AN: Thank you so much for the kind words ForsakenKalika and Dtanvi, really appreciated! Let hope I keep up the good work! I'm on a conference all next week so I'm hoping to get you guys another chapter out before then. As always, thoughts and comments are welcome.

Disclaimer. I do not own Harry Potter, J.K Rowling is the true genius behind the lifelong phenomenon.

Chapter 3

Ron could still hear Draco laughing himself silly as we walked to the Apparition spot. At least he didn't punch me. Though it still didn't help Ron's anger level being at boiling point for 2 weeks now. He lost faith in The Ministry, but worse he lost faith in his friend Harry.

Ron was well aware that the chances of him and Hermione lasting forever were slim, his temper was too short to keep her around for long, and she was too strong willed to stay around forever, but when that option of ending it on their terms were taking away, that's when his world crumbled. His conscience kept repeating the same thing over and over again, almost reassurance. It's not Harry's fault. He felt his gut tug away at him when he began to Apparated outside Harry's office. Okay he might be pissed with him, but after his walk away stint during the war, he managed to be civil with his work colleagues.

He gave and quick tap on the door and walked in, just in time to see Harry's expression read of complete and utter confusion, staring directly into Malfoy's mother. "oh sorry, is this a bad time Harry?"

"oh Mr. Wesley, perfect timing, I was wondering if you had the chance to Draco, is he well? How did he seem, its been –"

"Mrs. Malfoy, please take a breath hes-"

"Black"

"come again"

"those were my words exactly Ron"

Ron and Harry's face mirrored each other, with eyes saying everything they needed. What the fuck is going on. Narcissa began to fidget ever so slightly with her handbag handle, debating if she should even open the can of warms that is her name change. But then again, she did own Harry an explanation.

"I've made the decision that I now need to start afresh and accept that I'm not truly a Malfoy, so it's not my place to put the Malfoy name back respectfully within the wizard world, this is why I'm here to change my name"

Both Harry and Ron were stunned in silence, this was not what they were expecting, considering what Narcissa has already given up.

"I'm terrible sorry, but don't you think now isn't the best time? Maybe we should wait until we've fixed the current situation" Harry suggested, hoping he said it in a way that would be agreed with instantly and conversation ended.

"oh yeah, like the arranged marriage of ferret and Hermione, great idea Harry" Ron's eyes widen in realising of what he said and who he said it in front of. Narcissa back straighten and had the air of respect she once owned and the look which made Ron back a little that any mother could give someone who just insulted their child.

"Excuse Ron, you must understand it's been hard on us all, it's not something we've been able to deal with for ourselves" Harry's words hung in the air, building the tension quickly awaiting the response from soon to be Ms. Black.

"I understand your frustration Mr. Wesley, believe me, however I've managed to reframe from immature name calling so I'd appreciated the same curtesy, even if my Son is not here to receive them" for a spilt second, both Harry and Ron saw the old Narcissa Malfoy back in the room, a revelation to both making them shiver under her gaze. "How did Draco take the news, however"

"I'm pretty sure he's still laughing in his cell, he never said a work after I told him"

Harry's head hit the desk once again, shocking both Ron and Narcissa. "It went well then"

"Have we located Hermione yet?" enquired Narcissa, with a hint of concern in her voice, which was a surprise to Ron, who's eye's shot up into his fiery red hair.

"Not yet no" disappointment was a feeling everyone harboured. Narcissa agreed that now wouldn't be the best time to change her name, however it was her wish to complete it at one point, offering her thanks to both Ron and Harry she departed the office with a short smile. An awkward silence filled the space between Ron and Harry. Ron was staring at Harry waiting for a noise and Harry looked at his hands like he never seen them before.

"you know there was nothing I could do" whispered Harry. His voice was just about audible, but the tone spoke volumes. He found it just as tortuous as Ron. But it didn't stop Ron from taking it out on anyone, and he hit his boiling point.

"and how do you think I fucking feel, do you really think that would have sat alright with anyone. She gave up her fucking teenage year for you!"

"do you not think I'm not aware of that?!" Harry's head shot up and looked directly into Ron's eyes, a look he's seen before, pain and despair right at the end of the Tri Wizard Tournament. Okay I went to far. Thought Ron

"sorry, 'kay, I'm just, I don't know what to do". Ron slumped in the chair across from Harry and through his head back, looking to the ceiling. The silence settled once again, neither attempting eye contact or speaking, until clink. Ron's head looked over to Harry who just pulled out a bottle of Fire Whisky. "are you sure Harry?"

"nope, but fuck it".

…

Soon to be a Black. Narcissa apparated to the gates of Malfoy Manor and took the sight in. It looked brighter, welcoming and homely, something she was still working on. Gone were the dark damp green walls and the over baring hedges. It was something that asked for you to knock on the door of the neighbours' house to see if you could borrow a cup of sugar, not the 'run away and hid before the gatekeeper turned you into a skin lamp'. She also managed to lift the wards up, which allowed anyone with magical powers to enter the premises.

"Well, well, what a day indeed, I stopped off in Diagon Ally to finalise a few transactions at Gringotts, St Mungo's Hospital has accepted the help for the new research lab, and of course I popped into The Ministry". Narcissa said all of that as soon as she walked into the study and took her seat next to the fire, which was roaring aloud, keep warm her guest whose head was planted firmly in a book.

"my dear, Hermione did you hear a word of what I said?"

AN: I hope you liked it!