Chapter 13

Hermione took a deep breath and opened the newspaper to see the headline screaming at her; "The golden girl develops a taste for bad boys, her new conquest; Draco Malfoy" by Reeta Skeeter

It seems that the war heroine, Hermione Granger is bored of dating the good guys and has developed a taste for the risky bad boys and the man who has caught her interest is none other than the most eligible bachelor and redeemed Deatheater; Draco Malfoy.

Malfoy comes from a family famous to be involved in the Dark arts and for being involved with YOU KNOW WHO. During the war he changed sides and turned spy against The one who must not be named, thou Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger's ex lover, has doubts regarding this fact.

Ronald Weasley was seen punching Draco Malfoy in the Department of Law Enforcement, where Miss Granger happens to work and so the love triangle was out in the light. Ronald Weasley seemed devastated by the breakup while The Golden Girl seems to have forgotten her past love and has moved in with her new man. Yes Hermione Granger is now living with her current boyfriend Draco Malfoy who has recently returned from France after 3 years. There are speculations that they both have been secretly dating even when Miss Granger was in a relationship with Ron Weasley.

There have been no comments on the matter by any of the parties involved but it may be safe to say that the Golden Trio is broken with the broken relationship of Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. The return of THE BOY WHO LIVED is eagerly awaited as he stays unaware of his best friend's treachery. In the coming time we'll see that this new relation that stands on the ground of a broken heart of Ronald Weasley will survive or not.

There was a picture of the Golden Trio smiling at the camera along with one where Hermione and Ron stood hand in hand and below it was a picture of Ron hitting Draco on the eye. Hermione couldn't believe that this was happening to her and screamed," I am going to kill that bitch". She had expected Reeta Skeeter to write some nonsense but this was outrageous. Not only it made Hermione look like the bad guy but it also insinuated that she had been cheating on Ron with Draco.

She stormed to Draco's room, opened the door with a bang and screeched," Look what the bitch has written."

Draco awoke with a start and looked around the room as if looking for some danger, but the only thing dangerous in the room was Hermione Granger's flared temper. She thrusted the paper towards a bewildered Draco and said," Read it."

Draco read the article and with each word he became wide awake, this was their biggest nightmare, it was worse than what they had assumed.

Hermione sat on the edge of the bed, all energy drained from her body and mumbled," All my friends and weasleys must have read the paper, What will they think of me. I have clearly been portrayed as the bad person and I don't know how I am going to justify this to them; they are going to hate me."

Draco scooted next to Hermione and said," We'll get through this Hermione, you don't have to do it alone, I am here with you. We both can go and talk to your friends and explain what happened."

Hermione looked him in the eye and said," How did you become so nice Draco, it's like you are a new person. Thank you so much for being there, I don't know what I would have done without you".

She hugged him tight and he patted her uncomfortably. He was just wearing his boxers and Hermione felt warm against his chest, he tried not to feel anything but the tent in his boxers showed that he was unsuccessful. He entangled himself from her arms and started fussing with the pillow and said," What can I say, I am an angel."

Hermione laughed and replied," You are so full of Yourself. How do you fit that massive ego in your head. Now get a shower, I am making breakfast today; it's going to be a long day."

After half an hour both sat across each other eating their breakfast while glancing at each other every now and then. Finally Draco asked," Are you scared about going to work?"

Hermione chewed her bite and answered," Not exactly; I am more concerned about how I will control myself from hexing people. I haven't done anything wrong and I will not tolerate people judging me. Are you coming to the ministry today?"

Draco replied, "Yes I have to get some documents from your department; I couldn't get them yesterday because apparently you are the person who has them."

Hermione looked confused then suddenly she remembered, " You own 'The Cursor', the company who is collaborating with the ministry to produce Muggle appliances that work in the magical world?"

Draco smiled," Yes I am the owner of 'the Cursor'. To tell you the truth, you are the inspiration behind this company. You juggled your muggle and magical life together but there was always a gap in between, I aim at closing that gap. Magical folks need to experience the advanced technology developed by muggles; they are fascinating. It's already popular in France but now we are setting up a new branch in London."

Hermione gaped at him and said," Wow! I think I am in love. This is amazing; I could never use my iPod anywhere in the Magical world before. I hope I get a discount."

Draco ignored the fact that his heart fluttered on hearing the 'L' word from Hermione's mouth and said," I'll take you to the production sight someday then you can choose whatever you want. Now let's go to the ministry and face the world."

Hermione groaned but followed Draco as he flooed to the ministry.

The atrium was crowded as everyone was coming to work, all around people were walking towards the lifts with The Daily Prophet clutched in their hands. Hermione took a look at Draco who looked calm, took a deep breath and together they started moving towards the lifts. People openly stared as both moved side by side with their heads held high, soon everyone was whispering and some were even pointing.

Draco and Hermione looked straight and entered the lift; no one else entered except Susan Bones who was Hermione's colleague as well as good friend. As the lift started to move Susan turned to Hermione and asked, " Hermione why didn't you tell me anything; I thought we were friends. Imagine my shock when I open the newspaper and read that you have broken up with Ron and Moved in with Draco Malfoy of all people."

Draco coughed at that which made Susan turn towards him and said," No offence Malfoy, I know you are not evil anymore but Hermione moving in with you is some serious shock."

Hermione sighed and said, "I just want to say that whatever you have read is trash, it's true that I have broken up with Ron but it's not like Skeeter has described. Trust me on this and come to our apartment at around 5, bring Padma and Tracey along; it's better that I tell everyone together."

The lift opened and all three entered the Department of Law enforcement. Susan looked at both Hermione and Draco and said, " I am very interested in this story now as it somehow involves Draco Malfoy; Malfoy you made quite an entrance. I'll see you later Hermione" and she walked away to her office.

Hermione and Draco walked down the other corridor towards her boss's office. The secretary had been reading the newspaper but as soon as she saw Hermione and Draco she stuffed the newspaper in her bag and said," Hermione how are you? You have never been off work for so long, we were worried."

Hermione glanced at the stuffed newspaper and replied," I am sure you were. I have to see Mr. Ross, is he free."

The secretary looked embarrassed at being caught reading the controversial article and stuttered," Umm… Yes he is free to see you."

Hermione turned to Draco and said," You wait in my office, I'll go and talk to my boss first. It's 4 doors from here."

Hermione knocked on her boss's door and a voice called," Come in."

Hermione entered the office to see Mr. Ross going through a pile of files; he looked up and took a sigh of relief," Thank god you are back Hermione; this office is a mess without you. Where were you? I was so worried."

Hermione grimaced," Didn't you read the newspaper?"

Mr. Ross waved his hand in dismissal and said," Oh I read that crap but who in their right mind would believe Reeta Skeeter."

Hermione's voice choked with emotion and she replied," Thank you sir, you have no idea what it means to me that you have faith in me. It's true that I broke up with Ron but that has nothing to do with Draco. I needed some time after the breakup; I am sorry for the inconvenience I caused."

Mr. Ross sighed," Hermione you are like a daughter to me; I have full faith in you. Other people might think that you are wrong but I know that you could never do something like that."

Hermione thanked Mr. Ross and headed towards her office. On entering the room she found Draco sitting in her seat looking at the framed photograph of Ron and her. She liked to decorate her office with personal things like Photographs and gifts; one wall was filled with photos of her friend while several gifts occupied various corners of the room.

Hermione sighed, "I need to get all his photos out of this office or I'll never get any work done. I need to go down to the Auror department to check if Harry has contacted them. What are you doing later?"

Draco stood from Hermione's chair and sat on the edge of the table next to her and replied," I need to send the document to my office then I am all yours."

Hermione smiled," You are all mine? Good; If you could run down to Luna's restaurant and grab something to eat for my friends. Its best that I tell all my friends together; I will visit the Weasley's tomorrow, they'll need some explanation."

Hermione took out the documents from her drawer and handed it to Draco when they heard someone shouting "Where is she?"

The room opened with a bang and there stood an angry looking Ron Weasley who stared at the both of them standing close and shouted," What is he doing here?" and then charged towards Draco to deliver another punch.

Before Draco could punch the red head, Hermione had blasted him out of his office. Everyone in the department were out of their offices to see the commotion and were now looking at a bewildered Ron Weasley. Ron was lying on the floor, thou ha had no injuries but the spell had knocked him out a bit.

Hermione strode towards the lying form of Ron and said in a deadly cold voice," Don't you dare try that again Ronald; the last time Draco stopped me from hexing you but this time even he won't be able to save you. You don't dictate my life anymore and it will be better for you if you kept your distance from me and Draco."

Ron stood up with some efforts and then faced the fuming Hermione granger and said," So he is Draco now huh; you are mine hermione and that will never change. He is just your rebound, someone to get your mind off me. Deep in your heart you know that you love me and he can never change that."

Hermione felt like screaming at Ron for being so arrogant but then she thought of something better; she moved towards a confused Draco, put an arm around his waist, snuggled and said," Oh Ron, he has already changed that; you see, I am in love with him."

A/n: love to hear from u so please Read and review…

I have posted a one shot named 'Anything can happen at weddings'. Check it out

Love

Ash