A/N: Although I have an outline of the story sometimes the characters say or do things that are not in the outline. When this happens and I don't write it down I sometimes forget these things. For instance the meteorite shower Ginny mentioned to Minerva. Thankful somebody pointed this out (thank you Mara308) and I've been able to correct this. I re-uploaded chapter 14 right before I uploaded this one.
Whether or not there is a meteor shower doesn't change the plot or anything but it is important for consistency. And I like my stories to be as consistent as possible. So please feel free to point out such things to me!
TW: There is a little homophobia in this chapter.
Chapter 15 Maybe Ron should give Malfoy a chance.
The next morning Hermione wakes with a smile on her face remembering her amazing date the day before. When she turns something sitting on her nightstand catches her eye. Perched between her wand and the vase with roses are a piece of parchment and white rose. She smells the rose before putting it next to before putting it in the vase with the rest of the flowers. She picks up the parchment and reads it.
Dear Hermione,
I had an amazing night last night and I'm looking forward to our date this coming weekend.
Love,
Ginny
Hermione's smile grows and doesn't leave her face for the rest of the day
Friday morning Ron does not run away when Draco sits down with him, Harry, Hermione and Ginny. It has taken Hermione and Ginny a few hours the night before but eventually they have convinced Ron to tolerate Draco in his proximity. At least that's a start.
When the post arrives one of the owls drops a red envelope on Draco's plate, it's obviously an howler and Draco looks at it scared.
"The longer you wait the worse it gets." Ginny gently prods Draco who takes the envelope and opens it. Immediately Lucius Malfoy's voice booms through the great hall.
Draco Lucius Malfoy!
What is this nonsense I read about you being paired with a man? Malfoys are not faggots. And a Weasley to top it off. You are a disgrace not worthy of being my son. Get out of this pairing right this instance. We should still have enough money and connections to get you paired with a good pureblood witch to bring the next Malfoy heir into this world.
I'm serious Draco change your pairing or I will find a way to get out of Azkaban and haunt you down. I'd rather have the Malfoy line die out than have it disgraced by a poof.
As soon as Lucius' rant is over and the howler has turned into ash Draco runs out of the Great Hall eyes clearly in his eyes.
"That's harsh." Ron says while looking at Draco's receding form. "I mean I might not like the guy but to have your dad say these horrible things to you. Nobody deserves to hear those things from somebody who is supposed to love you."
"Maybe you should tell him? Tonight during dinner?" Hermione asks him.
"I said I feel sorry, I didn't say I now miraculously like the guy." Ron snorts.
"Maybe if you have dinner with him you stop hating the guy. I mean you have to get married or face exile." Hermione points out.
"You heard his dad. Malfoy's still have enough money and influence to change the pairing." Ron reacts.
"Just because Lucius says Draco has to do something doesn't mean he'll do it." Hermione points out.
"Why not? That's what he always does." Ron asks.
"The old Draco did these things. But I've told you he has changed." Hermione tells Ron exasperated.
"I don't believe he has." Ron counters.
"How about you let him take you to dinner tonight. Either he'll prove he has changed or you turn out to be right and I won't bring this up anymore." Hermione tells Ron.
"He won't show up." Ron tells her.
"Well in that case you've got nothing to lose." Hermione says with finality. Taking a letter brought for Draco that he missed because of the howler and storming out of the Great Hall in search of her friends.
It takes Hermione a little while but eventually she locates Draco at the quidditch pitch. "I've been looking all over for you. You forgot one of your letters." Hermione says while she sits down next to him and hands him the envelope.
"I'm not sure I want to read that letter. It's from my mum."
"Do you want me to read it first and see if it's bad or not?"
"Yes please, if you don't mind."
Hermione opens the envelope and reads the letter before handing it to Draco. "How bad is it?" He asks.
"Just read it Draco."
Dear Draco,
If this letter reaches you before the howler of your dad, please set the howler on fire. If this letter is to late, I'm sorry you had to hear your dad say those awful things. Please know that I don't agree and I will be seeking a divorce from you father today. You are my son which means I love you unconditionally. I can not stay married to a man who outs conditions on his love for his child.
To be honest I was surprised you got paired with a man. Although I understand why you kept your preference a secret I'm sad you didn't trust me enough to share this with me.
I don't have a problem with a son-in-law but a Weasley is going to take some getting used to. So please now we still have enough money and influence to change the pairing if you so choose.
Love,
Mother
When Draco is done he shreds the letter to pieces and lights them on fire.
"Draco? Are you okay?"
"Not really. I mean my dad basically told me he would kill me if I don't marry a nice pureblood girl and my mum told me she doesn't mind I like guys but can't handle me being paired to a Weasley. To top it off both tell me I can use corruption to get out of my pairing. Even after everything that happened during and after the war they still don't ask what I want." He explains angry.
"I know, but give them some time. They might come around."
"And if they don't?"
"Then they don't. You'll still have me and Harry and the Weasleys."
"Not Ron. He hates me. I don't even know why I bother. I mean I know that Ron is my best available match. At least that's what my research into the matching process has taught me. I just don't know how much that is worth if Ron is not willing to try,"
"Don't give up on him just yet okay."
That evening at six forty-five Hermione and Harry are working on their homework when Ron comes down from his dorm room.
"I'm going to take your advise Hermione and see if Malfoy really has changed. If I'm not back by ten I want you to send out a search party." Ron tells them.
"Alright we'll wait for you and alert the authorities if you're not back in time." Harry says rolling his eyes at Ron's dramatics.
Shortly after Ron has left the common room there is a tap at the window. Harry opens it and a school owl flies in holding a pink rose and an envelope. The owl flies straight to Hermione who takes the rose and envelope and gives the owl an owl treat.
Harry sits down next to Hermione.
"A letter from GInny?
"Yeah."
"She's really trying to woo you isn't she?"
"Yes she is." Hermione answers with a dreamy look.
"And it is working. You're falling for her."
"I think I am."
"Alright I'll leave you alone with your letter and rose." Harry says before going up to his dorm.
Dear Hermione,
During my free period this afternoon I went to Minerva to get approval for us to leave Hogwarts for our next date. She granted it without a fuss. Though that might have something to do with the fact that I walked in on her and my brother. MY EYES. Anyway I can report that MInerva and Fred are getting along really well. From what I could tell they have been betting on the results of their chess games and I walked in when Fred was collecting his prize. I'll tell you more during our date tomorrow.
Be at the Headmistress office at seven. Make sure you wear a dress and have eaten.
I'm looking forward to spending some more time with just the two of us.
Love,
Ginny
Ron has a small smile on his face when he walks back from the gates to the main entrance. Draco insisted on being a gentleman and say goodbye at the gates. Hermione is right, Draco has changed. Ron still would rather live like a muggle then marry him mind you but maybe they would be able to build an acquaintanceship.
The evening went different then Ron expected. Beside the fact that Draco might not have changed Ron was also afraid he would make this a date date. Much to Ron's delight he didn't. Draco took Ron to muggle London. They walk by some of the sights which Draco knew surprisingly much about considering he hasn't really ventured into the muggle world and in between sights they stopped at a place called McDonald's for dinner. Definitely not as good as his mum's cooking but it was greasy and there was soda, which is Ron's new favorite food. As dessert they had ice cream from a street cart. All and all a nice evening hanging out. They even had a real conversation about quidditch and made plans to have a friendly quidditch match with some Gryffindor's tomorrow.
Yeah as usual Hermione is right, Ron probably should start believing Hermione even when she says something unlikely, or especially when she says something unlikely.
