I will be writing in third person all knowing perspective going forward, sorry for the switch mid story, I just think it makes the story much easier to write.

Draco spoke first. His gruff tone cut through the silence.

"I will never stand by as he yells at you ever again." Draco said bitterly, Hermione turned towards him, eyeing him carefully.

"Why did you?" She asked simply.

"Why did I what?" Draco's tone was pure surprise.

"Why did you stand by me?" She asked, causing a significant flare in Draco's gray eyes.

"Why wouldn't I?" Draco's tone was growing more annoyed with every reply.

"I don't know…" Hermione's words trailed off.

"Granger." Draco's voice was hard, but somehow softer than she expected. "I stood by you without question, and I'd do it again, just not silently in front of him." He spat the last word, stiffening at the thought.

"I don't plan to be around him again anytime soon." Hermione answered, shifting uncomfortably. It took her by surprise when Draco reached out and placed his hand on top of hers. There was an awkward second, and then Hermione turned her hand over, intertwining her fingers with his. It was a small gesture, but it meant so much to the pair of them.

"So I know Weaslebee is a bit mental.." Draco starts, trying to recover smoothly. "...but has he ever acted like this before?" Draco asked earnestly.

"Yea he has." Hermione answered sadly. Draco's eyebrow raised, clearly prompting her to continue. "When we were on the run, looking for horcruxes, he sort of left us."

"Sort of left you?" Draco asked incredulously.

"He left." Hermione corrected. "Accused Harry and I of being together behind his back and left, only to return much later with all the apologies in the world." Hermione finished bitterly.

"How long did he leave you for?" Draco asked, giving her hand a light squeezed, she smiled at him in return.

"Almost 2 months."

"And you let him back?" Draco asked, genuine surprise in his voice.

"I didn't have much choice. He came back and we were on the run and we couldn't exactly leave him alone in the woods." Hermione over-explained, clearly still regretting it just a little bit.

"How did he find you? They all found it impossible to track you lot."

"Keeping tabs I see." Hermione joked, and Draco laughed a bit. Their hands were still intertwined, and it seemed like neither of them minded one bit. Draco went to answer but Hermione put her hand up to stop him. "He spewed some nonsense, about seeing a light that was saying his name in my voice…"

"Mental." Draco answered, and they both laughed briefly. "What do you want me to do?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione looked up at him puzzled. His gray eyes bore into her chocolate ones for a long minute.

"I could beat him up, hex him, you name it." Draco's tone was playful, but Hermione took it seriously.

"What you're doing is enough." Hermione said softly, squeezing his hand. "Harry said they'd get rid of Ronald anyway."

"Shall we rejoin them then?" Draco said, starting to stand and dropped her hand for the first time. He had quickly extended his hand out once he stood, waiting for her to take it. She nodded, took his hand in hers and they walked towards the house hand in hand.

Harry watched from the kitchen window, smiling as he did so. He was happy for them, seemingly working their way through their newfound feelings for each other. He could hear Ginny and George arguing behind him, but he was choosing to disconnect for a minute. He watched as Draco and Hermione talked, looking endearingly at each other. Had he been told 10 years ago that he'd be rooting for this particular couple, he'd never believe it. However, he really did think that Draco, unconventionally so, checked off all her boxes. When he saw the pair get up and walk towards the house, he turned back around to his wife and brother in law.

"He needs to be checked in to St Mungos." Harry said firmly, breaking into their argument.

"And how do you propose we get him to do that?" George asked.

"We can't even get him to stop yelling for one second." Ginny said, sitting dramatically down on the closest chair.

"I can ask Poppy what the protocols are." Came Draco's voice from the door, Hermione by his side. Harry noticed that their hands were no longer intertwined. "She worked there for years before Hogwarts." He added, looking at everyone's confusion. Ginny and George were glancing between them, noticing the shift in dynamic.

"Good idea, let us know." Ginny said, still eyeing the pair. Just then Teddy zoomed into the room. It had seemed that he had spent all that time making another game from scratch. He held the pieces close to his chest, his excitement oozing out of him. "What you got there bud?" Ginny said, leaning down towards Teddy.

"Is crazy Ron gone?" Teddy asked, causing Draco to snigger. Hermione shot him a look, and he corrected his face quickly.

"Yes, the mental one is gone." George said, laughing loudly.

"I made a game!" Teddy exclaimed, dumping the contents in his arms onto the table. They all watched Teddy with love in their eyes, and then they heard Andromeda's voice coming from the doorway.

"Now Teddy, I am sure they have to get going, you can play this game with them next time." Andromeda said sweetly, joining them in the room.

"But"

"No butts, except this one!" Andromeda lightly tapped Teddy's bum, which caused Teddy to go red, and his hair to change with it. "When is your next weekend off?" She asked Hermione and Draco fondly.

"Another two weeks." Hermione answered, Draco nodding next to her. "We can come right?" Hermione asked, turning towards Draco.

"I don't see why not." Draco answered, seemingly a little surprised but her use of we.

"Saturday works fine dear." Andromeda said to Draco, who nodded sheepishly.

"We can come then too, I'll make sure my work is caught up for the day." Harry said, chiming in.

"Wonderful!" Andromeda responded, turning to Teddy now. "You'll see them in two weeks time, isn't that great?"

"Yes Grannie." Teddy answered robotically, cleaning up what he put on the table.

"Guess nobody cares about Angelina and I, I see how it is." George said, huffing dramatically.

"Don't be silly, you know you can come anytime." Andromeda answered evenly, unphased by George's dramatics.

"So you say." He says shortly, but when he sees Andromeda's facial expression, he caves. "I can definitely come, I have to check with Ang. I have to get back to work, I left the shop under Jordan's supervision…" George shuddered. "...I will let you know Andromeda." George said, getting up from his spot and kissing his sister and Hermione on the cheek. He patted Harry on the back, and fist bumped Draco.

"How long are you open until tonight?" Draco asked, stopping George on his route to Andromeda and Teddy, who had just arrived back in the room.

"8 o'clock, why?"

"I wanted to swing by on my way back tonight, wanted to pick up a few of your products." Draco answered, fully aware of the look he was getting from Hermione.

"Yea stop in, I'll be there!" Geroge said cheerfully, and then kissed Andromeda and hugged Teddy, slipping some products into the little boy's pockets. It seemed everyone noticed but Andromeda, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He left with a POP and Hermione wasted no time rounding on Draco.

"You want his products for what exactly?" Her tone was stern, almost motherly.

"I am going to prank the students." Draco retorted with dry humor. Hermione's annoyance was evident, but it didn't bother Draco. "You know, some of those kids need a good scare." He added with a smirk, and Harry chuckled.

"I'm ignoring you." Hermione said, turning her attention to Andromeda.

"You do that." Draco retorted. "Do you need anything from Diagon Alley?" He asked her, clearly unphased by her turning her back on him.

"I could use a few things, I guess." Hermione answered over her shoulder.

"Not what I asked." He shot, causing Hermione to turn on her heels.

"Excuse me?" She questioned, a hint of anger in her voice. Harry and Ginny were watching like it was a tennis match, and were seemingly enjoying it.

"I asked if you needed anything, not if you wanted anything." Draco said dryly. Harry was trying not to laugh, knowing it would cause Hermione's wrath to switch to him. Ginny had a look on her face like she knew something nobody else did. Andromeda was looking fondly at the two, obviously seeing this banter as courting.

"I'll have you know that me wanting something is just as important as me needing it." Hermione retorted, stepping towards him.

"Is that so?" He answered, taking a step towards her as well.

"That's what I said isn't it?" She shot, her eyes filled with what looked like passion mixed with annoyance.

"Wouldn't know, I wasn't paying attention." He said off handedly. Hermione shot him a look, and Draco chuckled.

"We could come with you, if that's okay." Harry interjected. "I have some things I want to get, and Ginny wants some quidditch supplies, we can stop for ice cream as well." Harry's voice was almost pleadingly, and Draco was curious as to why he was so eager.

"Yea Potter, fine with me." Draco retorted, glancing at Hermione who nodded in agreement.

The four of them said their goodbyes to Andromeda and Teddy, and left with a POP all except Ginny, who asked to use Andromeda's floo. It only made sense that a pregnant woman couldn't apparate, considering the high possibility of splinching. When they arrived, Harry left immediately to meet Ginny and then quickly returned with her in tow. Draco and Hermione stood not even an inch apart, there was a chill in the air that made Draco think he should take his coat off and offer it to her. Before he could though, Harry tapped him on the shoulder and offered to go with him to George's shop. They split from the girls, who were headed to Quality Quidditch Supplies.

"Sorry to be so strange, I just needed to get you alone." Harry said, stopping abruptly once he knew they were out of sight. Draco swallowed hard, knowing this can't be good.