron to the Aurors," Hermione said. "Unless he agrees to give an interview clearing your name."

"It won't matter," Draco said avoiding eye contact. "If he sways public opinion, it won't matter if the Aurors declare me a saint."

She laughed, but it was brief. "It matters to me. Ron does not control my life or yours. If he wants to play games, I'm going to finish him."

Draco smirked. "He'll never know what hit him."

In that moment, Hermione felt very much like she had an alley. Someone, who was as affected by Ron's behavior as her. It was comforting to know she wasn't alone.

I can't say how much the support for this fic means to me! Thank you so, so much to everyone! The part about Harry and Draco competing in near-death stunts is just me having some fun with the contents of a tumblr post so shoutout to its creator!

Anyway, let me know what you thought about this chapter, reviews give me life. What was your favourite part? Do we think Ron is off his rocker and what was your favorite dramione interaction? If you want to request a drabble send me an ask on tumblr (fireismyelement97). I ONLY accept requests on tumblr, thanks.

Izzy