A/N up to 120 followers now! Eeek! And now we're starting to get to the good stuff. Next chapter is a little harder to write so I apologize in advance if it takes a while to post.

Hufflehugs to all

Hermione walked over to the table she shared with Malfoy as if on a cloud. It had taken a couple days for the side effects of the un binding to pass. But even with that cold, off center feeling she felt freer than ever before. Even though her and Ron weren't a traditional couple she had still made decisions based on how it would effect them rather than making a decision for herself. It wasnt even the big stuff either. The simple things were amazing. Friday was the first night Bryony stayed with her dad and Hermione had had a rough day at work. She was putting in extra hours trying to get things ready and by the time she got home she was ready to pass out. Their marriage had been an equal partnership so pre divorce she would have let Ron know she was going to be late and he would have happily made dinner but then she would have been expected to sit down at the table to eat dinner as a family. Instead Hermione came home, popped a bag of popcorn for dinner and sat down in front of the TV. It was simple, but it was what she wanted to do. It made her happy. It was something she had never been able to do before.

Saturday had been quiet without Bryony and Hermione missed her girl but still enjoyed her day alone. Sunday brunch was a little awkward around Molly but to the rest of the family nothing had changed. They all joked and started taking serious bets as to when Angelina would finally have the baby.

Now it was Tuesday and she was about to sit down across from this handsome man. She still wasn't sure what she wanted and had even less of a clue what his intentions were but she realized a lot in the last few days. She went from school girl tracking the darkest wizard ever and just trying to keep the people she loved alive to a mother and wife. She's never just been Hermione and for once she is more than happy just being herself.

Malfoy looked up as she came over to their table. He was already halfway through his first drink so either he had already been here for a few minutes or it had been a rough day. He was back in his normal khakis and a lite blue button down that complemented his pale skin perfectly. "Well someone seems to have a lighter step." He greeted her as he stood to pull out her chair for her, always the gentleman.

"Just a little bit." She smiled as she sat.

"I take it everything went smoothly?"

"Of course. Bryony is still a little confused about it all but really doesn't seem to be upset by it. She's the one I worried about in all this but, so far so good."

"Well then celebration is in order, will you allow me to buy you a drink in celebration?" He asked. She usually said no but tonight she had even bigger news than the divorce and that she would celebrate with him.

"Not tonight but I will next week because next week I will truly be celebrating." Before she could elaborate she felt a warming sensation over her heart. She looked around quickly to make certain none of the muggles were looking her way then murmered revelare while touching the now silver glowing chain around her neck. She pulled the attached pendent out of the front of her blouse and squealed. She looked up at Malfoy with a huge grin on her face to see his questioning look.

"Angelina is in labor!"

‐-

Draco didn't know what to expect this week. He hadn't seen anything in the newspapers and the Golden couple split should have been front page news. He thought maybe one or both got cold feet and backed out of the divorce. That possibility left his mind as soon as he saw Granger walking into the pub. She practically glowed. She looked relaxed in the simple skirt and blouse she wore. This was the first he'd seen her wear a skirt and it seemed much more fitting for her mood. Free and flowing. When she stopped talking and started looking around he thought something was wrong. Then he saw her pull what at first he thought was a pendent from beneath her blouse but quickly realized it was a galleon of all things.

"Who pray tell is Angelina? And what is that?" He had a feeling she was a Mrs Weasley but wasn't certain which one.

Granger smiled down at the galleon, passing her finger over it and said 'good luck!' She then looked back up at him with an even bigger smile than before, "George's wife, they are expecting their first. Hopefully little one comes tonight. If she comes between now and midnight I win the bet."

"You placed a bet on when the baby will come?" How barbaric.

She just shrugged, "Ya, its kind of a tradition in the family. Anytime a new baby is due we all bet on the birth. Half of the pool goes to the person closet to the time its actually born and the other half starts the babies first savings. Its random but fun." She pauses as she looks back down at the galleon then continues, "This is something George and I came up with after the war. Remember the DA?"

"Dumbledores attempt to over throw the Ministry with a bunch of teenagers in 5th year? What about it?" He scoffed. Of course he remembered, he had happily helped that cow bust it up.

"Not hardly. A simple defense club intended to help us pass the class since Umbitch couldn't be bothered to actually teach us. We only called it Dumbledore's Army because we knew it would piss Umbridge off if she ever found out about it. Anyways I put a Protean charm on fake galleons as a way of communicating meeting times to everyone. After the war George helped me expand on the idea so that they could all be used instead of one master to communicate. Now every Weasley has one so any time anyone needs to get a message to the others right away all we have to do is tap it and it relays the message to everyone. Makes life much simpler. Can you imagine if he had to try and floo call every family member? What about those not at home? In a family this size we needed an easy way to communicate and I can't convince them to get cell phones."

"That is absolutely brilliant. Do you need to go or...? " he hoped this wouldn't cut their evening short but he understood if it did.

"Oh no, I dont go to the hospital. Angelina understands and besides she's going to have more than enough visitors without me there. I will visit once they are home."

"So what will you be celebrating next week thats bigger than getting divorced?" He asked relieved that she wouldn't be leaving right away.

"After everything was taken care of Kingsley stopped me as I was leaving the Ministry. He made his most generous offer yet." She paused to eake a sip of her wine and then looked at him as if inviting him to ask.

He just stared at her but finally curiosity got the better of him, "And?"

" did you know Madam Davies is retiring in the new year and has no one appropriate to fill her position. Kingsley has requested I transfer so that I may train under her with the intention that I take over after she retires."

"Madam Davies? As in head of Law Division? He offered you head of the department? And you said yes right?" He couldn't believe it. She had better have had said yes, that was an amazing opportunity and she more than deserved it.

She paused a moment with a wicked grin on her face then finally relented and said, "well I remembered something someone wisely told me. They told me I would never be happy unless I was making a difference. Taking that into consideration, I start on Monday. So next Tuesday you can buy me a drink to celebrate."

"Did you just call me wise?" He smirked knowingly.

"Dont let it go to your head Malfoy. But yes, I agree you might have a point. So I took the position. Even if I go no further Head of Law Division will allow me to make a real difference."

"You will keep going up, now that you've taken that first step nothings going to stop you. Just remember to thank me in your acceptance speech when you become Minister."

"I don't know about Minister but I do want to make the world a better place for Bryony and her generation." Malfoy was watching her face as she spoke. She looked as if startled at the mention of the MFM position and as if she had never considered it.

-_-_-

As soon as Brooks, the Editor of the Prophet left his office Draco had jumped into the Floo coming straight to St. Mungo's without even thinking about it. After he was released from Azkaban one of the very first things he did was purchase the Prophet. It had pretty much been run into the ground during the war. Most of the Wizarding world thought it was trash but it was still the only major paper being printed. All the smaller papers had been destroyed by Death Eaters to try and control what was printed.

So Draco had purchased it and put a new Editor in charge who had better scruples than the last. He had also told Brooks that while he did not want it known that he know owed the paper any stories with his name in it had to go through Draco first. This way Draco was able to keep his name out of the press. Last week after Granger announced the upcoming divorce he had summoned Brooks to his office and informed him that any mention of the Golden Trio had to go through him as well.

When Brooks floo called him he thought news had finally broke about the divorce but instead Brooks presented a peice about a Lethifold getting loose in Granger's Department and she had been taken to Mungo's. Draco quickly ended the floo call and jumped into the floo without even thinking. He didn't even realize he did it until he ran up to the welcome witch and demanded to know where Granger was.

"Ok gentleman, whats the plan here?" The middle aged blonde in green Healers robes was asking Potter and Weasel over the bed where Granger lie as Draco stormed into the private room. Granger had a recently healed gash on the side of her head and looked pale but he couldn't see any other obvious signs of injury.

"Oi" said the Weasel while the Healer exclaimed, "do you mind not barging in like a wild animal, this is a hospital! Now out! This is a private room!"

Draco ignored her and looked at both the men and asking Potter, "how is she?"

Potter stared back at him before nodding and telling the healer, "Healer Owens, he can stay. She is weak but fine. Please continue Healer."

The healer grumbled to herself but didn't say anything more to Draco. "As I was saying before we were interrupted, I would be ok with releasing her to go home but only if she has someone stay with her for the next 24 hours. Either way we need to make a decision before she wakes up."

"I can't stay with her, I have to get back and figure out how the hell a Lethifold got into the Ministry. Ginny would except she's staying with Angelina and the baby." Potter said looking hopeless.

"I would have mum take Bryony and I'd stay with her but mum's supposed to go to Angelinas so Gin can go home to rest. I dont want Bryony to see her like this. She won't leave her side and it wouldn't be good for either of them."

"I guess I'll get the sedatives ready then. I'll keep her under till tomorrow. Who will be here when we wake her? And who's keeping her wand?"

"Wait why should she be sedated if she's staying?" Draco asked confused.

"Hermione doesn't do well being here." Said the Weasel.

"Thats an understatement. Three years ago she had another workplace accident. As usual her wand was stored in the bedside cabinet. She woke up, summoned her wand and blasted the first person she saw. I still have the scars. So now hospital policy says all wands are stored with personal belongings in the lockers downstairs. Her wand isn't even allowed to be in the building when she wakes. Even without her wand she's a force to be reckoned with." The healer turned back to Potter and reiterated, "She would do much better at home."

Without even thinking of how it sounded let alone how it would look Draco heard himself offering, "I can stay with her." Three sets of startled eyes turned towards him. He couldn't decide who looked less surprised and instead looked back at Granger, "I mean," he stammered, "if staying here is going to slow her recovery and no one else can stay with her, I'll do it."

"Thats up to you Aruor Potter, you are her listed next of kin." The healer paused then looked at the Weasel, "Which actually surprises me. I didn't realize you had divorced."

"Just recently actually." He replied but he was looking at Potter as if they were having a silent conversation to decide what to do.

Finally Potter nods again, "Ok then Malfoy."

"I assume it will take a while to get her ready to transport and get everything settled? I need to head back to the office to let them know I'm out for the rest of the day and tomorrow. Then I have to arrange for Scorpious' care. Can I meet you at her place? Thats if you can handle transport on your own?"

Malfoy stayed long enough to get care instructions from the Healer and Granger's address from Potter then left to get everything ready. After he walked out the hospital door Healer Owens spoke up, "that was Draco Malfoy wasn't it?" At the guys nod she continued, "I thought him being a Death Eater kinda put you guys as mortal enemies."

"Former Death Eater, he has more than repented for his actions during the war. He and Hermione have struck up a rather unusual friendship. All of this is privileged information under healer/ patient confidentiality." He paused to glare at the healer, "I dont want to wake up to the Prophet tomorrow mentioning hes the one caring for her or the divorce. The last thing she needs is reporters hounding her when she's supposed to be healing."

"Of course Arour Potter, I'm a professional. Let me go get the paperwork ready for her release."

After she left the room Harry and Ron finally could talk freely, "so what the hell happened?"

""I don't honestly know. I was down there asking her if she wanted to grab lunch and next thing I know the thing comes swooping in at her. She said it was a Lethifold and that a patronus was the only way to stop it then froze. She didn't even try to cast. I dont understand it. And Malfoy showing up here? Whats up with that? I wonder how he even knew she was here."

"You don't think he sent it to the Ministry do you?" Ron asked cautiously. They had suspected Malfoy of nefarious actions before but hes supposed to be a changed man.

"As panicked as he looked? No way. Besides I think he surprised himself by even coming here. Someone must have told him. Though I would like to know how and why he's keeping tabs on her."

Signing the release paperwork and transporting Hermione home had taken less time than Harry thought it would. Less than an hour later he found himself pacing in her living room waiting for Malfoy to show up so he could get back to work. Finally he heard a knock on the front door 20 minutes later. He opened the door to find a rather perturbed Malfoy staring back at him, "what the hell took you so long? I was beginning to think you got cold feet. And why didn't you use the floo like we discussed?" Harry fussed as he opened the door to let the other man in.

"Funny thing about floo's, if they aren't open you can't get through, same with apparition wards. I had to find the nearest apparition point and walk the rest of the way. All becausesomeone forgot to lift the wards." He glared at Potter before asking what he really wanted to know, "so what the hell happened? How did a Lethifold get in? Do you think she was targeted?"

"I have no earthly idea, thats why I need to get back so I can figure this out. But I do have a question for you first."

"Let me guess you think I am somehow responsible for this? Is that always your first reaction. Something happens, blame Malfoy. "

"You have to admit I was right 6th year, you were to blame. I know you had nothing to do with this. The look on your face when you burst into her room told me you had nothing to do with this. No, I want to know how you knew she was hurt? The only reason Ron was there was I called him from the Ministry before she had been taken to Mungo's."

Draco really didn't want to admit how he knew. So blurted out the first thing that came to his mind, "I'm a seer?"

Potter had the audacity to grin at that, "For being a Slytherin your a lousy lier. For real, how did you know?"

"I own the Prophet so when Granger told me of the divorce I told my editor that any story pertaining to the Golden Trio needed to go through me first. That way I could try and make certain nothing to awful was published."

"Yeah, when it finally gets out its going to blow up." Harry nodded as he began leading Draco to what he assumed would be Granger's room. He was trying to get a look around without appearing nosey. Potter lead Draco down a hallway that had framed pictures covering the walls. Lots of the Weasley clan but also quite a few that were obviously muggle in origin. One of a much younger Granger sitting atop a motor bike with what had to be her father caught his eye. He would have to come back to look closer once Potter was gone and he was sure Granger was good.

"I was hoping I could soften it a bit. If nothing else I can make sure Skeeter doesn't get the story. Since I didn't tell Brooks exactly what I was looking for he called my office to let me know they were printing a peice on an attack at the Ministry and that Granger was hurt." Draco stopped just outside the room Potter had just walked through. All of a sudden this didn't seem like such a good idea. He wasn't even sure where he stood with Granger and here he was invading her personal space. He didn't even know how she was going to react when she wakes up. She might even start throwing hexs at him.

Potter turned around and saw the hesitation on Malfoys face, "Get your asre in here, its to late to back out now. I have to get back to work and you agreed."

"I might not have thought this through."

"Obviously but its what's going to happen."

"What if she wakes up and starts throwing hexes?"

"She probably will. I would lock away her wand but at some point you will have to give it back to her."

"And if she doesn't want me here?" Draco didn't like how small his voice sounded.

"Then send a patronus and I will find someone else to sit with her." Potter sighed, he was obviously over the conversation. "Or she has a way of communicating with us if need be. She will not hesitate to let me know if she has a problem with the arrangement. Now I really must be going." He handed Draco her wand and swept out of the bedroom leaving Draco to look around the room.

The walls were painted a pale yellow that seemed calming. She had simple furniture but it was obvious what her favorite part of the room is. The entire wall opposite of her bed was covered with built in bookshelves. In the corner she had a simple reading area setup, a comfy looking chair with a small side table where a stack of books sat. Glancing at her to confirm she was still asleep Draco walked over and looked at the books she had on the table. All of them were on wizarding law. He chuckled, looks like she was studying up for her new position, a very Granger thing to do. He sat down and began looking through the book, all he could do was wait and pray to the gods that she doesn't start hexing as soon as she wakes.