Author's note: Hello lovelies! I'm sorry it's been awhile since I updated. School has me by the balls. Well, I'm going to try to write as many chapters as I can ahead of time so that I'm not so m.i.a :D

Disclaimer: The fantastic JKR owns everything. And thanks to Band of Skulls and Coldplay for helping me with ideas.

Chapter eleven

I could say goodbye, too

Several days pass, Hermione and Ron haven't spoken since that night under the stars. It's not like they don't want to talk to each other, but they simply don't know what to say.

Hermione hasn't seen nor heard of Jordan since she the last time she had a wonderful conversation with her. She was completely okay with that fact, but part of her wanted to gloat that she had been right and Jordan was, indeed, a liar. She continued on with her work as usual, but she was distracted. One, by her lack of communication with Ron and two, Harry and Ginny were coming back this evening. How incongruent her thoughts were.

Once the day was over, she made no real rush to the lift. She felt she had nothing in particular to rush to, so she took her time. As the lift stopped in front of her, she saw a familiar and also, unwanted, face already aboard.

The doors opened and she hesitated.

"Come on," Draco beckoned.

"I'll wait for another," she said.

"Nonsense, there's plenty of room in here," he said smirking at her.

"That's the problem. I'll wait," she said shooing him away.

"Come on, Hermione. I don't bite," he said smiling at her fully now.

Hermione rolled her eyes and got in the lift. She'd only be in there for five minutes, tops. No big deal, right?

"See, was that so hard?" He asked standing next to her.

"Yes, extremely," she said through still lips.

They were quiet for a second, when Draco broke it.

"So, have you thought about my proposition yet?" He asked looking down at her with his x-raying gray eyes.

"Honestly, no," she said somewhat sheepishly.

"That's a shame and that also hurts," he said with faux indignation.

"Such is life," she said without remorse.

"Well, tell me one thing. Why shouldn't we be friends?"

Hermione didn't respond.

"Exactly. Even a clever girl, as yourself, can't think of a reason not to be."

"Sod off, Malfoy," she said not looking up at him.

"Feisty, but in all seriousness just give it a go. If you don't like it, at least you tried, right?" He said offering her his gleaming smile.

"If I give in, will you leave me alone?" She asked stubbornly.

"Brilliant!" Draco said clapping his hands together in victory.

Hermione rolled her brown eyes once again. The lift doors opened and Hermione scurried out. She would be his acquaintance, not his friend. She would never put herself in that position.

Harry and Ginny let go of their port key and landed gracefully in their backyard. As much fun as Ireland was, they kind of missed Godric's Hollow. Harry put an arm around his wife and they headed inside.

"Should we inform anyone we're back yet?" Ginny asked her husband.

"No, not yet. Plus, no one's home from work," he said embracing her.

Ginny nodded and put their bags in their bedroom. Harry followed her and sat on the bed.

"Whatever shall we do then?" He asked feigning ignorance.

"I have an idea," Ginny said jumping on Harry's lap and showering him with passionate kisses.

Ron made it out of the ministry without running into anyone he didn't want to see, especially Jordan. He did see her in the atrium before he left, but she didn't see him. Thank goodness.

Ron walked down the cobbled street of Diagon Alley with his hands in the pockets of his robes. He didn't particularly want to go home, yet. He didn't feel like being alone and he didn't know when Harry and Ginny would be home. He decided to visit Fred and George. He turned a corner and walked towards their flat.

It was a nice flat. It happened to be above their business, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Ron walked into the shop and discovered it to be busy, as usual. He saw that some young man was running the register. The kid recognized Ron and told him his brothers were upstairs. Ron thanked him and headed up the spiral staircase hidden behind a shelf.

He bounded up to the landing and knocked on the door. Moments later, a twin came to the door.

"Hello, Ronnykins. What brings you here?" George asked.

"I just felt like visiting, is all," Ron said telling the truth.

"Why?" George asked lifting a suspicious red eyebrow.

"You act as if it's a crime for me to come visit you," Ron said crossing his arms.

"No, that's not a crime," George said.

Fred walked over to the two brothers.

"Aw, Ron, you missed us!" Fred exclaimed.

"It just gets boring at home," Ron said turning pink.

"He missed us, George," Fred said smiling.

"Bugger off. I'm just bored!" Ron bellowed.

"Shouldn't Harry and Gin be back by now? We aren't you bothering them?" George asked.

"I don't know if they're home yet, and if they are…I don't want to interrupt anything," Ron said looking horrified.

"True, so what's wrong?" Fred asked sitting down on an overstuffed recliner.

"Nothing, I've just come for a visit," Ron said following suit.

"Right. You simply cannot lie to us, Ron. We've known you longer than you've known yourself," George said sitting on the arm of Fred's chair.

"It seems I can't like to you two, nor mum," Ron said sounding defeated.

"Because you're a terrible prat at lying," Fred said, "at least to family."

"Thanks. Fine, I came here because frankly I couldn't stand to be alone," Ron conceded.

"So, you came to grace us with your presence?" George asked smirking.

"Yes. You know, you're making my visit sound more and more of a hindrance than a welcoming experience," Ron said.

"No, not at all. Don't be daft. It's just unexpected. I didn't realize we were your life coaches," George said.

"Someone has to be! We couldn't let this poor soul fend for his self!" Fred said appalled.

"Thanks, Fred. You're a git," Ron said crossing his arms.

"So, why don't you want to be alone?" George asked.

Ron told the twins about what happened with Hermione and him several nights ago.

"Well, that's unexpected," Fred said.

"Yeah, but I rather be sure that she wants to be with me 100%. I know I want to be with her. After the night of the wedding where Jordan jumped me really made me see how much I love and need this girl," Ron said quietly.

"Gross. Well, we're glad you know, mate," George said.

"Yeah, at least you prats finally said how you feel! Took you guys long enough," Fred said smiling.

"I know," Ron said with a small laugh.

"Well, all you can do is wait, like you said," George said.

"Yeah, I know and I intend to," Ron said getting up.

"Leaving so soon?" Fred asked.

"I know when I'm getting kicked out," Ron said smiling.

"We never said you had to leave," George said with a shrug.

"I know, but it's getting late. I should see if Harry and Gin are home and bug them," Ron said walking towards the door.

"Well, if they are, send them our hellos," Fred said walking towards the door with Ron.

"I will and thanks," Ron said stopping at the door.

"No problem," George called from his seat.

Ron walked down the spiral stairs and headed towards the Leaky Cauldron so he could head to Godric's Hollow.

Hermione got home and looked at the clock. Harry and Ginny probably aren't back yet. She quickly walked up the stairs to her bedroom. She quickly stripped and headed for her bathroom. She let the extremely hot water run as she started to put different types of bubbles in. She smiled to herself at the end product.

She slipped into the hot bath and closed her eyes. She really hadn't had the time to simply longue in her bath tub and relax. This was heaven on earth to her. She usually thought about her daily stressors, but she didn't want to think about them for once. She just wanted to soak in her bath tub and forget.

After laying in solitude and peace for 45 minutes, Hermione got out of the tub. She wrapped a large towel around herself and let the water out. She walked into her adjacent bedroom and dried off. She quickly put on more comfortable clothes on. She clipped on a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. She didn't bother with putting on more make-up. She simply didn't care. She was super relaxed.

Hermione slowly walked down her steep steps. She headed into the kitchen and started to brew herself a pot of tea. She decided to write Harry and Ginny a quick note to see if they were home. As she was writing the note, she heard a knock on her door. She raised an eyebrow and ceased her activity.

She slowly walked over to the door wondering who it may be. She looked through the peep hole and couldn't really make out the person. Hermione decided to slowly open the door. When she discovered who it was, she almost slammed it back in his face, but he put his show in between the door and the door jam.

Hermione sighed and opened the door.

"Well, hello to you, too," he said.

"What are you doing here?" She asked bitterly.

"I came to collect you!" He said smiling at her.

"I don't like how that sounds," she said tonelessly.

"I'm sorry. I've come to take you to dinner," he tried again.

"Why?" She asked suspiciously.

"Why not?" He asked slowly easing into her house.

Hermione let him in.

"You know, you still haven't answered me," he said.

"I don't know. This is all so…sudden," she said stepping back.

"Element of surprise," he said.

"Yeah, whatever you say," she said.

The kettle on the stove went off and Hermione walked into the kitchen to retrieve it. What the hell is going on?

Ron apparated to the gate and discovered the lights were on in the house. He smiled to himself. He quickly walked up the path and knocked on the door. Moments later, Harry opened the door. The two best mates smiled at each other.

"Ron! I was wondering when you were going to show up," Harry said smiling.

"I didn't want to, er, interrupt anything," Ron said blushing slightly.

"Nonsense, now, get your ruddy ass in here," Harry said letting Ron in.

Ron walked into the familiar white kitchen and saw his kid sister sitting at the table.

"Hello, Ron!" She said getting up to hug her brother.

Ron hugged his little sister back, "how was the honeymoon?"

"It was brilliant. Ireland's gorgeous. You'll have to go some time," she mused.

Harry came to join the two siblings in the kitchen. They all sat at the table. Ginny summoned a cup of tea over to the table for her brother.

"So, what's been going on around here?" Harry asked.

Several emotions played out over Ron's features. He finally answered Harry after a long pause.

"Where should I begin?" Ron asked.

"That doesn't sound good," Ginny said.

"Well, it's good and bad. First off, everyone's fine. Second, Fred and George send their hellos. Thirdly, Hermione and I actually talked."

"And!" Harry and Ginny both said in unison."

"Well, after thinking for a bit, I decided that we both should have a small break from each other. We're on good terms, but after the disaster at the reception, I thought it only right," Ron shrugged.

"What do you mean disaster at the reception?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, you two must not have noticed," Ron said before he barreled on about what had transpired at the wedding.

After Ron finished, Harry and Ginny sat there stunned.

"Wow, but you two are fine now, right?" Harry asked.

"Mhm," Ron nodded.

"That's good, at least. Now, where is she?" Ginny asked.

"No idea. Maybe one of us should write her or something," Ron said.

"That's a good idea," Harry said.

Ron volunteered to see what was keeping Hermione from joining them. He attached the letter to Harry's giant eagle owl. He then came back into the kitchen.

"Now, we wait," he said taking a sip of tea.

Hermione took the pot off of the stove and set it on the counter.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" She called from the kitchen. Even if she didn't really understand why he was here, might as well be polite.

"Sure, I'll take a cup," he answered back.

Hermione poured two cups of green tea and levitated them into the living room. She discovered him sitting on the couch. She gave him his tea and sat down in her favorite chair, across the room.

"So, what brings you here again?" She asked looking into his gray eyes.

"I told you, I would like to take you out to dinner," Draco said taking a sip of tea.

"And why is that exactly?" She asked taking a nervous sip.

"I want to celebrate our friendship, of course."

"I see. And why should I accept? I have another obligation, actually," Hermione said definitely.

"And what is your other obligation?" Draco asked quietly.

"Well, I don't think it's any of your business," she said.

"We're friends now. Friends share things," he said smiling charmingly at her.

"We just back 'friends'!" She said incredulously.

"We may have officially become friends, but we've know each other for years."

"That may be true, but I didn't trust you then and sorry to say, I don't trust you much now."

"I'm sad to hear that. I mean, it's only expected. Now, what's this prior engagement you're talking about?" He asked brushing over their talk.

Hermione sighed, "Harry and Ginny are coming back tonight and I promised I'd see them since I didn't get to see them off."

"Well, how about this…we'll have dinner and I'll have you back early enough that you can still visit them," he said as his gray eyes became alight with excitement.

"Why are you so hell bent on this?"

"C'mon! It'll be…fun," he said.

"You're type of fun and my type of fun is completely different," she said sipping her tea.

"Well, that may not be so true anymore. You promised to give this a go," he said pleading.

"Ugh! I just want to eat my own words. Fine, I'll have bloody dinner with you," she said setting her cup down and going upstairs.

Draco placed his hands behind his head and smiled. Victory.

Moments later, Draco heard an owl's wings flap on the front porch. He opened the door. Certainly she wouldn't mind if I got her mail for her, would she? He took the letter from the owl and it set off. He saw the handwriting on the front of the folded paper. He knew it wasn't a girl's writing. He was so tempted to peek.

Draco knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help himself. He knew it wasn't Potter's handwriting, that's for sure. Despite himself, he opened the tiny note. It read:

Hermione:

Hey, Harry and Gin are home and they want to see you! So, if you're not too busy head over.

Ron

Draco bit his lip. Too bad Ron, she's going to dinner with me. She'll have to see you all later. He walked back into the house and slipped the paper into his pocket. She was going to head over there later, no need to see the note. He sat back down on the couch and waited for Hermione to come downstairs.

A/N: Oh, Draco. You kind of don't change. Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. The chapter could have gotten a bit lemon-y, but the story's not about Harry/Ginny, so I decided against it. I'm going to start on chapter 12 and hopefully have it out by tomorrow or early next week.

Reviews are as wonderful as pure lazy days.