A/n: A new chapter lovelies! Thanks to my awesome beta loveinthemaddness! **Not yet edited! I'm not really sure how I feel about this chapter though :/ It seems a bit… detached.

Watching Draco lose his cool while they escorted his mother to St. Mungo's was hard. He didn't break often but when he did she knew what was happening had a strong impact on him. And throughout the time it took to transport her there, he never let of Hermione's hand, gripping it as the skin turned very white. When he finally eased up she couldn't feel it anymore.

But Narcissa was at St. Mungo's, and that was the good thing. She survived the transportation, and it didn't appear to have any negative effects on the woman, and Hermione was thankful for that. Draco might lose his mind otherwise. But he was so very close to that already.

They'd dosed her arm enough to actually remove the tattoo entirely. Yet so far, there seemed to be no differences in her health. And he'd so been hoping that this would help her. But Narcissa remained dying, her body placed in a care facility that only existed for those who were not expected to leave St Mungo's alive again. Oh, it broke Draco's heart, but he didn't mutter a word about the placement. He was too focused on his mother, who lay decrepit on a hospital bed, and had yet to even open her eyes. If Hermione didn't look at the spells monitoring her heart or the gentle rise and fall of Narcissa's chest, she might just assume that the woman was already dead. But no, some part of her held onto life, and she knew the woman's son was trying to hold onto that part too. It was simply dreadful to watch.

After only being there for a few hours, Hermione decided she needed a break from the room. She did what she could to provide comfort for Draco about his mother, but he didn't seem to even listen to her that day. He just stared down at her face, rubbing her hand softly. He hadn't said anything to her in hours. Suffocated by the silence and dread lingering in the room he excused herself, needing to step outside for a bit.

Wandering around St. Mungo's really didn't brighten her mood too much, for this area truly wasn't a happy place. The people in this section were stationed simply because they're lives were basically over, whatever sickness that befell them taking over their lives and ending them before it was truly time. But she trudged on, daringly wandering further into St. Mungo's, looking for a way to calm her jittery nerves before returning to comfort Draco.

Her biggest fear was that she'd see Ron.

The greatest surprise would be seeing Lavender.

The best thing would be to see Harry and Ginny. They might be around to speak to that pathetic excuse for a man that Ginny had for a brother, since he technically was there. News of Draco's mother staying there would hit papers tomorrow since some nosy reporters spotted them earlier. It couldn't be helped really, and she sincerely hoped Draco didn't flip when he saw the articles. They were bound to appear at some point, and he needed to understand that. He couldn't just break into a fit of rage over it, not when it was best that things got out now. Now there would be time for the magical community to hear the news and accept it, instead of discovering the unprecedented death after it happened. Considering how many people out there still didn't like Draco, some dolt may have tried to turn it into murder just to get him sent to Azkaban. She wouldn't put it past one of the multiple idiots out there.

Now everyone would know that it was a sickness, because hospital employees couldn't reveal anything about patients without being immediately terminated. Landing a spot in the prestigious hospital was hard, and not a single worker there would jeopardize their position. It would be announced as a sickness, and possibly after Narcissa died- not that Hermione was dead-set on the fact- something would be revealed about the matter. But for now, other than her relocation there, nothing would be revealed. The secrets could remain intact a while longer.

She wished the same pleasantries were extended her way in her trial with Ron. No one seemed to give a damn then about privacy, something she found incredibly annoying. Sure, her situation was juicy gossip and scandalous mishaps between a supposedly perfect couple, but still! She was human, and she deserved some privacy like anyone else. Only, it was too late to bitch about that anymore. The case was over.

Hermione didn't consider the retrial a threat anymore. There was no way they would lose, because to be honest, Ron did not stand a chance.

Turning another corner her eyes widened and she stopped in her tracks, staring down at the figure in the hall. He was leaning against the wall, seemingly rubbing his face. Her mood brightened as soon as she saw him.

"Harry!" He looked up at the sound, unable to miss the woman rocketing towards him. Already expecting to be jumped, he held out his arms, catching his longtime friend as she jumped into his body. "It's so good to see you!"

"Likewise," he agreed, hugging her tight. They remained that way for a moment before setting her down. "You look… well actually. Great even."

She grinned. "Living at the Manor has actually been good for me."

"Yes," he replied, surveying her. "Who would've thought that staying in our former enemies den would be the best cure for you after everything."

Rolling her eyes, she hit him lightly on the shoulder. "You still seem surprised by that."

"I still am," Harry agreed, giving her a soft grin. She really did look well, despite the bags under her eyes. Her skin had a healthy glow about it, and though she seemed stressed her eyes held a sort of fire he hadn't seen in her in so long. She appeared alive again. "You look really good."

"I feel good!"

"Brilliant," he replied, smiling. He paused, seemingly realizing where they were. "Why don't we continue this conversation someplace else?"

Her eyes danced to the room across the hall from where he was standing, and realized that the door had a warning sign on it. No one was supposed to answer without being accompanied by either an Auror or highly skilled medic. Immediately, she realized it was Ron's room and squared her shoulders.

"I'm fine right here," she said stiffly, having ignored the door until now. She didn't have to think very hard to figure out why Harry would be at St. Mungo's. It wasn't like he'd come to see Draco's mother or anything. Besides, he couldn't have known about that yet.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, leaning back against the wall again. He wasn't as relaxed this time, and his posture remained stiff. "I can't imagine that you would want to visit with Ron."

She made a face. "Hardly. I'm here… well I'm here with Draco."

"Did something happen?" Harry asked, eyeing her. Like the concerned brother he'd always been, he was checking up on her to make sure there was no damage. She smiled at his concern.

"Not with me," she assured, shaking her head. Looking at Harry, she contemplated whether or not it was her place to say anything on the matter, but decided that it couldn't be too big of a deal. He'd read about it in the papers tomorrow anyway. "We're here with his mother."

Hearing that it wasn't about Lucius either seemed to calm the man down quite a bit. "Oh, I'm sorry. What happened to her?"

"She's sick," Hermione replied, keeping things vague. "We were worried about her condition, so we brought her here."

"So his parents still live in the Manor?" Harry asked, dancing around his initial point. "Both of them?"

Hermione sighed. "Yes Harry, both of them. So I have seen Draco's father several times."

"And he's okay with this?" the raven-haired boy asked, eyes getting larger. "Even after your history with Lucius?!"

"Calm down," she said, holding up her hands. "First of all, you have to remember that my past with Draco isn't a rainbow either, and that time did learn to mend things between us."

"I think Ron added to that," he pointed out, eyeing his friend. "If he didn't… if he wasn't such a bastard you wouldn't have felt betrayed, used, or scared. And if I wasn't his best mate- well, his former best mate- then you wouldn't have felt compelled to avoid me and go to Malfoy in the first place. He did in a way help push all this together."

Hermione smiled at that, finding it quite funny that her husband, the man who wanted nothing more than to keep her tied to him, was indeed the reason she leaned towards Draco and grew close to him. In many ways, he was the reason she was with the blonde now. Maybe she'd have to thank the bastard for that.

"I know Harry, but Lucius isn't going to hurt me. Draco had his parents warded off, his father due to the danger factor, and I've only actually seen him a handful of times, and our conversations have been decent even less than that. Don't worry, he doesn't trust his father either. If he had it his way I'd probably never see him at all."

"For once I agree with Malfoy on something," the man muttered.

She placed her hands on her hips. "I know you don't like him Harry, but I am capable of handling myself. I let my willpower fall through when I was with Ron, and I got caught up in a loveless relationship that was more controlling than endearing. I won't let anyone step on me again, and certainly not the liked of a decrepit man. I can handle myself Harry, and although you would rather that I stayed away from him all-together, I'm afraid that's something I simply can't do. I'm helping Draco out after everything he did for me, and his father comes along with the package."

Harry sighed, eyeing his friend before he enveloped her in a hug once more, smashing her into his body. "Just be careful," he whispered as she wrapped her arms around him as well. "I don't want to see you hurt again."

"I won't be," she said airy, rolling her eyes. He would always try to protect her, wouldn't he, especially after Ron's betrayal. Pulling back, she eyed him. "And you're just here to stand in the hall?"

"No," he replied, rubbing his eyes again, "Ginny wanted to come. When she heard Ron would be here she practically forced her way in here so she could yell at him some more. She brought George and Bill along even to back her up, but I think they're more afraid of her than anything. She's been in a vengeful mood towards Ron since she found out what he did, just like everyone else. But she has it out for him, and I think her brothers are terrified that she might rip him a new one. They came along mostly to just please her, but I don't think they actually have any intent to talk. They don't really have anything left to say to him."

"And you?" she asked, genuinely curious. He only shrugged.

"I said what I wanted to before the trial ended. I have nothing left to say to him."

She titled her head to the side. "But you were once best friends."

"Yes," he agreed, staring at her, "And then I lost respect for him. We've been over this before Hermione; what he did I can't forgive him for. It's disgusting how he treated you, and it's unforgiveable that I didn't even notice." He gripped her shoulder. "And I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay," she said, shaking her head, "I forgave you a long time ago."

A shuffling in the room caught their attention and the pair looked up, surveying the door. Inside there sounded like there was a shuffle, and a moment later the door was thrown open to reveal a very red looking Ron. And boy, he certainly did look beat up. Hermione tried to suppress a grin at that, only thinking that he'd gotten what he deserved.

"Hermione!" he cried, moving to reach her. Harry stepped in front of her at the same time that Bill and George appeared at each of his sides, grabbing an arm. An alarm went off, and she realized it was to probably alert the staff that he was trying to be a threat, even if he probably couldn't do it in the position he was currently in. She had three angry, protective males on her side, holding the prat back, and an exuberant red-haired girl that would kill him in his sleep if he tried to even touch her. She could indeed see Ginny peeking over her brother's shoulders to see the commotion. She was perfectly safe.

But in her eyes, it didn't really matter that there were so many people, because she didn't fear him anymore.

"Ron, control yourself," she said, waving her hand. Harry actually glanced over his shoulder at the confidence he heard in her voice. "Now you're just making a fool of yourself."

Everyone seemed to pause, surprised that she wasn't terrified. If she was honest, she was quite surprised as well. She wanted to show him that she wasn't afraid, but she didn't think she would sound so confident about it. It was quite nice actually.

"Hermione," he said, staring at her with wide eyes. "What the hell?"

"Oh Ron let's not go down this road again. You got yourself stuck her, and you're a complete idiot to think that for a moment I would even come here for you. Before you say something stupid, let me be honest. I'm here with Draco, supporting him. It's only by chance that I even crossed paths with you."

"Lies," he spat, looking at his ex-wife over his former best friends shoulder. "I heard you-"

"Speaking to Harry," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. "I have no intention to waste even a second of my time on you."

"Hermione-"

"I don't intend to waste my breath on you Ron," she retorted, already turning from the scene, "I've wasted enough on you."

The on-site Aurors arrived, looking uncomfortable as they realized who was there. Ron started screaming something but she zoned him out, walking away. After all the time spent fussing over Ron, she refused to be drawn down that path.

She ended up running away from him, afraid of reacting to something he said. She was finished with him, but that didn't mean he couldn't rile her up. And although she wouldn't mind screaming some sense into his densely thick skull, she didn't want to speak with him at all if it could be helped. He caused her enough pain, and in reality she knew it would bother him more if she outright ignored him than retaliated against him.

So Hermione didn't stay. She ran out on him, vanishing the issue from her mind. Technically she never went to see him, and vanished any ill feelings on the matter. She was here for Draco, to focus and help Draco, not to get caught up in old drama. And she assumed that's what Ron wanted, for her to get caught up again. She turned him in and started the ordeal, and she imagined he would like nothing more than to hurt her.

At the door to Narcissa's room, she composed herself. Ron slipped into the back of her mind, a nuisance more than a problem. He would never get close to her again, and she didn't need any reassurance on that. She knew it was true.

Stepping into the room, she noted that Draco didn't even look up. He was too entranced with his mother, repressing sobs as he looked on at spacy eyes. Coming up being him she rested her hands on his shoulders, squeezing them comfortably. The blonde glanced up briefly, smiling thankfully at her. She returned the gesture.

He was the reason she was there, not Ron. He pulled her out of her depression at her lowest point, and she would do the same for him.

A/n: Yes, we all hate Ron. I've twined him in here at certain points, but he isn't a main point here. So there won't be much more insight on him, just a brief look at how the trial goes at some point. I wanted to mention him, but not focus on him. Next chapter we'll learn more about Narcissa's condition, the Dark Mark, and maybe see some more of Lucius. Depends how much fits in the chapter :D Leave a review?