Chapter 15

Finally Hermione was safe in her office. Draco wasn't kidding with what he said. She had tons of absolutely unneeded attention… all positive at least. Because Ron had been an idiot she was at least presented in a much better way than she had originally thought.

She took a deep breath and settled into her chair to start working. At least she had something to keep her busy.

Unfortunately a few minutes later she got a knock at her door.

"Come in," she said.

Someone stepped into her office very quietly and shut the door behind them. Hermione looked up and then glared at her visitor. Her heart started hammering. He looked so different than he had there last few encounters.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in an irritated manner.

"I came to apologize," said Ron, "I really don't know what happened to me."

"Well I don't really care. Leave," said Hermione sternly.

"Can I please explain myself to you?" he asked.

"Ronald, you completely humiliated me in front of the entire Ministry! And before that in front of your entire family! You just left me without even letting me know anything! You're probably drunk anyways so what could you possibly need to tell me?" yelled Hermione angrily.

"I know! I know!" said Ron, "I don't know what came over me! You're right I just started drinking and I don't know."

"Well I don't know isn't a good enough excuse," said Hermione, "Leave, Ron."

"I can't. Hermione, I love you. I messed up and I want to make this up to you," said Ron.

Tears gathered in Hermione's eyes.

"I don't know that you can make it up this time. You know it isn't the first time, right?" asked Hermione.

Ron looked down.

"Yes I know. I'm an idiot and I completely don't deserve you at all, but I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I want to marry you," said Ron.

The door opened in the middle of Ron's apology and proposal. It was Draco. Hermione looked up at him after Ron finished his sentence. He looked absolutely furious.

"What is he doing here?" he asked.

"He just came to talk to me," said Hermione.

"And you're letting him?" asked Draco.

"This doesn't concern you, Malfoy," said Ron getting up in Draco's face.

Hermione jumped up and grabbed Ron, pulling him back.

Draco took this as Hermione defending him, and left. It hurt him to see her back with him again. After everything that he had done for her and told her and she was still going to take him back? There was only so much he could take.

Hermione watched Draco leave. She felt her stomach clench at seeing his face. She knew she had just hurt him. She knew exactly what was going on with him, but she had deliberately chosen to ignore it.

"What are you doing with Malfoy?" asked Ron.

"He's my friend," said Hermione, "He's been there for me when no one else has."

"Malfoy?" asked Ron in confusion.

"Yeah. I know it's pretty surprising. The man who made fun of me for half my life is here for me when the one I've loved has left me completely devastated," said Hermione looking at Ron.

He winced at hearing that.

"Hermione, I'm… " he started.

"I don't want to hear it. Please leave," she said.

"Not until you tell me you'll give me a second chance," he said.

"I don't know. I can't give you that guarantee," she said.

"At least say you'll think about it then," he said taking her hands in his. Hermione pulled her hands away from him immediately.

"Maybe," she said quietly.

Ron gave her a small smile. He kissed her on the cheek and quietly left.

Thanks for the few of you who are sticking with me! I appreciate it! I swear I normally finish my fics pretty quickly, but life just keeps getting in my way! I'm really going to make an effort to be better!