*The Wrong Lifetime with the Wrong Man*

By yummydreams

oOo


Chapitre Onze- Les Arguments


*WARNING* Time: The next scene is after Pansy (concealed as Bernando) rushes out of the house after an awkward conversation with Harry in the kitchen. Harry hasn't floo'd Hermione yet so he hasn't seen Draco straddling Hermione yet. So we're going back in time...I'll put an extra note later when we're back in present time.


Leaky Cauldron, London

Pansy's PortKey landed her in the back alleyway of the famous pub. As she straightened her tall form and brushed off the imaginary lint from her smart shirt, she sniffed the stale beer air disdainfully and walked into the pub through the back entrance.

It was quiet, only a few regulars lounging at the bar with their heads lolling about their folded arms but they did not pay attention to the handsome well dressed man who just walked in. Pansy wrinkled her nose when she smelt their drink mingled with their offensive body odour. She sat at one of the empty tables near the corner (the one furthest away from the old wizard with bright green greasy hair and a skull shaped tankard with orange fumes wafting lazily from the top), shook her head when one of the bar man asked for her order and sat down to begin her business.

She had a plan...sort of, well she didn't really formulate a proper plan but she thought the first step in getting the truth was getting to London immediately. Now she was here, she had no idea what to pulled out a reporter's notebook from her back pocket and a well sharpened pencil to jot down her ideas, she also laid down the article down beside her pencil. The cutting was started to be severely creased for she perused it so many times. Changing her mind, she ordered a butterbeer while she mulled over her thoughts then she ordered another one half an hour later and another an hour later... She decided that it must have been due to the sluggish lighting in the pub that she couldn't think straight. She had been here for well over two hours and she only had two ideas.

She suppose she could go immediately to find Draco but she wasn't even sure where he was, she hated how they couldn't contact each other directly. She suppose it was for the best, they both had very important businesses to tend to and they worked so hard to remain elite; there were also so many other competitors! It was only last month that they found out one of Pansy's rival fashion designers had hired someone to dig up some 'dirt' on her because they caught a stranger rifling through her underwear drawer one time when they returned early from a restaurant. Needless to say Draco was not pleased at all! The couple agreed that if they loved each other so much, they could do this for each other.

Pansy tapped her temple as she thought of an alternative way; she could contact the reporter who wrote the article but that would involve using a good amount of money and bribery. She automatically went for her handbag then realised that she didn't have one, she mentally scolded herself for losing her composure for a short moment, she was Bernando! She doubled checked that her glamour charm was still working and arranged her physique until she was acting a bit more male-like. She patted her pocket for her wallet and sighed with relief.

The lanky green haired wizard suddenly sniffed and made a disgusting noise, she looked up and felt unnerved when the man was staring at her blearily. Pansy stood up immediately, the feeling of her wand pressed against her palm made her feel slightly better. She left through the back entrance again and felt the man mimic her actions and follow her through the door. Thankfully, Bernando's legs were longer than her own and she was glad for his strides were longer as she quickened her pace through the alleyway. It was late afternoon, the sun was still shining but the tall walls of the buildings overshadowed the cluttered alleyway. The footsteps that followed her suddenly stopped, she couldn't hear him behind her anymore and Pansy relaxed considerably, maybe she was just feeling suspicious and paranoid because she herself was acting suspicious. She stopped near the big grey bins that belonged to a small restaurant and removed her phone from her back pocket, she needed to make a call to find out where the reporter lived. She covered the screen with her hand as she peered at the numbers when suddenly a pair of hands wrapped around her neck from behind and squeezed, Pansy gasped as she wheezed for breath but the attacker tightened their grip and pulled her body towards theirs. Her mind was whirling as her oxygen was slowly depleted, she strained her eyes open to see that last shred of blue sky one last time, she could still feel the cold metal of her phone in her hand and she frantically stabbed at the call button.

'Back! Leak...leak...back...cauld!' she choked. She hoped that the whoever the person she rang last would answer and hear her dying plea and find her body...if she didn't make it.

When it all became too much and her body finally gave up, she heard the manly growl of her attacker and she crumbled to the ground.

oOo

Back alleyway of Leaky Cauldron

*Harry's point of view*

'Wake up man!'

The pale man with dark hair lay rigidly on the cold ground, one of his hands was lying on his chest and the other fell open by his side. His phone was still in his open palm. Harry repeated his words in the man's ear again but he still did not respond. His first aid skills kicked in and he started to shake the man's shoulders but there was no reply either. Desperately, he slapped Bernando across the face.

'Fuck sake, wake up, Bernando!' pleaded Harry.

Suddenly the hand on his chest twitched but Harry wasn't sure. He was relieved when Bernando began to flex his fingers as he regained his conscience.

Blearily those dark eyes speckled with gold slowly opened, he peered through the slits of his eyes to look up onto the man crouched over him with an anxious look on his handsome face, he had been running his hand through his dark hair because it was messier than usual and when he finally gazed into the emerald eyes of Harry Potter, he burst into sobs of relief. Bernando sat up quickly and flung his arms around Harry's neck, he tightened her grip and Harry gasped.

'Not too tight, Bernando.' choked Harry. The dark haired man that clung to him suddenly let go and looked embrassed, Harry was surprised to see him cry because Bernando seemed like a very macho man.

'I'm sorry!' Bernando's voice was already deep but because his throat hurt, it came out rather hoarse.

'What happened?' asked Harry, helping Bernando to his feet.

'I...' Bernando paused, should he tell him someone just tried to strangle him? Harry was an Auror though and he would look further into this and then he'd find out that Bernando was actually his wife...but Pansy wanted to find out who tried to kill her. 'I don't know, I think someone tried to rob me.'

'Has anything been stolen?' asked the green eyes wizard, getting business-like.

Bernando checked his pockets, the wand, his wallet and reporters pad was still in his pockets.

'What did the attacker look like? Man or woman?' Harry interrogated.

'I think he was a man...' said Bernando vaguely. 'I don't remember much to be honest...'

'Try to think, it's very important we find out the person.' urged Harry.

'Potter, I was panicking. Look, nothing was stolen, let's just forget it. I'll be careful from now on.'

'I told you to stop all this "Potter" crap.' sighed the auror, he looked once over the other man, checking for any injuries but he did not see any signs. Due to Pansy's glamour charm, the bruises on her neck were concealed. 'Are you sure you don't want to find out this man? He needs to be stopped if he's robbing other people.'

'I seriously don't remember much, so it'll be hard to find him. I'm sure you have plenty of things to do than to find one measly thief.' said Bernando quickly, he absently started to rub his neck.

'You alright?'

'Yes I'm fine, how did you find me?' said Bernando quickly.

'I was about to ask you.' said Harry, his face was confused. 'You rang me with Pansy's phone.'

Shit...thought Bernando.

'Bernando?'

'Uhh...Pansy left her phone in my car when we went for a drive.' Bernando lied.

'Is she back home then?' asked Harry.

'I guess so, she took a PortKey back home an hour ago.' said the other man smoothly, he mentally kicked himself for the hole he had just dug up. 'What are you doing around in London?'

'I needed to talk to someone...found out some bad news earlier...I went straight to London to find my friend Ron Weasley, do you know him?'

'Red head? I know of the Weasleys.'

'He wasn't around...' said Harry uncomfortably. 'Hey Bernando, do you want to go for a few drinks, not a lot of people know about the wedding mix-up. I need to talk to someone.'

'Harry...' said Bernando uncertainly, his neck was killing him but Harry looked desperately at him. 'Fine, let's go, anywhere but Leaky Cauldron.'

oOo

Another bar in London

'Did you read the newspaper article today?' questioned Harry miserably as he chugged down his butterbeer.

'Of course I did.' sighed Bernando. 'That's why I came to collect Pansy, she was upset remember?'

'Oh yeah...' remembered Harry. 'Do you think it's true?'

'I don't know.' answered the other man honestly. 'Why don't you ask Hermione?'

'She can't exactly meet me in public because of the media and stuff...and I know if I see Malfoy, I will punch his face whether the article is true or not! Remember the cafe incident, well after the hospital Hermione was raging with me because I accused her of cheating on me.'

'As if Draco would go for her anyways.' snorted Bernando.

'What's that supposed to mean?' demanded Harry.

'Uhh...' stuttered Bernando, he took a long drink from his glass as he tried to think of damage control. 'I meant...uh...why don't you ask Hermione anyways without accusing her?'

'I suppose that's the only way right? But I don't want to see Malfoy's face.'

'What's wrong with Malfoy's face?' asked Bernando defensively, even Harry looked quizzically at him.

'What?' asked the auror blankly.

'Use the floo, ask her that way.'

'I've tried that before, she's never in the Manor.'

'Try again, you might be lucky.'

'I will do actually, Thanks Bernando.'

'No problem.' said the man and he checked his watch. 'Is that the time? Sorry I have to go meet JP about...some business matters.'

'That's fine. Are you sure you don't want to chase up on this attacker of yours?'

'Nah...he didn't take anything and I'm not hurt in any way. Well I'll best be going, see you around, Potter.'

'Harry.'

'Fine, bye Harry!'

oOo


*WARNING* Time: Harry follows Bernando's advice and manages to get hold of Hermione through the Floo network and finds her and Draco in a compromisingly position. The next scene is when Pansy gets back from getting drinks with Harry while posing as Bernando.


Harry's and Pansy's bungalow, Bangor

When Pansy returned back to their house, it was already dark outside, it took her forever to get the earliest PortKey back home. She put a clean cup under the coffee machine and switched it on before trailing upstairs, she was exhausted and her throat still ached from being strangled earlier. She stripped off her clothes in the bedroom and hid the male clothes she wore as Bernando deep to the back of her wardrobe, not that Harry would look inside but just in case.

She grabbed her nightdress and walked in her underwear to the bathroom. She winced as she pulled the cord of the light and stood in front of the mirror. Bernando stared back at her in the reflection, his handsome face did not reveal how tired she really was. His eyes were bright and mysterious but she already knew her usually glimmering eyes were probably dull due to fatigue. Raising her wand, she tapped twice on top of her head and Bernando's body disappeared slowly and her own body replaced his. Pansy gasped and dropped her wand into the sink, huge bruises appeared on both sides of her neck, big nasty dark purple and green marks tainted her delicate skin. And she had thought that the bruise that Harry gave her on her shoulder from earlier this morning was worse. Her attacker was definitely a man because the marks left from each finger tip was massive so they could only be done by large man hands. She touched one of them gingerly and winced, tears sprang to her eyes and she had to bite her lip to stop crying out in pain.

Pansy dragged her feet over to the bathtub and turned on the taps for a bath to relax herself, she removed her underwear and added some bath salts to the running water to distract herself. She tested the water with her finger and stepped inside the tub, emerging herself slowly into the hot water until her face was above the water, even her ears were buried under the water and she listened carefully to the strange noises vibrated in the water. She sighed with relief and relished the soothing warmth of the water on the bruises on her neck.

Suddenly she felt frightened, she was alone in the house(she assumed that Harry had not returned yet), she huddled quickly into the water and some water splashed onto her face. She was so surprised, she began to cry softly. The horrible incident from earlier had started to hit her, she nearly died! And Draco had no idea, if he knew, he would be here at once holding her and protecting her! Or would he? She scolded herself, she should believe his fidelity and she should know better than anyone not to believe the folly of newspapers who often wrote lies in their articles. However there was a seed of doubt sown in the back of her mind, surely Draco had seen the article himself, why did he not send her flowers to reassure her that it was not true?

'Sorry...'

This bad habit of theirs on walking in on each other in the bathroom had to stop! Pansy was so shocked, she sank further into the water and spluttered as she swallowed some bath water. She sat up immediately and wiped back the wet strands of hair that plastered to her face and she blushed furiously as he stared at her in all her glory.

'Quit staring, Boy Wonder, it's rude.' she snapped hoarsely.

'What happened to you?' whispered Harry.

Pansy mistaken his whisper of shock for desire and she glared at him. 'I went through a stage called puberty at the age of 13 and I grew boobs. I've been having my periods ever since too. Need to know more?'

'What?' asked Harry in disbelief then he sighed. 'I'm not looking at your chest, I'm looking at your neck! What happened?'

'Nothing.' she said shortly and she sank once more further into the water to hide the bruises.

'You've got bruises...someone tried to strangle you.' His tone was almost accusing.

'I haven't been strangled.' she said simply, even though she had to croak her words. 'Get out, I'm having a bath.'

'Let me look.' he said and he stepped towards her.

'No, Potter! Get out!'

'Fine, I'm taking a look later.' said Harry firmly and he left the bathroom.

Pansy cursed herself for being so careless and laid back watching the ceiling.

How was she going to explain it all?

oOo

Bedroom

He was lying on the bed when she walked in, Pansy left her dressing gown on the stool in front of her vanity desk before slipping quickly under the covers and turning her back against him.

'Let me see.' he said gently.

Pansy sighed and sat up, she knew he wasn't going to give in. He knelt in front of her and with utmost tenderness, he gently lifted her chin up and peered around her neck.

'Stop covering them. They were worse than this earlier.' he sighed, he lifted his wand off the bedside table and removed her charm. Immediately the bruises on her neck flushed darker and Harry gasped. 'Who did this?'

'I got into a fight.' shrugged Pansy.

'And...?'

'And...? Nothing happened.'

'Did they get arrested?'

'No, I forgave them.'

'Pansy, you got strangled! You can't just forgive someone for doing that!'

'Well I have a big heart and I did.'

'Who did it?'

'I'm not going to tell you. Everything's been settled, stop asking questions.'

'This is very serious, Pansy, the bruises are really bad, I can try to heal them but we should go to St Mungos.'

'You do it then, I don't want to go to St Mungos!'

Harry sighed and pressed the tip of his wand to each mark and muttered an incantation, he couldn't get rid of the bruises completely but they faded considerably.

'It's not like you to not broadcast it everywhere that you got strangled. Did you tell Malfoy?'

'No I haven't told him, best not to worry him.' shrugged Pansy. 'I didn't broadcast it because I'm a business woman and I don't like to seem weak.'

'You didn't ask to be strangled!'

'I've got a lot to deal with at the moment, I don't have time to punish this person. Like I said, it's been sorted out.'

'You people are funny.' commented Harry. 'I saw Bernando earlier.'

'Oh?' Pansy feigned interest.

'Someone tried to rob him. I found him lying the alleyway passed out.'

'Is he alright?' asked Pansy immediately, she tried not to cringe inside, she was such a good actress!

'He's fine. We even went for drinks after. He didn't remember what the thief looked like and he doesn't want to chase this person down.'

'Strange.' She commented. 'How come you found him?'

'I was in London to visit Ron...and he rang me using your phone.'

'Oh...I must have left it with him.'

'Yes you did.' agreed Harry then he looked at her for a moment as if calculating something. 'I found out something earlier.'

Her heart beat quickened and suddenly her mouth was dry, did he work it out?

'What is it?'

'I found Draco and Hermione in bed when I floo'd them to see if Hermione was in.' said Harry slowly, gauging her reaction. 'He was straddling her; it looked like I interrupted something.'

Pansy was speechless and her hands began to shake. 'It's not true! They would never!'

'I don't know-'

A sharp tap on the window cut him off and they both stared at the large snowy owl knocking on the glass with its dark beak impatiently.

'Who could be owling at this time?' inquired Pansy as Harry reached the window and let the bird in. It flew in quickly and dropped off a large box into Harry's hands before flying off again.

'It's for you.' he said as he read the label. He passed the box to her which was surprisingly light for a such a big box.

'It's from Draco!' crowed Pansy happily as she recognised his hand writing on the label, it said 'To Pansy'.

Harry sat closer on the bed curiously, Pansy untied the large bow swiftly and opened the flaps eagerly. She peered inside the box, she looked for a rather long time actually then she suddenly threw her head back and screamed loudly before pushing the box away and flinging herself onto her pillows sobbing hysterically.

Harry watched her confusedly, he reached for the bottom and lifted it up- a single withered rose which was originally red but now had crumpled into a blackened mess fell onto the covers with a small tag attached to its fragile stem.

'This is the last flower I will ever send.' read Harry.

oOo


*WARNING* Time: We are back to the present!


Malfoy Manor Number Two, London

'Granger! What is your bikini doing in my suitcase?' demanded Draco when he put his new boxers inside the leather case.

'There's no more room in mine for them!' she answered back from the balcony.

'You do know that where we're going is covered in snow right? You don't need them.'

'Oh.'

'I thought being the book-worm you are, you would have researched every little detail!'

'Leave me alone, I didn't bother researching okay?'

He shook his head and flung the black sequined bikini onto the bed then went back to packing his own things when he stared a blue garment inside his suitcase.

'Granger! What is your nightie doing in my suitcase?'

'Oh it's a spare! You know just in case my suitcase goes missing, I'll have back up in yours!'

'Fucking hell-'

'My extra toiletries are also in there under your shoes, my second make up bag is on top of your shirts and-'

'You mean there's more of your things in here?'

'Stop fussing.' she chided when she walked into the bedroom, holding a tied piece of parchment in her hand. 'Are you still stopping all contact with Harry?'

'You haven't been sending him any owls.' he said slyly but when she gave him a dark look, he sighed. 'I haven't done anything since you yelled at me that night. Doesn't mean I don't check though, the truth is you haven't been owling him since.'

'No I haven't.' she glared at him. 'But I've been floo'ing him, ringing him...don't give me that look. I know it can be intercepted! But I think he blocked me from his Floo network and he won't answer his phone. I even rang Ron and he said he can't get through to Harry either.'

'So now you're going to send him an Owl?' asked Draco indicating her hand with a jerk of his head.

'I know he probably won't read it, I'm thinking of sending it to Pansy.'

'To Pansy?'

'Yeah to tell him to talk to me.'

'What makes you think he'll listen to her?'

'He most likely won't. I'm desperate though, if I pester her, she'll pester him...'

'Speaking of Pansy...she hasn't talked to me in a while.' Draco narrowed his eyes.

'She hasn't? How does she normally communicate with you?'

'The silly girl sends me pens.' smiled Draco fondly. 'One click on the pen and the pen automatically writes a short message on a page for me and it self-erases after ten seconds. For my eyes only though. She conceals them as business pens, so clever.'

'Why don't you do the same instead of sending her flowers?'

'Because she loves flowers and it's much more romantic.'

'Why didn't you suggest this pen thing to me and Harry? Then Harry would still be talking to me!' said Hermione angrily.

'You're nobody to me.' responded Draco honestly. 'Why should I help your relationship? Obviously you two aren't very compatible if your relationship can be wrecked that easily. You don't trust each other.'

Hermione didn't reply, she crumbled the piece of parchment in her hand and tossed it onto the bed. She returned to the balcony and slammed the twin doors behind her. Draco rolled his eyes and summoned a house elf to bring up another suitcase to put all of Hermione's 'extra' things in.

Pansy would usually send a pen to him straight away after she received his flowers. He sent a large bouquet a few days ago to tell her how much he loved her but she didn't not respond. Draco knew how dissatisfied she could be, so he sent a bigger bouquet the day after but yet she did not reply back. Then yesterday he sent her the special flowers that he would give her every birthday and she still did not reply. Draco frowned and wondered if their secret code had been cracked by a reporter. He decided he would check it later.

His phone started to buzz on the bedside table and Draco crawled over the bed to get it, he grabbed the silver device and pressed the answer button.

'Hello?'

'Malfoy, is she there?'

'Potter?'

'Yes Malfoy, it's me.' Harry sounded irritated on the other side of the phone. 'I need to talk to her.'

'I heard you've been ignoring Granger the past few days.'

'Get her on the fucking phone, Malfoy.' snarled Harry. 'What are you, the relationship analyser?'

'I can't. What if someone taps onto this line?'

'I don't care!'

'Is that Harry on the phone?' asked Hermione breathlessly at the balcony doors, her face was tear stained, she had been crying outside.

'Here Scarhead wants to talk to you.' Draco held out the phone and Hermione accepted so eagerly, she didn't even get annoyed about his term of endearment for Harry.

'Harry?'

'Hello Hermione.'

'Why haven't you been answering my calls?'

'I needed to think, Hermione-'

'That's not an excuse!'

'Will you listen to me? I've been thinking...lots...the past few days. I can't find any reason to justify you for being in such a compromising position with him.'

'We were fighting-' explained Hermione.

'And he ended up on top of you?' Harry finished sarcastically.

'Stop it! What's wrong with you?'

'I know Malfoy's tons better looking than me, he's has a lot more money than I do and he probably showering you with all these expensive presents-'

'You know that's not true!'

'He hasn't done anything like that?'

'Well I do admit, his contacts helped my research project a lot.'

'See.' said Harry bitterly.

'You sound just like Ron! Why are you being so jealous?'

'How do I know this isn't another Ron incident?' demanded Harry.

'Harry! You promised you wouldn't bring that up again!'

'I didn't think I needed to! I didn't think I would find the woman I love in bed with another man again!'

Draco froze, even though Harry's voice was still a little fuzzy, he could hear every word he said.

'Harry...please...you know what happened. We've discussed this already. You've forgiven me already.'

'Hermione, you started acting funny. After the hospital thing, youmade me feel guilty and you wouldn't talk to me for days when you were actually screwing around with Mal-'

'Don't you dare accuse me again, Harry Potter!' said Hermione angrily, tears spilled from her brown eyes. 'I did send you Owls but stupid Malfoy intercepted all our mail.'

'Sure he did, Hermione, sure he did.' Harry's voice was thick too.

'HE DID!' she screamed down the phone then she paused, breathing heavily before finally looking into Draco's eyes. 'He hung up on me.'

'I'm sorry.' muttered Draco.

'You should be.' she sniffed, she swallowed hard. She sat down on the edge of the bed, defeated but Draco wondered why she wasn't sobbing her eyes out yet.

'So...this happened before?' he quizzed.

'You were listening.' she accused.

'You had my phone.' he shrugged. 'At one point, I thought it was either going to drown in tears or get smashed up by you, you were pretty angry.'

'Yes...' sighed Hermione, she laid back on the bed. 'I was with Ron before I was with Harry. I really did love Ron but sometimes he was so insensitive and he was always so jealous. Then one night, Harry made me realise I was worth much more than that and I began to fall for Harry instead because he really cared for me. I ended things with Ron and he surprisingly took things well because we were arguing all the time but he did not take it well that me and Harry were getting on so well. Too well in fact. I was sceptical of our relationship after having just come out of a bad one. I didn't know if I did love Harry or if I just wanted his love and attention. So one night whenever Harry was working a night shift, Ron came over to drop off a jumper that he borrowed off Harry and we had a bottle of wine...me and Ron were seriously just friends but I guess because we used to have a thing...and one thing lead to another. We just kissed on the bed and things nearly got carried away. I swear we never went further than kissing and even if Harry didn't come back, I don't think they would have progressed any more intimate because it actually felt wrong. It was then I knew I did love Harry and I did want him and not just the loving relationship. But Harry was furious!'

'So you didn't sleep together?' asked Draco confused.

'No! I told you we didn't! There was a lot of explaining to do. We talked and talked and we've been inseparable ever since.'

'Have you ever been away from him for long?' he suddenly asked.

'Well apart from the few odd trips away for two days or so for research matters but usually I send my staff instead.' said Hermione thoughtfully.

'See...there's your problem.' he nodded.

'The problem?'

'You didn't go away because you didn't want him to worry. Which means there is still strain in your relationship. You're scared he'll accuse you of cheating. No wonder why he so quickly accuses you.'

'You're being pretty insightful, were you a relationship analyser?'

'Funny, Potter said the same thing. I'm just telling what a stranger sees it as.'

'Will you please tell Harry there's nothing going on between us?' she begged.

'No, I don't think he'll listen.' he said simply and when she opened to her mouth to protest, he added, 'And I'm a smart man, I'm not going to let him hex my balls off. It's not a matter of whether me and you did anything. Because we didn't. It's the level of trust between you two. If he had any sense in that scarred head of his, he'll know we've never liked each other and we will never get it on!'

oOo

The next morning

Malfoy Manor Number Two

'I told him not to talk to you.' muttered Draco angrily and he glanced at Hermione. 'Can you see why I intercepted your calls?'

Hermione stared wordlessly at the article in front of her. 'They' made front news again. 'SCANDALOUS HERMIONE GRANGER SCREWS AROUND WITH THE OTHER TWO OF THE GOLDEN TRIO AND THEIR SCHOOL ENEMY'

'Due to a trustworthy source of information, there is something strange going on between the odd newly wedded couples that we can't place at the moment. It seems that Miss Hermione Granger cannot get over her former sweetheart, Mr Harry Potter. It also appears that they having been keeping in contact but her new husband, Draco Malfoy, intercepted all their owls after discovering their affair. However this is not the first time Granger has been unfaithful! Our reporter managed to find some juicy news that she frolicked around with her former childhood sweetheart, Ron Weasley, while she was with Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived walked into the pair in bed and was devastated indeed. Grangers also admits to Potter that her husband is much desirable than he is because her research project is now blooming.' read Draco out aloud, Hermione cringed and began spooning her cereal into her mouth quickly, making a lot of noise to drown out his voice. He put the paper down and sighed. 'It seems like their line wasn't very strong.'

'How do you know?'

'They didn't mention other bits of information in the call like you ignoring him after the hospital and so on.' explained Draco, he held up his hand and took out his ringing mobile. 'Hang on...hello?'

Hermione crumbled up the newspaper and aimed it at the kitchen bin but she missed. Her own phone which was lying on top of the table started to vibrate too. It was one of her staff, Tim.

'Hello, Tim?' she answered tiredly.

'Hermione, have you read the newspaper yet?' her staff urged.

'Yes...Tim, how can I not?' she said.

'Bad news, all our sponsorships are withdrawing their input, lots of the purebloods are cancelling their donations. If we don't stop them now, we'll be officially bankrupted in two hours!'

'WHAT? Why didn't you tell me sooner?' demanded Hermione loudly, Draco looked at her questioningly. She opened her mouth to speak but he looked at her shocked.

'Yes, I understand, hang on Mr Grimmel.' Draco put his client on hold and looked at her. 'You're not going to like this but my client read the article today and he wants his donation back.'

'No!' groaned Hermione. 'I just scheduled plans for that money yesterday! I already made the transaction to pay for everything!'

Draco explained the situation to the man and Hermione could hear the loud shouting on the other side of the line.

'I'm truly sorry, I'm sorry I can't change your mind because that article is all lies. However I do respect your beliefs and I will transfer to money today by noon sharp.' said Draco in a business-like manner.

'How much do you need to keep your group going?' asked Draco as soon as he hung up.

Hermione's mouth fell open, her eyes widened and he continued to stare at her seriously, he shook his head urging her to speak.

'Well?' he said.

'Thank you Draco! Thank you!' she cried, she pushed her bowl away and the milk spilt across the table but she did not care. She rose out of her seat and threw herself onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and she kissed him soundly on the lips.

'Cut it out, Granger.' said Draco, a little dazed and surprised, he pushed her off him and she looked a bit meeked and embarrassed. 'We haven't got a lot of time, it's nearly half ten and I need to get that money to Grimmel soon. Get changed, we're going to the Gringotts.'

oOo

Diagon Alley, London

'Did the money go through, Tim?' demanded Hermione on the phone.

'Yes yes, it's fine. We're stable now. All thanks to your husband!'

'Mr Grimmel, I am just ringing to inform you that your money has been fully refunded to you, I hope we can do still business together...yes? That's wonderful, have a good day.'

Hermione watched him hang up, Draco slipped his phone back into his pocket and caught her gaze.

'Is there a reason why you're looking at me like a love sick puppy?' he asked, walking ahead of her.

She ran to catch up with him, 'No...I'm so...overwhelmed...you're so generous, Draco.'

'Please stop saying my name like that, I prefer the old 'Malfoy!' that was laced with venom.'

'My research group nearly fell down if it wasn't for you! My staff would have lost their jobs and you saved a lot of magical creature's lives!'

'Alright, stop it, my ears aren't used to Hermione Granger praising me. Geez, you're so easy to please.' he smirked. 'You're like butter in my hands now.'

'You gave me a lot of money.' she said pointedly. 'You didn't have to.'

'Granger, I didn't do it for you. I did it for my own rep. What would people say if Draco Malfoy didn't fund his wife's project? We're supposed to be in love remember? If I saved your company, people will believe that today's article isn't true because I wouldn't have helped you would I? If I was angry with you for cheating on me? Think of it as a second chance, if you do something fantastic with this group of yours, people might overlook today's scandal. Then my wife won't be labelled as a cheat. You need to start gaining the trust in your sponsers again, I can't support you forever.'

'If I was in love with you right now, I would be telling you right now that I love you.' said Hermione.

'Please stop it, you're making me sick.' he pretended to gag. He looked at his watch. 'I know our honeymoon's for this weekend but I think we should move it forward. We've attracted to much media here, I think it will do us all good if we leave the country and let things calm down.'

'Alright.' agreed Hermione, she still felt so relieved and gratified that something as serious as her company going bankrupt could be resolved so quickly; she could say yes to anything right now! 'When do you want to leave?'

'I think we should leave tonight.' suggested Draco. 'But first, we need to visit two people.'

oOo

Harry and Pansy's bungalow, Bangor

'Can I help you?' asked Pansy rudely as she opened the front door. A woman in her mid twenties with long blonde hair and sad expression stood before her.

'Can I come in?' spoke the strange woman.

'No...because I don't know you.' said Pansy and she tried to shut the door but the blonde woman stopped her, she looked around furtively and whispered. 'It's Hermione.'

'Gr-?' squeaked Pansy.

'Sh! Just let me in!' hissed Hermione.

Pansy stepped aside and let her inside, Hermione looked around her former home initially with a bright smile then her face fell when she couldn't recognise the unfamiliar decorations.

'I made the place a bit more homier for me.' explained the dark haired beauty. 'I'll pay to restore it back to the way it was after the year's up!'

'Draco wants to see you but he didn't come with me because he didn't want to fight with Harry.' said Hermione when she noticed Pansy looking longingly outside the door.

'Where is he then?' the designer asked eagerly.

'Follow this address.' Hermione instructed, she gave her a slip of parchment. 'There's reporters hiding around outside, you need to conceal yourself. Have you used a glamour charm before?'

'Of course I have.' snorted Pansy. She took the paper from Hermione and Hermione touched the top of her dark hair until she looked exactly like the blonde woman.

'Perfect.' murmured Hermione. 'Do you know where Harry is?'

'In the bedroom, I think.' answered Pansy.

'Thanks. You need to wear these clothes I'm wearing or it'll look weird that you've got changed.'

Pansy looked disdainfully at the outfit Hermione was wearing at the moment and sighed.

'I'll assume you haven't moved the bathroom to another room.' joked Hermione. 'I'll get changed.'

She had brought a change of clothes in her handbag and she gave them to Pansy who was comfortable with her body and so desperate to see Draco, she stripped off and changed in front of the other woman.

'I'll see you later.' said Pansy, flicking back her long blonde hair and she bounded out through the door.

Hermione swallowed deeply as she locked the door and ascended the stairs. Pansy was right, Harry was lying on the bed; tired and stressed but looking as perfect as usual.

'Hermione!' he said stunned.

'Harry!' she cried and she flung her bag onto the sofa.

She didn't care that this room looked different, she didn't care that the bed they made love on so many times was now in the garage because she was here and he was here. Could it only be a week since that fiasco happened? It felt like an eternity. She knew he missed her as much as she did because he thrust his tongue straight inside her mouth and he usually would introduce a tender kiss first. They grasped at each other clothes' desperately, he fondled her curves through her dress lovingly, his hands flipped back and forth from different parts of her body, he wanted to touch her all at once.

oOo

Pansy and Draco didn't even bother speaking when she entered the room. She didn't even knock on the door, he had recognised the pattern of the padding of her feet, her hand had barely touched the door handle when he yanked it open and pulled her in. She gasped in surprise as he pinned her to the door and his hand immediately slipped under her tasteless blouse touching her perfect breasts.

'I want to see you, Pansy.' he managed to murmur when he detached hi mouth from hers unwillingly. Pansy obeyed immediately and removed the glamour charm. She was taller than the woman Hermione charmed her to be so the clothes strained against her skin but it drove Draco wild. Now he could see every pore of her and he wasted no time ripping off the taut material and worshipping her tanned body with his tongue and teeth.

oOo

Harry deepened the kiss and Hermione moan turned him so much, he had to bite down on her bottom lip to calm himself down, he drew blood because he could taste the metallic taste in his mouth, he tried to unbutton her dress but his hands were shaking so much with want and desire, he yanked her clothing apart instead. He crowed with delight when he saw her perfect mounds of breasts that he loved so much. He stroked down her flat stomach and Hermione quivered.

oOo

They finally made it to the bed and they successfully removed all their clothes. Pansy looked down up shyly at Draco as if it was their first time making loving together. Draco pressed his fingers to her lush lips and she parted her lips, he swirled his fingers inside her moist mouth and pulled them back out, trailing his wet fingers down between the valley of her breasts and lead them over her toned stomach and drove his fingers deep inside her pleasure centre.

'Draco...' she murmured.

oOo

Hermione wouldn't stop thrashing on the bed as Harry's long fingers continued to stroke inside her; deeply and quickly. Harry's other free hand was tantalisingly teasing her hard nipple until she was begging him for more, he ignored her pleas and continued to play her like an instrument, his fingers forming an escalating symphony inside her as he strummed her wet walls and his fingers drummed a beat as he pinched and swirled her nipple. Finally he replaced his fingers and took her nipple between his teeth.

'Harry...' she moaned.

oOo

He couldn't hold it back anymore, he needed to be inside her...now. He could taste her desire on his wet fingers, he parted her legs and lifted them around his waist, he stroked the inside of her wet thighs...just to be sure she really was here. Swiftly, he buried himself inside her and he nestled his face in the wealth of her hair, inhaling her scent and gasping for air as their hips started to move together.

No more media, no more wedding mix up, no more annoying husband and wives.

Just him and her.

oOo

Hotel

'Baby.' murmured Draco as he stroked Pansy's bare back after their passionate love making.

'Hm?' she mumbled, relishing the moment.

'Why haven't you been replying to my flowers?'

'Draco, that's rich, don't play dumb.'

'I'm not! You stopped sending the pens!'

'Pansy I've been sending you flowers every day, didn't you get them?'

'No.' she said blankly. 'I got the last ones a few days ago...'

'Did you not like it?'

'No! What kind of question is that? I hated it! It was really hurtful of you to send them!' she snapped then she suddenly got off and slid of the bed. 'I don't even know why I just slept with you, after you being so horrible to me!'

'What?' he said.

'You don't just ditch me and then pick me back up whenever you want to, Draco Malfoy!'

'I never ditched you, Pansy!'

'I heard from my PA that you were funding Granger's stupid little research project.' Pansy said darkly as she mended her clothes with her wand.

'I did.' answered Draco simply, he wasn't sure he liked where this was going.

'Why?'

'Because one of my clients gave her a very generous donation as a wedding gift and now he wants it back because he said he wasn't donating to the...and I quote 'Scandulous wife' of mine. It was a lot of money and she had already processed the money, I didn't want to lose his business so I paid him back.'

'No, Draco, you misheard me, I said why did you pay for her business so that she didn't go bankrupt?'

'Because if I didn't help her, I would seem like a selfish husband-'

'I notice you keep referring to her as your wife and you, her husband. Quite intimate eh? You've accepted that your married.'

'But we are married, Pansy.'

'I haven't accepted Potter as my husband!'

'Pansy, you're blowing this out of proportion!'

'I am not!'

'Yes you are! You're jealous! You're trying to blame me for everything!'

'Well it could well be your fault!' she screamed.

'If we have to point any fingers, it's your bloody fault then, Mrs Potter!' he said spitefully. 'It was you who wanted a fucking Chinese wedding, all this shit about covering the face. The whole point of having a lace veil is that you can see the bride! If it wasn't for your genius idea of a wedding, there might not be a fucking mix up!'

Pansy said nothing but her bottom lip quivered as she finally buttoned up the last button on her blouse with her shaking hands, large fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

'Oh shit, Pansy...I'm sorry...I didn't mean any of that.' Draco's chest suddenly felt tight, he had just hurt his girl.

'Don't touch me.' she gasped for breath as she tried to hold her sobs back.

'I'm so sorry, baby, please-' said Draco, anguished.

'I'm leaving.' announced Pansy, she picked up her coat.

'Pansy! We're just havinga hiccup in our relationship, this whole mess is affecting and putting strain on us! We're strong, we can get through-'

'I slept with Harry.' confessed Pansy.

Draco stared blankly at her, he let go of her arm. It was a while before he could speak. 'What...'

'I'm sorry.' she apologised.

'Was it a mistake?' he begged her with his eyes. Tell me you're lying or it was a drunken mistake? He pleaded in his mind.

'No, I wanted him as much as he wanted me.' she said coldly.

He sat down on the bed and rubbed his face, he always did that whenever he was stressed or upset. It ached Pansy to see him like this.

'Goodbye, Draco. Maybe we can see where we stand after one year.' she suggested. He did no respond so she took this cue to leave.

But before her hand touched the lock on the door, he spoke, 'I'm leaving for Japan tonight, I'm going with Hermione for our honeymoon.'

Wordlessly, Pansy drew her wand and used the glamour charm before unlocking the door and leaving the hotel room. It was only until she was safely in the lift and the doors drew shut, she collapsed to the floor and cried her eyes out as the lift descended silently to reception.

oOo

Harry's and Pansy's bungalow, Bangor

After their lovemaking, it was only for a few seconds they both fell back gasping for breath when Hermione suddenly sat up, shaking her head.

'You okay, love?' asked Harry, he ran his fingers along her spine and she shivered.

'We shouldn't have done that.' answered Hermione immediately. She got up and pulled her dress back on, frowning when she was missing some buttons and she went on her knees to look for them.

'What?' asked Harry in disbelief.

'I came to talk to you, not to end up in bed with you.' Hermione sighed, she stood back up with the buttons in one hand and she fixed them with her wand. 'I don't mean that making loving just there wasn't good because it was amazing.'

'Well what's wrong then?'

'Harry.' she frowned. 'Just because we're good in bed doesn't mean we're okay. We need to talk about us.'

'Okay.' he said eagerly. 'I've been thinking about us too.'

'You have?' she inquired. 'You tell me your part first then.'

'This entire thing is wrecking us but I think we can pull through this.' said Harry looking at her but she was staring at her feet.

'You see Harry, I don't.' she said finally, her eyes were glistening with tears when she met his emerald ones. 'I'm here to tell you that we can't be together. I'm ending this relationship.'

'Hermione, what are you saying? Please tell me you're lying. Is this about the whole accusing thing with Malfoy because if it is-'

'That's exactly what I'm talking about. You need to trust me. It's been years since that Ron thing and I thought you let go of that and that you've forgiven me but you clearly haven't because you still don't trust me. It's not just Malfoy, if a guy you found potentially dangerous to us, you would still act jealous like this. We've just been so good together these past few years because that "guy" hasn't turned up until recently and that's Malfoy. I realised I've been secretly holding back, I don't go on research trips because I know you would be uncomfortable. If we were really that good together, surely I can go anywhere without feeling guilty?'

'I would never have minded if you wanted to go away, Hermione. I love you and I know you wouldn't cheat on me.'

'Harry, you thought I was cheating on you with Malfoy. I mean, come on, Malfoy! You know better than anyone else that we dislike each other so much!'

'I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking.' pleaded Harry. 'Give me another chance.'

'I do love you Harry but we're causing unnecessary strain on each other. I think we should break up for now. If we're meant to be together...well time will tell.' shrugged Hermione.

'Stay here tonight, Hermione, I'm sure Pansy doesn't mind. And we will talk, talk through everything, I haven't talked to you in such a long time.' he begged.

'No, Harry, I'm going to Japan with Draco tonight.'

oOo


A/N Apologies...I don't know why the updated version of this didn't come through properly. Fear not, everything has been fixed now =)

So the couples have finally broken up! It's sad but it needs to be done! I know this chapter isn't as funny as the others but I hope you can understand why. I have a few pointers to make:

1. Some readers think the whole Bernando subplot is pointless. Please bear with me as I have plans for him, I didn't just throw him in for fun! It's going to affect Harry and Pansy's relationship and that's I'm going to say.

2. Some of you are confused about the flowers thing and why Pansy got withered flowers when Draco has only been sending her fresh flowers. Again, please bear with me and the truth will be revealed.

3. It may seem just too convenient that these two couples broke up but I like to say I'm a realist, no relationship is perfect. People do get jealous and untrustworthy so I'm basing it on that.

NEXT CHAPTER:

Hermione and Draco goes on their honeymoon to Japan.

Pansy thought when she was attacked last time that it was just a one off when things start to get out of hand. She's got an auror husband so why won't you tell him, girl?


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