I've put my note at the end of each chapter in this particular FF because i have come to realise that notes can divert attention away from the story. HOWEVER. I had to do it just this once to respond to a comment from a "GUEST" regarding cheating.
Cheating occurs. It is bad, yes, it is not nice to be the victim of someone who has cheated. However, look at how Hermione is treated by the man who is supposed to love her. He is cheating her out of a good life. He is cheating her into being less than what her potential says she could be. He is cheating their child of the opportunity to be loved by both parents. Cheating is NEVER black and white. Plus, she had left Ron in this instance.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE CHEATING AT ALL, DO NOT READ ON. THERE WILL BE LOADS OF IT IN CHAPTERS TO COME. LOTS OF CHEATING. SEX! HEAPS OF CHEATING CHEATING CHEATING!
The following day at work, Hermione tried her hardest to not think too much about George. About how his lips felt, however briefly against her own, about the idea of his hands, about the missed opportunity, about whether she had been incredibly smart to leave, or incredibly stupid not to have stayed.
Malfoy seemed as distracted as she was that day, for which she was grateful. She was certain that he had been flirting with her, and she doubted she could even begin to comprehend what that meant on top of everything else.
The end of the day didn't seem to come soon enough and at 4pm, she collected her things, bid farewell to the team and left in a hurry. Not that she particularly had anywhere to be. In fact, she didn't go straight back to the Burrow. Instead, wandering through Diagon alley for a while before stopping in at the Ice Cream Parlour for a distraction. When she was done, she made her way down the alley, towards Gringotts, as she was running desperately low on money. She greeted the Goblins politely as she always did, and they gave her a look that ensured she knew how much they would always detest her for breaking into the bank all those years ago. She collected her funds and left quickly, walking past the store where Ron and George would have both spent the day working side by side.
She looked up at the building as she wandered past, not wanting to stop, but just admiring the giant cartoon-like sculptures of Fred and George, the founders of the store, laughing maniacally down at the street below. To someone else, it may have been creepy, a laugh in the face of those who cast doubt, but to Hermione, it symbolised everything the twins had ever wanted, and been successful in bringing into fruition while still in their teens.
She thought about how Ron and George had worked so well together in the years since the war and suddenly realised how insane it would have been if she had allowed herself to be reckless with George.
To come between brothers in that way was incredibly selfish and so stupid. Regardless of how hurt she was or what Ron had done… or not done. No one deserved that.
She made a choice, there and then, one which she would have to speak to George about. She wouldn't create a situation where a rift may form within the family. She couldn't. She needed to make things right.
She hurried back to the Burrow where she collected Rose and held her in her arms. The feel of her baby girl in her arms again made her feel whole. Put an end to the stress of the day and made her realise, perhaps people needed to just do what was right for the people who were right for them. Rose was right. Rose was the best thing to ever have been created in the universe. She had to do what was right by Rose, however, in order to do that, Hermione knew only one thing to be true – she must do what's right for herself first. There was no way she could give Rose the things she needed in life while she was still so messed up. This prompted her next thought. Should she make amends with Ron? Go home, end this fight between them? Could she?
She didn't sleep that night, wondering how she was going to make things right. Make things right for herself, so she could, in turn, create the right kind of life for Rose.
Wednesday at the office began slowly. Malfoy was still a shell of his Monday self and Hermione was a little concerned. If their ability to switch this friendliness on and off again came so easily, then she was glad to be leaving in 2 days' time.
"I bought you in some coffee" she said, handing him a cup after her morning tea break.
"Thanks Granger, so thoughtful" he said. She frowned at his tone.
"Is everything ok?" she asked, watching him until he put the file down that he was working on and looked in her direction. She had thought about snapping back at his sarcastic remark, however, that would have been adolescent Hermione. Adult Hermione was far more mature than that.
"Fine. Everything is fine" he said. She rolled her eyes internally.
"Except…" she urged.
"Except, the things that are not fine" he said.
'Which are? Come on Malfoy, I practically told you every detail about my relationship 2 days ago, the least you could do is burden me with yours" she said, hoping that his might be almost as mortifying as hers. Then they might both be in the same boat. Then maybe, he wouldn't hold something over her.
"She's beyond cruel" he said.
"Astoria?" Hermione asked, sitting herself on the edge of his desk, handing him a biscuit she had brought from the kitchen.
"Yes, Astoria" he replied, running his hands through his hair. She had noticed that adult Malfoy had picked up this habit.
"Go one" she said.
"I found out that she had been sleeping with other guys when she said she was going out with her sister" he said.
"But you said the other day that you were pretty sure she was cheating on you though, right? You knew?" she asked.
"I had my suspicions" he said, sighing. "Now I know for sure" he said.
"What are you going to do? She's clearly using you for your wealth" she said.
"Wealth that I don't have" he said.
"Well, status then. Power. Fame? You name it" Hermione said.
"I've no idea what she wants with me" he said, looking quite sad.
"Don't. Don't do that Malfoy. Money is nothing. You're quite a catch" she said.
He didn't say anything but smiled up at her in response. She remained sitting on the edge of his desk for a few moments in silence before she pushed off and returned to her place at the coffee table.
"You know, I think I'll miss working" she said.
"It suits you" he said. "Not that motherhood doesn't…" he added. "But I haven't seen you with your daughter. You are in your element here" he said.
"Thanks Malfoy" she said, offering him a kind smile.
She truly felt like she had broken some quite serious ground with Draco Malfoy. He had bullied her in school, called her the most derogatory names. She had punched him when he had been cruel to Buckbeak. Now, he was completely different. He was talking to her like a friend. And it felt nice. She felt valued. Like, when he shared this information with her, he was trusting her. Giving her a piece of himself for her to carry. For her to hold. And in return, she would hold it safe, keep it locked away, nice and secure.
Thursday loomed before Hermione as she cast an umbrella charm to make her way down the path to the fence line so she could apparate to work. It was the second last day she would be at the ministry and every part of her desperately wanted to stay.
In a way, she laughed morbidly at her situation. She declined the opportunity to return to her old job so many times and now that it was given to somebody else, she ached to go back.
The puddles had splashed up the bottoms of her stockings and it wasn't till she got into Malfoy's office that she realised just what a mess she was.
"Nice look Granger" he said with a wink.
"Are you… are you winking at me?" she asked, incredulous.
"I am" he said with a smile.
"You're happy today" she said, standing up straight after having inspected the ankles of her stockings.
"It's a good day" he offered.
"Its raining cats and dogs Malfoy, I'm covered in mud, life is still the same and I have two more days here to finish teaching you how to do my job. Its not a good day" she said, her chest heaving.
He just looked at her, his smile faded and concern etched upon his face.
"You and Weasley still haven't made up?" He asked.
"I haven't even heard from him. Its been almost a week" she said, wiping the muck off herself with a tissue.
"Seriously Granger, sometimes I think you forget you're a witch" he said, walking to where she stood. He bent down and lifted one ankle, placing it on the edge of the couch and aiming his wand at it. He took her hand and placed it on his shoulder for balance before casting the most simple cleansing spell before repeating the process with the other. Hermione just looked on, dazed. His touch, despite occurring through the fine fabric of her stockings, had done something to her. She felt that his hands lingered just a fraction longer than necessary on her lower leg, which did nothing to suppress this… feeling? Spark? She had no idea what was happening. She was feeling hot and flustered all of a sudden and Malfoy's close proximity when he stood, did absolutely nothing to cool her. In fact, she feared as she realised she knew, when she looked into his… kind? … was he being kind? His kind face, that he was the direct cause of this strange heat coursing through her.
"I uh… yes, you're quite right Malfoy" she said, realising too late that her hand was still on his shoulder. She removed it quickly. Too quick. It was obvious that she was flustered and he turned away from her, but not before a wide grin spread across his face.
She rolled her eyes at herself. This was Draco Malfoy. Her arch nemesis in school. The bully who made her life hell for years... Also, the same one who saved Hermione and her friends when they were brought to the Manor. The same Draco Malfoy who threw Harry a wand in order to defeat Voldemort in the final battle. The one who had been kind, supportive and forthcoming with his own life struggles.
"So, morning meeting in ten Granger" he said, returning to his usual self after a few moments.
"Of course, right you are. Coffee? I'm going to the kitchen" she said.
"That be great" he said.
When did she become his secretary? She wondered. Or was she offering out of kindness? As the kettle boiled, she mentally chastised herself for the odd encounter this morning. He was flirting with her. She wasn't oblivious to it but at the same time, she hadn't thought that she'd given him any indication that she wanted to be flirted with. Do men usually flirt with all women? Especially married men and especially with women who were basically married, as she was.
"Granger?" came his voice from the doorway, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Oh, right" she said, making the tea and coffee and handing him his coffee.
"Where is your head today?" he asked as they made their way back down the hall towards the offices.
"Its my second last day, I guess I was just wishing it could continue" she said.
"Aww Granger, are you enjoying my company?" he asked in a mocking tone.
"Malfoy, your company is the last thing that I'll miss when I leave this place" she said, irritated. Although, she knew she didn't mean it. In fact, his company was something she realised she looked forward to. She looked to him after she contemplated this and saw that his face had fallen. Shit…
AN - Sorry about the yelling at the beginning of this chapter. I just get frustrated when people comment as a guest and say judgy things. Like, show me yours if you're so eager to judge mine.
SereniteRose, you're right, women are killed by their partners for less and the statistics are ABHORRENT. One woman a week is killed by her intimate partner in Australia and im guessing across the world, the stats are similar. This is definitely a Dramione, but I so badly wanted to throw that curve ball regarding George in there for a bit of fun. It was way worse but i edited it out, as this is definitely a Dramione.
JohnMonty, it will, sadly, take Hermione far too long to ditch Ron. She will, but not for a while yet. He has plenty more stuffing up to do and our Hermione just keeps forgiving him. I guess, growing up without seeing much of her father, then having him die really puts a strain on a woman's ability to understand right from wrong in regards to relationships. Poor girl.
Please review. This chapter has a few odds and ends so i hope you liked it.