A/N: Yay, I managed to find the time to get another chapter done - the chapter is shorter than planned, more things happened on the Hogsmeade trip than I had initially planned, so I ended up cutting the chapter in a different place to where I had originally planned.

Thanks to everyone who has been reading, and Thank you for my reviews, you guys are great!

xBx

~ Chapter 14: Hogsmeade ~

When Hermione descended from her room the next morning, Draco was already sat in the kitchen, a mug of coffee in his hand, with another steaming mug sat on the counter in front of him. As Hermione stepped into the kitchen Draco looked up, smiled, and pushed the full mug towards her.

"Thought you might need one this morning: It's extra strong." He told her.

Hermione smiled gratefully and sat down next to Draco, "Thank you." She murmured, breathing in the aroma.

"You might want to hurry if you want to catch breakfast, it's past eight-thirty." Her told her, conversationally.

Hermione took a drink from her mug and shook her head. "Ginny should be here soon, we're going into Hogsmeade early; we'll eat there."

Draco frowned, "If you were intending to go in early, you could have taken the first shift, instead of pawning it off on me."

Hermione looked across and grinned, "But then I wouldn't have the convenient two hour slot at lunchtime. Harry and Ron are coming up," She explained, "We arranged to have lunch in the 'Broomsticks: they're meeting us at ten, but I have a few things I need to do, that I would like to get done before they distract me."

Draco rolled his eyes, "They just can't leave you alone for two minutes, can they?"

Hermione actually let out a giggle, "Actually, I was the one that initiated it, really." She admitted, "I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing Teddy until Christmas. So Harry arranged to have him for the day, and bring him up here to see me."

Draco laughed, "You've really become quite attached to the little guy, haven't you?" He said sounding slightly surprised.

Hermione looked at him incredulously, "How could anyone not be?" She asked, smiling widely, "He's the most adorable thing in the world."

Hermione and Draco continued to chat rather amicably and somewhat cheerfully, their conversation centred on Teddy. Hermione began telling Draco about the time she spent with Andromeda helping her with the re-decorating ideas and how Teddy gave his input but changing his hair colour to match the colour swatches he was holding at the time.

The two of them were too busy talking and laughing over Teddy to realise they were no longer alone in the tower. Ginny and Blaise had met each other two floors down; as they both had the same destination to reach, they had naturally fallen in line with one another, talking amicably about the one thing they had most in common: Quidditch. When they entered the tower, they both stopped at the sight before them.

"Is it me, or is that a little weird?" Ginny asked quietly to Blaise, who was mirroring her slightly bemused, yet slightly wary look.

"No, no, there's something definitely not quite right here. It's different." He assured her.

"I mean, I know we seem to be getting along pretty well now. But we never really had any contact before." Ginny said, "But Hermione and Malfoy…"

"Yeah. Not exactly indifferent acquaintances, were they?" Blaise finished. "I wonder what they got up to facilitate such a turn around?" He asked with his signature grin, implying that his ideas were less than innocent.

Ginny snorted at Blaise's implied assumption, which finally drew the attention of the other two.

"Charming, Weaselette." Draco said with an attempt at his usually smirk, but the laughter hadn't quite yet died away, so it was more of a smile. "Is that how you usually announce your presence?"

Ginny gave Draco a scathing look, but otherwise ignored the blonde, and looked over at Hermione.

"You ready?" Ginny asked.

Hermione drained the last of her mug's contents, hopped down from the stool and turned to face Ginny, and only then did Ginny fully take in her friend's appearance.

"You look like hell." Ginny said suddenly, "Are you okay?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Thanks, Gin." She said dryly, then explained: "I'm fine, just didn't get much sleep last night is all." She told her.

Ginny looked like she was trying to hide a smirk, but she was beginning to fail miserably. "Oh." She said, not trusting herself to say anything more, and Hermione heard laughter in her voice.

Hermione frowned as she saw Ginny exchange a look with Blaise, who also had laughter in his eyes: It appeared the two were sharing some sort of private joke.

"Ok, we're going to go." Hermione said authoritatively, having a feeling that she didn't want to know what this private joke was.

"I'll see you later," she said over her shoulder to Draco, and nodding to Blaise as she passed.

Ginny turned to follow Hermione, and muttered quietly to Blaise, "Get the gossip, I want to know everything." Before hurrying to catch Hermione.

Hermione and Ginny were to meet Harry and Ron at the far end of the village at 10am. The Girls were in Hogsmeade early enough to have breakfast in one of the cafés, and Hermione made a quick call into Scrivenshafts to pick up a few things she needed, knowing the boys would not want to endure her mundane errands, before heading to their meeting spot in good time.

Along the way Ginny attempted to question Hermione about what she got up to last night, trying to engage her in conversation about the turn around of her relationship with Draco. But Hermione was not forthcoming with the information, shrugging off the claims that the turn around was dramatic; Ginny persisted, but it was like trying to draw blood from a stone, and by the time they got to Scrivenshafts Ginny had completely given up.

When the boys arrived Hermione's face split into a huge smile: she hadn't realised just how much she had actually missed them both until she saw them. She threw her arms around each of them in turn, though she had some difficulty when it came to Harry, as he was holding Teddy, strapped to his front (Ron was carrying the nappy-bag, though whether this was forced or voluntary was anyone's guess).

Ginny stood there giggling at the sight before her. "My, don't you two look like quite the doting dads." She joked.

Ron scowled, but Harry was too busy taking in Hermione's appearance, as she cooed over their Godson, to pay attention.

Hermione, however, did pay attention to the comment and looked up with a grin.

"Maybe that can be Witch Weekly's next exposé: Harry was devastated that I left him for Malfoy and a muggle, that he's since sought consolation in the arms of Ron." Hermione teased.

This time Harry did hear: "I'm not amused." He told her, dryly, while Ron continued to glare.

"Well I wasn't very amused by your letter. You get what you give." Hermione told him with a smirk.

"Touché" Harry smiled, "Where first?"

"George's new premises," Hermione said, taking the bag from Ron. "I thought it would be good to go support him at his opening. Plus I want to do some business with him."

As the four made their way back down the high street, Harry deliberately allowed Ron and Ginny to walk a little ahead, so he could chat to Hermione.

"Are you alright?" He asked her quietly, "Only, you look exhausted."

Hermione looked up at him and smiled at his concern. She nodded, "I'm good. I didn't sleep much last night."

"Are your nightmares back?" Harry guessed immediately, showing concern.

Hermione smiled a little sadly. "They came back as soon as I returned: being back in the castle, there are constant reminders of that night." She told him,

"But last night's was the worst one. It was triggered by our Defence class." Hermione admitted quietly.

Harry looked at her, silently probing her to continue. Hermione checked that Ginny and Ron were a safe distance ahead.

"We were discussing the Cruciatus Curse." She said quietly, and instantly Harry understood.

"You had that nightmare." He said and Hermione nodded.

"It didn't go on for too long, thankfully, because Malfoy woke me. But it went on long enough." Hermione told him – she had very few secrets from Harry, so she didn't mind telling him this detail, though she knew he probably wouldn't like it.

Harry looked a little wary, "Malfoy woke you?" He clarified.

Hermione nodded, "I think he was still in the bathroom when he heard me scream; though apparently I was rather loud, so he could have been all the way in his room. We share a bathroom suite," Hermione explained, "the bathroom runs between our rooms. He heard me scream out, I think he panicked, and automatically rushed to my aid." She told him truthfully, still keeping her voice hushed.

"I bet that's going to be fun for you. Is he using this knowledge to torture you yet?" Harry asked.

Hermione frowned at him. "That sounds like something I would expect from Ronald, not you. And besides, you don't really believe he'd do that, do you? Not now, surely? Hell, I bet you didn't even believe it as you were saying it." She challenged him.

Harry sighed, and shook his head, "No, you're right. He does seem different now. I've only spoken to him a couple of times, during his parents' trials mostly, but even then he was extremely civil – nothing like he used to be when we were all at Hogwarts together." Harry admitted, he hesitated before continuing,

"It's just, usually you have your nightmares and I'm there to get you through the night. I feel like I should have been there. And I guess I just find it weird that it's Malfoy who's waking you, instead of me. I bet he just left you alone to fend for yourself once you were awake? Didn't think you might need some company?" He asked, his protective instincts kicking in automatically.

Hermione smiled at him. "I can look after myself, you know, you don't always have to be there to protect me." She told him, for what felt like the millionth time.

"And actually, no. Malfoy stayed awake with me, for quite a few hours. We sat in our common room, drank tea, and talked." She told him, eliciting and incredulous look.

"I know, it sounds weird." Hermione said with a laugh, "But it's entirely true. He even got me a blanket, when he saw I was getting cold. I think I'm seeing a completely different side to him, maybe even the real him. He can actually be a nice guy, he's alright to be around." Hermione told him truthfully.

"Sounds like there might be some truth to that Witch Weekly article, after all." Harry said with frown and a shudder, which wiped Hermione's smile of her face.

"I swear to Merlin, Potter. You bring that article up one more time and I will hex you're your balls off." Hermione threatened, not bothering to keep her voice down this time, causing Harry to laugh, and Ginny and Ron to turn around at the sound.

"Come on you two," Ron whined, realising how far back they lagged, "Do you want to get to George's before lunch, because I do. It's already ten-thirty, we could be in there for a couple of hours, and I had an early breakfast."

Hermione and Harry rolled their eyes at each other, and smiled at their best friend's constant need for food. They upped their pace to catch up with the two red-heads in front.

As predicted, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes was teeming with gleeful students when the foursome arrived. They found George easily enough, and while Harry, Ron and Ginny indulged themselves in wandering around the store, Hermione went strait to business. She knew He and Fred had dabbled in muggle 'magic' tricks in their Diagon Alley store, and was hoping they could come to some agreement about having some sort of display at the Hallowe'en Ball.

While George was willing to assist, his enthusiasm was severely lacking compared to how he had used to be. The death of Fred had hit the entire family hard, but while the rest seemed to be moving on at a healthy pace, George was finding it near impossible – Hermione doubted he would ever fully recover.

When the four were finally leaving George's new premises, they came across Draco and Blaise, walking up the high street.

"Granger," Malfoy called as he drew near to them, "Don't ever put me on that god-forsaken shift again." He complained.

Hermione tried not to laugh, "It can't have been that bad?" She countered, the laughter creeping into her voice, despite her best efforts.

Draco scowled: "Do you have any idea how boring it is to sit in The Three Broomsticks for two hours when it's practically empty? I couldn't even numb the monotony with a Firewhiskey, because they don't start serving until eleven-thirty. By which time, my shift was over."

Hermione frowned, "That shouldn't make any difference. You can't drink while you're on duty." She scolded.

As the two of them were talking, Ginny, Ron and Blaise had taken a step back, and began their own conversation, though watching the others at the same time. Ron was a little uncomfortable, and slightly wary of the easy way in which in Blaise and Ginny seemed to fall into conversation.

"Did you manage to get anything from Malfoy?" Ginny asked, quietly.

"Not a word." Blaise admitted in disappointment, "I barely asked the first question and he threatened to hex me if I didn't shut up. and I've seen what he's capable of, I didn't want to risk it."

Ginny frowned, "Wuss. But i didn't fare any better. Hermione just kept changing the subject."

Harry remained next to Hermione, watching this new style of interaction between her and Draco carefully, but staying out of the conversation.

Draco rolled his eyes, and gave Hermione a knowing smirk. "Are you telling me you won't be indulging yourself in a glass of wine with your lunch? While you're on you shift?" He asked, emphasising his final statement.

Hermione grinned guiltily, knowing full well she couldn't deny the charge, but didn't say anything.

"Exactly." Draco said. "So next time, I'm taking the lunch shift."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Fine."

Unnoticed by them, as they talked a small group of young students had formed nearby them, undoubtedly drawn by Draco's scowl and Harry's uncomfortable look.

"Erm," Blaise called out to them, "I don't know if you're aware, but you three have an audience." His voice was far too gleeful for the current situation, letting Draco know that something was about to happen to piss him off even more.

Hermione looked over her shoulder, "Yes?" She called to the group.

The group gave her innocent looks – too innocent to be legitimate - but she saw one girl hastily hide what looked suspiciously like a copy of the old With Weekly that contained that incriminating exposé of her.

Hermione rolled her eyes, this was the final straw: she couldn't even walk down the streets of Hogsmeade, a month later, without that bloody article interfering with her day.

"Yes, I'm here for a romantic lunch date with Harry Potter, after having a secret breakfast rendezvous with Draco Malfoy. And this afternoon, I'm going to sneak back home, and meet my muggle lover for a spot of afternoon tea. Oh and while I'm gone, these two-" she indicated to Harry and Draco, "are going to whip out their wands and engage in a long over-due duel, over me. Is that what you want to hear? Is that what you're waiting to see?" she called to the group, sarcasm dripping from every word.

The group of young students shifted uncomfortably, but didn't move – probably hoping that Draco and Harry were actually going to indulge them with a duel.

"Scram!" Hermione shouted, losing patience. "And quit believing everything you read in gossip magazines!" she added, before turning back to the others.

Ginny and Blaise were in hysterics of laughter, Ron was looking amused, but wary at the same time – he had been on the receiving end of Hermione's bad temper once too often, and wasn't willing to risk her wrath too much. Harry and Draco, however, were both looking extremely uncomfortable, their eyes flicking between each other and Hermione.

"What were we talking about?" Hermione asked.

"I have no idea," Harry answered, "But did you really have to say that? I feel a little bit awkward now." He told her.

"Yeah, I'm with Potter on this one. Didn't you take that a little too far?" Draco agreed. "I mean, Potter can escape them, but we can't." He pointed out, and Hermione knew his temper was coming out to shine, any second now.

Hermione rolled her eyes, yet again, and sighed: "I've had enough of the fallout from that stupid article, that was just one push too far, and I lost it." She admitted.

"Yeah, and thanks to your little outburst we're going to have hell for the next few days. Sometimes you really are insufferable, do you know that?" Draco told her.

"And you're an ass." She retorted, "We all have our flaws, suck it up." She frowned. Harry could sense this going somewhere bad, sometime soon.

"Okay, lets wrap this up before wands are drawn." Harry said, "Hermione we should go get some lunch, Ron is probably ready to eat one of us right about now."

Hermione's frown turned into a smirk once again: a smirk so reminiscent of Malfoy's that Harry actually raised his eyebrows, clearly they had been spending too much time in each other's company.

"Lunch sounds great, Harry." Hermione said, looking at Draco. "Lunch, and a nice big glass of wine." She emphasised.

Malfoy scowled, and turned away muttering, while Hermione chuckled.

"I'm probably going to pay for that later," Hermione said, unconcernedly, as she set off toward The Three Broomsticks.

"I need to head back, and have lunch at the castle," Ginny called after her, causing Hermione to turn with a questioning look.

"Quidditch practice!" she said in exasperation, Hermione had a feeling she should have known this, and had the decency to look a little guilty.

"You've told me this before haven't you?" Hermione asked.

"Yes!" Ginny huffed.

"I'm sorry, but every time you start talking about Quidditch, my mind wanders." She admitted, as Ginny shook her head.

"I'll walk back with you, I have stuff to do before my own practice." Blaise commented.

Both Harry and Ron were clearly taken aback by this suggestion – Ron's ears had actually started to turn pink. Luckily Ginny caught the warning sign and headed off directly before her brother could blow his top, calling a quick goodbye over her shoulder.

Blaise followed without missing a beat, though giving Ron a wary look, obviously realising he was potentially pissing off two Aurors, and also realising that it probably wasn't his smartest idea.

Draco merely rolled his eyes at his friend, turned and continued up the high street without a backward glance, leaving the Golden Trio standing in the middle of the street, and thinking of retreating into The Hogs Head for a quiet drink.

Harry turned to Hermione, silently asking her to explain. Ron however started to follow his sister.

Hermione put her hand out to stop him, "Ronald, no. Leave them be. Ginny is fine."

"Fine?!" He sputtered, "Fine?! She's walking alone with a Slytherin! Anything could happen to her! And you're telling me she's fine?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, for what felt like the millionth time that day – she really ought to get control over that particular reaction, she thought to herself.

"Ron, things are different now. Ginny and Zabini are kind of friends." She said, slightly unsure: it was still a strange concept to Hermione and she'd been living with it for a couple of weeks now.

Both boys raised their eyebrows, and Hermione sighed, "Can we move please? There's a chill, I think it's going to rain, and while Teddy is wrapped up nicely, I would like to get him inside before we all get wet."

Neither boy looked willing to move, "I'll tell you everything you want to know over lunch."

This was enough of an incentive, and finally they retreated inside. Hermione's shift didn't start for another half an hour, but not wanting to move to the prefects' table halfway through her lunch, she relieved the Hufflepuff and Slytherin on duty at the time, telling them she'd do the rest of their shift.

The Slytherin gave a tiny smile of thanks, and went on her way without a backwards glance. The Hufflepuff, however, stood looking at the three of them a little while, until both Ron and Harry were starting to feel uncomfortable.

"Is everything alright, Leanne?" Hermione asked, warily.

The girl blushed, "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting…. Sorry." She mumbled, before rushing off.

"Blimey, what was that about?" Ron asked, taking a seat.

Hermione chuckled, "Apparently we're more intimidating than we used to be."

Harry laughed, taking his seat next to Hermione and finally passing Teddy over to her, as Madame Rosmerta came over with some lunch menus and a round of Butterbeers – the three had frequented here a few times over the summer, and apparently she knew the routine.

"Alright," Ron demanded, once Rosmerta had left promising to be back in a few minutes to take their order. "Spill."

"Well, you know how Malfoy and I have our own tower, so I don't need to go into that. And I told you in my letter about how I've taken to spending all my free time there, to avoid the stares and whispers." Hermione started, and the boys nodded, telling her to get on to the important information.

"Malfoy does the same thing – except in his case he's escaping the glares and dark mutterings, not the grating admiration. And Zabini seems to trail wherever Malfoy goes. From what Zabini says, the Slytherin common rooms isn't the most welcoming place to be right now, everyone seems a little unsure of each other, after the war, apparently."

Hermione took a sip of her butterbeer.

"That's nice, but where does my sister come into this?" Ron asked, impatient as ever.

"Ginny spends a lot of time in the tower, also. Occasionally in the company of Dean, Neville and Parvati, but that's usually only weekends. But every night Ginny is in there doing homework, and the four of us have sort of got into the routine of studying together. It progressed from there, I guess. Believe it or not, we're actually quite mature." She finished.

Ron scoffed, "Yeah, right. I bet the ferret is real mature." He muttered into his flagon.

Hermione laughed, and shook her head. There was no use trying to convince him, Ron was adamant in his deep-rooted dislike.

Rosmerta returned to take their lunch order, and after noting down their requests, she asked. "Wine? Don't worry, I won't tell." She added to Hermione with a smile.

Hermione bit her lip, smiled mischievously, and nodded – she knew she shouldn't, but it would be so much fun to torture Malfoy about it later.

"Our usual, please." Hermione said.

Rosmerta nodded, and disappeared – being a member of The Golden Trio really did have its perks sometimes.

During lunch the conversation turned from the Slytherins, onto Hermione's duties – primarily, this ball everyone in the 'Broomsticks seemed to be talking about. As a waiter came to clear their empty plates, Harry looked to Hermione.

"How are the Defence classes going, by the way? Is Fidelis rising to the task?" Harry asked.

"You know him?" Hermione asked, immediately picking up on the familiarity with which Harry mentioned him.

"A little bit. He used to work in Law Enforcement, he was at a lot of the trials, so we spoke on occasion." Harry explained.

"Ah," Hermione nodded in understanding. As Harry probed again.

"Have all your lessons been as exciting as your first one?" He asked with a grin, and Ron snorted.

Hermione tried not to laugh, "You heard about that?" She asked, turning slightly pink with embarrassment.

Both Harry and Ron were openly laughing by now.

"Heard?" Ron said, "Fidelis wrote to Harry, thinking he'd like to know what his best friend and ex-girlfriend were getting up to. It was around the entire department by lunchtime." He told her.

"Harry!" Hermione scolded him.

Harry held up his hands, "I'm sorry, I laughed as soon as I read it, and I told Ron. Someone overheard, next think I knew it was spreading like fiendfyre."

"I'd had a bad day." Hermione defended with embarrassment.

"Wasn't this class in the morning?" Harry countered with a grin.

"Shut up." Hermione told him, while Ron laughed harder. Despite the harsh words, Hermione was laughing about it before long.

The Trio spent the rest of afternoon sat in the comfort of The Three Broomsticks, Harry and Ron telling Hermione everything they could about their jobs. The had removed to a table in a corner, once Hermione's shift had finished, and were speaking in hushed voices with no fear of being overheard.

After filling her in on some of the information from Lucius that they were about to act on, Hermione asked with a sly smile: "Should you really be telling me this?"

Harry and Ron exchanged guilty looks, "Probably not." Harry admitted.

"But it's weird, not having you in the loop, 'Mione." Ron told her.

Hermione smiled, "I wont tell a soul I promise. So you're pretty sure Finland is where they're hiding?" She asked.

"A couple of them, yes, for sure. Their safe house there is more like a fortress. And we have to act fast. As of yet, we've had a gagging order on all the trials. The only thing that can be reported is the person's name, their conviction, and their sentence. Nothing else that was said in the trial can be reported." Harry told her.

"Obviously a few trials have made front page, but everything that's been written has been what was already know about the person and their past. So as of yet, the general public shouldn't really know that Lucius is helping with our investigation." Ron added and Hermione nodded.

"But?" Hermione asked, knowing there was always a 'but' with these two.

"Chances are, they're going to know, or at least suspect that Lucius is going to tell us everything he can." Harry told her, "So we need to get out there as soon as we can, bring in as many as we can, before they hide away too well."

"How soon is soon?" Hermione asked. She wasn't keen on the idea of Harry and Ron going off without her, but this was their job. She had chosen to return to Hogwarts, instead of joining the Ministry, and this was the consequence. and she could deal with it, as long as they gave her enough time to prepare herself.

The look Harry and Ron then exchanged did nothing to ease her anxiety.

"When?" she asked again, slightly more stern.

"We've been planning the operations for a few weeks." Harry told her, evasively "To a degree that you would be proud of." He added.

"When?" she repeated, her look darkening.

"We leave tomorrow." Harry admitted quietly.

Hermione's eyes widened, "Tomorrow?"

Harry and Ron nodded, while Hermione tried to control the fear that had sprung up.

"You couldn't have told me sooner?" She asked.

"And have you fretting over us all day?" Ron countered, "not likely."

Hermione frowned, but didn't deny the truth of the statement. "How long will you be gone?" She asked quietly.

"As long as it takes." Harry told her. When Hermione frowned, he hurried to continue, "But we will have to properly report back to the office within six weeks, regardless of where we are at."

"If we're still on the hunt, we'd only be back in London for twenty-four hours before we'd have to be away again." Ron told her, "But chances are one of us will be popping back and forth every couple of weeks anyway, to give updates"

"Who can I contact, if I want to check up on you?" Hermione asked, ignoring the eye rolls this question sparked.

"Hermione, we'll be fine." Harry assured her, but Hermione simply glared until she answered.

Harry sighed, "I will let Kingsley know that you would like to be informed of our well-being." He sighed in defeat.

"Usually I'd go to the Head of the department, but considering our friendship with Kingsley, he's likely to be more accommodating of the request. Despite being busy with, you know, being the Minister." Harry said dryly.

Hermione looked at her watch, and looked saddened. "It's past five, I should be getting back to the castle soon." She told them.

Ron nodded, "We should be making a move, we have a lot to sort before tomorrow. And Harry needs to get Teddy back to the Manor."

Hermione resolved to at least walk Harry and Ron back up to the apparition point, and as they walked up the high street, she couldn't help but turn to Harry an ask:

"You're taking him back to the Manor yourself?" Harry nodded, and Hermione pressed on, "Do you go over there a lot?"

"A fair bit, actually." He admitted, "It was weird at first, but Andie did such a great job, it's nothing like I remembered it. And She and Narcissa are continuing with the re-vamp. I think they're planning on doing the entire place over." He told her.

"We've even been over for dinner a couple of times." Ron added.

"Both of you?" Hermione asked shocked.

"Harry mostly," Ron admitted, "He's been over quite a bit, actually. Usually after spending an afternoon with Teddy. But I've been invited a couple of times."

"Narcissa is actually rather good company, when you get to know her." Harry told Hermione sincerely.

Hermione was at a loss for words. Who would have thought Harry Potter and Ron Weasley would ever be invited to dine at Malfoy Manor? And, moreover, who would have thought they would actually enjoy the experience?

When they reached the apparition spot, Hermione's anxiety increased tenfold, and the boys noticed the concern on her face.

"Don't worry about us." Harry told her with a smile, "We'll be fine."

"Just promise me you'll be safe. And don't do anything to stupid." She said.

The boys grinned, "We'll be safe." Ron told her. Hermione frowned at the lack of acknowledgement of her second statement.

"Please tell me that the two of you are at least going to stick together. They haven't split you into separate teams?" she asked.

"Course not." Ron said, grin still in place. "They'd never dream of splitting up the dream team."

Hermione shook her head, and gave Ron a quick hug goodbye. "Try and keep Harry's hero-complex in line." She told him quietly, causing him to laugh.

"I'll try my best, but you know what he's like." He told her.

Hermione turned to Harry, whom now had Teddy strapped securely to his chest, ready for apparition. Reaching awkwardly around to kiss him on the cheek, and give him a quick a hug without squashing her Godson, she said.

"Make sure Ron doesn't do anything too stupid, keep an eye on him." She whispered.

"Always do," he smiled at her concern. "But you know what he's like."

"Keep an eye on Ginny for me, I don't trust that Zabini." Ron said.

"And just watch yourself as well. With Malfoy," Harry said, slowly. "I'm not going to tell what to do – or rather, what not to do. But just, be careful."

Harry had seen something in Malfoy's brief conversation with his bushy haired friend; there was something different, their dynamic had changed, and Harry wasn't entirely sure if he was comfortable with it. Ron had noticed nothing – he had been too busy keeping a close eye on Zabini and his sister.

Hermione laughed, "Ginny and I can handle ourselves perfectly fine, don't worry. We're holed up at school, how much trouble do you think we can get really get into?"

Both Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows in silent question, as if to remind her of her previous six years of study.

Hermione sighed, "Yeah, don't answer that." Realising that she was capable of getting into all sorts of trouble in that place.

"I have another errand to run, before I head back, so I need to go. But before I forget, Harry? Do you think I could borrow the map?" She asked.

Harry looked at her, a deadpan expression on his face for a moment, then laughed and shook his head.

Hermione frowned, "What?" she asked.

"I tell you not to go get into any trouble, and your first response is to ask for the map." Harry sighed, "I'm not going to ask, because chances are I don't want to know. But I will owl it to you as soon as I get home, I'll make sure it's delivered to your tower, not with the usual morning post."

Hermione grinned, "Thank you. I'll take good care of it, I promise" She told him, knowing how much the piece of parchment meant to him, giving him another peck on the lips, and kissing Teddy once more.

When the two boys had disappeared, Hermione let her smile fall, and concern flooded her face. They had left to face the unknown without her, and it didn't sit right with her. She knew they were capable – probably two of the most capable Aurors in the department, despite their age - but she still couldn't help but worry.

Knowing there was nothing she could do, she dismissed her worry for the time being, and glancing around to make sure no one was in the vicinity she disapparated, and appeared a moment later back in her bedroom in her parent's house.

She had thought this plan through on her walk into Hogsmeade with Ginny: Asking her mother to owl her the costume she wanted for the ball would incur all kinds of issues – it would probably take three owls to bring everything she needed, and god knows how long it would take. She knew she no longer had the trace on her, and while she wasn't able to apparate from inside Hogwarts, no one would know if she were to disappear out of Hogsmeade for all of five minutes…. she hoped.

She immediately rushed into her closet, looking for the boxes she required. Thanks to her perfect organisation, she found them in thirty seconds, and proceeded to carefully push them into her trusty sequin bag. She mentally checked through the items, before leaving the dressing room: she had the box with the dress, another box with the authentic corset and underskirts (her mother really did go overboard with authenticity on some occasions), she had the matching footwear and a small box of the correct jewellery, but something was missing.

"Think," Hermione told herself, scanning her shelves with a frown.

"The hood." She sighed, "Of course." She dug around the top shelf and pulled down the final box. As she was pushing it into her bag she heard something that made her freeze in an instant, and her heart rate intensified.

Voices were coming from her sitting room – no one entered her rooms while she was away at school, except her Mother or Father, and those voices were certainly not her Mother or Father.

They were hushed, and agitated, and although Hermione couldn't decipher any words, or whom the voices belonged to at the moment, their tone clearly told her that they knew they shouldn't be there. Silently she stood, placed her bag back into her robe pocket, and drew her wand. She crept from her closet, past her bed and over to the doors, one of which was ajar – she obviously hadn't closed it properly in her mad dash to leave on September 1st.

At this close range to the intruders, she was able to distinguish to whom the voices belonged and was shocked to hear Richard.

"I don't understand how you could possibly think that this conversation needs to be had, again. Nor how you think it is appropriate to have it here and now?" He hissed. Hermione frowned, out of all the rooms to bring someone to, to talk, why hers? She wasn't confused about his being in the house; no doubt her parents were having some formal dinner.

"I just think you're making a terrible mistake." The second person hissed back, whom Hermione recognised as Melissa.

"I'm not making a mistake, Mel. And you need to drop this." He warned her.

"I need to drop it? Richard, I'm worried about you! You obviously weren't happy this summer, otherwise you wouldn't have come seeking comfort in me." She told him. Hermione's jaw dropped, did Melissa mean what Hermione thought she meant?

"That was a mistake. I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that, and I really shouldn't have brought you into the mess. Hermione and I got into a fight, I'd had a few drinks by the time I came over, and I needed to vent." Richard said. "I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry."

"Vent? If you wanted to vent you would have. Instead, you came to my house and practically dragged me into bed. They are not the actions of someone who is happy with their fiancé."

Hermione's jaw seemed permanently stuck open; she could not believe what she was hearing.

"Things were weird between Hermione and I this summer. I think a lot has happened to her in the year she was gone. She won't tell me what, she can't tell me what. But I love her, Melissa, so I swear to god, if you say anything to anyone about what happened, I will make you pay."

"You say you love her. But while she was gone, you did a pretty convincing impression of loving me." Melissa said quietly.

Hermione frowned when there was no response. Curiosity getting the better of her, she shifted and peeked through the open door, but whipped her head back almost instantly. Melissa had wrapped herself around Richard, and was kissing him full on the moth. While Richard had looked slightly uncomfortable, he certainly wasn't resisting.

A moment later, Hermione heard a small scuffle and heard Richard say harshly: "What is the matter with you? Do you not understand the concept of 'no'?"

Hermione had heard enough, she needed to go: she had been absent from Hogsmeade much longer than she had planned. Without thinking she closed the door, regretting it instantly.

"What was that?" She heard Melissa say warily, then add, slightly panicked, "Is there someone in there?"

"Shit." Hermione mumbled. She rushed to her bed, picked up the shopping bags and disapparated quickly, not wanting to be found eavesdropping in her room, wearing robes that muggles hadn't worn since the middle ages, when she was supposed to be in the farthest reaches of Scotland.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the update, I know there isn't much Dramione happening, but trust me, we're getting there. Definitely some in the next chapters, I've had a blissfully unexpected day off today, which means I've written more than I thought I could, so I will hopefully have another update soon.

xBx