Chapter 5 – Karma's a Bitch
The first thing the trio, and Ginny, Lav, and Draco, did was speak to Neville and Luna. Once the situation was explained to them, both displayed the fierce loyalty both had for their friends and swore to help in any way possible. Neville owled his Gran, Luna her father, Draco spoke to his mother, Ron smirked as he sent off Pig to Molly, and Harry for one of the first times used his name to contact the Ministry, specifically the Arours. All were going to get as much outrage as possible about Rita… using Hermione's carefully collected evidence of her illegal animagus form. Hermione carefully organized everyone, making copies, helping write the letters. With the loud and influential members of the Wizarding World contacted, it was sure to be the downfall of Rita and her lies. It would be in the Quibbler via Luna's father, Molly would likely send a Howler to the Daily Prophet, Neville's Gran would raise a stink about it, the Longbottom's were quite influential and she was the matriarch of it. The Malfoys even after their fall had many connections and the Arours Harry spoke to would investigate the manner.
This was just step one of the plan though. Draco and Hermione would be doing an interview for the Quibbler, coming clean about their relationship. It was time for it to happen and Draco was fine was that, Hermione was much more important than his family's tarnished reputation. He would still build it back up his own way, and make sure everyone knew he wasn't just relying on Hermione to do it. He had a secret too, one only Harry, Ron, and Neville would know before hand and he would reveal to them in a few days. Satisfied with their plans late that night, all went to bed with smirks of glee and waited for Rita's fall.
It seemed that they had good reason to be so happy two mornings later, as the Prophet now was dominated with news of Rita's scandal. From Molly's Howler exploding in her office, to news of her arrest by Arours for her illegal animagus form, and of course Neville's gran had written a stern letter that was found by one of her coworkers who gleefully put it in the paper. No one knew what the Malfoys had done but they had no doubt that they had done something. Also floating around was the Quibbler with Hermione and Draco's interview that they had conducted via Floo the day before and one from the Malfoys declaring their approval of the match as Hermione was a beautiful, intelligent young witch who was also very kind for forgiving their son for the crimes he was forced to do.
All of the couples stuck together as much as possible to show a unified front and Ron, Harry, and Neville were seen joking with a relaxed looking Draco with smiles and laughs that were real, nothing forced. Hermione and Draco were seen glued at the hips, as if after admitting their relationship to the public they couldn't stay apart any longer and glowing happiness radiated off of both.
Draco made a point to show that he wasn't relying for Hermione for anything though when faced with a few students who yelled at him for being a death eater by facing them alone and explaining in a cool voice that his parents ad he would have all been killed if he had refused and if he had known any way to avoid it and survive, he would have taken it and Harry backed him up by explaining how Draco had paused when offered another choice by Dumbledore.
While all this was happening Draco had told the Gryffindor boys what he was keeping secret, his plans to ask Hermione to marry him after they all graduated. With grins the three congratulated him and assured him that they had no doubt Hermione would accept.
Everything was looking up. The four couples were all happy and content as could be, Rita was arrested and soon convicted for her crimes, and peace still reigned the Wizarding World after the end of the war. Almost all death eaters were caught or dead, and the only ones still about were minor, as all the big ones were killed or taken prisoner after the Battle of Hogwarts. Internships were being offered to the students of Hogwarts. Harry was helping and learning with Madame Pompery and Ron helped the temporary DADA teacher. Ginny was training hard and positions on Quiddich teams being offered to her and Neville was helping Professor Sprout as she planned to retire in the next few years. Lavender wasn't entirely sure yet what she wanted to do, and Luna, Draco, and Hermione were all studying into their dream careers. Now all they had to do was graduate and get their dream jobs.