Thank you all for the reviews! I don't know about you but I enjoyed Draco being threatened by Mr. Granger. Haha!

Here's the next chapter. Hang in there with me!

The Sting of Gossip

There was once a time where Draco reveled in the attention that wizarding society events bestowed on him. He was the son of a prominent wizarding family and heir to the Malfoy fortune and name. After the war and his father's indefinite imprisonment, it had taken his mother some time before she braved venturing back into such lavish social events. Now she focused on her charities and repairing the damage their name had done.

When all the glitz and glamor had gone, he honestly hadn't missed it. However, that just wasn't his lot in life. His mother threw herself into a few specific charities and he was expected to stand in place of his father.

The night of the gala, Draco had been feeling rather childish. He didn't blame Hermione for not being able to be there. He'd meant every word he'd said about being proud of her but that didn't change the fact that he'd wanted her with him. He wanted her on his arm, not hanging off it, but standing beside him as his partner. He'd wanted to give the Daily Prophet something to really write about when he got down on one knee for her but perhaps it was for the best. The more he considered it he knew she would likely prefer a private moment and not some elaborate affair.

So, like the annoying boyfriend that he sometimes was he showed up outside her door at the last minute as she was about to leave for her business dinner. He caught her still in her bathrobe as she was about to change and teased her for a peek at what was underneath for which she threatened to hex him. Not to be completely thwarted, he pouted until she agreed to tie his bowtie and kiss him goodnight since he wouldn't see her otherwise.

"You're an insufferable prat," she leaned up to whisper in his ear. He merely grinned as her lips brushed against his cheek before meeting his mouth in a soft kiss. "But I love you. Behave yourself tonight."

He left then without delaying her, having gotten what he really wanted. Draco entered the ballroom nearly unnoticed, just as he'd hoped. With her not attending, he was only here to support his mother and intended to leave as soon as was socially acceptable. His mother had already assured him she wouldn't mind and understood.

He greeted the Potters and Weasley and his soon-to-be horrible wife first when he caught them lingering near the silent auction table.

"Potter, Weasel," he greeted with a simple nod.

Ron rolled his eyes as the four of them turned to face him. Harry nudged his friend but shook his head. As much as they both liked to have a go at each other, doing so in their dress robes wasn't the best idea, especially with Daily Prophet reporters lurking in every corner of the evening.

"Malfoy," Ron grinned, "What's wrong? Couldn't convince your girlfriend to be seen in public with you? Had to come alone?"

The blonde narrowed his eyes at the wizard but his lips drew up into a slight smirk. "Not at all, Weaslebee. It's not Hermione's fault that she's more important than your entire department put together." He pulled one hand from his trouser pockets and pretended to buff his nails against his suit.

Ron scoffed and glanced at Harry. "We all know Hermione's job is important, Malfoy, but it's not like she runs around keeping the wizarding community safe like we do."

Draco lifted an arrogant eyebrow when Ginny smacked her brother roughly. "Perhaps not but she's certainly capable, what with the way she's been dealing with variations in the dragon flu lately. Though I have it on good authority that she knocked you flat on your rear fifth year when you practiced dueling with her." His lips pulled into a full grin with the redhead's face flushed. "So forgive her if she chooses to put that brilliant mind to work rather than use her defensive skills."

"Ok, that's enough, you two," Ginny finally interrupted. "Hermione would knock you on your rear if she knew you were trying to rile Ron up."

"But it's just so easy," he shrugged good-naturedly.

"I'm surprised she let you come alone," Lavender added.

Draco narrowed his eyes at the blonde witch, fighting the urge to sneer. Though he was certain Hermione wouldn't fault him for being less than polite to the bint.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Ginny glanced at the witch worriedly. She'd seen the looks that Malfoy had garnered upon entering the ballroom. He'd seemed oblivious but practically every single witch, and some not so single, were watching him.

Lavender shrugged, clutching Ron's arm closely as she gave him a sickening smile. "Nothing really. There are just a lot of women here tonight wanting your attention is all. I imagine it'd be easy to be distracted."

Draco glanced between the four of them. "Is that what you lot think of me then? That I'd cheat?"

"No one said that, Malfoy," Harry interjected gently.

The wizard's lips pulled into a sneer finally and he turned on heel without another word, quickly edging out of the crowd to gather a drink from the bar. Fine as he was with Hermione not being there, he didn't much appreciate having his commitment challenged.

Did her friends really still think so little of him? Sure, he still liked to rile Weasley a fair bit but he'd been fairly tame since they'd begun dating. Just last week he'd given the stupid idiots some quidditch tickets that he wasn't using because Hermione had asked him to take her to a new play next month on the same night. What the hell did he have to do to prove to everyone that he was committed to this relationship?!

Draco thanked the bartender once he had a tumbler of firewhiskey and turned smack dab into Astoria Greengrass. It was a miracle that he was able to withhold his scowl and merely lifted his drink in polite greeting as he attempted to escape. She rested delicate hand on his forearm and stopped him, nearly eliciting an angry groan from the wizard. The sickeningly sweet smile she gave him made his skin crawl and his hackles rise up.

"Where's your little girlfriend?"

Draco glanced down at the hand still on his arm, the obnoxiously painted nails, and pointedly removed it. "Hermione had a business dinner she couldn't get out of, not that it's anyone's concern."

"Business over pleasure," she tsked, tossing her well-coiffed blonde hair, "Not really your style, is it Draco?"

He took a sip of his drink and enjoyed the fire as it rushed down his esophagus to his gut. "You wouldn't really know, Astoria. I wouldn't dream of asking her to put her responsibilities aside so she can cling like a simpering little doll to my arm at these rubbish functions."

Her expression darkened at the obvious dig. "Do be serious, Draco. This whole dating the war heroine has been lovely for your image but do you really think you'll marry her? She's a muggle-born. Everyone's waiting for when you wise up and break up with her."

He narrowed his eyes in warning. "Of course," he gave a curt nod. "Dating her is one thing but marriage? Why would I honestly consider marrying a muggle-born witch when I could have you," he sneered. He pounded his drink down and turned to set the empty glass on the bar, cringing internally at the fire working down his throat. "You daft woman, I'd thought the last social function was enough to convince you that you and I are never going to be an item. The betrothal was broken long ago. Get over yourself."

Astoria folded her arms in front of her and lifted her chin indignantly as he marched off across the ballroom. She glanced behind her to find Pansy Parkinson close by and gave the witch a short nod.

"I'll ruin that little bookworm," she muttered to her companion before hurrying after him.

Pansy merely eyed her critically and lifted her wineglass to her lips. Gossip was a dangerous business at times. Perhaps after this she'd take up a new profession. Something about the whole ordeal felt like a maggot working its way under the skin—filthy and unnatural.

Ginny stopped abruptly on her way to the loo and watched with wide eyes as Draco stomped past her, Astoria Greengrass following not far behind him calling his name. An odd feeling twisted around her stomach after the conversation he'd just had with them.

Since Hermione had started dating him, the Daily Prophet hadn't been afraid of bringing up his former betrothal to the other witch. It was all likely a coincidence and her gut told her to have faith in him. She'd seen for herself the way he looked at her best friend. However, her mind reminded her that he was, and always would be, Draco Malfoy.

Deciding she had no proof of anything at all and dismissing the silly thought, she continued on her path to the bathroom.

It took a rather colorful tirade at the annoying witch to get rid of her but by the time Draco returned home he had calmed significantly. He shed his irritating dress robes and went to change into some pajamas. He slipped on his well-worn striped pajama pants but stalled when he went to search for his favorite old quidditch t-shirt. However, a slow smile worked its way on his lips for the first time since his encounter with Astoria when he realized why he couldn't find it.

He remembered when Hermione had been over during the previous weekend for dinner and saw the drab, grey t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan 'Snakes Do It Better' lying over the back of his sofa. The little witch had stolen the shirt, claiming the slogan was bogus but he'd received a letter via owl just before bed that night letting him know his t-shirt was serving better purposes by becoming her newest sleepshirt. Somehow knowing that she'd now resorted to stealing his clothes ignited something possessive inside him.

He woke the next morning in stages. Groggy from having slept so soundly, Draco emerged from his bedroom in a sleepy stupor. He padded into his living room where he collapsed onto his sofa. It was a few moments before he acknowledged the paper waiting for him on his coffee table. He didn't regularly subscribe to the Daily Prophet, having given up on the rag years ago. So its presence quickly ignited his alertness and he reached for the paper, a small note attached.

I've already contacted Hamlin Dodge at the Prophet, Draco. Normally I'd insist you fight your own battles but I don't think this was your doing, per se. I fear you were quoted out of context.

Mother

Draco swallowed against his suddenly dry throat and opened the paper to the indicated page and began reading.

Paradise Lost? Malfoy Heir Shows True Colors

By Rita Skeeter

Those of us fortunate enough to gain a ticket to last evening's gala at Malfoy Manor know all too well how magical an evening it truly was. The fairy lights dazzled, the champagne flowed, and wizarding society showed up in full force to support Narcissa Malfoy's charity event. However, noticeably absent was Hermione Granger who's been dating Mrs. Malfoy's only son for some time now. The couple has been seen about Wizarding London plenty and all were anticipating seeing her on the youngest Malfoy's arm for the evening—a true public display of their relationship.

Yet gossip lurks in all corners. A reliable source has whispered in my ear of the interaction young Mr. Malfoy had with society socialite, Astoria Greengrass, in Miss Granger's absence. The two were seen chatting amicably near the bar, looking rather cozy as my source informs me. However, the conversation revealed more than was expected, or was it?

Mr. Malfoy was confronted about his relationship with the famous muggle-born witch and he didn't hold back in the least.

"Of course. Dating her is one thing but marriage? Why would I honestly consider marrying a muggle-born witch when I could have you," he admitted to Miss Greengrass before rushing off, to avoid suspicion we assume.

He was seen exiting the ballroom in a hurry with Miss Greengrass hot on his heels.

Miss Lavender Brown, new fiancé of auror Ron Weasley, was quoted saying "It doesn't surprise me much."

Could it be, dear readers, that he led us all on? Poor, poor Miss Granger must be despondent over such a public embarrassment as this. As many guessed, he wooed her as he has with many a witch but he wasn't sincere. It seems she was just another conquest, another notch on his wand.

It seems this match was just as odd as we'd all secretly thought. True colors always shine through.

"Bleeding, fucking hell," Draco growled as he crunched the paper in his hands. He glanced at the watch on his wrist and jumped to his feet. Perhaps if he was fast, he'd beat her to reading her morning paper.

Why, oh, why did Hermione subscribe to such rubbish anyway?!

~o~O~o~

Hermione sat at her small kitchen table, still in his old quidditch shirt she'd slept in the night before with a mug of hot coffee in her hands as she stared at the article on the table in front of her.

She'd not believed what she read at first. That wasn't the Draco she knew. Not now, not this man. However, old fears leaked through the cracks of the support wall she'd built inside her mind. Niggling doubts and old words rushed back to her and she found the article easier to believe. If there was one thing she knew about Rita Skeeter it was that the woman knew how to embellish for entertainment but it didn't mean that the root of the article wasn't true. She knew from experience that while the awful gossip would paint fanciful stories, when there were so many people present at an event to witness her stories tended to have roots in reality.

Two months before she finally agreed to their first date he still did his best to annoy her whenever possible. Had this been just another way of getting under her skin? If so, why take it so far though and tell her he loved her? That part didn't add up.

Hermione didn't as much as flinch when someone knocked at her door. She glanced up from the words now blurring in front of her as she fought the tears in the corners of her eyes. After disbelief and the old fears sinking in, she'd been angry. However, hurt had quickly moved in to take the searing emotion's place.

"Hermione," a muffled voice called softly. "It's Ginny. Can I come in?"

She reached for her wand and lifted the wards without a sound. She didn't have to wait long before her redheaded friend rushed into the room and stopped short when she caught sight of her hunched over the Daily Prophet and nursing what was clearly not her first cup of coffee that morning. She glanced over the witch from her untidy curls still in a French braid about her shoulders, the too big shirt which could have only been stolen from Draco, and the comfortable pajama pants—she looked like shit.

Hermione lifted her tired eyes from the paper and offered a shaky smile. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?"

Her voice wavered a bit over the last part of the question and she shook her head with a breathy laugh. "You know I really didn't believe her at first. Honestly, I didn't. I threw the rotten thing on the table and made coffee. However, I couldn't stop rolling those words over and over in my mind." She looked up again to find Ginny still standing, worrying her lower lip. "I mean people do change and certainly he has but did I honestly think he'd changed that much? Can you really imagine Draco Malfoy marrying someone less than halfblood? Can you imagine him marrying me?"

Ginny opened her mouth to respond a few times before sighing and pulling out the chair across from her friend. "I really don't know what to believe if I'm to be honest. He seemed so sincere but…I don't know. Old habits die hard? It's easy to imagine him saying it."

"Exactly," Hermione sighed. "We were an odd pair. We really didn't make sense. Just as I'd finally let go and let him in all the way…this…" She shook her head and sipped her coffee, the bitter thought dying on her tongue.

"What are you going to do," Ginny asked softly.

Hermione shrugged. "Not sure really. I know I can't talk to him right now. That's for certain. Not when I don't feel confident in what I do or don't believe."

Her friend pointed a thumb over her shoulder and offered her a slight smile. "Harry and Ron are outside the door. I tried to leave them at home but they insisted. Harry didn't want to come in. He didn't think you'd want to talk with them about it. They decided to guard the door against Malfoy instead."

She nodded and gave a small smile. "I actually appreciate that for once. This is all rather mortifying on top of how hurt I am." She shook her head, "I don't know how much is embellished but when Skeeter quotes, they've always actually been said. Add on the fact that he hadn't wanted me to change my plans for the evening. He insisted that I didn't and fed me some rubbish about how proud he'd be to tell everyone why I wasn't present when they asked—how important my job is."

Ginny frowned at that but didn't get the chance to respond. A loud shout drew their attention back to her door, the sounds of bodies scuffling grew until both witches were on their feet. Hermione reached the door first and jerked it open in time to find Ron standing there rubbing his right hand, Harry standing off to the side in an effort to control whatever had transpired.

Her eyes shifted to the blonde wizard glowering from his place on the hallway floor, rubbing his jaw and now busted lip. His grey eyes connected with hers and he was on his feet no sooner than she'd blinked.

"Hermione—"

"I don't think so, Malfoy," Ron spat, holding an arm out blocking his path to her. "Or I'll give you a black eye to match that lip."

"Ron," she hissed reproachfully.

"What," he turned to shrug at her. "Ginny said you likely wouldn't want to see him."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I'd want you to bloody him!"

However, despite her words, she kept her distance and lingered in her doorway. Curiously, the noise hadn't stirred her neighbors and she could only assume that Harry had cast a muffliato on the area with the way he was now twirling his wand between his fingers.

"Can you call off your dogs," Draco sneered at the redhead before refocusing on her. "Can't I explain?"

Hermione's heart dropped at his words, twisting cruelly in a way she hoped to never feel again. "Explain? So you did say that? I read what you said. Coupled with you not wanting me to change my plans to be there with you…"

Draco dragged his hands down his face, wincing as he brushed his busted lip. "Merlin, Hermione, I was being sarcastic to the daft bint. Don't you know me better than that?"

Did she? Did she really know him inside and out the way she hoped? Lingering scars from their past pressed in on her and reminded her not to be a fool.

"Just go, Draco." Even just the sound of his name leaving her tongue crushed something inside her a little more. She wouldn't allow him to see it though. Maybe it was rash but she couldn't stop what left her lips next. "Whatever this was…it's over."

Ron smirked smugly as he made little shooing motions with his hands and Draco stood there utterly shocked as she turned and allowed Ginny to shut the door behind them.

The blonde looked between her two friends guarding the door and groaned irritably. Hexing them would only make her angry so that wouldn't work. He didn't like how smug the Weasel looked about the whole thing either.

"Might I make a suggestion," Harry finally spoke up.

Draco lifted a questioning eyebrow and folded his arms over his chest. "I'm waiting, Potter," he ground out between clenched teeth.

Harry nodded and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Ron here believes you're guiltier than Voldemort. I'm not quite as convinced given just the way I've seen you look at her." He shrugged, "However, you've certainly mucked this one up, even if you didn't mean it the way it sounded. I'd suggest groveling but only after she's had time to process and calm down. You'll have to break down her defenses all over again but if you really do love her then you'll do it. Plus, you really don't understand why she's so sensitive to the topic of marriage so I don't blame you completely for the flub."

Draco's arms fell loose by his sides. "What do you mean about her being sensitive about marriage?"

Truly, they'd not discussed it much beyond noting to each other that they were dating for keeps. However, he'd just assumed that a woman like her would be interested in marriage. It wasn't that he'd end things if she weren't but he really wanted to marry her—to publicly proclaim how much he loved her and wear that love on his sleeve for all to see.

Merlin, he was turning into a Hufflepuff.

Harry exchanged a look with Ron who merely shrugged disinterestedly. The door opened behind them just enough to allow Ginny to slip through and she turned to find all eyes on her as she shut the door quietly.

She glanced between them as she stepped next to Harry and folded her arms. "I convinced her to lie down to take a nap. I think she's a little drained." She glanced at her husband. "I'm going to come back in a few hours with lunch."

Harry nodded and gestured towards the blonde still standing there, his bloody lip now crusted over and a bruise forming along his jaw as he watched them with the most desperate look in his eyes.

"Do you think it's fair to tell him about…you know," he shrugged.

Ginny glanced over at him and after observing his defeated stance, "Probably. Come back to our house, Malfoy, and we'll clean up that lip before I explain a few things to you."

"It was a rather good punch," Ron grinned at the two.

His sister rolled her eyes but gestured for the three men to follow her. Desperate as he was, all Draco could do was follow the trio numbly. The Potters lived just two streets over which turned out to be why Hermione had chosen her flat in the first place. The Weasel had just purchased a home another street over from there putting the former Gryffindors all within quick reach of each other.

Ron parted ways with the couple, citing his need to meet his fiancé for wedding planning. Something he didn't seem overly excited for if his expression said anything about it.

"Come on then," Ginny spoke as she led Draco towards their kitchen. "Harry, put some tea on, won't you?"

He nodded and gestured for Draco to take a seat at the kitchen bar before handing him a towel to clean up his lip.

Draco sat and waited as they worked around each other in their kitchen, ignoring the oddity of being in Potter's home to begin with. This was bigger than petty rivalries. It wasn't long before the redheaded witch sat a cup of tea down in front of him and leaned against the counter with one hip as she eyed him critically.

"Do you even know what really happened with her ex, Malfoy?"

Draco swallowed and shook his head sheepishly as he set the towel down to grasp the warm cup in his hands. "I didn't feel I had the right to pry. She just said he dumped her after she lost her virginity to him. She didn't seem to want to discuss it further so I didn't insist. I was trying to be respectful of her wishes."

Ginny nodded, her eyes softening at the memory of her friend so torn apart afterwards. "The blasted man had made a bet. He'd bet one of his friends that he could get prim and proper Hermione Granger to sleep with him."

Draco's grey eyes lit suddenly and his still sore jaw clenched with anger. "I'll kill the fucker," he growled.

She smiled sadly when she glanced at Harry who looked equally enraged to be reminded of the incident. "Get in line. We all wanted to but she refused to let anyone speak to him. She claimed that she was embarrassed enough at her lack of good judgement and just wanted to let it die." She shook her head sadly. "Hermione had been intending to wait for marriage, for when she was in love. She thought he was the one so to her it felt right at the time. Then that came to light and she's been very touchy about the subject of marriage since. She takes it very seriously, Malfoy. That piece of shit took something from her that was probably, as insane as this sounds, meant for you."

He groaned miserably as he ran his hands through his hair. "And here I go and make one sarcastic remark that gets taken out of context by the blasted Prophet and muck it all up again."

"Normally, since it's you, I'd doubt what you're saying but I know how badly the Prophet gets their stories twisted as well as anyone. I admit that even I felt a bit doubtful of you. She probably wouldn't have believed such rubbish under normal circumstances but she's just so touchy about this subject…plus there's your history with each other casting a shadow over everything. Her heart was telling her not to doubt you but her memories said otherwise."

Draco lifted his head from his hands. "I was going to ask her to marry me."

Her lips parted in shock and she shared a surprised look with Harry. "Really?"

He snorted derisively as he nodded. "I already had the ring. Two rings actually…my grandmother's and one I had made for her. I was going to let her choose." He stood from the bar and began pacing, grinding his fist into one hand as he imagined beating the pulp out of her ex. "I'd wanted to propose at the gala but I thought better of it before she even told me about her business dinner. I had wanted to make it publicly known that she was it for me. Then I ran into Astoria at the bar…"

"Somehow I feel like she wasn't working alone," she lifted her brow in suggestion as she shared a knowing look with Harry.

Draco turned to them both and nodded. "I'd already considered that. I think Pansy must be involved. She's Skeeter's junior writer. I know she fed her the information from our first public outing. She has to be involved somehow." He shook his head and sighed deeply. "My mother already contacted the head editor at the paper. At the very least, they shouldn't print anything else about this."

"It's a start," Harry muttered.

Draco glanced between the two of them, not quite believing that he was at the mercy of so many of her friends. "So…you two believe me, don't you?"

Ginny narrowed her eyes at him as she studied him for a moment. This wasn't a man trying to cover his ass. He was a man deeply remorseful for hurting someone he clearly loved if he was there and confiding in them. She nodded.

"I know Hermione," Harry started, "And oddly, I know you. Maybe not as a friend but I know how you operate, Malfoy. I've never seen you so sincere than with her. And I've never seen her as happy as when she was with you." He glanced at his wife who nodded in agreement. "So yes, I do believe you. The problem is that Hermione doesn't feel confident in believing in you right now."

"And you'll all help me if I ask you?" He swallowed and pushed down his pride. "I want her. I mean that. I don't want to marry anyone else." He shrugged his shoulders helplessly as he turned his eyes down at the granite countertop. "I want nothing more than to spend every day and night taking care of her in the way I would have sooner had I not been such an idiot growing up, and I want a family with her." He looked up again. "I've never been so sure of anything in my life. I know I was a right prick to her growing up but I swear I'd do everything to keep her happy. What I said last night—I swear it wasn't what I meant. If you could have only heard my tone…"

Ginny had visibly melted at his little speech. She'd never in her life thought she'd feel so sympathetic to Draco Malfoy but the blasted man was being so uncharacteristically open and honest. She nudged her husband with her elbow, lower lip jutting slightly in a suggestive pout.

Harry sighed and moved his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. "How is it I always get roped into these ridiculous schemes to save other people's asses? I really thought I was done after the war."

Ginny loosed a surprised laugh at his jest and glanced over to see Draco cracking a slight smirk.

"You're the chosen one, or have you forgotten," Draco quipped. He glanced down at his watch. "Well, I should probably go and not overstay my welcome. I appreciate the information and I'll let you know if I need help. Right now I need to start plotting my groveling. She was bloody difficult to woo the first time."

Harry and Ginny both laughed when he groaned and disapparated with a loud crack.

"It will be worth it to help the idiot," Harry sighed as he rested an arm around his wife's shoulders.

"Yes, because a miserable Hermione is bloody depressing. And odd is this all has been, she really was happy with him. I want her to be happy."

Harry nodded, "She deserves it." He glanced at his wife from the corner of his eyes and grinned slightly. "It really was an impressive punch though when Ron hit him. You should've seen it."

"Ugh," she groaned and shrugged out of his arms, "You men!"