Apparently Hermione had been gone too long. Between interviewing her witness and talking with Malfoy, she'd been gone from the office for hours, when she told Jessie she just be gone for a little while.

When the receptionist expressed concern, aurors were sent to the manor. They checked on it every so often anyways, but it was especially urgent when Malfoy's attorney hadn't been heard from.

The angry knock boomed through out the house, and Hermione leaped in surprise. Scooting away from Draco as if she'd been caught doing something bad. Which, she sort of was. If the aurors had walked in while they were hugging, or even when they were so casually sitting close together, they would have filed a claim that could boot her off of the case. She was becoming too invested, letting her emotions take control over how she views the case.

But maybe it was a good thing? Draco needs an attorney that believes in him and will fight for him. Hermione probably wouldn't have found the gardener if she was especially concerned with Draco potentially going to Azkaban, wouldn't have had the idea to look in the cemetery when she was stuck. It was a lot to mull over in her head.

"I've been gone too long." Hermione said, gathering her briefcase. It was evident she'd been gone a long time by the glowing purple sky. "I'll tell you about my news tomorrow. I should leave." Quickly pulling away from the window sill, she made her way to the door. "And for the love of God Malfoy, clean up a bit." Once again Draco cracked a rare smile, which in turn made Hermione smile.

"Will do, Granger." And with that, Hermione closed the door after herself.

It wasn't hard convincing the aurors that time had slipped away, that she'd done a multitude of things that day and Malfoy Manor was just the last place on her stop.

Once they accepted that she was alright, they left and she apparated to her home.

The sweet and savory smell of spaghetti and pie immediately filled her nostrils.

"There you are, I was beginning to get worried." A voice greeted her. Hermione rolled her eyes, dropping her coat and bag off at the entryway table, sighing deeply as she took her heels off and her bare feet hit the plush carpet.

"Oh please, this is the first night you've been home in five days. I'm the one who should be worried." They both chuckled. Hermione made her way through the hall and found Ginny on the couch, eating the last of her apple pie.

"It's not my fault, it's either the lads want to go out for a bite after practice or..."

"Or you're at Harry's, I know." Hermione couldn't help but throw Ginny an all knowing look, which made the red heads cheeks match her hair color.

"And what are you doing out so late huh? A case or a date?"

"You know I don't date." Hermione rolled her eyes and made her way to the kitchen, stomach beginning to grumble.

"Well you should, you work too much." Ginny followed, placing her plate in the sink. Hermione sighed and started plating her meal.

"It just doesn't work, you know that." And Ginny did know. Hermione and Ron tried, they really did. But they were both busy. Ron was an auror along with Harry, and Hermione worked for the ministry. Their schedules made it so they saw each other. Once a week at best. It made them both angry and in the end they resented themselves for doing what they loved. So they ended it. They didn't date a long time, and perhaps that was for the best. Hermione did develop feelings, but truly, they weren't as strong as she'd thought they would be. Wasn't as definite like their first kiss at the battle of Hogwarts was. Wasn't the whirlwind she was secretly searching for. It made her sad to think about, but in the end she wasn't sure if more time would have solidified their relationship, if it was even that salvageable.

But she didn't want to think about that, that was a few years ago, she and Ron are just friends now. The awkwardness had just fully faded and she didn't need to bring back old memories.

Ginny threw her an apologetic look, knowing those memories were resurfacing.

"Well maybe you should try. I think it would be good for you."

"Maybe, but I'm not going to go looking. If it wants to find me I'll let it but I'm not forcing anything." This was the mindset Hermione has had since her breakup. Of course she wanted to fall in love and get married, but she wasn't going to force it. She wanted to be wooed, cared for, and understood. Work was incredibly important to her, and she wasn't going to let a man come in the way of that.

"Fine." Ginny groaned playfully. "But when you meet your dream man you have to pinky promise to tell me everything right away."

"Pinky promise." The girls connected pinkies and laughed. It was nice having her roommate back, it had been a while since they'd had a conversation and Hermione admittedly missed the casual company. Someone who wasn't a colleague or... Malfoy.

"So what's new?" Hermione inquired, taking a bite of spaghetti.

"Well first game of the season is next week so I've been practicing a lot, it's against the Hollyhead Harpies. Who, by the way, have asked me to join their team next season." Ginny said casually.

"What?! No way! Ginny that's amazing!" Hermione beamed, leaping from her chair, which in turn made Ginny squeal in excitement. The girls embraced and jumped up and down, Hermione asking a million questions. The Harpies have been Ginny's favorite team since she was little. This was a huge step in her Quidditch career. After they quieted down and Hermione had asked all of her questions, they moved to the couch, Hermione grabbing a slice of pie to take along.

"So now you tell me what's new. Any interesting cases?" Hermione's heart dropped a little. She would normally tell Ginny everything about her cases, even though it was a breach of privacy. Ginny would never tell and it was something to talk about. But this, she wasn't sure how she would react.

"You're fucking joking me." Ginny finally said, mouth agape. Hermione sighed, putting her head into her arms. "I can't believe you of all people have to take his case."

"I know!" Hermione exclaimed. "But it's better me than someone who has a vendetta against him."

"Yeah. Do you think he's telling the truth, about his mom?"

"I do actually. He's seems sincere, and so so sad. I just want to help him."

"Still weird to me that you're helping Draco Malfoy, but I think it's also good. If he's as sad and sincere as you say, he's going to need all the support he can get." And Hermione knew it too. There was no one left in his life. No family or friends. She's all he has.