Ok, I know the angst sucks but it can't be all smooth sailing, right? Not to worry though. Here's the next chapter. The last chapter will follow probably over the weekend. Thanks so much for reading. I hope you'll leave some reviews. :)

Grovel, Grovel, Grovel

The next morning Draco dressed in a hurry and left his townhome for the local coffee shop where it had all begun. Since they'd started dating, most mornings they still crossed paths over coffee on their way to work. He'd buy their coffee, ask about her plans for the day, and kiss her before sending her on her way, not intending to see her until lunch or dinner.

Last night, his two page apology and explanation letter had been returned unopened, his owl returning with a sort of guilty expression and a full belly. It had been obvious that she'd bribed the bird to return without a reply, despite his instructions to wait no matter what. She'd even earned the allegiance of his bleeding owl!

His gut told him he likely wouldn't cross paths with her for coffee but he had to try. So he left earlier than usual to make sure he wouldn't miss her if she did show up. Even the bloody muggle barista seemed to sense that he'd fucked up somehow and the realization chafed his ego. Forty-five minutes passed and he knew she'd forgone her morning coffee to avoid him.

He arrived at his company surly and glaring at anyone daft enough to try and console him over the blasted article. His employees quickly caught on and the subject was avoided. He watched as they whispered to each other when they thought he didn't notice. He gained the impression that most of the women had taken Hermione's side, even some of the men.

Too bad hexing one's employees was mightily frowned on by the Ministry. The next time that Grant tosser came for his inspection he really didn't need that on his plate as well.

At lunch he sent flowers, her favorite combined with roses to insinuate his apology. He received word from Harry, who'd been in her office when they arrived, that she'd dumped them in the rubbish bin. Though his note did make mention that she looked bloody miserable and torn about doing so. Perhaps he would have a chance after all.

He continued the pattern for a few more days, including trying to wait her out at the coffee shop, before switching to sending her favorite chocolates the next week. He'd about ignited his desk on fire when Weasley and Potter showed up in his office Friday afternoon, the redhead eating the latest blasted box of chocolates.

"Oi, those aren't for you, you tosser!"

Ron just laughed as he began to round his desk and shuffled to stand behind Harry who merely rolled his eyes.

"We've come to tell you to try a new tactic. This is a bit bigger than convincing her to go on a first date with you, mate."

"And she's a surly damn mess! She's more critical of everyone's work than normal and it's driving everyone in her department mental—per that Grant worm," Ron grinned.

Draco growled as he glared at Ron and shoved his wand in his pocket. "Enough of this passive bullshit. I'm going down there. Let her tell me to my face that she won't give me another chance."

Ron released a loud bark of laughter but was cut off by Harry when he nudged him in the gut with his elbow. "Ron, I think you should take this a bit more seriously. Hermione was happy with him. The bleeding past doesn't matter. We're not kids anymore."

The redhead merely shrugged, looking a bit sheepish as he offered Draco an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I've just been enjoying the irony of you being at her mercy. It's bleeding fantastic!"

Draco rolled his eyes and opened his office door. He stood aside and waved a hand for the two of them to go first. "Lead the way, morons."

"Don't worry," Ron announced as they passed through the main office, "We're not arresting him. Just taking him to grovel to his girlfriend."

Draco growled angrily and gave the redhead a slight nudge from behind causing him to stumble, chocolates nearly falling out of his hands. Unfortunately, Ron saved himself and the chocolate before shooting an annoying grin at the blonde.

He ignored the stares of his employees, one good glare putting them back to work. Once in the lobby they took the floos to the Ministry.

They walked with him to her floor and parted ways, Ron still eating out of the blasted box of chocolate with an exuberant grin.

"Good luck, Malfoy," Harry grinned before clapping his friend on the back as they trudged back to the Aurors' office.

Draco straightened his suit jacket and smoothed his hands through his hair to make sure all short strands were still brushed in place.

"Merlin, help me," he muttered to no one but himself. "Who knew there'd be a time in my life when I'd not only woo Hermione Granger but then later beg for her to take me back?"

With a heavy sigh, he tried to ignore the guilt wrapping around his gut. He entered the Magical Elements Office and stood patiently in front of her secretary's desk. The witch noticed him after a moment and bristled at his presence.

"Uh, Mr. Malfoy," she stuttered. "H-how can I help you?"

Draco tilted his head curiously and took a deep breath. It wouldn't do well to piss off Hermione by abusing her employees.

"I need to speak with Hermione, please." He ground it out as best he could, still not quite comfortable with the idea of someone witnessing his public groveling. Unfortunately, he gathered by the look on the poor witch's face that it still came out rather gruff.

She glanced around her and leaned forward slightly. "I'm not supposed to let you in, sir."

Draco narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and nodded. "Well, we'll just tell her you couldn't stop me, now won't we?"

Ignoring her sputtering and the various looks from her staff, he trudged to her office door and knocked as gently as his shaking fist could manage.

"Yes?" Came her quiet reply and he shoved himself inside and shut the door so fast he barely had time to blink. She didn't look up for a moment, still scribbling away with a muggle pen at her parchment before finally glancing up curiously. When their eyes met he watched the way her shoulders stiffened and her lips pressed into a thin line. Lips, he thought bitterly, that he'd not been able to snog in two weeks' time.

"Malfoy," she sighed and ducked her head back to her work. "Clearly, my instructions to my secretary went ignored. What can I do for you?"

Draco cringed inwardly at her cold tone and the use of his surname before he carefully slid himself into a chair across from her desk. He waited for her to look up again but when it became evident that she wouldn't, he reached out to grasp her hand still writing. When she flinched out of his grasp, his heart sunk miserably.

"Hermione, do you still really think so little of me that you'd believe that rag over me," he finally asked, doing his best to inject some humility into his tone.

Hermione sighed and finally sat back in her chair. She crossed her arms over her chest as she chewed the corner of her lip anxiously before finally meeting his eyes.

"Do you even understand what it took for me to believe that you truly liked me in the beginning? You tortured me for years, Draco. You know I'm not still angry about it but surely you understand that leaves scars. It certainly makes what you said more believable. And people saw her chase after you after your little conversation." She shrugged helplessly, "What am I supposed to believe?"

He cringed at the reminder of his stupidity growing up and nodded bitterly. "So that's it then? A few badly placed words taken out of context and everything I did to prove that I'm different now is out the window?"

Her brown eyes slid away from his self-consciously and she shrugged again. "I don't know," she whispered.

Draco sighed and nodded as well. He stood and straightened his suit. "Well, a man only has so much pride to squander. I'll leave you alone then."

He'd been prepared for more of a fight but seeing her so defeated just deflated him.

His heart was in his throat when he saw the beginnings of tears leaking down her cheek and had to fight the need to wipe them away himself. He was angry with himself for allowing Astoria to corner him that night and angry with her for being so damned stubborn. But she had warned him on their first date.

"I'm bleeding stubborn, Malfoy. Best you learn it now."

He shook his head sadly and met her eyes one last time. "I love you. You don't have to believe it but I do."

Hermione watched miserably as he turned on heel and closed her door quietly behind him. She missed him horribly and truth be told she really didn't know what she believed. She wanted to believe him, felt in her gut that he was being honest, but the old scars she'd spoke of kept nudging her doubts.

Worst of all, she still loved him, too. It wasn't just some emotion she could shut off at will.

She dried her eyes though and picked up her pen again. If there was anything she was good it, it was being stubborn. She wasn't going to chase after him. Not now.

It was past seven when all of her staff was gone and Harry and Ron showed up in her doorway. She glanced up at them when Ron rapped his knuckles on her doorframe. She offered them a weak smile and nodded. Clearly, they were there to make sure she didn't spend another evening wallowing in her work until it was time to go home and get to bed.

She gathered her bag and rounded her desk without a word. Harry frowned at the puffiness of her eyes and the lack of makeup left on her face, having been rubbed away throughout the rest of the afternoon as she dried her tears.

They each wrapped an arm around her shoulders from either side and led her out of the office.

"Let's get some dinner," Ron suggested gently.

"One condition: no Lavender."

The redhead snorted and nodded his agreement. "Ok, just because you're so miserable. I won't make it worse."

And at that, she cracked a slight smile. Thank Merlin for friends.

~o~O~o~

"Draco!"

Draco closed his eyes in irritation at the screech of his name. He counted to five and was not disappointed when his mother appeared in his kitchen, dusting powder off her robes from the floo.

He shook his head and continued making the sandwich on the counter in front of him. He'd had no desire to cook himself any dinner, too upset over the events of the day to make any more effort than was absolutely necessary.

Without even looking up, he muttered, "Yes, Mother?"

"Well? Have you had any progress with her?"

Draco lifted his sandwich and took an angry bite. "If I had, do you think I'd be standing here eating this lackluster sandwich with you?"

Narcissa rolled her eyes at his dramatics and placed her hands firmly on her hips. "This is serious, Draco. I've put a stop to the Prophet making a bigger mess out of this but that's all I can do for you." She shook her head with a sigh. "I knew that Astoria Greengrass was trouble but I hadn't realized how much."

"Clearly," he drawled.

"The damage is done, Draco. What are you going to do about Hermione?"

He shrugged and rounded the counter, hoping if he ignored her she'd take a hint and leave him to suffer on his own.

"What else can I do? I've sent flowers, chocolate, written more apology letters than my ego cares to admit, and appealed to her in person. I also received a rather scathing owl from her father this afternoon." He frowned as he chewed another bite of his sandwich and sunk down onto his sofa. "I have the feeling not even magic will save me if he ever sees me again."

Narcissa sighed and sat across from him. While she had come to care for the young woman as well, her desire to have them together again was purely for her son's happiness.

He'd been an egotistical child, much due to his father's influence. Seeing him make his own path and be the man she knew he could be made her proud. To see him humble himself enough to fight for the witch he'd spent his childhood tormenting assured her of his maturity on the matter.

Seeing him like this? It killed her.

"Give her some time then, Draco. Maybe try again."

He shook his head stubbornly, "I don't know. She doesn't believe me. I only have so much pride left."

Narcissa eyed him critically, her jaw set in a stern expression. "Draco Malfoy, we did not survive the war or the scrutiny post-war for you to give up on one of the few things in life that I've ever seen you so happy about. Do not do this to yourself."

"What do you suggest?"

Her lips curled into a small smile. "How did you win her the first time?"

He'd gave her space as his mother suggested. However, he thought maybe she was right and he could win her the way he did the first time now that the air had surely cleared.

He made a special trip Saturday afternoon to Flourish and Blott's in hopes of finding something that he knew Hermione hadn't read yet—or hoped she hadn't at least. It was a bit difficult to keep up with her reading habits, especially when she wasn't talking to him. He ignored a couple of unfriendly glares he received in the history section and moved on to something a bit more interesting in the Potions section.

He spotted a rather interesting cover boasting a title about 101 and uses for mandrake roots and picked up the hefty tome to peruse. He wasn't aware that he wasn't alone in the section until he heard more voices behind him.

"I ran into Hermione Granger the other day leaving Madam Malkins," a witch spoke quietly. "Poor thing, she smiled when she said hello but I swear it wasn't sincere."

"I kind of feel like she brought it on herself," a wizard responded.

Draco's eyes lifted from the book but he didn't turn, intent to listen in now.

"What are you on about?"

"Well, I mean it's Malfoy. We all know what he was like in school. We all know how he made fun of her. What did anyone expect? A person can only change so much. I never thought he was that serious about her to begin with."

"Oh," the witch tutted softly, "I actually thought they were sweet together. I mean what's more poetic than two enemies falling in love with each other."

The wizard snorted, "That's a load of soppy dung and you know it."

Draco growled under his breath when the two wandered off and slammed the book back on the shelf. Frankly, if that rot was the kind of rubbish people said about him then he really didn't blame Hermione for ignoring his efforts.

He stomped out of the shop without another thought and made straight for the Leaky Cauldron. A stiff drink was in order because frankly he was at a loss. There was always wisdom in alcohol, right?

The pub was only moderately busy and no one paid him much attention as he sidled up to the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender gave him a sympathetic look as he set his glass of firewhiskey down on the counter. Draco grunted irritably and took a large sip, enjoying the fire burning through his lungs.

He'd never been much of a drinker if he were being honest. A social drink here or there was about it. However, in light of his ensuing depression, he thought he might like to be completely pissed drunk by the end of the night before he trudged off to his empty home.

The past few weeks had been lonely again without her presence. He missed her smiles and the way she blushed when he teased her. He missed sharing dinner with her and reading until he basically had to put her to bed before going home. He missed her orderly lists littering her desk in her flat. He missed snogging her on her couch instead of watching one of her muggle films she'd wanted to see.

He missed absolutely everything about her. And when Draco Malfoy was miserable, he was a brooding bastard to everyone else.

Turns out some things didn't change after all.

It was past seven when he started his third tumbler of the amber liquid that was only just beginning to dampen his brooding thoughts. A slight buzz had taken hold of him but his mental faculties were quite in place still. The bar had remained mostly void of other drinkers as witches and wizards moved about the tables behind him for whatever pub slosh they were offering up for dinner.

He lifted his glass in solute to the bartender but his new growing resolve against his emotions was interrupted as a witch took up the stool next to him. Draco groaned when Astoria Greengrass perched herself smoothly next to him and he turned pointedly away from her as he nursed his drink.

"Come to gloat," he muttered angrily.

Astoria placed a gentle hand on his shoulder as she leaned closer. "Oh come off it, Draco. You and her weren't ever going to last and you know it. I did you a favor."

He growled as he shrugged the witch's hand off his shoulder. "You ruined everything, Astoria. You egotistical, mental bitch!"

The witch merely scoffed as she eyed her manicured nails. "Do be serious, Draco. Once you get over whatever little phase this was you'll be crawling back to me. After all, I'll still take you back."

"Oi, you crazy bint! Get your paws off our friend's boyfriend!"

Draco lifted a pale eyebrow and glanced over his shoulder. He had never been so thankful to see Potter and Weasley in his life as the two approached the bar.

Astoria glared at Ron and dared to lean closer. "Last I checked, they weren't together anymore."

Harry patted Draco's other shoulder and tipped his head towards an empty booth near the wall. "We were just going to have a drink before heading home. Why don't you join us for a bit," he suggested.

"Gladly," he mumbled, flinching away from the blonde witch next to him.

"Draco," she called angrily.

He turned abruptly and lifted his glass in mock solute. "Sod off!"

Draco turned and slid into the booth across from the two men he wasn't but was kind of becoming friends with in all this mess. He slumped over his drink and sipped the burning liquid again.

"We were actually looking for you, Malfoy," Harry started. "I imagine by the state of you that you've not attempted to contact Hermione again yet."

"Yeah," Ron added, "I can only watch Hermione mope over a git like you for so much longer before I pull my hair out."

Draco snorted as he glanced at him. "Maybe I'll stretch it out a bit further then. Might be a good look for you, Weasel."

Ron rolled his eyes and glanced at Harry. "Tell me again why we're helping the git."

Harry shook his head at the two of them. "Because we love Hermione and for some ungodly reason she loves the idiot."

The blonde perked up at that comment and eyed him closely. "She said that? Did she actually say that she still loves me?"

Ron made a gagging noise as he cupped his throat with both hands. Harry sighed as the juvenile display and shrugged.

"Maybe not in so many words but she's our best friend. Trust me when I say that the woman is still in love with you, Malfoy. Hermione doesn't begin to care for someone easily so naturally once she does, she's in it for the long haul."

"Unfortunately," Ron muttered.

Draco lifted the corner of his lip in a sneer at the redhead and quickly downed the rest of his drink. He slapped the glass down on the table.

"Well, what's the plan then, Gryffindorks?"

Ron pointed at him, "See. Now that's why I don't want to help the git."

Harry groaned and shook his head. "Enough, you two! Let me be clear. I don't give a shit about you, Malfoy, or what you think, Ron. This is about Hermione. Now grow up and listen or I'm leaving."

Draco's lips drew into a thin line and he nodded more seriously. The Weasel could kiss a blast-ended skrewt. He wanted his witch back.

~o~O~o~

He thought all weekend about what his mother and her friends had said. Rolled it over in his mind until he was sick to death of realizing his every failure thus far until it finally clicked.

The next morning, Draco readied himself as he usually did. Dressed in his finest suit, he made his way to his favorite coffee shop. The barista gave him the usual sympathetic look he'd been receiving for the past few weeks and shrugged at him.

He didn't bother to comment and merely took his coffee with a polite thanks. Instead of going straight to his office as he normally would, Draco took a detour through the wizarding section of London.

He'd groveled the best he knew how. Flowers hadn't won her, nor chocolate, or apology letters. All he had left was the truth. The longer he thought about it, it wasn't any of those niceties that had won her over the first time. It was that very moment in the chocolate shop where she realized he was telling her the truth.

Dating Hermione had never been some game. His own emotions weren't something he toyed with, let alone hers. He didn't give a damn if they made sense to the Daily Prophet, Astoria Greengrass, or the rest of the wizarding world. He'd fallen in love with the girl he'd teased for years, the girl who'd stood up to him like no one else. The past was the past and he was happy to let it stay there. He wasn't going to allow any of the naysayers, especially Astoria, to push that back on him.

The Daily Prophet was a place he had rarely visited but despite this the main secretary recognized him instantly. The poor witch gulped when he strode up to her desk, sporting a rather infuriating smirk.

"I'd like to meet with Pansy Parkinson please." His smirk grew but his eyes remained cold. "I'm an old friend."

"Uh…yes, sir. Just a moment," the witch stuttered.

He grinned to himself when the witch quickly led him to the gossip office. Lucky for him, Rita Skeeter was out covering a story of some sort. Pansy nearly shrieked when she looked up from her desk to find him approaching. The secretary closed the door behind him and he helped himself to the chair across from her desk.

"Pansy, I do believe this visit is overdue," he smiled.

"D-Draco," she gave him a thin smile, "to what do I owe the honor?"

He relaxed in his chair and took a moment to observe his surroundings. She had a rather odd assortment of muggle items decorating her few book shelves. Rather odd, he thought, but then they weren't close like they'd been at Hogwarts so he couldn't really say he knew the witch well now.

When Draco finally turned his full attention back to the witch he found her eyeing him warily, her fingers plucking small feathers from the end of her quill nervously.

"You've caused me to lose someone very dear, Pansy. I'd like your help in remedying the situation."

She gulped and turned her gaze down to her desk. "I'm really sorry, Draco. I honestly didn't want the article to go to press but I owed Astoria a favor." She glanced back up at him. "You know how Astoria is."

Draco lifted an arrogant eyebrow and leaned forward, not deterred when she pressed away from him apprehensively. "I know very well but you see now I believe you're indebted to me. You'll find I'm far less demanding and much more accommodating," he snarled, his tone contradicting his words. He leaned back again, his casual demeanor returning. "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Do you really want to spend your entire career in this dusty old office writing gossip, Pansy?"

The brunette witch tipped her head curiously as she observed him. It was then he knew he had her. Such a Slytherin.

"What do you have in mind?"

He smiled smugly. "Just the truth, Pansy. Tell the truth and I'll get you employment wherever you please. You'll have a real recommendation, not from the likes of that rodent, Rita Skeeter."

~o~O~o~

One Week Later

Ginny turned up her nose as she sat across from Hermione at her kitchen table. "Merlin, is that how you ate before you started dating Malfoy?" The smell of the soup her friend had made wasn't exactly appetizing yet she didn't flinch at the glare directed at her.

"You know you can leave anytime you'd like. I didn't exactly invite you over."

Ginny waved her hand dismissively. "Oh please, you'd be alone with a book tonight if not for me. Seriously, your sulking isn't healthy."

"I'm not sulking, thank you very much," she glowered and sipped her soup. Truly, she'd been craving the salmon from the restaurant Draco had taken her to on their first date but she wasn't about to admit that.

It didn't help that she'd been dreaming about him at night. The last two nights she'd woken up in a sweat. The first night had been horrible. Back in their old potions class, he stood behind her whispering every old insult in his repertoire and confirming every insecurity she had with joyful glee.

The second night was quite the opposite. Lying under him, he ravished her amongst a sea of sheets and pillows, whispering everything she ever wanted to hear him say.

Both left her conflicted and no closer to clearing up her emotions.

"Whatever you call it, I'm here for some tough love," the redhead grinned. "And to deliver this since I know you cancelled your subscription. Never understood why you subscribed to it anyway to be honest."

Hermione eyed her skeptically as she accepted the copy of the Prophet her friend was nudging across the table to her.

"There were more things to read than the gossip column," she replied indignantly.

Ginny rolled her eyes and tapped the article the paper was opened to. "Just read it, would you? I'm not leaving until you do."

She groaned and nodded, pushing her soup away.

The Truth about Gossip

By Pansy Parkinson

To the faithful readers of this column, I'd like to apologize personally for a recent article which had the effect of breaking up a truly beautiful relationship between two people who had overcome differences of the past to find a path to one another.

I'm not typically the sappy type as you may well know from past articles, yet I've grown as many have in adulthood and recognize right from wrong. I had the part of feeding information recently to my editor which wasn't completely accurate. You see, some words were indeed said but I failed to note to true tone and context in order to help an old schoolmate. I've felt rather guilty since and I'd like to clear the air, despite that it may anger the person I wrongly decided to aid.

Draco Malfoy's words in the Sunday edition of this column three weeks ago were wrongly reported. While they were in fact said, I was present and can accurately attest that he was not in the least being serious when having been confronted by the woman he'd been formerly betrothed to, as is custom in most pureblood families.

In truth, Mr. Malfoy was mocking Miss Greengrass when she dismissed his relationship with one, Hermione Granger, as not serious.

My formal apologies to both parties hurt by this misjudgment on my part and I'd like to formally announce my resignation from this column. Twisting the truth for harmless entertainment might be one thing but doing so to break apart two people who were clearly in a committed relationship is entirely another.

Yours Truly,

Pansy

"Holy shit," Hermione muttered and rushed to reread the article.

"Help make up your mind on anything," Ginny asked, eyebrows raised expectantly.

She let go of the paper and looked up in shock at her friend. She swallowed hard and pulled the corner of her lip between her teeth. She shook her head sadly.

"Well, that certainly adds the missing context to the situation. I didn't realize that dating Draco would put a target on my back with Astoria Greengrass."

Ginny sniffed indignantly. "Please, the Greengrass's are nearly as haughty as the Malfoy's used to be. It honestly doesn't surprise me in the least."

Hermione sighed dejectedly. "I don't think he'll take me back after our last interaction. It usually doesn't bode well when you tell a man you don't believe him about his feelings for you."

Her friend gave her an incredulous look. "Hermione, he still wants you. Maybe you hurt his pride a bit but Malfoy is almost as stubborn as you are. He won't give up that easily."

She glanced down at the article again and bit the corner of her lip. "What do I do, Ginny?"

The redheaded witch just grinned and pushed her miserable bowl of soup back towards her. "You just leave that to me."