Hello! Here is another chapter! Just to make things clear, this IS a Draco/Hermione story, but I'm not going to bash Ron or write him like a silly nitwit. I like Ron, he is a sweetie. Yes, he sometimes can be a little hot headed, temperamental and have no table manners, but he really tries to be a good husband and he truly cares for Hermione. I'll try really hard not to make him a fool, although sometimes, he does that all by himself.

Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.


Year 2003, June
The Weasley's Home

Ron went ballistic. If Harry had used a considerable amount of foul language, Ron made use of some pretty vulgar and obscene verbs, not worthy of anyone's vocabulary. Hermione even struggled to understand some of them, some she had never heard before and she has dealt with a lot of profane language. But, it shouldn't really come as a surprise for her. Ron was short-tempered – a fault he was impressively improving since they started dating – hence the ground-breaking explosion upon hearing the latest news. Even now, as she brushed her teeth in their bedroom's bathroom, she could hear him ramble about in the room, the word "bloody" being repeated each new second. Ron was pissed off. Ron was extremely pissed off.

"Bloody git! Who the fuck does he think he is?"

Hermione quailed as she spit the remaining toothpaste out of her mouth, into the sink. This would go on and on, until Malfoy would finally be questioned for his intentions. And even after, she suspected Ron would always be on edge if Malfoy got accepted to work for the Ministry.

Dammit, Malfoy. You are not even here and you are already ruining everything.

She wiped her face and took a deep breath as she looked at herself in the mirror, of their new bathroom. They had moved after the honeymoon, their belongings already in place, thanks to the help of Godmother Molly. Their house wasn't big but it was cosy and warm, their salaries not allowing anything extravagant. Hermione quite liked it. It wasn't far from Harry and Ginny's place and it had a nice back garden, where Ron kept imagining his children running around. Yes, they were the new, happy couple with vast plans for the future.

She took a once over at her reflection and prepared to use her poker face. After her almost slip with Ginny and her little hyperventilating session in her office, Hermione knew she had to step up her game. She needed to pretend like she was Ok with this, but that she was just a little annoyed really. She had to show everyone that her biggest desire wasn't to run for the hills every time she heard the name Malfoy. She had to show them she was worried, but unaffected. She had to make them believe she was truly fine with it, as long as Malfoy kept his distance.

Yes, she could do this.

One deep breath and she exited the bathroom, finding her husband already in bed, rambling on about this evening's dinner. It had been a nice dinner at first. Ginny made Ron's favourite dish, which he proceed to eat, trying his best to keep his mouth closed, as Hermione had instructed him. Harry told them all about his trip to Sweden, how he managed to capture a former Death Eater that was in hiding and how he joked Lupin for his disastrous attempt at flirting with one of the hotel's maids:

"He has been out of the game for too long. He needs serious help!"

That got a few rounds of laughter.

Then Ron and Hermione proceed to explain how was the honeymoon, Ron giving up some unnecessary, extra details that made Hermione grow red with embarrassment. Honestly, this man had to learn to keep his mouth shut sometimes. Overall it was a really nice, normal dinner and Hermione felt relaxed and peaceful for the first time in months. That is, until Harry decided to turn the conversation to a more serious tone and even pudding seemed to get sour.

"Death Eater gatherings…" Ron mumbled, irritated "Death Eater gatherings my ass! There has been no such thing. The Auror Department is well on top of every situation."

"I find it hard to believe as well." Hermione replied, getting into her side of the bed.

"It's a lie, a lie I tell you. Malfoy just wants to get under Kingsley good graces. Well if he is expecting that we forget all about what happened, he is fucking wrong."

"Ron, we don't know what happened. He's been gone for years."

"He tried to kill Dumbledore! Isn't that more than enough?"

Hermione inwardly cringed at the memory. Yes, it is more than enough. It is appalling. And she knew no one would ever really forgive him for that. She herself, had trouble forgiving him for that, not sure if she ever did or will.

"He is up to something."

"Well if he is, we'll only know two days from now, so you getting worked up is pointless." She said.

"He disgusts me." Ron seethed through his teeth.

Hermione put one hand on his shoulder, trying to sooth him. From the three of them, Ron was always the one that had it more difficult when it came to dealing with Malfoy. Part of him really felt some kind of inferiority, knowing Malfoy didn't hate him for being the Boy-Who-Lived or for being Muggle Born. No, Malfoy didn't hate him. Malfoy pitied him and mocked him. Malfoy thought he was an idiot and a poor excuse for a Wizard. That really pushed Ron over the edge, feeling like he was a joke to other Wizards and that his family would never be seen as one of the "good ones". Hermione could care less about any of that, really. Family status and blood status not meaning anything to her, but to Ron, it meant something, even if he would never admit to it.

He seemed to relax a bit at her touch and scooted her closer to him, putting his arm around her. He found it hard to believe, sometimes, that he was finally here with her, happily married and in their own house. Sometimes he felt like he was dreaming, like this couldn't be real. He had always felt something for her, even when they would bicker and argue and she would annoy him and he would exasperate her. To know that she felt the same way and that she had accepted to be his wife was one of the best things he could have ever hoped for. He Ron Weasley, had married the love of his life and she was this amazing, beautiful witch. He couldn't have asked for more.

"You are right… It's pointless." He gave in, embracing her and relaxing.

Hermione hummed contently, resting her head in her husband's chest, trying really hard to stop all these thoughts from overflowing her brain. If the information Malfoy claimed to have were to be true, the former Slytherin would be the least of their problems. At least, that is what she kept telling herself.

"How was your first day back?"

"Boring. A stack of papers was awaiting for me. Nothing too exciting." She answered, her eyelids feeling heavy.

"How come you are this tired, then?" He asked, lightly caressing her untamed hair.

"Guess I'm still weary from the trip."

"Oh? So, no weary activities tonight then?"

Her prudish side was kind of taking over today and she couldn't help but blush at the bold suggestion.

"Not tonight, sorry."

"Well, tomorrow then. That garden has to have some occupants."

She sighed. As much as she had always imagined having a big family, since she sometimes felt lonely with being an only child, Hermione still didn't see kids in their nearby future. Ron was so enthusiastic about it, he proved it well on their honeymoon, but for Hermione, it was still too soon. And as much as she told him to slow down and take it easy, she might as well be talking to a brick wall.

Also, she was simply not in the mood tonight. She had a faint idea why, but she blocked it all out.

"Ron, we already discussed this thousands of times…"

"I know, I know. It's just… it's our house now. You are my wife. We have the miracle of a steady pay check. Why not?"

"Because, I'm not ready."

"Since when do you have to be ready? It's the future Hermione. It's the natural, next step."

Ronald Weasley clearly didn't understand much about women. Hermione knew this and tried to educate him in the subject the best she could. Ron always took a hard time understanding the opposite gender, sometimes acting completely clueless. He tried his best, thanks to Hermione's helpful suggestions, but sometimes, his mouth spoke earlier then his brain.

"I'm not saying it isn't, I'm just saying I feel like it's still too soon. There is still plenty I want to do first."

"Like what? Voldemort's dead, we are happy, the Ministry is happy, Harry is happy. This is the perfect time."

"For Merlin's sake Ronald! How many times must we talk about this? I already gave you plenty of reasons and explanations. Please respect my wishes." She argued, lifting her head up to face him.

Ron has been talking about having children since he and Hermione first started dating. At first, she thought it was cute and kind of flattering, to know a man wanted to build a family with her. That he had chosen her to be the mother of his children. Then it started to scare her a bit, because unlike most witches, Hermione did not see herself in that sort of womanly fashion, performing housewife duties and mothering a bunch of babies. Yes, she wanted a family, but she also wanted to leave her mark in the world. Do something to make her children proud of her. Ron claimed she had already accomplished most of that, with saving the world and all, but Hermione felt like she was not done. She could still be useful, she could still change something. And a baby was a lot right now. So she had asked him to wait. Wait until they were settled, comfortable. Wait until she was ready. Ron maybe thought that being ready, was something so natural and ordinary for women, that he didn't grasp the concept and continued to persuade her. Luckily, none of this was discussed during their honeymoon, since he was too busy actually enjoying her and their time, without trying to turn their lovemaking into a fertility project. If that had been the case, Hermione would have, no doubt, cut the trip short. Just as she was currently cutting this conversation.

"Fine, I'm sorry. Don't get upset." He said, averting her eyes.

She kept looking at him, challenging him to say something else, but he knew better than to pester her, especially on this matter, so he kept quiet and waited until she again nested herself in his chest, to relax and take hold of her again. He let it go, for the time being, not really understanding why she was so adamant when it came to this topic. She had already confessed she wanted a family and he wanted nothing more than his own, personal Quidditch team, filled with little red-head Weasleys. So what was stopping her? What was so important that they had to put their future on hold? Was she having second thoughts about his? He heard sometimes that happened, after people got married. Ron shook his head. Nah. He was being ridiculous, letting his insecurity trait get the best of him. Hermione loved him. She was here, with him, in his arms and nowhere else. And he supposed that had to be enough, for now. She would come around.

He took one last peek at his new wife, who appeared to be falling asleep and gave her a sweet kiss on the top of her head. Smiling to himself, he closed his eyes and snuggled her closer. Yes, she would come around. Right now it was just them and that was fine.


She was having trouble sleeping. She kept dreaming about things she shouldn't be dreaming about, things that she kept well hidden in her mind. It had been like this for the past few days, ever since she had gotten that damn note on her wedding day. The only time she was able to sleep ok, was when the honeymoon activities got so deliciously exhausting, but even then, she would wake up and feel like crap.

Hermione opened her eyes, slowly adjusting them in the dark and took a peek at her digital alarm clock – she insisted in having one, considering it was important for her to keep using some muggle appliances. It read 4:32 a.m. She had been trying to go back to sleep for the last hour, her mission turning up unsuccessful. Somewhere in the middle of all her fidgety slumber, she had unlinked herself from Ron's body, which now had his back turned to her and was snoring softly. You would have figured that Ron would have a loud snore, but Hermione suspected he did something about that, after the very first nights they spent together. She would look like shit in morning, a consequence from the lack of sleep, do to all the noise and he decided to have mercy on her, thank Merlin.

She groaned, wanting nothing more than to have some very well deserved rest, but her mind kept playing tricks on her. As much as she told herself not to worry and to avoid thinking about it, her brain was against her. And it was during the night, when everything seem quiet, that it would come out and play. So she laid there, facing the ceiling, arms by her sides, trying her best not to think about anything and wait for sleep to come, but it was no avail. Draco Malfoy was coming back and she had to deal with it, sooner or later.

Why? Why did he come back? Why, after all this time? Why?

She was over it. She had convinced herself of that. Years had gone by and she hadn't heard a single word from him. Nothing at all. Years had gone by and her life was different. She was different. Everything was different. He had gone and left and she started over. And here she was, prepared to actually start over, prepared for this bright, new future, and that insufferable, annoying son of a bitch, decided to appear, out of the blue and turn her perfectly calculated, new life upside down.

Why, Merlin, why?

When Ginny had told her, she almost couldn't believe it. She wanted not to believe. But then it all made sense. The note. That fucking note.

Hermione cursed inwardly, admitting her husband was to blame for her new form of expressing herself when angered. She was never one to curse much, but after spending nearly 13 years around Ron, his cursing status actually got to her and she herself, made use of it once in a while, when she was truly upset.

Cursing or no cursing, it all started with that damn note. And as she laid here, next to her husband, Hermione couldn't help but to feel guilty about what happened in the moment she read the note.

She faltered.

She had honestly second doubted herself and her decision and her choices, all because of one silly parchment that came from the one person she wanted gone from her life. How did he manage to do this? How can he still have all this power over her, even in Merlin knows where? How can she still be so damn affected by Draco freaking Malfoy? And how was that even fair to Ron, to her friends and family, to her? And what kind of note was that?

'Don't do it.'

Don't do what? Move on? Get married? Be happy? Live her life? What did he mean by it? And why hadn't he come see her or talk to her? He had the arrogance of sending a stupid note.

Hermione buried her face in her hands. What was she saying! Of course she doesn't want him to come see her or talk to her. It was her bloody wedding! It was the happiest day of her life and nothing he could have done or said, would change that fact. What had happened between them was long past and after it all ended, rather badly she must admit, the last thing she wanted was for him to be in her presence again. Draco Malfoy could sod off and die for all she cared.

She couldn't help but wince at the latter statement.

No. That wasn't the truth either. She may not admit it to anyone, but she couldn't lie to herself. She did care if he died. She did care that he had gone for years and years, without so much as a goodbye. And she did care that he had send her an injudicious note. And she would care when she saw him at the interrogation. Truth is, she cared. And she wasn't proud of that. She was sort of repulsed by it. She was repulsed to think about this, when her husband was sleeping right next to her. She was repulsed with it all, she was repulsed with herself. Hermione Granger was repulsed with the world and no one was to blame but herself and Draco Malfoy.

What would she say when she saw him? What would he say to her? Would she make a fool out of herself? Would he make some kind of scene? Would he even show up? Was he doing all this just to be cruel? Did he plan on doing something against her? Maybe tell everybody the truth? Tell every single person she knew, that she had involved herself with Draco Malfoy? Maybe that was his plan… To punish her. To penalize her for going ahead with her wedding, with her life. Or maybe, he was actually telling the truth and wanted to do something good. And what about Astoria? Or his family? Hermione knew that Lucius and Narcissa were alive and well, still living in Malfoy Manor, but it has been a long time since she had heard anything concrete about them. Did they know their son was back? Was Lucius somehow involved in these supposed gatherings? No. The Ministry would know that. So, why was Malfoy back? And where had he been? What happened? What is happening?

Merlin, she was getting so frustrated.

She took a glimpse at Ron, who was still sleeping soundly, oblivious to his wife's restlessness and tried to calm herself down for what seemed like the billionth time since she had heard the news about Draco Malfoy's return. She had to be strong about this. If Malfoy truly wanted to do something against her, she wouldn't go down without a fight. If he truly wanted to defame her, she would be ready for it. She was Hermione Granger and she would not be beaten that easily.

She took one more glance at Ron, thinking about all the possible scenarios. It would devastate him. It would kill him. She didn't want to imagine the look on his face if he knew that his wife had involved herself with the one person he loathed the most.

It was a one time thing, she could say.

Except it wasn't.

She wasn't thinking clearly, she was lonely and scared and they were gone.

All of it was true, but how she managed to find comfort in someone like Malfoy, was something they would never understand. It was something she didn't understand herself. But it happened. And she swore that no one would ever know about it. And now she was married to Ron and Harry was married to Ginny and the War was over and they had so many things to look forward too. Draco Malfoy was not supposed to be a part of it.

She tentatively closed her eyes, forcing her mind to shut down once again and try to sleep.

Two days.

Just two more days and all of her questions would be answered. And it could go both ways: he could ignore her and her life would continue as usual, or he could do or say something that would provoke an earthquake and her life would fill with cracks and fissures that would swallow her whole. And honestly, it was nothing she hasn't dealt with before, right? She would deal, like she always did. She had to.


Thank-you for reading :) What did you think? Do you think Ron came out as the ugly, loser duckling in all of this? Or did I manage to keep him a bit swany like haha? :P

Hope you are having a wonderful day, wherever you are!