A/N welcome back all! Sorry to take a minute to update. A lot going on in this chapter but all very important. Setting the stage if you will. Hope you enjoy! Tell me what you think :)

Monday morning Hermione went into work early so she could set the appointment for Wednesday. With that done she went about her day as normal but on the inside she was a bundle of nerves. She was excited to start a new chapter in her life and yet terrified at the same time. Ron and her kept to themselves because they valued their privacy. Privacy that was hard to come by when your a part of the Golden Trio. The Prophet had a feild day when they announced their marriage without any engagement announcement first. Rita Skeeter had spent a week theorizing why they would marry so quickly and quietly. And as usual she was wrong on just about every theory. Somehow she even missed the obvious, that they married quickly because she was pregnant.

By Tuesday morning she had worried all she could about the possible backlash. Ron had been no help. His attitude was that it was going to come out sooner or later and there was no use worrying about it. They had been in the press more than enough to have pretty thick skin when it came to public opinion. However she worried this time was different. If unwed mothers was uncommon in the Wizarding world divorce was unherd of. Most bonding ceremonies wouldn't allow it. Not only would they be judged for getting the divorce, if anyone thought about it they would have to realize that they didn't have a traditional ceremony. Rita Skeeter will have a feild day.

After a sleepless night Hermione got up even earlier than usual and went for a longer than normal run. She had taken up running before work shortly after starting at the ministry. She found it helped clear her head and get ready for the day. Today was no different. About mid way through her run she realized it would do her no good to worry about the backlash of the divorce. She also realized she had another, more pressing problem. How does she tell Malfoy?

Should she tell him right away, wait till after or wait until it hits the papers? After about two seconds thought she realized she can't let him find out from the papers. It would make it seem like she was hiding it. So before or after? Would telling him before make it seem like she's eager to move on? If she told him after would he be offended she didn't tell him before? After running twice her normal length of time she finally walked up her front steps decided. She was going to channel her inner Harry and just wing it. However just because she came to a decision dosen't mean she didn't agonize about it all day.

-

When Malfoy had first started showing up at the pub Hermione hadn't really paid him any attention. She spoke to him but never really even noticed him physically. All she noticed was that he no longer had the look of a scared little boy that she remembered from 6th year. He had matured, thats all she noticed in the beginning. Now though? Now she noticed the way his perfectly tailored pants fit, showing his rather nice ass. She didn't have much opportunity to see him walk away but whenever he had to run to the loo she loved watching his ass as he walked. He typically wore khakis and a button down. Simple, classic and always tailored to fit perfectly. Tonight though, of course tonight had to be different. Tonight he wore a full three piece suit. And of course it fit perfectly. He had got to the pub literally seconds before she did, as she walked up to Sean to pay her tab and get her glass of wine she saw him at their table taking his suit jacket off as he sat down. She was so distracted watching as his muscles flexed against his white dress shirt she missed Sean trying to hand her her glass. Finally he cleared his throat to get her attention. "Sorry," she muttered as she blushed back at his knowing smile.

Now he was telling her about plans he had later in the week to take Scorpious to a muggle polo charity event his company was helping sponsor. She was so busy thinking about how beautifully his grey eyes lit up whenever he spoke about his son that she missed his question. After she didn't answer he tried again, "I asked if you had any exciting plans for this week?"

"Actually I do," she giggled. A blush began to creep up her face as she realized what she just did becuase Hermione Jean Granger Weasley did not giggle. She sounded like a simpering school girl. Get it together she told herself as she tucked a flyaway curl behind her ear and continued, "tomorrow Ronald and I are presenting our divorce paperwork to the Wizengamot. And since there is no need for mediation the un binding will be preformed right away."

-

If the giggle hadn't been enough to make him put his drink down in surprise he would probably had spit it out at the statement that followed. She said it so matter of fact that he was almost certain he had misheard her. She was to be divorced? He knew she had said it was a possibility at some point but, so soon? What the hell was he even supposed to say to that? He hesitated, "I guess congratulations are in order or..? "

She laughed, a normal laugh this time, "its a good thing." She shrugged, "it was always the plan. Now just seems like the right time. Bryony is older and a bit more independent. After the war we were all so, well, broken. We all needed time to heal. Now we are both ready to actually begin our lives. He has been seeing someone. She knows our situation and understands but its getting serious and its not fair to ask her to keep the secrecy up. So the time has come."

He took a moment to try and read her face. She really was rather easy to read, no poker face whatsoever actually. After the initial nervousness following that rather absurd giggle she had relaxed. She looked as if she not only accepted all of this but rather welcomed it. With that in mind he held up his glass to her and signaled for her to do the same, "to a peaceful separation and new beginnings."

"To new beginings"

Malfoys calm acceptance helped calm Hermione down and while she knew she wasn't going to get that same acceptance from everyone it still made her feel a bit more peaceful as she and Ron walked before the Wizengamot the next afternoon. Of course as soon as they stood before the Wizengamot and the request for divorce was read the shocked faces and loud questioning murmurs was immediate. Thankfully since they had everything ready, all the proper arrangements made as to who got what and a custody plan in order technically they could do nothing but grant the divorce. So the divorce was granted and they were lead into a small side chamber where an older witch with a very disapproving look on her face warned them of the side effects and then preformed the unbinding. As soon as she finished the incantation over their entwined hands they each felt immediately weaker and as if their body temperature had dropped drastically.

They took a moment to get used to the feeling and then left the chamber together. They rode the lift up in silence. Ron was going back to the house to grab the last few boxes and take them back to his new flat. Hermione had taken the rest of the day off but still got off the lift at her office so she could grab some paperwork to work on from home. As she was about to re enter the lift she about ran into the Minister of Magic himself, Kingsley Shaklebolt.

He had been about to get off but turned around and joined her instead, "just the person I wanted to see. I know you are headed out, mind if I join you?" He asked as he stepped back into the lift.

"Of course, Minister. How can I help you?" While they were actually goods friends from their Order days Hermione still kept it professional when addressing Kingsley at work.

"First off, I guess congratulations are in order." Kingsley was the one who preformed Ron and Hermiones ceremony. He was also one of the few people outside of the family Ron and Hermione had told the truth of their marriage to. He didn't know the divorce was going to happen today but he also wasn't surprised either.

"Thank you sir." Hermione replied.

"I must admit I am hoping this big change is indicative of other changes to come." Hermione just looked at him. She honestly had no idea what he was leading up to. "Marsha Davies has informed me she plans to retire at the first of the year. At the moment there is no clear successor. There are a few interested but none I would feel comfortable promoting to such a position." Marsha Davies was the head of the law division in the DMLE. The Law Division is tasked with prosecuting those brought before the Wizengamot on criminal charges. "There is someone I would like to consider for the position but she is in the wrong department and refuses to move from her current position. If I could convince her to move to the Law Division right away I am more than confident that she would be capable of running the department by the time Davies is set to retire."

Instead of focusing on Kingsleys words she found herself pondering the fact that the lift still felt to be moving but should have reached the Atrium long ago. After a moments contemplations on the lift Hermione realized he had just made her a very favorable offer. She almost gave her normal excuse of focusing on her family but suddenly Malfoys words came back to her. Was he right? Did she stay where she was because she was comfortable? Even if she never went any further she could do a lot of good in the Law Division. And if she did decide to go further Law Division could get her anywhere.

Taking a deep breath she smiled at the man she considered mentor and friend, "Ok. When do you want me to start?"

He looked as if he was going to argue with her for a moment. Then he realized she had accepted. "Take next week to finish up anything you have going on and that will give me time to get everything ready for the transfer. You will start Law the following Monday."

"Absolutely, I look forward to it." Hermione shook his hand as the door to the lift finally opened to the Atrium.

-

"Earth to Drake!" Blaise called to his friend. They were sitting in Dracos office supposedly going over a potential investment opportunity for Black Star, however Draco had obviously tuned him out yet again. It was the third time in less than two hours and Blaise was over it.

"Drake!" This time Blaise picked his wand from the table and pointed it at the 20 page contract Draco was supposed to looking at and lifted it over his head. When Draco still didn't answer he hit him over the head with the contract.

"Ouch, what the fuck man? What the hell was that for?" Daco yelped as he grabbed the contract with one hand and massaged his head with the other.

"You keep zoning out on me man. This is an awesome investment, it shouldn't have taken you more than 30 minutes to skim it enough to sign off on it. We have been here over 2 hours now and I doubt you could tell me one thing about it."

"Ok, I'm kind of out of it. Whats got you wand in a twist? Afraid your going to be late for a hot date or something?"

"As a matter of a fact, I do have plans that I would rather not be late for."

"Do tell then. Someone I know? Is this something new?" Draco asked.

"Stop trying to deflect. Whats going on with you? Something happen with your mystery witch?" Blaise had tried multiple times to find out more about Dracos standing Tuesday night drinks date but to no success.

"You could say that. She informed me last night thats shes divorcing her husband."

"Whoa, I thought you said nothing was going on? Is the divorce because of you?"

"No you prat. Its... complicated. But it has nothing to do with me. At least not to my knowledge anyways." Gods Draco hoped it wasn't because of him. The last thing he needed was speculation that he split up the golden couple.

"So does this change things? Do you want to get with her?" Blaise had been very worried about his friend in the first few months after Astoria had passed. The last two months he finally seemed to be getting back to himself again. He hoped that whatever happened next Draco didn't slide back into his depression.

"I dont know. I didn't think I wanted anything with her but I also thought I would never have an opportunity. Now that the door is opening its got me thinking. She is nothing like I thought. I dont know if she would even be interested in me. I dont want to mess our friendship up by asking her out." Draco was so confused and the more her tried to sort it out the more confused he got. That's the only reason he's shared even this much with Blaise. "Then there's the fact Astoria hasn't even been gone a year. Am I ready to move on? What if I rush into this and then realize I'm not ready? I could ruin something that could be amazing before its even had a chance."

"You know I'm no good with this stuff. But the fact your worried about messing everything up say a lot. I think your more interested than you want to admit. As for being to soon, only you can decide when you are ready. If she is worth it she will wait till your ready. If you try it and decide you aren't ready you said she's lost someone to, she will probably understand that as well. I say make your stance known. Your interested but you have baggage. Being newly divorced shes got to have baggage of her own."

Draco nodded, it was still confusing but Blaise gave him a new prospective. "So what are you plans for this afternoon?" He decides to change the subject.

"Doesn't matter. Just look at the contract so we can get a move on."

Draco tried to look at the contract but couldn't read more than a sentence or two before his mind wondered back to Granger. He leaned back in his chair and sighed, "Just tell me what I need to know. I can't focus."

"Its solid. We've invested in them before and got a good, steady return. I see this being no different. They have a brilliant track record."

"Thats good enough for me. I trust you. " Draco picked up his quill and signed the contract.