"How's It Going To Be"
Later that Night
_12 GRIMMAULD_
"Are you ready yet," Harry sat on the bed while Ginny was in the bathroom doing god knows what. They were already running late for Padma and Aidan's engagement party at "Bewitched". He didn't like to wait and he wasn't looking forward to this because he knew the press would be there. Why they had to close down a restaurant and make a huge spectacle about this is beyond me. Ginny opened the door to the bathroom she stepped out wearing a short strapless black dress it was simple but it had Harry thinking, I will deal with any amount of spectacle to see her dressed like that!
"Let's go," she said with a smile and grabbing her evening bag.
"You know Mrs. Potter if you get anymore new clothes you're going to need a bigger closet," Harry said following her down the hall
"Which is why I turned one of the spare bedrooms into a walk in and from the look on your face when you saw me in this dress I would think that you would have no complaints," she looked over her shoulder and smile mischievously before she opened the front door. She giggled as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulled her in close and turned on his heal disapparating them to Diagon Alley.
"Harry are you ever going to let me go or are we going to walk all the way to the restaurant like this," Ginny asked as they walked up the street, she was still wrapped in his arms.
"Why? With all the attention you bring to the relationship I would think a little more wouldn't bother you," Harry said sarcastically.
Ginny pulled out of his arms and turned to look at him, "You have got to be joking," she said crossing her arm over her chest, "have you forgotten your name Harry Potter, the boy who lived!"
Ginny turned and continued her walk down the street with Harry on her heels apologizing the whole way. When they got to the block where Bewitched was located the reporters were outside snapping away.
"HARRY! GINERVA! QUICK PHOTO PLEASE!"
"WHY THE SECRET WEDDING?"
Harry followed Ginny into the restaurant. While she smiled and waved politely he covered his face. When inside the restaurant Ginny fled and Harry was left alone so he went to join Seamus, Neville and Dean who were talking nearby on his way over he made sure to grab a drink. Just as he reached them he heard Dean say…
"Ron's not coming"
"Why isn't Ron coming," asked Harry confused
"He's got this ridiculous idea that Hermione and Malfoy are dating…" Dean trailed off as his eyes widen at the sight of something behind Harry.
"What?" Harry said turning around. When he saw Hermione and Malfoy had just come in holding hands he dropped his glass and rushed over.
He wrenched Hermione's hand from Malfoy's, "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing Potter!" sneered Malfoy getting in Harry's face. Draco's face was bruised and his left eye black.
"Don't talk to me!" He hissed and turned his attention back to Hermione," how can you possibly be dating him!"
"Because I want to," Hermione answered yanking her hand away and grabbing Draco's again, "not that I have to explain myself to you!"
"IT'S MALFOY! How could you do this to us?" He shouted and turned his attention to Malfoy, "You bloody fucking bastard," he said drawing his wand and pointing it between Draco's eyes.
People started to look at the scene unfolding and the reporters outside were pushing each other out of the way to try and get a better shot through the window. Ginny made her way through the crowd and she pushed Harry's wand out of Draco's face and stood between the two. "Have you completely lost your mind?"
"Hermione's dating this scum," he said glaring at Malfoy over Ginny's head.
Ginny turned to Hermione, "really?" she asked surprised
"Yes, now if you will excuse us were going to congratulate Padma," Hermione said pulling Draco and stepping around Harry.
"Fine but I have some unfinished business with this low life bastard!" Harry grabbed Draco's arm to pull him back.
"Don't you ever put you fucking hands on me Potter!" Draco sneered violently pulling out of Harry's grasp.
"What are you going to do about it," Harry said getting in Malfoy's face and pushing him.
"You don't want to know," he pushed Harry back.
Harry stepped back up and pushed Draco and instead of him pushing back he punched Harry in the jaw. Aidan and Seamus quickly grabbed Draco as he lunged for Harry again. Once he was in their grasp Harry was going to take a swing but felt someone grab him. Neville and Dean had grabbed him were holding him back.
"I'm so sorry I ruined your evening," said a teary eyed Hermione to Padma
"No, you didn't," She said sincerely, "Harry did," she said sternly hitting him in the chest.
"We're just going to go," Hermione pried Draco from Aidan and Seamus' grasp and headed for the door. Once outside the door they were flooded with questions about the fight and the flashing lights were so bright Hermione hid her face in Draco's arm. He pulled her in closely to him and disapparated them out of Diagon Alley to the roof of his flat.
"I really hate Potter," Draco said angrily as he let go of Hermione and began to pace around the roof.
"I don't quite like him myself right now," she said in a whisper pulling her hair back, "but you still shouldn't have hit him," she said loud enough for him to hear.
"Precious Potter needs some since knocked into him, maybe he'll realize the sun doesn't rise and set on his ass! He really just…"
"Makes your blood boil," Hermione finished, "I know, he doesn't think the sun rises and sets on him and besides punching him…"
"Didn't solve a thing, yeah, yeah, yeah but it felt so bloody good," Draco stopped walking and stared at Hermione, "I suppose now that Potter and Weasley know and are going to fight this until the very end…" He trailed off.
"You think I'm going to break up with you"
"Well yes you pretty much count on Ron and Harry for survival and their lack of approval…."
"Will hopefully come with time," Hermione walked up to him so she was right in his face. She gazed into his gray eyes, "Draco Malfoy if you think I'm going to let those two idiots get in the way of our relationship you're not the arrogant man I fell for."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer to him, the small gap that was between them had been filled and he could feel her heart racing against him, "You forgot charming and extremely handsome," she playfully hit him, "but you're the same person who would do anything for those two without thinking about yourself… I have my doubts."
Hermione tilted her head back so she could see his face better, "I believe it's about time I start thinking about myself," she gently stroked his cheek with her hand, before resting it on the back of his neck, "I feel like I'm entering new territory with you, I've never had anything like what I have with you and I'm not ready to give it up."
Draco leaned in to kiss her and just as their lips brushed they heard banging. Draco reluctantly pulled away from Hermione and climbed down the fire escape and through his bedroom window. He crossed his room over to his bedroom door as he placed his hand on the knob the banging stopped and was replaced with voices.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SHE'S DATING MALFOY?" Harry shouted irritated entering the flat when Ron opened the door.
"I tried but you thought I was paranoid!" Retorted Ron
"How could she do this to us… and with Malfoy of all people?" Harry said throwing himself onto the couch.
"Us? I'm the one whose loved her since we were eleven," pointed out Ron, "she had the nerve to go on about how much she cares for him," Ron snorted, "she's a horrible liar but this time it was pretty convincing she must be planning to hurt him."
"She was convincing?" Asked Harry surprised, "I don't think she would plan anything against him without telling us."
"Then he must be brainwashing her… that Slytherin git!" Hissed Ron
Draco removed his ear from the door and looked over his shoulder. Hermione was standing by the window listening to the conversation taking place in the other room. Draco had expected there to be tears in her eyes at the sound of her best friends doubting her. But to his surprise she looked pissed.
"I don't want to listen to anymore of this," she said walking up to him and giving him a quick kiss on the lips, "I'll see you later," she climbed out the window and disapparated.
Draco was getting ready to go hex the hell out of Weasley and Potter for making Hermione feel that way, he opened the door slightly and heard banging once again and decided to see who it was before he made his presence known.
"Hermione!" Ron said surprised when he opened the door, "I don't think the Slytherin prince is here," he said rudely.
"That's alright I came to speak with you," she said pushing past him, "we need to get a few things straight."
"Why? I think you've already made yourself perfectly clear," said Harry getting to his feet.
"I don't think I have because you two seem to be under the impression that this is some plot against you," she said sternly.
"Well you are dating our arch enemy," Ron pointed out angrily, standing next to Harry.
"May I remind you whose living with him," She said seriously.
"She's got a point," Harry whispered to Ron.
"He makes me happy. Yes, I know it's weird and it surprised me too. I would think that my best friends would look past their childish feuding and rivalry and just let me have this," she said pleadingly.
"She really is convincing," Harry whispered to Ron again.
"But he's Malfoy! He has been torturing us for years! And he takes great pride in calling you derogatory names!" Ron pointed out heatedly as Harry nodded in agreement.
"People change! Why won't you just let me be happy?"
"So you don't plan on breaking up with him," asked Ron looking at the floor.
"No," she said simply.
He looked up at her, "Fine. We can't be friends anymore." Harry looked at Ron alarmed.
"I think what Ron is trying to say is…" Harry said stunned by his friend's declaration.
"No! I mean what I said. I would appreciate it if you didn't come to see the bastard while I'm around," He turned and headed back to his room.
Harry just kept staring where Ron had just been standing stunned. Yes her being with Malfoy is upsetting but no longer friends, that just ridiculous! Hermione sank down onto the couch and silent tears began to flow down her cheeks.
After Draco heard Ron's last statement he felt the need to give him a good kick in the ass! He hated him yes, but Hermione didn't and he had hurt her. He knew that she was probably crying at that moment and all he wanted to do was hold her and make her feel better. So with that thought he left his room…
Harry was sitting on the couch next to Hermione trying to calm her down. He looked up and saw Malfoy enter the room. He felt his fury building up again and really wanted to get up and finish Ron's work on his face. Harry had expected him to make some kind of rude comment at that moment but he didn't. He didn't even look in his direction he was staring at Hermione and his eyes didn't look evil, they appeared caring. Why does that look seem so familiar?
It took Harry a moment to realize that Hermione had left his side and ran straight into Draco's arms. That fury started to build up again and he figured now was as good a time as any to leave before he did something he regretted.
Draco held onto Hermione tightly as if he were to loosen his grip she would slip away forever. She cried silently into his chest as he whispered in her ear that everything would be okay and he would always be there for her no matter what.
_12 GRIMMAULD_
Harry dragged his feet up the stairs to his bedroom the house was completely dark. When he reached the floor with his room, the darkness was disturbed by light coming from a door that was opened slightly. He pushed the door open and looked inside, Ginny was in her new closet, wearing her nightgown and hanging her dress.
She didn't even turn around to face Harry when she said, "done playing superhero yet?"
"I wasn't playing superhero," he said defensively.
"Then what do you call it was when you swoop in and try and save someone? Someone who clearly didn't need to be saved for that matter," she said pointedly
"She's dating Malfoy! I had to make sure that he wasn't using her or something," he explained.
"You could have just asked her instead of picking a fight with him in the middle of a restaurant!"
"But its Malfoy and he just makes…"
"All the fury and rage you can muster want to come out, but Hermione and his relationship is none of your business! If you have a problem you should have just spoke with her about it," she said turning out the light and leaving the room.
Harry followed her down the hall to their bedroom, "why are you so calm about her being with Malfoy?"
"Because it's none of my business, I may not think he's the best choice for a boyfriend but it's her choice. She never butted in on my relationships so I plan to give her the same courtesy," she said brushing her hair.
"Well, you never dated anyone as awful as Malfoy," Harry said changing into his pajamas.
"You obviously weren't that close to Michael Corner," she said under her breath
"What was that?"
"Nothing, I just don't think you should pry, if you don't want to lose Hermione as a friend."
"Ron already declared his friendship with Hermione over," Harry said plopping down on the bed.
"That prick," Ginny rolled her eyes, "He maybe my brother but he certainly knows how to overreact. It's a good thing he didn't show up tonight or you all probably would have been carted off by the Law Enforcement squad!"
"Well at least then we could have completed the damage that Ron had already started on his face," he stated mostly to himself.
"Ron did that," Ginny stated somewhat surprise, "I didn't think he had it in him… but I suppose he can do anything when it comes to Hermione."
"I still wish I just got in one good swing," Harry complained, lying on his back.
"Yes because ruining Padma's engagement party further would have been an excellent idea," she said sarcastically sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I'm sorry about that but Malfoy had it coming. It will give those reporters that like to follow you around something interesting to report," spat Harry.
Ginny quickly rose from the bed and just looked over at Harry astonished. "I understand that you don't like people prying into your life. I know it's not some great life being that Weasley girl not of status to date you. But it comes with the territory. I put up with it to be with you I would have hoped you'd do the same."
"I put up with a lot of things!" He said jumping up and standing on the opposite side of the bed from her, "I say absolutely nothing when I walk past Gladrags and there's a half naked picture of my wife in the window! Or the photos in Quidditch Daily of you playing Quidditch in a swimsuit! Who the bloody fucking hell plays Quidditch in a swim suit?"
"Excuse me for being successful," she rolled her eyes.
"I don't count being desired by thousands of men successful I call it being a slut!"
"The only slutty thing I ever did was sleep with you before marriage and I so wish I hadn't!" Harry ducked as she threw a glass vase at his head and it smashed against the wall.
"Was I really your first time Ginny? Because I recall some pretty hot and heavy action between you and Dean," he chuckled evilly.
"Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but it was quite clear it was your first time," she smirked.
"It's a good thing I broke you and Dean up before you could have something to compare it to," he sneered ducking again as Ginny threw some other glass object at his head.
"How dare you! I liked him!" She protested
"Better than me?"
"Right now yes!"
"Dean didn't touch you inappropriately on the way through the portrait hole. It was I under my invisibility cloak."
"EXPULSO!" Ginny shouted, Harry hit the ground as the chair behind him exploded.
"You have really bad aim," he said getting up and dusting the chair particles from himself.
"I was aiming for the chair," she glared on her way to the door, "I just wanted you to know I can hit my target," she said before slamming the door behind her.
Harry's eyes widen, Shit I pissed off a Weasley!
Potter Sighting
Happy Christmas to Me!
Last night, Bewitched restaurant was shut down to host the engagement party of Aidan Lynch, seeker for the Kenmare Krestals! It was a star-studded affair with the entire Quidditch world there! Seeker of the Holyhead Harpies, Ginevra Weasley and her husband Harry Potter made an odd entrance. Ginevra smiled politely to all of us reporters as she entered the building and a couple minutes later Harry entered covering his face. Also in attendance was heir Draco Malfoy with his frizzy haired girlfriend, what's her name that use to dated Potter and Krum at the same time! When did they start dating and why? She is clearly a gold digging trollup!
The Christmas gift came when Potter and Malfoy started a brawl in the middle of the restaurant! We have yet to find out what caused the outburst but it is no secret that Malfoy and Potter have never gotten along! Perhaps the girl with bushy hair has something to do with it? Do I hear jealousy and should Mrs. Potter be worried?
"The Skeeter Report"
"How's It Going To Be" Third Eye Blind
PLEASE REVIEW! The feedback is greatly appreciated.
