And here is the next chapter, thank you soo much for your reviews.
A/N: School is about to start, on Monday (nooo!) so I won't be able to update at the speed I have been over the last week. I'm really sorry, but I have a lot going on this term. I will try to get as much on as possible. Thank you!
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Hermione lay in bed, thinking about Draco. 'My haven't times changed?' She thought dryly.
She hadn't seen him since they had left the restaurant. All afternoon she had been tidying the apartment and she owled Ginny back telling her she would be coming the following evening.
She paced the lounge, worrying about how Draco was doing. He seemed angry and frustrated when they left and hadn't bothered to wait for change from the restaurant. She considered going to the Manor but immediately decided against it. He wouldn't appreciate a breech of his privacy.
Because this was obviously a private moment for him; he hated to show weakness. She thought of owling him, but again thought he wouldn't like her to pry.
Finally she realised she just had to wait, this was something he was going to get over himself. She hoped.
At seven, she settled down to watch some T.V., something she hadn't done in a long time. She flicked listlessly through the channels, watching parts of hundreds of soap operas that were on at this time.
Much later, when she had fallen asleep on the couch, she was woken by an owl fluttering through her window. It was Hedwig.
She took the letter of her leg and gave the large bird a treat. Hedwig nibbled, hooting happily and perched herself on the window ledge, Harry clearly wanted a reply.
Dear Hermione,
I am really sorry about the argument I had with Draco, I shouldn't have acted like that and I feel really bad for putting you in that situation. Please forgive me.
On other terms, I think your interview went well and I spotted you and Draco in the café today, it was good to see.
I'd really like to help you with this, some other Slytherins are putting up a fuss, but I will find time to help if you need me.
Harry
Hermione smiled, this was the Harry she knew. She took a quill and wrote her reply.
Dear Harry
You're forgiven, I don't know why you've been like this lately but if you have anything you want to talk about, you know I'm here for you.
Me and Draco are alright, we will be fine for now, I'm sure the others have you occupied.
But one thing you can do for me, is find me an occupation. I've come to realise that being an auror isn't the best idea now so if you have any ideas for what I can do as a job, please let me know.
Thanks for owling.
Hermione
She tied the letter to Hedwig's leg, gave her another treat and watched her fly off. Her own owl, Ewing, hooted in protest at having received no treats.
"But you didn't do anything." She laughed affectionately, taking a few over to his cage.
When she opened the door, he flew out and perched on one of the dining room chairs, a treat tucked firmly in his beak.
Hermione smiled before heading off to bed. She closed the windows and beckoned for Ewing to follow her. The speckled brown owl flew over obediently.
"I'll leave this window open for you." She said, closing her bedroom door and opening the window. Ewing hooted in agreement, settling on the window ledge.
"Good night Ewing." She mumbled, after she had changed and slipped between the sheets.
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Draco hadn't gone to Malfoy Manor, but instead gone to another large home further south. This place was hardly used and the last time he was here was when he was hiding with Voldemort.
He paced the cold study, not bothering to light the fire.
All he could see was her expression after he had snapped at her. She was surprised, shocked and confused. She had every reason to be.
He had experienced such a pleasant feeling with her, had such a happy morning, and he had to go ruin it.
'Why does nothing ever go right?' He wondered, frustrated. The feeling he gets when with Hermione is like nothing he's ever felt before and he knew he wanted to feel that way for as long as possible.
So why couldn't he keep it together? Why did something always have to ruin things?
He paced until he was completely drained. Then with a huff he sat on the bed and wondered where Hermione was. If she was at her apartment, and surprisingly, if she was okay.
'I should get back.' He thought, tiredly.
Before he could take his leave, he lay down and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
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When Hermione woke up it was still dark, and she was shivering.
She got up to find Ewing who was asleep on her desk. Quietly she shut the window and picked up another blanket from the closet.
Wrapping it around her, she stepped out of her room in the lounge, Draco wasn't there. She walked through her entire apartment and found no sign of him ever returning.
Sighing, she returned to bed and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Draco was preparing to apparate to her apartment. He cleared his sleep ridden mind and waved his wand with a practiced motion.
All the lights were off when he popped into the lounge. He crept around to her room where she was sleeping. Deciding not to disturb her, he conjured a blanket and slept on the couch.
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Ewing was hooting, loudly. Hermione groaned and open one eye blearily.
"What?" She grumbled. Ewing hooted again, tapping on her window. She frowned, rubbed a hand across her face and stood up to open the window.
After Ewing had taken off, she shut the window again and went to the bathroom, someone was already in there, her heart skipped a beat.
Cautiously she stepped out and gripped her wand from the dresser. Then she crept inside and silently hit the figure in the shower with a stunning charm.
The body dropped without a sound. After waiting a moment, she pulled back the curtain and gasped "Draco!" She knelt down, not minding that she was getting soaked through, and waved her want, muttering.
He came to a few seconds later eyeing her groggily.
Hermione was gazing at him, concern written over her face and they were in the shower. "I won't ever ask you for a wake up call." He grumbled, standing up.
"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't know!" Hermione stepped out of the shower to give him some room, dripping all over the floor.
"It's okay." He said quickly. They stood for a moment before Hermione looked up and realised he was completely naked.
Her eyes widened and she let out a little gasp. Without another word she shot out of the bathroom and shut the door firmly.
Draco turned off the water, having been successfully woken up and wrapped a towel around his waist. He peeked out the door and saw Hermione busy in the kitchen, so he dashed out to her room where his clothes were kept.
Breakfast was uncomfortable. Last night's disagreement and the incident in the shower lay heavily between them. "I hope you were okay last night." Draco tried to smile warmly
"I um…yes I was alright." Hermione replied, refusing to be the first to admit she missed him.
"I… I'm uh… sorry for yesterday." Draco stumbled clumsily over his words.
Hermione smiled, she noticed it was the first time she had ever heard him say sorry. "It's okay, I understand."
"You do?"
She nodded "I do."
Just then a large bird fluttered in through the balcony door and dropped its letter on the table in front of Draco. It perched for a moment, ruffled its feathers importantly and flew off again.
Both of them raised their eyebrows in question.
"Open it." Hermione urged.
Draco lifted the parchment and unravelled it.
Dear Mr Malfoy
We are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to be seeker of the new International Quiddich Team. It is our privilege to have you on our team.
We understand that there may be times when you will be absent and have assigned Mr Harry Potter as our reserve seeker, it is recommended that you set up contact with Mr Potter so that you can inform him if you are unable to play.
The International Quiddich Team has been organised by the Worldwide Quiddich Society to encourage unity and international harmony. It would be expected of you to be a role model and encourage this cause, as will the rest of the team.
You will be informed on your first training time later in the week.
Congratulations and welcome on board.
Cadel Paolini
Manager of the Worldwide Quiddich Society
He passed to letter to Hermione who read it quickly, her face breaking into a warm smile.
"This is so amazing!" She squealed and came around to bear-hug him. He was surprised but that didn't mean he didn't like it.
"I want to come to see you play!" She exclaimed, the tension forgotten.
Draco smiled "I'd like you to watch." He admitted.
Hermione kissed him softly, her lips gentle and smooth.
He sat looking at her, wondering if he should pull her in for another kiss like he wanted to.
"Congratulations." She whispered softly before lowering her lips to meet his again.
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Dear Hermione
I am fine, really.
About your job, I'm not sure. With your qualifications and you should be able to do what ever takes your fancy.
My own suggestions however are to do something quiet. You deserve a break and it's not like you have to work, become a librarian, work in a nice shop on Diagon Alley; something that's relaxing and lets you enjoy life.
Harry
Hermione smiled as she folded the parchment and watched Hedwig fly away. Draco had been called in to finally do something about Malfoy Inc. by its manager. He had promised to be back in a couple of hours.
She thought about Harry's suggestions and wondered if she should become a librarian. She would find that relaxing. But it also seemed very boring compared with being at auror.
It was a hard decision to make. She pondered on it for a while before deciding to take a walk. She took her coat and went to the park.
Once there she remembered the flower Draco had given her. She reached inside her pocked and found it was still there, and still looking fresh thanks to the preserving charm she placed on it. She held it and continued walking, enjoying the quiet.
After a while she came across a group of young children playing. She stopped to watch them play with a large blue ball. It was a warming sight, during the war, no children dared venture outside and no one laughed like they were now.
She felt happy that she fought for the future of these children, fought so that they didn't have to.
"Do you want children?" A familiar voice asked behind her.
She turned to Draco who was also looking at the children. "It's a little early for that don't you think?"
Draco smiled down at her "Yes, I think so." They continued to walk slowly, retracing their steps. "Are you still going tonight?" He asked.
Hermione nodded. "You didn't have any plans did you?"
"No." Draco looked out over the park where groups of people where sitting. "I have to go back anyway."
"Why?"
"Just business issues, you don't need to worry yourself about them." He reassured.
Hermione didn't like the slightly troubled look on his face but let it go anyway. "I was thinking of becoming a librarian." She announced.
"A librarian? What for?" He asked, incredulous.
"Well I need a job." Hermione began.
"You don't need to worry about that for a while." He smiled.
Hermione looked up at him "Why?"
"Well there is so much to be taken care on at the Manor, you need to fix it up for us. My parents and I never really had the same taste." He joked.
Hermione was surprised 'Did he just crack a joke?' she asked herself.
"Oh, so I will need to re-decorate it?" The idea seemed fun but when she remembered the size of the Manor she blanched.
"Well yes, that's the idea." Draco continued.
Hermione frowned, thinking about the layout. "Well I guess that could take a while."
Draco laughed "Yes, it does."
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So things are looking a little brighter? Enjoyed writing this, wish school didn't have to start now!
Please review, what would you like to see happen? I will consider all your ideas!
Thanks!
