Author's Notes

Hi everybody... look at this, I'm actually getting a chapter out ON TIME! ? ﾟﾥﾳ?

I had gotten to the point where I was annoying myself with how behind schedule this story was, so I joined a FB group that was designed to help inspire authors into finishing their outstanding WIP's, sat down to write it, and here we are!

Thank you ALL for your patience with the slow updates, we have three chapters left, and they are all outlined and semi written, so things are looking good!

I've said it before, I'll say it again, we really do have the best readers in the entire world and we appreciate each and every single one of you. ? ﾟﾘﾍ?

I hope you all like this latest update! I need to extend a MA. HOO. SIVE thank you to champagneandliterature for continually being a wonderful writing partner, I answered a comment in the WIP group that asked for people's experience working with alpha/betas and I seemed to be in the minority of those who have had a good experience so now I appreciate her even more!

Lastly, the FB group I'm mentioning is called "WIP IT 2022" and it's brilliant. Also the Italian phrase Blaise speaks in the chapter is Mia Dolcezza, and it means "my sweet."

See you all next time, much love, Claire. (phoenix.) XXXxxx

Cupid's Arrows Chapter 32 - New Beginnings

"That's all the invites to the Quidditch match ready to send," Hermione said, sealing the last envelope shut with Grimmauld Place's wax stamp. "We just need to pop to the post office in Diagon to owl them out."

"Let's do that tomorrow since it's getting a bit late now," Ginny replied, staring at the delicate floral tattoo that Blaise was inking onto her left arm.

Blaise frowned as Ginny shifted position yet again. "Keep still, mia dolcezza. I know this is uncomfortable, but you really don't want a crooked design. Do you need a break?"

"Sorry." Ginny returned Blaise's tender kiss then settled back in her chair with a sigh. Hermione dragged her eyes away as Blaise gently stroked Ginny's long hair, the intensity of their interactions making her feel as if she was intruding on a private moment. She looked up, grateful for the distraction of the door opening. "Okay, carry on," Ginny was saying, "I'm good for a while longer. Oh, umm…. hello Charlie!"

"Sweet Merlin, Mum's going to kill you!" Hermione gasped as Charlie Weasley stepped onto the patio, grinning brightly and being closely followed by Theo, Sirius, Remus, and rather inexplicably, his brother Percy. "Though I suppose her seeing you with a tattoo might take some of the pressure off of me. Why she only moans about my long hair and body art and not Bill's, I'll never know!"

"It's because Bill's married, and he and Fleur are giving her grandchildren, while the only kind of babies you're interested in are baby dragons! Anyway, I like to live dangerously." Ginny poked her tongue out at Charlie then lifted her brows at Percy, trying to provoke him into voicing his obvious disapproval. "What are you both doing here anyway?"

Charlie grinned while Percy shuffled his feet, still looking uncomfortable. "We've come to share some good news. Theo, Percy, and myself have just come from Minerva McGonagall's office at Hogwarts." Charlie hooked a chair out from under the table, glanced at the copious amounts of study notes spread out over every workable surface, then sat down in a relatively clear spot. "Theo and I were working out the logistics of his job offer when we hit a snag. We came up with a potential solution, went to put it to Minerva, and she not only liked it but escalated it rather hugely. To cut a long story short, Percy is now on loan to us from Kingsley, and you all have some decisions to make. I hope you're all feeling open to some new ideas?"

Hermione's heart pounded anxiously as she watched Draco snap Snape's potion notebook shut then turn to stare at Theo. "Why do I have an ominous feeling about this, Theodore?" he asked.

"I've got no idea." Theo ruffled Draco's hair affectionately. "I don't know why anything I'd do would cause you concern-"

"Life experience," Draco deadpanned. "I've learned that this particular twinkle in your eye means trouble."

"Doesn't Theo mean trouble in general?" Blaise asked, grinning as Theo saluted him.

Hermione closed her eyes and massaged her temples, mentally bracing herself for whatever they were about to tell her. Despite consciously trying to calm her nerves, she still felt uncomfortably on edge. Inexplicably, she could feel that something was about to change.

When nobody else spoke, she turned to gaze curiously at Percy. She'd never seen him at Grimmauld Place before, and she was struck by how out of place he looked. His immaculately tailored Ministry robes and prim disapproval were entirely at odds with the laid back, relaxed atmosphere that Hermione had grown so used to over the last few weeks, and she couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy for his palpable discomfort.

"Alright, what's happened? You've been to Hogwarts. What's Minnie agreed to that's caused Kingsley to drop everything and fling his undersecretary at you?" Sirius asked.

"Minnie?!" Theo echoed, cocking his head as Percy's permafrown deepened. "I like it. It suits her. Makes her seem vaguely less terrifying, somehow."

"Ah, Minnie's a pussycat when you get to know her," Sirius grinned. "Literally. We spent enough time in detention with her to learn that, didn't we, Re?"

"As I recall, it was mostly you and James who ended up in detention with Minerva," Remus smiled. "I was the prefect, remember?"

"Oh, yes. How could I forget?" Sirius gave a wry grin, waved his wand, and Remus' multicoloured wine glasses soared out of the house and onto the table. He followed the glasses with an unopened bottle of firewhisky, which Harry caught as it flew perilously across the patio. ''Never put a toe out of line, did you, Moony? This sounds like the kind of occasion that calls for a drink. Give us a moment. Then when we're properly braced, you can tell us what's happened."

Charlie shook himself out of the daze he had fallen into while watching Blaise continue to tattoo Ginny. "Well, as I said, this all started because myself and Theo found ourselves with a dilemma. I need someone to help me full time on the reserve now," Charlie continued, accepting a drink from Sirius and scooting it across the table to Percy, "have a drink Perce, you need to loosen up a bit."

Percy glanced incredulously at his watch, "it's quarter past four in the afternoon, Charlie!" he spluttered. "We're still within work hours!"

Sirius shrugged, leaned forwards, and added another measure of firewhisky to Percy's glass. "Better make it a double then. Take a measure back for Kinglsey too. I always did like him."

Percy stammered something about Ministry protocol, but his objections were drowned out by Charlie and Ginny's laughter.

"Anyway," Charlie continued, accepting his own drink with a nod of thanks to Sirius. "I can't wait until Theo's finished school in July. I'm snowed under as it is, and nesting season will be upon us before we know it. Theo also wants to start work now, but he's no fool. He's been listening to Fred and George, who, as you know, are quick to extol the merits of leaving school early, but he's also paid attention to Draco and Hermione, who both have a very different viewpoint. He came to me with what I thought was an interesting compromise."

Charlie turned to flash Hermione a grin, and she nodded, touched that Theo thought her words worthy of consideration. "Theo offered to work a reduced number of hours for me each week, while also flooing in and out of Hogwarts to attend certain lessons. He wanted to ask Minerva if he could drop some NEWT subjects, the ones he feels are unnecessary to his chosen career path, and focus instead on the ones he really needs. I liked the idea. I thought it was the perfect compromise, so we floo called Hogwarts and Minevra told us to come on through. She was also intrigued. So, she, in turn, floo called the Minister, who sent Percy through, and with Percy's help we've spent this afternoon designing a study-based apprenticeship scheme. Minerva thinks it's a brilliant idea."

"Professor McGonagall believes that the current eighth year schooling arrangements aren't working out terribly well. She's had several rather unpleasant incidents to deal with since the start of term, and she admits that there are more mental health problems amongst the students than she had anticipated," Percy said. "Consequently, she was relieved to accept an alternative education plan. She intends to announce the proposal to the rest of the returning seventh and eighth year students, and to hold individual career planning meetings after Christmas. The Headmistress has very kindly agreed to consider each student's wishes, and to allow me to produce tailored education packages for those students that wish to take part in the new scheme. The program is entirely optional, any student who wishes to remain in full-time education may do so," Percy finished with a pointed look at Hermione.

Hermione looked sharply up at Theo, who grinned straight back. "See? Nothing to worry about at all. Percy has everything in hand. It's clear that Minnie," he paused to grin, sounding out the name experimentally, "adores him."

Theo pulled a cigarette out of the pack Sirius offered him, and lit it with a bluebell flame that he then tossed to Draco over a scandalized looking Percy's head. Before Draco could react, Sirius Accio'd the flame across the table, used it to light his own cigarette, then tossed it upwards. The flame spun, escalating into an enormous flash of fire that shattered and rained showy blue sparks down over the patio. "You need to teach me the incantation for that!" Theo gasped, looking highly impressed.

Percy stared wordlessly at Sirius and then at Theo, both of whom grinned brightly back. Giving up on any admonishments, Percy huffed out a sigh, looked imploringly at Remus, then shook his head as Remus turned away with a poorly hidden smile. Percy took a long, steadying breath in through his nose as Theo continued to speak. "Anyway, I'm going to study for NEWTS in Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, Herbology, and Charms, then I'm going to drop the rest of my current subjects in favour of working for Charlie. Minnie is happy to offer the same concessions to all students, so if you all want to do something similar, you can. You just need to work out a suitable plan with Percy here."

"But this is where I need to make a confession, Sirius, Remus," Charlie said. "I don't have any extra accommodation set up at the sanctuary yet. I've offered Theo an eventual live-in position, as long as we're both happy working together long term, that is. It shouldn't take long to set up extra housing, but Minerva seemed to think that students on a part time curriculum shouldn't be living in the same Hogwarts dormitories as those who are still attending full time. So, I was wondering if Theo could bunk down here for the time being-"

"Of course you can!" Sirius said, lifting his eyebrows and looking delighted. "There's plenty of room for any of you who want to do that. Isn't there, Re?"

"Are you sure?" Theo asked, looking nervously from Sirius to Remus. "Both of you? Only it's a big ask. I mean technically I wouldn't be homeless if you said no, there's always Nott Manor, but honestly-"

"I think I'd choose to be homeless rather than stay there. Nott Manor is worse than a mausoleum," Draco interjected. "You can't go back there. I won't let you-"

"You're very welcome to stay here. I've never been more sure of anything in my life," Sirius asserted. "Remus and I both agree that having you all flitting in and out of here over the last few weeks has turned the place around."

"That offer would stand for any of you that wanted to do the same thing," Remus said, smiling as he looked around the table.

Sirius nodded his agreement, and Theo smiled gratefully back. Hermione tuned out the excited chatter that broke out all around her and took a tentative sip of the firewhisky in her glass. She blinked her watering eyes as she regarded Theo's obvious happiness, then sighed heavily.

"You look like you need to talk to Blaise," Draco whispered.

"Do I?" she asked, wiping her eyes with a confused frown. "What about?"

Draco steepled his fingers together in front of his nose and regarded her thoughtfully through the gaps. "Well, I know it appears that all he and Theo do is bicker, but in reality, they're extremely close. You might not know it, but Blaise is incredibly protective of Theo. Look at him now."

Curiously, Hermione turned to look at Blaise. Having long abandoned his attempts to keep Ginny still, he was also watching Theo. But, Hermione realised, whereas her own face clearly showed her concerns, Blaise was regarding Theo with a look of outright pride. Catching her eye, Blaise canted his head in question, then when Hermione held his gaze, he stood up and moved around the back of the table to crouch down behind her and Draco's chairs. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing." Draco smiled. "It's perfect for him, isn't it?"

"I think so." Blaise agreed. "I think it's a brilliant idea. And I think we'd all be mad not to at least consider doing something similar ourselves. But you don't look so sure, Hermione. Why not?"

Hermione sighed again as she contemplated her drink then pushed it to one side. In her opinion, Percy was right, mid afternoon was much too early to be drinking neat firewhisky. "Nothing," she lied, shaking her head at Blaise's disbelieving look. "Oh, who am I kidding?! School doesn't suit everybody, right?" She continued slowly, meeting Blaise's level gaze while trying to keep Fred and George's arguments in the forefront of her mind.

Blaise shook his head. "No. It doesn't. I thought Theo would drop his NEWTS entirely at the first chance he got," Blaise said. "Take it as a huge compliment that he's not, because that will be your and Draco's influence. It's just a little change, that's all. It's a safer world out there now." Blaise dropped a hand onto Hermione's shoulder as he stood up. "Just remember, not all change has to be feared." Blaise tightened his grip for a moment, then let go, walking casually away as if he hadn't just sent her mind barrelling out of control with his carefully chosen words.

"Psssst, 'Mione. What's up?" Ron asked half an hour later. "Why aren't you joining in with the celebrations?"

"Nothing's up. I'm fine," she lied, wondering why she was trying so hard to convince everyone of this. Predictably, Ron saw straight through her weak assurances. He peered at her for a moment longer, threw Harry a significant look, then stood up and left the patio, tilting his head to indicate that Hermione should follow. Grateful for his discretion, she waited a couple of moments then excused herself to the toilet, not wanting to put a dampener on the burgeoning party mood.

She climbed the first set of stairs and found both Harry and Ron waiting for her on the landing. Ron ushered her into his and Millie's bedroom then closed the door with a snap. "Don't you dare say this is nothing, 'Mione, I've learned the hard way through various bird attacks not to ignore you when you're upset."

Totally taken aback, Hermione laughed. "That was one bird attack, Ronald, and you thoroughly deserved it!"

"Undoubtedly I did." Ron nodded seriously. "But the pecking still hurt, and I'll not make the same mistake twice. Tell us what's wrong?"

She sighed, stalling for time by picking at a non-existent thread on the duvet cover. "Isn't Pansy going to mind me being in here with you, Harry? I thought she was worried about us being alone together."

Harry shook his head. "Not anymore. She's relaxed about all of that now a bit of time has passed. Apparently, most of the school had you and I pegged as an item, even though we've never even-"

"But, you and I would never have worked as a couple!" Hermione snorted her disbelief. "We'd have killed each other if we'd tried to go out together. You and I would have been worse together than Ron and I were!"

"Thanks!" Harry teased. "Good to know, 'Mione. I think Pansy realises that now too," he said more seriously, reaching up to adjust his glasses on his nose. "So, back to the problem in hand. What's wrong?"

"I think Professor Mconagall is right," Hermione said, shaking her head sadly. "Us all living together in one dorm isn't really working out, is it? I got this today," she haltingly reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded over piece of parchment. "It's a letter from Daphne. Draco went to Malfoy Manor yesterday, then on to see Narcissa in France. Daphne and Astoria were still staying there. They gave him this to give to me, and a similar one to give to Theo. Theo read his, and brushed it off, saying we shouldn't worry about them anymore, but I can't do that just yet, and I don't know if that makes me a terrible person or not."

She sighed, fingering the folded up parchment in her hands. "I'm just so sick of all this in-fighting! I honestly think that pushing us all back together at school after the war was a terrible idea. I want to embrace what Charlie and Theo are suggesting, but I just worry that giving Theo this much free rein is a bad idea. I mean what if he forgets all about his studying while he's at Charlie's? He might not pass a single exam, and what if something happens to him while he's working with the dragons, and what if everyone else does the same thing and nobody passes anything?!" She broke off, suddenly noticing how high pitched and hysterical her voice sounded. She shook her head as she sank down onto the bed. "I'm being ridiculous again, aren't I?"

"Thoroughly," Ron confirmed, smiling in a valiant attempt at stoicism.

"Only a little," Harry said, much more gently. "And we understand why you're worried. But you do seem to be on the verge of a panic attack, and that's not like you these days."

Ron moved to sit on the bed beside her "'Mione, what's really behind all of this? It's not like you to be irrational. You know that some people aren't particularly academic. You must know that I'm going to jump at this chance too. If I can, I'll bring Auror training forward. They originally wanted the three of us straight after the war but McGonagall told them we had to complete an extra year of school first. So, if Percy can make me a plan and that offer still stands, I'll drop a few subjects and take the Auror course alongside the NEWTS that will be useful to me."

Hermione sniffed, wiping her nose on the scruffy handkerchief that Harry passed her. "Thanks. Won't you just drop the whole lot in the end, though? If the NEWT courses are optional?"

Ron shook his head slowly. "No, actually, I don't think I will. It's strange, but the more someone tells me I have to study, the less I want to do so, particularly if I find the subject hard. If it's my choice to take a subject NEWT, then I'll study for it. I want to be an Auror, 'Mione, and I can't do that if I fail all of my exams. I'd bet that Theo feels a similar way. I reckon his motivation levels will surprise you.

"I think Ron's right," Harry agreed thoughtfully. "If I can, I'm going to do the same thing. Look at what we've all been through. Are you really surprised that this enforced eighth year isn't working out?"

"No." She shook her head, thinking hard while trying to pinpoint her remaining worries. She stared around the room, gazing at the mix of Ron and Millie's belongings. She recognised a lot of Ron's things, both from his dorm at Hogwarts and from The Burrow, but his possessions were seamlessly blended in with a multitude of other, more feminine things that were obviously Millie's. For some reason, the juxtaposition made her feel anxious all over again.

She swallowed, feeling her jaw drop as the root of the problem clubbed her over the head with the force of a mountain troll. "Oh my gods! I'm such an idiot!" she gasped, smacking herself hard on the forehead. "I never saw it! All this time, it's been staring me in the face but I never understood! That's what this is all about!"

"Uh, that's what…. what's all about?" Ron asked, blinking at her in confusion.

"Could you enlighten us mere mortals who aren't blessed with telepathic legilimency please?" Harry grinned as he flopped down on the bed beside them, propped his head on his hand, and picked up a well worn, grey, stuffed kneazle that clearly didn't belong to Ron.

"Sorry!" She said, hugging her knees into her chest. "It's the change that's bothering me more than anything else!" She sighed, watching Harry smooth the kneazle's matted fur. "I discovered I was a witch when I was eleven years old. Within a month, I'd moved into Hogwarts, met you two, and we've all more or less been friends and lived there ever since. The one time we didn't live there was when we were on the run and look how that turned out! Harry, do you understand what I mean? You had a similar introduction to the Wizarding World," she clarified as Harry cleared his throat, looking nonplussed. "I'm looking at this all wrong! I'm looking at Hogwarts like it's our security blanket, and the magical world outside as terrifying, but actually, all the drama and grief we've been through this year has come from the people inside Hogwarts! Blaise was right. We can leave school safely this time!"

Harry licked his lips. He took off his glasses, polished them on his shirt then replaced them on his nose. "I do know what you mean, actually, 'Mione. To a certain extent, I understand. But the important point here is that we can leave school safely this time. We can start our new lives without being in danger. You can come in, Malfoy!"

Harry opened the door with a wave of his hand, revealing Draco and Theo who had apparently been loitering in the hallway. "How in Salazar's name did you know we were out here?"

Harry snorted ruefully. "Eleven years spent living in a cupboard makes you notice when someone hovers outside the door."

"Yes. I suppose it would." Draco exchanged a bewildered glance with Theo, who shrugged. "Now, did you say that to stop us from noticing your current position? You both seem to be in bed with our witch?"

Harry grinned, putting the kneazle down as a look of concern flashed across Ron's face. "Yep."

"Ah, come on, Draco, what are you worried about?!" Theo grinned. "She's got us, a rugged, handsome dragon tamer, and a book-loving potions genius. Why would she be interested in cheating on us with the two saviours of the world?"

Harry cocked his head at Theo, staring at him in amazement. "Do you ever, you know-"

Draco grinned. "Don't finish that question, Potter. Because, no. He really doesn't."

"Which is one of the reasons I love him.' Hermione jumped up, wiped a tear from her eye then threw her arms around him. "Theo, I'm so sorry," she said. "I should have been more positive about all of this. I should have been the first to congratulate you. I was looking at it all wrong, and I was scared because the last time we left Hogwarts was at the climax of a war that nearly killed us all. I lost sight of how much safer the world is now. Of course we can floo to school daily if we want to. Of course, you should drop the subjects you hate and focus on the ones you need. I'm over the moon for you. I really am."

"Wow!" Theo picked her up and spun her around, then deposited her down in front of Draco. "Maybe you should get in bed with these two more often if this is what happens!"

Hermione laughed as Draco hugged her. "Sometimes I just forget that we're a lot safer now than we used to be," she admitted.

"We are," Draco said. "But with the experiences we've had, that's an easy thing to forget. Sometimes I need reminding of it too." He sat on the bed next to Harry, picked up Millie's kneazle, stroked it's worn fur and sighed. Twelve years in a cupboard or twelve months with V...Vol...de...mort living in your home. I'm not sure which I'd prefer. See, Hermione? logically, I know we're safe now, but I still stumble over saying his name."

"Both of your prior living arrangements sound terrible, to be honest," Ron agreed. "I think I was pretty lucky by all counts."

Draco nodded. "I used to bully you because I was jealous of what you had. You know that, right?" he asked, staring at the patterned duvet cover and missing the incredulous expression on Ron's face. "I love my parents, but I'd have swapped my mother's primness and my father's coldness for what you had in a heartbeat. They got better, ironically, my parents did. The madder Vol...demort got, the softer they got, I think they realised their mistakes. But I'd have given anything to grow up in a family like yours. Money isn't everything, is it?"

"No?" Ron's voice was so high pitched it sounded like a squeak. He cleared his throat and tried again. "No. It's not."

"I'm not the only one who had a tough time, though. Ichbod," Draco indicated the well loved kneazle in his hands, "is the last thing that Millie's mother gave her before she lost herself to potions and to faceless men who promised her the world. I'm sorry I was such a dick to you, Ron." Draco held out his hand, and Ron moved forward to take it. "You're treating Millie well, and you're a good friend to Hermione too. I can see that you're a good man."

"Thank you." Ron looked amazed as he dropped Draco's hand, his eyes darting between Hermione, Harry, Draco, and Theo.

"Oh, why were we all so stubborn?!" Hermione exploded. She took the kneazle from Draco and hugged it tightly to her chest. "We could all have been friends years ago. Look what we've all been through! Oh! I really need to stop crying over everything too! This is perfect. You're all properly friends now. Shall we just drag Millie and Pansy, and Blaise and Ginny in here too? I mean, do we really need to hold this quidditch match to decide the outcome of the game?"

"Yes!" Theo, Draco, Ron, and Harry all said together, staring at her as if she'd suddenly sprouted a second head. "I'm not losing this game to Zabini. I was Cupid, for Salazar's sake! Wait a moment, Harry, Ron, why do you two care so much about the outcome?"

Harry chuckled as he shook his head, his messy hair flying. "Because I'm playing seeker for Gin and Blaise. Blaise asked me this morning. I'm just as invested in this match as you are now."

"And I'm, uh…. I'm playing keeper for them too," Ron admitted as Draco's jaw dropped another notch.

"Zabini's a sneaky git! I can't believe they're picking teams already! And you two agreed?! Well, this changes things. I hereby retract my apology, Weasley."

"Too late," Ron grinned. "I've already accepted it. And the only thing that surprises me here is that you three haven't picked your own team yet. Blaise beat you to it, that's all."

Theo huffed. "Blaise's Slytherin is showing. Time to get ours out, Draco. Charlie's ours, and Sirius will be in a sec, apparently, he still plays pretty well. You'll be seeker, Blondie, I'll be a beater. What position do you fancy playing, love?"

Hermione stared up at the ceiling to think. Her first instinct had been to turn down the offer of playing in favour of staying securely on the ground, but now she'd changed her mind. A new mantra was running through her brain, and she rather liked the sound of it. "It's okay to try new things. You're safe now." "Chaser, I think," she said with a smile as all four boys gaped at her in surprise.

Harry was the first to nod. "That makes sense. You're better on a broom than you used to be, but I'm not sure I like the idea of you swinging a beater's bat with your minimal experience. So yes, I agree, Chaser is perfect."

"Right." Theo nodded his agreement. "Let's sort the rest of the team out. I can't believe Zabini did this, right under our noses too!"

"Hang on," Harry said, stretching his arms up above his head. "Wasn't there something else? Are you going to show us that letter or just cuddle it all afternoon, Hermione?"

"What?! Oh!" Hermione startled then passed him the now crumpled piece of parchment.

Harry adjusted his glasses once again then started to read out loud. "Dear Hermione,

We are writing with great happiness, to inform you that Astoria's blood curse has been broken. As of the latest test results there is no trace of the centuries-old magic anywhere in her body.

We are truly delighted by this and would like to extend our deepest gratitude to you. We will be forever grateful for your help.

I, personally, would also like to extend an apology for my outburst in the common room when you confronted myself and Tracy over our attempts to secure Astoria an engagement. At the time, we truly believed this was the only way to save her life. Although Tracy does not condone this letter, I am writing it on all of our behalfs. As I'm sure you will understand, I was brought up with the traditional beliefs of a pureblood wizarding family, and although I'm told that we must all update our beliefs and move with the times, apparently, as many people would, I struggle to do this while under such extreme pressure.

Therefore, I extend this heartfelt apology for my misstep.

Thank you again for your help. It is very much appreciated.

Much love,

Daphne, Astoria, and Tracy."

"Wow!" Ron said as Harry folded the parchment over with a frown. "What a backhanded apology! I was also brought up in a pureblood wizarding family, and I can assure you that this is a complete load of bollocks. You believe what you want to believe, 'Mione, it's as simple as that. Set fire to that travesty and poke Daphne in the eye next time you see her."

"Better still, hit her with a few choice curses," Theo muttered. "Bitch. My letter had quite a different tone. It was all simpering and apologetic-"

"She practically draped herself all over me in France," Draco shook his head, "begged for my forgiveness while wearing the most revealing top I've ever seen."

"What did you tell her?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

Draco smirked. "I told her to fuck off. To keep fucking off and that if she ever thought about stopping, then she was to keep going and fuck off even further. My mother was quite horrified."

Hermione stared at Ron then joined in with Theo and Harry's laughter. "Well, that told her, I suppose!" Harry said, looking impressed.

"You know Narcissa will blame me for that?" Theo grinned. "Your language is terrible, Theodore. You're such a lovely boy, from such a wonderful family. Why must your words be so uncouth? Well done, Draco. My family was also terrible for blood prejudice, but we learned from our mistakes and admitted when we were wrong. I much prefer the way I think now. Don't look at me like that Ron. Honestly I'm as surprised as you are by this impromptu love-in. Here sweetheart, burn that letter. We don't need Daph and her pathetic attempts at an apology. We're better than that. New beginnings, remember?"

Hermione watched as Theo conjured a bluebell flame. He spun it across the room in an arc then flicked his fingers, nodding in satisfaction as it exploded into a shower of sparks then reformed in Hermione's outstretched hand. She laughed as she held the flame to the parchment, watching as it caught fire and tongues of brilliant blue flame consumed the offensive words. "New beginnings," she whispered. "Let's see where they lead."