recap (because it's been so long-sorry): Hermione has gone back to work after Helena's funeral but she is still haunted by all the routines she had fallen into with a child under her feet that are now just memories. Part way through a large glass of wine and some files a knock occurs at her door.

xxx

"Well, then let me talk," he stepped into the doorway. Making it impossible for her to close the door without using a great deal of force to push his bulk clear of the jam, "I'd like my ring back if you wouldn't mind getting it for me."

Hermione didn't even flinch. He didn't know what he had expected her to do, but that wasn't it. Start screaming, run, pull out her wand, he didn't know but it definitely wasn't normal. What he didn't know was that Hermione had been expecting this confrontation. She'd also been planning for it since she'd torn the jewels off of her left hand for the last time. It still amazed her that it had taken this long for him to come knocking.

Malfoy was startled, he had assumed she'd get worked up and then do something stupid. Apparently she wasn't as stupid as he had thought. Or should he say hoped. After all if there had every been anybody that could have given him a run for his money it was Hermione, and it appeared she was going to do so yet again.

With one hand on her hip, which he noticed were looking rather boney from what used to be a beautifully curvy figure, she glared at him but did not back up, "I think it's best you leave," she replied with little emotion to her words. She stepped towards him in an attempt to push him back out the way he had come. Her attempt proved unsuccessful as he retaliated and matched her with a step forward. Now they stood inches from each other. She could feel his hot breath rippling through her hair, and she prayed that he could not hear her heart racing.

Steady breaths, she knew was what she had to do. Keep herself calm. She had gone over this moment she didn't know how many times. Playing out how she wanted the situation to play out, and how she didn't want it to. All of the positive outcomes ended with her keeping her cool. She knew Malfoy, she knew him better than his own Mother did. They had played each other for years. Somehow he'd managed to win, but not this time. This time was her time. She pulled out her toolbox of knowledge and played him like he had done to her oh so many times.

Turning away she walked back to her paperwork, fighting an overwhelming urge to turn around and see the shocked and infuriated look that she knew for certain would be etched across his face. For this first time in a long time she felt a smile appear on her lips. It quickly vanished though after her mind had the processing time to tell her why she was in this situation in the first place.

Climbing back up onto the bar stool she sipped at her full glass of wine. It tasted bitter, so unlike it had only moments before, but she took another sip just to prove that she was not upset by his sudden appearance.

"Come in, sit down," she called out without looking back. She knew he would still be there. Trying with all his might to re evaluate his next moves, "would you like a glass of wine?" Without waiting for an answer she muttered, "accio wineglass," and the crystal goblet came soaring towards her. She poured the bottle the muggle way, one hand holding the glass, the other maneuvering the bottle. Which to her dismay she noticed was almost empty. What a waste to have to give it to Draco. She hoped that her old self had been smart enough to stash an emergency supply of liquor somewhere else, but at the moment she didn't know where that special place happened to be.

With her wand she sent the glass flying towards Malfoy. Luckily he still had quick reflexes from his Quidditch days as she pulled the spell off of the glass just slightly out of his reach.

"Oh I'm sorry," she chuckled, "maybe I've had a bit too much, if you know what I mean," she hadn't. Somehow in the last few days her alcohol consumption had increased, and with it her ability to hold her liquor. An empty bottle to Draco would imply that she was hammered, and when he had truly known her that was the truth. Now, that was just the beginning of her nightly ritual. Without it she had not hope of catching even a moment of restless sleep. Probably not the smartest of ideas when you considered the sleeping aids she had been given, but she'd deal with that later.

"Come sit down, don't leave me drinking alone."

Again he made no real move to sit down beside her. Instead he stepped over and stood with his hands resting on the back of her chair. His next words sent a shiver down her spine, as his breath danced across her bare neck, "my ring?"

Turning every so slightly in her chair she replied, "I don't have it."

His face went instantly red, as blood flowed quickly underneath the skin. She could hear him take two short quick breaths before he said anything. "Of course you do. I don't, it hasn't been pawned off, I would have known about it. Every place in Britain knows to contact me if they every come across is. The only logical conclusion then is you still have it."

"You've obviously forgotten then that for the last five years I haven't been in Britain."

Bingo, she had him there. Panic now erased the anger of her previous remark. He tried another angle, "You wouldn't have sold it though."

"And why is that?"

"You don't need the money."

"And neither do you if we're going to get into our financial situations. But really, I've been keeping up two expensive flats, not working since Helena fell sick and on top of that having a child costs a lot of money. Not that you would know or anything. Consider it your contribution to your daughter."

"Hermione, where is the god damn ring. I am going to tear apart this entire place unless I get it back. I know you have it, the way you fell back into my arms you always knew you'd come back. We could never be apart forever. This time it was just longer than usual. All those ifs come into your mind and you'll regret it if we don't take another shot. I know you love me. I know you too well, and I also know you never let that ring far out of you sight. Even when you swore you would never wear it again, it was always in your pocket."

"I'm sorry, this time you're wrong."

He turned and pulled out his wand and started shouting spells. Books flew off the shelves, cupboards opened, but no ring appeared. Dejected he finally took the stool that Hermione had offered to him before. After a long swig of the wine that he had saved from spilling earlier he muttered, "then where is it?"

"Not here, but somewhere safe I promise. Can I ask who you were planning on giving it to this time?"

No answer came right away. The seconds ticketed by on the clock that was mounted above the sink. Black hands against a white background, made a complete revolution, counting out the seconds before he finally answered, "you."

With a horrible scrapping sound she pushed the stool back and leapt to her feet. He instinctively reached for his wand, but when he saw that was not what she had intended he let his hand fall. Back down to his side where it hung lifelessly. Shoulders hunched, he looked like he had aged a decade since he had appeared in the hospital ward. She didn't even want to think about the age her features screamed now. It was all too much for her.

"I thought we could take it slow, something neither of us are really familiar with. We'd do it properly this time. Drinks, dinners out, then maybe dinners in. See how that works out. After a nice healthy stretch of time I'd take you somewhere romantic, on vacation as we're both walking on the beach. I'd get down on one knee and ask you if you'd make me the happiest person alive by accepting my ring. You'd squeal and exclaim how beautiful the ring was and then a year later we'd promise in front of hundreds to love and cherish as long as we both shall live. And then..."

She held up her hand to stop him, because that was where this fairy tale story had to end. What came next after marriage was a honeymoon and then 9 months later a baby, and no amount of alcohol could make her forget how carelessly he had exclaimed that they could just make a replacement for Helena.

"What's wrong with that?" he pleaded.

"Just that you and I both know that is not how we work," at the mention of we she swirled her hands in circular motions in front of her.

His tale had been genuine, it was apparent by the look of sadness that now covered his face. So many emotions, in so little time. She couldn't do it though. As much as she wanted to she just couldn't. Her integrity had been trampled by him for far to long. Not this time though. For once she was going to stand her ground, stay firm and not waiver. It was a daunting task, one she didn't know how she was going to manage but it was her only option. People had already begun to whisper about how they thought she had more strength than that. It was a kin to returning home every night to a man that attacked you. Only in this case it was not a physical blow, even though sometimes a curse would have stung less. She couldn't live without him it felt like at that moment in time, but somewhere deep within her brain she knew she'd be alright. Canada had been okay, she had survived that and she'd get through this.

"I can't give it back to you for that purpose," she whispered, "there has been too much, too much history, too much disappointment. I can't do it again. You're right I love you. It's stupid, childish and degrading but I still love you regardless of everything you've done. I'm the fool, but I need to make things right. I need to be able to sleep at night and I know I can't do that with you lying beside me. We would make an awesome team, there is no denying it so I won't even try, but that doesn't stop me from doing what I know to be the right thing."

Nothing, now words, no spells, no tears, nothing. He nodded.

"You should probably go now," she whispered, not trusting her voice much more.

He knew it was the end and he didn't protest. Before he could turn to make his way towards the door she reached out and grasped his arm and pulled him towards her. With all the passion they had once shared she kissed him. Long and hard. She pulled away abruptly and drew her hand to her mouth. He knew he had to leave. Just before the door clicked behind him she called, "I'll always love you, I just can't be with you."

Her final glimpse of him was of him saying, "You're my one and only Hermione."

Before the door had fully settled back into its frame she was in a heap, sobbing once more. Where the tears came from still she had no idea. A strong pair of arms pulled her up onto the sofa and held her. Rocking her as she let it all out.

"He's gone, don't worry," the voice drifted from afar.

"Thanks Harry, don't ever leave me," she whispered as she clasped her hand around the cold stone in her pocket. It never left her, he was right, but why he never checked her pocket she would never know.

xxx

a/n so I wanted to write maybe two or three more chapters but things flowed and ended nicely in this chapter and that is so unlike me so I'm not going to push it and draw things out. There will be an epilogue though which is already in the works so you can expect that shortly. I must tell you though that this has to be the most contemplated and changed ending of any story. Twice I have had to vanish from fanfic and both times just slightly before I had straightened out how I was going to end this. Being as smart as I am, I never wrote that down. Resulting in me coming back and going, now how was that supposed to end? So this is it take three, I wish I remembered how take 1 and 2 were planned to end. Please review. Thank you.