Reformed

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Goldensnitch18

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Rated M for Scenes of a Sexual Nature, Language, and Violence.

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Summary: Draco Malfoy is released from Azkaban and sent to Hogwarts for his eighth year where he has a year to show that he can be reformed. Hermione Granger, and her friends, are struggling to come to terms with what has happened to them and move on, but she has agreed to be Malfoy's Muggle Studies tutor anyway.

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Disclaimer: I am not profiting from this story.

Anything you recognize belongs to the great and mighty JKR.

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Chapter Twenty-Eight

Monday, February 8th, 1999

Monday morning at breakfast in the Great Hall, Hermione found her own face staring back at her from the cover of the Daily Prophet. It was positioned next to Draco's. A short way down the page, her eyes fell on a photograph of Harry and Ginny together and another of Ron, alone. The photograph of Harry and Ginny was from last summer at some event or another. They had been photographed at so many that she wasn't sure which one this particular photo had been take at, or the ones of her and Ron. They photograph of Draco was from Azkaban. It reminded her all too much of the way he had looked at his trial, empty and filthy. Hermione immediately lifted the paper from the table where the owl had dropped it, and began to read.

Golden Trio in Trouble

It appears that Ministry efforts to rehabilitate Death Eater Draco Malfoy have taken a personal turn for war heroine Hermione Granger. The Daily Prophet can exclusively report that the pair are now a very serious couple. It appears that last summer, in the wake of Malfoy's probationary release from Azkaban Prison, the new headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Minerva McGonagall, asked Granger to privately tutor Malfoy, leaving many to wonder at her intentions.

Did Headmistress McGonagall intend to push the young, traumatized Granger into a relationship with a man accused of attempting to murder one of the greatest wizards of our time, Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore? This paper will not presume to know her motives, but one must wonder if she and the Minster, Kingsley Shacklebolt, who the headmistress is dining with regularly, are orchestrating some plot involving the Golden Trio once again, or perhaps, sabotaging them to keep them from being able to influence the Wizarding World any more than they have.

This news comes at the same time as Harry Potter's unexpected and sudden separation from the Auror Training Program. The Auror department seems unconcerned about this leave. Head Auror Augustus said, "Potter has experienced a great deal at a very young age. It's entirely understandable that he needs a break. Our program requires our trainee's full attention and dedication, and Trainee Potter recognized that he needed to spend his attention on other things for a short while. We will welcome him back whenever he is ready to continue his training." Word comes to the Prophet that Minister Shacklebolt was present when Potter handed in his resignation to Head Auror Augustus. It seems that again, the Minister is interfering in the life of one of the Golden Trio.

In addition, Potter's girlfriend, Ginevra Weasley never returned to Hogwarts after the Holidays. Instead, Weasley has become the youngest recruited member to the Holyhead Harpies, a team that Minerva McGonagall is known to support.

As for our third hero, Ronald Weasley, we have previously reported on his separation from the Auror Department in December. He officially chose to leave the department in order to join his brother George Weasley, owner of Weasley's Wizard Wheeze's, as a partner in business, but a close source to the Weasley family informs us that Ron Weasley has never been business minded or focused. Could this resignation also have something to do with the meddling of Minister Shaklebolt and Headmistress McGonagall? We will let you, our faithful readers decide.

Hermione's mouth was hanging open by the end of it. She looked over at Draco, and he furrowed his brow, questioning. He wasn't holding the Prophet. She folded it in half and gave it a small shake before she put it down. She looked up at the head table, but the headmistress' seat sat empty. Hermione moved to leave the Gryffindor table, taking the newspaper with her, and watched Draco do the same, hurrying to catch up with her.

In all of her musings about how their relationship might be spun in the Daily Prophet, this had not been one of the options she had considered. McGonagall and Kingsley were being painted as some sort of power hungry villains, trying to get her, Ron, and Harry pushed out of the way in an effort to clear the path for their own agendas. The only real, huge problem with this theory was that McGonagall and Kingsley's agenda was pretty decently aligned with what Hermione, Harry, and Ron wanted. It would be pretty silly for them to try and discredit the three of them when they had most of the public's support.

As she met Draco at the door to the Great Hall, Hermione shook her head and handed him the paper. "Am I monster?" he asked.

"Not nearly as much as you would expect," she told him. "I don't even have words to explain it." She laughed as the absurdity of the article hit her once again.

Draco read as they walked, his eyes raising, and his lips turning up in a smile. "This is insane," he said finally.

"I know," she laughed again, taking it back from him before opening the flap on her school bag to drop the paper inside.

"But, Potter quit Auror training?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in her direction.

"I don't know honestly. I'm going to write him and ask what's going on." Hermione bit her lip, thinking. "My guess is if it's true, he wasn't expecting them to know this quickly." She tried to ignore the twinge in her stomach which was the inward sign of her hurt that she had to read about the news in the paper. It wasn't like he needed her approval, but they were family.

"You said he took Ginny out of town this weekend, didn't he?" Draco asked. "Sounds like he may have been trying to get away from something," he pointed out. Hermione couldn't disagree.

"Yeah. We're supposed to get together in Hogsmeade next Saturday, but if he thought he was going to be able to keep it quiet that long he's mad," she said. "I would be glad though, if it's true."

"Glad he's started making life changing decisions without telling you?" Draco teased.

"No, glad that he's taking a break. He needs it."

Draco pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her back. "I need a break," he whispered, his lips kissing her below her ear.

"We haven't even had to do anything yet." Hermione laughed, but she leaned in to him as they walked.

Wednesday, February 10th, 1999

Hermione was called to the Headmistress office two days later before dinner. She tried not to worry about the meeting, but she found that nearly everything made her nervous these days. She hoped that they had made the right choice by sharing their relationship, but there was no way to be sure until Draco's trial. Until then, she was sure that every trip to McGonagall's office would be an exercise in patience and controlling her emotions.

"Hermione," Headmistress McGonagall said with a smile as the younger witch entered her office. "Lovely to see you as always."

"Yes, you as well, of course," Hermione agreed as she took a seat across from McGonagall.

"I'm guessing that you have read the article from Monday." The headmistress lifted the copy of the Daily Prophet resting on her desk before letting it fall back to the surface.

"Yes, I did. I was - surprised with the direction they took the article," Hermione said, eyeing the headline again. "I'm honestly not sure what they are doing.

"Over adjusting, I suspect." McGonagall pursed her lips.

"What do you mean?"

"They tend to do things in extremes over at the Daily Prophet. They seem to need a cause to hang their hat on at all times. Right now, that cause is Harry Potter. Little else matters but making Harry Potter out to be the shining star in each and every situation."

"I've noticed that, but this makes it look like he's being manipulated," Hermione said.

"True, but is it better to be manipulated by two of the most powerful positions in our world or to be cracking up a bit and need a break?"

"I suppose," Hermione said, but she also frowned. "What does that have to do with glossing over Draco and I though? And Ron quitting to work with George?"

"You and Ron are part of Harry's image right now. The three of you are one entity, the people who saved us all. They can't tear you apart and support Harry. They can't understand why anyone who saved the world would quit being an Auror to be part of a business that means a very great to deal to their family. If Kingsley and I are standing behind each of you, pulling the puppet strings, then they can imply and suggest whatever they like without making it seem like they think you are making the wrong choice starting a relationship with Mr. Malfoy, or that something must be wrong with Harry and Ron for not wanting to spend the rest of their lives doing what they have been forced to do as children."

Hermione nodded, finding some convoluted sense in the headmistress' explanation. "I guess I understand that."

"I also got your note about going to Hogsmeade again next weekend to see Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley." The older woman shuffled papers on her desk and picked up the short letter Hermione had written her to let her know she would be leaving the school on Saturday.

"Yes." Hermione nodded. "We're helping Ron work on the new shop."

"I wonder if it would be all right if I stop by. I would like to pull Harry's strings a bit, and I think it would be best to discuss it in person." She smiled at her own joke, and Hermione did as well.

"Yes, I think that would be fine. Harry will be happy to see you, I'm sure."

"As long as he hasn't suddenly started believing what is printed in the Prophet." She waved her hand at the Prophet again, which promptly relocated to the wastebasket.

"He actually doesn't read it," Hermione informed her. "So, he likely doesn't know to watch for your trickery."

"Wonderful. Just how I like it," McGonagall said, steepling her fingers against her chin.

Saturday, February 13th, 1999

On Saturday, Harry grabbed the three of them lunch from The Three Broomsticks, and they ate it on the newly clean floor. The shop was starting to actually look less like it should be the feature in a Muggle horror movie, and Hermione was beginning to see what it might look like in a few months as Ron walked them through his plans.

"The new shelving is getting delivered this week," he said after swallowing a bite of his sandwich. "I need to get the new paint up on the walls before we can install them."

"I can help with painting," Harry told him. Aside from a quick jibe at him for not telling her that he had taken leave from work, they hadn't discussed Harry's departure from the Auror department.

"I suppose you can," Ron said, looking over at Harry with a frown.

"What?" Harry asked.

"You quit your job without telling us," Ron told him as if this was obviously what was on his mind.

"I didn't quit." Harry took a large bite, possibly shoving food in his mouth to avoid having to talk to them about it.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ron said, holding his hands up in the air, "'a sudden and unexpected separation.' which you may or may not return from."

"Either way, we would have liked to know," Hermione added gently.

Harry shrugged, looking back over at the old shelves which they needed to pull down today in order for the painting to be done. He swallowed and turned back to find both of his best friends staring at him expectantly. "What?" he asked.

"What are you planning on doing now?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," Harry said. "Help you. Fix up the house. Maybe get a new house."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "Kicking me out of the house after you asked me to move in?"

"I don't know," Harry repeated. "Ginny and I don't really know what we're going to do. I'm not sure I can leave Kreacher or let go of the house." Harry started to clean up his lunch and tossed the garbage in the bag Madam Rosmerta had packaged it in.

"How does she feel about you quitting?" Hermione asked him.

"Ginny is supportive of my break." He emphasized the final word.

Hermione made a small noise, crossing her arms and staring at him as if trying to see into his mind. "Are you talking to her yet?"

"Wait, what? You and Gin weren't talking? When did this happen?" Ron asked, looking between the two of them.

"Never," Harry said with a sigh. "We're fine, Ron."

Hermione made another noise, this time clearly expressing her disagreement with Harry's statement.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, this time just looking at Hermione as he gave up on Harry's non-answers.

"You know, Ron. Harry isn't really talking to any of us," Hermione told him. "He doesn't have anyone, and it's killing him."

"Oh," Ron said, visibly relaxing.

"Oh?" Harry asked, frustrated.

"Well, mate," Ron shrugged, "It's true."

Harry shook his head and shoved up from the floor. "Ginny and I are talking more about the war. I'm trying. Thanks for the bloody support."

"We just want you to be okay," Hermione said, following him up from her seat.

"Funny way of showing it."

"Yes, it's so horrible of me to make sure that you finally started opening up to one of us." Hermione touched his shoulder as he started to walk away from her, and he turned back, his face drawn in irritation. "We all love you."

"I know," he said.

"I'm glad you're talking to her. I'm glad you're taking a break, whether you go back or not." She moved closer to him, pulling him in for a hug. Harry sighed against her, letting out a huff into her hair.

"You've got to take care of yourself before you can help anyone else, mate," Ron told him, clapping him on the back.

Harry and Hermione moved apart, and Harry nodded, though his frown hadn't disappeared. "Back to work?" he asked.

Hermione nodded, following Ron and Harry over to the shelves and pulling out her wand. They began again, removing the shelves with their wands and then repairing any damage to the wall behind them. They had nearly finished the entire wall when the door to the shop opened, and all three of their heads moved together to watch the headmistress enter.

"Good afternoon," Professor McGonagall said brightly, smiling as she took in the sight of them.

"Headmistress," Harry said, surprised.

"Mr. Potter." McGonagall tipped her head at Harry and then Ron. "Mr. Weasley, the shop is looking well."

Ron grinned widely. "It's a work in progress, Headmistress."

"I'm sure that you will be inspiring my students to mischief soon enough," she told him, returning his grin with a small smile of her own.

"Yes, ma'am," he agreed.

"Harry, Hermione told me that you would be here today, and I was hoping to have a minute of your time," she explained.

"Oh," Harry said, looking over at Hermione. "Yes, of course." he moved back across the shop to join the headmistress. The pair left the store again and left Ron and Hermione behind.

Ron stared at the door for a few seconds and then turned to her. "Do you think he is really opening up to Ginny?"

"No idea," Hermione told him. She bit her lip anxiously.

"I'll ask her," he said.

"Yeah," Hermione agreed.

"Do you think he'll go back?" Ron asked.

"Probably. He's always wanted to be an Auror," Hermione said.

"Yeah, well, so did I." Ron waved around the empty shop, and she nodded in agreement.

"I hope he doesn't," she said quietly. "He and Ginny deserve some time without worrying that he's going to be hurt or … well …" She trailed off, unable to even say the word she had been thinking out loud.

"Yeah," Ron sighed. "Maybe McGonagall and Kingsley have another plan for him." Ron's eyes glinted with mirth, and Hermione laughed in return.

"Well, they are controlling all of us."

"How are you and Malfoy doing with all the news this week?" The question sounded a little odd coming from Ron, but she appreciated the effort.

"Good. We've received some mail already, but nothing too horrible yet." Hermione shrugged.

"Just let us know if you need us to do anything," Ron told her.

"Yeah, I will," she said, but she wasn't sure what he and Harry could do to help convince the rest of the world that she wasn't being bewitched by Draco or shoved into a relationship by the Minister and Headmistress of Hogwarts. She was fairly certain that what they needed was time, and unfortunately, they were running out of that.

As she started down the spiral of thoughts that continuously circulated Draco's trial in her mind, the door to the shop opened again. Harry moved back into the shop, a pensive expression on his face as he closed the door behind him. "What did she want?" Ron asked.

"Said she has some ideas for what I could do while I take a break from the Aurors. She wants to meet when I have more time to talk."

"Hope you told her I have you booked as my unpaid labor until the summer," Ron teased.

"I said I would. Can't hurt to hear what she has to say," Harry told them.

"No, it won't," Hermione agreed, hoping the Headmistress knew what she was doing.

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A/N: So glad to have so many people still along for the ride. Thank you for your time and reviews. I love all of them. I enjoy reading your opinions and thoughts about how the story is unfolding.

XOXO

Meg