Harry had been at the office all day, and was just packing up to leave when a large gust of wind blew into the room as the door was flung open. It had been a long day, and he was not in the mood to deal with another delusional wizard who swore they had been attacked by Death Eaters. It irritated him that they wasted his time like that, when they were obviously just looking for a spot on the cover of the Prophet.

Without looking up, he snapped,

"What now?"

Then a familiar, smooth and very irked voice answered.

"Well, Potter, look there. It's just like we're in 5th year again."

Startled, Harry looked up and caught sight of Draco's tall figure in the doorway of his office.

"Oh, sorry, mate, it's been a long day. Come in." Draco moved into the room, looking very out of place in the small office with it's mismatched furniture. He perched awkwardly on the edge of the chair in front of Harry's desk. Harry intertwined his fingers and rested his chin on them, gazing over at the blong man questioningly.

"Is there anything I can do for you, or is this visit purely social?" At this question, he saw the thunderclouds roll over Draco's face and was suddenly sort of apprehensive.

"Actually, yes, Potter, there is. I need to report a crime." As he said this, his face progressively darkened, and he was looking positively daunting at the end. Harry got out a clipboard, presumably to take down the official report.

"Alright," he said in a professional voice,"what happened?" Clearing his voice, Draco began his tale.

"It was last night, around 9 o'clock when it happened. We were at the hospital to support Ginny, and Hermione and I got seperated. She was wandering around the hospital halls looking for me. She found herself in an alley after a while, because our veela bond connects us on a mental level. She came upon me being attacked by some men, with crucios and such. Trying to help me, she attacked the ringleader, by jumping on his back. They struggled, and she fell, and her wrist was broken. I was incapacitated, and when I woke up, he had stunned her and was," Here he gulped and struggled to control himself. He let out a shuddering breath, then continued,"touching her. I got up, and managed to stun the other men, then attacked him. He fell unconcious and I unstunned Hermione. I picked her up and carried her back into the building. I believe they were ex-death eaters."

Harry was gobsmacked. His poor, sweet, innocent friend was almost molested. He was absolutely shocked and angered. Pulling himself together, he wrote what Draco had said. Then he began to fill in the blanks himself.

"Now, do you have any idea who these men might have been?"

"Yes, Hermione was certain the one who attacked her was Mulciber. I am unsure of the others. But I do know that when I went back out in the alley to get them, so authorities could arrest them, they were gone."

"And how long was the time span between you and Hermione leaving and your going back?"

"Hmm, I would say about 15 minutes."

"Did you see any other people around the scene of the crime before or after you got out of the alley? Maybe in the hallway?"

Draco thought for a second, then shook his head.

"No, I didn't. Sorry."

"That's fine. Okay, that's all I need, if you don't have anything to add."

"Well, can I give a personal opinion?"

"Sure, that could be very helpful."

"I believe the attack was meant for me, and Hermione just walked in at the wrong time. She wasn't meant to get involved."

Harry scribbled furiously on his pad, then sighed.

"Okay, Malfoy, thank you for reporting this. I hope Mione is okay. Tell her to come see me and Gin when she feels better."

"No problem. Now I have to go, i don't really like leaving her alone at the house after something like this."

"Understandable. Just a word of advice though? I've known Hermione Granger for over ten years, and one thing I know about her is that she is tough. And she doesn't like being smothered or being taken care of. So she may appriciate your concern for the first few days, but after that, she is going to get very frustrated with you. So I wouldn't overdo it is all."

Draco sighed, and nodded.

"I know, Potter, I do. Thanks for the advice though. I appreciate it."

"Good luck, Malfoy. I'll be seeing you two."

"Alright, mate, see you whenever."

With this, Draco got up, and swept from the room. Harry was dumbfounded by this encounter, and utterly shocked about the crime against Hermione, but he shrugged it off. He took his mind off it, and left his office, happy to be done for the day.

Draco was anxious to get home to Hermione. This attack seemed to have messed with his veela, because he was much more on edge about his mate than usual. Once he was out of the Ministry, he apparated back to the apartment. When he walked into front hall, he was greeted by a shriek. Jumping, he was immediately on his top guard. Looking around wildly, he saw nothing, then realized that the sound had come from Hermione. She was sitting on the couch reading a book, but was looking fearfully at the door. He realized that she couldn't see him, as there was a wall blocking her view, but he could see her.

"Hermione, it's me."

She relaxed and he went into the room. Smiling sheepishly, she looked at him.

"Sorry, I didn't know who it was. It worried me for an instant."

"All good, love."

He walked into the other room and sat down next to her. She snuggled into his side, then sighed dramatically. He turned his head and peered down at her, questioningly. She looked up to meet his eye, then spoke.

"Draco, I'm sorry to say it, but I'm bored. I've been sitting here all day wrapped in a blanket on the couch, staring into the fire. I can feel my brain turning to mush every passing second."

Draco looked troubled. While his veela liked, or more like loved, to have Hermione near him, he detested the thought of her unhappy. Adopting a look of great thought, he was silent for a few minutes. Then his face lit up.

"You could get your job back! Then you would have something to do during the day."

She smiled, excited as he was.

"I was hoping and praying you would say that. I have been wanting to ask if you would mind for a while, but was hesitant."

"Of course I don't mind! You are an independent woman, and shouldn't feel like you have to get my permission for anything. I respect your ability to make good choices, and trust you completely."

Hermione almost swooned. Everyday, he revealed these small gems of good character that just enamored her to him more. His small speech appealed to her feminist side in particular, and in her love struck haze, she leaned up and pressed a happy kiss to his mouth. He and his veela were more than happy to oblige, and after a few minutes, he swooped her up in his arms and moved that party else where. Specifically the bedroom. He gently laid her down on the bed and began kissing her jawline and neck. However, as he began to move lower, she put her hands to his chest and pushed him lightly. A little shocked, he looked up at her like a lost puppy, and she could see the faint hurt in his eyes.

"Oh, Draco, I'm sorry. But it would mean alot to me if we refrained from that until after marriage. I realize we already did, but I'm a bit traditional in that sense. It was necessary before to secure the bond before, I realize."

Draco looked a little shocked still, but nodded in assent. He really was a perfect gentleman.

"I understand, love. I respect your decision, and will play by your rules. I wouldn't want to upset the missus, now would I?"

The familiar twinkle was back in his eye, and he was teasing her. She smiled up at him and hugged him tightly. He returned the embrace and sighed with happiness. They fell asleep like that, bodies all tangled together like the roots of two ancient trees slowly becoming one.