CHAPTER SEVEN

November 4

Hermione suddenly wanted to see someone she knew, but the room was chaos. She made her way out of the Ministry and back through the Visitors' Entrance to the car she'd rented in France. She wanted desperately to see Harry and Ron, but she also needed some time to think. After a moment of deliberation, Hermione decided to go see her parents.

As she drove to the other side of London, where her parents had a flat, she thought about Draco, and about how she had no idea what should happen next. She wanted nothing more than to talk to him, to hear all about his work, but then, how could it not be painfully awkward? With everything that had transpired since the Law went into effect, could they return to their prior friendship?

No, of course not. He'd all but professed his love for her in Lyon, and she'd proceeded to refuse him completely. Unapologetically. No. The work he'd done to reverse the Law had been done for him, not them.

Perhaps the feelings she'd developed weren't really romantic in nature. Perhaps they were simply … friendship, one deeper than they'd had before, deeper than any she'd ever known. Deeper than before, but not more than before. Or she felt respect for him, admiration, appreciation. All those things he'd said in his interview that he wasn't seeking from her. She felt them anyway.

She truly didn't know. She did recognize the pangs of jealousy upon seeing the other woman so familiar with him. Still, it might not be true romantic jealousy.

As Hermione neared her parents' new home, she sensed a magical presence and stopped the car. If she looked very carefully, she could just make out a very faint shimmer every now and then. Her heart sank; it looked as if the Ministry had put up a kind of alert field around her parents' home, in the event she'd tried to go there. She could just see the front door. But as she hadn't officially returned to England, she didn't want to alert the Ministry to her whereabouts. As far as they knew, she was still out of the country.

Disappointed, Hermione decided at once to try and see Harry. He would have something helpful to say; he always did. Even if it was idiotic, it would make her laugh. He and Ginny lived in a small magical community outside of London. A magical alert field would do no good there, though there might be a similar kind of watch on her best friend's house. She thought she'd have a better chance of being undetected in Harry's neighborhood, though, especially if she didn't use any magic.

It took just forty-five minutes to drive there. Of course, a car was an odd sight in a magical village, so she left it outside the main entrance and walked in.

The night was nippy, even for November. Hermione bundled up with extra layers to avoid being recognized, should she encounter someone out for an evening stroll. She met no one, and within minutes, she was standing on her friend's doorstep. Her stomach was twisted with nerves. She hadn't seen her friends in over a year, and she was anxious about surprising them. What would they say? Would they be angry? Would they welcome her?

Of course they would, it was ridiculous to think otherwise. She knocked quickly, before her thoughts could go down that road of doubt again. She heard Ginny's voice as she neared the door, yelling to someone inside the house.

Ginny's eyes went wide, her jaw dropped when she opened the door. Then she flung her arms around Hermione's neck.

"Hermione! Oh my stars—are you really here?"

"Yes!" she replied, all anxiety melting and a ridiculously huge grin plastered on her face.

Ginny pulled back to look at her. "How is this possible? I mean, they just overturned the Law a few hours ago, and—wait—were you there?"

"Was who where?" Harry asked, coming into view. His face brightened like the sun when he saw her. "Hermione!"

Hermione loved Ginny, but there was nobody like Harry, her truest friend. She folded into his embrace.

"Oi, Harry, who—"

Hermione looked up to see Ron's eyes wide as saucers. "Ron!" she exclaimed happily, releasing Harry to hug her other best friend. Tears pricked her eyes.

"Hullo, Hermione," said Luna, standing beside Ron.

"Luna!" Hermione gasped, her brain finally kicking in again. "Oh, I—I didn't expect—" She pulled away and looked at her friends. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Only a celebration," said Ron with his goofy grin.

"Of what?" she asked.

"You, of course," said Harry. "Well, I guess technically we're celebrating because Draco and Blaise won and you'd get to come home, but here you are already!"

Ginny cleared her throat.

Hermione looked at her and saw that her friend's gaze was directed elsewhere in the room. Hermione followed it and found herself looking right at Draco. It felt as though all of the air in the room had been sucked out, and her vision seemed to cloud around the edges. Then she saw that Blaise was beside Draco, and they were both standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. She forced herself to breathe. Then Hermione registered other people, too. The beautiful woman from the courtroom was on Draco's other side. There was Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott and his wife Matilda, and Ron's wife Chelsea, whom he'd met through his work with George.

No one spoke as Hermione and Draco stared at each other. For all of his high-mannered upbringing, Draco looked remarkably uncomfortable.

Hermione's heart pounded as she made a decision. She crossed the room to him and stopped a few feet in front of him. She knew everyone knew their story, but she tried to pretend no one else was there. Just for a moment, to calm her nerves, it was only the two of them.

"Thank you," she said, her voice strong.

Draco's expression was impassive but his eyes were intense. Before he could reply, she turned to Blaise. "Thank you, Blaise," she said, more easily.

"We didn't do it for you," he said with a kind smile.

"I know that. I do. However, I'm no longer one of the Ministry's most wanted."

Blaise chuckled. "Well, I suppose that part was for you."

Hermione could feel Draco's gaze on her, but before she was forced to think of what to say or do next, Ginny took her by the arm. "Come help me," Ginny said. She pulled Hermione through the house and into her and Harry's room, locked the door and Charmed it soundproof.

Hermione sank onto the bed, her hands shaking, her mind spinning. "I... I have so many questions! What's going on? Why is Draco here?"

Ginny sat on the bed beside her. She spoke slowly, carefully, as though afraid Hermione might blow something up. "Well, we're celebrating. And Draco's our friend. After you left, he sort of insinuated himself into our lives. He wanted us to help him find you—tell him where you were, more like—and we wouldn't, obviously, but then… He and Harry get on ridiculously well. It's amazing, Hermione. And when he and Ron come over to listen to a match on the wireless… I have to pinch myself because Draco Malfoy has his feet on my coffee table. And we really, truly like him, not to mention that he genuinely cares about you … Harry won't hear a word against him."

Hermione barked an awkward laugh. "Draco, he's… your friend. He's friends with all of you."

"Mm-hmm. Pansy, Blaise, Theo too," Ginny replied. "Though not like Draco."

Hermione took a few breaths, trying to still her heart and her nerves. What a difference a year could make! When she'd left, she'd been the only one on friendly terms with Draco or any of the former Slytherins. "All right. I can handle this. I can. You're friends with him. All of you. With all of them."

"Are you all right?" Ginny asked, concerned.

"It's just … surprising. I had no idea." How right Draco had been when he'd said she couldn't stay away from England. To think of all that she'd missed in just a year! It was sobering and unsettling. She'd been prepared to leave everything behind for her convictions, and while she still felt that way, the reality of it hit her square between the eyes. At least she could be thankful that the separation was over.

Ginny gave Hermione's hand a squeeze. "Of course not. We've had practically no contact with you in ages. So, how was it? Seeing him just now?"

Hermione couldn't hide the distress she felt. The day had been too full, her emotional tank empty after going through the gamut of emotions she'd experienced before even reaching their house. "Honestly? I've no idea how to act around him. He's done this huge, incredible … thing … on my behalf—no, not just for me, of course—and I feel like I don't even know who he is anymore, if I ever did. We used to work together, and we'd become friends, but…." She trailed off, unsure just how much of the truth she should reveal.

"But…?" Ginny prodded.

"I'm completely overwhelmed," Hermione admitted. "What do you say to someone after that?"

"You said thank you," Ginny pointed out.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "As though 'thank you' could ever be enough."

"Remember, he didn't do it for—"

"Me, yes, I've heard," Hermione bit out, surprised at how irritated she was. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to snap at you." She sighed. "He didn't do it for me, perhaps, but he did it because of me. Because I wouldn't even entertain the idea of returning to England. To marry him."

"That's... true," Ginny said slowly.

"He took all of the words I angrily threw at him when he found me, and instead of deflecting them with the massive walls he's lived behind his entire life, hiding behind them and licking his wounds, he listened. He stepped out from around those walls and allowed himself to be changed. He opened himself up to failure, ridicule, slander, gossip—all because of me. He—" She had to stop a moment to collect her thoughts. "He did more for me than anyone I have ever known. I can't... ever hope to convey all of that to him. How do I even begin?"

Ginny studied her for a moment. "What exactly happened in Lyon?"

Hermione shook her head. "Nothing. We were together maybe twenty minutes, sitting at a cafe on the river. It didn't end well."

"Yet you were flattered?" Ginny suggested. Hermione nodded. "And you started thinking about him?"

She nodded again. "I'd never have wanted such a public reunion. I... I should leave and..." She trailed off, unsure of where she could go, except back to Lyon. Even that sounded exhausting, requiring a drive back to France. It would be after midnight before she could even think about Apparating from Calais to her flat.

"Stay," Ginny urged. "We want to see you. Harry and Ron have missed you. For dinner at least? It's almost ready."

Hermione hesitated. Of course she wanted to talk with her friends, but Draco was there, and every second she would be hyper aware of his presence and of everything unsaid or not thought between them. "Sure. But I'm not sitting near Draco. I can't right now."

"It's a big crowd," Ginny assured her. "You'll be on the end with us. Now, take a minute, gather yourself, then join me in the kitchen."

Hermione agreed and Ginny left. It took every ounce of her courage to leave the bedroom. She headed directly for the kitchen, not looking to her right or her left for fear of catching his eye. Harry and Ginny were the only ones there. Ron and Luna followed her in.

"Were you at the hearing?" Harry wanted to know.

She stood with her back to the door so she didn't have to chance seeing Draco. "I was," she replied.

"How?" Ron asked, incredulous. "You're bloody Hermione Granger. Everyone knows you. Did you use a glamour?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I drove in," she said, relaxing a bit. Arguing with Ron was something she could do in her sleep. "Took the Chunnel from France, drove to London. Used the Visitor's Entrance. No magic required."

"And your wand inspection?" Harry asked.

She shrugged. "It was easy to blend in."

"Bloody hell, Hermione! That's incredible!" Ron exclaimed boisterously.

"Been at this awhile, have you?" she teased, pointing to his drink.

He grinned and took a swig.

"Let's go, everyone. Dinner's on," said Ginny. She rounded up all the guests and told them where to sit.

Harry helped her get all of the food on the table, then sat down at one end. "Thank you all for being here to celebrate what Draco and Blaise did today, not just for Hermione, but for all of us, really."

The group chorused, "Hear, hear!"

"That said, Ginny's an amazing cook, so let's tuck in, shall we?" He grinned and got started, everyone following suit.

Hermione was grateful to be seated between Harry and Luna, with Ginny, Ron, and Ron's wife across from her. The arrangement did separate the table somewhat obviously, with the former Slytherins at one end, but for Hermione's nerves, she didn't care. For the first few minutes, she just enjoyed listening to her friends talk and gleaning what she could about their lives over the last year.

She didn't miss, for example, the way Luna's eyes strayed to where Blaise was sitting on the other side of Ron's wife, nor the way his were practically glued to her when she wasn't paying attention. Hermione didn't want to look much past Blaise. Beside him was Pansy, with Draco at the end opposite Harry. Theo sat between Luna and his wife, with the mystery woman occupying the final seat at the table. That she sat nearest to Draco also didn't go unnoticed.

"So, Hermione, what did you think?" Luna asked. "About the proceeding?"

She felt all eyes on her but she held Luna's gaze. "I was … astonished. It was incredible," Hermione replied, willing her hands not to shake.

"Wait. Are you suggesting you were there? Tonight? At the hearing?" Blaise asked, his expression one of surprised admiration.

"Did you think she just randomly showed up here tonight?" Ron asked, as though Blaise were an idiot for asking.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Thank Merlin for Ron's moronic comments that set her more at ease than anything else. "You only found out ten minutes ago, Ron. Don't be a dolt. Yes, Blaise, I was there. As I told some already, it is quite easy to arrive in the country non-magically if one knows how."

"But sneaking through the front entrance is still a feat," Ron argued with a slight pout.

"Yes, well," she said, her cheeks pinking. Normally, she wouldn't mind talking about her talents with magic, but today, with everything, she mostly wanted to fade into the background. "Be that as it may."

"How did you feel?" Luna asked, her brow furrowed, her eyes intense.

Hermione wanted to melt into the floor. All attention was still looking at her, and the last thing she wanted to do was spill her feelings on what had happened to everyone in the room. "I'm afraid I can't put it into words," she replied curtly.

"Draco!" Ginny called, sending Hermione into a wild panic. "What were your thoughts on the proceedings?"

He seemed surprised at being brought into the conversation. "I was obviously happy with the result. I thought we argued our case well."

"Bloody brilliant, you mean," said Ron, raising his glass to Draco.

Draco said nothing, just shrugged. "I'm glad the members of the Court were willing to hear us."

Theo cleared his throat and spoke up. "Those of us at this end of the table aren't sure what's going on, exactly. We aren't the least bit accustomed to a modest Draco Malfoy. I'm beginning to wonder if he's been Confunded."

"I was just thinking that," Pansy agreed with a slight shudder. "It's scaring me a bit."

Draco smirked at his friends. "Fine. I was awesome."

Everyone cheered, and Draco seemed to relax by a few increments. "A toast!" said Harry, magically filling everyone's champagne glasses. "To Draco and Blaise."

Everyone drank. "Speech!" called Theo.

Draco chuckled. "I've already done my speech for the day. Blaise?"

He shook his head. "That's not my thing, mate."

"Speech!" said Ron, pounding a fist on the table good-naturedly.

Draco finally stood. Hermione was happy to see him more relaxed. In fact, he now seemed quite at ease and more himself. She'd have to thank Ginny for her move to put the spotlight on him—where it belonged. He was in his element.

Draco thought for a moment. "That was the best thing I've ever done."

"Hear, hear!" called Theo, and the others echoed him.

"The hardest, but the best," Draco concluded, then drank and sat down.

"I'll toast that," said Pansy, taking a sip from her glass.

"I was so pleased about your parents," Hermione said, addressing Draco directly while everyone else was talking. She'd hoped they could converse just for a moment without much fanfare, but all other conversation halted.

He smiled warmly, almost but not quite able to lift his gaze to meet hers. "Yes. Me too."

"What's next for you, Draco?" asked Luna. "Will you be going after another terrible law? Or should we save this for the interview?"

Draco's eyes went wide. "Oh, I—Merlin, no. I don't intend to make a career out of this. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Are you going to ask me this tomorrow?"

"Of course. It's a very natural question, considering," replied Luna. "People will want to know what you plan to do next. Now that you've taken on the Ministry—and won, spectactularly—there will be many who expect you to do more."

Draco looked remarkably uncomfortable.

"There's always house-elves," said Luna wistfully, winking at Hermione.

All of Hermione's friends looked at her. She felt her cheeks flush.

Draco met her eyes, then looked around the table. "What am I missing?"

"Hermione's had this obsession with house-elf rights since fourth year," Ron said with a slight whine.

"Oh, right. I remember something about that." Draco's brow furrowed in thought. "I believe we had quite a few laughs over it, though I can't recall why."

Ron spoke again. "She got it into her head that house-elves should be freed. And she called it Spew!"

"Paid, Ron," she snapped. "Paid. And freed, if they want. Because they are basically slaves! How can you be okay with that?"

"Because that's what they do," Ron stated emphatically. "That's their job!"

"Enough," said Harry to both of his friends. "This issue will not be solved tonight, and our guests don't want to hear you argue."

"Yeah, and your friends don't want to hear it for the billionth time," muttered Ginny.

"Oh no, please go on," said Blaise with a snicker.

"I'd rather not," Hermione said, trying to think of a way to steer the conversation back to Draco. Then Pansy asked Matilda a question and Ron started talking to Harry. Hermione realized she'd not been introduced to the witch who'd been with Draco at the Ministry. She leaned over to whisper to Luna. "Who's the woman sitting between Matilda and Draco?"

"That's Anna, Blaise's erstwhile wife," Luna replied.

"Oh!" Hermione felt somewhat relieved at learning Anna's identity. However, upon further reflection, she realized that this wasn't just some random woman; Anna had worked with Draco and Blaise against the law, and had therefore spent a lot of time with them. Knowing how she felt about Blaise, it would be so natural for Anna to fall for Draco. And Hermione's instincts told her that Anna was most certainly interested in him.

Over the next thirty minutes or so, Hermione drifted further and further out of the conversation. The group around her had clearly formed solid bonds that she'd taken herself out of, and she simply didn't quite fit. She knew it wouldn't last, but as the time stretched, she found herself quite tired and decided she should leave and find somewhere to stay for the night. Hermione had no interest in returning to Lyon that night. If the celebration had shown any signs of winding down, she'd have asked to stay with Harry and Ginny, but Harry had just opened another two bottles of wine and Ginny's cake hadn't even been cut yet.

As much as she hadn't wanted a public reunion with Draco, she also felt strange not feeling the same familiarity she'd felt with him when they worked together. And perhaps she felt the distance more keenly with him than with anyone else because of her heightened interest in him.

Hermione stifled a yawn just as he laughed at something Anna said, and Hermione decided she couldn't sit there any longer. She'd figure out where to go once she was out of the house, away from him and Anna, where the weight of everything that had happened didn't feel so suffocating.

She placed her napkin on the table, instantly drawing the attention of most of the people on the other end of the table—and Luna—who knew that the motion signified she was about to get up.

"Thank you all for allowing me to crash your party. Dinner was fantastic, Ginny." Hermione smiled at her friend. "I really ought to be going. I am exhausted from the day, and I should drop in on my parents before I head back home." No one needed to know that she wouldn't actually see her parents. Plus, they would all assume she'd stay with them.

"Home?" said Harry, alarmed. The room went quiet. "Aren't you… already home?"

Hermione thought she felt Draco staring at her intently. She cleared her throat, refusing to look in his direction. "Oh, right, well, yes. Only I do have a job in Lyon that I have to quit. I'll need to finish my time there, though. I've a flat to take care of, things to pack…." Her mind started spinning.

"A Frenchman to break up with?" Luna offered.

Hermione's cheeks flushed, and she wanted to crawl under the table. "Um, no. That… that's done."

"So you're coming back, right?" Ron said insistently.

She smiled at him. "Yes. I can let you know more when I know something. Maybe I can come back Friday for the weekend. Can I stay here?" she asked, addressing Harry and Ginny.

"Of course," Ginny said.

Hermione forced herself to look at Draco. "Really, your speech was excellent. Congratulations again." She bit her lip, wishing there was something more she could say. But everyone was watching her, waiting, and she felt more than anything that she needed to get out. It was starting to get hard to breathe. "Right then. Well, all right, good night everyone. Don't get up," she said when Harry stood. "I know my way out."

He nodded and Hermione got out of the dining room as quickly as she could. She took a few deep breaths in the hallway before continuing to the door. She was so close—so close. It was all she could do not to break into a run. Her heart pounded for relief from the constant tension she'd felt since discovering Draco in her friends' home. She didn't know what she'd do once she crossed the threshhold, but at least then she'd be able to breathe.