Chapter 22
A week later Hermione still hadn't seen Draco. In fact she hadn't even seen Ginny or Harry which was really weird. She would have thought that at least one of them would have shown up to check on her.
Hermione walked into the ministry just like normal. Except things weren't normal. For some reason people kept looking at her. On her way to the office she stepped into the bathroom. She looked all right… but she still had no idea why people would feel the need to look at her. She hadn't been anywhere so she couldn't be in the papers.
She walked into her office where she was still being stared at.
"Ok will someone please tell me what in the world is going on?" asked Hermione.
Wordlessly she was handed The Daily Prophet. On the front cover was a picture of Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass. The caption simply read "Engaged."
Hermione felt like her heart had stopped. Draco was engaged? How in the world did that happen? Then she realized everyone was watching her reaction.
"Well good for him. Why does everyone need to stare at me because of it? I don't own Draco Malfoy," said Hermione a little too angrily.
"Weren't you two dating?" asked someone in the back corner.
"Never. We are, or were friends is all," said Hermione, "He's completely free to do what he likes. So spread the word so I can get everyone off my back!"
She dropped the paper on the desk not even bothering to read the article and went into her office. She closed the door quickly behind her as she felt tears gathering in her eyes.
"Why am I crying?" she asked herself. She had absolutely no right to cry. Just like she had said to everyone in the office… he wasn't hers and he never was.
She never thought Ginny would have been right though… he really was gone. Then she felt her anger return. Draco owed her some answers.
She put her stuff down and left, walking over to the auror's department.
Everyone was completely shocked when she stormed angrily in. They didn't bother asking where she was going. They simply pointed and let her go in. She found Draco in his office finishing up some paperwork.
"Hermione," greeted Draco without even looking up.
"You're not even going to look at me?" asked Hermione.
Draco looked up with an emotionless face.
"Can I help you with something?" he asked.
"Yeah! You know exactly why I'm here and I think I deserve some answers!" said Hermione.
"You told me not to so I respected your wishes for once," he said turning back to his paperwork.
Hermione felt a stab in her stomach. She did say that.
"Ok… well I want to know now. Astoria Greengrass?" she asked.
"Yeah. What's wrong with Astoria?" he asked her back looking up at her.
"I've never even seen you with Astoria before," said Hermione.
"You didn't have to. I don't need your permission, Hermione. Astoria is a perfectly fine and respectable woman, but if you must know this wasn't a random decision. I've met up with Astoria plenty of times before we talked about getting married. She visits my mother often and I happen to see her a lot. I actually sat down and talked with her and realized we had a lot in common," said Draco.
"No you don't. Astoria hasn't changed at all and I know that. Why, really?" she asked.
"Why do you need to know? Are you jealous?" asked Draco with a smirk.
Hermione resisted the urge to slap him across the face. Instead she just glared at him.
"I just thought we were friends. First I thought I deserved to know and second clearly I just want the best for you and I don't think she's it. We were together almost every day and I'm fairly certain you weren't in a romantic relationship during that time. It's only been a week since we stopped spending so much time together. Why are you doing this?" she asked.
"I want a real stable relationship. Astoria wants the same exact thing. You're right, it might not be the most developed relationship but I'm positive we'll get there," he said.
"So have a relationship! Why are you getting married?" asked Hermione. Her voice was raising.
"Because that's what our parents did and our grandparents. While neither of us believe in all of the pureblood traditions, we didn't see how this tradition of getting married quickly could hurt us. Besides it's really none of your business anyways unless you've suddenly changed your feelings about me," said Draco.
"And if I have?" she asked, testing him.
Draco raised an eyebrow at her.
"I don't know. Have you?" he asked.
"No," she said quickly and then looked away from him.
"Well then it doesn't matter then does it," said Draco.
"I guess not. Good luck then," said Hermione and she left the office.
She went to find Harry. If anyone could talk sense into him, it was Harry now.
"Harry," greeted Hermione as she sat down in front of him.
"Hermione," he greeted back.
"So have you been talking to Draco lately?" she asked.
"Yes. I work with him daily," he said.
"So you know about his engagement?" asked Hermione.
"Of course," said Harry.
"And?" she asked.
"And what?" he asked.
"What are you thoughts on it? Don't you think it's stupid?" asked Hermione.
"No. Draco's a fully grown man. He can do what he wants," said Harry.
Hermione looked at him in disgust.
"What?" asked Harry.
"If I had decided to get married to someone that I had barely known then you would have objections, but you have no objection with him?" asked Hermione.
"Astoria and Draco have known each other for a while now. She's not a stranger and they have a relationship. But who am I to interfere? Besides he seems happy," said Harry, "But you seem to have a problem with it. Why? Are you jealous?"
"Oh not you too…" said Hermione rolling her eyes, "I am NOT jealous! I just think he's making a mistake. He's not going to be truly happy."
"No probably not. You're right. He doesn't love her as much as he loved you," said Harry looking at her.
Hermione just looked at the floor again.
"You know, it's probably not too late to change your mind," said Harry.
"It's definitely too late. But my feelings haven't changed anyways. I'll see you later," said Hermione getting up to leave.