Author's Note: I had to rewrite this chapter almost three times just to make it somewhat flowy. It's not perfect but the next chapter should make up for anything wacky about this one :) Enjoy!

"And there's a storm you're starting now"

Halsey- Hurricane

I walked down the hallway, practically running by the time I saw the door to leave. Two men in uniform stormed past me, wands at the ready and going to one of the stalls, hopefully not Astoria's. I didn't want to hear or see her ever again. I wiped tears from my cheeks and opened the door, light flooding my eyes. The guard nodded as I passed him, not saying a word. The things he had seen would probably surprise me; a crying girl did not surprise him.

I entered the nearest bathroom stall, thankful that I was alone. I looked into the mirror, controlling my breathing again. Calm, calm...I told myself. It was still early in the day, not many people even knew I was here. I could leave.

But, I didn't. I shook it off, fixing my clothes and hair, charming my eyes to look less red from my tears. Why I was crying, I wasn't sure. Maybe because the first time I admitted that I loved Draco was to a complete stranger. Maybe because that stranger knew it before I did.

"Draco, I'm home!" I called into the house when I returned home. Work was hell, simply because I hadn't seen Draco since that morning and because I had to deal with the horrid woman he had once loved. I couldn't blame him though, for anything really. I was the one who decided I had to see Astoria before she was taken away forever. Forever seemed like a dreadfully long time to be alone...to be behind bars. "Draco?" I said again, this time kicking off my heels and dropping my jacket onto the coat rack. He was usually at the door, ready to greet me with open arms when I got home. Unless he was out, maybe running an errand.

It was then that I heard the door squeak open, footsteps rummaging through and onto the hardwood floor of the kitchen. It was more than one set though, at least two pairs of feet. Draco...and who else?

I took my wand out, sneaking to down the hall, avoiding the squeaky spots. At the kitchen I turned quickly, wand pointed at the intruders, a fierce look on my face.

"Oi! Put that thing away!" the redhead yelped. Two of the three boys had their hands above their heads, seemingly put off by my wand being pointed at them. The third came over to me and lowered it with one hand, the other wrapping around my waist and kissing my temple.

"Nice to see you're home," Draco said, kissing my lips softly. "You better put your wand down before Potter and Weasel have a conniption." I smiled and tucked it into the top of my skirt.

Draco released his hold of me as I hugged my friends hello. Switching from Draco, the man I...loved, to my friends was a bigger switch than I imagined. The hugs I shared with Harry and Ron felt like I was hugging someone for the first time in twelve years. With Draco it was as if we were one, our bodies meshed into one another.

"What are you two doing here scaring the hell out of me?" I asked my best friends.

"The real question," Harry said, "is why did Malfoy open your front door when we knocked?"

I swallowed hard and felt desperately that I'd like to just curl into my love and pretend I wasn't being interrogated. Ron's face was in a wicked smile, begging for my answer to Harry's question. "Draco," I said, "has been living here for the past few months."

"What's wrong with his house?" Harry asked. "It's completely renovated. Looks nice really."

I turned to Draco with a raised eyebrow. He blushed slightly and sat down at the table. "Anyway," he said to divert the conversation, "how was your day, love?"

"Hey, Mione, speaking of your day, why were you in the dungeons today? You were running out of that Slytherin chick's cell today," Ron said before I could speak.

Draco took his turn to glare at me, his teeth clenched. My eyes grew frantic, trying to do exactly what he had done to me before.

"My day was just fantastic, Draco. As for you Ron, you must have mistaken me for someone else."

"No...I'm pretty sure it was-" Ron started before I cut him off with an evil look. "...not you...Mione...we're friends remember?"

"Why are you two here anyway?" I asked, waving my hand in front of their faces to distract them? Maybe that's the intention I had anyway when I decided to wave awkwardly in front of their confused looks and Draco's slightly annoyed one. His eyes told me we'd be having an uncomfortable conversation later. Fan-fucking-tastic.

Ron and Harry exchanged a worried look. Harry asked, "Has Kingsley spoken to you yet?" I shook my head no and he sighed. What was this all about? "Hermione...you know how this year is the, er, fifth anniversary?"

I nodded my head and looked between Harry and Ron. They were nervously shifting around. "Dammit tell me what's going on," I said abruptly. They shook and Ron finally leaned forward to speak, avoiding my eyes.

"Kingsley is throwing a dinner event honoring those who died and celebrating us in essence. He wants Harry to accept an award on our behalf and for you to make a speech, Mione. I do the toast and we go back to our normal lives," Ron explained, never looking up from the ground or slowing his quick pace.

I found myself looking at the table, also avoiding eyes, though aware that three pairs were looking in my direction. Draco was tense from what I could tell and Harry and Ron seemed like they were waiting for a breakdown. I wasn't far from one honestly.

"Harry," I finally said. "Ron. I need to speak to Draco now. Tell Kingsley I think his plan is shit. Those exact words, please. I need you two to leave now before I start yelling." I was calm outwardly, even though inside I was a storm.

Draco looked at my friends and stood up, saying, "Best you leave now." He walked them out of the kitchen and I ignored their sighs. When they were at the door, Draco said, "Owl me the information later. I'll do my best." Harry and Ron thanked him though it was obvious I wasn't supposed to hear that.

Draco thought I was acting irrationally. Me! Was it wrong to feel the way I did? They wanted to fucking award us. It was complete bullshit really. When Draco came back into the kitchen he was collected, looking flawless as ever even in his working/relaxing clothes. I wanted nothing less than to just crawl into his arms and feel him around me, the real reason I wanted to come home everyday. But we had to talk, that was obvious.

"Granger," he said sternly. "Look at me." I raised my head, an annoyed expression on my face though his was worse. "You are not avoiding this conversation. We are going to talk about this."

"One hour," I said, holding up my right pointer finger. "Give me one hour to think."

He breathed out heavily through his nose, anger coursing through both of our veins for more than one reason. He nodded and I stood, walking out of the kitchen, brushing by his stiff body. I climbed the steps to my own room, quickly moving up the wooden staircase. As I went I couldn't help but think that maybe I was doing the wrong thing. Maybe everything was wrong. Draco was wrong. My life was wrong. Every fucking thing was out of place.

But then it occurred to me. The simple fact that was keeping me in place and had been for the past few months, right as I had been on the brink...it seemed so long ago.

I still loved Draco, regardless. That wasn't wrong was it?

Author's Note: Big fight coming up next chapter...I'm REALLY excited to write it because honestly, fight scenes make me happy. Don't worry though it'll work itself out. :) Happy people will still be happy (maybe even happier).

Please review, favorite, and follow! Fanfic isn't showing me my views so I especially need to know someone is reading and enjoying!

PS: To everyone starting or already in high school or college, good luck this year! I'm in the same boat with you so trust me I feel your pain. Maybe every Monday is a bit better with an update? Hope so!