Author's Note: Okay, I know it has been two years since I've updated this, and I'm sorry it's been so long, but I've been travelling and working so just didn't have the time. (Sorry!) Anyway, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, so I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 11 – Skeeter
RON WEASLEY: FROM WAR HERO TO CHEATING DISASTER
Ron Weasley, also known as Harry Potter's side-kick in the battle of Hogwarts, has been revealed as a cheater, exclusively by The Daily Prophet. It is reported that Weasley destroyed his respectable relationship with the female member of the Golden Trio, Miss Hermione Granger, by cheating with an unnamed woman. Rumour has it that Mr Weasley has been having numerous affairs for a prolonged period of time. It is to be noted, however, that Miss Granger has not been affected by his cheating, and is already moving on with her love life. Some think that she has known about his deception for quite some time, and some sources suggest that she has found romance elsewhere already.
My reputable sources are suggesting that Hermione Granger has very recently started dating ex-Death Eater and one of Britain's most eligible bachelors, Draco Malfoy. Could this shocking romance be true? Considering their not-so-friendly past, is it really possible that these two enemies have found love? Eye-witnesses report that Miss Granger was spotted with Lady Narcissa Malfoy and former Slytherin Pansy Parkinson on a shopping trip in Diagon Alley and later on in the evening at hot-spot destination The Bluebell. So it is obvious that Hermione Granger is not down in the dumps over this broken relationship, which is refreshing after Mr Weasley's obvious recent downfall, with his shabby appearance and shameful actions. If it is true that Miss Granger is with Mr Malfoy, it is safe to say that she has upgraded on the man department.
Read more tomorrow for updates and owl in your thoughts on whether Ron Weasley really has hit rock-bottom. Reported to you by Rita Skeeter.
It was a quiet morning in the Burrow; it was still early so no one was awake yet, apart from one. Ginny awoke to her wand setting off an alarm, having to get up to go to Quidditch practice. She begrudgingly strode down the stairs to make herself breakfast. On arrival at the kitchen, she let in The Daily Prophet owl that was delivering their daily newspaper. She took the paper off the owl, not bothering to give it a treat, and threw it on the table. She finished making her cup of tea, and sat down at the table, finally starting to wake up. She pulled the paper towards her, thinking she might as well see what's happening in wizarding Britain at the moment, and stopped short at the headline on the front page. Her mouth hung open, her tea forgotten, and she read the rest of the story detailing her brother's behaviour. She soon finished reading the story, threw the paper back down and let out a cry of outrage, waking up the rest of the Burrow's residents. All that could be heard was the sound of multiple Weasley's running downstairs to see what was upsetting their youngest, and Ginny Weasley's shouts of "I'm going to kill that Hermione Granger!"
It had been two days since their night-time encounter where she'd all but thrown herself at Malfoy as an emotional wreck and agreed to marry him in order to get back at Ron Weasley. And to build a school. With Malfoy's money. She began to walk downstairs to get breakfast when she heard laughter from the kitchen. Curious, she walked in to see Malfoy and Blaise laughing over the newspaper. Seeing Hermione, Malfoy beckoned her over. "Here, you've got to see this!" He said, handing her today's edition of The Daily Prophet.
Hermione quickly read the contents of the news article, and then burst out laughing. "He's going to throw a fit when he sees this!"
"You've got to admit, it's bloody brilliant." Blaise said, smirking.
"The Weasley's are going to hate me." Hermione replied, faltering.
"Well maybe if the Weasley wasn't being such a git they wouldn't have a problem with you, it's his fault." Draco reasoned. He had a point.
"True. Maybe it will teach him to not let his fame go to his head."
"That's the spirit!" Blaise said cheerfully.
Changing the subject, Hermione looked at Draco. "I think I'm going to start planning the school today, and resign from the ministry."
"Really? That's great! Do you need anything to get started?" He asked.
"I think I'm just going to plan a few things out first, and then I will need to look at locations at some point, and then work from there." She smiled, happy that she was actually able to do this.
"If you're looking for a good location, there's a big plot of land that's just gone up for sale on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. I mean, obviously with that it'll mean you'll have to build the whole school from scratch but it's a good location?" Blaise suggested.
"Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked. "That would be perfect, I need to see it! I will find out when I can see it. This would happen a lot quicker than anticipated but that doesn't matter, right? There's so much to do. I don't know what to do first."
"Woah, okay, slow down." Draco started. "One step at a time. Do what you were originally planning to do today and we'll go and see the plot tomorrow, stop panicking!"
"Okay" Hermione said, letting out a breath. "Good plan."
"Anyway, I better get going, I suppose I do have a job to get to unlike this git who can turn up to work whenever he fancies!" Blaise said, getting up to leave.
"The perks of having your own business!" Draco replied, smugly.
"Bye Granger, Bye Draco" He said, leaving the room.
"Bye Blaise!" Hermione replied cheerfully. She then went about making her breakfast, before turning to Draco. "So, how long do you think it will be until one of the Weasley's verbally assaults me?"
He smirked into the paper at her question. "I'd give it a day and a half, and I'm betting on the she-Weasley."
"One galleon on two days." Hermione said.
"You're on." Draco laughed, holding his hand out for her to shake.
Hermione was walking through the ministry's atrium when the first camera flashed. Suddenly she was hounded by reporters, all of them trying to shove their microphones in her general direction, shouting questions at her.
"Is it true Ron Weasley is broke?"
"Did Ron Weasley cheat with Lavender Brown?"
"Are you really dating Draco Malfoy?"
"Did you hex Ron Weasley and send him to Egypt naked via portkey?"
"Is Lucius Malfoy banning Draco from the family fortune for being with you?"
The one problem of being one of the golden trio was the constant reporting of her life, but she did do this to herself with personally reporting this story to Rita Skeeter. Not the Egypt one, obviously. That was ludicrous.
"No comment." She replied, shielding her eyes from the flashes of the cameras as she tried to make her way to the floo's so she could escape them and get home. She'd been to the ministry to hand in her notice for leaving, her head of department had understood clearly, knowing that working there was not what she had wanted to do for the rest of her life. It had gone much easier than expected, and Hermione was elated until she'd gone into the entrance of the ministry to be accosted by reporters. Thank Merlin she was home.
She was looking forward to a quiet night, not having to deal with any press or reporters.
The next morning, Hermione and Draco found themselves walking through Hogsmeade with a rep from the magical real estate company in Diagon Alley to see the plot of land Blaise had been talking about. When they arrived at the site, Hermione knew it was the one. The plot was massive. It was more than enough room for a school, and she could even fit a playground like from a muggle school.
She turned to Draco, "this is the one, I know we've only just got here but it's perfect."
He smiled warmly at her. "Yeah it is, definitely." He turned to the real estate man. "We'll take it, can we just buy it now?"
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked him, grabbing his arm urgently before he spent that much money on her.
"Yes, I'm sure. You said so yourself that this is the one." Then he grinned. "There's even room for a small Quidditch pitch!"
She laughed at his obsession, "Of course that's what you're thinking about, who cares about the education?" She said lightheartedly.
"Yes, we'll take it." He said to the man.
"Okay, I'd just like you both to sign these papers, then I'll magically bind the property to both of you, so only you can control what happens to it." He said, slightly nervously because of the two people he was talking to.
After signing they'd signed the papers, the two walked into the village to go to the apparation point.
"I can't believe that this is where I'll have my school." Hermione said, in awe.
"Well you better start believing because you've got a lot of planning to do." He laughed.
"Yeah but-"
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the bullshitter Hermione Granger and her new boyfriend who spread rumours about my brother." A voice from behind them said. The pair turned to see Ginny walking towards them from the little village.
Draco sighed. "Don't you have anything better to do than follow us and throw insults?"
"I have every right to say these things to you." Ginny spat.
"Why are you even here? Are you following us or something? Do I really need to get Law Enforcement involved?" Draco said.
"You wouldn't dare. Like they'd believe a Death Eater anyway."
"I'm quite sure they would, actually." Hermione defended. "Surely you've got other things to be doing? Run along now."
Draco and Hermione continued walking to the apparation point, ignoring the girl as she shouted after them. "You'll get what's coming to you!"
A/N: Please review, fav, etc. I hope you liked it and if you have any suggestions about where you want this story to go, go ahead! x