Chapter Twenty Eight

The Trouble with Newspapers

Hermione and Draco stepped out of the 8th year dorm together. Draco could hardly believe they'd made it through the day before and come out the other side unharmed. Sure, they were essentially prisoners in the castle and committed to a year of slave labour for the Ministry, but at least Hermione was talking to him again.

Their celebrations the previous night consisted of eating all the snacks both he and Hermione had stashed in their rooms and watching a marathon of some weird sitcom he didn't really understand about muggles— their lives seemed very strange. Having Hermione back was the highlight, her cat seemed to have started talking to him again as well.

So this was it, the moment they had agreed upon the night before. They were walking straight towards the Great Hall at peak breakfast time. He felt Hermione's fingers lace with his, she was squeezing his hand unnaturally hard. He remained calm, setting his face to unreadable. Hermione gave away her nervousness too easily, she was biting her lip and breathing too fast.

"Calm down, it doesn't matter what these people think of you, they're all idiots anyway." He tried to reassure her.

"I just hate people talking about me," Hermione said.

"We don't have to do this you know."

"I'm not ashamed of you Draco, and I don't want to hide, I want to be happy," she tilted her chin and pushed her shoulders back. "Come on."

She was walking much faster than usual, Draco had to pull her back to stop her from dragging him. He raised his eyebrows at her. "Just be normal, you remember normal right?"

"Ha ha. Fine. Let's do this."

Holding hands, they crossed the threshold to the Great Hall. The walk to the tables seems much farther than usual. The bustling scramble of hungry students froze in a blanket of silence. Everyone was staring at them. Draco heard Hermione take a sharp breath, he looked at her, and she smiled. They walked up the aisle between the long tables, making their way across the whole room toward the head of the Gryffindor table where Neville and Ginny sat.

Whispers and murmurs followed them with every echoing footstep. Neither of them looked around. Hissing sounds arose from the Slytherin table, followed by comments of disgust and shock from the younger Gryffindors. By the time they were halfway to their seats, the hall was in an uproar. People started openly yelling at the couple and loudly sharing their opinions.

They stuck to their course, both had known what to expect and agreed not to react. Draco could feel the rage building, he could so easily shut those idiots up— but for Hermione's sake, he wouldn't, not today.

Just as they reached their seats, the Head Mistress's voice bellowed across the hall with the strength of a howler. The students cowered, instantly silenced. "Enough! This ridiculous behaviour will end right this minute, and I will not hear another word of it, or all future Hogsmeade trips will be cancelled. This is your one and only warning. Stop behaving like savages!"

Hermione and Draco quickly sat down. McGonagall gave them a subtle nod and returned to her own breakfast.

"You two certainly know how to make an entrance," Ginny said, buttering her toast as if nothing happened. Neville looked shocked, or maybe he hadn't woken up yet— it was hard to tell with him.

"Yes, we thought a bit of drama would brighten everyone's morning," Draco said, helping himself to coffee and pouring one for Hermione who looked shell-shocked.

"I didn't think it would be that bad," she said quietly.

"Really? I was expecting much worse, perhaps some food throwing?" Draco shrugged.

"I hadn't even thought of that!" Hermione said, looking around suspiciously at anyone holding food.

"Relax," Draco said, putting an arm around her. "No one will pull anything now, not after McGonagall's threat. And look on the bright side, I can do this." He leaned in a kissed her on the cheek. She instantly brightened up.

"Ew, you two. Not at breakfast time please," Ginny said in disgust.

With their public announcement breakfast out of the way and no worse off for it, Hermione decided it was time to make a real public statement. There appeared to be an endless stream of unreliable hippogriff shit coming out of the Daily Prophet. She had gathered all the papers and gossip magazines from the previous two weeks and cut out every article relating to her, Draco, Sirius and Harry. Making a strong cup of coffee and piling a plate with chocolate digestives, she sat down, ready to start reading the headlines, not wanting to expose herself to all the dribble within;

Friday 12th February- special afternoon report

Sirius Black spotted leaving St Mungo's- is this the start of his revenge?

Saturday 13th February

Miss Granger remains in critical condition

Sunday Prophet- Sunday 14th February

Draco Malfoy spotted in Bulgaria

Daily Prophet- Monday 15th February

Draco Malfoy spotted in Knockturn Alley

What the hell? She knew he hadn't been in Bulgaria or Knockturn Alley.

Witch Weekly- Monday 15th February

Sirius Black on a rampage to avenge his poisoned lover

Hermione had a good giggle at that one. Did people actually believe any of this?

Quibbler- Tuesday 16th February

Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy both well, and safely returned to Hogwarts

She helped herself to another biscuit. At least Xenophillius had his head on straight, and Luna in his ear, she guessed.

Daily Prophet- Wednesday 17th

The trail runs cold on Draco Malfoy

Quibbler- Friday 19th

Sirius Black spotted having tea with Harry Potter

A break in his supposed murderous rampage, or perhaps he just likes tea?

Daily Prophet- Thursday 25th February

Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy partners in crime?

Was the near-death experience of Hermione Granger a publicity stunt?

It was reported by a reliable source that Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy have both been in lockdown this past week after being caught creating a potion using illegal substances. They are now in the custody of the Ministry of Magic awaiting the decision of an official hearing to find out their punishment.

Will it be Azkaban for the once Golden Girl? Locked up with the families of Death Eaters she fought so hard against.

Daily Prophet special late edition- Thursday 25th February

A procession of healers were seen leaving the hearing of Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. Though none would speak directly with the Daily Prophet, they appeared in good spirits, apparently happy with the outcome.

Moments later, Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy left the courtroom together. Neither appeared under arrest, but this could have been a carefully planned ruse for the media.

The cheek of that woman. She had zero information and still attempted to make Hermione look bad. She made a mental note to keep a bug-catching net handy in her handbag in the future. Her own statement would contain all the facts and put that bitch in her place. Hermione put her quill to parchment and began to write their official statement, ready to come out in the Friday Evening Prophet. Hopefully right in the middle of their celebration…

Draco followed Hermione warily through the door of Grimmauld Place. She was instantly pulled into hugs and cheers as soon as they entered. Draco slipped past the masses, wandering into various rooms, scoping out the quietest ones.

Balloons and celebratory bubbles filled every room in Grimmauld Place. Sirius and Ginny had managed to gather everyone Hermione knew to celebrate what they referred to as 'Hermione's escape from Azkaban party.' It was written on banners that were flying around the house not letting anyone catch them. Other banners read, 'Hermione and Draco masters of potions' and 'Granger and Malfoy's Marvellous Miracles of Medicine." George had obviously spelled them, judging by the way they were annoying people.

Draco found a drink and set himself up in the corner of the living room, happy to watch Hermione surrounded by this group of crazy people she seemed to like so much. They hadn't had time to explain to everyone what happened at their trial, so doing it on mass seemed like an easy option, and they hadn't really be given a choice about the party.

Hermione was excited about her article coming out in the paper, hopefully it would clear everything up in the media and get the true story across. Everyone had a few drinks when Ginny decided it was time to go to the kitchen to get everyone around the table, ready to wait for the newspapers to arrive.

They gathered up all the drinks, Kreature was wandering around handing out strange looking plates of snacks. Draco avoided them.

In a confusing flurry of flapping and flying papers, the kitchen was suddenly filled with owls. Papers were dropped all over the table. Harry set out a bowl of owl treats on the windowsill, then tossed some out the window to get rid of the less sensible owls. Mars delivered one paper directly to Hermione.

Draco watched from the other end of the room as she unrolled it and read the headline. Her face dropped, she did not look happy. In fact it looked like her hair was smoking, possibly about to catch fire.

"This is not the article I wrote!" Hermione said, shooting a concerned look at Draco who was sitting across the long kitchen at the far end of the table next to Theo. Several copies of the paper were going around the room. Ginny was grinning and set a read-aloud spell on her copy so George would stop reading over her shoulder;

The romance of a war Heroine and ex-Death Eater— how this lead to the creation of a miracle curse cure.

Hermione Granger recently admitted to having a secret romance with Death Eater Draco Malfoy. Both Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy have led the media astray with stories of poisoning, attempted murder, arrests by the Ministry and manhunts led by jilted lovers. The truth, perhaps, is just as shocking.

The unlikely couple worked together in secret to develop a potion to put an end to relapses and after-effects caused by the Cruciatus Curse. This monumental task did not phase these young potioneers. Against multiple laws and school rules, the pair gathered a stockpile of illegally sourced restricted substances in which to begin their experimentation.

Over six months, they worked on their secret project, while, at the same time, falling for one another. However, their love nearly came to a tragic end when Miss Granger consumed a trial version of the potion, almost causing her untimely death. Rapid treatment at St Mungo's saved the young woman's life, aided by the bedside vigil of Mr Malfoy, who never left her side.

This glitch in their plan exposed the true nature of their experimentation. The Ministry seized all materials relating to their illicit work and ordered the pair under house arrest— undertaken at Hogwarts School. Weeks later, investigations into the potion were complete, and a hearing took place.

The Head Wizard announced the potion did indeed work and was a work of mastery that would have a profound effect on the Wizarding Community in the aftermath of the War. They received benevolent sentences of probation for their remaining studies at Hogwarts in addition to each completing a one-year community service program aiding in the development and testing of the potion.

The young couple, still perhaps in the mindset of living in war times, boldly took on a project endangering their own lives and freedom. All for the good of helping the Wizarding Community and fighting back against the Dark Arts— this time in a different way.

Miss Granger is known for her important role during the War in working alongside the Chosen One, Harry Potter and bringing on the downfall of You-know-Who. Mr Malfoy is known as one of the youngest recruits as a Death Eater, for the attempted murder of Albus Dumbledore and the less known fact that he changed to the side of Light in the darkest hours of the War.

Is this enough to provide his redemption? Is his relationship with Miss Granger merely a ruse to buy his way back into the good graces of Wizarding society? I will let you decide for yourselves.

The daily prophet wishes the young couple the best of luck with their potion and their unconventional relationship.

Draco looked around the room to gauge people reactions, preparing himself for backlash. They hadn't informed the broader circle of their relationship yet, the article was supposed to be about the potion.

Hermione glared at the paper. Ron looked like he wanted to be sick, Mrs Weasley had her hand over her heart as if in shock. Kingsley looked most taken back, and Lupin was glancing between the two of them in disbelief. Theo has the best reaction of the room— his eyes wide and both hands on his cheeks, repeating 'Oh my Gods' very loudly. Draco punched him in the shoulder.

George was chuckling to himself. Harry did not look surprised and sat there with his arms folded, looking unimpressed. Sirius was smirking as if in on an inside joke, his eyes looked colder than usual. Draco made a note to stay clear of him for a while. The other half of the room; Ginny, Dean, Luna, Neville, Professor McGonagall, Tonks and the others from their dorm looked less than surprised, some more amused than others.

"That is not what I wrote! That bitch twisted my words, even after I threated her— she dared to print this dribble!" Hermione said. Draco could see the anger radiating off her. Her face was redder than he had ever seen it, her fingers clawed into the table. Everyone in the room was watching the pair of them, some unsure if what they read was the truth and were trying to work it out, multiple sets of eyes flicking between both ends of the table. Hermione oblivious to it in her rage.

Draco pulled out his chair loudly in the now silent room and went to Hermione's side. He leaned down and whispered in her ear something the rest of the room wouldn't hear. She glanced up, now realising that everyone was looking at them and somehow flushed yet another shade of red.

"So it's true then?" Ron asked. "You and this ferret are actually together?"

Hermione glared at those with disapproving looks, Ron in particular. Draco had genuine concern she might attack Ron. He placed his hand lightly on her shoulder but in a way that he could stop her if needed.

"Yes Ronald, Draco and I are together, and if you, or anyone else has a problem with it— frankly I don't care. And don't you dare suggest I've been under the Imperius."

Ron shut his gaping mouth. She had both fists pressing into the tabletop. Draco could see her wand within reach and gently moved it off to the side, he put a hand over hers, and she relaxed, flattening out her palms.

She had been so excited about the article, and yet again he was ruining her life, he wondered if she would get sick of that one day. If she was with him, the Death Eater thing would never go away.

Draco cleared his throat, the room remained quiet. "As you might have guessed, our relationship was not the point of this article," he said. Mrs Weasley looked shocked at he referred to it as such, still unsure if it was true, she kept glancing at Hermione.

"The point was to celebrate that Hermione is a genius and our potion worked. Without her, it would never have been made."

Seeing that everyone was still listening and not looking like they wanted to murder him immediately, he went on. "Professor Snape assisted me in coming up with this potion recipe more than two years ago when we began seeing the damage the Cruciatus Curse was doing and how this would ruin peoples lives long term. I, myself suffer from after-effects of the curse, and as many of you know, I witnessed Hermione's torture by my Aunt Bellatrix." Several people cringed at the mention of her name.

"Hermione was the perfect person to make this potion work, I knew she likely suffered worse than others due to the severity in which Bellatrix delivered the curse, most victims of hers never survived." Hermione sat up straight upon hearing this, glancing at Neville.

"So you can blame me all you want for getting Hermione into all this trouble, but the reality is I couldn't have done it without her. She is the smartest person I know. She made this potion what it is, and you should all be proud of what she has achieved, regardless of the fact that she is dating a Death Eater."

The room was stunned. Though judging from the looks they actually seemed impressed and possibly accepting, if only for Hermione's sake— he really didn't care. Hermione linked her fingers with Draco's, he was sure she did it for everyone too see. Answering their questioning looks once and for all she leaned over and kissed him. Catching him off-guard he was even more aware of all the eyes on them. She smiled at him. Half the room looked wary, the other half—those who already knew about the couple were giggling and smiling, well on the way to being drunk.

"Hear, hear— well said Malfoy," George announced holding up his pint of beer. Everyone else followed suit. "To Hermione and her brilliant brains!" said George. Everyone took a swig of their drink. Before they could place the glasses down, George continued, "and to Malfoy. Perhaps the only person who can keep up with Hermione's brains." Half the room chuckled and raised their glasses in cheers. Ron did not. Draco felt a warm sensation spread through his chest—must have been the firewhiskey.

Hermione hugged Draco then unwrapped herself, happy tears creeping down her cheeks. She sat back in her chair and held up her glass in silent thanks to everyone before taking a small sip. Hermione sat there beaming— the newspaper forgotten.

She was happy, and frankly, that was all he cared about right now. Working on the potion together would be a nice challenge, dealing with Hermione's friends, that was something that scared Draco. Maybe he would be okay. As long as she was there beside him. He smiled back at her and sipped his whiskey.

"Aren't you glad we did my potion idea instead of the advanced wolfsbane?" he said, gloating just a little.

"We wouldn't have had all this drama, I'm sure. I'm not going to admit you're right Draco so get that look off your face. Everything worked out for the best— eventually— and I wouldn't have it any other way." She smiled at him. "But we're still doing the advanced wolfsbane. That's our next project." She said as if it were obvious they were doing another project.

Of course they were, he chuckled. He wouldn't have it any other way either. "Whatever you say Princess."