Disclaimer: Ha... yeah... pshahh... like I'd own HP.

A/N: I got basically no reviews for last chapter. I get it, I suppose. It was sort of dull. This chapter will be a bit better. Still no Viktor action. That comes some next chapter.

Please review. I think I'll make a rule that if I don't get at least 10 reviews per chapter (or something), I'll only update like... every two or three weeks... or I can update when I finish the next chapter (chapter six rocks, guys... I'm home sick so I'm working on chapter 7 now) which will be often. So... your choice, I guess. :)

And I'm starting reviewer replies!

Chapter 5:

She blinked in confusion again. Her head whipped around to the blond-haired boy who was sitting across the desk from her in their slightly cramped office. Had he said what she thought he said? No… there wasn't any way. "Excuse me, Malfoy?"

"Yes, Granger. I got a job teaching at Hogwarts also." His smirk widened, and he raised an eyebrow at her reaction. She stared, gaping at him. "You look surprised. Don't forget who was Head Boy now and second to you in grades. Lupin's leaving again. I got offered a job yesterday."

"But… it's Defense Against the Dark Arts." She blurted out before berating herself for it.

He threw her an icy glare and said, "Yes, I'm well aware." before ignoring her.

Malfoy had changed. She didn't know whether he'd done it to be on the winning side (though by the end of her sixth year, it looked like the dark side was clearly winning) or whether he truly had a conscience. What she did know was that he proved to be very valuable in their efforts. What she did know was that he almost died. What she did know was that he sacrificed his name, his reputation, his life as he knew it.

She knew she should apologize, but she also knew that he realized she didn't mean it. Apologizing would make her feel better, and that would anger her co-worker even further. He wanted her to feel guilty, and that she did. She frowned at her words.

She couldn't help but still feel some animosity and distrust toward him. After 6 years of being a downright arse, how was she to just forgive him? She was slowly starting to, but it was pained. Looking over, she felt his eyes on her. He could read her like an open book; he always could.

"Listen-" He cut her off before she could say anymore. She knew he would. He just nodded in approval to her before sending a paper airplane through the door.

"Go home, Granger. You have people to inform of your new job. I'll finish up here." He took the last stack of papers in the middle before opening them up. She nodded silently before disapparating.

She appeared in her flat and looked around. Of course Viktor wouldn't be home yet. It was still early. She locked at her watch and realized exactly how early it was. It was only four in the afternoon. He wouldn't be home for at least another hour or two. She decided to talk to Ron first about it.

Stepping to the fireplace, she threw in some floo powder and stuck her head in. She looked around his flat, waiting in the uncomfortable position for a few seconds before yelling his name out. He came out of his bedroom and bent down next to the fireplace.

"Hey, can you come over for a bit?" She asked him. He nodded. She stepped out of the fire, seating herself on the sofa before watching him appear in the fireplace.

"What's up, Hermione?" He seemed slightly concerned but was smiling all the while still. Her heart clenched at that smile.

"McGonagall's offered me Transfiguration." She smiled brightly. Within seconds of saying that, she was in his embrace.

'Doesn't this feel familiar?' She felt herself flashing back to the summer after sixth year.

"I'm worried for him, Ron. I'm worried for all of us." A younger Hermione sat next to Ron, her long lavender dress robe flowing nicely, flowers in her hair.

"Don't be. How could we fail when we have you on our side?" Ron asked, moving slightly closer to Hermione on the log they were sitting on. His own dress robes were getting dirty by them sitting on the ground as long as they had been.

Bill's wedding had been quite an affair. It seemed that everyone in the wizarding community was excited for his and Fleur's union. They had drawn a large crowd, the minister of magic himself being the one to marry them. For most people, it was amazing that such a beautiful event could happen in such a time. It gave people hope, happiness. For Hermione, it was the start of the end. This meant that soon, she, Harry, and Ron would be on their way.

He took her hand. This simple gesture sent her over the edge. She started crying, not wanting to know how many people would be lost in this pointless war. She hated this. She hated it.

She found herself in Ron's arms, crying until her head pounded with the force of a tsunami against a cliff. She cried until she cried herself out. She cried until she could not cry anymore. She couldn't even remember how long she sat there, in his arms, her hands around his neck, his gentle touch running across her cheek before going back around her waist.

"I don't know how this will turn out, love. But I know that no matter what, I will always be here for you. That's my one promise." His voice had been soft and sincere. He said it like he meant it. He meant it.

She looked into his eyes and couldn't stop herself from smiling. He returned her smile before leaning in, his lips softly grazing against her own.

"I knew you'd get a job teaching at Hogwarts! I never thought so soon though! Wow! Congratulations!" He kissed her cheek, spinning her around in his embrace. "When do you start?"

"She wants me to take over upperclassmen for this term then take on everything next year when I'm comfortable. It's amazing. Malfoy's been offered Defense, too!" Ron's face darkened.

"Defense? Malfoy?" His frown was clearly visible on his face, his disgust evident.

"He was pretty smart. I suppose they should have the best." She said, knowing Malfoy's knowledge of the dark arts, first handed, would help him be an even better teacher. She wondered if he would play the favor game like Snape did. She almost giggled at the thought of his robes billowing as he walked in.

"And he's the best?" He snorted, causing her to glare at him, "I suppose he'll do. Watch out for Ginny while she's at Hogwarts, will you? I'm worried about her since… Harry…" His face did a complete turn around and he became sad.

She looked into his eyes, and she could see that a part of his soul was ripped out. As much as she may have liked to have said that she was best friends with the two boys, she never had what Ron and Harry had. They were truly as close as two friends could. His face seemed to age as a silence passed between the two. She decided to give him some other thoughts to get him not to dwell on the past.

"I will. So, how are things with you and Luna?" She asked. She wondered what new adventures those two were going on. She had no doubt that Luna had him hunting some nonexistent creature that she was dead set on believing was sighted in some unknown location somewhere.

"She's Luna." His voice was stiff, and she tilted her head a bit to the right.

"You don't say that like it's a good thing."

"I don't want to go into it. Right now, I'm not sure myself if it's a good thing or a bad thing. How's Vicky?"

She was slightly concerned about what he meant by that, but she decided not to pressure him into saying anything about it to her. After all, she knew Ron long enough to know he was prone to explode when forced to confront something he didn't want to. Normally, that's what she would do. She would prod until he exploded, telling her his emotions. However, she knew what a fragile state his relationships were in.

She chose to answer the question.

"Viktor is good. He's at practice right now. He gave me tickets to his upcoming game in two weeks. Would you like to join me? I'd hate to sit there alone, but I already promised him I'd go."

"I'll go. Have you told him about you getting the job at Hogwarts? I assume you'll be moving to have quarters there sometime soon." She bit her bottom lip.

She knew she had to tell him and tell him as soon as possible. "I haven't yet, but I will. And I'm not sure if I'll be relocating right away. I still have the rent on this place for another few months. I may just stay here then move next term."

"And that won't be a hassle?"

"Well, I wouldn't think it'd be too much of one. I'd just floo."

He nodded, and they trailed off talking about other things. She found her mind going to Viktor. That day he almost kissed her. It was almost a week ago, but it was the most amazing thing. She could remember feeling his warm breath, and she just had a feeling that everything was right.

She almost regretted not talking about it with him. She almost regretted not taking him and shagging him senseless on his bed… or hers… or anywhere. She had to make herself not blush at those thoughts. She wanted to see what lay beneath those loose clothes. She wanted him, and she had trouble denying it.

Well then, she would just have to get what she wanted. She was Hermione Granger after all. How she would actually bring herself to was a completely different subject.

A/N: Muah. Next chapter starts out with Hermione telling Viktor. It's also basically all chapter with her. The chapter after that is also gonna be Viktor/Hermione oriented. This chapter may have seemed Ron/Hermione... but cough plot point cough

Review REPLIES:

Mezzo Papaya: Thanks for the "OMG". I always enjoy those. :) Hope you like the chapter.

aGreatPenName: Thanks. Hope you liked the update. By the way, I love your pen name. :)

SupastarEden : Me too! Me too!

Kichou: Your wish is my command.

chinese fireball: Thanks, and I agree. Viktor is sweet. He's sweeter next chapter. Hope you liked.

And... I think that's it for last chapter. Reviews for this chapter will also be replied to... :)

X: Thankies. I hope you like the update.

"And I can't tell if you're laughing. Between each smile there's a tear in your eye." -Rise Against