A/N: Okay I know I haven't posted on this in almost three months, and for that I apologize, this winter had been ridiculous for me, but I've settled into a more calm routine and I hope to get back into the swing of things, I've got this story planned very well and just have to write it, and I've also brain stormed tons of new material for other stories, so I will be posting TONS in the next couple of weeks I hope.

Phoenx-Dreamer16 - I know what you mean, I hate my phone, my notifications never show up, and it's a freaking android!

Science-Fantasy93 - Thank you so much for the compliment about my Prophet article, I was re reading this story to get back into the swing of it and I have to say, I think I agree, I did well haha.

mjvegas - I hope you enjoy this one as well

Anzlicious - McDonagalls will one day take over the country.

DanielaCullen1901 - I'm glad I swayed you to join the ship a bit :)

hellothereloser123 - i'm glad I make you laugh, and tense we shall be.

OBLuvr13 - Thanks, and you'll probably be a little shocked by this one, it's not as dramatic as some of you are hoping I don't think, so no worries.

aalyiahelddir - You'll see :)

siriusblack98 - I really hope you approve of my Narcissa.

cmtaylor531 - I'm glad that I excite you :)

FAAL - I'm glad you approve of my characterization, Ginny is one of those characters that I love to write, and since you've shown an interest in Ron, I feel the need to tell you that I'm working on a fic that develops Ron a LOT more, gives him some maturity and insight, ya dig?

MagikSpeedos - I really wish I had thought to finish this story before posting, just because I would satisfy more readers, but I write for myself, not the reviews to be honest.

.Destiny - I'm glad my title made you laugh, and Rita certainly is a tard, but we all knew that :)

Hermione J. G. Weasley - Captivating, I like it :)

Draco flooed to his apartment from Hermione's office, rubbing a hand over his face in obvious distress. He hated to admit it to himself, but he was scared. He was fearful of his father's reaction to the morning's Prophet. His father was a highly unpredictable man, and he was most certainly capable of harming Hermione, the very thought of which caused Draco's hands to shake with anger.

Draco leaned on the counter and closed his eyes, trying deperately to regulate his breathing. He knew it would only be a matter of time before the repricussions of Rita Skeeter's article made themselves known. A soft pop sounded behind him, causing him to jump and whirl around, wand at the ready.

"Do put that away son, you'll harm your dear mother." Narcissa glared at the offending object. "You look foolish, did you think I would come to attack you?" She scoffed.

Draco mumbled under his breath about who he was expecting to attack but lowered his wand warrily nevertheless. Narcissa eyed him for a moment thoughtfully and Draco shifted guiltily on his feet under her watchfulgaze. He hated being scrutinized.

"I read a rather interesting article this morning." Narcissa commented, charming his coffee pot to brew, realizing her son wasn't so much as going to offer her a beverage. "Funny really, dear Rita is under the impression that you're dating that Granger girl." She noted carefully. "Now is this all just a misunderstanding of have you something to share with me?" She asked sweetly.

Draco drew in a breath while thinking of how to best answer her.

"It's not a misunderstanding..." he began cautiously, causing Narcissa to raise a perfectly tweezed eyebrow. "I am dating her." He announced, lifting his chin with a level of false cofidence that surprised even himself. "Now you and Father can disinherit me all you like Mother, but I will do as I please." He stated, waiting for the expected argument. Narcissa studied him for a moment, taking a sip of her freshly poured cup of coffee.

"I can see I was wrong to think you would outgrow this ridiculous rebellous stage of yours anytime soon." She commented thoughtfully, causing Draco to grind his teeth.

"I'm not going through a stage mother." He growled out. "I've learned better than to believe in Father's prejudices since the war." He declared. "Perhaps you should as well, Merlin knows how it's effected our family. I won't have it anymore, and for that I am glad." Draco told her, hs voice steadying. "Aunt Andromeda invited me to dinner this weekend. I'm 21 years old and I will finally meet my Aunt for the first time now that I've gotten over your outdated beliefs." He declared.

Narcissa's expression reminded him of somebody who had just swallowed a lemon. She composed herself quickly however, and placed her coffee mug down on his counter gently.

"Very well son." She amended in a tone that let him know she had decided to humor him. "Continue to see the girl if you must. I'll convince your father that it will help to restore the Malfoy name. You can expect no interferance from your dear parents, but when she turns her back on you I don't want to hear it." Narcissa spat. "You're of two different worlds Draco, and it won't last, mark my words." With that, Narcissa turned on her heel and disapparated, leaving a slightly dumbfounded Draco in her wake.

-oOo-

Hermione was planning on spending the day in her office, but after so many visits from coworkers, popping in to question her sanity and her relationship status, she gave up and stormed out of her office, notifying Isra that she was taking the rest of the day for herself. Isra smiled warmly at her in understanding and told her to enjoy the day with somebody special.

"I dated a Slytherin once you know," Isra smiled, "all of my girlfriends thought I was crazy, but he sure could kiss." She laughed. "Mr. Malfoy's a nice man, you could do worse. Besides, he's extremely handsome." She blushed.

Hermione smiled at Isra's words and thanked her, before telling her she should take the rest of the day for herself as well, and to get some shopping done or something. Isra thanked her and mentioned that she needed to get to Diagon Alley anyways.

Feeling slightly better, Hermione apparated home from the Ministry's assigned apparition point and gladly kicked off her dragonhide heels. Those things seriously made her miss school uniforms and her comfy Mary Janes. She sank into her couch and fumed for a minute over the mornings events. Oh how she'd like to dig her wand into Rita Skeeter's back! Hermione hadn't been so angry in a long time, and she could just hit something. The nerve of that woman! To go meddling in others personal affairs! And then to have her coworkers question her. Zacharias Smith be damned! He'd been so brazen as to suggest that she was ashamed of her relationship with Draco, and suggested that was the only reason she'd 'hidden it.' Hermione was not one to be ashamed of anything she did however. She'd show him!

With that thought in her head, she bounded up from her seat on the couch and stormed over to the hearth. Sticking her head in the grate, she dropped some floo powder in to firecall Draco. He had told her before leaving her office that he was taking the day off and would most likely be home.

"Draco!" Hermione all but barked. She waited impatiently as she heard him scurry from his kitchen into the living room and knelt down to her eye-level. Draco looked relieved when he saw her head in the floo.

"Oh Mione, it's you." He smiled at her.

"Of course it's me, who else would it be?" She questioned. Draco shrugged kind of sheepishly.

"Well, my mother just left... I thought maybe." He trailed off. Hermione nodded in understand, biting her lip.

"Do you want to maybe go get lunch together and talk about it? There's that cute new cafe in Diagon Alley, The Augurey." She asked, hoping he'd be comfortable with the idea. Draco contemplated it for a moment, but the look on her face really gave him no choice.

"I'd love to." He smiled. "I'll be over in thirty minutes." He promised, blowing her a kiss before she pulled her hair out of the fire.

A/N: I again apologize for taking so long to get back to this, but I'll try to make it up to you all, I swear.