Title: And She Will Be Loved

Author Name: Melissa Spitfire

Author email:

Category: Romance

Sub Category: Angst

Keywords: Draco Malfoy Hermione Granger Auror

Rating: R

Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, a little HBP there but I won't tell where

Summary: She never ever felt that she really belonged; never ever felt that she was really wanted. She is nothing but a shadow. But he is the ground where the shadow was cast, and it is in his deepest desires to make her see herself otherwise.

DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/n: Highly inspired by Maroon Five's "She Will Be Loved." So I don't suppose I should say that this is a songfic? Anyways... My first ever attempt on a Harry Potter fic, so please take this easy on me! ::grins sheepishly::

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Interlude: Snow Globe

Hermione sat gazing at the muggle newspaper sitting on the counter, her shock still not wearing off.

She thought that she had just misread the names on the paper, but the picture of the house was unmistakable. The three-story Victorian house, the small garden of flowers just below the front porch, the cat-shaped mailbox and the hard, Roman letters engraved on the wood...

A tear slipped down from her cheeks as Hedwig, who just flew in and dropped a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of her, hooted in annoyance at the lack of attention she was getting. The newspaper had a picture of her and her parents smiling. She still couldn't believe what actually happened.

'Robbers Break in at Muggle-Born Granger's Muggle House'

It was confirmed last night that Muggle Auror and Harry Potter's best friend's parents were attacked in their house in Muggle London.

Hermione Granger, fresh from Hogwarts and who now lives in Niveus Estage, has just been to the place to celebrate the holidays with them before the incident occurred. Reports on muggle newspapers say that robbers broke in at around midnight, when the muggles were sleeping. The Ministry confirms that it is not, by any way, connected to whatever magical event that one would suspect. They were sure that You-Know-Who's followers were in Azkaban, or floating in the outskirts of the necropolis. "It was a muggle crime," adds Arthur Weasley, Deputy Minister and Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department.

The robbers took away a few precious muggle items, and Granger's parents have been sent to a hospital and thankfully not severely wounded...

Hermione slammed the Daily Prophet on the table, her tea sloshing out on the edges of her cup. How could Mr. Weasley not inform her at once? Didn't they even stop to consider that ::she:: was the daughter of the muggles they were talking about?

And as if on cue, Pigwidgeon flew in through her kitchen window, his wings flapping violently against the silence of her flat, a rolled up parchment tied to his leg. Hermione eyed the owl as it swooped down near her tea; with fidgeting hands, she untied the letter and read it.

Hermione,

I just got news about your parents, and I am deeply sorry about what happened. Father said he was surprised too, since they had to go there and check for damages. He was shocked when he found out it was your house that they had to investigate, but he was positive that it had nothing to do with wizards or witches or purebloods seeking the eradication of muggle-borns in the world. At least your parents weren't severely hurt, right?

I know you're planning to go back to Muggle London by now, and I suggest you to not do so. Father thought of that ahead and immediately sent a restraining order to all the train regulators and portkey owners for all the muggle-borns to be unable to leave Wizarding London. Said that they have to be careful for it to not happen to witches and wizards...

I understand your need to be with your parents or at least check on them, but do think that Father is only thinking mostly of your welfare. He also told your parents that you wouldn't be allowed exit to any ports yet, and they say they understand so don't worry; you'll be released after about a week. I'm sure you'll be fine. You're strong, and I still admire you for your courage all these years, do you know that?

I wish I could see you before school starts again, but I have to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow. I have Head Duties to attend to. I wouldn't want to let down the Head Girl I succeeded, now would I?

Do try to relax and smile, okay? I could now imagine your frown; your fellow workers in the Ministry might mistake you for Crookshanks.

Love,

Ginny

Wiping the tears from her cheeks using the back of her hand, Hermione gave Pigwidgeon -- and the hooting Hedwig -- some owl treats and stood up, rolled up both the newspapers and Ginny's letter and ran up the stairs. She will go back to Muggle London. She ::has:: to, whether they like it or not, even if it would cost her her job.

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Blaise sat on the black leather recliner, his feet propped up on the table in front of him and playing with a glass ball in his hands. He watched as the little snowflakes fluttered down the base, and smiled at the little children enchanted to run about in the trinket. The children would occasionally tackle each other, or throw some snow at one another. He would even see flashes of what looked like spells come out from tiny sticks they held in their hands that he assumed were wands. He was sure three of the four children looked familiar. One boy had silver hair, the other black as night, while the girl he recognized had curly blonde locks. He thought that it was they -- Pansy, Draco and him -- but he couldn't quite place who the other girl was. She looked familiar, though.

He was so engrossed in the snow globe that he didn't notice Pansy enter the office.

"Oh, it's you. I thought for one minute that you were Draco and you dyed your hair." She sat across him, also staring at the glass ball.

"Dye? Please, Pansy. My hair is in no need of dyeing. I am devastatingly handsome without changing myself..." Draco came in from another door, the one that led to the conference room. "Blaise, I told you I'm the only one allowed to prop my feet on the table." He complained before setting himself behind the mahogany table.

Blaise scowled, but pulled his feet down anyway. Pansy just snickered.

"Why are you two here anyway?" Draco asked rather bluntly.

"Oh, I don't know." Blaise replied, still staring at the crystal ball. "I was... Bored."

"Bored? Blaise dear," Pansy scoffed. "You never complained of being 'bored' before."

Blaise looked up from the item to meet Pansy's glinting blue eyes. He almost sniggered, but he held his reaction back. 'Too bad Draco and Pansy never had a connection like this...'

Draco's eyes flashed violently. "Blaise, about last Christmas Eve, I'm telling you--"

"Pans, would you like to go with me to the yearend ball that the Ministry organized? I figured you wouldn't want to be stuck ::again:: with an ugly ferret this year, just like it had always been for three years running. You know, for a change." Blaise asked as he darted his eyes around the room, though he was only gauging Draco's reaction.

"Pansy." Draco spoke, more of commanded. "I'm warning you--"

"I'd love to, Blaise! I mean I wouldn't want to be stuck with an ugly ferret that goes about threatening poor, helpless ladies." Pansy smiled at Blaise extra sweetly.

"Helpless?" Draco echoed. "More of hapless, Pansy. Fine. Go with him. I don't care anyway." He crossed his arms in front of him and sat back on his chair.

Blaise and Pansy exchanged knowing glances.

"Oh," Blaise exclaimed. "I almost forgot, I already ::am:: taking someone to the yearend ball!"

"What?" Pansy asked incredulously. "You mean you're dropping me like a hot potato?"

"L-Look, I'm sorry, Pans, but y-you see, Hermione and I," Blaise side glanced at Draco before continuing. "... You know what I mean."

"Oh..." Pansy sat back, disappointed. "I guess I really ::am:: stuck with good old ugly Draco."

"You talk about me like I'm not even here in your midst." Draco commented dryly. "And Granger? Blaise, I doubt that."

"Oh! I almost forgot you were there." Pansy exclaimed mockingly. "Dear, dear. I'm sorry, Draco. So I guess you'll still take me to the ball, right? With Blaise just dropping me like a hot potato... I'm sure you'll take me, right?"

"Is there any other way?" Draco sighed exasperatedly. "That's why your father wouldn't stop from practically throwing you at my feet. You ::always:: plead for me to take you."

Pansy merely smiled at him. "Ooh, I lurve you sooo..." She rolled her eyes at him playfully.

Blaise continued watching the small object, and he was surprised when the silver-haired boy jumped and tackled the auburn-haired girl. There was a pattern in the trinket that the boys tackled only each other, but then...

Blaise smiled wickedly. 'Little trinkets do wonderful things...' He thought as he now identified the other child in the glass.

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A/N: Guess where Hermione's going, guys… ) Of course you could! The question is, what will happen next?

Ciao!