Important! I messed up last chapter and I forgot Ginny was pregnant so she was drinking something non-alcoholic, lol. And in an earlier chapter she said this baby was her first and it is in a way because her and Harry adopted Teddy and the other baby boy after the war. So sorry about any confusion!

Draco had not gone into training today. Hermione had left this morning for work at the Ministry. Instead of training, he had gone home to his house in England.

A decision, he was regretting as he had more than a twenty letters, all from people telling him Hermione would be better off without him. There were those that still believed she might be under the Imperius Curse or that it was a love potion. The common denominator between them all was that she was too good for him and that he ought to piss off. The worst of it, was the three howlers he had received.

The third of, which was about to explode.

"FOR SHAME! A DEATH EATER! TO DO SUCH A THING TO HERMIONE GRANGER! WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU! LET THE WOMAN REUNITE WITH HER HUSBAND! YOU-KNOW-WHO'S LACKEY! YOU SHOULD BE IN AZKABAN! YOU AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY!"

The magically magnified voice disappeared. Draco sighed. He popped a bottle of alcohol and guzzled half of it. He sighed and put his head on the kitchen table. He put his hands on his head and thought about jumping from the roof.

A fourth howler was dropped on the table by an owl.

"YOU'RE SCUM! YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED AT THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS!"

Between this and the article, he was liable to explode. Then there was the Ministry inquiry regarding his relationship with Hermione…that was certainly going to make her rethink her choices, he was not certain she would risk that for him. She neither loved him or could possibly hate Weasley that much.

With a loud crack, his father Apparated in. Draco groaned. This really did complete a perfect day.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

His father's wand had been snapped in two and since then, he rarely ventured from Malfoy Manor. If he had come all this way there was a good chance, he had something to say.

"Your mother tells me you are engaged to that Mudblood girl from Hogwarts."

Draco grit his teeth. He hissed between clenched teeth. "Don't call her that!"

Lucius looked surprised and his expression turned into a sneer. "It's true then. You have feelings for her," he snarled. "I didn't believe your mother when she tried to convince me it was for the best and you cared for her. However, I have taken measures to ensure this is set right."

It all clicked into place then. The Ministry interference, it had been his father. He had circumvented his mother. Likely offering more gold or perhaps simply, blackmailing the man into submission. Lucius Malfoy might be a shadow of his former self, but he had not forgotten his old tricks it would appear.

Draco laughed and it was cruel.

"What are you laughing at? You were this close to becoming a blood traitor aided and abetted by your mother while I alone ensured the reputation of our family."

"You still don't understand, do you? Are you so blinded by your own arrogance you can't see the writing on the wall?"

"That you have completely lost your faculties! I have and don't think I haven't tried to have you committed to St Mungo's along with your mother!"

Draco blanched. "YOU TRIED TO DO WHAT?" in an instant, his wand was out and aimed at his father.

Lucius' lip curled back into a snarl. "Apparently, mixing blood with Mudbloods is not cause for insanity."

"If there is anyone, who is insane, it's you. You and everyone with these Pureblood delusions of grandeur. Hermione is a talented witch, more so than any I've met and more to the point, I do fancy her. Have for a long time and neither want nor need your approval. Now get out of my house before I forcibly remove you."

"You'll regret this, Draco. I am ashamed to call myself your father."

"Then don't as I'm ashamed to have a father like you. I am marrying Hermione whether you like it or not."

"I swear on my family name that I will see to it that this sham of a marriage to the Mudblood never happens."

Lucius swept the cloak of his robe dramatically, no doubt about to make an exit.

"One more thing, father before you go," Draco said with a malicious smirk. "Call her Mudblood again and I'll kill you." His hand twitched to hex his father. And he gave in to the urge. He waved his wand and called out. "Ascendio."

Lucius soared through the air. He hung there suspended and Draco released the spell, letting him fall straight into the floor. He landed with a crash that made Draco smirk.

Lucius paled and rose to his feet, but Disapparated as if nothing had happened.

Rage and despair mingled within Draco.

How could he have once hero worshipped his father?

Worse still, was the knowledge that he would never be free. Free of his rage, his family's background or the darkness that so clearly still resided within him. He had thought his dark side was gone, but as he had just seen for himself, it was still there.

Disgust and shame mingling, he slammed his fist against the wall. There was a small dent in the wall and his knuckles tore open. He slammed his fist into again and again until he lost track of time or the tears that had begun to stream down his face. From physical pain or the weight he carried inside of him, he had no idea.

XXXX

Hermione did not Apparate directly into Draco's house. Last time, she had been too upset to realize how rude it was. Instead, she appeared on his doorstep. She rang the doorbell and Mapsey the house elf opened the door. She was dressed in an impeccable navy blue dress, but her expression was troubled.

"Mister Malfoy is –" Mapsey shook her head. "I can'ts say, but I is happy you are here Miss Hermione."

Before Hermione could fully process what the elf had said or ask any questions, Mapsey took her hand. She dragged her into the kitchen where Hermione was shocked see Draco pounding the wall with his fists.

Mapsey disappeared quickly leaving Hermione to sort this out. Steeling herself, she cleared her throat.

"Draco."

He stopped what he was doing and turned to stare at her. His expression was horrified.

"I'm – I wasn't expecting you."

He cracked his knuckles, flexing them and looked down. It looked like it was the first time he saw the blood on his hands. He paled even further, which was quite something as he was paler than usual to begin with. He seemed to glow in the sunlight.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" she snapped and tapped her foot impatiently.

"I –" words seemed to fail him. He cast a forlorn glance at the kitchen table. It was littered with letters.

Briskly, Hermione marched over. She flipped through the letters, getting the gist of it. Hate mail. Just as efficiently, she proceeded to dump all of them in the trash.

"There," she clapped her hands as if brushing away the filth. "That's better. Sit," she ordered pointing to a nearby chair.

Draco was still watching her curiously. But he made no remarks or argument, he sat down. She pulled out the basic medical supplies she kept in her purse. It was the same spell she had used during the war.

She found some essence of Myrtlap and began to dab them on the cuts on his hands.

"I suppose it's a good thing I came to check on you. Are you going to tell me what's wrong? I can only assume after all this time a few letters were not enough to provoke such a reaction unless this is how you cope with other people's stupidity?" her tone of voice was irritable and she looked up at him with an expectant look on her face.

"Generally no," he said with a wan smile. Hermione was taken aback by her own relief at seeing his smile. "My father paid me a visit."

Hermione was being gentler now as she carefully applied the Myrtlap in layers. The thicker it was the better.

"I am not surprised. He was the one that tampered with our results."

"Oh," Draco sighed and closed his eyes. "I can't – I –" he took a deep breath. "I hate seeing him. It makes me sick to my stomach to think I ever wanted to be like him."

"You were a child," she murmured. "It's perfectly normal to idolize one's parents. I wanted to be a dentist."

"What's a dentist?"

Hermione was determined not be distracted. She discovered that at some point without her noticing, she had stopped applying Myrtlap. Instead, she was holding both his hands in hers. She looked up at him and his grey eyes were distant, far away. She had an idea what he was thinking.

"What matters is that you aren't like him now. You grew up, you saw the error of your ways and you changed, Draco. Don't you know how rare that is? People rarely change and you did. You – I hardly recognize you."

His smile grew more pronounced now and faltered just as quickly.

"He threatened us – you and I can't – I can't put you in danger."

"I've been in danger before and I daresay I will be again. As for your father, he is wandless. What could he possibly do?"

Draco pulled her onto his lap. His arms engulfed her and he hugged her so tight, she felt certain he never wanted to let her go.

"I don't know and that's what worries me. If he threatened me – well that's one thing. However, you did not sign on for this sort of family drama."

"And you didn't sign on to get your name dragged through the mud in the Prophet," Hermione told him firmly.

Without thinking, she brushed his long hair off his face. Draco's hair was soft and she was careful to touch him only lightly. They were after all, simply friends.

"I don't mind so much, it's the hate mail I don't like."

"We'll speak to Harry and have the Aurors sort through our post," she said contemplating the letters. "I don't fancy the idea of receiving howlers myself nor of some other artifacts that could be sent our way through the post."

Draco looked thoughtful as well. "That had occurred to me as well. There are various potions that are virtually undetectably, not to mention cursed objects."

"Yes, I forgot," she smiled, but it was tense. "This is sort of your area of expertise, is it not?"

"It is," he shrugged. "I was raised by a dark wizard after all. I was bound to learn a thing or two."

"Yes, I suppose you were," Hermione said and her disapproval of Lucius Malfoy colored her voice heavily. "That filthy, loathsome prat," she shook her head.

Draco chuckled. "You know, I rather agree with you."

Hermione snorted.

"Did you receive a note regarding the Ministry inquiry?"

"I did," he nodded. "What do you think? I'm willing to face the Wizengamot's inquiries if you are."

"I am," Hermione agreed readily. She thought about Ron and the thought of being forced into this marriage to him, it was absurd. "Besides, if push comes to shove, we use what we have learned about the falsified results to our advantages."

"Then it is agreed. I think I rather fancy a drink of something stronger, what do you say, Granger?" Draco asked slipping into old habits.

She checked the time. Still had two more hours before she needed to get back to work. Mr Diggory had been generous and given her additional time to handle this new disaster in the press. He perfectly understood these accusations needed to be dealt with.

"Oh, I suppose one can't hurt, but then we need to report to the Aurors to clear your reputation. Harry wants to do a full report and investigation into Ron's accusations. That way, he can't continue to make them without landing himself in trouble with the law for slander."

"Today?" Draco looked surprised.

"Sometimes, it's beneficial to be friends with Harry Potter," she told him with a mischievous smile.

"You liked him even when he was unpopular at school," he snorted in amusement. "I suppose that loyalty ought to pay off."

"Honestly, Draco," she shook her head.

Determined to return things to friendship, Hermione got to her feet. Draco rose to his feet as well and led her to the living room. He conjured a decanter of sherry and two glasses. He filled them and levitated hers to her.

She sat down on the sofa and had a sip. It was delicious. Draco sat down next to her and closed his eyes as he leaned back against the sofa. He looked ready to collapse. She couldn't say she was far behind with the day she was having.

If it wasn't Ron causing trouble for them, it was apparently his father.

They lapsed into silence as they drank the sherry. It wasn't an uncomfortable pressing silence, it was more as if they were both lost in their own thoughts. She couldn't say what Draco was thinking about however, she for one was thinking about how relieved she was not to have to go through this alone. She couldn't imagine Ron would be any easier to deal with if she were single.

Draco put his arm around her shoulder and she hardly noticed. She was so lost in thought, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder without being consciously aware of it. His hand went to her hair, stroking it. It felt nice and she turned her face into the crook of his neck. She was aware she might be making a mistake that this was pushing things beyond the realm of friendship, but with everything else that was going on, she could not bring herself to care. It felt too good to have someone in her corner.

With a start, Hermione realized how long she had felt alone. She had her friends and even Mrs Weasley, but it was not the same as having a boyfriend or a husband. Ron had left long before the affair and it was a shock to realize, the sort of intimacy she had with Draco in this moment was something she hadn't felt in years. It was both wonderful and terrifying because it could all come crashing down so easily.

Draco rested his head on hers and she heard him emit a content sigh.

"It was nice of you to check on me," he murmured. It was spoken so quietly, she thought for a moment, she must have misheard him.

"It's the least I could do," Hermione said as she snuggled against his side.

Draco pulled her closer. She curled against his side and when she looked up at him, she saw he was already looking down at her. He touched his forehead to hers, his hand cupping the back of her neck. The closeness, it made her freeze in place. Their lips were so close together it was as if they were exchanging breath.

"I appreciate it," he whispered, his breath fanned her face and she shivered.

Feeling her shiver, Draco wrapped his arms securely around her. yet he didn't do anything else, didn't push for more. It was as if he was waiting for her to make the first move, to cross that line from friends to something more. And after the way she reacted last time he kissed her, she could hardly fault him.

Spurred on maybe by the sherry or the events of the day, Hermione closed the miniscule distance between them. She felt Draco's smirk and she moved away to shoot him an exasperated look.

"You just have to ruin the moment by smirking, don't you?"

Draco chuckled. "Couldn't help myself as that went a fair bit better than the last time I kissed you, wouldn't you agree?"

"Honestly," she huffed feeling herself grow too hot. "If that's how you're going to be, I'll just have to refrain from kissing you in the future. It shouldn't be too hard."

She started to move away when Draco brought her back to him.

"Oh, no you don't."

He lifted her onto his lap so that she was straddling him. She let out a squeak of surprise, which turned to laughter when she saw the twinkle in his eye. He pressed his lips to hers and the laughter died. Suddenly, there was nothing funny about the situation at all. Heat flared up in her and she gasped in surprise.

Draco took advantage of that gasp to deepen the kiss. It was a passionate, hard kiss that stole her breath away and spread heat all through her until her core ached. His hands dug into her hips and pressed her more firmly against him. She could feel his growing hardness and she grew damp in response.

His hand trailed from her hip and down her thigh. He stroked her leg and slid his hand slowly back up toward her knee. His rough and calloused palm was touching her bare skin underneath her robes. She blushed.

She broke away from the kiss and threw her head back. His other hand clutched her hair, pulling her head back and exposing her throat to him. He placed hot, open-mouthed kisses along her neck.

His fingers traced teasing patterns on her inner thigh that excited her. His touch was electric and a soft moan escaped her.

"You've no idea how long I've wanted to do this," he whispered to her. His voice was husky and she shivered in anticipation because his words held a wicked promise.

His hand went higher, his fingers caressed her core outside of her panties. She flushed and heat coursed through her. She stifled a rough moan. Her hands tangled into his hair and she pulled his lips to hers. The kiss was slower now, but no less passionate.

Fire raged through her body and as Draco's hand grew more insistent, she felt herself start to spiral out of control. The loss of control sent her crashing back to reality. Gasping for breath, she pulled away.

"I think we should stop," she said even as his touch drove her wild.

Instantly, his hand moved away. He looked at her and his eyes were hazy with lust. A feeling she felt sure was mirrored in her own expression.

"Probably," he agreed in a rough voice.

That voice made her blush further. It did things to her, coiled her insides and made her want to kiss him again.

"I'm still – the divorce wasn't easy and I think we should take things slow. If we aren't careful things could get messy fast and I don't think either of us wants that."

"No, I think that would be unwise."

He played with her hair. Twirling a lock of her hair around his finger.

"And we should probably get to the Aurors office."

He sighed and put his head on her shoulder. It was a dramatic gesture that made her laugh. She ran her hands through his silky hair and smiled. If she wasn't careful, Draco was going to unravel her.

They got up, straightened their clothes. Then in the next moment they Apparated to the Ministry. They arrived in the Aurors department.

Harry was not at his desk, instead he was with Tom. Tom, saw her, grinned and waved. He loped over and grinned.

"How about that drink, 'Mione?"

"No, thank you," she said curtly.

"Yeah, no thank you," Draco agreed in an arrogant drawl. "I presume you were inviting me as well?"

Tom stared at him and Hermione had to admit, Draco's level of cheek could perhaps rival Harry's.

"Thanks, Tom. We can discuss your report later," Harry said joining them.

He looked between Tom and Draco, there was amusement in his eyes. Hermione longed for the days when they were awkward teenagers and Harry was not comfortable prying into her love life. Those had been the days.

Tom left looking sullen.

"Honestly, I was standing right here," Draco muttered.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Right now, a girl's trip sounded like heaven.

"Right, come on my office is this way."

Harry's office was the only one with a door. He closed it and sat down. Hermione saw he looked tired.

"There has to be something to be done about Ron."

"Ordinarily, my department wouldn't handle this, but since you are friends and this is causing a stir in the papers, I convinced the Ministry to let me handle it," Harry said with a faint smile. "Anyway, I have an antidote to love potions here."

Harry pulled out a vial with clear liquid in it from his desk drawer.

"Thank you," Hermione said.

She took the vial from him and downed its contents.

"That shouldn't take more than a few seconds to take effect," Draco said. "If you have brewed that wrong, Potter I'll –"

Harry snorted. "Like I would risk putting Hermione in danger! I got it from St Mungo's just to be safe."

"Good," Draco settled back down.

"I feel fine," Hermione said.

She knew if she had not been given a love potion, the antidote would have no affect on her whatsoever.

"Right – err," Harry looked discomfited. "Now, I'll just ask you a few questions and that should prove you aren't under a love spell. They might be a bit personal."

He picked up a piece of paper. Turning red, he skimmed the list.

"Oh, for heaven's sake! Just spit it out," Hermione said waspishly.

"Right – err," Harry cleared his throat. "Are you in love with Draco Malfoy?"

"No, and I've never been. Honestly," she huffed.

Next to her, Draco chuckled.

"Do you still want to marry him?"

"Yes, of course I do. I've said so repeatedly."

"And I'd like to marry you," Draco told her. He turned to wink at her.

Hermione ignored him ignored him as a heated blush crept up her cheeks.

"And you two are –" Harry threw the paper down. "I'm not asking you these questions. They only get worse."

Hermione snatched the list from him. The personal questions were more personal than she had imagined and she felt herself grow uncomfortably hot reading them. A sensation, which only worsened when Draco started to read over her shoulder.

Standard Inquiries to Determine if a Love Potion Has been Removed/Was Never in affect

Are you in love with (subject of desire's name)?

Do you still want to be in a relationship with him/her?

How far as this relationship progressed emotionally?

How far has it progressed physically?

Do you feel a mad desire or genuine feelings?

Has all the physical activity so far been consensual and without the interference of alcohol or love potion?

"These questions are ludicrous," Draco scoffed. "The first and second should suffice after the administration of the potion."

Hermione nodded her head in agreement. "It looks to me as if whoever wrote this is simply nosy."

"Yeah, I don't much see the point of prying," Harry said still read. "Anyway, the next step now is to officially inform Ron there has been no foul play. We don't ordinarily discuss these matters with reporters, but since Ron has made this a public issue, I will do that as well. Finally, if you want, we can file for a restraining order."

"Yes," Draco said immediately. He glanced at Hermione belatedly as if realizing she might not agree with him.

"I don't like to do it," she exhaled heavily. "But I think Ron has had enough chances to come to his senses."

"He's my best mate and I don't like to take sides when you two quarrel, you know," Harry said slowly, but with a determination she was familiar with. "Still, I think it might be best. They are only in effect for a few months at a time and if he takes it seriously, you might not have to have it renewed."

"It'll just be a wake up call for him," Draco told her gently.

"Very well, let's do that then."

XXX

It felt like hours later even though Hermione knew it wasn't when she returned to Draco's. she was having dinner with him and his mother. She wasn't sure if Lucius would be there or not, but she hoped he wasn't.

She had worn a pale blue dress. It reached the floor and hugged her figure yet it revealed nothing. It had short capped sleeves and a high neck. She tugged uncomfortably on it and cursed Pansy for letting her talk her into this dress.

Feeling tentative, Hermione knocked on the door.

After a moment, Mapsy opened. She bobbed a curtsy and beamed when she saw Hermione.

"Miss Hermione must come in, come in. Mapsy is so happy to sees you."

"Thank you Mapsy, I'm happy to see you too," Hermione said smiling. "How are you?"

"Fine, thanks you. Yous very kind to ask."

"Not at all."

Mapsey lead her to a part of the house she had never been to. There was a dining room with an attached drawing room. Draco was having a drink there with his mother. When they saw her, they both smiled.

"Hermione how lovely to see you again," Narcissa said with a smile that was almost warm.

Draco got to his feet. He caught her off guard by smiling and hugging her. Shocked, she hugged him back and drew away with a blush. She was all too aware of Narcissa studying the two of them.

Looking at Narcissa reminded her of Lucius and what he had done. For a moment, a wild fury filled her and she had to take several deep breaths to calm herself down. To think that Lucius Malfoy could be so prejudiced and bigotted was one thing, but to take things so far – to interfere with the Ministry? Hadn't Lucius nearly ended up in Azkaban enough times? Because Hermione felt sure with the repopulation efforts the Ministry were so damned concerned with what Lucius had done would be considered a serious violation of Magical Law.

The repopulation efforts – it wasn't something Hermione had given a lot of thought to. She knew that in the years past there had been a string of articles in the Prophet where the writers argued for marrying Muggles and she wondered if the decline in population had something to do with those. It wouldn't be the first time the Ministry had interfered with what news they released and what they suppressed.

Draco showed Hermione to the chair next to her and used his wand to fill her a glass of sherry and levitate it to her. She accepted it and had a sip. It was warm and seemed to dull some of the hatred and disgust she felt toward Lucius.

Come to think of it, had Draco told his mother what Lucius had done? Now that she felt a whole lot more favorable toward Narcissa, who had been trying to force her and Draco together.

"You know, dear you look a bit peaky, are you alright, Hermione?" Narcissa prodded in a gentle voice and with concerned look.

"I'm fine," she said straightening up. She had another sip of sherry.

Why had she agreed to this dinner again?

Draco took her hand, he gave it a squeeze and laced their fingers together. Warmth filled her. Right, she had agreed because it was important to Draco. He loved his parents even if they were flawed.

"You know mother," Draco drawled and gave his mother a sharp look. "We won't tolerate any more interference from you or father. Any further interference or meddling behind our backs and I'll sever ties with you."

"You wouldn't dare," Narcissa hissed. "You still returned home after the war, but you threaten our family for one girl?"

Draco smiled, it was both beautiful and cold. Hermione realized then, he was not evil, but he was still Malfoy. In a way, it was almost comforting to learn he hadn't changed completely.

"Make no mistake mother, I am doing this as much for myself as I am Hermione. I've long since grown tired being a puppet. I wouldn't do it for Voldemort and I won't be a chess piece in your war with father."

"It's not a war," Narcissa sniffed delicately. She looked offended. "It's simply a disagreement about how to improve our family's standings. And why do you keep bringing him up? What does Lucius have to do with my actions?"

"You don't know," Hermione said caught off guard.

Narcissa cold replied had led her to believe, Narcissa was aware of Lucius' latest game.

"Know what?"

A loud crack interrupted before either of them could explain. In the middle of the drawing room stood Lucius Malfoy. He was a cold and terrifying as he was in Hermione's nightmares. His long blonde hair was smattered with grey now and deep lines marred his face, his shoulders were more hunched, but there was a fire in his eyes. A stubbornness that was unwilling to die.

Subconsciously, Hermione clung tighter to Draco's hands. She hadn't seen Lucius since he fled Hogwarts, disgraced however, her most vivid memory was of how he had stood by as Bellatrix tortured her. Bellatrix had been alight with pleasure as she worked yet somehow, Lucius' cold indifference as if torturing her were no more than a dull chore was worse. Indifference was often more powerful than hatred.

"Good evening," his voice was cool and arrogant. Somehow, Lucius managed to fill two words with more arrogance than Hermione had thought possible. "I'm sorry, I got held up at the Ministry."

"Under investigation for interference with the Marriage Law are you?" Draco suggested in silky tones.

"No," Lucius raised his chin. "I was merely discussing some matters with an old friend of mine."

"When did you learn to Apparate without a wand?" Narcissa said. Her eyes narrowed as she appraised her husband.

"I have my ways."

Hermione started to think, there were countless ways a wizard could do such a thing. However, for some reason her mind kept coming back to house elves. Had Lucius asked them about their magic or did he consider them far too low for such a thing?

"Did you receive the owl stating you were no longer welcome in my home?" Draco asked.

Hermione felt bolstered by his loyalty.

"Yes, and as you are my son I promptly ignored it. Perhaps you require another lesson of filial loyalty?"

"Or perhaps you need to leave before I make you?"

Draco rose to his feet. He was still holding Hermione's hand. She saw that his other hand went to his wand and she pulled him back down into his seat. He went, but not before meeting her eyes. Whatever he saw in them must have convinced him because he didn't resist.

"Lucius, Draco, come now," Narcissa clucked. "You are family and I am certain we can have a rational discuss about this."

"Not with her present," Lucius replied immediately.

His gaze flitted to her before disappearing. There it was again, that same arrogance and indifference that implied she was less than a human being, not a person.

"Then you can leave," Draco said. "Because I'm marrying Hermione and if you don't like it, you don't need to watch."

"Lucius, come now. I know, it's stooping low to marry a Muggleborn, but think of how it will look. We will once again be a powerful, influential family, regarded highly by the wizarding community."

"Excuse me?" Hermione snapped. "Stooping low?"

"Yes, well you aren't even half-blood," Narcissa said patiently. "We'll be bloodtraitors, but luckily your skill and talent surpass most full-blooded witches. That certainly makes up for it."

Hermione felt herself start to crack. "Or perhaps I stole a wand and someone else's talent? That's what your lot thinks, right?" she said shrilly.

What had happened to Narcissa's acceptance of Muggleborns the last time they had met? As Hermione realized what had happened, she felt as if she had been doused in ice water. Narcissa had simply been pretending to accept Muggleborns because she wanted this marriage for political reasons.

"Hermione -" Draco said speaking slowly and in an undertone.

But she wasn't interested. "If you will excuse me. I think I've lost my appetite."

She reached for her wand and conjured several yellow birds. Then she enchanted them to attack Lucius and Narcissa. She took a moment to savor their shocked expression before Disapparating.

Her house felt oddly empty when she returned. She sat down and looked at the photographs of her and her parents on the mantle. The sight of them made her want to cry. She should have gone back for them before, but she had been scared of reversing the memory charms. After the war, she had seen the effects when the healers tried to reverse memory charms placed on people by Death Eaters. They were horrible. Some lost all of their memories entirely. As much as she wanted her parents back, she was terrified of making a mistake and landing them in St Mungo's for the rest of their day like Gilderoy Lockhart.

Instead, she summoned a glass of Firewhisky and sat down on the couch. She drank and indulged in a good cry. It wasn't something she normally did.

And she should have known Narcissa would say something of that nature. She knew Narcissa still had her prejudices towards Muggles, but she had hoped she had made some improvements towards Muggleborns, especially since she approved of the marriage. But that was foolish.

Worse still, was how calm Draco had been. He had been furious with his father, but as Draco said, this marriage benefitted him as much as it did her. What a terrible situation to be in truly.

Her earlier imaginings that Draco was starting to care for her, must have been just that, imaginings. This was beneficial to him, now he didn't have to marry Daphne. Instead, he could have an arrangement with someone, who wouldn't expect more of him. Unfortunately, she had been foolish enough to trust him, to lean on him and now they had kissed.

Well that would all have to stop, wouldn't it?

She might be lonely having been married to Ron. It might have shaken her ability to trust and even to an extent, shaken her faith and confidence, but she was going to get that back.

Starting, by returning to friendship alone with Draco. She was sure, when she thought about it that he would find it preferable as well.

XXX

Draco was both furious and fed up with his family. These were two conflicting emotions that warred inside of him, trying to bait him into making a decision. Instead, he stood trapped between those two conflicting emotions as he watched his parents bicker.

Narcissa had removed the birds with a flick of her wand. But still, it was impressive magic and Draco wondered what other little spells Hermione could perform on pure instinct because that had been incredible. He would cherish the memory of his father running from those yellow birds.

"Honestly, Lucius do you have any idea what you have done?" Narcissa snapped.

"What I have done?" Lucius exclaimed. "You're the one suggesting he marry a Mudblood."

"Not just any Muggleborn, Hermione Granger."

"Even worse! Bellatrix, your sister nearly murdered her during the war."

"Yes, but our son helped save her!" Narcissa argued. "Lucius, don't you see? Our family has fallen from grace, but if Draco marries Granger it will show those that doubt us that we have changed. We will rise once again to our former glory."

Draco felt a buzzing start to build in his head. He had heard this trite spiel from his mother on more than one occasion in the past. He wasn't particularly interested in hearing it again yet somehow, he could not make himself do anything.

"Do not be absurd, Narcissa! A Mudblood marry our son, have you gone mad?"

"How is this any different from the lengths you were willing to go to during the war to restore our reputation with the dark lord?"

"Precisely because he was the dark lord."

Finally, something inside of Draco snapped and he knew what to say.

"ENOUGH!"

Both of his parents turned to stare at them in surprise.

"Draco," Narcissa said in disapproving tones.

"You will not speak to me in that manner, I am still your father," Lucius said.

Draco groaned, it was more of the same paltry crap, his father kept repeating whenever Draco displeased him. Except Draco had long since tired of it. He would have hexed his father except to hex a wandless warlock was an act of cowardice he was unwilling to commit.

"Yes, you are my father and you disgust me. I've never seen a more wretched excuse for a man than you, father," Draco sneered. He looked at Lucius with all of the disdain he felt. "As for you mother, I grow weary in your attempts to use me as a political pawn. I am not and my relationship with Hermione is not either of your concern."

"Draco I understand your reaction to your father, but honestly, I've your best interests at heart."

"No, you want to further our family as usual. Let me remind you, the only reason you have gotten as far as you have with this plan is simply because I happen to want what you want. However, I do not want it for the same reason and do not deceive yourself into thinking I do."

"Well then Draco, it would seem we have reached an impasse," Narcissa said coldly. "I will however, congratulate you on your marriage to Ms Granger once more. She is a wise choice and I could not before happier that things finally worked out between the two of you."

"Thank you, mother."

"Lucius, come along. I see no reason for anyone to listen to your outdated views any longer. You have no power, not since the Ministry snapped your wand. A concept you should be familiar with as the dark lord did the same to you."

Lucius turned a nasty shade of red. He looked liable to explode before he Disapparated. Narcissa watched him go with narrowed eyes.

"It worries me that Lucius is Apparating without a wand."

"Me as well," Draco agreed. "Do you suppose he is up to his old tricks?"

"You mean bribing the Ministry and manipulating the powerful to dance to his tune? Then yes," Narcissa agreed. "But to what end?"

"I daresay to ensure I marry a Pureblood."

"Yes, well let me handle your father. You simply need to make certain your marriage doesn't implode before it begins."

"Yes."

Draco Disapparated.

XXX

There was a knock on her door, Hermione glanced at it suspiciously. She figured it was Draco and she internally debated whether or not she willing to answer it. Finally, she decided she might as well hear him out.

Draco flashed a wan smile. It had been less than an hour since she last saw him yet he looked exhausted.

"What are you doing here? Come to make excuses on behalf of your parents?"

"No."

"Then perhaps you've come to make excuses for why you didn't stand up for me?"

"No," he stated with that same flat certainty as before. "And if you had stayed for a little while longer, you would have seen that for yourself."

"Oh," she eyed him still wary. "I'm proud to be Muggleborn and nothing your parents say is going to change that. I will not pretend otherwise. Can you live with that and can you live with their disapproval?" she crossed her arms and waited for his answer.

The truth was, she was disappointed in him. He hadn't been as quick to defend her today as he had been in the past. She was ashamed because she had grown used to Draco standing up for her. Being as quick to stand up for her as she was to him. She was ashamed because she had promised herself, she wasn't going to lean on him. That she wasn't going to depend on him the way she had done Ron in case something went wrong. Yet that was exactly what she did. And tonight he had let her down.

"For the last time Hermione, I don't care if you're Muggleborn, Pureblood or Half-blood, it really doesn't make a difference to me," he exclaimed.

"Do you mean that?"

"Yes!"

"And your parents?"

"My father is a stubborn old fool, but I don't see why I should care what he thinks now, when I haven't cared for the past six years. As for my mother, she has a long way to go yet she approves."

"Does she really?"

"Really," he nodded. "Now would you stop acting as if I am going to disappoint you the way the Ron did?"

How did he know that? She had certainly never told him about her concerns. So how could he know?

"Draco - I never said."

He shrugged. "It was rather obvious what with Weasley's indiscretions."

"You don't know how I feel."

He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Knock it off, Hermione," he rolled his eyes. "We both know we are past lying to each other and pretending as if we are mere acquaintances. I'm not Weasley, we may as well acknowledge that's why you truly ran away tonight."

"Maybe it is, but I'm not Daphne. I won't smile politely and have dinner with your father."

"Neither will I. It's not as if I have been overly fond of him in a long time. The only reason I invited him was mother and when I learned what he had done, I retracted his invitation."

"Oh. Yet you still expect me to associate with your mother?"

"Well, yes, I'd greatly appreciate it if the two of you could at least make an effort to be on good terms."

"And if she can't stop offending Muggles or Muggleborns?"

"Then I suppose I'll choose you."

Hermione felt stunned. She was certain she could be knocked over by a feather.

"You - you would do that for me?"

"Yes, I thought we had already decided, we are in this together."

"We are," she said after surveying him for several minutes. "Then I suppose you had better come inside."

Thank you so much to everyone, who has read and reviewed this fic! And over 500 followers? Seriously, you guys are the best! What was your favorite part? What did you think of the draco x hermione on the couch? And what do you think Draco is up to? I'm fireismyelement97 on tumblr if you want to request a Kennett or bonkai drabble.

Izzy

Nebula: Awe, you're too sweet! Yes, I definitely think Hermione could have done better than Ron (I almost have my cousins convinced, lol). You should check out the dramione blogs on tumblr. Thanks for reviewing!

Sara: Thanks for reviewing, it made my day! Yes, Ron is getting creepy and don't worry there's a restraining order coming up, harry's on it! If Ron doesn't back off, he's definitely going to get hexed, just like Lucius got hexed. Hermione and Lucius' drama isn't over and it's going to come up. No need to apologize! I love long reviews! Thank you for reading!