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Twisted Roots

Chapter 10

Draco sat at his annoying little cubicle reading up on Muggle-born legislation throughout history for three solid days. He was trying to find anything that explained why Muggle-borns were watched so closely by the Ministry. There was a plethora of information on Muggle-born and Squib registries but nothing substantial that explained the Trace. He found one article that stated a child's inability to control their magic could be a danger, therefore explaining why all children had to wait until they were seventeen to legally use magic, but it did not explain the Ministry watchdogs that pounced on every illicit move made by Muggle-borns only.

Sighing, Draco stretched out his arms and legs and leaned back in his chair. The talk he had with his father was plaguing him as well. He did not want any sort of rift to occur between them and he thought that his departure from Azkaban was a little hasty. What did he expect his father to tell him? For a brief moment Draco was feeling hopeful about his future but after that conversation the seeds of doubt had been replanted and were beginning to sprout. There were many rogue Death Eaters roaming the continent that Draco knew his father would always count among his closest friends. Regardless of Lucius' fall from grace there were plenty of followers that would rally behind him to rekindle their anti-muggle efforts. With Voldemort out of the picture, the Malfoy charm and bank account would no doubt win over in the end.

Would Lucius attempt to lead them? Draco was worried that he would. Despite his outward appearance Lucius was always a Ministry malcontent. He pandered to Fudge, sure, but he held him in about as much regard as he did Albus Dumbledore and this new liberal political regime was sure to be setting Lucius' teeth on edge, Draco was positive of that. Those seeds of doubt had planted a new growth in Draco's mind that was incredibly unsettling. What if he found some legitimate evidence that Muggles were a danger to the wizarding world? What if his tolerance of Muggle-borns only extended as far as Granger and he was unwilling to be open minded to more? Draco had to be honest with himself, if his father wanted him to go back to their old ways he was afraid he would not have the courage to say no. The only option left was to convince his father that the Malfoy name could be restored if, and only if, Death Eater activity ceased. He didn't need to convince him to change his beliefs, just his behavior.

Hermione, Draco thought to himself. Even the thought of her name brought some respite to the constant thrum of emotions running through him. He knew their friendship was unique. He had cried on her shoulder just like he cried on Moaning Myrtle's simulacrum of a shoulder during sixth year when he was assigned to kill Dumbledore. Only while Myrtle's shoulder was cold and didn't really exist he knew he could count on the ghost to keep his tears a secret. He was still ashamed that he was so emotionally weak in front of her. Hermione's shoulder was warm and solid. He didn't know if she would keep his tears a secret, but he felt no shame in breaking down in front of her. In the darkest recesses of his mind Draco knew that she would be the catalyst in whatever decision he made regarding his father's plans. Draco knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his father had plans for him.

Sighing again, Draco stood up to go have lunch in the break room and hopefully run into Hermione. She was in court with some of the other interns taking notes for the last three days, so he had missed her. He knew she wasn't in session today though because he had snuck in with magical maintenance to check her calendar.

"Hey Draco, I am going to go the break room for lunch today. Want to come with me?" Gwenda asked snapping her gum. Ever since he made the mistake of mentioning he had hung out with her cousin she was trying even harder to ingratiate herself on him. After working with her over the last few weeks he decided she wasn't that bad even if the constant gum chewing did drive him crazy. He was going to have to find some other sort of quieter treat to get her addicted to.

"Sure, I'll go with you. Just let me clear this mess up." He said motioning to the files scattered all over his desk. He really hoped to speak with Granger with no one else around, but he was going to have to learn how to be friendly in public if he wanted to completely earn her trust.

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It was another long week in the Wizengamot's courtrooms for Hermione. She was learning a lot about litigation, and it was becoming clear to her that doing some good in the wizarding world was going to take a lot of patience and red tape. She laughed at the irony of how pleased she was to have this internship in magical law when it was not even two years ago when she told Rufus Scrimgeour that working in magical law would prevent her from being able to do good in the world. At any street corner the absurdity of existence will strike a man in the face, she thought to herself. Yes indeed, the whole world had gone topsy-turvy.

She still had to break up with Ron. They were both working so much they hadn't spoken much at all. She was easily able to rebuff his advances by making their schedule incompatible. She feigned sleep on the one night she was in bed before him. Ron technically didn't live at Grimmauld Place but ever since Australia he had been making it a point to stay there as often as possible, much to Hermione's consternation. But she couldn't put off the inevitable anymore. Today was the day she was going to break up with him and there he was sitting across from her in her break room chatting merrily with Harry. No care in the world, and she was going to put an end to it immediately after work.

"So Hermione, what do you want to do for your birthday?" Ron asked in between mouthfuls of the steak and kidney pie Kreacher had packed him for his lunch.

Hermione had lost her appetite already just watching him stuff his face but the question made her stomach churn. "Um, I don't want to do anything special. There will be no need to make a fuss." She said levelly. Harry was eyeing her warily. What was she to do though? She could not very well blurt out her intentions to end the relationship right then and there. She did not tell Harry her plans to end it, and Ginny must not have told him because he would have brought it up.

"Come on Hermione, you know Mum will be making you a huge cake and want to have you over for dinner. It's not a fuss really." Ron insisted.

"I know Ron, but – " Hermione stopped talking as soon as Draco and Gwenda entered the break room chatting amicably. He smiled when he saw Hermione and she could not help but flash a quick grin back but the smile did not reach her eyes and Draco looked over at Ron and Harry with a slight frown.

Damn Weasley, he thought, she never seems to be happy when he is around. Draco knew that he interrupted the conversation and he really wanted to turn around and leave because of Weasley and Potter but Gwenda would have interrogated him later so he put on a brave face and plopped down in a chair one seat away from Harry.

"Hey Granger, Potter." Draco said nicely, and then as if as an afterthought he added a dark, "Weasley."

"Malfoy." Harry replied just as politely. Hermione sighed with relief; Harry would at least be civil to Draco even if Ron wasn't.

"Gwenda I don't think you have officially met Granger, this is Hermione Granger and these are her appendages Harry Potter and Ron Weasley." Draco said. He knew it was completely unnecessary to actually introduce them, but his breeding told him it was always the polite thing to do, even if his introduction was slightly less than dignified. Something about Weasley made him forget a lot of important things, like propriety.

"Oh, I don't need an introduction Draco. These three are famous," She said to him, "but it is nice to officially meet you in the flesh." She said leaning over the table to shake their hands in turn giving them a rather nice view of her ample cleavage as she bent over. Harry tactfully looked her full in the face even though he did blush a little. Ron, however, had no such subtlety and both Hermione and Draco scowled at him. Ron caught them both scowling and looked apologetically at Hermione but he sneered at Draco. Draco glowered back. He knew that Ron was probably thinking that Draco was with Gwenda in some way and was angry about him looking at her like that. That couldn't be further from the truth though; he was annoyed that Ron made such a pig headed move right in front of Hermione.

"Well, we didn't mean to interrupt your conversation. Hope it wasn't something private." Gwenda said good naturedly as she spread out her lunch. For a beat nobody responded and Harry was the first to recover.

"Oh, we were just talking about our plans for this weekend. "

"It's not important really." Hermione interjected, "You weren't interrupting. We won't be doing anything special." She said glaring at both Harry and Ron.

"Draco is taking his first Muggle family to Diagon Alley this weekend." Gwenda said in a teasing tone.

Ron thought that was very funny and laughed just a little too loudly.

"What Weasley? It's my job." Draco snapped.

"Yeah whatever Malfoy, just remember what will happen to you if you mess this job up." Ron said nastily.

"Ronald!" Hermione exclaimed. He was never going to grow up and if she didn't have plans to end it already that , combined with ogling Gwenda's chest, would have sealed the deal. She turned to Draco, "You will have to forgive him Draco. It is hard for some people to let go of the past." She said before he could respond.

"It's not enough that you're talking to him, now you're sticking up for him too?" Ron seethed.

Hermione glanced at Draco who appeared to be battling between curiosity for what her response was going to be and loathing for Weasley.

"Yes Ron, and if my memory serves me this isn't the first time I have publically stuck up for him. If you'll excuse me I am going back to work. I'll see you later, Harry. And Ron, I would appreciate it if you would meet me at Harry's and my house after work today. Be there at 5:30 sharp. We need to talk." Hermione picked up her full lunch bag and deposited it in the rubbish bin on her way out the door. There was no way she would be eating that day. She couldn't believe that she had just told Ron that in front of all those people. Where did her manners go?

"Hermione, wait up!"

Hermione turned to see Ron chasing after her, face flushed with anger.

"What was that all about? What do you mean we need to talk?" He demanded. Harry and Draco had both come out of the break room behind him and were watching the exchange, fascinated. Hermione started walking toward the lifts; she figured it would be better to have this fight outside.

"It can wait Ron. I am going to go for a walk." She said getting on the lift.

"No it bloody well will not wait! You just took Malfoy's side over mine and then you ordered me around in front of those people-" He was starting to get loud.

"I did not order you to do anything. I said I would appreciate it if you were there. I don't want to do this now!" She said in a low hiss as the doors of the lift clanged shut. She turned away from him and stared at the sidewall of the lift, fuming. She refused to speak until they were safely outside the building.

Meanwhile Harry, Draco, and Gwenda were pounding the button on the next lift to follow them out. Gwenda was eager to witness first hand gossip. Harry knew what was coming and he wanted to be there to disarm either of them in case the argument came down to hexing, and Draco felt like he was watching a train wreck. He wanted to look away but his curiosity had the better of him. He also was hoping to see Granger hex Weasley into next week. Harry was right to have followed because when they got outside they found Hermione rounded on Ron with wand in hand. Sparks were flying out of the tip.

"No, Ron. I don't want to do this here or now. It's going to be bad enough tonight let alone in public!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What do you mean bad enough? Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Ron asked, voice shaking.

"I don't know what you are thinking right now, Ron but probably yes. There you wanted it now, you got it. It's not working for me anymore. I love you but like a brother and it is getting to be too much. I can't do this anymore!" She said, very nearly in tears. Harry, Draco, and Gwenda were watching with shock from the shadows of the building. Harry pulled out his wand, battle instincts in full gear, ready to break up the fight.

"You cannot possibly be doing this Hermione! What did I do wrong? I can fix it, I can change! We were supposed to get married!" He cried pathetically.

"You did nothing wrong, we just aren't compatible. I don't want you to change for me. I don't want anyone to change for me! If you change, do it for yourself! I don't want to think about marriage and kids right now. And when I think about doing those things with you it never feels right and it isn't fair to either one of us." Hermione said, voice rising.

"If you do this Hermione, it is really over. I won't let you come running back to me when you find nobody else who will love you like I do!" He shouted.

"Low blow, Weasley." Draco mumbled quietly so as not to be heard by the feuding couple. Harry and Gwenda however, both nodded in agreement.

"When nobody else loves me? What is that supposed to mean?" She demanded angrily.

"I didn't mean it like that. Damn it Hermione. Think about what you're doing!" Ron retorted.

"I have been thinking for a long time and I am grateful for what we shared but I just can't do it anymore. It is wrong. Being with you feels wrong to me in every way. I am sorry. I truly am. I understand if you don't want to be friends so I won't even offer. I didn't want to do it this way. Someday, I hope you can think better of me Ron. But it is over." Hermione said walking briskly away, tears burning behind her eyes. Ron stared after her dumbfounded.

Harry looked from Ron to Hermione not sure who to run to, but he thought back to the talk he had with Hermione and knew she would understand why he didn't go to her. Draco looked at Harry and could read the internal struggle on his face.

"Go to Weasley, Potter. He looks suicidal. I will make sure Granger is alright." Draco offered kindly. Harry looked at him gratefully and rushed out to Ron and immediately apparated them away. "Go back inside." He told Gwenda. She just nodded and walked away, mouth still agape at the confrontation she just witnessed.

Draco took off in the direction Hermione had stalked off in and rounded the corner praying she didn't apparate. She was there though, about halfway down the block sitting on a bus stop bench. She had put her wand back up her sleeve but sparks were still coming out the end so he approached slowly.

"Hermione?" Draco said quietly. She jumped at his voice and looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh please don't tell me you just heard that." She said getting up and facing him, face flushed with embarrassment.

"Yeah, it was quite the show." He said softly. Hermione turned around and started walking back toward the entrance to the ministry. Draco fell in step beside her as she passed.

"Want to talk?" He asked. She slowed and looked him the eyes. He did look genuinely concerned.

"What is there to say? You saw everything apparently." She stated.

"Come on, Granger. You know what I mean. Do you need a shoulder to cry on? I can't always be the one doing the crying." He said jokingly, trying to cheer her up a little. "It's okay to be upset Hermione, that was a bad break up and I understand if you need to cry it out."

The only thing that was going to make Hermione cry in that particular moment was Draco's sincerity. He was looking at her with those piercing grey eyes and the wind was ruffling his white-blonde hair making him look one of the models Hermione had seen in magazines, wizarding and muggle alike.

"I am relieved it's over Draco. It is going to be a struggle because the Weasley's can hold quite the grudge. I am sad that my friendship with Ron is probably over forever though, but I feel free finally." She said the tears finally coming. She dashed them away quickly and turned her head from Draco's penetrating gaze. She swore she would never cry over Ron in front of Draco.

"Hermione, its okay to cry about it." Draco said gently as he gathered her in his arms. After a moment's hesitation Hermione slowly wrapped her arms around him as well. His arms felt so good and comforting around her. His touch was not hesitant and light like Ron's was. It was sure and confident, and secure and she felt very, very comfortable. She didn't want him to ever let go.

Draco held tightly to Hermione while she cried. She was small and warm, and she smelled like heaven. She held on to him just as tightly and he marveled at how well her body fit next to his. He had the urge to bring one of his hands up so that he could weave his fingers through her hair. He resisted though and bent down a little so he could rest his cheek on the top of her head. As he held her he knew that he would never be able to let her go. In that moment he decided that there was nothing in the world that would stop him from being with Hermione Granger.

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A/N: Well, there is the big break up. Poor Ron, but it had to be done. Thanks to all who have reviewed and a big thanks to all of you that are still reading. Hermione's thoughts about the absurdity of mankind was derived from Albert Camus.

I would like to thank my beta vknightkiss0x0 for working on this chapter and catching all the mistakes that Microsoft didn't. I would also like to thank LadyDraco79 for her input.