All things Harry Potter belong to JKR. Nothing but the story line belongs to me.

Rated M for language, subject matter some may find offensive and romantic interludes.

Previously on Is This All There Is? Chapter 8: The Never-Ending Story

"Everything has started off well," answered Elias. "The material is easy to understand and you are a good instructor. I'm not sure this is the position I want to keep for the rest of my career. For now I like it well enough."

Draco nodded at Elias who then cheekily added. "I wouldn't say no to one of those Wizengamot rings though."

Draco laughed. "I'd bet you wouldn't. You'll have to talk to Kingsley about that. On another matter. I would like for you to take over Hermione's special project. I'll show you what needs to be done and I will set out the materials every morning. You may work on the project in between learning, filing, delivering, reporting, picking up and lunch. Set aside the same time each day to work on this. Nothing of this project leaves Hermione's office. Am I clear? On Friday of this week we'll sit down to assess what progress you've made. I appreciate the extra effort you will put forth. If you have any questions, ask me. This project has been given to you because I believe you can handle it. That's all I have for now. Why don't you go make your own pass through the departments."

The two wizards shook hands before Elias left the office.

Now we'll see just what we have thought Draco. I fully expect Olivia to try to take over the project. Let's see if Elias can stand up.

/*/

After a brief review of folders laying on his desk, Draco leaned back in his chair. Gingerly he picked up Hermione's letter to reread it. It was only a generic, informational letter, but it made his heart beat faster.

Why? Draco was not sure.

One day,

Someone will walk into your life

And make you see why it never

Worked out with anyone else.

Is This All There Is? Chapter 9: Falling Apart But Coming Together

This was turning out to be a wonderful morning for Hermione. She had been told by the solicitor her divorce would be final by Thursday. At that point she could wash her hands of the entire Weasley family. She was really impressed with William Ellis the Malfoy family solicitor.

She had stopped by Diagon Alley to look for new books, visit Magical Pets and have a bite to eat and had just passed WWW when she heard someone call out her name. "I know you're a big shot at the Ministry and all that. But don't even try to ignore me Granger."

Hermione turned to find Lee Jordan beckoning to her. She had grinned and waved back.

"Come in and have a look around Hermione. Our lines have been expanded. We now carry knives with which one can murder their wanker husband."

Hermione turned back towards the store grinning at the ever irreverent Lee. When she reached him, she had poked him in the ribs after hugging him.

Lee jumped back from the poke and led Hermione into the shop. "Easy there Mrs. Weasley. I'm delicate."

George Weasley had come walking out of the back grabbing Hermione up and swinging her around. "How's the brightest witch of our time doing these days? I mean apart from being married to a complete arse. I'm sorry about the way Ron treated you Hermione. I for one, didn't think Ron was smart enough to get two witches at the same time. Little did I know."

Hermione smacked him around the arm and grinned. "I won't be married to the arse for very much longer. Which suits me just fine. How have you been George? It's so strange, we are both in the same city. I visit Diagon Alley several times a month yet I haven't seen you in ages. You and Lee are looking good. Why isn't there a shop full of witches swooning over you two eligible bachelors. What's gone wrong?"

"Please don't let Angelina hear you say that," whispered George. "She's convinced that the witches who come through the door have tried to use First Love Beguiling Bubbles on me."

Hermione laughed out loud before turning to Lee. "What about you Mr. Jordan? How are the witches treating you?"

Putting on a very innocent look Lee joked. "I haven't found the right witch. Therefore I'm spending time at the pubs sorting through my choices. Could these questions mean you are interested in dating me?"

Hermione raised the back of her hand laying it against her forehead as she replied. "As good as your offer is. I'll have to pass. I am in the process of getting rid of one womanizing wanker. I don't need another."

"You wound me with your words Mrs. Weasley, but I'm willing to give you a little time to think it over."

"Been messing about in the Daydream Charms then Lee?" questioned George.

Lee admitted he may have indulged a little too freely and the three of them shared a laugh.

George invited Hermione to the back for some tea, but she declined to another time. She had explained her plans and then got ready to leave. "I promise to stop by again soon. Give my regards to Angelina. Bye."

/*/

Hermione decided to forego the book and pet shop to visit, We Have What You Need. She hadn't been there since she found out her doll had been sold from under her.

The proprietor remembered her and had greeted her warmly. "Have a look around dearie. Maybe something will catch your fancy."

Hermione did look around and found all sorts of enchanting things. However nothing impressed her as much as that one doll had. She had stood there and mentally kicked herself again for letting the doll get away from her. In doing so, her eyes fell upon a handsome, silver desk ornament clearly marked with a fancy, cursive M. Draco had immediately come to mind. Hermione decided it would look stunning on his desk.

She had called the proprietor over to transact the sale when she realized she was buying something for Draco Malfoy. How far I've come she thought to herself.

Shrinking her purchase Hermione took a last look around before waving to the proprietor and exiting the store.

Hermione found herself smiling at every little thing as she headed to an Apparition Point. She had decided against having lunch out and apparated home. Harry would be hungry when he got in so she made a nice pasta supper before going to take a shower.

/*/

Arthur Weasley was angrier than he'd ever been in his life. He loved his wife and children, but for them to have brought him to this point made him furious. He had almost splinched himself getting home he was so angry. He walked from room to room trying to find someone on which he could vent his anger. The house was empty so he sat down on the couch and went over the changes he would enact as soon as he had a chance. Enough was enough. If he couldn't trust his wife or his children to do the right thing, he would take a page out of Kingsley's book and make them do the right thing.

Molly and Ron knew he was at the end of his tether and had been trying to tiptoe around him, but Ginny hadn't backed down one iota. Arthur was tired of this petulant child. Especially since he had heard her tell her husband she didn't want to be married anymore and would be moving back to the Burrow. Arthur told himself that she would be moving back to the Burrow over his dead body. She had married and gotten pregnant. It was time for her to grow up. And Ron, what could he say about his youngest son. He was nothing more than a big embarrassment who couldn't keep his dick in his pants. He would be dealt with as well.

The door opened and Arthur heard Molly and Ron talking with neither realizing Arthur was home. Molly asked Ron what he intended to do about Amanda. He told her he couldn't even think about Amanda right now. Molly told him he needed to figure out what he was going to do now he was suspended. Before Ron could answer, Arthur walked into the kitchen.

Molly cried out. "Arthur, you scared the life out of me. What are you doing home at this hour?"

Ron isn't the only one who has been suspended, answered Arthur. "Kingsley has asked me to take some time off to get my family straightened out. He also suggested if I couldn't do that, I should think about stepping down."

Molly's hand flew up to her mouth. "Who does Kingsley Shacklebolt think he is? How can he suspend you over something that doesn't have anything to do with the Ministry? I hope you told him off Arthur."

Arthur sighed. "Why would I tell the Minister of Magic off when he is right in one. Do you really think he wants an employee in charge of one of his departments who cannot even control his own family? I have been made to look like a fool and there are many who are questioning my ability to run a department. I have worked my entire adult life to get to where I am today. It was lucky Kingsley felt differently about me than Fudge. I could have remained in that cupboard of an office for the rest of my life had it not been for Kingsley. So don't you dare stand there and question the man. I've had enough. We are going to get all this straightened out while I'm on suspension. We will start with Ron's problem and work our way to Ginny's problem. Once their problems have been solved, your problems should disappear on their own Molly.

Molly gasped. "Arthur, I've never heard you speak like this before."

"To my detriment it would seem." Arthur replied turning to Ron to question what he planned to do.

"Well, I have to get things straightened out with Hermione. She will probably take me back if I apologize. I don't think she really wants a divorce."

"What the fuck are you thinking Ron?"

"Arthur! Your language," yelled Molly.

Arthur ignored Molly and kept talking. "You attacked Hermione and you've been blatantly unfaithful. She doesn't want you back. Give her the divorce and leave her alone."

Ron tried to bluster his father, but was stopped short when Arthur furiously replied. "Get your head out of your arse Ron. The best thing you can do now is try to make a life with that witch and her baby. Move to Ireland. Let this blow over. If you have any sense of respect or decency, you will take your own measures before Adrian has to take measures for you. Kingsley is standing firm on this."

Ron repeated that he didn't want a divorce as he walked into the living room.

Arthur turned to Molly and told her she should stop encouraging bad behavior. Especially in Ginny. "Sit her down and get to the bottom of what has caused this Merlin awful attitude she has these days. I don't care if it takes a week. Find out what's wrong and get it fixed. As far as leaving her husband and coming back to the Burrow, that's just not going to happen. Why would you even lead her to believe you are alright with her coming here? She has a home…and a husband. It's time she realized that throwing a fit of bad temper to get her way doesn't show well in a grown witch. Fix it Molly and fix it now."

Arthur hadn't got the last words out of his mouth when there was a knock on the door.

Molly opened the door to find a witch Arthur had never seen before.

"I'm sorry for showing up unannounced. I need to find Ron."

Ron came back into the kitchen when he heard the witch's voice. "Amanda. How did you get here? What are you doing back in Britain?"

"I got your letter. If you aren't coming back to Ireland, me and the baby are coming here to Britain."

Arthur was beside himself as he told Molly and Ron to get the bloody thing fixed or he'd have them all out on their ear. Halfway up the stairs Arthur called back. "Until your divorce comes through, you are still married and won't be living illicitly under this roof."

Both Molly and Ron stood there like deer in a headlight as Amanda rushed over to hug Ron and ask where she should put her things obviously not understanding the word illicitly.

/*/

Everything had been set up in Hermione's office and as soon as Elias got back from his rounds, Draco took him into the office to explain what needed to be done.

While he was going over the salient points of the project, Olivia appeared at the door. "What's going on? Is this something new?"

Draco looked up. "I have put Elias in charge of one of my partner's projects I would like to see completed before she gets back. Have you updated all files and entered all the information into the case files?"

"Not yet. I was just wondering where Elias had gotten to. Will he be needing help on the project because I'm available."

"That's kind of you Olivia. However, I've set this task to Elias," answered Draco. "When I have an extra project for you. I'll let you know."

Olivia turned to leave the office, but had turned back. "Should I take care of your cases Elias?"

"No thanks Olivia. I'll catch myself up as soon as I'm through in here."

Olivia left the office and Draco finished showing Elias what had to be done.

Draco hadn't been in his office for more than five minutes before Olivia asked to have a word with him. When Olivia made to shut the door, Draco put her in her place. "Leave the door open Olivia and please refrain from taking liberties that haven't been extended."

Olivia blushed as she opened the door. "My apologies Draco. I wanted to speak in private. I didn't mean to overstep."

"No problem. What can I do for you?"

"I was just wondering if there would be special projects for me as well. I believe I'm just as qualified as Elias and would like to be considered for extra work."

"Let me say this Olivia. I have a specific training program in place and it is being implemented. Elias working a special project is part of that training. There are only two of you and I have chosen Elias for the first project, but you will be given your chance to shine the same as Elias. If you have ideas of making adjustments to my training schedule, forget them. Your turn will come and it will come without you running me down. Now. I'd like to discuss several of our most pressing cases. Give me an update on the Rollings, Scherer and Wilson files. What are the most recent updates?"

Olivia began to speak from the top of her head when Draco suggested she go get the files and bring them back to his office.

"Quite right," said Olivia as she left the office to go get the files.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Merlin help me. I'm going to be working with two know-it-alls. Maybe she and Hermione will get on after all."

He and Olivia discussed the cases and Draco was satisfied she was on the right track.

Leaving the office after their discussion Olivia remarked she would be going on a run.

Draco stopped her. "This is the last run of the day and I will be accompanying you. Please get Elias. He should have finished updating his own files by now."

Olivia nodded and turned towards Elias' office.

/*/

The run had gone well. Both Olivia and Elias appeared to know what they were doing. The only sticking point had been when they headed to the lift without stopping by The Office of Standard Violations. Draco called them back and asked if they had picked up from every office on their lists.

Olivia automatically answered in the affirmative while Elias remarked they must have overlooked something if Draco was asking the question.

Draco nodded. "Check your lists and finish the run. Meet me in my office when you're done."

Olivia and Elias were apologetic when they entered Draco's office, but he told them he didn't need apologies. He just needed the job to be done right. Then he had asked how they both had missed the same area.

Neither trainee answered.

"It's fine to want to protect each other," snapped Draco. "But each of you is responsible to me separately. I'll accept it this once. The next time I ask a question and it is not answered, I'll take measures and I guarantee you won't like them. Tomorrow you will both do your runs, update all your cases and spend the rest of the day reviewing both the manual and your list of pick up areas. If there aren't any questions, you may get everything ready for the CW and leave when you are finished. Goodnight."

Draco didn't want any issues with the CW in the morning so he completed both runs to check for oversights and hadn't found anything out of order. He went back to his office to collect his wand and outer robes before leaving for the day.

/*/

The healers had decided to keep Ginny on the lower floor until she was a little better so Harry only had to traverse the first floor. He wearily walked the distance from the front doors to Ginny's room. He knocked on the door and was told to enter only to find Molly sitting in a chair next to her daughter's bed holding her hand.

Harry went to greet Molly with a hug, but she said hello then turned back towards her daughter.

Harry walked around to the other side of Ginny's bed. "The healers tell me you and the baby are doing better. How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?"

It didn't seem as though Ginny would answer, but she had finally asked. "What are you doing here Harry?"

"My wife and baby are here. That's why I'm here. Should I be somewhere else when you two are here?"

Ginny frowned, "Haven't I told you how I feel? Haven't I made myself clear? I don't want you around me or my baby. Oh yes. If you can tear yourself away from darling Hermione, you may go back to Grimmauld Place. I will not be returning there. In case you've forgotten, I'm going back to the Burrow when I leave St Mungos."

Harry turned to Molly and asked if he could have a few moments with his wife. Molly kissed Ginny on the forehead and left the room.

The room was silent for several minutes before Ginny snapped, "What is it you want Harry? Do you not understand English anymore?"

"I want to know what happened. We were happy before all this. You started out being angry because Hermione wanted to work. Then you were angry because she wouldn't hate Malfoy. After that, you were angry because she wouldn't get pregnant. Can you see where I'm going with this? None of this has any bearing on our life together. I need for you to tell me what's really wrong. I love you Ginny and I don't want to lose you. We have a son coming and should be preparing to welcome him, not fighting. Please talk to me."

Tears had begun to run down Ginny's face and Harry thought they had finally come to a point where she was ready to have a conversation. He sat down on the side of the bed and reached out to kiss his wife, but she turned her face away.

Harry remained in the same position and asked Ginny to look at him.

She had finally turned to look him in the eye. "Go away Harry. I don't want you. I don't need you trying to paw me. If I had my way, I wouldn't be stuck having your child."

That remark hurt Harry and he snapped. "Did I make this baby by myself? We laid together making this decision and now you talk nonsense about not wanting our child. Make sense Ginny. Tell me what the fuck you're playing at because this is getting annoying."

Ginny screamed for him to leave just as the door opened and in walked Dean Thomas. Ginny had cut herself off in mid scream when she saw Dean and had greeted him in a normal voice.

Dean nodded at Harry. "Hey Harry. How are you? I just came to visit Ginny and give her some news about the Holyhead Harpies."

Harry was puzzled. He didn't understand why Dean would be bringing Ginny news about a Quidditch team or be visiting her at all.

Dean saw the puzzlement on Harry's face and explained. "The Holyhead Harpies invited Ginny to try out for a spot on their roster. I guess with your wedding and honeymoon the invitation got mislaid. It turned up at the Burrow under a bunch of old owl messages, but by that time Ginny had found out she was pregnant and had to decline the tryout. Hasn't she told you any of this?"

Suddenly the whole thing became crystal clear to Harry. His petulant wife had the life she always dreamed of pulled out from under her and was blaming him. How fucking asinine.

To Dean he had replied. "No, she hasn't mentioned any of it, but now I know why I no longer have a home or a wife. Thanks Dean. Would you please step out for just a minute."

When Dean stepped out, Harry finally stood up to his wife. "Poor thing. You've put your foot in it by getting pregnant and now you can't have your dream life. Well fuck me for marrying you. Right? You could have been a star instead of the wife of Harry Potter. Now that I know none of this is my fault. You can chase me. If you want to go back to the Burrow, go. If you want to be a Holyhead Harpy, bring my son to me. I'll care for him. Now you and all the other Weasley's can kiss my arse. This is Harry Potter getting up off his knees."

With his rant done, Harry walked out of the door without looking back.

Still furious, Harry snapped at Dean. "Thanks Dean. It's been an enlightening visit. Make sure you keep her posted."

/*/

Harry apparated into the house ranting. Hermione came running out of her bedroom to see what was going on to find her friend brick red in the face yelling at …..nobody.

She yelled at her best friend. "Harry, calm down. What happened? What's going on? Hermione poured him a fire whiskey and pushed it into his hand. Harry drank it down in one and the motion of drinking had stopped the rant. He sat on the couch heaving as though he couldn't catch his breath.

Harry got himself under control when he realized he was frightening Hermione. "I've just come from visiting my lovely wife. Dean stopped in for a visit and let some bits of information slip. I believe I've finally found out what this whole thing is about Hermione."

"For Merlin's sake Harry. Before you explain anything come into the kitchen and have some supper so you can calm down."

"I don't want supper Hermione. I want to rant. I need another fire whiskey."

"Okay. If you don't want supper, sit there and explain everything calmly."

When they each had a drink in their hands, Harry explained everything he had learned from Dean.

After hearing the reason Ginny had gone barmy, Hermione needed another drink. "Are you actually thinking the reason Ginny is so upset is because she lost a chance with the Holyhead Harpies by getting pregnant? It's more plausible she's pissed off because her invitation got lost. As silly as it seems, I can understand why she is so upset. I think if she had found the invitation a few weeks earlier she would have used contraceptive charms to keep from getting pregnant no matter what Molly wanted. Ginny wanted to be a Holyhead Harpy more than anything. She talked about them constantly. Be that as it may. I don't know what this has to do with me."

Harry looked at his best friend. "Come on Hermione. You're brilliant. Think about it. You made up your own mind. You made a decision and stuck with it. You wanted a job and weren't going to let babies get in the way. You stood up to Molly and had the audacity to go against The Code. You are doing what you wantto do and living your life the way you want. Ginny made the mistake of listening to Molly."

Hermione was incredulous. "I need to talk to Ginny. I'll make her see reason. She can have a career, husband and baby. Molly is so worried about adhering to The Code. Let her take some responsibility. She can help take care of her grandson if need be. There must be some way to fix this."

Harry let out a deep sigh. "Let me get in touch with Dean. Maybe he can help."

"Good," said Hermione. "Now we have that settled. Let's go eat."

/*/

Lucius Malfoy sat waiting for Draco to come home from work. He just wanted to be sure his only child wasn't getting in over his head. They had come too far for Draco to do something ill advised and bring down a shite storm on the Malfoy name. He would do anything for his flesh and blood and would not allow him to step into something stupid. That, was Ezra's job.

Draco had apparated directly into his rooms. He had a shower and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Before he went down to dinner, he decided to read Hermione's note one more time. After reading the note, Draco went over to the chest where he had stored Hermione's doll to find everything in order. He hoped there would be a time when he could present the doll to Hermione because he couldn't wait to see her face.

Draco checked himself in the mirror and headed down to dinner. He was headed to the dining room when one of the house elves advised him that Lucius would like to see him in the study. Draco had turned on his heel and headed for the study.

/*/

Lucius stood and held out his hand as his son entered the study.

Draco smiled and shook his father's hand. "Good evening father. Nuvvy said you wanted to see me. How can I be of service?"

"Sit down Draco. We need to talk about your involvement in Mrs. Weasley's affairs. I am asking you to step away and let others handle this."

Draco hesitated before answering. "May I be frank sir?"

Lucius nodded. "I'd prefer that you were."

"I am not involved with Mrs. Weasley although I would like to be. At no time have either of us stepped over the boundaries of propriety. I will admit Hermione has advised me her divorce should be filed and done by Thursday of this week. I will go even farther to admit I hope to be the first at her door on Thursday evening. She intrigues me. I have a feeling that her husband may try to muck things up, but Hermione is a strong witch. She won't let him."

"I believe that Draco," replied Lucius. "I have a contact who keeps me informed of certain things. He is under the impression that the harlot from Ireland has arrived in Britain and is now in residence at the place the Weasley's call a home. This should make it even easier for Hermione to rid herself of her husband. Please bide your time son. Do not make any advances until such a time they can be reciprocated."

"Understood father. Now shall we have dinner before I fall out from hunger?"

Lucius smiled, "The last thing I want is to have my son fall out from hunger. Let's go have dinner. Your mother should already be at the table."

Draco, Narcissa and Lucius had a very nice dinner. The three discussed the day to day goings on within Malfoy Manor after which the men had let Narcissa chatter on about female things. It was a very nice dinner with everyone enjoying themselves. Draco listened to every word, but had excused himself when his mother and father seemed to want to be alone. The last thing he wanted to see was his father and mother sending sexual signals to each other. He wished his parents a goodnight and returned to his rooms.

Draco spent an hour thinking about his life and how he wished things could have turned out differently. Then he had gone to bed to dream of the witch he wanted and how if he ever got her, would never let her go.

Draco knew if he and Hermione ever got together. They would most certainly give everyone something to talk about.