Disclaimer: Of course, these lovely characters do not belong to me. I do borrow them for my idea.

Thank you to all of you kind followers and the reviews. I do think that you will enjoy this one.

News and Confessions

July 2006

She was late. She hadn't planned on being back to England so last minute, but Draco had finally convinced her that arriving a few hours before her nightshift would start was plenty of time. She had enjoyed her time in Italy so much, that she had finally agreed. He had been wrong. It might have been plenty of time for him, but not for her. She grimaced as she stepped out of the floo at the hospital and took in the hectic atmosphere.

Hurrying past the incoming crowd, she only stopped in front of the offices to check for her assignments. She took her chart and studied the lists on the wall. It was hard to focus now. Two weeks of Italy apparently did that to her. The ocean, the laid-back mentality, and as much as she hated to admit it Dracos company had her relax like she hadn't in years, maybe even a decade.

He had taken her to the various sights of Italy on day trips and even a whole weekend in Rome. As much as she had read about the wizarding world it still surprised her to see other streets like Diagon Alley. Of course, they needed to be there, but it had been so different. While the war was years in the past, she had never seen Diagon Alley as alive and carefree since the second rise of Voldemort.

It was almost like they were twelve again, walking around with ice cream, almost carefree. The main difference had been that she hadn't expected him to taunt her, whenever they caught each other's eyes. The gelato, of course, was way better than anything one could get in England and so she had made it a regular occurrence to eat it. On the days he had to work, Roks had accompanied her, or she had spent reading on the patio. She had never expected Draco to be such a caring friend, but he had made sure she forgot all about the injustice of their surroundings in England.

Not until a couple of nights ago, when he had asked her to accompany him to one of the high society gatherings of Italy. He had to attend since Bianchi was planning to introduce him to an engaged couple, who was interested in hiring him to design and oversee the building of their future home. He had looked so awfully disappointed when she had told him no before his workday that she had finally asked Roks to put together an appropriate outfit for her. The elf had outdone himself, even changing Dracos tie with one matching her dress.

He had been surprised to find her dressed up that evening, but had been more than happy to show her off on his arm for the rest of the night. She had been surprised how open the Italian high society was. She had led several interesting conversations about literature and had even been introduced to a few healers. Maybe it had been the fact that she didn't understand what was spoken in Italian, but there was no comment on her blood status. It hadn't even been asked. There had been many comments on Draco's work and even a few admiring her healer job since they couldn't stomach that.

"I wonder how Granger will be, considering." Hermione glanced at the half-open door to one of the offices. Her daydream of Italy abruptly ending as she heard her name. Apparently, her spontaneous trip had made it into the hospital gossip. Nobody should know though, who she had traveled with. Well, maybe if those officers at the portkey office hadn't kept their mouths shut. Although they weren't young female healers, who liked talking more than working.

Her eyes went back to the charts.

"It is awfully fast."

"He wanted children with her."

"Maybe, but they had been together since Hogwarts. Nobody ever saw him with this girl before."

Her forehead crinkled as she tried to make sense of what she heard. Malfoy didn't want children with her and she certainly hadn't been with him since Hogwarts. That the bind hadn't been broken on the first try wasn't very well known.

"Weasley was always impulsive."

Ron? She almost dropped her chart.

"Well, I think that he shouldn't have come in here with that girl to confirm it. He knows she works here."

"He is the father he should be by her side."

The door finally opened, revealing the two gossipy witches. Hermione was too shocked at this point to try and hide. Ron had gotten someone pregnant?

"Healer Granger, you are back." A strawberry-blonde had the decency to blush, while her friend, who sounded a tad more concerned about Hermione's well-being paled.

"I am."

There was a silence that couldn't have been any more uncomfortable for the three. Finally, Hermione turned, before wishing them a good shift and walked to her first patient. She didn't get much done that night. Her mind was flooded with ginger babies one moment just to be replaced by a certain blond smiling at her encouragingly. Ron with a mystery woman with changing hair colors in each mental image, holding an infant took turns with Draco taking her to some sort of ball.

It was honestly a miracle that she didn't butcher any of her cases. Her focus was not there the whole night. She ignored the lingering looks on her. Everyone seemed to wait for her to meld down. Which she might have had if she hadn't just returned from a relaxing vacation. Around midnight the magazines in the waiting room magically changed into the new issues. Usually, she didn't glance at those, but Ron's picture caught her attention. "War hero moving on from train wracked marriage. Can this witch give him what he has been looking for all along?"

She stared. There wasn't a picture of his new girlfriend, just him. One of her best friends, the man she had been in love with once and she knew if she opened the magazine she would find a summary of her life. An account of a terrible breakup that hadn't been that way. While awkward at first, they were still friends. If he liked this witch and she really was pregnant already, she was happy for him. She really was happy for him.

Hermione turned as someone behind her sucked in their breath. It was another healer, who seemed to think her world had just ended. She gave her a small smile, before making her way around the hospital. She was only partly surprised to find herself by the administrative offices. Only one of the heads was around during the night. He looked surprised to receive her resignation and request to take her collected leave days but nodded it all off.

The officer at the portkey office looked even more surprised to find that the same witch who had just arrived from Italy, requested to put on the list for the next available transfer. She sat in the office until 4.30 in the morning when a group of men left England for early morning meetings in Italy. She apparated from Rome to Dracos rental and fell into the first bed her feet carried her two, after finding a shirt to change into.

Something was caressing her cheek. It wasn't Crookshanks, she could tell. She breathed in the smell of the pillow. It was comforting. How long had she been asleep? There was another brush, this time catching a few of her curls, pushing them back. She opened her eyes to a set of grey ones staring at her.

"Hi." Her voice was still hoarse from sleep or maybe the lack of it.

"Good morning."

He watched, as she turned to stretch out. Her eyes moved around the room and she suddenly realized it wasn't hers. A soft blush crept to her cheeks as she looked back at him. He was seated on the edge of his bed in one of his cream-colored trousers and a white button-down.

"So usually, I know when there is a witch in my bed." He raised an amused brow. She could feel her blush deepen into a darker red. Oh Merlin, had he been in bed when she put herself to sleep there? Her cheeks were now pulsing under the heat. She caught her lower lip with her teeth, trying to find the beginning to her irrational decisions last night.

"I would offer you breakfast, but Roks returned to Britain with you, and I usually eat at work." He sat somewhat straighter, before getting up and walking over to his wardrobe to pick a cloak to go with his clothes. She sat up, noticing that she had pulled out of one his shirts last night to sleep in. It was starting to surprise her she hadn't been splinted by her apparation here.

After he had pulled on a cloak, he kept going through his things, until he tossed her a pair of swimming trunks and what must have been his most casual shirt.

"I'll make coffee."

She was surprised by the softness of the offered shirt, but of course, even casual clothes were probably handpicked by Malfoy or Narcissa. Without thinking she brought it to her nose. It wasn't until his smell of expensive cologne seemed to numb her senses that she realized what she was doing. In that same moment, she realized what that comforting smell had been she had awoken to. She let go of the shirt and focused on struggling out of his button-down she was wearing now. Her bra and panties would have to do for now, as she hadn't considered bringing any clothes, and she pulled up his swimming trunks.

Feeling rather foolish she made her way into the open kitchen grateful the floor was warm due to the mild weather. She gave him a nod when he pushed a cup of coffee towards her, wrapping her hands around the warmth.

She could feel his eyes on her. He was obviously waiting for her to start talking. But how should she start? She blew over her cup, before taking a sip. Some of her decisions had been crazy, there was no other word for that. Only that Hermione Granger didn't do crazy things. And they didn't feel crazy. She was right where she wanted to be and everything else seemed just as fine.

"How was work?"

A glance at him confirmed that he was growing just a tad impatient, although he tried to not show it.

"I quit." If he had been any other person, she would see a face fall, but Draco Malfoy just stared back at her, not showing any emotion or reaction to that information. "You don't mind me staying a bit longer, do you?"

"Surprising as that may be to my sixteen-year-old self, you are correct."

The first real smile since her brief return to England formed on her lips. It was more pleasing than she cared to admit to seeing a similar one on his lips.

"I'll request for Roks to return and bring something for you to wear."

She gave him a nod. That sounded reasonable. She had just spent a good amount of his money on new clothes during her last trip. She wouldn't ask of him to do the same thing again.

"I have another day of meetings and I'm probably going to be late again. You are on your own for food and such."

"That's fine. I'll find something to eat."

Another nod, before he began to walk out of the kitchen area to grab his things. She was waiting for the door to shut when she stepped back into view.

"Are we expecting for Potter or his wife to try and get through my wards any time soon?" He sounded not nearly as grumpy about it, as he would have a few months or years back. But she could still tell the edge in his voice.

"They wouldn't know where to look for me."

"Good." And a few moments later the door shut behind him.

While she had been euphoric last night as she left St. Mungos, now she was restless. It had been a stupid decision to quit like that. While she did live off the Malfoys on invitation, she always would have had the option to leave. She wanted to buy the cottage from Draco. She couldn't do that without an income.

And so, the pacing through the house began. For a while, she walked outside, but the ocean reminded ended up triggering more thoughts on the cottage and so she went back inside, keeping her eyes on the tiles. She started counting them and was up in the thousands when a pop announced Roks' arrival.

"Miss Hermione made a fast return to Italy." He looked as ecstatic as she had felt last night. "Mistress sends her regards and wants Miss Hermione and Master Malfoy to let her know when she can join them in Italy."

Her eyes grew big. Why did Narcissa want to come? What was she expecting to see here? There wasn't anything to see here.

"Roks brought Miss Hermione's favorite things. They are in her room. Would Miss like to eat lunch soon?"

"It's too early." She ignored the grumble in her stomach.

"Miss, lunchtime has passed already. Roks didn't get notice to pack until noon in England."

Hermione stared at the elf, before glancing at a clock on the wall. It really was quite late. She hadn't noticed time passing as it had. There was too much to think about. And now Narcissa wanted to come. Surely, she wouldn't be the only one with questions. Harry and Ginny would try to reach her when they heard what happened in the hospital. Ron would too.

"Miss?"

"Lunch would be fine." She finally agreed. "No soup, please." She had seen the gleam spread on the elf's face. It was too warm for soup. Roks didn't look too amused but disappeared anyway.

And back was the thought of Ron with that faceless girl. She was large with the end of her pregnancy and while she had no face, she had that glow Hermione had seen on Ginny. And Ron, sweet Ron he glowed to in her thoughts.

Her teeth found the inside of her cheeks, carefully biting on it. Ron deserved this. He had deserved it all along and she hadn't been able to give it to him. She had lost her chance of being a mum to his children.

A blond child chased around her daydreams, as Roks escorted her to the patio. She barely touched the prepared meal, until the elf returned and got her to eat some of it, with his tear-filled eyes. Briefly, she forgot about Ron and the blond baby and wondered if the elf knew exactly what emotions his tears caused in him. She eyes him, as she ate the light salat and sandwich, but once he had vanished the plates and placed a pitcher of iced tea next to her, she was back to her musings.

There was no blond or redheaded baby for her to worry about and so she needed to worry about her job. She had just given up a perfectly fine job. While Draco had been right and she hadn't enjoyed it in a while, it was a job. She had made enough to support herself and one could dream to eventually be granted research hours after all. She had to think of her parents too. The last time she checked the bill had already been paid, but that's not how she wanted things. She didn't like depending on others.

"Does Miss Hermione want to walk with Roks?" She glanced up from her hands. She didn't know how long she had been sitting here. The iced tea was untouched, but the sun seemed to start setting.

"Sure." She followed him. She could hear him telling stories about the other elves in the Malfoy household, but she didn't quite follow. Her focus on the sand between her toes as she took off her shoes. It was comforting to have the little guy with her, but she could only hope he wasn't going to quiz her on anything he said.

After her walk with Roks, she had been tired, but her thoughts were still going wild. She wondered when Draco would be back, but he had said it would be a late night. It was one of the reasons why she had ended her trip. They had discussed all the appointments that he had these next few days to wrap up his current project.

She had been trying to fall asleep in her room, but as it didn't work, she ended up wandering around some more. Finally, she had poked her head into his room, pretending to check if he was there. She had known he wasn't, but she slipped in any way and under his covers surrounded by the smell of his, she had fallen asleep.

"I'm just going to start crawling in next to you, if you don't quit using my bed." She sat up abruptly at his voice. She squinted her eye. She had been in that state where you would hear someone address you but could just as easily keep sleeping.

"There are plenty of beds in the house."

"So, you did notice they are still there." He hovered over her. No jacket or tie, just one of his less formal button-downs and trousers. She was still sleepy. By the amount of light coming through the windows, it was still early and she wondered, why he was up already. She knew he hadn't been home until late, but here he was ready for a new day.

She sat up the soft sheets falling into her lap. Thanks to Roks she was wearing her own clothes this time. However, he had discovered correctly, that she wasn't where she was supposed to sleep. There was something about this room, the smell to it that calmed her. Kept her thoughts from spinning out of control and anchored her.

"Come on, Roks has breakfast ready on the patio." He walked out of the room before she could point out that it was way too early. With a sigh, she climbed out of bed. She stopped at her room to add a sweatshirt to her outfit of pajama shorts and a tank top and tapped barefoot through the house until she reached outside.

The cool air surprised her, sending shivers through her. Wrapping her arms around herself, she took her seat on the table. Narcissa would have frowned at her, when she pulled up her feet and tucked them in, before reaching for the juice on the table.

"Why did you quit?" She glanced up, putting the juice back with her glass only half filled. Apparently now was the time she was supposed to talk.

"You told me to."

He laughed. A free laugh that she had just discovered last week during one of their day trips.

"Right, you start listening to me. Did I miss hell freezing over?"

She shook her head quietly before picking up a strawberry and picking on it. She could feel his stare but didn't look up. As much as she trusted him at this point, she didn't want to break down crying in front of him. Which she wasn't sure if she would. She didn't want to justify why she felt betrayed by Ron, while she was so happy for him. They had parted their ways, agreeing it just didn't work for them.

"Hermione, I have another day full of appointments and I'd rather not spend it like yesterday."

She glanced up at him, trying to get him to explain what he had just said.

"You just show up in the middle of the night, sleep in my bed, don't bring anything, and then there was no time for you to explain." He leaned back in his chair. "And you obviously didn't want too either."

She nodded softly.

"I just don't want to spend a second day worrying about what happened in England." Her eyes flew up to him. Surprised that he was this concerned. "I mean you fought Father and all these other Death Eaters on more than one occasion, you survived my aunt, you flew on a dragon." His hand circled the outside of his plate. "I just couldn't come up with anything that would possibly get you to flee the country."

"Ron got someone pregnant." His hand stopped. His grey eyes found hers and he murmured something under his breath. She didn't hear what he was saying though.

"And how is this related to your quitting?"

"Everyone was talking about it. They came in for a first check and everyone was either talking about it or looking at me like my cat just died or something."

"Did it?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. Obviously, her cat had not just died.

"Did it make you feel like your cat just died?" He picked up his fork and began to eat his eggs. "You did flee the country."

"I don't know."

Now it was him raising an eyebrow.

"I'm happy for him."

"But?"

"It was really fast. Nobody even told me that he was seeing someone, and I didn't hear from him or Ginny. It was some gossipy witch at the hospital."

"So you are not upset with him, but with the situation."

She nodded as she drew in her lower lip with her teeth. Was it really that simple?

"I suppose I just enjoyed being myself here in Italy. Nobody here cared who I have dated or was married to. Nobody cared about my blood status, or at least nobody who spoke English."

"They don't care here. No matter what language they speak."

"Right, and then I just saw myself being ambushed by all these reporters, Parvati maybe, trying to get me to give a statement on something I had to find out this way."

"So, you ran." He had finished his eggs.

"I portkeyed."

"The know-it-all didn't stay behind?" He picked up a piece of sausage with his fork.

"Cockroach is still here too."

He smiled, while chewing on his sausage. He eyed his next piece, before swallowing and asking his next question.

"What's the plan now?"

"Don't have one."

"Hermione always has a plan."

"I jumped on the Malfoy train and don't have one."

"Malfoys always have a plan too."

"Then tell me. It was you suggesting quitting a few weeks ago."

"I think your plan was to take over my bedroom. It is a good first step to world domination."

"Funny." She did have to hide her smile. This was why her instinct had let her here. A smile on her face and a pleasant conversation. She didn't have to worry about the world here. "I feel safe here that's why I came."

Her voice was quieter now. She looked over towards the Mediterranean Sea, not ready to see his reaction. It would probably be some stupid comment about any bed of the house being just as protected as his and she didn't want to hear it. She wasn't joking anymore. She, Hermione Granger, had run to Draco Malfoy because she felt safe around him. Like she could be herself and belonged.

"You met Healer Langston last week, didn't you?"

Hermione glanced back at him. After recovering from her surprise, she gave a soft nod.

"He is the head of the board for a few of the private hospitals around Europe. I'll send him an owl and invite him for dinner." He pushed his plate back.

"Roks mentioned Mother wants to come too. It might be good timing to have her here for dinner. She gets along with Langstons wife quite well."

He stood from the table.

"If you need to adjust the wards to let Potter in, you can do that yourself. I made the adjustments." He did still expect them to show up.

"I have another long day, Roks will keep you company." He walked around and surprised her by leaning down and pressing a soft goodbye kiss to her cheek. "Now I will sleep in my bed tonight, whether you are there or not."

And then he winked and walked off.