Everything except for the plot belongs to JK Rowling.

Chapter 4

The next few weeks consisted of Hermione going to work every day, then having strategy meetings with Draco each night. She was starting to suspect that he was getting a taste for muggle beer. He pretended it disgusted him, but continued to request one each night.

She was surprised to learn he didn't live at the manor, but she supposed she understood. As he said "Most birds aren't all that keen when they find out you've invited them back to your parents' house."

The meetings were mostly about forming policy positions and figuring out a strategy to get her message across. They had run a few simple ads in the prophet, and so far had mostly positive feedback from muggle borns and half bloods, and even some more progressively minded purebloods, but the older members of the Sacred 28 were a whole other story.

Hermione was pleased to find that they were getting along relatively well, aside from their heated arguments, and the fact that Draco referred to her with strange food related terms of endearment (see Granger pudding pop, little Granger souffle, extra small Granger sundae...you get the picture) just to get a rise out of her. Besides those little obstacles, things were sailing along.

It was one such evening, when problems started to arise. They were heatedly discussing how on earth Hermione was going to get the the majority vote of the, almost exclusively pureblood, Wizenmagot. As part of the new "protections" against radical groups coming in and taking power, it was now required that candidates for Minister must win the majority vote of the Wizenmagot, in addition to the popular vote. This posed quite a challenge for the muggle born witch.

It was during a particularly spirited debate of how to this pureblood elite tribunal, when the floo roared and Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stumbled out of the fire. Hermione snapped her eyes up in surprise. She hadn't spoken to either wizard since she told them of her intent to run. Come to think of it, she hadn't heard from any of the Weasleys in quite some time.

Harry was rapidly shifting his gaze between her and Malfoy, his face warring between confusion and anger. Ron seemed not to even have noticed, his face staring down at the rug.

"Hermione", he started I came to apologize for..." he stopped dead in his tracks when he realized who else was in the room. "What is HE doing here?" he practically screamed.

"Draco is my campaign manager," Hermione replied coldly. She didn't actually call him Draco to his face, but she was still quite upset with Ron, and she thought seeming more comfortable with Draco than she really was would get the desired reaction.

"Sure he is," Ron retorted with a look of disgust. "I bet all candidates get cozy on the couch with their 'managers'."

"For your information RONALD, not that it is any of your business anymore, but we are on opposite ends of the couch, not to mention it is the only place to sit in the room!" she declared incredulously.

Harry continued to quietly look between Hermione and Draco, as if his surprise had rendered him mute.

Draco didn't think he could take it anymore. How could this sad excuse for a wizard talk to her like that? Sure, Draco fought with her, and often said unkind things, but she was his to do that to, not Weasley's. He was disturbed by the strangely possessive thought, but didn't have time to dwell on it, even if he wanted to. Which he didn't. Before he could think anymore concerning thoughts, he broke into the argument.

"Weasley, I don't know what you think you are doing, but you are clearly not welcome here. There is nothing going on between Hermione and I, and even if there was, you clearly have no say in that seeing as you have been a terribly unsupportive friend, and I can only imagine, an atrocious boyfriend. You need to leave before I take it upon myself to escort you out."

"THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS FERRET. HERMIONE IS MINE AND THIS IS HER FLAT, SO YOU DON'T GET TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Ron screamed, the red of his face warring with that of his hair. "

Ron's declaration was the last draw for Hermione "How dare you Ronald!" she fumed as she walked toward him and poked her finger firmly into his chest. "I am no longer your girlfriend. Even if I was, I was never, and will never be your property. You pointed out that this is my flat, and it is, so I am asking you to leave."

"Fine Hermione, you know what," Ron started "I came here to apologize, but now that I know that you're slagging around with Malfoy, I take back my apology. I meant what I said anyway. You are an ugly, boring slag who is so starved for attention that you will stoop to the likes of Malfoy!" With that Ron stormed into the floo and disappeared.

Harry stood, seemingly trying to absorb the events. "Hermione," he said quietly, "you know Ron he's just mad he'll cool off."

Hermione shook her head "Don't Harry," she said "don't you even start to make excuses for him."

Harry opened and closed his mouth. Then seemed to come to a decision. "Seriously Hermione, Malfoy?" he questioned.

Hermione gave him a look of disappointment as he disappeared into the floo, tears welling up in her eyes.