Tap tap tap

Hermione shifted, still half asleep.

Tap tap tap

Draco groaned, Hermione felt his face nuzzle into her neck.

Tap tap tap

Tap tap tap

Hermione squinted at the clock, 6:32

"For heavens sake, what's so urgent this early in the morning," Hermione grumbled as she tried to get up.

"Come back to bed, love," he whispered.

She placed a soft kiss on his lips, he remained in place save for his hand that tried to pull her back into bed. Hermione walked to the window and let the owls in. She scanned through the names.

Theodore Nott

Pansy Parkinson

Lucius Malfoy

The last owl brought with it Lucius Malfoy's letter and The Daily Prophet. Hermione sat back down in bed next to Draco, passed him the letters as she unfolded the newspaper. He was still sleepy and didn't make a move to read the letters.

"Draco," she gasped.

"Hm?"

"Draco, wake up," she shook his shoulder.

He opened one eye warily. U

There was a huge picture of them covering the front page. It was a scene of Draco wrapping his coat around her and she moved to kiss him.

Former Death Eater Draco Malfoy Romances Golden Girl Hermione Granger

by Rita Skeeter

Disgraceful or Deserved?

The two love birds were seen cozying up Diagon Alley. Multiple eye-witnesses spotted them shopping together at Flourish and Blotts, with Mr. Malfoy buying Miss Granger half the store. Their night only began there as they enjoyed an expensive dinner together, followed by a walk to a pastry shop. I also didn't miss the sparkling trinket Miss Granger sported on her neck. My, oh my, the pair seemed cozy and by all accounts, dating. Yes, dear readers, I have as many questions as you. When did this love blossom? How long has it been going on? Has Hermione Granger developed a taste for former Death Eaters or is it the Malfoy gold she is lusting after? Has Draco Malfoy abandoned his pure blood ideals or does he seek acceptance back into society with Miss Granger's glory? I'm inclined to believe there are ulterior motives to this pairing.

Hermione gasped at the last sentences. "that insolent woman!"

Draco's full attention had been awakened and he was gripping the paper so tight he had wrinkled it.

"I'm going to kill her," his voice low.

"I know, it doesn't look good."

"I won't take her slanders against you, making you seem like some cheap slag after my money."

"No one will believe it," Hermione said, but she didn't sound confident. She was hoping no one would take Rita Skeeter's words for truth. Of course she would be the one to ruin this for her.

Draco read through the letters. Pansy was horrified by the article but expressed her congratulations for their making up, and said to give her regards to Hermione as she assumed they'd have spent the night together. She added a winky face at the bottom. Theo's letter simply said, Happy for you man, also you're fucked.

Lucius' letter expressed concern, to put it mildly. He had hoped Draco thought this through. Draco floated his letter in the air and set it on fire, ashes flew everywhere.

"I don't care what they think," he scoffed. "You're afar matters.

Hermione smiled but she was nervously picking at her nails. She wondered what letters awaited her at home.

She had been to nervous to eat breakfast and drank tea instead. Chamomile, two sugars and a splash of cream. Afterwards, she bid Draco goodbye and rushed home. True enough, owls perched her windowsills, envelopes hanging from their beaks.

6 letters.

Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter

Molly Weasley

Ronald Weasley

Rita Skeeter

Astoria Greengrass

Narcissa Malfoy

She frowned at the last few, unexpected.

Ginny expressed her joy, and Harry's. She said he was only mildly surprised but supported her and if he brought her happiness, it was good enough for him. Molly was horrified by Rita's accusations about Hermione but wondered why on earth she would be with Draco. Ron was furious. He threw his own accusations at her, pure disbelief and anger, no reasoning. Rita wanted an interview, she unabashedly wanted all the details of her relationship. Astoria called her a whore, saying Draco was her intended since childhood and a gold digging mudblood like her had no business being with him. She didn't deserve him.

She hesitantly opened Narcissa's. To her surprise, it was filled with kind words.

Miss Granger,

I understand that this letter might come as unexpected. I do not know you, and you don't know me. I've read about the news of your relationship with my son. I write to you to tell you that this surprising news has warmed my heart. I haven't seen Draco with softness that enveloped him in that photo with you. The two of you look happy, and that is all I want for him. I express my gratitude for bringing him that, and I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Narcissa Malfoy.

Definitely unexpected. Hermione had mixed feelings. She didn't know who to address first, and didn't know what to make off all of this. Yes, she had expected back lash for dating Draco and going public with it, but it wasn't pleasant to have to deal with it. She was also skeptical about Narcissa's letter, anyone in their right mind would be.

She decided to pay a visit to Ginny. She needed someone to talk to.

"12 Grimauld Place," green flames brought her to the apartment where she was greeted by red hair.

"Ron," she breathed out, surprised.

"What are you doing here?" He spat out.

"Ron, I'm sorry," she reached out for him. He yanked his arm away from reach.

"Don't touch me. You've betrayed us all, how could you Hermione?"

"Stop it, Ron. She hasn't betrayed anyone," asserted Harry.

"She has! I've been grieving the past few months, missing her. I've spent so many nights thinking how it was my fault we broke up. I wanted to make it up to her, and here she is whoring herself out to Malfoy," venom poured out of his mouth.

A slap hit his face and echoed in the room. His cheek was almost as red as his hair as Ginny stood in front of him, furious.

"How dare you," she yelled.

"It's true! Anyone, Hermione. You could have picked anyone! Why him? I feel like I don't even know you anymore," he scoffed. "She's even wearing that necklace he bought her with. Are you so cheap, Hermione, to be so easily swayed by that tiny thing around your neck. If I'd known that's all it took, I would have gotten you that a long time ago."

She had crossed the distance between them, fire in her veins as she felt her blood boil, "you're hurt, Ron, but you have absolutely no right to talk to me like that. You won't even hear me out. You've considered no one else's feelings on this but yours. We broke up months ago, Ron. I've moved on. The world has moved on, for Merlin's sake, get some perspective."

He glared at her, and threw his arms up in the air, "this is bullshit. I'm not having any of this. You're supposed to be my best friend," he pointed to Harry, and then to Ginny, "my own blood, and you take her side."

He left without hearing another word.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione," consoled Ginny as she hugged her.

She was too. Their bubble had exploded.


Draco was more determined than ever to be seen in public with Hermione. The days following the article printed, whispers followed them everywhere. Prying eyes and glares watched him when the pair walked down the streets. This pissed off Draco, but he wasn't going to let the public's opinion stop him from taking Hermione out. So, he took her out as much as he wanted.

"How was work?" Asked Hermione.

"It's alright, we saw a rise in sales and stocks this week. They're not really sure why, but I think I can guess. Anyway, I'm not really complaining," he answered.

"Well, I'm glad this publicity has been good for one thing," she smiled. She titled her head and leaned back on her chair, basking in the rare sunlight this late fall. She had a chunky blanket wrapped around her. She was in one of Draco's sweaters and was wearing baggy sweatpants. Her curly hair framed her face and seemed to surround everything. Draco sucked in a breath, he's never seen anyone more breath taking than Hermione.

Charcoal grazed parchment as he memorialized this memory. I'm just a few minutes, her likeness was on paper and he was going to keep it forever. He set the parchment down and walked behind Hermione's chair. He kissed the top of her head and put his hands on her shoulders, "you look beautiful, love."

"Don't be silly, I look a mess," she giggled.

"My beautiful mess," he smiled.

Hermione's stomach growled and Draco chuckled, "shall we get lunch?"

She opened her eyes, honey met silver. "Yes please."

"What do you fancy?"

She bummed as she took a few seconds to think, "a picnic, with cheese and bread and prosciutto."

"A picnic? The leaves are falling, they'll get on our food."

"It'll be beautiful."

Falling leaves on his cheese didn't sound that beautiful to Draco but then again, Hermione thought herself a mess right now, and he'd never seen such beauty in his life.

"A picnic it is," he conceded. In truth, he could never deny Hermione anything.

"Ooh, let's pick out wine," she excitedly said as she got up her chair.

"As many bottles as you like, my love."

She playfully hit his arm, "I'm not some wastrel getting hammered mid afternoon, Draco Malfoy."

"I beg to differ," he chuckled.

She hit him a little harder this time, "rude!"

And so they picked out mini bottles of wine to pair with their cheese and then they proceeded to pack their picnic basket. Hermione took them to a park in Wizard London where they set out their blanket under a big orange tree. They nibbled their cheeses with Hermione's muggle music playing in the background. Draco thought, he quite liked her music. The female artist that had been playing this whole time had a way with words. Poetic.

Time, mystical time

Cutting me open, and then healing me fine

Were there clues I didn't see?

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some invisible string

Tying you to me?

Draco sighed contentedly. He loved days like this with her, simple and just pure happiness. He wanted nothing more than to keep her in his arms for the rest of his days and watch her read, listen to her muggle music, and ply her with cheeses and wine. And maybe eventually, he'd let her tie his own string around a finger on her left hand. He smiled at the thought, his.


Draco was staring at her hand intently, a smile on his face.

"What are you thinking about?"

Draco averted his gaze from her hand, "just you."

She smiled but she was sure there was more to it than that, "what do you think? I told you it would be nice."

He laid next to her on the blanket, playing with her hair. "You're right, you always are. I like the cheese, and the company. Even the music and the leaves falling on our wine and food are growing on me."

She sighed contentedly, "I like it too, I like you."

"Sure hope you do, I didn't think you spent all this time with me out of the goodness of your Gryffindor heart," he chuckled.

"Who knows, maybe it's just to feed my saviour complex," she joked.

He laughed, "whatever the reason, I'll take it. I'll always choose you."