Chapter Thirteen

Compromise

Some people would call Hermione foolish. Others would say she was righteous. She didn't like either term, but found none other better suited than foolish. Her log was screaming that what she's was doing was right and that's what she listened to more often than not. She prided herself on her common sense.

It all evaded her the moment she sat in a chair outside of Mr. Shacklebolt's office waiting to be called in. The longer she sat there the more guilty she became. It wasn't as if she'd ask Draco to uproot his life, he worked too hard for what he earned. He lived his life while she avoided hers.

Theo was right (oh how she hated to admit that), it wasn't fair. When was the last time he'd been right? She feared to remember such, and so she didn't, but the day she was properly introduced to him was clear.

Theodore Nott, a rabbit-like man with large teeth stood across from them in his grand lounge. When she said grand, she meant it, everything was huge, the fireplace double to two, two chandeliers across the wide space of the room that was more of four rooms with their walls torn down.

"Theo, mate, this is Hermione," Draco exclaimed proudly with his arm around her waist.

Theo examined her from a distance. It made her uncomfortable to be stared at like a prize, but that wasn't what he was looking at her like, not a prize, but something Draco picked up off the street, and that made her unease become a bit angry.

"So this is the mud – Muggle. How adorable."

"Theo," Draco said warningly.

"I said I'd behave myself, wouldn't I, Draco? I am." He smirked at her, then barked a laugh that sent a jump through her. "See the look on her face, Draco? I thought she was going to curse me."

Instantly she was confused. He was acting like a madman, and so was Draco she concluded as he joined in.

Theo opened his arms and embraced her tightly. "I'm just kidding, Hermione! Don't worry, we left that life behind! Wow, you are beautiful."

Draco dragged her back by her shoulder, to his side once more. "Watch it."

"Don't worry, I am."

Hermione giggled despite herself, and Draco glowered.

Hermione couldn't do this to them. It truly wasn't fair.

The moment she stood to leave, the door opened. "Ah! Ms. Granger! Please, come in." Mr. Shacklebolt's face was so brightened by her she couldn't say no.

For the Minister of Magic she expected a large, lavish office. Perhaps that was the case with past Ministers but as big as he was he seemed content in the mid-sized room, just large enough for a desk, bookcase, and two chairs.

He lowered himself behind his desk waving for her to take a seat. "You look apprehensive," he assessed.

"I..." She went to bite her lip but reminded herself that there was nothing to worry about. She'd known him for years, he was in the Order of the Phoenix, he was a good - understanding man. "I think I've changed my mind about the offer, sir. I really appreciate it - I know I asked for it, but... Something has come up and I simply can't go traveling around the world. I'm terribly sorry for wasting your time."

He smiled widely. "Hermione, it's quite all right. I understand. I'm just glad that you are here. There are other positions available. That was only the highest paying one."

She moved to the edge of her seat anxiously ."Ones that would keep me here? Right here in London?"

"I would never steer you wrong."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Mr. Shacklebolt," she said happily, standing to shake his hand. "I really do appreciate this."

"You were the best lawyer we've ever had. The pleasure of having you back is all ours. How does being a special relations lawyer sound? You're the best association with the famous."

She thought of Harry and all the questions and probing people that came with being friends with him. She handled it well. Better than Ron...

"Ron, will you give it a rest? It's not Harry's fault you know!"

Ron slammed his books on the table, his head as red as his hair. "You're the one who needs proof for every -"

"Harry's our friend! He didn't put this name into the Goblet of Fire. You know that as well as I do."

"I'm going to bed," he said pushing himself from the scarlet sofa across from her.

"He's our friend," she reiterated.

he didn't so much as pause on his way up to the boy's dormitory, but he did respond low and muffled. "I know that, Hermione. He's my best mate."

She grinned triumphantly. They would be okay. She wouldn't have to wait long until they were all together again."

If only she knew then that though they were together soon after that night two days before the first task she would have just a mere six more years with them.

"I'm sorry," Mr. Shacklebolt said sincerely surveying the expression on her face.

She shook her head as if it would shake the memory out. "No, I am."

"They were good men."

"Yes, they were."

"The greatest Auror's out there."

"Thank you for the job, sir."

"Anything for you, Ms. Granger."

She turned to the door.

"If I may be inquisitive to ask what keeps you here?"

"Of course." She bowed her face to let her hair fall in a curtain over her blush. "it's time that I returned to my family."

"Indeed it is."

Exulted she left to the flat. It was empty when she got there. the interview ran later than she anticipated, and she dressed quickly. The emerald gown swept the floor, her hair pinned up in its curls by a flowery clip. She dabbed on blush and a thin shimmering coat of lipstick, and like the Muggle she was raised to be she took a cab to the hotel.

The gold lights twined themselves up the pillars outside and inside they were hung from the ceiling. At first glance they appeared to be fairies, but she knew better. The hotel was a Muggle establishment.

To the room left of the grand lobby there was an even more expansive room of deep blue and light green. More lights, thick beige carpet aside from the large wooden square meant for dancing by the complicated-looking stereo system being run by a man in a black suit.

There was another man in a black suit, his blond hair and pale complexion striking against it, talking with another tall man. A small girl beside him beamed at her tugging on her father's sleeve for his attention. Their eyes met, and they walked towards one another.

Hermione tried to read him. He seemed to be...Happy, but there was a solemn air about him. She couldn't figure out why, but she didn't bother as he took her hand kissing her knuckles. It brought back the night of the celebration where they had their first real beginning and just like that night his breath hot on her skin staggered her.

Draco spun her to the dance floor. He held her close as the beat of the song rocked their rib cages, the melody signing in their veins. Normally she would be able to forget nearly everything when they were in such close proximity to each other, but this time she couldn't take her attention off his sadness. His hopeless acceptance of something.

"Congratulations," he said softly only loud enough for her to hear.

"How do you know I got the job?"

He smirked. "You're Hermione Granger."

"I knew you'd be okay with this. I knew Theo was overreaction."

He frowned. "Yeah..."

"What's wrong, Draco?"

"This is not the time or place to discuss it."

"Maybe not, but I don't want to spend the rest of our evening wondering what has you so upset!"

His fingertips brushed her cheek. "I love you, Hermione. you and Joanne are my world. Without you two..."

"Tell me what's wrong. Don't you want me to have a job?"

"That's not what... I'm not having this conversation."

"I should go then."

"No," he stated quickly. "Stay, Joanne wants you here."

"Do you want me here?"

"Does that matter?"

"Of course it does!" She had to work to keep her voice low. "You're not making any sense."

"I don't think what I want matters."

"What do you want?!"

"Not here," he insisted a third time, and left her on the dance floor alone.

Joanne looked worriedly at her as her father brought her on his feet to dance. Hermione tried smiling to soothe her, but it was strained and forced and couldn't possibly bring comfort to a seven-year-old who saw more than what was best for her.

Without thought she started towards the bar, but she stopped to lean against the wall. She observed other people squashing down the desire for any alcohol. She watched people dance, slow and sweet, and an old-style elegance from another century. She felt worse than a wall-flower, but what was the criteria for one? Did they watch the one they love dance with their would-be daughter? Were they happy or sad?

She caught Draco's gaze a couple of times before she finally slipped out to go home. She was hurt, her old wound stretching.

Would anything every be okay again? She uselessly wondered that the whole time on the way home. The driver said nothing about her tears. She paid him, and went up to her flat. Their flat. Draco's flat. She didn't know anymore.

Then it all became clear. The suitcases beside the door... It clicked, and she laughed. She laughed, and she gasped, and she dried her tears.

Draco was the one who was foolish.

Hermione put away her belongings, stacked the suitcases in the bedroom closet, she dressed in her night gown, and waited for Draco on the bed. With her wand she was rearranging the books on the shelves in order of publication date. She smiled to herself as she heard noises outside of the door.

"Daddy, five minutes!"

"Joanne, you're tired, I can see that. Go to bed, now."

"But -"

"You do as I say, now!"

"But what about mum? I haven't said goodnight to her!"

"She's asleep I'm sure."

"Why didn't she say goodbye?"

"She was feeling ill. She didn't look well, did she?"

"No... I suppose not."

"Now, to bed. Go on, scoot."

Hermione moved to the third shelf, the books flying out and in. She was working on the eighth and last shelf when Draco came in.

He stared at her for a moment in surprise, then began to undo his black tie. "I had them in perfect order."

"Of preference! I'm living here too, Draco, so I think in the spirit of compromise we should order them by publication date."

He sighed throwing his tie to the corner of the room. "The jig is up, Hermione. I know that you're going to Malaysia."

She chuckled still finding the misunderstanding funny. "You're not that bright."

"Excuse me?"

She propped herself on her knees facing him. It was time to stop playing with him. "I'm not going to Malaysia. I'm staying here. There's a position opened - "

"What are you talking about?" He seemed genuinely confused. "I saw the letter, and Theo said -"

"I talked to Mr. Shacklebolt we made a compromise, like the one I'm trying to make with you right now about our bookcase."

He went to the bed kneeling on it in front of her. The bed sunk down but she kept herself balanced. "Why are you staying here?"

"Do you really not know that answer?"

"I want to hear it from you."

She held on to his shoulders resting her forehead against his. "I love you and Joanne. I finally have my family, Draco. I'm not giving that up. We've been on edge since I've been here. I was never completely sure if this life was right for me, but I am now. This is what I want, maybe not what I deserve, but I do want you and Joanne."

He kissed her lips. "You have no idea how happy that makes me."

"Tomorrow I'm going to see the Weasley's. I'm going to make things right with everyone."

He grasped her hip bringing her closer. "I love you."

"I love you too."

To her surprise he brought out a wand hidden in his back pocket under his shirt. He grinned smugly at her confused gaze. "I missed it... You're not the only one who should be allowed to do magic around here." He flicked it at the bookcase, and the books re-ordered themselves, this time in sections of genre. "How's that," he asked.

"Perfect," she declared not taking her eyes off of him.

A/N: Cheesy ending to the chapter I know, I but I love cheesiness.

I included two memories in here, because I found that I hadn't had one about Theo, and he deserved some recognition.