a/n1: Look who is back! I am so sorry for the delay. First I had a mean writers block and then my trusted beta didn't have any time at all! I even asked around for betas but nobody wanted to give me a hand. Well, now viv-heart is back at it again.
I created a playlist on Spotify for this fic, if you like to read with soundtrack just search for "Arbitrary Jurisdiction by Nantai" and it should turn up ;)
This chapter got a bit longer than originally planned (I had too much fun writing^^") and since you had to wait so long you are getting two chapters on one day. Good deal? I hope so. Have fun! :)

Harry grew worried for Hermione as she had been alone with Draco for nearly thirty minutes now. Of course he had seen them being civil to each other in the last week, but he still didn't trust the Slytherin. He had just decided to stand up and go looking for them when the door opened and they returned inside.

He noticed that both of them looked pale, but less tense than when they had left. Harry decided not to ask them about it and soon they readied themselves to leave.
Both he and Ron relaxed, now that they had seen with how much care Narcissa treated her sister and how all the Malfoys were trying to be more open minded. They said good-bye and left through the floo.

Harry hastily made his excuses, wanting to reply to Pansy's letter which had come in the morning. In his room he pulled it out of his pocket and smoothed it out.

Potter (or should I use Harry?),

It seems I will have to endure you at school. Well, I am sure I will survive. (Harry scoffed at that. After all it had been her who had asked.) Although I am not sure whether we will be able to have a quiet year, it just seems unlikely after all this time.
The owl is called Medusa (don't ask me) and I wrote you so late because I couldn't sleep and needed to take my mind off of things. (Again I am questioning myself why am I telling you this. I should probably just accept it as fact.)
Did Granger tell you that we will be meeting for coffee next week? I really would have liked to see her face when she read that I suggest a muggle place. But seriously? First of all, many Wizarding places won't serve me, although we didn't even have Death Eater relations. Being pureblood and Slytherin is enough to be discriminated these days. Secondly as long as the coffee is good I don't care how it is made.

Yours,
Pansy

Harry smiled sadly at the last paragraph. Just weeks ago he would have been one of those who denied pureblood Slytherins service. But the last battle changed his mind. When he sat in the Great Hall afterwards and watched families who had lost each other in the fight reunite he understood. The Slytherins would have had to fight against their own parents, siblings and friends. Nobody would want that, even if they didn't support Tom.

When after the execution the list of the dead had been published, Harry recognised a few names from former encounters with the Slytherins. Montague, Crabbe and Pucey were amongst them, but also a few older Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Harry had wondered about their reasons for joining at first, until he noticed what he did. He had assumed that only Slytherins were prejudiced and hateful. Not once had he thought that blood-supremacism could also be present in other houses. Harry had been rather startled to notice his own prejudice against Slytherins. He had tried to talk about it with Ron, but he didn't understand what Harry tried to say. For him Slytherins were bad, but not because they were Death Eaters. He thought so because they supposedly only accepted half- and purebloods. It didn't matter that Hermione had dug up students records from the last seven years that showed clearly that Slytherin did indeed accept muggleborns.

Parkinson (Pansy?),

I think you should use the name you feel most comfortable with.
Medusa startled me out of a nightmare tonight, so maybe it wasn't too bad that you send a letter. I am questioning my reasons for writing to you as well, but maybe we should just follow Hermione's and Mrs Malfoy's example and start anew.
You know, before the last battle I would have supported those who wouldn't serve you, because all Slytherins are evil Death Eaters, right? However seeing who we were up against I realised that many of you would have had to fight against their own family and friends. Even if you didn't follow Voldemort, fighting against your own people? Who would want that?
Today we had lunch with the Malfoys and Andromeda. Draco and Mr Malfoy cooked roast veal, beans and mashed potatoes. We weren't poisoned and it was actually edible! I have to admit that Mrs Malfoy is a very nice person. We hadn't much chance to talk before but she offered her help for the renovation of the Black house I am currently living in.

Harry

PS: Why is Medusa outside my window?!

And indeed the regal looking owl was waiting on the window sill. Harry was sure that she hadn't been there when he started writing and was rather curious how she had known that he had a letter for her. Now at least he didn't need to ask Hermione for her owl.

He still hadn't bought a new one, with the loss of Hedwig being too fresh. Shaking his head Harry opened the window and let Medusa in. He vowed to ask Hermione about the legend of Medusa soon. He remembered something with snakes but not much more. Additionally the Wizarding legends tended to differ from the muggle ones who where rid of all mentions of wizards and witches after the Statue of Secrecy had been established.

In the library Hermione re-read all the protocols she had gathered for Draco's hearing. She had made notes in the margins whether or not she though the statement was a lie. The protocol of Rabastan Lestrange was nearly completely filled with red annotations which sometimes cross-referenced with the other protocols to either unveil lies or arranged stories. She had found out that Mike Proudfoot was rather crooked this way. Rabastan's stories matched his and the other way around even though Hermione knew at least some of them to be wrong. Did Kingsley know that?

Hermione had to admit that she rather liked analysing the statements, maybe she would actually like being a lawyer, even though she still had the feeling that she could be more successful if she entered the Wizengamot and did political work. Nevertheless an essential knowledge of the Wizarding Laws wouldn't be too bad, especially since she planned changing quite a few of them. Hermione chuckled at the memory of Draco Malfoy of all people telling her that she might be able to convince the less conservative part of the Wizengamot. Surely it had pained him to admit that to his former school nemesis. After all he had been one of the first to mock her campaign for House Elf rights, along with Ron.

At that Hermione sighed. She still hadn't talked to him about not being in a relationship, at all. He was watching her, she felt it. But she hadn't had the courage to actually tell him off yet. A fine Gryffindor she was. Sighing again Hermione was startled when she noticed the subject of her thoughts standing in the door frame.

"Why are you sighing, 'Mione?" he asked gently.

"Did you check in on George?" Hermione asked instead of answering right away. Ron frowned at her evading the answer.

"I did. He says mum has been here and took care of him some more but he didn't feel up to changing his location so she left him in Tinna's care until he feels better," he replied casually and sat down on the couch across from her.

"Good," Hermione said, steeling herself for what was to come. "I- I thought about our kiss."

Ron's face scrunched up in confusion and she hurried to explain. "I already told you that it felt like I was kissing my best friend, not the boy I am in love with. But we never really got a chance to talk about it."

Ron looked at her strangely and leant back into the couch. "You think I will be a prat about it, don't you?"

Hermione looked up sharply. "How-?"

"'Mione, I know I have been an utter prat to you for major parts of the last two years. But the time I was away from you and Harry... I had a lot to think about. How I loved you both and our friendship. How I had treated you in sixth year just for not asking me out first. I realised that as loud and open you are about your knowledge, you don't tend to speak about your feelings much." Hermione cocked her head at this and started to object but Ron hold up a hand to silence her. "Please let me finish first. The first week I missed you terribly. But then I examined the feeling closer, can you imagine? I must have started going crazy. However I noticed that I didn't miss you like I missed Lavender before she became too much. I missed talking to you, laughing with you. But I didn't miss your closeness, your scent or something like that.

When I returned and saw you again I was happy. I thought you might be just as happy, but you weren't. And I had to think again. What if you hadn't realised that we were just really good friends? When you kissed me in the Chamber of Secrets I was shocked, but not really surprised. You telling me it felt like kissing you best friend though? I had no bloody idea how to react, so I just carried on."

Hermione stared at Ron for a long time that felt like hours. That was probably the first time she had heard him talk so much about something other than Quidditch. But suddenly she was moving and hugging him and sitting beside him grinning widely.

"We really should learn to just talk to each other," she conceded and Ron laughed and nodded.

"I am glad this is clear now. We can be friends, right?" he asked suddenly cautious.

"Of course! It's much more fun to punch you on the arm than Harry," Hermione said with a wicked grin and Ron stared at her with mock indignation for a moment.

"You terrible woman!" he exclaimed. After a minute of comfortable silence he continued. "Did I see new letters from Parkinson this morning?"

"Yes! Right, she wrote me about meeting for coffee in muggle London," Hermione said sitting up and rummaging through her papers for the letter. Having found it she sat it on top of her other documents for later.

"So you accepted her apology?" Ron asked curiously, but Hermione could see a frown forming on his face.

"Yes, at least partly. I want to talk to her first, hence the meeting for coffee. The old Pansy would have never written to me in the first place," Hermione answered calmly knowing that Ron was normally rather prejudiced against Slytherins.

"You are probably right," Ron said shrugging. "Maybe you could tell me what she is like during that meeting and whether you forgive her or not."

"That sounds good. You should ask Harry as well, he has accepted her apology fully. I understand they are writing quite civilly."

Ron chuckled.

"If someone had told us that earlier this year we probably would have checked him for a mean Confundus charm," he joked and Hermione had to agree that it was true.

"What did you think of the Malfoys today?" she asked tentatively.

"They really seem to try. Especially Mrs Malfoy seems to want to be more open-minded. She had her moments though. Did you see how stiff she was during the meal?" He chuckled and Hermione frowned.

"Well, it was the first time that her husband cooked something that advanced. The same is probably true for Draco and she was nervous how you two would react. Draco surely told her of your antics during school and Harry was a bit hostile at first. She really wanted to make the best impression and she is eager to start anew with all of us," Hermione explained, stopping herself from ranting just barely.

"I guess it is a case of emotional range of a teaspoon then," Ron said winking and making Hermione blush.

"So you think they deserve a chance?" she asked cautiously watching him closely for his reaction. He seemed to actually think about it before answering.

"Mrs Malfoy most definitely. The ferret maybe as well. Don't misunderstand me, I don't like him. But I don't think he should go to prison. They should have run away before committing any crimes," Ron shrugged. "Mr Malfoy though…I don't know. He certainly makes an effort and from what you told me it seems like he has re-evaluated his beliefs. Maybe they can put him on probation for the rest of his life and let him actively help the rebuilding."

Hermione grinned at him. "Who would have thought you would ever say something in favour of a Malfoy."

Ron laughed and nodded. They fell silent again and just enjoyed sitting there together until Hermione remembered that she had wanted to write to Pansy.

Parkinson,

I don't know any place close to Diagon Alley, but maybe we could just venture out and explore a bit. I haven't been to muggle London in ages.
Do you have by any chance contact to Theodor Nott? Draco would like to write him and I wondered whether he was allowed to. (Former Death Eater and all that.)
I also wanted to thank you for making Harry smile. Since he and Ginny broke up he has been a bit too quiet for my liking.

Yours,
Hermione

When she closed the letter and went to look for Athena, who was probably in the cage in her room, Ron chose to check on George again.

Hermione met Ron and George when they left the guest room on the first floor. The older boy looked much better and was able to walk on his own again. But like Molly he oozed sadness and there were lines around his mouth and eyes that hadn't been there last year. He came over to hug her and she gently patted his back.

"Sorry, for the mess I made," George whispered into her ear.

"It's alright," Hermione answered just as quietly. "Maybe you should talk about it with someone who will understand."

He let go of her and nodded imperceptibly.

"Ron, are you going to the Burrow with him?" Hermione asked aloud.

"Yes," the younger red-head answered. "I think I will stay over for dinner. I haven't seen all of them for a while."

"Tell Tinna on your way out, will you?" Ron nodded and they waved good-bye.

Hermione went back to the library but she found she couldn't concentrate on her documents again so she decided to go back to cleaning the adjourning study. In the morning she had removed most of the dust and now she would be able to sort through the books and documents there.

Starting with the desk she discovered that the documents were in astoundingly good condition. There must have been a spell on parchment and ink so it wouldn't crumble to pieces and fade. She read of business relationships with other European pureblood families and political machinations to further Voldemort in Great Britain and Europe. Other documents were about scientific researches founded by Black money, which she set aside to read thoroughly later.

While she read about all this Hermione wondered whether the family business was still active and if it was who managed it. Maybe Narcissa would know. Theoretically it could have gone to her and to her husband with Sirius and Bellatrix imprisoned, Regulus dead and Andromeda disowned.

Hermione worked at the table until dinner and had cleared its surface by then. The scientific documents were in one box, politics in another and business in a third, all sat next to the door. There were drawers still and the rest of the study, including two walls with shelves of books up to the ceiling and another desk overflowing with documents.

Sighing Hermione stood up, stretched and went down for dinner. She was the first to arrive, but Harry followed soon and was informed that Ron would eat at the Burrow. They had a quiet dinner, chatting about their correspondence with Pansy and where to go for coffee on Tuesday. Since Ron wasn't back by the time they had finished they decided to retire to the drawing room, each with a book in hand.

"Say, 'Mione, did Ron finally talk with you?" Harry asked after some time and Hermione looked up rather startled.

"I initiated the conversation basically, but yes, we talked."

"Good. It was about time you stopped dancing around each other," Harry said with a grin worthy of the son of a Marauder. "When do you plan to go to Australia for your parents?"

Hermione sighed. She had dreaded that question since she had noticed that she hadn't thought about her parents since they had won.

"I don't know exactly, but definitely before school starts again and after the trials where I have to give testimony," Hermione said. "Would you come with me?"

"Of course, but why?"

"They will be angry that I decided for them. Maybe if you are there to back my story up they will be more forgiving."

"I do understand them, you know?" Harry replied quietly. "It's something Dumbledore did to me and I didn't like it one bit. Now imagine your own daughter does that to you. I would be really mad. Hell, I was really mad at Dumbledore for keeping me in the dark."

Hermione sniffled. Knowing what she had done was pretty bad was one thing, hearing it from your best friend a completely different one. Of course he was right. She should have talked to them, asked them to move away, included them in the decision. But she had gone and acted like they wouldn't understand. Maybe it would have taken quite a bit of convincing, but it would have been the better way.

She felt the tears fall down on her arms as she sat there and berated herself for being as patronising as some magical conservatives were towards muggles. Her parents would hate her when they learned the truth! Hermione choked on a sob.

"'Mione? Whatever you are thinking right now, stop it!" Harry said gently. He squatted in front of her and took her hands in his.

"But I treated them like these pureblood bigots would! Like they wouldn't make the right decision if I asked them first! They will hate me!" Hermione put her head in her hands and let her tears flow freely.

"That was certainly wrong, but it happened. You know just as well as I do what would have happened to them if they had stayed. They wiped out the Bones family safe for Susan. " Harry said while petting her back awkwardly, he was no good in comforting. "You spared them a fate worse than death. They will understand and forgive you, but only if you give them a chance."

Hermione leant against her best friend and mulled that over. He was right of course and she needed to pull herself together. She wiped away her tears and took a deep breath.

"You know that nobody is infallible, right 'Mione?" Harry asked sitting down next to her.

"Yes," she nodded. "But sometimes it is hard to remember."

"Good, then I will remind you from time to time," the raven-haired boy said teasingly.

"Me as well, if that's alright," a voice from the door said and they looked up to see Ron standing in the door frame.

a/n2: So, Ron and Hermione finally had the big talk. What did you think? Were you surprised by Ron? Tell me! :) On to the next chapter!