Harry watched as Ginny fluttered around the kitchen like a nervous hummingbird. He didn't want to be here. His land, his home was pulling at him. He could feel like a constant vibration just under his skin. Still, he was committed to her.

"Gin, no tea is worth this amount of work." Harry sighed. "Why don't you tell me whatever it is you need to tell me."

"I'm a jealous cow." Ginny turned around and pressed her back to the kitchen cabinets. "I hated her from the first moment I met her. There she was, already your friend, already part of your life. I was just an amusement. Hating her drew me to that damn diary. I actually enjoyed seeing her frozen in that ridiculous pose."

"You hated Hermione?" Harry blinked. Hating Hermione was like hating kittens and puppies. Even Malfoy was in love with her.

"I did and I do." Ginny crossed her arms over her chest. "She's bloody damn perfect, and you depend on her for everything."

"I do not." Harry sat back and stared at his wife. "I've barely seen her since you and your mother sent me to beg her to come to Ron's wedding."

"Yes." Ginny rolled her eyes. "Your precious Mione hasn't been at your beck and call because she got married."

"Because you talked me into using our bond against her you mean." Harry narrowed his eyes as he watched Ginny flush. "She saved my life more times than I can count, but you don't want her around? It doesn't make any bloody sense. She's my friend. She's always been my friend."

"She isn't mine." Ginny huffed. "She is the one you talk to. She is the one you run to when you have a problem. When you were worried about getting back together with me, you went to her."

"I went to my best friend for advice because I wasn't sure I was good enough for you." Harry rubbed his hand through his hair. "I felt so dirty and useless after the war. So many people died, and I felt like it was my fault. Hermione understood, but she told me I was an idiot if I gave up on loving you."

"What?" Ginny dropped her arms to her sides. "Why would she say that?"

"Because she knew I bloody well love you." Harry shoved himself away from the table. "She wanted me to be happy."

"Of course, noble Hermione. She's always so worried about others." Ginny's pale skin darkened to pink as she flushed. "She's so damn perfect. Was she perfect on those cold nights in the Forest of Dean?"

"You think we fucked?" Harry barked out a bitter laugh. "Never. She's my best friend in the world. We were starving and exhausted. We took turns guarding our stupid tent."

"You never slept together?" Ginny narrowed her eyes.

"Not like that." Harry shook his head. "Over the years we've fallen asleep in the same places a time or two, but it was never more than a comfort to have her with me."

"I don't believe you." Ginny tossed her hair back over her shoulder. "You were always so close. I'm sure she wanted you."

"She didn't. I don't think she loved Ron either, but everyone seemed to think she should." Harry rolled his eyes. "I wanted them to be together. I wanted them to be happy. They weren't good together, but it was a nice idea. It would have been one of those fairytales where feet were carved up, but it looked good in the press. You destroyed their friendship, didn't you?"

"I did what I thought was best." Ginny stood tall. "Hermione is fine. Ron will figure his mess out. Life will go on."

"I agree." Harry frowned, "Life will go on, but I will be living at the Potter estate for a while. You can stay at Grimmauld if you like, but I need some time to think."

"Of course you do." Ginny rolled her eyes. "You can't just run off and have Hermione figure it out, so I get wrapped in cotton wool. Be a man, Harry."

"I am." Harry stood up and stalked from the room.

Lucius frowned as he read the paper. There was an exposé on the unorthodox healing of the Longbottoms. The general tone of the article was fine, but there was a undertone to it that rubbed his skin the wrong way. The author managed to imply that the girls were reckless and unwilling to help others.

He needed to get an article out detailing their success with a potion to help those that suffered from cruciatus exposure. The girls were hardly selfish. It would take little effort to refute the article, but he wasn't ready to confront their accusers. He wasn't even sure where the threat was coming from.

A few positive articles would serve as the perfect salvo, but he needed to consult with Frank first. It wouldn't serve any of them if he angered the over protective wizard.

Watching her eat pomegranate seeds so boldly was distracting him. He watched as she ran one ruby colored seed along her lower lip before slipping it into her mouth. He blinked and dragged a breath in through his parted lips.

He watched her fingers dip back into the little cup she was carrying and had to bite back a whimper. He wanted to look down the table and see if anyone else was watching her, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. It was too temptingly seductive to watch the tip of her tongue trace her lips in anticipation as she raised the slick treat up to her lips.

The murmur of the meeting continued around him, but he didn't give a damn about it. Greg's wedding would be perfect. Hermione wouldn't let it be anything less.

She plucked another seed from the cup and spun it in her fingers leaving a tiny trail of pink juice along her skin. She raised the seed slowly to her lips and pulled it from her fingers with her teeth.

He wanted to drag her across the table and taste the flavor of her lips. He wanted her clever, clever tongue to take the seeds from his hand.

He almost whimpered when she plucked the next one from its container. She had to know that eating pomegranate seeds was a subtle invitation between husband and wife. Someone had to have told her. The rituals involving fertility and the spells attached to the seeds added to a couple's chances of conceiving, but the seeds were kept for private consumption only.

Draco wanted to beat his head into the table. The temptation of his very lovely and innocent wife was intoxicating. Goddesses above and below, he was never going to make it until their wedding night. Conflagration was his fate. Pure and simple.

He forced his eyes down the table. No one else was scandalized. No one else was shocked. He caught Luna's quick grin and knew his beloved bride was up to something. Hecate's hounds. He closed his eyes and prayed for salvation from cunning and creative witches, but not to much salvation.

He opened his eyes and looked at Hermione with her adorably wicked grin. She was everything he had ever wanted rolled up into a perfect package. She popped another seed into her mouth and winked at him.