Next chapter! I'm very excited to carry on with this story after such a long time, i'm so sorry to have kept people waiting.
Like I have explained before, this story goes halfway between the books and the film, therefore it is up to you whether you decide if Harry is disguised as 'Barney' or not - because it is not essential to this story, as I will not be including Krum. Sorry to confuse anybody, but i'd rather pick the events that I like from the books and films, and use them to my advantage. Thank you :)

The official wedding ceremony was over - and it had been of popular opinion that Fleur had looked extremely beautiful, and Bill had never looked happier in his life. It was times like these, Hermione thought, that the war was less potent on the mind than most. She allowed herself a moment to grieve for Dumbledore and Moody, and then followed Ron - avoiding Muriel - to a table where Luna was sat.

Hermione craned her head toward a crowd to see if she could spot Bill and Fleur, and upon the realisation that it would be nearly impossible to catch a glimpse of them, she turned back around to find Ron making fun of Luna and her father.
Angered and feeling second-hand embarrassment, she aimed a swift kick under the table at Ron sat across from her - rocking the drinks slightly upon impact. Harry made a small pained noise; Hermione must have accidentally caught him. She cringed.
"Sorry." she mouthed at Harry, who had hunched over slightly, with his eyes half closed.
Luna didn't seem too bothered by Ron's remark - her attention caught by something else.
She turned to follow Luna's gaze, to find Bill and Fleur on the dance floor, she clapped with delight and watched as more people joined them.
Luna joined the growing crowd and started dancing like a spinning-top, Hermione turned back to the table, laughing. She glared at Harry as he prodded Ron as if to force him to act.

"Come and dance." Ron blurted abruptly.
Hermione was taken aback at the sudden offer, and almost laughed at his lack of manners. She smiled and got up from her chair; following Ron into the crowd; her bag over her shoulder.

Ron turned to face Hermione; he looked so awkward it was almost endearing.
Hermione was very pleased Ron had finally plucked up the courage to ask her to dance - she almost felt like a proud mother considering how the Yule Ball in 4th year had turned out.
"Well..." Hermione said after a moment, "are you going to-"
"-Yeah, I know-" Ron replied.
"-you know how to dance, don't you Ronald?" Hermione asked. Ron turned a redder shade of his hair.
"Is it THAT kind of dancing, or-?" Ron questioned.
"It doesn't matter, just dance!" Hermione laughed. She placed her hands on his shoulders and began to lead him, he hesitantly placed his hands on her waist and they began to dance to the fast tune.
After a few minutes, when Ron still seemed nervous Hermione raised an eyebrow-
"I don't bite Ron."
"I know, I just-" at that moment, Hermione caught a glimpse of white hair across the orchard, and Ron's attention was caught by a waiter carrying butterbeer and firewhisky. "I'm going to get some drinks." he exclaimed, following a waiter. And off he went, leaving Hermione to stand there, alone.

Hermione's attention turned back to the orchard, where she thought she had seen a mop of white hair. She looked around to check nobody was looking directly at her, and took off, straight through the middle of the crowd- acting normal as she went.
Once out of the canopy, she strolled toward the trees.

She entered the treeline, paused for a moment to retrieve her wand from her bag, and carried on walking, turning her head to check for a flash of platinum.
Suddenly, a hand gloved in lace reached out to grip her elbow, she almost screamed, until she saw platinum hair - but it wasn't who she expected.
"Mrs Malfoy?" she questioned.
"I hope you have everything you need in that bag." Narcissa hissed, gently.
"What's going on?"
"Draco will be here soon, he'll protect you and your friends."
"How?"
"Polyjuice- black hair, grey eyes. He's a good boy, I know you realise that."
"I do-"
"Look after yourself, and look after Potter - by doing so you'll be looking after Draco. That's all I ask."

There was a small 'POP' as a platinum mop of hair appeared behind her.
"I must go." Narcissa exclaimed, she gave a half-smile and left with a 'POP'.
Hermione felt very flustered. She took a moment.

"Draco." she mumbled "What in the bloody hell is going on?!"
Draco was annoyingly calm.
"Nice music." he said flatly, looking directly at her. The music was soft and slow now. He walked towards her and placed one of Hermione's hands on his shoulder, and the other in his hand.
A hand on her waist.
He pulled her close.
He shifted the hand on her waist to the small of her back, to pull her closer still.
Hermione was rendered silent. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Draco smirked gently. Hermione's stomach jumped a little.
She wanted to hit him - after he had sent such confusing messages through his actions towards her, but she couldn't help but be grateful that he was alive and well. Although, he seemed to be back to his arrogant self.
Draco put his mouth by her ear-

"Listen to me Granger. Listen carefully."
Hermione nodded as Draco started swaying them both to the music.
"You're all in danger. Such a big event has caught the attention of You-Know-Who and his followers," he said it like he wasn't one of them "they know where you are, and they're going to come."
Hermione's body set alight with panic and she tried to pull away, to run to tell the others.
"No." Draco pulled her back to him to stop her struggling, and carried on swaying. "There's more... They're not going to arrive for at least another 10 minutes, don't worry, they've got to finish what they're doing now, and get organised." Hermione blinked up at him. "I'm here now instead of our meeting at 8. What's happening is a new development and I've come to warn you. I can't speak of it, because it would put my family in danger if somebody tried to foil their plans." Hermione nodded, she understood the logic, even though she knew somebody's life was probably at risk.

Draco dropped his head to her bare neck.
"Keep yourself safe." he whispered. His hot breath on her neck threatened to make her knees weak.
Hermione wound her arms up around his neck and pulled him into a hug - he hesitated for a moment, and then wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Keep YOURself safe." Hermione croaked back.
Draco kissed her neck-
"I never meant to hurt you." Hermione interpreted this as Draco's 'I'm sorry.'
"I know."
"Keep Potter safe." Hermione looked startled, "I know-" Draco smirked. "-I never thought I'd say that either." Hermione gave a small smile. "Even purebloods aren't safe, Granger. The-boy-who-lived-" he mocked, "is our only hope."
Draco pulled back to study Hermione's face. There was a large drop of salty tear teetering on the end of her eyelashes, she blinked and it dropped to her cheek. Draco brushed it away with his thumb.
Hermione hugged him again.
"I'm always here for you." she whispered "You might think you're the worst person in the world, but to me, because of what you've done to rectify yourself, and what you continue to do, you're one of the best." Draco shook his head. "No. you are." she nodded vigorously- her head still on his shoulder-, daring him to defy her. "Seriously, I'm here. You can always talk to me, and you'll always be special to me, no matter what happens." she kissed his forehead.

Hermione turned to walk back toward the clearing, to get back to the dancing in the canopy. As she was brushing away any remaining tears, a hand caught her shoulder and spun her around.
"Hermione."
She felt herself melt at his use of her first name.
His hands came to cup her face; palms under her jaw, fingertips at her cheekbones. His face inched closer to hers- "I'm not entirely sure, but... I think, I love you." he kissed her very gently and pulled away. Hermione stood there for a moment, looking stunned. "Now go back to that bloody farce of a wedding party before anybody comes looking for you."
Hermione smiled, and then laughed. "And remember, the main priority is Potter."
"Only so we can be together... your mother made that clear enough..." Draco's jaw dropped momentarily, and then he caught himself.
"Well, Granger, I always have my selfish reasons don't I? But if you can't live for yourself, who else can you live for?"
Hermione laughed as Draco smirked and took out a small bottle.
"Wait for the signal from the Ministry before you alert anyone; otherwise people will be suspicious." Hermione didn't question him, and simply nodded.
He downed the contents of the bottle, cringing as he did so, and replaced the cap of the bottle.
Hermione watched as the polyjuice caused him an uncomfortable transformation into a black-haired, grey eyed man; she smiled sympathetically.
"Bye, Draco."
"Bye, Gra- Hermione."

Hermione didn't look back, she ran off toward the canopy at full speed to wait for the signal, and to protect Harry.

Thanks for reading. I'll be back with another chapter soon! xxxx