A Matter of Trust

'You're going to see him again aren't you?'

Draco and Hermione were lying in bed. Snuggled against the warmth of Draco's chest, Hermione had just been on the precipice of sleep when he had spoken suddenly.

'Hmm…Going to see who?'

'You're going to see Greg again, aren't you?'

Hermione shook off the remnants of the sleepy fog clouding her brain, and sat up.

'Well, I've got to return his ring, Draco. An engagement ring isn't really something you just post back in the mail with a note saying, "Oops you forgot to take this with you on your last visit."' Hermione quipped with a sardonic look in Draco's direction.

Draco, however, seemed too distracted to appreciate it.

'Would it make any difference what-so-ever if I were to ask you not to see him alone?'

Hermione sighed and entwined her fingers with Draco's.

'Draco, how would you like it if your ex-fiancée returned your engagement ring with her new-found lover in tow, rubbing him in your face?'

He raised an eyebrow at her. 'I don't know. I've never technically been engaged before.'

She rolled her eyed at him, knowing he was in his stubborn little boy mood. 'I meant hypothetically.'

'Oh well, then. I wouldn't mind it at all; especially, if I was a creepy git who snuck into other people's houses uninvited.'

Hermione pinched him on the arm but Draco didn't even flinch. He simply turned to her with a look of concern in his gaze.

'Look, Hermione, I'm not trying to tell you who you can or can't see. I'm not suicidal. I just want you to be careful around Greg. There's just something that I don't trust about him.'

'And the fact that I was involved with him has nothing to do with your suspicions?' she asked him dryly, 'Draco, I was engaged to Greg. He's not some psychopathic stranger. You're overreacting about the door thing. I'm sure there's a simple enough explanation for it. I only need to return Greg's ring and explain that it is well and truly over between him and me.'

When Draco didn't respond, Hermione shook her head at him. Twisting around, she dropped a kiss on his brow before settling back against her pillow.

'This is something you don't need to worry about. Just forget about it and get some sleep.' She mumbled around a yawn.

Draco answered this with a non-committal grunt and pulled Hermione closer towards him. Even when Hermione drifted off to sleep, Draco couldn't do the same. He knew that trying to stop Hermione would only push her even more, but he couldn't help worrying at the situation. Maybe he was just being paranoid and anxious about Greg, but he knew better than to ignore his instincts. And his instincts were fairly growling at Hermione's ex-fiancé. Draco rubbed his hand over his face. He knew he wouldn't be getting to sleep any time soon, so he just watched the play of shadows on the ceiling while absentmindedly stroking Hermione's hair.

Hermione woke up to the sound of her shower running. She stretched noisily underneath her quilt and snuggled deeper into her pillow. It was Sunday, her usual day of rest (rest, meaning she got to sleep in a little longer and lounge around the house with her paper work rather than going to the office with it). But after her discussion with Draco last night, she knew she would be returning Greg's ring today. It was best to just get it over and done with; then move on.

She allowed herself another languid stretch before she swept her bedcover aside and started getting dressed. As she pulled on her jeans, the sound of rushing water from the bathroom halted.

With a grin, she sat back on top of her bed and waited for Draco to make an appearance. So much steam bellowed out as the door opened that Hermione half expected a prune on legs to walk out. But no, Draco walked out as refreshed as ever. Hermione had to smile as she took note of the towel slung dangerously low on his hips and his dripping wet hair.

'You do know that there's a hairdryer in there, don't you? And I do have a dressing gown if you want to borrow it. Wouldn't want you getting cold.' She said with a saucy wink and a grin.

'What? I thought this was the standard morning-after-reappear-from-the-shower look.'

'It is if we were planning to spend the entire day in bed.'

'You make that sound like such a hardship.' Draco drawled, trying to look only mildly affronted.

Hermione just laughed as she stood up and walked towards him. She slipped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him.

'I'm going to give Greg his stuff back today. So you won't have to worry about him anymore.'

Draco frowned but surprisingly didn't say anything. Hermione stroked her hand across his cheek slowly. He reached for her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. Hermione locked eyes with him, trying to reassure him.

'Just relax, Draco. I'll be back before you have time for a full blown pout.' She laughed, then pulled him towards her for a kiss.

Finally, Hermione pulled back, untangling her fingers from Draco's wet locks. With a sigh, she shot out of the room before the urge to stay in bed with him all day overcame her. Stumbling into her study, Hermione quickly gathered the little velvet box that contained Greg's ring and the mobile phone he had given her. She slipped them into her bag, along with her purse and wand.

She made her way through the house to the front door only to see Draco standing there, wearing her dressing gown. He gave her a wink as she halted in her tracks.

'At least it's not pink and fluffy.' He smiled.

Hermione was momentarily stunned. In one hand, Draco held out her thick charcoal cloak and in the other, he had what looked like a travelling mug of tea. He was the picture of new-age domesticated man. Draco helped Hermione get her cloak on, and gave her a peck on the cheek.

'I understand that this is something you have to do by yourself; something I can't interfere with, no matter how much I may wish to.' He told her seriously.

Hermione stared at him trying to gauge precisely what Draco was thinking and feeling.

'So you promise not to follow me to Greg's place?'

Draco raised an eyebrow at her.

'If I don't return after say, three or so days then you can come a-charging with your I-told-you-so's but not today.'

Draco held her gaze for a few long seconds before finally nodding. It was clear that he was still convinced that Hermione needed his protection at all times. However, he seemed to realise how stubborn Hermione was, particularly about this.

'Fine.'

Hermione smiled broadly. Taking the tea from him, she gave Draco a last kiss goodbye and walked out the door.

'I'll see you soon, Draco. We'll go and visit Harry and Ginny when I get back. Check up on how my future godchild is doing.' She shouted back as she bounded down the steps.

'There's no way I'm seeing Potter out of office hours.' Draco yelled back with a smile.

Hermione walked away cradling her tea, absorbing its warmth. She felt that this was an important moment for her and Draco. They had leapt back into their relationship with an alacrity that alarmed Hermione. It may have been ten years in the making but she was still wary of rushing headlong into potential heartbreak. If their relationship was going to last for longer than a diversion, then Hermione would have to learn to trust Draco and vice versa. If Draco actually managed to keep himself from following her today, they'd be one step closer to that.

It certainly would have been a lot quicker for Hermione to apparate to Greg's street, but she wasn't overly familiar with it. She didn't want to cause a ruckus by suddenly appearing amidst a muggle neighbourhood tea party, so she decided to take the bus instead. Besides, the trip would give her plenty of thinking time, something she always appreciated.

As she rounded the corner of her block, Hermione remembered Draco's warning for her to careful. He did have a point. Even though she believed she had what it took to protect herself, as Minister of Magic she would be stupid to take foolish chances.

Most of the neighbourhood seemed to be taking advantage of their day of rest, so the street was relatively deserted. Hermione slipped into the shadowed alcove of a closed factory, pulled her wand out of her bag and whispered a disguise spell.

She gave her new waist-long blonde dreadlocks a shake before returning her wand to her bag. Hermione didn't need to look into the mirror to see that she had also given herself slanted violet eyes, higher cheekbones and various facial piercings. She might draw attention but nobody would recognise her.

With a satisfied smile she continued towards the bus top and waited patiently for the double-decker to arrive. When it rolled towards her, Hermione stepped back carefully to avoid being splashed, then boarded the bus. After she purchased a ticket from the bored looking bus driver Hermione headed to the back of the bus. There were only a few passengers but she was surprised that not one of them even bothered to look her way. With a thoughtful shrug she took her seat and looked out the window.

As the houses and buildings whizzed by, Hermione realised that this would only be her second visit to Greg's house. She had met up with him at his place before a date when they had first started seeing each other. But he had whisked her away as quickly as possible claiming that his house was in a mess because his work had taken up much of his attention. She had never even made it past the front door.

Not that Hermione had minded much. Although Greg had come over to her flat occasionally, he had never stayed over. Hermione had used Ginny as her excuse and Greg had never argued. Now, she marvelled at how little time she and Greg had actually spent together. They had seen each other for nearly a year before getting engaged, but during this time Greg had mostly been busy with his experiments and Hermione with her own work. Both had respected this unquestionably. Their lives had seemed to separate even more when they got engaged. Hermione supposed that was why it had been so easy to hide the fact that she was a witch from Greg.

Hermione felt slightly ashamed when she realised that the distance in their relationship was probably also the reason she had gotten so involved with Greg in the first place. She had spent years trying to cope with heartbreak and then Greg had appeared. He had never wanted more than she felt safe to give; she had convinced herself that the safety she felt with undemanding, unquestioning Greg was happiness.

The force of her feelings for Draco, simply illustrated how inadequate her relationship with Greg had been. Even if things didn't work out between herself and Draco, she knew now that she didn't want to settle for mediocre. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with someone she knew she could be truly happy with.

Hermione blinked and realised her stop was just ahead. She was glad she hadn't missed it. This was something she wanted to get over and done with. With a cheery thanks to the bus driver, Hermione was quickly heading down the street she recognised as Greg's. After a quick check to ensure that no one was around, Hermione shook off her disguise.

She gave her shaggy mop a quick run through with her fingers before giving the red door of Greg's house a brisk knock. After a while, Hermione began to wonder if she should have called ahead to check if he'd be in first. No sooner had she begun scrambling around her bag for her much unused mobile phone, that the door opened quietly. Hermione was startled to see that it was a woman who had answered the door. She looked like she was on the young side of fifty, and wore what would best be described as a tea party dress covered by a full length chequered apron. Her white ringlets were much sleeker than Hermione's own curls.

'I'm sorry, dear. I was just baking up some scones for my next knitting group. I wasn't paying attention to the door.' She smiled at Hermione curiously.

'No, no. I'm sorry I think I've got the wrong house.' Hermione returned the smile apologetically. She felt a bit selfish for interrupting this woman's morning unnecessarily. 'Could you please tell me if Greg Johnson lives around here?'

The woman's eyes widened and then lit up with enthusiasm. 'Oh my, I can't believe that I didn't recognise you straight away. Greg will have my head for this. He's out at the moment. "What am I going to do with you, Gran?" That's what he'll say.' The door widened and Hermione was ushered in insistently.

'You're Greg's grandmother?' Hermione asked incredulously, watching as the slim and cheery woman, who bore no resemblance to Greg, hurriedly slipped her apron over her head. Hermione knew that Greg had been orphaned at a relatively young age but he had never been very open about his family life. She had had no idea that Greg lived with his grandmother.

'Why, yes of course. I'm sorry I forgot that we haven't officially been introduced. I'm Gloria.' She forewent the customary handshake and folded Hermione into an enthusiastic hug. Swiftly, she shuffled Hermione into the sitting room. 'I hope you don't mind if I call you Hermione. I know it's probably not proper but I feel as if I know you already. Greg's told me so much about you. I was so proud of Greg when he met you. I started collecting all of your clippings.'

'I'm sorry, but what clippings are you talking about?' Hermione asked feeling perplexed and slightly overwhelmed by the whirlwind woman.

'Why, all of your Minister of Magic news clippings, of course. First female Minister in almost four hundred years, but of course I don't need to tell you that.' Without pausing, Gloria whipped out a wand from her dress pocket and summoned a large album-like book from her bookshelf. Hermione felt her jaw drop in surprise.

'You're a witch.' She exclaimed redundantly.

Gloria blinked at Hermione for a few moments looking slightly perplexed.

'Well yes, of course, I am.'

'And Greg knows that you're a witch? He knows all about the magical world and the fact that I was the Minister of Magic when I met him?' Hermione's voice trembled with a mixture of confusion and anger.

'Why, of course. I've raised the dear boy since he was only ten years old. He knows all about the magical world. Not a drop of magical blood in him though. But these things skip a few generations sometimes. I suppose that's why he's so intrigued by science. That's his magic.' She said cheerfully before noticing that Hermione had sunk down onto the nearest chair. 'Oh dear, Hermione, are you quite alright? You're looking rather pale.'

Hermione's mind was swarming with the information Gloria had just given her. Maybe it would have been a good idea if she had brought Draco along. Not to protect herself, but to defend Greg when Hermione got to him. Her hands curled into tight fists in her lap as she tried to maintain a calm front for Gloria's sake.

'You wouldn't happen to know when Greg was coming back, would you. Only we have a few things that we really need to discuss.'

'Ooh, wedding plans?' Gloria spoke with such enthusiasm that Hermione didn't have the heart to contradict her. 'I hope you don't think of me as a nosy little busybody but I would love to help with the wedding details.'

She sat down gracefully beside Hermione and took Hermione's hands into her own. She gave them a light squeeze before continuing, 'Now, Greg has told me that you're both planning for a long engagement but these things do take a while to organise. I mean, there's so much to do.'

'Yeah, I know. My best friends just got married a few months ago. It was pretty hectic.' Hermione mumbled helplessly.

'Yes, yes. There's your dress, the guests, where it's going to be, the reception, catering…oh and of course, the rings.' She gave Hermione's hands another squeeze. 'Greg refused to show me the engagement ring that he got for you, just in case you didn't like it. But you'll show it to me now, won't you?'

In her excitement, Gloria didn't wait for Hermione's answer. She just grasped Hermione's left hand towards her, holding her by the fingers. Hermione opened her mouth to argue but stopped when she saw Gloria's face. The older lady's smile disappeared. Her face momentarily hardened and her eyes seemed to flash with rage. For a moment, Hermione felt disconcerted, but Gloria's easy smile returned so smoothly that she realised that she must have misinterpreted the other woman's expression. Hermione tried to gently tug her hand away, but Gloria held on determinedly.

'It's beautiful.'

Hermione's eyes widened as Gloria began to stroke the ring on her wedding finger-Draco's ring-and realised that Greg's grandmother could see it.

'You can see it?'

'Of course, I can see it.' Her smile broadened as she looked up from the ring towards Hermione. 'I know this is very improper of me, but would you mind very much if I tried it on.'

Hermione frowned lightly. Gloria being able to see the Malfoy ring was already odd, but her request was even more bizarre. Wasn't considered bad luck to try on another person's engagement ring? Hermione didn't want to offend the kindly old lady, and she had a feeling that telling her that she was wearing another man's ring and that it wasn't budging off her finger, might just do that. She found herself seriously hoping Greg would return soon. Gloria was still gripping Hermione's fingers and looking down at the ring so hopefully that Hermione began to stammer a response, 'Um, I…don't know if—'

'Grandma, I'm home. How are the scones going?'

Both Hermione and Gloria turned towards the entrance of the sitting room as Greg's head popped in. He paused with a stunned look on his face and Hermione took advantage of the distraction to slip her hands out of Gloria's. Hermione was relieved beyond words that Greg had decided to show up now. She felt Gloria stiffen beside her before the older woman stood up and began fluttering around Greg.

'Look who came to visit, Greg. At long last I've met your beloved Hermione.' She cried as she gave her wand a flick and whisked Greg's scarf and coat into the closet. 'Now I know you two have lots to talk about, so I'll leave you lovebirds alone. I'll go and see to those scones, but I'll pop back with some tea. Oh Hermione, you must be thinking what an ungracious hostess I am, but I was just so excited to finally meet you. I'll be back with your teas.' She laughed before heading out of the sitting room. Hermione's relief to see Greg lasted only until Gloria left the room, then all her feelings of anger returned.

'Surprised to see me, Greg?'

Greg's mouth opened and closed a few times as if he couldn't find the words. He sat down beside Hermione, and she waited patiently for him to find his tongue.

'I know what this must look like…' Greg stammered finally. He looked very nervous.

Hermione couldn't help it, and she snapped at him. 'What it looks like is that I came here to return these to you,' she shoved the velvet boxed ring and the mobile phone in his lap, 'and apologize for any hurt I may have caused you, only to discover that you've been playing me for a fool.'

'Hermione—'

Greg's reply was interrupted as Gloria came bustling back in with a tea tray laden with treats. 'Here we are, tea for two.'

She placed the tray in front of them and began pouring the tea. With a dollop of cream in each cup, she handed the tea first to Hermione, and then to Greg.

'There's some sugar, just there if you want it. And make sure you try the scones and tell me how they are.' Gloria said before leaving them on their own once more.

Hermione sat the cup and saucer on her lap as she waited for Greg to continue his explanation.

'Listen, Hermione, I never meant to lie or hurt you in any way—' Greg said warily.

Hermione felt livid. 'You made me believe that I had wronged you for keeping my secret from you, and you were doing precisely the same thing all along. Did you think that by making me feel guilty I'd be a better wife, eager to do your every bidding to make up for my heinous lies?'

She wanted to throw her teacup at Greg, but she decided it would be more polite for her to drink the contents before she shattered the fragile porcelain on Greg's head. Hermione swallowed the hot tea in almost one gulp, then glared at Greg.

'You don't understand, Hermione. I couldn't tell you…'

Hermione frowned as she listened to him. Her ears seemed to be buzzing and his explanations were fading in and out. She fixed a glare at Greg. He seemed to be swaying around with nerves, and Hermione wished that he would stay still long enough for her to throw her cup at him, as she had planned.

'Hermione! Hermione, are you alright? You look really pale.'

Hermione opened her mouth to tell him that she was just fine, thank you very much, but she couldn't. Her fingers went slack and she saw her teacup clatter noisily to the carpeted floor before she slumped over, unconscious...

A/N: MUUUHAAAAHAAAAAHA (evil cackle) I do not own any part of the amazing Harry Potter Universe. Urgh (disgruntled noise) I would have had this chappie up sooner but unfortunately the document manager wasn't playing nice. Oh well it's up now. Hope y'all enjoy. HObtYlaH ;0)