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Madness In The Manor
Hermione made her way slowly up to bed, her mind replaying Draco's outburst. Had he really turned his back on the Dark Arts? Suddenly, Hermione wanted nothing more than to have spent the evening in the Leaky Cauldron with Ron, Harry and Ginny, to be going back to her own home, to see her own children. As she climbed into bed, there was a soft knock on her door.
"Hermione?" Draco said softly, opening the door a crack. "Can I come in?" Hermione said nothing, and Draco took this as an invitation. He stepped inside the room, fiddling nervously with his shirt cuffs.
"Hermione, I just wanted to apologise for my behaviour. I understand what you were saying, I overreacted. I mean, I hate to be accused of continuing to practise the Dark Arts…"
"I never accused you of any such thing!" Hermione broke in angrily.
"I know, I know. I'm very sorry Hermione, and I hope you can forgive me." Hermione sniffed.
"Yes, I forgive you Draco. I'm exhausted; I think I'll just go to sleep if you don't mind."
"Of course. Goodnight Hermione, sleep well." Draco said, closing the door behind him.
In the few days following their disagreement, Draco and Hermione were unnaturally polite to each other, though they soon slipped into a sort of unspoken truce. Hermione didn't mention the books again, and Draco was at his most charming.
Pansy and Ron continued to get on well, and they enjoyed several nights with Harry and Ginny, having dinner at each other's houses, as well as a night in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry and Ginny were shocked by the change in Pansy, and got along very well with her.
The last night of the swap rolled around, and Draco asked Hermione to accompany him to Heathers once more.
"I'd like to take you out again, to say thank you for these past two weeks. It's been, well, very nice." Draco said shyly. Hermione was flabbergasted, Draco Malfoy, shy?
"That would be delightful Draco, though completely unnecessary. You don't need to thank me."
"Nonsense! Well, we will leave at around the same time again. I'll leave you to get ready now, it's already half past six, and if you're anything like Pansy you'll need the time!" Hermione laughed.
"Draco! Surely you shouldn't say your wife needs the time." Draco laughed with Hermione.
"Of course she doesn't need it, but she likes it! The girls are having their dinner now, and Mary will put them to bed, so whenever you're ready Hermione."
The meal passed smoothly, and the easy atmosphere between Draco and herself relaxed Hermione. Again, he made sure her wine glass was kept full, and by the time they arrived back at the Manor she felt quite drunk.
"Oof," she huffed, bumping into the sofa, "I can't remember the last time I had this much to drink!" Draco laughed, though it sounded quite sinister to her, and she couldn't work out why.
"I suppose taking care of all those kids doesn't leave much time for fun, does it?" Hermione frowned.
"We do have our hands quite full, I s'pose, but we only have four kids Draco." She sat heavily on the sofa, and Draco placed himself next to her, sitting sideways so he could face her.
"Still, four kids. And I suppose Weasley's always working eh? Trying to support the family?" Hermione bristled.
"I work too Draco, not all of us have the money that you do." Draco chuckled.
"Touchy subject, eh? But then it always has been for the Weasley's, and anyone that marries into them it appears. How is Ginny enjoying being married to Potter? It must be new for her to have that sort of money." Hermione's mouth fell open, shocked by what Draco was saying.
"I think, I think I'll just go to bed Draco. I think we've both had a little bit too much to drink." He smiled evilly.
"Oh no, Granger,"
"It's Weasley!" she interjected angrily.
"Proud to be a Weasley?" he asked, sounding highly amused. "Well, well, that's something you don't hear everyday. You are not going to bed; I'm going to teach you a lesson! I am sick and tired of you, you mudblood, and your blood traitor husband looking down on me. I am Draco Malfoy! I fought on your side, I risked everything for you, and your pathetic friend Potter, and you still think you're better than I am. On your high horse about everything, even the books I have in my library." he moved closer to Hermione, looking completely unhinged.
"No, Draco, we, we don't look down on you!" She squeaked, terrified, "we're g-grateful for everything y-you did! We understand what you risked, w-we do!"
"Well, Granger, how about this? I. Don't. Like. You. Never have, never will. When I found out that I was going to have you, you, living in my house, with my children, and Pansy would have to go to that hovel you call a home. I was furious." Hermione stood, and edged closer to the fireplace, planning to floo home. "Oh no Mudblood, you don't want to do that." he said silkily. "Do you expect Weasley to come and rescue you from the evil Draco Malfoy? Oh yes, I know that's what you think of me! But Weasley, he couldn't do anything. Couldn't even stop you, the supposed love of his life, getting injured in the Final Battle could he?" Hermione grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the fireplace. As the flames turned emerald she thrust her head into the fireplace, and shouted "Grimmauld Place!" thinking Ron might be there, as they usually spent their Friday nights with Harry and Ginny.
"Oh no you don't!" Draco roared, leaping up from the sofa and grabbing Hermione, though not before Harry caught sight of her tear stained face in his fireplace.