-1Saving Granger

By - Keshia Kay Mansell

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Last Time:

"I think that will be enough for tonight." Draco said thoughtfully as he turned off the recorder. "I will send this off to the Ministry in the morning. Until then, you should get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

Hermione agreed as she bid him 'Good night,' and headed to her room. Once there she plopped down on her soft, oversize bed. Her last thought before closing her eyelids was, 'who would have thought that I could turn Malfoy into such a gentlemen…'

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Chapter 4: Friends Reunited

Present Time:

Hermione woke the next morning feeling comfortable and relaxed. Her eyes slowly adjusted as she began to remember all that had happened the night before. She stretched lazily an rolled out of her soft bed. She hadn't had such a good rest since she had been kicked out of her old flat in Muggle London. She mentally thanked Draco for his excellent hospitality towards her.

Then she slid out of her warm, silver silk pajamas an began to put on some clothes that Dopey had laid out for her. She strolled to the bathroom, looked at the mirror, and smiled. She'd never looked better. She was wearing an expensive looking black dress suite and a pair of heals to match that made her look poise. She used her wand to twist and clip her hair so that it no longer covered her neck. She had to admit, she looked both sharp and intimidating.

With that in mind, she headed downstairs with her head held high. Draco was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.

"There's the Hermione I know and love." he greeted her. Then he took her by the arm and lead her into the kitchen for breakfast. "How was your sleep? Was the room alright?"

"My sleep was amazing!" she said enthusiastically as Dopey served her a healthy helping of biscuits and gravy. "I don't think I've ever slept better and that room is absolutely gorgeous!"

"I'm glad you like it." Draco replied with an amused grin on his face as he watched her eat. He noticed that she ate with proper etiquette this time, but still finished with an abnormal amount of speed.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked pointing at is half empty plate.

"I am eating. You've just finished faster that's all." he chuckled at her when she glared. After they finished Dopey returned and took their plates away."

"Thank you, Dopey." Hermione said kindly.

The young House Elf blushed and replied, "Dopey doesn't deserve such kindness. Bless you, Miss Granger." Then he bowed to both she and his master before disappearing with a Crack!

"It's almost time for our meeting at the Ministry." Draco commented as he looked at his watch. "Are you nervous?"

"Yes, I am a little." she admitted as she sipped her tea. "I'm worried about who will be there. I just hope he isn't there when we go."

"I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Today, we are only going to meet with a Ministry Official and an Auror. The actual case probably wont happen for another couple of weeks." he informed her.

"Are the people we're meeting with good at what they do?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I assure you that they are the best at what they do." Draco said with a knowing look. "We should be going now or we'll end up late."

"Alright, let's go." Hermione agreed as she followed Draco to the nearest fire place.

"You should go first." Draco said, handing her some floo powder. "Go to Ministry of Magic, Meeting Room Twelve."

"Thanks." she said as she threw the powder into the fire place, causing it to hiss with green flames. "Ministry of Magic, Meeting Room Twelve." she repeated clearly before jumping in.

When she appeared on the other side, she was immediately engulfed with hugs. She hadn't even had time to properly register what was going on.

"Oh, Hermione! I thought you were gone." one sobbed happily. The other couldn't even speak, he was so happy to see her.

"Harry, It's alright. I'm here now." she soothed as she continued to hug him through tears. Then she said, "Neville, you're here too? It's so good to see both of you again!"

"I told you I hired the best." Draco smirked as he exited the fireplace. "I never settle for anything less."

"Draco, you arranged for them to be here? Oh, thank you! You've been so kind!" she beamed as she gave him a hug too. Neville and Harry looked at her oddly but shrugged it off, they were just so happy that she was alive.

After everyone had calmed down and sat at the conference table, Harry asked, "Hermione where on Earth have you been? I had the whole Aurors Department searching for you murderer. Then Neville called me saying that Malfoy sent an owl saying he had found you. What's going on, here?"

"I believe that I can answer that, Potter. If you listen to this little recording, both you and Longbottom should be fully aware of everything that has gone on in the past three years." So without further adieu, Draco pulled out the recorder and pressed play.

A whole two hours later, the mood in the room had drastically changed. Neville looked terrified, Harry was cross between horrified and deadly angry, Draco looked disgusted, and Hermione looked like she was going to be sick. Everyone looked at Harry and knew that he would explode at any minute.

"THAT SICK SON OF A BITCH! HOW DARE HE FUCKING DO THAT!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs. He was beyond angry, he was ready to kill one Ronald Weasley.

"H-Harry, calm down." Neville pleaded. He didn't like it when Harry was like this.

"No I will not calm down, damnit! Did you not just hear what Ron did!?" Harry fumed.

"Potter, this is not the time to get your knickers in a twist. Besides your upsetting Hermione." He warned as he patted a now crying Hermione on the back. He didn't like it when she suffered like this, she had done it enough through the years.

Harry's expression clamed and he put an arm around Hermione's shoulder. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. I shouldn't have lost my temper, but I feel so betrayed by him at the moment." he tried to explain. She merely nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder in response.

"Well, Hermione," Neville spoke up, "I will talk with the other departments and get a court date set up immediately. Until then, I think it's best that you stay with Malfoy for awhile, that way we know that your at a safe place. Malfoy Manor is, after all, one of the most well protected places in all of Europe. Harry, Draco, I ask that each of you keep silent about Hermione. The Last thing we need is a leak in the Media. That could cause Ron to run. Hermione, if you do happen to go anywhere, make sure you use some type of concealment charm. With that said, unless anyone has anything they'd like to add," they all shook their heads 'no,' "this meeting is adjourned."

Everyone crowded by the fireplace to see Hermione out. "I promise that I'll do anything in my power to make sure Ron gets every punishment he deserves." Harry assured her with passion in his emerald eyes. Hermione smiled sadly at him an kissed he and Neville both on the cheek before disappearing behind Malfoy via floo.

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A/N: In this Harry is the Auror and Neville is the Ministry Official. In the next chapter Hermione and Draco will have sometime to relax a little as they anxiously await the court dates.