I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am
As Hogwarts faded away into the distance, Hermione reminded herself it was definitely not goodbye and that it was simply see you later.
It was supposed to be happily ever after wasn't it? She got Draco, they broke the betrothal and they could be happy together.
But it wasn't. The world was safe yet. The death eaters were still out there, and last night, as Draco and Hermione slept peacefully in their bed one last night at Hogwarts, the longest threat letter came pecking at their window at 3 in the morning. Draco didn't sleep the rest of the night, as he had a lengthy floo conversation with Harry.
There was still much to do. In three days, she would start her work at the Department of Regulation and Control of magical creatures. And Draco would begin auror training.
She would be sharing a flat with Ginny in central Diagon Alley in an apartment called Witchly Towers, mainly for young witches only.
Were they really that close to the happily ever after they imagined?
When they arrived at King's Cross Station for the last time, Draco returned from bidding his friends goodbye as Hermione bid farewell to hers and they walked together around the train double checking that students were off.
It was a silent walk as they did their best to get off the train with good spirits.
"I'll see you later love." Draco murmured once they were on the platform. He kissed her sweetly before he boarded another train to head to his dorm at the Auror Academy of Great Britain.
Hermione watched him go and joined Ginny on the Knight Bus to their flat.
Her ring sparkled nicely in the dim lights when they reached Witchly Towers.
"When are you starting your time with the Holyhead Harpies?" Hermione asked as they took the lift up.
"Well since I'm pregnant, I can't play till after the birth and maternity leave but I have a contract for 2 years right now." Ginny replied as they stepped into their flat.
It was a very modern flat with a black and white theme. The living room included the requested tv, couch, lounge chairs and bookshelf. A little to the left was the dining room with a good sized dining table. Across from the dining room was the small kitchenette. There were 2 bathrooms, and two bedrooms, enough to keep the two of them on their feet.
Ginny was exhausted and turned in early. Hermione decided to unpack before sitting at the dining table, sipping some tea while reading a manual on the Daily Life of a MOM worker.
Then a sudden sadness overcame her and she felt immensely depressed. Her tea froze over and her feet became icy cool. Her lips turned blue and the windows glazed over.
Dementors.
Hermione groped for her wand weakly and gazed around. There came the thud of footsteps nearing their flat and the iciness and sadness grew. Then suddenly, the door was flung open and 4-5 dark hooded creatures swooped in silently surrounding her. A thick fog crowded the bottom of the floor emitting a drowsy aura. Hermione collapsed to her knees, her wand held limply in front of her.
"Expecto…..expecto…." the words wouldn't form when a masked figure entered the flat. His wand hand raised, the fog moving with him, apart of him.
He walked towards Hermione and eyed her darkly. He kicked her wand out of her hand and it clattered to the floor. His own wand pointed directly at her temple.
The dementors moved in closer, forming a tighter circle around the two. The fog seemed to drag Hermione down with an unknown, unseen weight.
"Die mezzosangue. Die mezzosangue...Avada-" the man whispered before a bang emitted and over a dozen other men entered the flat. The masked man disappeared with a turn and so did the dementors and fog.
Hermione collapsed onto the ground and knew no more.
"Hermione….wake up…." a familiar voice murmured stroking her hair.
Hermione prised her eyes open and saw she was on the couch as aurors milled around. Security tape was plastered around the dining room and Harry was shouting orders to everyone.
Draco was kneeling on the ground in front of her, his face filled with worry. Relief flooded his face when she turned to face him.
"Where is he? Where….WHERE IS HE?!" Hermione screeched clutching at his hand glancing around terrified.
"Hermione calm down…." Draco whispered wrapping an arm around her. Harry walked over and crouched down next to her.
"Hermione….I need you to tell me what happened. We only saw a glimpse of it." he said looking at her calmly. Draco sent a dirty look towards Harry but he continued to look intently at Hermione.
"Where is he?" she whispered quietly her eyes darting around anxiously.
"Who? Who Hermione? What happened?" Harry asked a crease forming between his eyes. Ginny came over and sat down on the other side of the couch placing a comforting hand on Hermione's knee.
They didn't understand….where was he?
"I was drinking my tea when it went cold. I felt miserable and I felt like the world was ending. The windows fogged up, my tea froze over and I knew that there were dementors." Hermione whispered staring blankly.
"Yes. We got the alert from someone on the upper floors that there were dementors in the building." Harry said.
"Then they came in. Surrounded me and….they didn't do anything. The fog then came. It seemed to pull me down, kept me paralyzed. Then...a man came in. A masked man. He pointed his wand at me, kicked my wand out of my hand and said some things. Then you guys came." Hermione finished her body still and rigid. Her eyes still darting around nervously.
"That's it. Your staying with me till we find a final place to live." Draco said in a grim voice standing up.
"No Malfoy. We need her to stay here." Harry said standing too.
"Like hell." he sneered grabbing Hermione and pulling her up.
"Look, she's a ministry of magic worker and we need her to stay here. The threats, the attacks, now this...we know whoever this is is after her. So as a ministry of magic worker, we need her to stay here and if this man does come, to send a patronus and hold him there, stall, whatever until we can come and catch him." Harry said disdain in his voice too.
"No way. We're leaving." Draco snarled but Harry raised his hand to stop him. "Look Potter, boss, whatever. This is my fiancee. My Hermione. There's no way I'm letting her be bait for the damn ministry." Draco growled his eyes cold.
"I don't want her to do this either Malfoy. But she's a trained ministry worker now and we trust her to do this." Harry said sounding like he severely disapproved of this idea too. "It's not even up to me. I tried to talk the head of magical law enforcement out of this but he refused-"
"What does he want? Money? Artifacts?" Draco asked cutting him off.
"This isn't a matter of what the ministry wants or needs. The death eaters are still reigning terror even after Voldemort's demise, you should know that better than anyone Malfoy. The threats and such. The ministry needs to catch these criminals and if Hermione as a ministry worker is willing to do this, it could lead to this death eater's capture." Harry explained clearly disapproving of this idea.
Draco looked furious. "Draco, I can do this." Hermione interrupted speaking up for the first time. "It's time to bring everything remotely linked to Voldemort to an end."
"I agree, but not using you as bait!" Draco yelled glaring at the ministry members as they roamed about observing the crime scene.
There was a brief silence before Harry did something shocking. He placed a gentle hand on Draco's shoulder and looked sympathetically at him.
"I understand what you're going through. My fiancee is living here too. My future kid is here. And they both could have died tonight too Draco. But we, you and I, are both doing all we can to prevent any more death threats to our loved ones. I think we can agree on that can't we?" Harry asked. Draco paused before nodding.
"Can't you at least make this safer?" Draco asked pleadingly.
"How about this. I'll station a couple of young aurors to live here and I'll make sure at least one of them are always home to keep tabs on the area." Harry offered.
Draco nodded still quite upset but allowed Harry to continue as he rushed around barking orders, sending messages and making calls.
Draco pulled Hermione outside of the apartment and hugged her close.
"We're gonna find a place to live before the wedding." he said firmly. "After I become an auror and we become more settled." he promised leaning his forehead against hers. He nuzzled his nose against her jaw.
"Don't worry about me." Hermione smiled kissing kiss nose.
"I'm always worried about you." Draco rolled his eyes but held her closer.
"Well relax. I'm probably way better at dueling than you, so if it comes to it, I'll be fine." she assured.
"Don't even think about if it's come to that. It won't." he groaned glaring at the door to the flat. "Potter better station the best aurors they've got. And they better be old and ugly but not blind so they can see that ring of yours." he grinned.
Hermione laughed. "You can't have old and ugly but not blind and still the best aurors."
"Well they should." he huffed. Hermione smiled and lead him back inside the flat.
In two hours, the aurors finally left and Harry promised to have the best aurors moved in tomorrow.
Draco kissed Hermione sweetly at the door and glanced around warily. "Just go live with the Weasley's at the Barrow or whatever." Draco said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine Draco. And it's Burrow. Goodnight." she smiled before closing the door.
The next three, days Hermione spent getting ready for her first day of work. She had her clothes picked, her work bag ready and lunch prepared the night before. The morning of, she was up early at 6 and was out the door by 7. She didn't really start till 8, but she wanted to get acquainted with everyone and everything.
She took a glance in the mirror and breathed deeply. She was wearing a half thigh length pencil skirt, a thin white blouse that buttoned up and her hair was up in a loose ponytail. She had her purse, her work bag and was utterly nervous again.
She hadn't exactly slept well, after the creepy memories of the masked man wandering in.
She exited the apartment and bumped straight into a buff chest. She glanced up to see a dark haired man with a charming smile. His teeth were that kind of pearly clean white that was used in dentistry commercials.
"Sorry." she said flustered as she walked around him and continued on her way.
"Your Hermione Granger aren't you?" he asked calling after her.
She turned around. "Yes. And I'm guessing you're one of the aurors Harry stationed?" she asked.
"Yup. Matt Damon. He ordered us to keep tabs, make sure you come to and from work. There's a mood scale spell on your flat that links to ours so we can tell if you're in danger. We have security cameras linked to our telly so we can watch who comes in and out." he replied smiling. Draco was wrong. Harry didn't station ugly or old aurors.
"Well, I should get going." Hermione said before reaching the apparition point and turning on the spot. She arrived outside the doors to the ministry of magic and took a deep breath before entering. The ministry was filled with bustling workers rushing about. She made her way towards the Guest Services and handed the bored man her ID.
He gave her her official M.O.M ID that she clipped to her skirt. He checked her wand before logging it into her account and he took her photo for the ID.
She then checked her recruitment papers and saw she was on the 4th floor. She took the lift up and found her small office. She made it her own before beginning her day.
The week passed and nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Ginny was steadily gaining weight and Hermione was steadily gaining stress. The next weekend Hermione attended Ginny and Harry's wedding. Ginny refused to be heavily pregnant and a bride at the same time, so the wedding was planned early.
Hermione spent her mornings, going to work early, staying late till about 7 when she ended at 6. Draco called her every night and visited her as often as he could during lunch.
Ginny, Harry and Draco took turns visiting her to make sure she ate much to her annoyance.
"Honestly Harry! If one more person interrupts me I will hex off whatever part comes to mind!" Hermione growled. Harry had sent multiple aurors in that morning to get reports from her on the behaviour and signs of dementors. There were still aurors working on the threatening letters that seemed to find great efficiency on questioning her for their case rather than hearing the relayed messages from Harry when she was at school.
"Don't worry, it's a much more appealing person than Harry." a voice chuckled. Draco entered carrying a bag of food and wearing an exhausted but bright grin.
Hermione's face automatically split into a grin too as she stood to greet him. She kissed him hard and he dropped the food, wrapping his arms around her waist and hoisting her against the wall. His lips were soft, pulling and tugging at her lips, his tongue making her swoon. She wrapped her legs around his waist as her hands gripped his hair. His hands were firm against her waist and one was drawing slow circles against her back.
"I missed you." he murmured moving her hair over her shoulder to kiss her neck.
"Yeah. It's strange not having you right next to me when I wake up." Hermione whispered leaning her head back.
"Don't worry. Soon, I'll be next to you in our own bed, in our own house and we'll shag all morning and night." Draco grinned. Hermione smiled and hopped down leading him over to her desk.
They sat down and ate the Italian food Draco brought them and chatted happily.
"How's auror training?" she asked sipping her coffee.
"Exhausting. But it's all worth it in the end I suppose. But I still have to do more than physical training! I actually have an exam next week on Wizarding Laws and in two weeks I have an exam on Auror Regulations and Protocol then in three weeks, I have an exam on how to perform a raid and then the final exam next month!" Draco said sounding wary.
Hermione smiled. "School never really leaves you." she said grasping his hand. "Don't overwork yourself."
"Me?" Draco asked incredulously. "You still forget to eat and you still work late and you still stress more than ever." Draco said shaking his head.
Hermione shrugged. "Nothing new." she joked.
Draco looked disapproving as he leaned back in his chair. "Tell me some good news. How ugly are those stationed aurors?"
Hermione giggled. "Then you're in for bad news. They're quite hot if you ask me."
Hermione would have payed for her to see that face again. Draco's face was a mask of pure fury and yes...it was fantastic to see the jealousy.
Draco harrumphed. "Well then I'll have to redeem myself. You and I are going on a date tomorrow. It's Saturday so no excuses." he decided crumpling up his wrapper.
Hermione smiled. "It's a date."
Draco had owled her that they were going to have lunch at Three Broomsticks when Harry asked her to work that Saturday to help the aurors practice with a boggart for dementors.
Draco was angry but was promised the postponed to Sunday by Hermione.
On Sunday, Hermione was dressed in tights and a sweater on top. She had her hair down messily and was ready with her purse when the doorbell rang.
"Hello Future-Mrs-Malfoy." Draco grinned handing her a bouquet of roses. She smiled and kissed him sweetly.
"Let's go Mr. Malfoy." she said taking his arm as they exited through the lift. She felt his arms and noticed how much stronger they were. Not overly large but a nice, very nice, muscled arm. "Someone's been paying attention to those physical exams aren't we?" she asked poking his abs.
Draco turned to face her. "Why I was physically appealing before too!" Draco said all faux insulted.
Hermione playfully poked his chest. "Really?" she asked feigning shock. "I never noticed."
Draco grinned crookedly before tackling her to the ground and pinning her arms above her head. His body was brushing hers but not enough to hurt her. He was in a what muggles would call, plank position with her underneath. But a very...compromising plank.
"Not strong you say?" Draco asked playfully nipping her ear. Her breathing became harder as he taunted her by kissing her neck and sucking on it, she felt another Draco mark left on her neck.
Then, Draco was whipped off of her and she sat up startled to see Matt pinning Draco against the wall, his arm against Draco's throat. Draco's eyes narrowed angrily as he kicked Matt in the gut sending him stumbling against the nearest wall. Hermione stood up and placed a shield in between them severely annoyed.
"What are you doing Matt?" she asked her hands on her hips.
"I heard a thud and came rushing out. Then I see him practically on top of you…" Matt trailed off surprised by her annoyance.
"Yes well-" Hermione was cut off my an even more irritated Draco.
"Look mister. I don't care if you think she's the sexiest woman alive but you are stationed her to protect her and if you're not completely blind, and you noted, like a good auror is taught, that she had a ring on her left ring finger! And if you observed before jumping to conclusions, the person 'practically' on top of her was actually kissing her and they were sharing a rather intimate moment!" Draco sneered. Hermione didn't interrupt as Matt flushed slightly before walking away sheepishly.
Draco grumbled all the way to the Three Broomsticks. Hermione stopped him outside and looked deep into his stormy grey eyes, smiling slightly.
"What are you smiling about?" he asked finally noticing that they stopped walking.
"You. You're rather hot when you're jealous." Hermione grinned kissing him. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist kissing her back.
"You certainly know how to cheer me up." he grinned as he lead them into the Three Broomsticks. After calling over the waiter they ordered and sat down at the booth in the back of the room. "You know I should probably request for some new aurors at your place."
"I think he got the message." Hermione smiled holding his hand. "You know I'm yours." she added in a softer tone. Her ring glistened in the dim restaurant light.
"And I'm yours. I just don't like other guys thinking you're theirs." he said darkly.
Hermione laughed. "And how do you think I feel? You were voted the Hottest Bachelor or whatever the hell Witch Weekly is up to. Girls are crawling up your legs."
"Yeah well I'm only interested in my fiancee." he grinned. "I love saying that. It's such a fancy word. Fiancee. Especially when it's linked to you." he added. "Fiancee." he said as they finished their meal and exited.
Hermione laughed. His hand was wrapped around hers as he held the door open for her and they walked through Hogsmeade full.
"You're so weird!" she smiled as she stopped them at a new bookstore in Hogsmeade.
"I'm weird? You're the one who loves books more than her….fiance." he winked. "There's that word again." he chuckled as they entered the store-Literary's Finest.
Hermione and Draco left the store laden with 10 of Hermione's new books.
"Give it here." Draco laughed as Hermione checked her bill carrying all the books.
Draco took all the books easily and carried them in his arms while slipping her small hand into his.
"I can carry some." she muttered shoving the bill in her pocket.
"I'm sure my strong lion can but let your big strong snake carry it for you." he smiled bumping his shoulder against hers. She rolled her eyes but smiled as they continued strolling down the street.
They decided to apparate back to her apartment for dinner. There was no sign of Matt as they entered and Draco seemed much merrier after that.
"Can you write my auror exams for me?" Draco asked as he collapsed on the couch pulling out his sheaf of notes.
Hermione brought some tea over and picked up a piece of paper. "You got this fact wrong." she said pointing to a lightly scrawled line.
"How do you know?" he asked as he re-wrote the correct answer.
"Because I'm Hermione Granger." she said in her best know-it-all voice.
"Ah but you're wrong there." Draco grinned cheekily.
"I'm sorry?" Hermione asked crossing her arms. "But I think I know my own name."
"Actually it's going to be Hermione Malfoy soon." he said dreamily as he scrolled through his papers.
"Here let me help you study." Hermione sighed reluctantly as they spent the evening reviewing his notes. They had some small ordered takeout from Gregallie the Greek. It was mainstream Greek fast food by a wizard obviously.
They spent the evening chatting merrily and fell asleep together on the couch, oblivious to the plotting and planning. Scheming and deciding. The deadly decisions and death wishes all narrowing back down to them.
"WAKE UP! This is important!" a shrill cry came. Hermione felt a whack to the shoulder and groaned as she woke up.
Ginny was hovering furiously on top of her holding a scrolled up paper. "WAKE UP! DAMNIT FERRET!" she screeched. Harry wordlessly walked over and poked him in the gut with his wand. Draco jerked up and glared at Harry.
"What the ruddy hell do you want?" he demanded scowling.
"Yeah. I'd like to know that too." Hermione said rather crossly. Ginny silently shoved the paper towards Hermione as if it were some venomous disease.
In fact, it wasn't a paper at all. It was a magazine-Witch Weekly to be exact. There was a picture of Hermione kissing Draco as the cover page.
She turned to the page stated on the cover for the article and saw the three small squares beneath it with pictures from yesterday in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. One of Draco and Hermione walking with their hands intertwined, one with Draco carrying Hermione's books and the last of Draco whispering something into Hermione's ear.
"DRAMIONE." The cover stated as well as the article in big pink letters. "Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy were spotted yesterday strolling casually and happily through the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. But WAIT. That's not the shocker. They were caught kissing, holding hands and sharing intimate moments. One in which former death eater Draco Malfoy, whispers in her ear. But as he CHANGED? He was also seen carrying her books as they exited Literary's Finest.
BUT WAIT. If we look closer, on Miss. Granger's left ring finger, there is a ring. Look's like there will be a new Mrs. Malfoy soon. And it is our very own war heroine Hermione Granger. My fans and readers, all of the wizarding world, bow down, to our new POWER couple-DRAMIONE.
More on this story as it develops."
"So? It was bound to get out sometime." Hermione sighed rubbing her forehead.
"That's not the issue here." Ginny said through her teeth.
"I don't see any issue here Red." Draco drawled fingering the word Dramione.
"Well actually it's not a thing. It's a person. Tall, freckled, red hair, annoying, loves to eat? RON?!" Ginny shrieked her eyes scarily burning. Pregnant Ginny was very scary.
"Damn." Hermione whispered. "I would've liked to tell him myself."
"Who the hell cares? He cheated on you. He wants your forgiveness but didn't work for it. You're not obliged to tell him or care what he thinks Mya." Draco rolled his eyes.
That was true. She shouldn't care. But she did. "He's my friend Draco. I want to be friends with him. And I hope he takes this well." she said worriedly.
"Unlikely." Ginny mumbled as Harry lead her to the kitchen.
Hermione went to get dressed for work and headed to the ministry with Harry as Ginny rested and Draco headed back to campus.
Hermione earned some glares from young female interns and some longing glances from young males. Other times, she received questioning glances and often hateful glares.
Hermione spent her morning helping the aurors on their threat and death eater case. It wasn't her area of expertise but she was the one Harry sent them all to.
Harry came in at lunch to drop of some food. "Don't worry about-"
Before he could finish his sentence the door was swung open roughly and the familiar redhead stalked in angrily before slamming the door shut. He violently walked up to Hermione and yanked her up by her sweater.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" he bellowed shaking her.
"Ron I-" Hermione chided. Harry shoved Ron into a chair and silenced the room.
"I THOUGHT YOU WERE SMARTER THAN THAT!" he screamed standing to face her.
"Ron just listen." Hermione begged trying to calm him.
"Calm?! You want me to be calm after hearing that my girlfriend is dating no ENGAGED to a bloody fu-" Ron yelled his face turning an ugly puce.
"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Hermione growled. She saw Harry sending a patronus off out of the corner of her eye and continued to glare at Ron. "EX-girlfriend Ron. You cheated on me remember?"
"Yes but I apologized and I am sorry Mione. This ferret is a death eater, everything we've been fighting against! He's a foul loathsome ignorant pompous brat who teased and taunted you for years! You can forgive that but you can't forgive your best friend?" he demanded.
"That's between Hermione and I." Draco scowled from the door. Great, another member to this shouting match.
"You stay the hell away from her!" Ron turned to point his finger on Draco's chest.
"RON!" Hermione screamed stomping in between the two. "Draco's changed okay? And I love him and I'm going to marry him. The end."
"How can you love someone who hated you and not someone who does love you?!" Ron yelled throwing his hands up in exasperation.
"That's where you're wrong Weasley. I was horrible to Hermione. And I don't deserve her. But I do love her." Draco said quietly.
"No you don't! You just want her as a toy! As an excuse!" Ron growled.
"Hermione isn't your business anymore so why don't you get the hell out and stay away from her?" Draco asked his stormy eyes flashing.
"You sat there and WATCHED. Watched as she was tortured in your own bloody home! You sat there and didn't care, didn't bother to help her! You just watched like the lame coward you are as she was tortured and cursed by your aunt! I was dying in the basement just hearing her scream! You didn't care, you don't care. So don't give me this rubbish that you love her!" Ron roared.
"I do! I regret that every minute of my life! How I couldn't save her, how I couldn't rescue her or prevent that from happening! But I did save your lives!" Draco screamed angrily.
"How the hell do you call standing there like a coward as she was tortured saving our lives?!" Ron bellowed.
"I didn't tell them it was the Golden trio! I didn't confirm that Harry Potter was in our clutches! I didn't tell them that Harry Potter was ours to hand over! I KNEW it was the three of you! It's not that hard to connect the dots! If I had told them it was you, they would have summoned the Dark Lord earlier and you would all be dead! There wouldn't have been the wonderful scene in this wonderful war tale where my mother told the dark lord you were dead Potter when you weren't! There wouldn't have been the Battle of Hogwarts or the Final duel between the two of you! It was horrible to see Hermione, my Hermione, tortured. But it is better than her being dead!" Draco screamed, breathing heavily.
There was a stunned silence as the trio took this in. Draco. Draco saved them.
"Yeah well what about the years of taunting and teasing?" Ron sneered.
"I regret those too. I wish I wasn't so horrible to her. To any of you. Although Weasel you're not making it easy to regret my doings to you." Draco snapped.
"Just stay away from her. She's mine." Ron growled.
"No. Actually I'm not." Hermione intercepted finding her voice again. "You left me Ron. Not once but twice. You broke my heart and stomped on it when I thought I could trust you! When I thought I could really love you! You also left! You left when Harry and I needed you the most! You abandoned us and left us without a second thought because you were too petty and stuck up to stick with us!" she said tears falling.
"I regret that too Mione! You know I do. And I tried to come back right away." Ron pleaded. "I love you Mione and sure I left, but I came back! And it was the biggest mistake of my life cheating on you. But I don't understand how he can bully you, fight in a war against you and you find it in your heart to forgive him!" Ron said shaking his head angrily glaring at her.
"I didn't just forgive him Ron. He showed me that he wanted to change, and that this wasn't who he wanted to be. And I fell in love with him. Don't you forget, you made me cry nearly as much as he did! You blamed me and my cat for your stupid treacherous rat, first year you made fun of me too! You called me a traitor in 4th year too!" Hermione cried tears trailing down her wet angry face.
"Look whatever phase this is, with you loving ferret, it's over okay? You don't have to pretend anymore to love him. We can start again." Ron whispered stepping closer to her.
She backed up. "If you asked me this earlier, before I moved on and fell in love with Draco, I would have said no. And now, I'm still saying no. Ron it won't ever work with us. We don't fit romantically. I'll forgive you but we stay friends." Hermione said firmly.
"This isn't how it's supposed to be! He's done something! He's tricked you! Threatened you! Cursed you!" Ron bellowed storming towards Draco who stood his ground as Ron approached him. Hermione watched in shock as Ron swung at Draco and hit him across the face. "You're right Hermione. It does feel good to hit him!" Ron growled as Draco glared hatefully back towards Ron.
"Harry do something!" Hermione cried as Draco ducked Ron's next swing, where it knocked down her pile of papers instead. Harry attempted to pull Ron back but Ron kicked him in the gut sending him flying against the door.
Hermione felt her anger spark as Ron grabbed Draco's neck. Draco wasn't weak though, he kneed Ron in the stomach and fell down rubbing his neck. Ron stood again ready to continue but Hermione rushed in between them.
The next thing she saw was Ron's fist swinging towards the side of her head. Hermione saw stars as she fell down. She blinked and heard the sound of strangled cries.
"RON WEASLEY! GET YOUR ARSE OUT OF HERE!" Ginny screamed from the door using her wand to bind Ron and send him flying out.
She angrily helped Harry up and walked towards Hermione.
"Hermione are you alright?" Draco asked helping her up. Hermione nodded leaning against him. He wiped away some tears as Ginny came over.
"I came to see Harry during his break and he wasn't there. His workers tell me he's in your office and I come in and see a freaking fistfight. Are none of you wizards? Just silence his pathetic voice then bind him and send him to me!" Ginny grumbled before marching out with Harry in tow. There came sounds of yelling as Ginny screamed at Ron.
"Are you alright love?" Draco asked cradling her against his chest. She sniffled and kissed him waterly. "We're leaving this place." Draco mumbled as he lead them out of her office.
Harry spotted them and nodded as Hermione left the ministry with Draco.
"Where are we going?" she asked as they walked up to the apparition point.
"To get you cleaned up and then we're going out for dinner. How does Lucia's sound?" he asked smiling before turning on the spot.
Hermione sat on the shower floor as it poured down on her. She felt her misery pour out along with the water.
Ron was someone she wanted in her life. That much she knew for sure. But he wasn't exactly making it easy.
The most surprising thing that occurred that day was actually the realization that Draco had indeed saved their lives at the manor. If he hadn't done that, everything thereafter would have been completely different, in fact they might not have even happened.
She limply got out of the shower and found a blue, flower printed dress and put it on, before letting her hair fall in waves and applying light makeup.
Draco was waiting in the living room clad in black slacks, a button up light blue shirt and his hair was slightly ruffled.
"You look great." he murmured lovingly as they exited.
There was no Matt to tackle Draco or 'save' Hermione and it perfectly suited them after the long weekend of drama.
Draco apparated them outside Lucia's and they found their table before ordering.
"Funny. The first time we came here was Christmas." Hermione smiled.
Draco traced patterns on her hand slowly. "Yeah." he smiled remembering the distant memory of their date here.
"And you got me this." she smiled turning her wrist over to reveal the charm bracelet.
"Not cheesy yet?" he asked fingering the charms.
"Never." Hermione grinned. "I really love this place."
Throughout their dinner, the Santiago family continued to come out to say hello to them. Michaela caught them as she was exiting the restaurant with a buff, lean tough man who glowered at anyone in his way. She winked before leaving.
Lana and Alessandro, her parents came out bringing out the main course and chatting merrily.
Lana seemed overly pleased that Draco and Hermione were engaged.
"I knew it! You two are just perfect for one another! Oh dinner is on the house!" she chirped merrily as she whisked away leaving Alessandro to roll his eyes and follow.
Cristiano, their oldest son came trotting out carrying a bottle of firewhiskey and pouring them both full glasses, and refilling his 3 times. "Oh COME ON Hermione. You're adults now, out of school! Working! Live a little! Get drunk! Have fun!" he said sloping whiskey down his apron.
"CRISTIANO! Get over here and clean those tables!" Lana screeched from the kitchen, sending him racing back.
Hermione and Draco laughed as they exited the restaurant.
The summer evening weather was splendid with the sun just peaking out from over the horizon, it was the perfect moment.
"I really needed this after today." Hermione murmured as they stood at the end of the street in Hogsmeade gazing over the forests nearby. "Thank you."
Draco kissed her tenderly before they headed towards Three Broomsticks to take the floo home. In a whirl of green flame, they arrived inside the fireplace in Hermione's flat. They stepped out laughing when Draco got some soot in his perfectly blond, pale hair. They stopped short at the sight.
Rookwood stood there, disarming them before catching their wands. His wand was directed towards them, an evil glint shone in his eyes as his cheeks turned upwards awkwardly in a purely malicious smile.
Author's Note
A cliffhanger! There aren't many in this story but there are much more in the next one!
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