It was the following day, Hermione woke up at nine and went downstairs to have breakfast with her mother and father.
'Good morning, mum, dad.'
'Good morning, 'Mione.' Richard said, taking his eyes from his newspaper for a second.
'Good morning, dear.' Anne said pouring pancake batter onto a frying pan.
Hermione took a seat at the table next to her father.
'What are your plans for the day dear?' Richard asked as he continued to read his article.
'Umm…I'm going to do some shopping in Diagon Alley,' she lied, 'Just until tonight, Draco is coming over then.'
Well she wasn't technically lying…she really did want to go shop in Diagon Alley first, before going to Hogsmeade. But, Hermione didn't want to inform her parents that she was going to go and meet Ron, what if Draco came over early? Her parents would say she's with Ron…that wouldn't be good…Not that Draco would mind…Hermione reassured herself.
'Ahh, Draco.' Her father sighed.
'What was that?' Hermione asked with a smile.
'Have you and Draco decided what you are going to do until Spring?'
'What do you mean?'
'You two are going to stay together until Spring? Before you had Hogwarts keeping you together, now you'll be separated until for like ten months.'
'Dad!' Hermione cried, 'Do you and mother both doubt my relationship with Draco?' She asked looking at her father, and then at her mother.
'No, Hermione,' Her mother said reassuringly, 'we just want to make sure you and Draco both believe you two will be able to stay together, if you both believe, then you'll stay together.'
'Well we both know we are going to be together…forever…besides Draco and I will still be able to see each other everyday, just not every moment of every day.'
There was an awkward silence between the three for a moment or two…
'Would you like some pancakes?' Anne asked Hermione.
'No.' Hermione said getting up from the table, 'I'll go get ready and go to Diagon Alley. I'll eat there.'
Hermione then left the room.
'Our little girl is grown up.' Anne said sadly, putting some pancakes on her husband's plate.
'She has been grown up since the beginning of this year…when her feelings for her arch nemesis changed.'
Hermione stood in her bra and panties in front of her closet.
'Okay…what to wear? What to wear?' She asked herself.
She decided on a jean skirt and a pink lacey tank top. She put on the outfit and threw her hair up in a messy bun. She slid into a pair of white sandals and then grabbed a small blue purse and apparated to Diagon Alley.
When she appeared there, it wasn't near noon yet so she took a quick trip to Obscurus Books.
She hummed as she looked around.
She couldn't find anything at the store that she hadn't already read more than once. She continued to walk along Diagon Alley, getting ready to just apparate to Hogsmeade but then she walked passed Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.
She smiled and walked inside.
She saw Fred and George helping out a young customer.
'I would like to find something that will help annoy my sister.' The little wizard asked.
Fred and George then began their consecutive speech, like usual.
'Would you like it to be something she drinks?'
'Eats?'
'Smells?'
'Wears?'
'Sees?'
'Hears?'
'Things things are--'
'Entirely--'
'Up--'
'To you.'
The little boy's eyes were wide and a mischievous grin appeared on his face.
'All of the above!' The boy cried.
Fred and George grinned at each other.
'Well,--'
'Then you need--'
'Weasleys' Wizarding--'
'Chest of--'
'Surprises.' Fred finished with smirk.
'Be right back, mate.' George told the boy.
Fred and George ran into a back room excitedly, then came back out together holding a large box filled to the brim with magical devices and foods.
'This is--'
'For you.'
The little wizard grabbed the box, with a grin, but a few seconds later he frowned.
'But how much is it?' He asked sadly.
Fred and George looked at each other.
'Well, it's only…ten sickles!' Fred said, as George grabbed the tag from the box inconspicuously.
'Really? Oh good!' The boy cried pulling out a small handful of sickles. He gave them to Fred.
'You gave me one too many.' Fred said, giving him a sickle back.
'Thanks!' The boy said running out excitedly with the Weasley's Wizarding Chest of Surprises.
The little boy ran by Hermione, out the door and down the street.
'That was very nice of you.' Hermione told them.
Fred and George turned to see who just spoke.
'Hermione!' Fred and George cried together.
She ran up to them and hugged them.
'You guys brightened that little boy's day up.' Hermione said.
'Yes, well, we just remembered how we felt--' George began.
'--when we were his age…mischievous and poor.' Fred finished.
George put the tag on their desk and asked Hermione what she's been up to lately.
'Not a lot, just shopping today.' She answered taking a quick glance at the tag from the Weasleys' Wizarding Chest of Surprises. The tag read 35 sickles. She eyes widened, but still focused on Fred and George.
'Were you going to inform us of your new relationship with a certain Slytherin?' Fred asked.
Hermione gulped, then she smirked.
'Ginny talk to you lately?' She asked them.
'Of course.' Fred said.
'She talks an awful lot, she does.' George added.
'Well, my dear friend Ginny is correct in what she says. Draco and I have been going out since October…engaged since…well a few days after Christmas.'
'Yes, Ginny told us that too.' George said.
'You mean you don't remember the exact day--'
'--minute--'
'--and second--'
'Draco proposed?' Fred and George asked.
'Well there was a lot going on before and after…the days all kind of blended together.' She explained.
Hermione then looked up at a wall clock, two minutes until noon.
'Oh, you know what you guys? I've got to run! I'm supposed to be some where at noon.' Hermione said, 'It was wicked to see you!'
'You too, Hermione.' George said.
'Don't be a stranger, and bring Malfoy in some time so we can visibly seen he's changed.' Fred said.
'Will do.' She told them.
Hermione left the store and apparated to Honeydukes.
She walked in and saw Ron standing in front of a row of Cockroach Clusters. His hands were on the shelves, his fingers nervously tapping the boxes.
'Hello Ron.' Hermione said calmly.
'Oh, hi 'Mione!' He said, with a sigh of relief, 'I didn't think you were going to come.'
'Oh, Ronald I'm seven minutes late…'
'Yes, but any normal person that would be fine…but you are Hermione Granger, you are never late.'
Hermione shrugged, she couldn't argue that.
'So, Ron, how have you been?'
'Good, you?'
'I'm good. Gin's been helping out a lot.'
'Yeah, Harry told me yesterday. That's good.'
'Yeah…' Ron sighed, 'Are you still with Malfoy?'
'Draco, and yes. We're getting married next Spring.'
'Really? Oh wow, congratulations.' He said.
'Thanks.'
'I hope we're okay, Hermione.' Ron said softly.
'What? Yeah, we're okay.' She said with a smile.
'Do you want to go get a butterbeer?' He asked.
'Sure, that'd be great.'
They walked to The Three Broomsticks, talking menially. They walked in and were seated by Madam Rosmerta.
After a few minutes of meaningless conversation, Ron gulped loudly, preparing to say something…
'Something wrong, Ron?' Hermione asked.
'Hermione, what would have happened if I hadn't been stupid and tried to…hurt you?' He asked gravely.
'What? No, Ron…let's not talk about this.'
'What would have happened to us, 'Mione?'
'I don't know, Ronald, nothing…'
'I choose not to believe it.' He told her. He put his hand softly on hers and continued, 'I think we belong together, everyone thought we would be together. We should be together.'
'Ron, Ron, Ron…' She sighed, putting her free hand over his. 'I love Draco, not you. You are my friend, but I could never have the same feelings for you again, that I once did.'
'I still do…as much as I said I hated you in the past for not having sex with me, and then moving on to Draco, I still loved you. I always will…'
Hermione looked down and shook her head.
'No, Ron.' Hermione said firmly, 'You should move on…I have. I truly have, and its for the best…for both of us.'
Ronald's eyes were glossed over with tears.
Hermione tried to smile, but Ron caused her to feel hurt.
She reached her hand over and brushed his cheek.
'Ron, its okay. You're going to be fine. I promise you. School's over, and you are going to meet someone fabulous…probably while training to be an auror. You still want to be an auror don't you?'
'Yes…' He said.
'Well, go and train to do so. I know you'll be fabulous at it.'
Hermione then stood up, as did Ron.
'I've got to go, Ron. It was nice talking to you. I'm sorry I couldn't give you what you wanted today, Ronald.'
'I'm used to it now.' He said with a smirk.
She smiled back and then they hugged. She then left the store quickly, not knowing someone had watched them together.
He couldn't believe what he saw. He then apparated away quickly.
Draco was in his library reading a book. A Wizard's Guide to a Good Honeymoon. I know, I know, like Draco really needs to read a self-help book like that…but he was curious.
Suddenly a voice spoke to him.
'I wouldn't be reading too much into that just yet, fucker.'
Draco looked up and saw Blaise standing before him.
'What? What are you talking about, Zabini.'
'Look…you know I liked Granger…she was hot and she was great for you…'
Draco stood up and tossed the book aside.
'What are you talking about? Why all the past tense verbs?'
'Look…I don't think I would have believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes because I mean, Granger seemed so great and all—'
'Blaise…get on with it.' Draco said firmly.
'I saw her at Rosmerta's with Weasley.'
'Ginny?'
'No…Weaselbee.'
Draco's eyes widened.
'What happened?' Draco asked through his teeth.
'They touched an awful lot…'
'What do you mean by that?'
'Hand touching, by both members, Hermione touched his cheek…and they hugged.' Blaise said hesitantly.
Draco looked down for a few moments. Then back up at Blaise.
'Are you sure?' Draco asked sadly.
Blaise nodded.
'Maybe it was all a misunderstanding.' Blaise said, 'I don't know. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you.'
'Well, heaven forbid my fucking fiancée to share anything with me!' Draco cried.
'Look, Drake, don't fly off the handle just yet…maybe I was just seeing things.'
'No. No you weren't. She's done this to me before.' He snapped.
'What?'
'Hermione. She's done this sort of thing before. She said she just "missed" me. Well, look now, I'm gone ONCE AGAIN!' Draco yelled.
'Drake, just calm down…it's Weasel…look what he did to her, maybe they were just "making up" for old times.'
'She fucking knows how I feel about him. He hurt her. How dare she go behind my back and fucking touch him all over like nothing happened.'
Blaise was silent. Draco continued ranting.
'Maybe Hermione just likes guys to hurt her, she sees them as "manly" and "domineering". Maybe that's what she craves. She's been bossing around Potter and Weaselbee for so long she just likes to feel dominated over…'
'But she's already been with you for so long…' Blaise said.
'Exactly. She's figured out I'm too fucking gentle, as contradictory to myself as that may seem. Just because I don't fucking rape her, it means she doesn't feel vulnerable like she wants to.'
Blaise shook his head rapidly.
'Whoa, whoa, whoa!' Blaise shouted waving his hands, 'Don't even go there…actually I'm not quite sure where you're going with this, but don't go to where ever that it.'
'I can't believe she did this again.' Draco said quietly. 'This is what I was fucking worried about! I told her I was afraid that she was going to go pull shit again like she did with that damn Jesse!'
'What?' Blaise asked.
'She lied to me.'
'Maybe she really was just repairing a friendship, Drake.'
'She fucking stroked his cheek.' Draco snapped.
Blaise shrugged.
'Is she still at the Three Broomsticks?' Draco asked hastily.
'No, she left.'
'Thanks for telling me, Blaise…but I've got to go.'
'Drake, wait!'
But Draco already apparated, before Blaise could stop him.
Hermione was in her room, taking off her shoes when Draco apparated to her.
'Oh, Draco!' She exclaimed happily.
'Where were you today?' He asked.
She looked at him quizzically.
'Oh, I did some shopping.' She replied with a smile.
'Oh really? Where?' He asked, his voice shaking a bit.
'Diagon alley, why?'
'Not Hogsmeade?' He asked.
'No, no shopping there.'
'Did you do anything in Hogsmeade?'
'Where is this going, Draco?' She asked.
'Were you planning on not telling me about your little rendezvous with Weasley!' He asked loudly.
'What?'
'Don't act naïve, Hermione. Blaise saw you in the Three Broomsticks with him!'
'Draco…'
'You fucking said you weren't going to do this to me again.'
'Do what exactly!' She shouted, 'What do you think I was doing?'
'Blaise saw you. He saw you touching him, stroking his cheek, hugging him. Don't you fucking lie to me!'
Hermione's eyes widened.
'You've got spies on me now, Draco! People to watch your little whore fiancée? Make sure she doesn't do anything to make the almighty Draco Malfoy look bad?' She demanded.
'No, Hermione! Don't you dare turn this on me, trying to make me look like the bad one here! Blaise just happened to be in Hogsmeade and he saw you! He told me as a friend, to make sure I know what my FIANCÉE is doing behind my back! Cause fuck knows you would never tell me the truth!'
'Draco, Ron and I are just friends!'
'Then why did you tell me you were shopping! In Diagon Alley!'
'I did shop in Diagon Alley! Not Hogsmeade!' She cried.
Draco then stepped up close to Hermione, an inch or two away from her.
'Why can't you just ever tell me that truth? Why couldn't you tell me you were with Weasley! Unless you were there cheating on me with your FUCKING EX-BOYFRIEND, you could tell me!'
'You wouldn't have let me! You would have gotten mad!'
'Then why do you go! If you know it'll piss me off, then why do you go?' He cried, 'Why the fuck did you "stroke his cheek" and "hold his hand" and hug him! He was your ex! You don't do things like that with your ex, when you are engaged to someone else! Someone who is gone! This is just like that fucking Jesse! You screw around with him because you "miss" me! Well, did you miss me again this afternoon, Hermione? Or did you just go out with Weasel cause you missed the way he treated you like shit?'
'What?' Hermione asked taken aback.
Draco grabbed her arms tightly, then leaned down to whisper to her harshly.
'You like when guys try to take advantage of you, Granger? Is that why you're going back to Weasley? Am I not "rough" enough?' He asked angrily.
'Draco…stop. You're hurting me, and you know I love you! Only you!' She cried.
He didn't let go of her.
'People who love each other, don't LIE TO THE OTHER!' He yelled in pain.
'I didn't lie!'
'You did! You told me you shopped today! That's lying! I'm your fucking fiancé, Hermione!' He said, choking up on his words, 'Don't I deserve truth?'
Hermione nodded.
'Yes, but don't I deserve friendship? The friendship of a man who used to be my best friend? Don't I deserve that?'
'Not if you are going to lie about this friend to your fiancé.' Draco said firmly, letting go of her arms.
'Draco…you wouldn't have understood.' She said sadly. Small tears ran down her cheeks. 'I can't believe you said those things…about me needing to be taken advantage of…you know what that did to me when Ron tried to rape me.'
Draco slumped into a chair and crossed his arms.
'Then how can you go back to him?' He asked.
'He's my friend. Today he told me he still loved me, he's always loved me…'
Draco looked up at Hermione.
'And do you know what I told him, Draco? I told him he had to move on with his life, like I have mine. I told him I loved you. Only you. No man will stop that love, except you.'
'If you love me, why must you do these things to me, Hermione?' He asked, getting up from the chair and moving to her. 'You know what your mistake with Jesse did to me…why risk it again by meeting secretly with Weasley?'
Hermione took his hands.
'I'm sorry. I should have told you, but I didn't want to argue with you.' She told him.
'Hermione…you can't keep things from me. It hurts me so much to find out things from other people…that's why when Blaise told me, I came here and asked first…and you didn't tell me what I wanted to know. So…I assumed the worst.'
'Don't Draco…don't assume the worst with me. I love you.'
'The worst is what was truth with the Jess situation.'
'You are always going to go back to that when we fight aren't you?'
'It's always in the back of my mind, Hermione. It hurt me. That's why I get so nervous when I leave you alone…which is why I assumed the worst with Weasel. You two were alone, and I was not with you…we are separated from each other right now, so I think back to the last time we were separated, which was when you and Jesse happened.'
Hermione hugged Draco.
'I'm sorry…I'm sorry. I won't meet up with Ron alone again.'
'Or any other person of the male persuasion.' Draco told her.
'Except Harry.' Hermione corrected.
'Fine. 'Cept Potter.'
Hermione smiled at him.
'You trust Harry?'
'He never tried to rape you…besides he's got mini-Weasley. She'd never let him cheat on her.'
'Then…I have another question.' She said.
Draco sighed.
'What?' He asked annoyed.
'Is it okay if I stay at Harry's for a bit?'
'What do you mean?'
'Like, stay for a few days maybe. AS FRIENDS. He just got this wicked new apartment and –'
'Will Weaselbee, be there?'
'No.'
'Never?' Draco asked.
'Not while I'm there. I promise. I'll tell Harry no…besides I don't think Harry will have Ron over a lot. They do not hang out much.'
'Good. Potter's starting to shape-up.'
'Forgive me about Ron?'
'If you forgive me about talking down to you…and hurting your arms.'
'I do.'
'Then I do too.'