"Ms. Granger, it has come to my attention that you are associating yourself with a war criminal. Draco Malfoy. Is this correct?"

Hermione granger swallowed hard. How had the minister found out?

"Yes," she said, her voice flat.

"Why? What are you attempting to prove Ms. Granger?"

"I'm not trying to prove anything sir." Her voice was beginning to take on an uneasy edge.

"Then why would you, a war hero, out of all people chose to take on the company of a death eater. Your foe?"

Hermione Granger bit down on her tongue, suppressing a heated retort.

"Sir, I don't understand the meaning of this."

The burly gentlemen folded his hands, resting them on the oversized desk.

"Neither do I Ms. Granger. I am just trying to understand the situation. But I will not hide my enmity towards the boy. He along with his entire family have reduced the wizarding name to nothing more than cheap spells and black magic. And THAT is something I do not take kindly to. Not in my congregation."

He then removed a handkerchief from within his vest, matting the sweat from his forehead.

"Sir, that is a lie. He was not involved in the war. He has done no harm to anybody."

Rage bubbled from within her. If it weren't for her job at the department for the regulation and control of magical creatures, she would have given him a tight smack across the face. She clenched her fists at her sides tightly, her knuckles turning deathly white. The man smiled, the gap between his teeth prevalent; it suddenly made her feel uneasy. He reminded her of a shady businessman.

"You have become affectionate with the boy." It was more of a statement than an actual question. "Is that why you defend him?"

"That is none of your bloody business!"

The rage was taking over and her job was no longer a priority. Defending Draco was. She couldn't just passively allow this git to label him like he had countless others; sending them off to Azkaban without so much as a blink of an eye.

"Oh, but it is Ms. Granger. You work under the ministry, and as a former member of the order, everything you do is my business. I won't allow you to destroy the image we have worked so hard to preserve. The famous Hermione granger cannot marry the despicable Draco Malfoy. It's not the way the story goes."

"And what the fuck are you getting at?" She arose from her chair in newfound passion.

The minister was unfazed, instead plucking a small ornament from his desk. He spun the tiny globe around on his palm.

"I suggest you have a seat Ms. Granger. His life depends on it."

Her eyebrows furrowed as they often did when she was thinking hard. She slowly lowered herself into the leather chair.

"Ms. Granger you will cease to continue your association with the boy."

"Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and can't do? How dare you treat me as a child. I am a grown woman and you have no right. You don't own my life." She spat.

It felt as if venom was coursing through her veins. Prepared to poison anyone that got too close.

"No, but I do own his."

Hermione Granger fought to contain the angry tears that threatened to spill, horrified at the implications.

"You can't do that."

"Who is there to question me? Will you accuse me of injustice Ms. Granger? Who would believe you?"

"You yourself just said that I am the famous Hermione Granger, a former member of the order. I'll find a way."

The man looked completely amused.

"If you so much as breath our exchanges to a third party, I will make sure your lover never sees the light of day again. And that's a promise."

"You disgusting excuse for a wizard. You're nothing but a greedy bastard, preserving something only if you have adequate funds to do so. You would sell your own soul if there were a price on it."

The man's face turned a deathly shade of red, as if he were choking. She hoped he was. The pain had caused her body to numb, unable to feel anything.

Perhaps because she no longer wanted to.

...

"Who is he?"

"Who are you talking about?" she carefully removed her necklace in the vanity mirror, as he unzipped her dress.

"The man that you loved so much that it hurt?"

She seeked his eyes in the reflection. She saw anger. Sadness.

"It doesn't matter. Lets not bring up the past," she said with a weak smile.

"I can smell him on you. And don't lie to me Hermione. Not this time. You owe me that much."

He was right, she did owe him the truth. How long did she think she could keep this buried?

"Draco."

Ron hissed with the realization. Had she done this just to break him more than she already had?

"I love him so bad that it feels like my heart is breaking, Ron."

She turned to face the ginger. His own eyes were downcast, soaking up the information.

"I can't stop thinking about him. I've tried but he's imprinted in my fucking brain. In my soul. Her voice cracked with the incoming tears. They broke past the barrier, rolling down her cheeks. She wrapped her fingers around his hand, bringing it up to her cheek, encouraging him to look up.

"Look into my eyes and tell me I'm lying."

After the death of his brother, Ron had learned not to take things like love for granted. He had learned to cope with heartache no matter the intensity. But most importantly, he had learned to let go. He was not a violent man, nor was he irrational. He knew that love could not be forced, and that one does not chose who they fall in love with.

"Why'd you marry me Hermione?" He removed his hand from her cheek, kissing the palm.

"I needed to forget."

He couldn't hold it against her though. After the war, they did everthing they could to forget. He couldn't hate her either. Because best friends aren't supposed to hate eachother. It felt as if his heart were going to burst at the seems. Ron felt like a fool for not having realized it sooner. If he did, perhaps he would have his own chance at a happy ending. Or maybe it was too late for him. He gently kissed her on the forehead.

"Go to him."

"Ron..."

"I'll be fine, I actually have someone that I'd like to look up." He smiled that same cheeky grin that he had in their childhood, and she knew he was going to be okay. But he knew that it would take time.

Hey guys, there will be another part to this chapter. And yes, this time it really is the last. Thanks for reading!

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been able to update the last part to this chapter. I accidently erased the entire chapter and am now trying to salvage what I can from memory. It'll be great, I'm just going to need another day. In the mean time, read my latest story, When the Swans Come. I'm sure it'll resonate with alot of you, if you enjoy tearjerkers. Thanks once again! Much love.