I think the absence of reviews shows that a lot of people have given up on this story. Please don't! I'm trying. Here is the next chapter, I hope it's getting along. Brining the press back in – fun as always. Enjoy.

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Cho had sent Hermione an owl asking if she was up for an afternoon drink in Diagon Alley. Deciding it was about time she revived her social life, Hermione agreed. What surprised her was Draco's enthusiasm for the idea.

"That sounds good Hermione." He had said over breakfast that morning, "You've been at home or work for a long time; it'll be good to get out."

She had expected him to treat her like a sick and weak child as he had been doing for the past week. His encouragement made her smile; she was glad he could trust her to look after herself. "You said Harry came yesterday?"

"Yes he did. We had a little talk." Some uncertainty slipped into his voice which Hermione immediately caught on to.

"What about?"

"I told him what happened and about the past couple of months." He watched her reaction carefully, concerned that she would be angry he hadn't consulted her first.

"You did?" Hermione relaxed, she knew Harry and the others had to find out at some point. Perhaps it was easier that Draco told, seeing as he wouldn't put up with any accusations or arguments over the matter. "How did he take it?"

"Quite well." He replied, "I'm sure he would have told the others by the end of tomorrow at the latest."

"So the press will find out sooner or later." Hermione raised her eyebrows and smiled somewhat sardonically. "Won't that be fun."

"Yes, no doubt it will be." Draco agreed, "there was nothing in the Prophet this morning so news doesn't travel quite like wild fire yet. Perhaps we still have some peace."

Hermione glanced at the Daily Prophet which was lying on the table beside Draco's breakfast. On the front page was a section on the Quidditch World Cup indicating more information on page five. "Quidditch." She said out loud.

"Yes," Draco shifted in his seat and rose, "Potter came to speak to me about that too. I have some things to take care of at the office; I'll talk to you about it tonight perhaps." He bent down to kiss the top of her head.

"Will be you be home late?"

Draco picked up his travelling robes on the table near the wall, "no, I'll probably be home in the afternoon. You have a good time Cho."

She smiled and nodded, liking this Draco. As much as she appreciated his care lately, she felt that she was being suffocated and needed to get along on her own for a bit. Somehow he had understood that. Wonders would never cease.

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The Shocking Malfoy Truth

Over a month ago the golden couple of the century appeared to be cracking as Hermione Malfoy, Minister of Magic, moved out of Malfoy Manor. Since then, the public and close friends of the couple have noticed deterioration in their relationship. Mrs Malfoy has just moved back into the grand Manor they shared for seven months after marriage. The shocking truth behind their brief separation was revealed through an anonymous source.

Three months prior, Hermione Malfoy was pregnant with what would have been the couples first child. Such an occurrence would have no doubt caused a stir. The Malfoy's have prided themselves on pureblood lineage for centuries only to have this heritage broken by a child with muggle grandparents. This will not be happening however, due to Mrs Malfoy's recent miscarriage. Soon after returning home she was said to have collapsed and the couple were told they had lost their child. A devastating loss for anyone and it seems there are rough times ahead for these power figures.

What is on the minds of many people is whether the pregnancy had anything to do with their recent fall-out. There is speculation that Mr Malfoy may have married a muggle-born but is not prepared to have a child of mixed blood with her. Despite fighting along side Harry Potter and other members of the Order of the Phoenix, Draco Malfoy has retained distance from society. His success on the Quidditch pitch sparked much media attention but he has rebuffed invitations for interviews. It is only on the subject of his engagement to Hermione, then Granger, that he allowed the media a taste of his personal life. All attempts to contact either of the Malfoys' concerning recent events has been rejected. Harry Potter and girlfriend, Cho Chang, have told the Prophet that the couple have indeed been through some hard times after an ultimate high. "They just need some time to themselves." Chang told reporters.

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After completing his work, Draco swept his desk clear of lose parchment and unwanted documents. Most of the other staff were out on their lunch break so he left a note saying he would be gone for the day. He wondered if Hermione was alright going out. Despite his relaxed demeanour in the morning, he was concerned she wouldn't be strong enough for an outing.

Deciding it was about time he took the air again, he had organised a little casual play with Anthony. The young Australian had been Draco's first friend in the team and sent him condolences when he found out about the miscarriage. It had been a while since Draco had dedicated any time to anyone other than Hermione. This unofficial training clearly had other purposes than to get him back into playing form.

"How is she doing?" Anthony asked as they made their way towards the empty field.

"She's getting better."

"I read the article in the Prophet today."

Draco had read it as well and felt unfairly treated by the press – again. "It's all rumours."

Anthony nodded, "It always is. Interesting that they should bring the war back into it."

"With my name comes memories of the war; it's simply a given." It frustrated Draco enormously and now Hermione would carry the Malfoy name as well. He knew it had made life in the public eye harder for her.

"Let it go now," Anthony took to the air where a bludger was already flying speedily towards the goal hoops, "lets see how much you remember." He released the snitch in his hand, flying away and watching Draco didn't start until he was well above the ground.

Feeling the air rush past him as he rose through the air, Draco felt calmed. Perhaps, though he wouldn't admit it aloud, Harry had been right.

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Wearing a warm travelling robe, Hermione strolled down muggle London, peering into the brightly coloured shop windows. It had been a while since she had gone out with a friend and shopped for an entire day. Being Minister of Magic had taken precedence over everything. Perhaps it was about time she put herself first.

Once she had made it pass the brick wall into Diagon Alley she was struck by the smell of magic. Witches and wizards passed her in their hurry to get on with their day. Passing the familiar shops where she had purchased robes, books and other essentials for school, she was reminded of what she had endured and experienced over the years. From an outsiders point of view, the drama that had unfolded lately must seem pointlessly exaggerated. Thinking this way made her feel slightly better, calmer.

"Hermione!" Cho called out from her seat by the window of a small ice cream parlour. A few people turned to watch the ginger head entered and sat.

"I thought you said a drink?" Hermione smiled, trying to ignore the faces that were watching her with interest.

Cho laughed, "I think we should treat ourselves actually." The enthusiastic waitress attended to them immediately, no doubt wishing to be the first to get some gossip on Hermione Malfoy's first public appearance in months.

"I think we'll have that impressive sundae you have displayed there." Cho pointed to a poster above the counter of a large glass dish through which several layers of various ice creams could be seen. On top were more toppings than Hermione ever thought she had consumed in her life, let alone in one sitting.

The waitress smiled and wrote quickly on her notepad. "Anything else?" She turned to look pointedly at Hermione.

Under her careful gaze, Hermione was conscious of how little care she had taken in choosing her clothes this morning. Anything that could be used to portray her in a negative light would most likely be utilised by this false smile on legs. "No, that will be enough." She looked up in what she hoped was a confident gesture.

Slightly put out, the waitress disappeared out the back where their giant sundae was being prepared. Cho gave her a sympathetic look, "They're all over you Hermione."

"Yes I realised." Hermione said dryly. "So, how have you been?"

"Good, Harry has been away a bit so Ginny and I have been doing all sorts of things to keep ourselves entertained." Cho continued explaining how they had helped at St Mungos for a time before going to Olivanders and the havoc they caused when wands were misplaced. Hermione sat smiling but feeling guilty. Harry was away because he had been playing Quidditch to cover for Draco. Draco had taken time off the team because of her. It suddenly struck her that maybe she had caused more fuss that was necessary about the baby; The baby which they had lost. The hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach was becoming all to familiar.

"Hermione?" Cho's concerned expression broke through her cloud of thought.

"I'm sorry Cho," she smiled reassuringly, "keep going, I'm listening."

Their sundae arrived before anything more could be said, once the waitress had disappeared again, Cho handed Hermione her spoon. "I wasn't sure if I should ask, but how are you going?"

The dish was enormous. They both took a tentative scoop of pearly coloured ice cream and dancing sprinkles. Hermione used this time to think of her answer. "It's been a bit hard." She had decided on honesty, "but I think it's going to get better from now on."

"I'm glad. Reporters have been asking me non-stop about what's happened. I'm not sure how it leaked out." She took another, larger spoonful. The sprinkles danced on her tongue oddly but tasted sweet.

"I'm sorry for the trouble the last couple of months has caused you."

"Don't be silly." Cho waved her comment aside, "We were worried about you but as long as you're fine then we don't mind. That's the truth Hermione."

"Excuse me, Mrs Malfoy." Hermione turned her head to the window beside her where a reporter stood with his quill ready, a small smile on his face. "Could I perhaps borrow some of your time?"

Before she could react, Cho stood abruptly and pointed her finger dangerously close to the man's nose, "You can just leave her alone. Can't any of you respect personal privacy?" She glared angrily.

"Cho, sit down now." Hermione said quietly. The reporter turned hopefully in her direction, careful to step out of reaching distance from Cho but was disappointed them a calm Malfoy turned to give him a cool stare, "I was enjoying my time without your presence, you can leave now."

He lingered a moment longer but when both women continued to stare him down he stepped back and gave a small wave before walking away. There were even more interested gazes directed towards their table but they rose, leaving the barely touched sundae on their table. Hermione left some coins on the table and they stormed off wordlessly.

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