Chapter 11

The shop hadn't been open long when Harry Potter entered. He wandered the aisles until he found Hermione near the back, stocking skiving snackboxes on the shelves. "Hey," he greeted her softly so as not to startle her.

Her head turned slowly, her eyes angry as she glared at her former friend. "Go home, Harry," she said.

"Can we talk first?" he asked.

"I have nothing to say to you," she replied.

Sighing, he sat down on the floor beside her. "Okay, then I'll talk," he decided, holding onto her arm to keep her from leaving. "I'm sorry for everything I told the papers. George explained it all to us, the reason you were gone so long and why you didn't write us. Ron was mad that you left, and I sort of got sucked into that anger too. I'm really sorry, Hermione."

Scoffing, she shook off his hand and picked up the remaining inventory. "Go home, Harry," she said again. He followed her to the counter. "I'm not going to accept your apology. I get it - you're sorry. You feel bad. You shouldn't have said the things you did. Friends don't do that. So, if you decided a year ago that we're not friends anymore, that's fine. Have a nice life."

"Hermione, please," he implored, reaching for her again.

"The only thing I want to know is who told the papers about Fred and me," she stated, stepping away from him.

He seemed to get the hint, and made no moves to touch her again. "Ron," he told her. "George accidentally let it slip at family dinner that the two of you were together before he died. It made Ron really mad. I guess because he had feelings for you too. It's part of the reason you left so soon, isn't it?"

Tears clouded her vision, and she wasn't sure if they were angry or sorrowful tears. "Yes, it is," she replied. "And tell Ron thanks for me. I know where we stand now. Good bye, Harry."

He watched her disappear into the back room, and knew he shouldn't have come. Turning on his heel, he walked to the front door and left. He made it a few paces past the shop when he was stopped by Draco Malfoy.

"Hermione says I'm not allowed to hit you, but believe me, Potter, I'm tempted," Draco said threateningly. "What are you even doing here?"

Harry stood tall and defiant. "I could ask you the same," he replied.

Draco stepped closer. "Funny how the tables have turned," he mused. "Now it's me she wants around, and you who's upsetting her. Personally, I've never been a fan of people hurting my friends. And Hermione is the best friend I have. I know you were never too bright, but I thought you had figured out that she's worth having in your life. My mistake though. I guess I shouldn't have expected such complicated thoughts from the likes of you and Weasley."

He moved past Harry, ready to enter the shop, but he was stopped by a hand on his arm. "I came here to apologize to her, but she didn't want to hear it," he stated.

"Can you blame her?" Draco retorted.

Releasing a short breath, Harry shook his head. "No, I guess I can't," he agreed. "I hoped she would though. I really miss her."

"Why? It's not like you've got any assignments due," Draco said bitingly. "I'm going in now. I suggest you heed her advice and leave."

Draco entered the shop without looking back. Passing the aisles, display tables, and George at the checkout counter, he entered the back room and took the stairs to the flat above. "He's still out there," Hermione stated, standing by the front window. "What did you say to him?"

Draco stood beside her, an arm around her waist. "That he doesn't deserve you," he replied. "Did he really try to apologize?"

Hermione nodded ruefully. "You know, when I first came back, I wished he would come see me," she said. "Maybe I should have made the first move though. Instead, he and Ron continued talking to reporters and putting me down. Whatever apologies they give now are worthless."

They stood together silently, watching Harry pace back and forth until George emerged. Though his back was to them, both could tell that he was angry, and Harry soon left. Turning, he looked up to find that he had an audience, and re-entered the store.

"Is he coming up here?" Draco wondered, beginning to distance himself from Hermione. They heard footsteps on the stairs, and soon the doorknob turned.

"I would say yes," Hermione mumbled.

George joined them, his face red and his hands balled into fists. "You tell me if he comes by here again," he told the pair. "I've already had a talk with my brother, let him know he's not welcome either."

Hermione moved away from Draco. "That's not necessary," she told him. "I don't want to cause problems between you and your family."

"You're not," he assured her, resting a hand on her cheek. "Ron's the one alienating everyone. Mum's fed up with him. And now Harry's telling me it was Ron who leaked your relationship. He's lucky he's not a dead man already."

"I'm more than willing to help," Draco offered.

George smirked. "Get in line, Malfoy."

"Boys," she complained. They looked at her innocently, wondering why they were being chastised. "I told you - I don't want to fight with them. If they approach me, fine. I'm more than willing to defend myself in that situation. I don't want anyone to actively seek them out in order to cause trouble. Yes, I realize that's difficult for you, George, but promise me you'll at least try."

Rolling his eyes, he agreed not to provoke his brother. "The two of you studying, or can you give me a hand downstairs?" George asked.

"Studying," Hermione said quickly. George left then, promising to return with food at noon.

Draco looked at her quizzically as her cheeks reddened. "Studying, eh?" he asked. "I just came up to see if you were okay when I saw Potter outside. I wasn't actually planning to stay."

"Oh," she replied dejectedly. "I thought you might want to. Because you, you know, like me and whatnot."

He stepped closer to her and placed his hands on her waist. "I do like you," he confirmed. "And you know I like you. However, I'm not going to allow you to manipulate me into doing whatever you want me to do. I do have a life outside of you, Granger."

Leaning up on her toes, she pressed her lips to his in a gentle, chaste kiss. "Ten minutes?" she asked. Chuckling, Draco shook his head. Once more she kissed him. "Twenty?"

"You're really bad at negotiating," he remarked.

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Fine, half an hour."

He guided her away from himself and walked to the door. "I'll be back later," he promised. "Are you sure you're okay though?"

"Better now that I saw you."