Chapter X:

Throwing a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of her, Draco threw his arms around her neck, proudly, in front of both their parents and her brother. She grinned back, and read the headline story aloud.

The End of Our World!

By Rita Skeeter- here Hermione inserted an eye roll.

Dumbledore's warning of a siege never came to pass. Lord Voldemort did travel to Hogwarts, but he entered peacefully, even revealing the identities of his famed 'Death Eaters'. It turns out that our very own 'boy who lived' and his bushy haired sidekick- muffled laughter from Harry, but her father looked on the warpath at her diminution. Honestly she was happy to even get a mention. It was common knowledge that Rita was obsessed with Harry- have been living fake lives. Really, they are the twin children of the Dark Lord, whose wife was brutally assassinated at birth, leaving her children to be kidnapped by the man we thought was our guiding light of morality. Truly, Albus Dumbledore abandoned the girl with muggles who look at people's teeth and the boy with abusive ones- she left it open which the reader thought was worse- misleading the whole population into believing that he was the Saviour of the Wizarding World- who it turns out is unneeded anyway! When asked for a statement the family said that they are recuperating from the shock and getting to know each other before sending the children back to school when it reopens in a week, although rumour has it Mr Riddle will be moving to Hogsmeade to stay close to those he never wants to be parted from again. If they ever want to hash out any remaining issues on the Quidditch pitch, personally, this witch knows which team's colours she'd be waving!

"I think that's the truest report I've read from that awful woman since she became a journalist!" Declared Narcissa.

Lucius chuckled. "It's because the real story is dramatic enough that there was nothing she could really do to sensationalise it any further!"

They all joined in the laughter, only stopping when a house elf timidly announced an Auror. They all looked at the man, who she and Harry knew to be Kingsley Shacklebolt, in anticipation and surprise, plus, of course, frustration. They were celebrating, and enjoying being themselves! They didn't want to have to act again so soon!

"Mr Riddle," said Kingsley with a hint of reluctance. He'd also been at Hogwarts and heard the story first hand, and it seemed he fell into the majority camp. "I visited your home and was directed here instead by a house elf. I've been asked by several sources to investigate if these two are here willingly."

Hermione's face reddened with anger. "By who?"

"I'm afraid I can't reveal that Hermione," he said. "Confidentiality must be preserved in these situations." Not that it needed saying. There was a very small list. And it read, Molly Weasley.

"Well we're fine," said Harry aggressively. "We're adults. We can choose where to live and we both want to be here."

Kingsley nodded. "Very well, you don't mind if I have a quick conversation with you two outside though?" The gardens of Malfoy Manor were a lot more interesting than the repeated question Kingsley asked in private, as if their father would strike them dead for giving another answer. Seemingly convinced, the Auror left them with the parting message that he believed them and he was sorry, but he had to investigate all claims. Of course, they told him that they didn't blame him, but back inside it was clear who their father also thought was culpable.

"If that Weasel bitch tries to ruin my family one more time, I'm going to have to deal with her conclusively."

It was a good thing that they'd decided to stay with the Malfoys, just as their story would be, because it came up almost as soon as they returned to school. The Express would be running again, but it was decided that it would be better for the three Seventh Years to apparate to Hogsmeade, where Voldemort would be staying for the rest of term anyway. Hermione wished she could stick around to witness how the residents of the small village would respond to their new and reformed leader the Dark Lord within their midst. He walked them most of the way up the hill to Hogwarts, waving them off as newly arrived students did a double take and scuttled away or bowed their heads respectfully. It was truly empowering to walk up to school with her hands laced through Draco's for the world to see, Harry on his other side laughing at a joke the blond had just made. It felt even better when the Gryffindors, gathered by the Great Lake for a conference, saw them and started whispering amongst themselves. Getting up off the ground, Ron stalked forward aggressively and pointed crudely at their hands. "You're cheating on me with this tosser?"

Hermione fixed her expression on him, trying for genuineness. "I tried hard with you Ron, but I never felt the spark that you did! I never wanted to hurt you, but when I saw how you looked at me last week I knew you were done with me. Then, in the most difficult period of my life, I heard nothing from you! Only an Auror sent to try to rip me from the family yours already made me spend my whole childhood separated from!"

Ron and his sister were still glaring, but the others' expressions were full of pity. "Malfoy has treated you like bloody dirt for six years! You truly don't believe that he's only changed his tune now because he wants to be heir to the darkest wizard who ever lived?"

"Actually, ever since we became prefects, Draco and I made a pact to put our work first and resultantly developed an excellent relationship. He's proven to be more mature and tolerant than we ever gave him credit for, even way before this was revealed." She explained, making their audience look at her fiancé in a different light too. "And you've not just totally flipped your attitude towards Harry and I because of this change?"

He made a dismissive noise through his teeth, turning to Harry instead, apparently giving up on this battle. She couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at her cheek at the win. "And you?" Snapped Ron, to the boy whose leg he'd always tugged on like a needy dog. "You have Stockholm syndrome too?" When Harry just gave him a rather impressive unimpressed look, he quickly stumbled out "then you're out of the dorm!"

"Hey!" Protested Seamus, stepping forward. "You're not the dictator o'this dorm!"

"And even if you were," added Neville. "It's not up to us, the school decides who sleeps where."

"Yeah!" Dean agreed. "Harry stays!" And unfortunately for Ron, that was that.

Just before dinner, Harry was heading into the room when he was knocked onto the floor, accompanied by a snicker as a flash of ginger hair disappeared into the Great Hall. He badly wanted to reciprocate, but there were too many eyes around for him to maintain the innocent image needed for the plan. In front of him, a hand stretched out, and upon glancing up and seeing who it was, he readily accepted the proffered help. Touching Daphne Greenglass was still as magical and unbelievable as it had been the first time they came into physical contact. She smiled at him, revealing shiny white teeth and soft pink lips that looked wonderful to kiss. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," he shrugged. "Just my pride that was damaged."

She giggled; a pleasant tinkering kind of sound, which faded out too soon. "So, uh, I imagine it's nice to have your family back. It must be like the life you've always wanted- from what I've read in the papers about your lack of family beforehand."

"Life's pretty good," he agreed. Okay Harry. Now or never. "The only thing that'd make it better'd be if you'd join me on the next trip to Hogsmeade." Oh Godric! That was awful! What had he done! Hurriedly he started to backtrack. "Never mind, why would you want to do that? You're so gorgeous and-"

"Harry!" Daphne interrupted him, taking his hand with an amused smile. "Much as I love these compliments, I'm not going to let you suffer any longer. I like you," he felt like he might fall over again. "I realised it that day in Potions, and if you hadn't been dating Weaselette I would have made a move, but I have experience with other women stealing my boyfriend and I know how much it hurts, so I never wanted to cause anyone any trouble. Plus, I assumed you must like her, although you honestly didn't seem to much."

He laughed, his probably sounding more crazed and relieved than her natural, angelic one had. "I felt so much pressure to be with her, but I never felt like her the- the way I do with you."

"Then I guess it's a date," she smiled teasingly, letting his hand go slowly and filing in for dinner, with a goodbye wink. Leaning against the wall to take a deep breath, he'd never wanted to sit at the Slytherin table more.

Awww