A/N: Hi everyone! A thank you to bellybutton79, Jen0318, InsideTheFridge, Aid4, CatPeach, Parrisblues24, Cupcake46813, and the Guest who commented on the last chapter. Thank you all so much!

Also, thank you to everyone who has favorited the fic so far, because of you, this fic officially has over 200 Follows! That's wild!

I also want to apologize for the lateness of this chapter, I know it's been a few weeks but I'm going to tey and set a personal schedule so I can get chapters done in a timely matter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

As always, enjoy!

Chapter 12

Hermione marched through the Ministry of Magic, ignoring the gasps and whispers at the witch who just apperated into the Ministry.

That, on its own, was not only unheard of, but probably also illegal.

But they all also knew that the Auror's wouldn't touch her. She was best friends with the Head Auror after all.

Wasn't she?

Her magic crackled around her, the sparkles a bright yellow. Her hair frizzed and electricity surrounded her.

Hermione reached the lift and ordered everyone out, her lip turned up in a sneer. The ministry workers rushed out, their heads ducked, avoiding the witches anger.

She rode the elevator up, starting at the small window indicating what floor she was rising too. At the ding, signaling the open doors, Hermione stomped out, shoving an entry level Auror out of her war.

Harry's office door was closed, but when had that ever stopped her?

"Harry James Potter!" She screamed, whipping the door open to find Harry hunched over a pile of paperwork.

His head shot up and his eyes bulged.

"'Mione?" Harry asked, his voice an octave higher than normal.

Hermione gave Harry a look before she marched over and grabbed him by the ear. She then pulled him out of his office towards the elevators. Hermione ignored the pain that shot up and down her arm, worsening the longer she touched Harry.

"Hey!" Harry whined, "—Ow— What did I do?"

Hermione said nothing, instead she shot him a glare. He instantly fell silent The stood there awkwardly, his ear pinched between his best friend's fingers. The door dinged open and two ministry workers stepped in and gave Harry an odd look. Hermione shot them the same glare she shot them the same glare.

The ministry workers ran out the lift before the doors had a chance to close.

The lift rose to the Minister's floor. Hermione pulled Harry out with her as she marched to the Minister's door.

" ," the secretary said, standing suddenly, "the Minister is in a meeting!"

Hermione waved her hand in the air, "Trust me, he won't be in a meeting much longer."

She should have just used the doorknob, she really should have, but she was much angry for that.

The door blasted open, shards of wood flying through the air, dust evading everyone's vision.

The meeting in the Minister's Office came to a stop. Immediately, the five wizards, including the Minister, pulled out their wands and pointed them towards her. Hermione stood tall, and once the dust cleared, it was the first thing that the group of men saw.

That, and the fact that Harry Potter was bent at the waist awkwardly because of Hermione's hold of his ear.

"Hermione," the Minister said, "what's wrong?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed and she stepped through the threshold.

"Everyone, out." She said, motioning to the door.

The four other wizards pocketed their wands and walked out of the room, their heads bowed. Most of the Ministry knew of the Brain's of the Golden Trio's anger and that it was best to step down lest you get hexed.

Hermione let go of Harry's ear and looked at both men with angered disappointment.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" Hermione asked.

Kingsley gave Harry a look, "Tell you what?"

Hermione's magic crackled around them, filling the room.

"She knows, Kings," Harry said, rubbing the side of her head.

"Oh." Was all Kingsley said.

Hermione marched over to the Minister, drew her hand back, and slapped in across the face.

"How dare you, you weak, inconsiderate, man!" Hermione shouted.

Kingsley had stumbled back, catching himself by grasping his desk. His free hand flying to the reddening spot on her face.

The two wizards stared at Hermione in shock.

"I could have died!" Hermione screamed.

Harry jumped back in horror, "No," he said, "you wouldn't have, the mate doest die when the veela does. I checked!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "So you were willing to let someone die because you knew I wouldn't."

Harry swallowed thickly.

"She's got you there," Kingsley said as he stood up straight, dusting off his robes. "What do you want, Hermione? What would make this right?"

"I want you to apologize," Hermione said and when Harry and Kingsley both opened their mouths, Hermione put her hand up to stop them, "to the Malfoys. Not me."

Harry made a strangled sound at the back of his throat, his eyes darting over Kingsley who was staring at Hermione in abject horror.

"If you don't come with me willingly, then I will be forced to drag you two down to the Manor by your ears," Hermione said sternly, her wand hand itching for them to say anything to the contrary.

"But Hermione—" Kingsley began.

"—Is that where you've been?" Harry interrupted.

Hermione didn't answer, instead, she stomped her foot and crossed her arms. Kingsley put his hands up in resignation. Harry sighed.

Hermione gave the two a bright smile before she opened the door motioning for the two men to step out of the room. Kingsley walked out with his back straight, attempting to look like he still had some control of the situation.

He most certainly did not.

Harry, on the other hand, shoved his hands into his pockets, brooded, and muttered to himself on the way out of the Ministry.

Once they were far enough from the Ministry to apperate, Hermione grabbed the two wizards by their sleeves and popped to Malfoy Manor's gates.

Once their feet hit the ground, Harry stumbled over, catching himself on Kingsley 's arm.

"Sorry," The boy-who-lived said.

Hermione rolled her eyes and waked on through the gate of the Manor. Kingsley and Harry gave each other a look before following close behind. Hermione pushed open the front door to find Narcissa pacing back and forth, her hand pressed against her face, the tension hanging in the air.

The brunette stepped through the threshold and whispered, "Narcissa, are you okay?"

The older witch's snapped to her direction, her eyes wide. Harry and Kingsley walked in behind her, watching Lady Malfoy rush over to Hermione.

"Where have you been!" Narcissa screeched.

Hermione jumped back, "I haven't been gone for more than an hour," she whispered, "Zabini knew I left and he knew that I would be back."

Narcissa set her jaw and just then noticed the two wizards behind Hermione. "What are they doing here?" Narcissa bit out, the venom in her voice evident.

"Well—" Harry began.

"—Their here to apologize for their reckless treatment of your son's situation." Hermione continued.

"That can wait," Narcissa said, taking Hermione's hand, pulling her towards the stairs. Hermione gasped as Narcissa's tight hold on her wrist began throb. "Draco has been deteriorating since you left."

The two moved down the hallway towards Draco's room. Harry and Kingsley were following closely behind, making questions as they tried to keep up with the witch.

"What!" Hermione gasped, her head starting to swim. She pulled her arm away, and the room slowly stopped spinning, "What do you mean?"

Narcissa motioned for Hermione to follow and she did, cautious. Lucius was standing outside looking into the door of his son's room. Blaise could be heard inside, muttering words of support as horrible wrenching echoed off the walls.

Hermione gasped and pushed past Narcissa and all but ran into the cluttered room.

Hermione's heart broke at what she saw. Draco was barely sitting up emptying his stomach into a bison that Zabini was holding.

The young witch rushed into the room and crawled onto the bed towards the veela. She ran her hand up and down his back, and after a moment, he stopped wrenching.

"There we go," Hermione whispered, still rubbing Draco's back. The blond tried to take in a deep breathe. Zabini vanished the bison and held out a handkerchief to Hermione, who took it and cleaned the corner's of Draco's mouth, "You're okay."

Draco's eyes met Hermione's. He looked so tired, but his lip curled slightly.

"You're back." He whispered, his words coming out hoarse, "You're real." He gasped.

Hermione nodded and Draco leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes. "I'm tired. I want it all to stop."

Zabini gave Hermione a sad look and then looked up to the doorway. Hermione followed the Healer's eye-line to find Harry and Kingsley looking in, horror on both their faces. Harry's eyes darted around the room, landing on the pile of clothes that was now pushed off the bed, onto the floor. Harry swallowed thickly and backed away, disappearing into hallway.

Kingsley followed closely after.

Hermione sighed and turned her attention back to Draco, who's head was slowly lolling to the side. She stretched out her legs and got comfortable with a pillow between her and the headboard. Hermione guided Draco down so his head laid in her lap.

"I've got him," Hermione said to Zabini, "go. I'll shout if anything changes."

Zabini looked down at his best friend and then back at Hermione, "I'll be in the other room," he whispered.

The dark-skinned wizard stood up and walked out of the room, looking at Hermione and Draco one more time before he shut the door.

Hermione released a sigh of relief. It was still so early in the day, but it felt like days had gone by since she slept. Draco wrapped his arm around her thigh and held her close, anchoring her to her place.

The brunette ran her fingers through the blond's hair, and she kept going even when his breathing fully evened out. She picked up the book she had put down earlier in the day and started to read.