Chapter 21

"Collide"

"Honestly Draco, it's not that big of a deal," Hermione was laying across Draco's bed reading "The History of the House Elf Enslavement", "You go to dinner with your mother all the time."

"I know but she said she has something important to tell me and I'm sure it's that her and Lucius are getting divorced," he was pacing the length of his room.

"Why do you care? You said that they're better apart," Hermione turned the page.

"What I meant was they don't fight… I suppose I meant it is better for me… my mum doesn't smile like she use to," he stopped pacing and looked a Hermione who was still reading.

"Draco," she looked up at him, "if she is truly unhappy without him she won't divorce him."

"I don't know… I'm sure Aunt Andromeda has convinced her to leave him, she never liked Lucius… but who can blame her, he's not the easiest person to get along with," he sat at the foot of the bed.

"You're blowing this way out of proportion. You don't even know what's going on. Before you get yourself even more worked up find out what the news is," she turned the page.

"I'm not going. If it's really that important she can come tell me. At least that will give me some time to plan my reaction," he stood and began pacing again.

She closed the book and sat up, "You are going. You'll just make yourself even more mental because you don't know what she wanted."

Draco stared at her, "your coming with me."

She chuckled, "no, I'm the last person Narcissa Malfoy wants in her house."

"She won't mind, as long as I show up," he assured her.

"I don't know…"

"You don't want me to go through this traumatic experience alone do you?" He stopped pacing and stood in front of her.

"Yes, if it keeps me from ever having to go back to Malfoy Manor," Hermione crossed her arms across her chest.

_MALFOY MANOR_

"I can't believe you talked me into this," Hermione whispered to Draco at the dining room table. Narcissa was in the kitchen seeing what was taking desert so long.

"Everything has gone smoothly so far," they had already made it through pre-dinner chat, soup, a main course, and salad, "we'll just swallow some pudding, cake, or whatever the hell is for desert and get out of here before she can share the news."

"I don't think so! You forced me here, I have eaten entirely too much of this extravagant meal, I can't breathe, and I'm getting ready to force feed myself desert so I don't look rude! Were staying until we find out what's going on!" Hermione sat back in her chair and glared a Draco.

His eyes widen, "This meal is too extravagant… Oh My God! It's the last supper…." he whispered.

Hermione was getting ready to laugh but stifled as Narcissa came back into the room, "Here we go Apple Tarts and ice cream for all."

Hermione smiled politely as Narcissa placed a plate in front of her, "Thank you it looks delicious," It really did and Hermione wanted to get it all down but knew she would throw up if she did.

Draco stuck his spoon into his ice cream he was getting ready to eat but stopped, "mum what's the important news?" Hermione shot Draco a look.

"I was going to wait until dinner was over," she shifted uneasily in her chair, "but since you obviously can't wait…."

"You and Dad are getting a divorce!"

Narcissa laughed, "I'd have to know where your father is in order for that to happen. And quite frankly I don't bloody fucking care!" Draco's eyes widen at his Mother's language and Hermione almost choked.

"Then… what's so important?" Draco was still trying to grasp what his mother just said.

"You were always the king of drama," she said to Draco's reaction, "I'm going bungee jumping with Andromeda off Tower Bridge," she beamed.

Draco stood up immediately, "Are you Mad! You could die!"

"Relax sweetie no one is going to die. I'm taking a training class. It really is a good way to let off some steam."

"Couldn't you just go shopping," Draco took his seat once again, "you know the bill for your retail therapy always makes Lucius heated."

Narcissa ignored Draco and turned to Hermione, "Andromeda was talking to Percy," Hermione smiled when she heard his name this was definitely something the new Percy would do, "he was telling her about how free and relaxed he feels now that he has tried all these new things. He also suggested scuba and sky diving."

"Do you hear yourself? You are talking about jumping off a bridge!" Draco pressed.

"Calm down"

"Calm down? Calm down?! I thought you were going to tell me that you and Dad are through or… or… that someone died! Not that you have lost all your marbles and are planning on jumping to your death!" he shouted.

"Draco," Hermione said calmly, he looked away from his mother and over to Hermione, "relax," Narcissa was watching intently from her seat. "People go bungee jumping all the time, it's really safe. You should just be glad that it isn't something serious."

"I consider jumping off a bridge serious," he said calmly playing with his ice cream.

"If it makes you feel any better I'm attached to the bridge with a rope!"

_RON AND DRACO'S FLAT_

"I thought it was going to be something important," Draco opened up the door to the flat. He let Hermione in and followed behind her.

"I told you that you were over reacting, it wasn't as bad as you were making it out to be," she sat down, "if you hadn't gone, an kept over dramatizing the whole situation you would have been even more upset then you are now."

"I guess you're right," he started fidgeting with his tie, "I'm going to go change." He stalked off to his room.

Hermione was sitting on the couch staring at the ceiling, "Hi"

She looked up, "Hi Ron".

"Did you just come from work?"

"No, why"

"That's the only time you ever do your hair and your wearing a dress."

She smiled at him, "I went to have dinner with Draco and his Mother. Apparently she had some important news to tell him which wasn't so important…" she looked down and smiled, "but he didn't want to go alone."

Ron nodded in understanding, while thinking why does she care? But he wasn't going to say that out loud so she could scold him, "Hermione?"

"Hm"

"Will you go out with me?" She looked up at him questioningly, "I mean just on a date, something low key and simple." He said in response to her expression. "Probably the way our relationship should have begun."

Hermione thought about it for a moment, she did still like Ron and they're friendship was mended for the time being and she didn't want to ruin that, "I don't think it's such a good idea."

"I promise we'll take things slow… we can go to the cinema and see something with substance this time."

Hermione laughed and looked up, "and I get to pick the film?"

Ron smiled, "of course."

Hermione looked over to him, "yes."

_THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC_

"Good Morning Grace!" Harry said more exuberant then ever while punching in his time card.

"Morning Harry, no messages today," she smiled

"Thank you, have a good day," he walked happily down the hall.

"You're quite chipper this morning," Angelina had come from the break room and had a cup of tea in her hand

"Yup"

"What's going on?" she said taking a sip of her drink and walking with him.

"Ginny is coming home this weekend," he said doing a little shuffle over to the changing room door.

Angelina laughed, "And I thought you were happy for me."

Harry looked at her confused and his eyes widened, "that's right! You go for your Auror test next week. How are you feeling? Are you nervous?" He asked following her over to her locker.

"I'm a bit nervous, I'm sure I can do everything, it's just this is it! I'm going to be a professional fully fledged Auror," she jumped up and down in excitement, "I'm so excited, I can't wait!"

_PLATFORM NINE AND THREE QUARTERS_

Harry paced up and down the platform the train hadn't arrived yet and it was almost 7pm. Harry had gone to get Ginny himself while the Weasley's were at the Burrow preparing her welcome home feast. Harry hadn't been to the burrow in a while, he had been living at 12 Grimmauld and when he attended family dinners they were all at Percy's house. He actually couldn't wait to be at the Burrow again but he also wanted to whisk Ginny away.

Harry stopped pacing when he noticed people staring and whispering. He still wasn't used to the attention, their probably trying to see if I really am dating a Weasley or just waiting to seduce their daughters. Harry snapped out of his thought as he heard the whistle from the train. Steam filled the air and the single light on the front of the train could be seen coming around the corner through the darkness. When the train pulled up students started to fill the platform. One's he knew waved and he waved back and smiled politely. He actually talked to Dennis Creevey for a few moments before his parents pulled him away. Harry looked up and saw Luna step off the train holding one end of a trunk when the rest of the trunk appeared Ginny was holding the other end. Harry made his way through the crowd just as the girls disappeared onto the train again and reappeared with another trunk.

"Harry!" Said Luna cheerfully

"Hi Luna," he said giving her a hug, "did you have a good year?"

"Yes, it was wonderful thank you" she looked around and saw her father, "hi Dad! I'll see you guys later," she dragged her trunk over to her father and hugged him, they disappeared through the barrier.

Ginny was still standing on the bottom step of the train. She rested her head against the wall and smiled, "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Are you kidding? A train full of teenage girls and Harry Potter not being here!" he laughed.

Ginny smiled and rolled her eyes, "are my parents here."

Harry shook his head no, Ginny hopped off the train and into his arms. He kissed her. He picked her up and spun her around.

"I've missed you so much," he kissed her again.

"Of course you have," she smiled and bent down to pick up her trunk handle, Harry took it from her. He took her hand and they disappeared through the barrier. They walked through the train station as Ginny told Harry all about her year and how she couldn't wait until August when she gets to start training with the Holyhead Harpies.

"I can't believe that I'm going to be playing for the Harpies. As soon as I signed the contract I immediately stopped studying for my NEWTs. I haven't even told Mum and Dad yet!" She explained

"I'm sure they'll be thrilled," Harry kept looking to the side at her as they walked.

"Why do you keep staring at me," she asked with an awkward expression.

Harry stopped walking and so did Ginny, he stared at her, "What... Say something... Your scaring me Harry... What?"

Harry stepped forward, he didn't say a word he wrapped his arms around Ginny and dipped her into a kiss.

_CINEMA_

"Are you sure it's alright, you're missing Ginny's welcome home party and all?" Hermione and Ron were standing in line to buy movie tickets.

"Yeah, it's at the burrow and I'm not going there so I'll just see her later," Ron ran his hand through his hair nervously

"When do you think you're going to go back?"

"I don't know," Ron quickly changed the subject. He didn't like to think about it, "What film do you want to see?"

Hermione got the hint and didn't press the matter further, "Shakespeare in Love" Ron raised an eyebrow to this decision, "you said I could pick the movie," she smiled to his look.

"I know, but is this going to be some sappy love shit?"

Hermione giggled, "No it's going to be romantic."

They stepped up to the window, "Two for Shakespeare in Love please," Ron bought the tickets, they went into the theater with Hermione assuring Ron that the movie was not going to be as bad as he was making it out to be.

_THE BURROW_

"Oh Ginny were so proud of you!" Mrs. Weasley pulled Ginny into a suffocating hug.

"I know mum. But I can't breathe," She tried to get away from her.

"So what is our little sis going to do now," George patted Ginny on the head as he went to get a piece of cake.

Ginny smiled, "I think I'll play Quidditch!"

"I think George meant long term, not at this moment," Bill was wiping icing off his daughter Victoire's face.

"I meant long term," Ginny kept smiling.

"You're going to try out for a professional Quidditch team? You'd have to be good for that," George laughed.

Ginny frowned, "I was good enough to get signed by the Holyhead Harpies," she shot back.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at her.

"You got signed by the Holyhead Harpies," Charlie stated in disbelief.

"Yes! Why is that so hard to believe? The team manger is in the Slug Club and there was a club party on the day we played for the house cup. He happened to see the game and at the party asked me if I was interested…" she smiled she was so excited, "The next Hogsmead visit we met at the three broomsticks, he came with the contract and a couple of the players from the team." She was practically jumping out of her skin.

Everyone was still silent, "she's telling the truth, I was at Slughorn's party when it happened," stated Harry.

"No offense Harry but your opinion is not very objective," said Percy

"It's not an opinion it's a fact." Harry corrected

Ginny rolled her eyes and stalked out of the kitchen, everyone started talking about how crazy she was, she came back in the room with a piece of paper in her hand, "here's my contract."

"If you say you will be playing for the Harpies then we believe you," George snatched the paper out of her hand and began to look it over, his eyes widen, "Oh my god! She's playing for the Holyhead Harpies!" He shouted with glee, he hugged Ginny and swung her around.

"This is great!" Said Mr. Weasley getting up to hug his daughter, "but someone should have looked over this contract before you signed it," Mr. Weasley took the paper from George and began to examine it.

"Dad its fine," Ginny assured him.

Mr. Weasley's eyes widened, "You're right this is fine! Did you notice how much money your making?"

Charlie snatched the paper from his dad, he looked at the figures and spit out his pumpkin juice, "10,000 Galleons a game and 15,000 if you win and 30,000 if you make it to the World Cup! That's a lot of lute for a reserve"

"It just money and I'm not a reserve… Well I would have been but Linda Pinkweather, the current Seeker, wants to retire so I got bumped to first string. They plan on choosing the reserve at open try outs" Ginny said casually sitting down at the table picking at what was left of her cake.

"Wow," was all Charlie could say.

"She's right it's only money and she's brilliant," Mrs. Weasley took the contract, "stop your gaping, let's have dinner."

Everyone began to sit around the table and Mrs. Weasley levitated the food.

"When do you start?" Asked Percy

"August 1 I report to Wales to start practice," she passed the bread down the table.

"So you actually have to move to Holyhead Island?"

"It would be easier during the season, so I guess I'll have to," Ginny stared down at her plate. She would have to be apart from Harry again.

"What's wrong? I thought you were excited," Charlie said in regards to her expression

"I am," she looked up at him and then over to Harry.

Charlie smiled, "AAWWW! How cute you don't want to leave Harry," Ginny threw a roll across the table at him

"That's enough," Mrs. Weasley said crossly, "I'm sure Harry will understand."

"I know he will it's just…" she looked at him and he looked back. I guess this is it Harry thought to himself, he took Ginny's hand under the table, "We are… kind of…"

"Getting married," Harry finished.

Mrs. Weasley dropped the bowl of mashed potatoes and they splattered everywhere, Percy and Charlie spit out their food, Bill started choking, George patted him on the back, "she just said she was getting married, not pregnant!"

Mr. Weasley who hadn't said a word and was just glaring at his daughter snapped out of his own world and slapped George on the back of the head, "don't you ever even think that way!" He stood up, "NO! You can't marry him!" He turned to Harry, "no offense, but you're too young!"

"Maybe you should wait, date a bit longer see where things lead," Mrs. Weasley suggested calmly.

"Why? I love him and I have never been more positive about anything in my entire life! Why should we wait?" Ginny had stood up and was heated.

"Ginny your only 17," Mrs. Weasley stated calmly, Mr. Weasley cut her off

"That's right! 17! Your only 17! You have your whole life ahead of you!" Mr. Weasley Shouted.

"I still will just with Harry!" She shouted back. Harry hoped that he would stay invisible and no one would notice he was still in the room.

"They can't be that serious, she doesn't even have an engagement ring. No one is ever serious if they didn't even bother to buy a ring," Bill tried to reason.

Ginny pulled her chain from under her shirt, everyone's eyes widen at the ring dangling at the end of the chain. "We're very serious," Ginny stalked off to her room.

Harry tried to get up without anyone noticing, but he failed.

"How long has this been going on?!"

"You guys are too young!"

"That's our little sister!"

They flooded him with questions. Harry was very disappointed that you couldn't disapparate from inside the house. Ginny already did her part in the fight so he figured he should just grin and bear it.

"She's not pregnant is she?" Mr. Weasley hit George again.

_FLOREAN FORTESCUE_

After the film Ron and Hermione had gone out for ice cream, they were sitting at an outside table at Florean Fortescue. It was just like old times, Hermione was enjoying Ron's company, and he was absolutely perfect. But something wasn't right, she couldn't figure it out.

"I can't believe he couldn't tell that the Gwyneth person was really a girl. How thick can you get?" Ron had a spoonful of ice cream.

"Their acting, you're supposed to believe that it's not obvious," Hermione giggled.

"What?"

She leaned over the table and wiped the ice cream off Ron's nose, his ears turned red in embarrassment.

"Thanks"

She smiled and leaned back in her chair, "It wasn't a bad film and Shakespeare is one of the best playwrights of all times."

"William Shakespeare is a real person?" Ron asked in disbelief

"Yeah he was, died hundreds of years ago, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night, real plays. Brilliant man"

"He was probably as dull as the rest of that stuff you read," commented Ron.

"Just because you don't like to be intellectually challenged doesn't mean that books with pertinent information and value are boring Ronald," Hermione snapped as she folded her arms across her chest.

Ron started laughing she couldn't help but smile and started laughing too.

_RON AND DRACO'S APARTMENT_

Draco was lying on the roof looking up at the night sky. Everything is so different, I've spent a year living with Weaselby, my parents are split up, and Padma Patil has gone completely loopy. I could never be in love with Granger! She's… Granger, not to mention a mudblood, but I won't even start on that. I just don't see her in that way… I don't even know if I would call her a friend. I mean it's annoying how she's always right… the way she fidgets with her hair when she's nervous, the way she never does her hair unless she's going somewhere… he laughed, it is kind of cool though she's not shallow… but the way she is so insecure, that drives me crazy, she knows she's smart but I don't understand why she feels the need to prove it to everyone… Granger is driving me mad!

"Hey," Draco looked up at the frizzy haired girl staring down at him. He smirked.

"Hello," she lay down next to him.

They silently laid there for awhile.

"How was the cinema with Ronaldo the clueless twit," Draco kept his eyes on the sky.

Hermione turned her head to look at him, "Please refrain from talking about Ron like that around me."

Draco smirked, "so how was it."

"The film was good…"

"And Weasel?"

"Well… I still don't think it's time for me to go back there…. but he was himself and I like him that way," she directed her attention up to the sky.

"Do you love him that way?" Asked Draco not removing his gaze from the night sky

Hermione sighed and moved her head to look at Draco, "I don't know"

The silence continued, there was a small breeze and the moon was full and bright. The entire roof top was lit. Draco turned his head to look at Hermione her hair was sparkling in the moon light and one curl hanging in her face blowing in the wind, he looked away.

Hermione turned her head to look at Draco he was looking at the up, she could tell he was thinking about something, with his eye brows furrowed and he was biting his bottom lip. She smiled and turned her attention back upwards.

"I love you," he whispered.

Hermione's eyes widened, she was more than shocked she was petrified. She couldn't process what was going on… Did Draco Malfoy just say he loved me? She closed her eyes, she could feel her heart racing, that's about as ridiculous as Draco Malfoy saved my life! But that did happen, oh god... I will just lay here and pretend I didn't hear that.

"Collide" Howie Day