Thanks for all of your reviews, they mean a lot.
I reposted the previous chapter after some editing. Feel free to read my improvements and let me know what you think.
You're response has been amazing! Thanks so much to my regular reviewers Obnoxiously Peachy Twit 2008, OneWhiteTulip, and Golden Angel71. Also big thanks to Jo who gave me a very cute birthday present!
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Ginny stood by a rack of dresses and frowned critically. Beside her a flushed, ginger-haired woman tapped her foot impatiently.
"Will you stop that?" Ginny snapped.
Hermione folded her arms over her chest "You're taking forever; it's not even your wedding Ginny."
The red head smiled "No, it's not. I don't understand why you're not taking even more care than I am about this."
"It's a dress Ginny, not the apocalypse." Hermione retorted, turning away to look out of the large shop window.
Ginny had pestered her to go dress shopping for nearly a week; finally Hermione had given in and allowed herself to be dragged all over wizarding London to find a 'perfect' dress.
"What about this one?" Ginny tapped her shoulder and showed her a white halter top dress with silver embroidery on the torso and the base.
"It looks just like the other one I just tried on." She observed.
Ginny sighed in exaggerated patience "You are impossible Hermione, come on it's different and I'm sure it will look good on you."
"No, I don't like it. Draco wouldn't either."
"Why not? It's pretty." But she returned it to the shelf anyway.
"It looks like muggle fashion." Was the explanation.
It wasn't that Hermione didn't like dress shopping, she looked forward to it very much. The wedding date had been set for March the next year and she looked forward to it but, she felt that she was being forced into it a little too much.
"Ginny, let's go. I'm tired and I don't really feel like finding a dress at the moment."
Ginny followed looking dejected but didn't say anything. Hermione had told her about Draco's discovery and knew that things must be hard for her friend now.
Ron and Harry hadn't been told, she assumed it was because they wouldn't hesitate to kill Malfoy right there and then if they ever found out.
"Are you going home now?" Ginny asked when they reached the open street. Witches and wizards hurried up and down to go about their business.
Hermione nodded "Yes, I believe you've taken me to ever dress shop there is and my feet are killing me."
"Oh you haven't even seen half!" Ginny laughed "But alright, we can do it another time."
"I'll be sure to get you to come with me." Hermione smiled "Owl me if you need anything."
Once Ginny nodded, Hermione aparated to the Manor with two loaded shopping bags of new clothing.
"What was it you were telling me you were doing today? 'A little window shopping'?" Draco's familiar drawl greeted her when she entered his study. She didn't feel anger or annoyance though, instead she felt comfort in being able to return to him at the end of a tiring day.
"Ginny was with me." She offered as explanation.
Draco raised an eyebrow "Last I heard, window shopping didn't mean bringing half that shop home, but then the Weasley's haven't ever shared my views on much have they?"
Hermione laughed "No, I don't believe they have."
She went over to his desk where he sat a placed a kiss on his cheek, leaning on the desk she felt him take her hand subconsciously.
"I have training next week, I'll most likely be gone for the rest of the month." He informed her.
She looked down and saw a letting bearing the crest of the Worldwide Quiddich Society and nodded in understanding "Sure, I'll be fine here."
"I know you would be" He assured her "I have some things I need you to take care of while I'm gone."
"What things?" she stood and conjured a glass of water to quench her thirst that had been growing since she had entered the last shop with Ginny.
Draco picked up a stack of parchment and placed them on the side of his desk closest to him "Some things for the business, I have a few deals to close off. Nothing major, Pansy will contact you when everything is confirmed and you just need to match the information they have with these papers."
"Pansy?" She inquired, flicked through the parchments.
"Yes, she is employed as my secretary. She's doing some good there."
"Some? I see." Hermione smirked an eerily Draco-like way.
He chuckled "Apart from that everything has been set up to run without me there. It's coming along nicely."
"When do you hope to bring back Malfoy Inc.?"
He shrugged "I'm thinking around January."
Hermione nodded "I'll put this stuff back now. When do you want to have dinner?"
"Whenever you're hungry." He replied, looking back at his unfinished letter to a muggle customer.
Hermione looked at him for a moment, taking in his smooth features and the small crease in his forehead he had when he was concentrating. She saw no trace of the monster that had murdered her parents; she couldn't see the darkness he claimed to have in his soul.
He wasn't the same man, they were completely different and she felt that nothing would ever tear her away from the comfort she gained when in his company.
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With re-decorating of the Manor complete and wedding plans on the way, Hermione felt that maybe it wasn't so alright that Draco left for three weeks.
She was tempted to visit him at his training grounds just to sit see him. But her pride allowed her to do no such thing, she could handle everything at the Manor. As Lady of the Manor, it was her responsibility to take care of things when Draco couldn't be around, independence and organisation was what she was so well known for at school and now was no exception to those traits.
She spent the first day of Draco's absence mulling over the guest list for the wedding. There were so many people from Hogwarts and from the ministry that she wanted to invite, but Draco's side of the list was rather small. Consisting of a few fellow Slytherins and some business partners, she felt there should be more here for him.
Of course, the people she would expect to be at a wedding didn't count for him, his parents had perished in the war, he had no siblings, the rest of the Malfoy family was non-existent for one reason or another and he wasn't the friendliest of people at school.
Sighing, she added her workmates from the ministry and Hogwarts to the list.
The rest of the week she spend visiting Cho who was also alone because Harry had also gone to training.
Cho helped her with catering and they developed detailed menus for the five course reception dinner.
"Why do they always put salmon in the first course?" Cho asked when they began flipping through the brochures.
Hermione shrugged "I guess it looks nice, all pink and slippery."
Cho cringed "Gross."
"Well it won't be on our menu Cho." Hermione assured her, the corners of her mouth twitching in mirth.
"I'm glad about that." The two women settled into comfortable silence as they looked through the thick glossy magazines of steaming food and silver cutlery.
"I miss Harry when he goes off for training, do you find the house is a bit empty without Draco?" Cho asked, not looking up from her brochure but Hermione knew she was listening carefully.
"It's pretty empty with him there sometimes." She offered, laughing softly.
Cho smiled "I imagine it must be, it's such a huge Manor."
Hermione nodded; throwing the brochure she was looking at on the floor and picking up another one. "But yes, I do miss his company."
"Oh I see." Cho replied, turning back to the pictures and smiling softly to herself.
Hermione shrugged inwardly, she no longer cared much whether people approved of her relationship with Draco; they were happy together and he doing well for the Malfoy name.
After much deliberation, they both decided on suitable meals and set to planning decorations. Just as Hermione was about to fetch refreshments for them, a familiar jet black owl swooped into the room.
Since Draco had given her a 'talking to', Gabrielle had been very well behaved for Hermione and now glared suspiciously at Cho.
"She's my friend." Hermione told the owl, knowing very well she could understand perfectly. "What's this?"
She untied a parchment from Gabrielle's leg and slipped her a treat. Gabrielle didn't often get treats from Draco and seemed to like Hermione a lot when she found out Hermione wasn't against bribery.
Dear Hermione the letter read,
How are things at the Manor? Pansy should have contacted you by now about the closing of those offers. If not, let me know and I'll owl them myself or post them seeing as they're muggles.
And you? Plans for the wedding are coming along nicely I assume, I know you'll want everything perfect so there is nothing for me to worry about.
Potter is not quite as insufferable as he once was and we are staying at the same Hotel with Mark; they're the only ones I trust not to attack me in my sleep. The tension hasn't eased at all.
Our first match will be in November. As far as I'm concerned, Potter and I will be returning in two weeks.
Owl me if you need anything,
Draco
"Who's that from?" Cho asked from across the room.
Hermione smiled "Draco, he says both him and Harry expect to be back in two weeks."
Cho nodded and appeared pleased by the news "I can't wait."
"And their first game is in November, we should go together." She picked up a new piece of parchment and wrote her reply.
Draco,
I'm glad you wrote, it's been quite empty at the Manor without you. Pansy has owled me and everything has been taken care of, she is surprisingly efficient and surpassed my expectations.
Plans are coming along well though Cho persuaded me to take salmon out of the menu completely. Also I don't know much about the alcohol so you may have to decide what wines to serve when you get back.
I look forward to seeing you when you get back.
Hermione
Tying the letting to Gabrielle's foot, she gave the bird an extra treat and led her to the window. The cool early winter air blew in, sending shivers down Hermione's spine. Winter had been early coming this year and the temperatures were already cooling in early October.
"When do you plan to tie the knot with Harry?" Hermione asked suddenly.
She had been so absorbed in her own affairs she hadn't bothered to notice how the romantic lives of her friends were going.
"I don't know, it's a bit early to say I guess." Cho answered, stacking the brochures and magazines on the table.
"Nothing like a bit of the unexpected to make life more interesting." Hermione preached, laughing at Cho's puzzled expression.
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The time passed quickly and Hermione soon found herself awake on the day Draco and Harry were to come back. No doubt he would be tired but she had lots to ask him about.
She rose and set about tidying what the study where her, Cho and Ginny had taken residence over the last few days.
Just as she finished, Draco aparated into the room, causing her to start.
"Are you up to mischief?" He teased, putting down his trunk and slipping out of his black travelling cloak.
"No." Hermione replied, feigning innocence.
He grinned down at her and kissed her gently "I feel as though I'm about to fall asleep on my feet." He told her, dropping his mask to reveal a very fatigued countenance.
She hugged him, happy that he was back. "Sleep then, I'll wake you when lunch is ready."
"No, tell me what you've been doing." He declined and sat down in his seat behind the desk.
"Are you sure you don't want to have a rest first?" She sat opposite him, admiring how right he looked sitting behind his desk in a large chair. He seemed at ease which comforted her.
"No, now what's going on with the wedding?" He conjured some logs in the fire so it now roared, spreading warmth throughout the room.
"Many things." She began smiling "There is so much to plan out."
"Do you have a budget?" Was his first question and he was serious.
This made Hermione laugh out loud "Of course! You don't think I would be so mean as to blindly step out and buy any decoration that matches my fancy?"
"Well, you are a woman." He smirked, earning a glare.
"How was training?" She asked, feeling that now wasn't the best time to approach Draco about cakes and other very feminine things.
He shrugged "It was alright, we're ready for the first match; that is, if we don't kill each other first."
"Is it still really that bad?" Hermione wondered out loud. She hadn't accompanied him to any practices after the first meeting. Part of her was wary of the American player that went by the name of Bradley Morrison.
Draco smirked "Well it isn't quite like you saw it, but I swear Morrison is out to get me with that bat of his."
Hermione frowned "He's so unsociable."
"That's putting it lightly." Draco replied dryly. "Are you coming to the game?"
"Yes, of course. Cho and Ginny are coming with me."
"I should have known; Potter's cheerleaders I presume." He got up, the bitterness in his voice hanging around them.
"I thought you said you were getting along with him." She remained seated, looking at his back which was turned to her.
He was silent for a moment and suddenly Hermione realised what was plaguing him.
This match meant a lot for his image and no doubt he was finding it hard to admit he wanted her there to support him.
"It's a qualifier for the world cup." He told her plainly, knowing it was explanation enough.
It was his chance to show the world that he was a good quiddich player and didn't just get in because of his name or money; it was also his chance to make a media appearance for something good.
"You don't have to worry, you have your won personal cheerleader." She smiled when he turned to eye her mockingly.
"I never thought you were one for cartwheels and handstands, Granger."
She stood and hugged him "Oh you have no idea; muggles take cheerleading very seriously." And they both laughed, she felt the rumbling of his mirth next to her ear as she rest her cheek against his chest.
"I will never understand why the wizarding world chose to take up a useless muggle pastime as cheerleading." He held her and gazed out the window where it had begun to snow. It was only early November and the sight was unusual.
"It's because of Harry, he encouraged it."
"Potter and his great contributions to the world."
"Don't be mean." Hermione scolded, but couldn't hold back the smiled that formed on her lips.
Draco smirked. "Now tell me how the business has fared in my absence." He broke away and sat down once again, turning his chair back to the desk and his back to the snow outside.
"Fine actually, smooth sailing." Hermione informed him not hiding the surprise in her voice. "You must be pretty good at dealing with muggles."
He eyed her suspiciously "I'll check up on everything tomorrow."
"But you can't." She began "We need to go and look at table settings."
"Table settings?" he threw her an incredulous expression "Have you gone completely insane?"
Hermione laughed "No, I'm not. There's no need to look at me like that."
"Could you have picked a more boring thing for me to spend my time?" He retorted, it was a rhetorical question.
"But this is all part of the fun." She said brightly.
He raised an eyebrow critically "Fun? Of what?"
"Getting married."
"Also known as 'the end of my freedom'." He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Why must I go with you?"
Hermione stood "Because it's your job."
"I fail to see how it is my job to assist you in any of this." He informed her dryly.
"Miss! Miss!" A bobbing house elf appeared and was tugging at Hermione's robes, it's eyes full of fear.
"What is it Jink?" Hermione knelt down, not missing Draco's frown.
"It's Betty Miss!" The elf squealed, it's gaze flickering over to it's master who was looking travel worn and grumpy.
"What is wrong with Betty?" Hermione asked firmly.
The elf returned it's gaze to Hermione "She's outside! She hasn't come back and it's snowing miss!"
Hermione looked out the window and was surprised to find that the snow had fallen fast, covering the ground and was swirling so she couldn't see the outline of the trees that surrounded the lake.
"She's out there?"
Jink nodded "Yes miss!"
"Thank you, I will take care of things, you may return to your work." Hermione said firmly.
The elf bowed and scuttled out of the room.
"Come on." Hermione urged, grabbing her outdoor robes and throwing Draco's to him.
"What?" He didn't move and was looking puzzled.
Hermione sighed, "We're going to find Betty."
"You're kidding me." He scoffed, placing his robes on his desk.
Hermione picked it up and threw it at him again "Come on."
He stared at her as though she had just sprouted an elephant trunk. When she continued to glare at him he stood and slipped the robe over his shoulders and followed her out into the snow covered grounds.
"You have now officially gone totally mental." He muttered when a biting wind swept at them.
Hermione rolled her eyes "Quit moaning."
"Why am I trudging through the snow after two weeks of intense quiddich training just to find some house elf who was idiotic enough to get itself stuck in snow fall?" He continued, ignoring Hermione's orders.
"Draco, will you stop? It's your house elf too." She punched him though he could hardly feel it through the thickness of his robes.
"We don't even know where it is."
"Where she is." She corrected, trying to look pass the swirling snow to find some kind of land mark.
"This is utterly stupid." Draco announced, turning to go back inside, only to find his face in the snow when Hermione grabbed his arm.
Somehow they had fallen and were now tangled together, cold flakes of snow falling on them. "You're going to look with me." She told him firmly, getting up in the most dignified way possible and glaring down at him in challenge.
"We can hardly see where we're going!" He argued, getting up and brushing snow flakes off his robes, feeling irritated he was even outside in this horrid weather.
Hermione continued to look around "We can't leave her out here! We can handle some heavy snowfall."
Draco snorted "Heavy snowfall? Most wizards call this a blizzard."
"It is not!" Hermione yelled partly out of annoyance and partly to be heard over the wind which had begun to sweep through the property.
Draco grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the Manor "This is stupid, even for you. The elf will be fine, we need to go inside before we freeze."
Hermione struggled the whole way but couldn't pull herself from his grip "You're being so horribly cruel! You can't just leave her out there! Let go of me! I said let go of me!"
Draco persisted, pulling her inside and shutting the door abruptly. "No." He breathed when she opened her mouth to continue the onslaught. "You are not going out there."
He took of his robes which were damp and heavy. Hermione stood with her arms crossed and glared at him, but he paid her no heed.
An elf appeared and took both their coats, once Draco managed to get her to take hers off, and hurried to have them dried.
"You can't be angry at me for caring." He said wearily, heading up the staircase.
Behind him, he could hear her footsteps "I can't believe you're just going to leave her out there to die."
He froze.
"You know that no house elf will survive outside." She continued, her voice biting through the air.
He turned and faced her, his jaw set "She will be fine, I assure you."
"No, she won't and you're just going to leave her out there because you can't stand to get your spoilt little feet wet to look for her." She scowled at him fiercely.
"Fine! Go out there and look for the stupid thing! I don't bloody care, because you obviously don't want me to!" He yelled, his voice echoing throughout the foyer and hallway.
Then before Hermione could retort he turned abruptly and strode into the bedroom, his robes swishing sharply around his legs.
She stood there, torn on what to do. She knew that it was only right to go and help the poor little house elf outside but she also felt guilty for snapping at Draco.
Eventually she deduced that she could talk to him later but she needed to find Betty now. Calling for her robes she stepped out of the Manor and headed out into the swirling mass of snow flakes.
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Draco stood rigid when he shut the door to their bedroom and listened intently. He heard nothing for a while and wondered if Hermione was still standing there.
He chided himself for getting so angry, but he couldn't possibly have held it back.
He started when he heard the door slam and swore violently before calling for his robes.
'She did exactly as you bid her, you dolt, why did you even say it?' He thought bitterly as he hurried down the stairs. He slipped on gloves and his robes and a scarf.
Seeing that Hermione left behind hers, he grabbed it and opened the door. The sharp wind blew through his layers of clothing as though they weren't there.
"Hermione!" He yelled, but found he could hardly hear himself over the roaring of the winds. It was a snow storm and was steadily getting worse.
'Where are you woman?' He asked silently, hoping to see a trace of the red cloak he knew was hers.
He saw nothing and headed forwards, hoping she hadn't gotten too far.
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That was a rather long chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think of it so far. My writers block has been getting worse and I don't think I can last too much longer.
I have re-posted chapter 22 so please see my changes and let me know if you think they are better.
Thank you very much for reading!
