Well, I apologize for the long hiatus. School -_- But, here is the ninth chapter of Silence for you lovely readers who are still giving this story a chance

I know some people weren't happy about the whole Draco thing, but he's one of my favorite characters and he played such a pivotal role in 'Cursed Child' that I couldn't help but have him make an appearance in my story. Plus, I find the idea of him giving Hermione advice on love to be quite endearing… I know it may have seemed CRAZY for Hermione to even consider making Draco a Hogwarts professor, but I hope this chapter offers some clarity into her thought process! BUT for those of you who still don't agree, good 'ol Harry steps in as the voice of reason;)

And for those of you who were worried I was getting away from the Romione stuff, don't fret! Their relationship is discussed here, and there will be some more romantic action between them in future chapters, perhaps even the next one;)

As always, leave me a comment! Lumos!

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"Wait wait wait. Repeat everything you just said and repeat it slowly."

"I'm considering proposing to Headmistress McGonagall that Draco Malfoy be granted the position of Potions Master at Hogwarts."

"That's what I thought you said," Harry said through a grimace.

He was pacing back and forth in front of her desk when suddenly he whipped out his wand and began muttering incantations under his breath.

"What in Merlin do you think you're doing Harry Potter?!"

"Checking for enchantments. You must be under some sort of curse because the Hermione I know would never suggest something so utterly ridiculous! What are you thinking Hermione?! You can't be serious right now!"

"I'll have you know I am completely serious, and I'd prefer it if you were as well."

He lowered his wand and crossed his arms over his chest. "You better have a good explanation for where all of this is coming from."

"Well if you'd calm down and listen, maybe I'd give you one!"

"Fine," he said, taking a seat. "Shoot."

"We are living in a time of change Harry. The balance between purebloods and half bloods and muggleborns and squibs and all sorts of magical creatures, even muggles, is changing! People are more open and accepting than they have been in centuries! Draco Malfoy isn't the same conflicted boy we knew twenty years ago… And you of all people should know that! He was raised in an environment that brainwashed him into believing things that he fully admits to be lies, and now he's changed his tune. Is he a saint? God no. Does this absolve him of his crimes? Of course not. But why shouldn't he be given a second chance? If anything this could serve to soften people's feelings towards purebloods. It could show them that they aren't all racist purists, and that even some of those who were fooled by Voldemort have seen the error of their ways. If we forgive them, maybe they will too."

Harry appeared unconvinced, and she could tell he was still fuming as he considered her words.

"I'm not saying you can't give Draco a second chance Hermione… Although I'd say the fact he's not rotting in Azkaban is proof he's already been given one. What I am saying is that allowing him to teach at Hogwarts is not a good idea! While we may be living in a time of change, we are also living in an era that is trying to move away from the radical ideals of a crazy man and to heal from the destruction he caused. And you're suggesting we place one of his most well-known followers in a position that gives him considerable influence over children! What about that sounds like a good idea to you Hermione?! I don't care if Malfoy's changed his tune or his step. He could have written a goddamn musical, and it wouldn't change my opinion! And I guarantee you the majority of our community will side with me on this."

She felt her own frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Yes, they will Harry! That's why I called you in here! Because whatever the chosen one says is what the majority of people will agree with! Honestly I don't know why Draco even came to me… He should have just gone straight to you! Although, I'm sure he was smart enough to know this is exactly the response you'd give him! I should have known… I should have known you'd respond like this! You've always hated Malfoy. Of course you don't want him to be successful! I thought you'd moved on from that, but I guess I was wrong!"

He stared at her in utter disbelief.

"How are you surprised by this?! I am giving him the response he deserves Hermione! Are you even hearing yourself right now? What you are suggesting is like allowing a Nazi soldier to teach chemistry to adolescents! I understand that Malfoy's situation is unique, and I suppose there's a part of me that pities the circumstances in which he was raised, but Jesus Hermione, he sided with a murderer! He may not have killed anyone himself, but he supported someone who did… I appreciate that Malfoy seems to have turned a new leaf. But he has to live with the consequences of his decisions Hermione, no matter the justification for why he made them. This isn't about me not wanting Draco to succeed… How could you even think that? This is about me trying to protect you! But if this is what you want to do… Fine. Go for it. But you'll have to do it without me. I won't support you on this one Min."

With that he turned to exit her office, but just as he reached for the doorknob he stopped and lowered his head.

"I may regret asking this, but I'll take the risk. Why does Malfoy's happiness suddenly matter to you?" He turned to look her in the eye. "Don't lie to me Hermione. Are you and he…"

"Goodness no!" she exclaimed. "After everything that's been going on with Ron… How could you even think I would do something like that?!"

A look of relief crossed his face, as he ran a nervous hand through his hair.

"I don't know Hermione… You just seemed so suddenly passionate about this, and it's not like you to be so irrational… I thought maybe… I don't know. I shouldn't have said it. Just forget I mentioned it..."

"It's alright… I guess we've both said things we regret today… I'm sorry for accusing you of not caring about Malfoy's success."

"S'alright. I do care… I guess I just don't understand why you care so much."

She took a deep breath. Why did she care so much? It's not like she owed Draco anything. It wasn't even that she felt he'd been done a terrible disservice. She knew deep down that the majority of Harry's points had been valid. He'd raised the same concerns she'd initially had… Why had she gotten so defensive?

"I guess… I guess I just saw someone asking for forgiveness for their mistakes; someone requesting to be given a second chance… And I related to that desire I suppose…"

She was quiet for a moment, and Harry allowed her time to think.

"There's still so much hate Harry… So much hate. People are still so angry about the war, and they have a right to be, but that anger is causing all of these new prejudices and rifts in the community and I just thought… I guess I thought this might alleviate some of that. But I was being naïve. And that's honestly why I called you in. You and Ron were right when you said I tend to think too much with my head and not my heart, but I've been so emotional lately… I knew you'd see what I wasn't willing to. Everything you said… I'd thought it myself… I guess I had just hoped—"

"Oh Hermione…" Harry said, coming around the desk to wrap her in his arms.

"He was so broken Harry… You should have seen him. He sauntered in here with that Malfoy charm, but you could see right to his core Harry…" she whispered. "He just wanted something of his own… I know it's Malfoy, but after everything he's been through, after everything he's lost… Hasn't he suffered enough?" she murmured into his chest.

Harry let out a deep sigh. "I know it may seem unfair Hermione, but like I said, he has to suffer the consequences for his actions. And, unfortunately, part of that is his public image. I don't see how he can overcome that one, at least not easily. And I honestly don't think making him a professor will help."

"I know," she conceded and broke their embrace, "but I still want to at least mention it to McGonagall. Maybe she'll see something we don't. I know it's a long shot, but I promised Draco I would try. It's the least I can do I suppose."

"Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"Did Draco say anything else to you… Ya know, to spur any of this on?"

She looked up from the papers she'd been rummaging through and met his knowing stare. How did he always seem to know what was going on with her?

"He may or may not have brought up me and Ron…"

"Ah," Harry said, retaking his seat.

"Oh, don't act like this is going to turn into a drawn out conversation simply because Ron was mentioned."

"How could it not Hermione?! You don't have a great track record to go off of…"

She chuckled, "Well I'm sorry to disappoint, but there's really not much to say… He saw us, Ron and I, the day we took Rose to Kings Cross for her first year at Hogwarts, and he could tell we were unhappy. I don't know how, but he was right. Things were… Well things weren't good. But then when he helped us save Al and Scorp, he said he could see there was still something there. I'm not sure what he meant by that, but he told me love was the one thing in this world worth fighting for. And that if I believed there was anything left between Ron and I, I owed it to us both to fight for it…"

They were both silent for a moment.

"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy said all of that?"

"He did," she smiled.

"He told you to fight for love?"

She nodded.

"Merlin," Harry murmured under his breath. "I knew he'd changed and that he was a good father and that losing Astoria was tough on him, but I guess there are some words you just never expect to hear from someone…"

"I know… I was as shocked as you were."

"So are you going to do it?"

"Do what?"

"Fight for love?"

"Oh Harry," she sighed "I want to. I do. I just… I guess I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what exactly?"

She thought for a moment. She knew once she said it out loud she wouldn't be able to keep denying it in her head. "I'm afraid I'm going to invest all of this time and emotion into our relationship and get attached, only to have my heart broken again, or even worse, to watch myself break his heart again."

"Hermione, yes you both made mistakes, and yes you hurt each other, but for one thing, that's kind of a part of marriage, and for another, don't you think this is your chance to learn from those mistakes and make it right?"

"I suppose."

"How was your date last night? Didn't you two go out for dinner or something?"

She grimaced a bit as memories of last night flashed through her brain.

"Oh. Not good huh?"

"No. No." she sputtered. "No, it was actually really nice… It's just…"

"What?"

"Well, Ron told me that he loved me an—"

"He did WHAT?! No he didn't!"

"Oh, stop it Harry! You sound like Ginny!"

"If Ginny were here she'd have tackled you by now… Well, what did you say?!"

"I told him I loved him too…" she murmured.

"Why do you sound less than enthusiastic about that? Did you not mean it?"

"No, no! I did! I don't know… I mean I do love him. He's one of the most important people in my life, and last night reminded me of how good things can be between us… I just… What if I can't love him the same way I did in the beginning? What if I can't love him the same way he loves me or the way he needs me to love him? What if—"

"Hermione, love changes. It evolves. It adapts. It's not supposed to look the same as it did in the beginning. And if both of you are willing to reshape it together… I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Draco was right. If there's still something there, you owe it to both of you to give it your best shot."

She signed, "I know. You're right… We should have made more of an effort to keep in touch with him, ya know? After everything that happened with the kids… He seemed so lonely today…"

"Who Draco? Ah Mione, don't beat yourself up over that. We've all been so busy, you more than anyone…"

"I know Harry, but I'm done using that as an excuse for pushing people out of my life. I took this position because I wanted to make a difference in the Wizarding Community, but not at the expense of my character… What does it say about me as a person if I allowed my career to ruin the most important relationship in my life and prevent me from noticing a friend in need?"

"Well I don't know if I'd call Draco a 'friend,' but I know what you mean… We may not be able to get him a job at Hogwarts, but we can certainly invite the bloke over for dinner… That's also less likely to cause a major societal uproar…"

She laughed, "Yea, I suppose you're right."

Still, she felt like she at least needed to mention Draco's request to Minerva, though she thought it best not to bring it up with Harry again.

"I know I've said this to you a lot lately Hermione, but I feel like you've been doubting yourself so much, so I'll say it once more. You are an amazingly talented, intelligent, caring, and honorable witch and Minister for Magic and an even better friend, mother, and dare I say, wife. No, you are not perfect, but you own up to your mistakes and do your bloody best to fix them… What more can you ask of yourself Hermione, that's within reason of course? Stop focusing on all of the things you've done wrong or wish you could've done differently, and allow yourself to see all of the good that's there too. Ok? And stop trying to carry the weight of everyone else's problems on your shoulders. I know as Minister you feel like it's your responsibility to fix everything, but it's not. There are some things that are simply out of your hands, and you need to learn to let go before you're crushed… I know you won't believe me, but it really is ok to let go. It's ok Hermione."

For the hundredth time in the past couple weeks she felt tears pricking at the back of her eyes. What had she done to deserve such an incredible best friend? Nothing that she could think of.

"Thank you Harry Potter," she whispered. "Some day I'll find a way to repay you for everything you've done for me…"

"No need. You already have, a hundred times over."