A/N: Finally! I am back with the updates. I've been working on the next three chapters simultaneously, which is why it's taken a little while. Quick recap: Lucius & Narcissa have had their trials, and Hermione has finally been reunited with her 'fiancé'. The story will be moving along a little bit quicker now (we're currently in the beginning of July), we will be making it to Hogwarts in a few chapters more, where the real Dramione can begin.
Thank you to everyone who has read so far, and thank you for sticking with me, I hope you all enjoy the next few chapters
xBx
~ Chapter 7: Moving Forward ~
Draco apparated into his bedroom, after witnessing his father's sentencing: Lucius had been handed a sentence of a minimum of ten years in Azkaban, however, he would be given a reprieve if his information pertaining to the whereabouts of the remaining notorious Death Eaters, still on the loose, proved factual and useful. However, should his information prove to be a set-up of some sort, intending to lead the Aurors into potential life threatening situation, he could kiss goodbye to his freedom for life.
If, on the other hand, Lucius proved himself a friend to the Ministry, and helped round up the last of the Death Eaters, he would be out when the last one was behind bars – that could be in ten years, or it could be in five. Draco would just have to wait and see.
As Draco removed his tie and flung it over his bedpost, he noticed an envelope resting at the foot of the bed, picking it up he recognised the writing as that of Pansy Parkinson. Without bothering to open it, he tossed it into his fire and summoned one of his house elves. Seconds later, one of the elves belonging to the house appeared.
"You called for me, Master Malfoy." The elf stated. "We didn't know you had already returned from the Ministry."
"I just got home." Draco explained, "Blaise will be joining me for lunch, if it's not too much trouble. Sorry for the short notice," Draco added - he had noticed at Hogwarts that the elves were happy to do things for Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, and spoke rather highly of them. After seeing Hermione in the kitchens, and the way she spoke politely to them, though they were technically servants and beneath her, he wondered if this was the key to better service. Since his return to the manor, he had changed his tac of dealing with the elves, and to his surprise his theory was proven true.
"Not at all, sir. Would you like to eat in the dining room?" The elf asked, "Tinker and Mitzi can have it ready in moments."
"Oh, no. Don't go to any trouble. The usual in the drawing room will be more than fine." Draco assured the elf.
"Very good. Is there anything else I can do for Master?"
"No, … That's all, thank you."
The elf bowed and disappeared presumably back to the kitchen. Draco hung up his suit, and changed into something more comfortable before making his way down to the drawing room, where Blaise was already waiting for him.
"So that's it." Blaise said, as Draco entered, "All over. What do you do now?" He asked.
"Is that asked in rhetoric? Or are you genuinely wanting to know my plans for the future?" Draco asked dryly, as he took a seat.
Blaise shrugged, "A bit of both, I guess." He answered.
"Well, I believe this place is about to get a makeover – my Aunt Andromeda will be moving in, to keep an eye on my mother, when she's released. And then in September I return to Hogwarts, and try to change my social image." Draco outlined. "Other than that, I have no long term plans."
"So you answered your letter then?" Blaise asked,
"A while ago. Right after I spoke to you about it." Draco told him, then asked "What about you, what did you decide?"
"I'm not letting you go back without me," Blaise grinned, "I wasted most of my time last year, didn't learn a damn thing – didn't think I needed to. But now, I'm going to need my NEWTs, and I didn't learn enough last year to be able to do the summer school option. Plus," He added with a grin, "I'm not ready to give up Quidditch just yet."
Draco laughed, and shook his head, "Well enjoy it. I don't think I'll be going back on the team this year." He mused.
Blaise frowned, and Draco continued, "To be honest, seeking was never really my thing. I was probably more suited as a chaser. And don't get me wrong, I love the game, I like playing it." Draco shrugged, "I might see if I can opt in for a reserve," he said half-heartedly, "And train a few times. But this year, I really think I should just keep my head down, and keep out of people's way." He admitted.
Blaise grinned, and gave him a knowing look, "Yeah. Okay. Let's see how long that plan lasts."
###
As July progressed, Hermione continued in a comfortable summer routine: Her days were mostly spent with Teddy, often at the Burrow with Ginny, though sometimes with Andromeda at her own home, helping her with ideas for sprucing up Malfoy Manor. On the first occasion, Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm: Hermione had apparated outside the garden gate around mid morning a couple of weeks into June, and proceeded up the garden path. Andromeda was anticipating her arrival and the front door was left open, Hermione made her way inside.
"Andie? You home?" She called out.
"In the living room, Hermione, come on through." Came Andromeda's voice.
Hermione made her way to the voice, and saw Andromeda sat on her floor surrounded by colour wheels and fabric swatches, Hermione laughed at the sight – particularly the sight of Teddy clutching one of the swatches, which was a vibrant blue, within seconds of Hermione's entrance Teddy's hair emulated the colour he held in his hand.
"I thought you were intending to simply spruce up the Manor, not renovate the entire place." Hermione said as she made her way into the room.
Andromeda looked up with a guilty smile, "I know, but I couldn't resist. I've been over the house, and the place is fantastic – well it could be with the right touches. Sit down, I'd love your input."
Hermione took a deep breath, and sat down, "Alright, I'm not exactly thrilled about thinking about that place, but like you I'm a sucker when it comes to interior design." Hermione admitted.
Andromeda grinned, and pushed some papers toward Hermione, on which she had made notes concerning the principle rooms of the house. "I'm only focusing on the main rooms for now: our bedrooms, the nursery, dining room, sitting room, library - the most commonly used rooms. Currently they're all very 'Slytherin' – not that there's anything wrong with that" Andromeda added, in defence of her own House, "But there is only so much dark wood and emerald green a person can take."
Hermione laughed, as she looked through the pages, "True." She agreed, "I think green is good for the library, though, so I would definitely keep it in there." she commented, pulling out the corresponding sheet and tapping her wand to the colour patches on the page, ever so slightly. "I'm assuming it's rather large, and these colours always go well as a backdrop to a vast amount of books," she said, magically changing the colours. "Cushions and curtains are the key. And rugs," she added, "Make those lighter, and the room will lift."
"Perfect," Andromeda commended, her smile widening, and the pair whiled away the morning making lavish changes, and bouncing back ideas, all the while teddy played with the mountain of fabric samples, his hair constantly changing colour depending on what he was holding.
"Thank you, for doing this with me Hermione." Andromeda commented one afternoon, a couple of weeks later, after Hermione had spent the day with her – what had started as a one off thing the other week, had turned into a regular occurrence, Hermione keeping up with the progress of the house.
"I know it hasn't been easy for you," Andromeda continued, as the pair relaxed with a cup of tea, teddy napping in his bassinet, "Being so involved in this, over a house I know you don't really want to think about."
Hermione breathed deeply, and smiled, "It's strange, I thought it would be harder – but all these rooms we're talking about, I've never seen any of them, so I'm quite detached from them really. I just try not to thing about the place as a whole I guess. I can think of the rooms comfortably enough, as long as I avoid thinking too much about what happened in one of them."
Hermione unconsciously glanced at the scar on her left arm, now exposed since she had pushed up the sleeves of her shirt.
Andromeda, noticing this, commented quietly, "Is that where you got that scar?" she asked, "At the manor?"
Hermione looked up and nodded, "Yes," she answered quietly.
"Who-? If you don't mind me asking?" Andromeda asked politely.
Hermione bit her lip, "erm," could she really tell Andromeda that this was her sister's work?
Andromeda smiled knowingly, "You can say, it was Bella wasn't it?"
Hermione chuckled at her apparent transparency, "Yes, it was." She admitted.
"I'm very sorry. This must be especially difficult for you then. I'm well aware of how alike I look to Bellatrix." Andromeda commented sadly.
Hermione cocked her head to one side, and answered thoughtfully, "To a degree, yes. Your features are remarkably alike, almost identical. Yet you have a kindness, a true kindness, to you, which Bellatrix lacked. And that renders your appearance completely different." Hermione acknowledged, truthfully.
Andromeda laughed, and Hermione frowned in confusion, "What's so funny?" she asked,
Andromeda shook her head, still chuckling, "What you just said. Draco said the same thing, almost the same words in fact, to me the other day." She explained.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh in surprise, "Imagine that, Draco Malfoy and I actually agreeing on something, who would have thought."
Hermione began to spend more of her time at Grimmauld Place, now that her parents were settled back into their daily routine, Hermione could come and go as she pleased and now that she was able to apparate freely, it made splitting her time that much easier. She began to have dinner with Harry and Ron more often, often spending the night – though sometimes she was unable to avoided staying at her parents home as Richard had become as frequent a visitor as he ever used to be.
On the first occasion Hermione managed to extricate herself from her parents, to spend the night at Grimmauld Place, it was the second week in July, a few days after Hermione's first morning at Andromeda's house, and Hermione had a lot catch up on. The trials were well under way, and the Malfoys had proved to be a valuable asset to the Wizengamot.
"I have to say, Old Lucius surprised me." Ron commented between mouthfuls. Hermione raised her eyebrows and sniggered,
" 'Old Lucius'?" she repeated, "Isn't that a little over-familiar, to be calling the man that?"
Harry rolled his eyes, and shook his head, while Ron shrugged. "Either way, he surprised me. I didn't believe him 100% when he said he would help, but he's stuck to his word."
Hermione looked between them, "Wait, he said he would help? Willingly? You guys need to fill me in more – was this before or after he got given his sentence?" she asked.
"Before," Harry answered, before Ron could spray them all with mash potato.
"His trial lasted the entire day, so his verdict wasn't retuned until the next morning. Between that time he wrote down every name he could remember of all those who served in the regime, he noted who had been branded with the mark, he made a note of who he believed to be imperioused." Harry explained. "Since then, we've been over the list with him a few times, asking more questions, and he's been really compliant – even civil."
"Really?" Hermione asked incredulously.
Harry nodded, "I know, it surprised me too. But he has been a real help: there are a lot of names on that list that we haven't found yet, some are believed dead, but there are a lot who he believes are well hidden, he's given us a number of likely locations."
"You're not worried about being set up?" Hermione asked tentatively.
This time Ron spoke up, "Naturally, we are. It was the first thing I said. But we're still going to have to check these places out, get a few teams together, see what we can unearth."
Harry nodded, "It's the only lead we have to go on, and I genuinely think Lucius has given us creditable information, I mean what inducement does he have to do otherwise? If he leads us false and puts us in danger, he'll be in Azkaban a lot longer than the ten years he's been initially given."
"And if he's told you the truth and his information results in catching the remaining Death Eaters?" Hermione asked.
"His sentence will likely be cut in half, at the very least." Harry answered, he spotted Hermione's look of incredulous disbelief and continued, "There are a lot of names on that list Hermione, a lot of high profile names – people who were high in the Ministry and who were in Voldemort's inner circle. If we can bring them all in, we've hit the jackpot. Lucius didn't fight in the final battle, he abandoned Voldemort's cause before his downfall, and was preparing to flee. Everyone knows he's helping the Ministry round up the Death Eater's, he now has a lot of enemies." Harry explained.
Hermione laughed and shook her head, "Who would have thought, the Malfoys are really trying to become truly respectable in society." Then moving away from the Malfoys, but sticking to the topic, she asked,
"So these searches: whose going to be in charge? Who's hunting? And when?" She had a feeling she already knew the answers to each question, but wanted clarification all the same.
"Well, we're putting together five teams of four." Harry explained, with a knowing smile at Hermione: he heard in her voice that she already knew the answer.
"I'll be heading one the teams," Harry continued, "and three of the most senior Aurors that are left will be heading the others. Trent is staying behind, he's not keen to go out into the field, which is why I'm having a team myself."
Hermione smiled sadly at her best friends. "You're going without me." She stated sadly. "That's going to be so strange."
Ron smiled at her, "Don't worry, we won't be ready to go until September anyway, so you'll be at Hogwarts."
If this was meant to make Hermione feel better, it didn't, it only made her realise that she would be going to Hogwarts without them, "God, I'll be at Hogwarts without you!"
Harry and Ron both laughed, "You're only just realising this now?" Ron asked.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh, "No, I mean, I always knew, when I accepted that you wouldn't be coming with me. But it's just sort of hit me – it's going to be very strange."
Ron then stretched and stood up, "I said I'd call in on mum, I don't fancy going outside to apparate so I'll floo it from here if that's alright?" He said to Harry, who nodded,
"No worries, mate. See you in a few," He responded, without taking his eyes from Hermione.
Hermione laughed, "Only you, Ronald, could be so lazy to not take ten steps to apparate."
Ron grinned sheepishly as he retrieved the pot of the kitchen mantle, tossing a handful into the flames, he declared: "The Burrow" and disappeared with a 'whoosh' leaving Harry and Hermione alone.
"How's things with your parents?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded slowly, "They're alright. They've adjusted brilliantly, settled back as if nothing ever happened." She explained.
"That's a good thing isn't it?" Harry asked, watching Hermione intently.
"To a degree, yes." She answered slowly, "But I can't ignore the past year, what happened has changed me, and that affects, things." Hermione finished lamely.
"Ok," Harry said, levelling with Hermione, "Clearly, there is something you are not telling me, I've known this for a while now, that you're keeping something from me – and I am not going to nag you tell me. I know that you will tell me when you want to. But you know you can tell me anything right?" he clarified.
Hermione smiled, "Of course I know that, Harry. I always tell you everything." She assured him.
"But not this?" he said quietly, "I just don't want things to have changed between us after…after last Christmas." He said. "You've never had secrets from me."
Hermione smiled wider, "Nothing has changed Harry, I can promise you that. I can still tell you anything, and believe me when all this is sorted you will be the first to know. But at the minute, things are still a little uncertain; I need things to settle down before I can tell you everything. I'm not entirely sure where I stand in it all at the moment, and you know how much of a control freak I am," She added with a grin, "Until I'm certain, there's no use bothering you with it."
Harry nodded, "Does this have something to do with your rash decision to return to Hogwarts?" he asked, thoughtfully.
"Yes, it does." Hermione admitted, slightly surprised he'd put those pieces together. "You know me better than anyone, Harry. I was all set to start at the Ministry, but the timing wouldn't have worked out so good for me. Hogwarts was a necessity. We'll leave it there for now." She said.
Harry nodded his acquiescence, and the conversation turned, "I hear you spent the morning indulging in interior design the other day." He commented with a smirk, causing Hermione to laugh outright.
"Yes, yes I did. It was actually quite fun. Andie is going to have that place looking incredible by the time she's through." Hermione admitted
###
Draco was stood in the dining room, with his Aunt Andromeda, looking over the pages of parchment she had brought with her that morning.
"I mean, these are only ideas," She was saying, "And I won't do anything you disapprove of." She assured him.
Draco looked at the parchments spread across the dining table; Andromeda had presented detailed, coloured, sketches of her intentions for the principle rooms of the house.
"You don't like it." Andromeda stated, attempting to interpret Draco's silence.
"It's not that," Draco assured her, "It's just…. different." he finished.
"Well, that was the intention of the exercise." His aunt commented dryly, causing Draco to laugh.
"Look, I'm not one for interior design, but it all looks alright to me. I'm just trying to figure out what Mother would think of it all." He sighed.
Andromeda placed a hand upon her nephew's arm. "She will be home again, soon." She tried to console him.
"But in what state?" Draco said quietly, finally voicing out loud what he had been thinking for a while.
"Azkaban is no picnic." He continued, "My father wasn't the same when he cam out after a year. I know she's only going to have been in there a couple of months, but still…" He trailed off.
"When your Mother gets out, she won't be herself at first," Andromeda conceded, "But she will be in time. As long as we give her the support she needs. We need to surround her with positive influences – these rooms are too dark and oppressive, she needs her surroundings to be a little more light, and optimistic."
Draco nodded along in silence, so Andromeda continued: "We didn't go overboard with the light. And we've kept some Slytherin influence in most of the rooms, we just lightened the tones."
"We?" Draco questioned, picking up on the plural.
"Yes. I had a little help from Hermione. Actually she was a lot of help, it was rather fun, and useful to bounce ideas of each other, I think we came up with some great stuff." Andromeda admitted.
Draco snorted and shook his head, "Granger is redecorating my house," he muttered. "The world ceased to make sense a long time ago, but this is just pure insanity."
Andromeda smiled, but otherwise ignored the slight jibe against Hermione. Draco sighed and continued:
"But, in saying that, you two have come up with some good ideas." He admitted, "The more I look at it, the more I like it. So, knock yourself out." He allowed his aunt free reign, adding:
"Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. The house elves know you're planning to make changes, and they have been told to do whatever you ask of them."
"Thank you," Andromeda said, surprised by the gesture: Draco passing along a portion of his authority to her made her feel truly welcome in his home.
"I think we'll start with bedrooms." She voiced aloud.
###
On the morning of the 31st, as Hermione was putting the finishing touches to the wrapping on Harry's birthday present, an owl swooped through her open doors, dropped a thick envelope on her bed, and swooped away again. Hermione picked up the package, turning the envelope over she saw the familiar Hogwarts Seal and smiled. Leaving the present at the foot of the bed, she leaned back into her pillows, broke the seal and opened her letter. Hermione pulled out a thick wad of parchment, and began to read the top sheet:
Dear Miss Granger,
We are pleased to welcome you back into Hogwarts for your final year of study. Enclosed you will find a list of course books and other equipment you will need for your final NEWT year. Term will start September 1st; the Hogwarts Express will depart from Platform 9 ¾ at 11am. Students are expected to arrive at Hogwarts in full uniform, ready for the Start of Term feast.
I would now like to take this moment to congratulate you on being chosen for the position of Head Girl. Also enclosed in this letter is your new Head Girl badge, and a second letter detailing your duties this year, as well as a list of your fellow heads.
We look forward to seeing you on September 1st
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.
Hermione sat upright after reading, and grabbed the envelope she had tossed to her side. She tipped it up over her lap, and out fell the badge she had been wanting since her very first day at the school. She picked it up and inspected it: the Hogwarts Crest, with a golden HG. Hermione grinned at her prize, but couldn't help but realise that she was not nearly as excited about this as she had been when she was granted Prefect status. She quickly went back to her letter, and skipping past the list of school books, she riffled through the parchments until she found her second letter, and began to read again:
Dear Miss Granger,
Congratulations on securing the position of Head Girl! Due to the unique circumstances of this year, there will be two Heads and two Deputy Heads, each position will be filled by a representative from each house. The Head Boy and Girl have been chosen from returning seventh years, while the Deputy Head Boy and Girl have been chosen from the students sitting their seventh year for the first time. You will all share responsibilities to an equal amount, however the Head Boy and Girl get the added luxury of a private tower, including your own sitting room, study area with small library, your own bedchamber and a bathroom. Your old bed in your house dormitory will still be available to you as an alternative, should you wish to use it.
The Head representatives for this year are as follows:
Head Boy: Draco Malfoy (Slytherin)
Head Girl: Hermione Granger (Gryffindor)
Deputy Head Boy: Zacharias Smith (Hufflepuff)
Deputy Head Girl: Luna Lovegood (Ravenclaw).
There will be a compartment reserved for the heads, in the first carriage of the Hogwarts Express, for you to use on your Journey to Hogwarts.
We look forward to welcoming you back on September 1st.
Congratulations, once again,
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.
Hermione had mixed reactions to this second letter: She literally squealed with excitement of having her own private tower, her own room, and even her own library! She felt certain she would most definitely be using that, rather than return to Gryffindor Tower – she knew her return would cause a certain amount of sensation and she didn't think she would be able to handle an entire school year of whispers and stares and constant requests for stories of the past year. A private dormitory would be heaven!
But then she read the name of her fellow head: Draco Malfoy. She would be sharing this tower with Draco Malfoy.
When she read the name, she couldn't help but moan, "ohhh, seriously?"
Hermione fell back into her pillows with a disgruntled, "eugh" followed by "for fuck's sake!" she exploded, just as her mother walked through her door.
Victoria stopped short, "I'm sorry. Should I have knocked? Your doors were open, I thought I could just walk in." she commented dryly, with a frown, clearly unimpressed by her daughter's exclamation
Hermione looked up, "Sorry, that wasn't aimed at you." She said hastily, sitting up. "What's up?"
"Richard is here, he's down in the kitchen with your father at the moment. Aren't you coming down?"
"I didn't know he was coming over, I'll be down directly." Hermione said politely.
Victoria indicated toward the parchments now strewn across Hermione's bed. "Is everything alright?" she asked.
"My Hogwarts letter. Welcoming me back, it has my school list and," Hermione grinned and held up the badge for her mother to look at, "I got head girl!"
Victoria frowned, "And that required the expletive I just heard?"
Hermione laughed, "No," she explained, "It's the elected Head Boy that required the expletive. Draco Malfoy." She explained. "We never particularly got along, and the idea of sharing a tower with him, isn't particularly appealing. Don't get me wrong; I'm perfectly capable of being civil to the guy, but living with him? Right now I couldn't think of anything worse. But," Hermione smiled again, "I'll worry about that later. I'll come down with you now, but I hope you're not planning on inviting Richard to dinner?" She asked as she hopped off her bed, and followed her mother out of the room.
"And what would be wrong with that?" Victoria asked with a frown. "I will be out, your father can make himself scarce. It will be a perfect opportunity for you two to be alone."
"You do remember today is Harry's birthday?" Hermione reminded her, "I'm going over to the Burrow at 3 to help Molly and Ginny set things up, before Harry gets back from work."
Comprehension dawned on Victoria's face. "Of course, I'm sorry, darling, I did forget. Never mind, you'll just have to do lunch instead."
Hermione rolled her eyes at her mother's back: Richard had been over to the house plenty of times throughout July, and still the pair were behaving more like best friends than lovers, something Victoria seemed determined to ignore, it seemed. And Hermione had to admit, it would seem that Richard's thoughts were along the same line as her mothers.
Hermione plastered a smile on her face as she descended into the kitchen.
"Well, this is a surprise," she announced as she entered the room, "Ten o'clock on a Wednesday, shouldn't you be working?" Hermione asked with a sly smile.
"Is that aimed at Richard, or me?" Her father answered.
"Both. But primarily Richard – after all you often spend the odd day working from home, dad, so I'm used to you using the kitchen as you place of procrastination." She teased.
"And on that note, I will return to my office. Where I can procrastinate without the judgement." Anthony commented, causing Hermione to laugh. Taking his cup of tea and heading to the stairs, Anthony paused at the foot of the steps and turned to his wife,
"Victoria, you have that meeting in York at lunch time, you might want to head off shortly." He reminded her.
Victoria rolled her eyes, "I know, don't worry. I'm getting my coffee to go, then I'll be heading right out of the door."
Hermione and Richard were soon left alone, and after making Richard and herself a cup of tea, Hermione threw open the French doors and headed out onto the deck, Richard following behind.
"So, you're here on a Wednesday morning," Hermione commented, taking a seat on one of the lounges, "Do you ever work?"
Richard laughed as he took a seat beside her, "That is the beauty of our investments: Our place is behind the scenes. We generally stick to being silent partners in most things – we get all the rewards with so little effort on our part."
Hermione frowned at this willing admission of Richard's lack of work ethic. Richard rolled his eyes,
"Relax, I'm kidding. You know we work – we have to work hard keep up with what we've got. After all, my family wouldn't be where we are today without a little hard work."
Hermione frowned again, "Hmmm, a little hard work and a lot of good luck. Everyone knows your family's start-up came from some meagre life savings, a lucky pre-war investment and an extremely fortunate poker game in Vegas." She commented dryly.
Richard grinned, shamelessly, "Well excuse us for exploiting our talents. But after the war, we all took our advantages and ran with them – it was each man for himself, we can't all inherit you know."
Hermione smiled ruefully, "My mother inherited this house - not cold hard cash, a house. Keeping the estate up and running demands a lot of work, it has done for generations, and just because we have old money, doesn't mean it's any easier to keep hold of it." A sly grin began to form as she continued, "And after the war you know, we had to watch out for those many upstarts exploiting their talents, taking what they could get."
Richard laughed, "Touché." He said, shaking his head, then decided to make peace.
"At the end of the day, we both have a nice amount of money, let's not argue about how we got it. After all, most couples argue about a lack of money, we don't have that issue so let's not make it an issue."
"Fine," Hermione conceded with good grace, "But just so you know, your work ethic – or rather your apparent lack of – will become an issue in the future."
Richard smiled, "Despite the fact that you will probably work enough for the both of us, the only reason I am being apparently lax, is because in one month time you will be returning to Scotland. And when you go to Scotland, to school, I won't be able to see you, won't even be able to contact you, for ten months." He told her truthfully, adding, "Trust me, honey, when you aren't around, I work damn hard."
"Oh, so I'm a distraction?" Hermione asked, playfully, trying to keep the tone of the conversation light.
"But a very good one," Richard assured her, keeping up Hermione's tone of playfulness. Before adding, "And, if I wasn't procrastinating, and taking time off, I wouldn't be able to take you out to dinner tonight. I was thinking we could get the 3 o'clock train to King's Cross, we'll be there in a couple of hours, we can have an early dinner and go see a show. What do you say?"
Hermione chewed her lip, "I can't, not today." She told him apologetically, "It's Harry's Birthday, I'm actually heading over to The Burrow in a few hours time." She explained.
"I'm so sorry," Hermione added, seeing his disappointment.
Richard shrugged, "Not to worry. I guess it was a long shot to expect you could be away from you friends long enough to spend some time with your family and future husband." He said, failing to keep the bitterness from his voice.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Are we seriously going to argue about this?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, but it's been coming for a long time." Richard stated "You are hardly ever home-"
"That is not true," Hermione defended herself instantly, her playful tone disappearing fast. "I am here practically every day – I think the longest absence has been less than forty-eight hours. I eat here; I sleep here, except for on a couple of occasions. I may not be here much during the day, but here's a News Flash for you: Neither are my parents! I'm around when my parents are around: so don't start giving me shit about not spending time with my family." Hermione fired back.
"Fine," Richard conceded, though not with any good grace. "I'll give you that. But what about me?" He asked, "I go out of my way to plan something special for us, just the two of us, to try and get us back on track. But every time, you have other plans."
Hermione let out a frustrated sigh, and put her head back, "I'm sorry, I am. And the gesture is not overlooked. But maybe you should try planning things with me, instead of for me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the surprise, but today is Harry's birthday. I am not going to change my plans at the drop of a hat just because you made other arrangements without asking me. If that is your expectation of a wife, you have a rude awakening ahead of you." Hermione warned, getting to her feet as she spoke, she made her way back into the kitchen. The relaxing morning she had intended to enjoy, now a blatant dream of the past.
Richard followed her in a heartbeat, saying as he passed through the doors into the kitchen, "A year ago, I would have planned this and you would have been available." He stated, "You used to spend the first month of your holidays here, just here. And then you would go somewhere – God knows where, you never actually said, just told me you were spending it with Harry and Ron. But now, you are with them all the time. Where's my time gone?"
Hermione held up her hands in frustration, "I don't know, how about now?" she asked, sarcasm dripping from her frustration, "I'm here right now aren't I? Only you seem to want to spend the time arguing." Hermione accused.
Instead of verbally responding, Richard walked up to Hermione, placed both hands on either side of her face, and crushed his lips down onto hers, pouring all his frustration into one passionate kiss.
Caught completely off guard, Hermione automatically return the kiss with an almost equal passion, bringing her hands up automatically, to wrap them around his neck. It reminded her of the way Richard had kissed her when they had said their goodbyes last summer, and without sparing a thought, Hermione allowed herself to melt into his embrace.
Barely had she begun to lose herself in the passion beginning to consume them both, when Richard pulled back; keeping his hands on her face, he rested his forehead against hers and sighed.
"No, I don't want to argue." He told her in a passionate whisper, "I want us to be like we were before. I want the Hermione that I know to come back to me."
Hermione looked up into Richard's eyes, pain and fear too clearly portrayed in her own – Richard's unexpected passion had thoroughly disarmed her, and she was struggling to bring her mask of cool nonchalance back up.
"What if that Hermione is well and truly gone?" Hermione whispered, "What if she's never coming back?"
Richard took a step back, releasing his hold on her face and sliding his hands down her arms to take her hands in his.
"What happened to you?" He asked with a frown, "What were you involved with, this year, that has changed you so much?"
Hermione smiled sadly, and shook her head, "I can't tell you-" she started.
"Hermione, I am going to be your husband-" Richard interrupted her, but was interrupted in turn.
"You know, you keep saying that," Hermione started with a smile, trying to turn the conversation to a less serious course, "But you haven't actually proposed yet. I don't even have a ring." She joked.
"Duly noted." Richard said with a small smile, which he tried in vain to hide. "But my point remains the same. One day I'll be your husband – what is there that you can not tell your husband? You have a secret, I know you do. Will you ever share it?"
Hermione sighed, and answered in seriousness. "Maybe one day I will tell you, but it will take a lot of explaining, and it will not be today. And with regards to this year, you don't need the details; even my parents don't know what happened. There are only two others who know everything that I went though this past year, and they only know because they lived through it too. At the end of the day, I'm not the same the girl you said goodbye to last year. You have to accept that, and you have to decide if you can live with that."
Hermione took a step back, pulling her hands free from Richard's grasp. "I have to change, I need to get ready to go over to the Weasley's place, they'll be expecting me soon." She stated, then added, "But I can be free on Saturday night, if you would like to have dinner with me?" Hermione asked in concession; She was mindful that Richard had been trying hard the past few weeks, to make some form of progress with her, and she was equally conscious that she had done little to aid his attempts. But after the way he had just kissed her, which had left her so disarmed, she couldn't help thinking that perhaps trying to regain some of their past chemistry would be so bad.
"Saturday it is." Richard sighed, recognising his dismissal, but also noting Hermione's attempts to make up for the disaster of his plans tonight. "I'll see myself out. Enjoy your evening." He said as he walked toward the stairs leading up into the entrance hall.
Hermione touched his arm as he walked by, "I really am sorry about your plans tonight." She reiterated, "But it is Harry's birthday, and it's not something I can – or want – to get out of." She assured him.
"I get it." Richard assured her, without looking back, but the tone of his voice left Hermione without any doubt that while he may indeed 'get it' he sure as hell didn't like it.
Hermione listened to his retreating steps, and when the footfalls faded above her, she sighed and turned to go down into the cellar to pick out a few fine muggle wines to take around to the Burrow in an hours time.
A/N: I hope the update was worth the wait. The next chapter will be up in about 8 hours, when I finish work for the day. Until then, let me know what you think - whether you loved it or hated it (or anything in between) leave a review and tell me :)
xBx