A/N: a couple of things first:

sorry for the delay. My head keeps bombarding me with all these story ideas and it made it hard to concentrate on this story.

I wrote the last part of this chapter on my phone and in order to get to sleep at a decent hour while still being able to get this out my proofreading was less thorough than usually. I'll come back in a few days and see if I missed any mistakes

Lastly I'm sad to announce this story is nearing it's ending. The next chapter will be the last and there will be s small epilogue after that.

Enjoy!


Chapter 21 Talk

The rest of Christmas break goes by rather fast. Both Narcissa and Ron reach out to Draco but he doesn't react to either of them. When Ron complains to Hermione about this she tells him to give Draco some time and wait till their back at Hogwarts. There it will be a lot harder for Draco to avoid Ron.

Between trying to comfort Ron, researching the information from Bellatrix diary and catching up with her parents Hermione does not have a lot of time to think about her fight with Ginny.

Her mother however decides she needs to deal with it. The day before she has to get back to Hogwarts her parents request she come home with them so they can have a little time to the three of them.

At dinner that night her mother brings her relationship to the table.

"Things haven't been right between you and Ginny since new years eve. What happened?"

"We had a fight."

"I figured that much. What was the fight about?"

"She said the addendum to the law is as bad for me as it is for Draco and Ron."

"I see, did she explain why she felt that way?"

"She said that she knows I like to think things through and I'm not ready to have sex with her yet. She doesn't believe I'm in love with her."

"Did she say she doesn't believe you're in love with her?"

"Well no, she actually said she believes I'm in love with her."

"Hmmhmm, and tell me Hermione, are you ready to have sex?"

"I don't know."

"That means you're not ready. Because if you're ready to take the next step, you'll know without a doubt."

"Did you? Know without a doubt I mean."

"I did." Her mother answers and lets Hermione stew in silence for a few minutes before she continues.

"Hermione sweetheart, from what you've told me Ginny loves you very much. So much in fact that she doesn't want to do something, sexually, that you're not ready for. Yes she compared you to Ron and Draco, but all she meant with that was that you just like them are not ready for this next step and she doesn't want some law forcing you to take that step. I think that's a admirable thing. A lesser person could see this as their chance to do something they're ready for but their partner is not."

"You think Ginny wants to have sex?"

"Only Ginny can really answer that question, but I do believe she is more ready for you wedding night than you are."

Hermione contemplates her mother's words for a few minutes before letting out a deep sigh.

"I owe Ginny one hell of an apology."


Around the same time Molly and Ginny are doing the dishes the muggle way.

"So you and Hermione are fighting?"

"Yes."

"Well, what happened."

"Minerva told us about the addendum. I was shocked and nearly told Harry and Luna about it, so Hermione took me outside, told me not to ruin the night. One thing let te another and she just seemed so indifferent about the whole thing. She said the addendum wasn't a big deal because people would have sex on their wedding night anyway. So I tried to reason with her, but you know Hermione…"

"Let me guess, you ended up saying something you shouldn't have?"

"Sort of. I told her that this addendum was bad for people like Ron, Draco and her. People who are not sure they want to go through with the marriage." Ginny looks ashamed to her feet.

"Am I correct in guessing you meant to tell her you don't want her forced to doing something she's not ready for because the law says so?"

"Yeah."

"Hermione is a smart girl, I'm sure she has realised what you meant bij know. And if she didn't you better start groveling." Molly teases, which causes the mood to lighten.


After Draco leaves Rons spends some time with Narcissa talking about where Draco might have gone. The best they can come up with is Malfoy Manor unfortunately the wards won't let either Ron or Narcissa in. Ron hopes that Trendy and Danky will be able to get into the Manor even though they're not yet bonded with Draco. When both elves return form Malfoy Manor with the news they were not be able to get in Ron closes of from his friends and spends the the remainder of the break in his room, only coming out every now and then to eat.


The evening before the kids have to get back to Hogwarts Molly organises the usual family dinner. It doesn't feel the same as in the past though. Hermione is spending the last night of break with her parents. Draco is still missing, which had lead to Ron not leaving his room and even though Narcissa does attend dinner she is rather subdued. Nobody has heard from Fred since new years even, but he's probably spending the evening with his finacé. Harry is spending is last night of break with his father-in-law instead of at the Burrow. Even the House elves who have become a part of the extended Weasley family are not there. Binky is spending the evening with Hermione while both Trendy and Danky are out in the muggle world searching for Draco.

Molly however refuses to let this get in the way of the usual feast she prepares for her children the night before they go back to school.


When Ron and Ginny arrive at platform 9 ¾ both immediately say goodbye to their family before going of in a search of their assigned partners. Their search is fruitless both Hermione and Draco are nowhere to be found at the platform nor in the train.

In the great Hall Ginny spots Draco first at the Slytherin table and points him out to Ron. When Ron moves to go to Draco he is stopped by Minerva.

"I have to insist you move to the Gryffindor table mister Weasley. As you are aware it is mandatory to sit at your house table during feasts."

Ron grumbles but listens and sits down at the Gryffindor table. Ginny however doesn't move. She hasn't seen Hermione yet and is worried.

"Headmistress? Have you heard of Hermione. She wasn't in the train and she is not sitting at Gryffindor table. I'm worried something happened to her."

"Miss Granger is fine and excused from today's feast. If you come to my chambers after the feast we'll talk." With those words Minerva leaves Ginny behind in order to move to the teachers table. Ginny stands for a few moments before sighing and moving to the Gryffindor table. At least Hermione is safe.

When Ginny is seated Minerva stands to address the students.

"Good evening students, I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas break. During the break a couple things happened you should be aware of. Professor Sprout got married on Christmas Day and has taken her husband's name. Please refer to her as Professor Longbottom from now on. I myself have gotten married on january first and have also taken my husbands name. I kindly ask of you to refer to me as headmistress or Professor Weasley from now on. Enjoy your meal."

After dinner Ginny goes to Minerva's quarters and to her surprise it is Fred who opens the door and not Minerva.

"Come in little sis. Minerva has a staff meeting and asked me to make sure you and my feature sister-in-law work things out."

Ginny walks in after Fred and finds Hermione already sitting on the sofa. Before Ginny can talk though Fred speaks up.

"Please take a seat on the sofa and put your wand next to Hermione's on the table. First Minerva wants you to know she is sorry if her revelation caused your fight. Secondly, yes Minerva and I eloped. Today is not the moment for explanations though. I'm sure Minerva is more than willing to answer all your questions regarding our wedding during your weekly tea. Lastly, I'm going to put a bubble around the sofa. You won't be able to leave that bubble until you have sorted out your problem."WIth a swish of Fred's want a barrier appears around the sofa and he leaves the girls alone.

They look at each other for a moment before the both speak at the same time.

"I'm sorry." They laugh for a few moments before Hermione speaks up.

"I really am sorry. I didn't realise at the time but I know now you tried to protect me. I talked to my mum and that led to some conclusions. The most important of which is that you did not mean to hurt me or make me feel bad. You wanted to protect me. I realise how a lot of people would have used this addendum as a way to get what they want. I also know you have been aware of your feelings toward me for longer and thus are further. It is likely that you are ready to have sex. You could have taken the same attitude as me, claiming it is just the way it is. Instead you got angry. You got angry because you want to wait for us to have sex until we're both ready, don't you?"

"Yes, however I talked to my mum as well and has some revelations of my own. I shouldn't have said you're in the same situation as Ron and Draco, instead I should have explained that I want our first time to be special and it won't be special now with the addendum."

"It could still be special Gin. I mean I don't think I'm ready to have sex yet, but I am ready for more than kissing. Maybe we should move into an apartment. That way we have more privacy and maybe we can discover what I'm ready for."Hermione ends her sentence in a sultry tone with a wink which causes Ginny to blush.

"Maybe by the time Valentine's day rolls around I'm ready for our wedding night. And if I'm not, well than we postpone the wedding."

"I guess that could work" Ginny agrees and stands up. She holds out a hand to Hermione.

"Let's get to bed. We'll talk to Minerva about moving into an apartment during our weekly tea tomorrow."

By the end of the week the girls have moved into the apartment next to Harry and Luna. It turns out that Hermione is ready for quite a lot more than Ginny thought.


Ron and Draco don't make as much progress as the girls. As soon as dinner is over Ron moves to the Slytherin table but when he gets there Draco is nowhere to be seen. Ron runs to the dungeons through short cuts in hope of arrives at the slytherin common room entrance before Draco but when it's almost curfew Ron has to admit defeat

The next week Ron tries to speak to Draco but he can't find him and he isn't in any of their joint classes. When Draco doesn't show up for the slytherin Quidditch Ron decides to ask Hermione for help

"Hermione, do you have a minute?"

"Sure Ron. What is it?"

"I was hoping you could put in a good word with Mcgonagall to help get me and Draco in the same room."

"Her name is Weasley now."

"I know but it feels just to weird. Will you help me?"

"Sure. I'll sent her a note and give you and Draco our tea time tomorrow. Be at her quarters at eight sharp."

"Thanks Hermione."

Monday evening Ron knocks on Minerva's door at eight sharp. The door opens moments later and reveals his brother.

"Come on in baby brother. Draco is already here."

Ron walks in to find Draco sitting on the sofa across from Minerva who is seated in an armchair.

"Please sit down next to Mr Malfoy so we can get started.

Rob sits down next to Draco while Fred settles in the chair next to Minerva

"Headmistress, I'm not sure I can do this with my brother in the room."

"Well Mr Weasley since your brother is my husband and we're meeting in our private chambers you don't have a choice. Besides he might be of help and he will not repeat anything we talk about tonight to anybody outside of this room."

"O-okay." Ron says a little apprehensive.

"Now from what I've heard mr Malfoy has left the burrow on new year's day after hearing about the addendum and you haven't sit down to talk about the addendum since. Am I correct?"

"Yes." Both boys answer simultaneously

"Let's start with you mr Malfoy. Why did you leave?"

"The relationship between Ron and I is still very fragile and even if we wait as long as possible to get married I'm not sure Ron will be ready the. To have intercourse."

"Mr weasley, could you respond to that?"

Ron does a few breathing exercises to control his temper before speaking

"I'm not a virgin and though I admit that it is likely that intercourse during our wedding night would not be making love, I will be ready, am ready actually, to have intercourse."

"But is will not be regular sex it's anal sex."

"I read the addendum Draco, I'm aware of what sort of sex we need to have." Ron answers calmly.

"Why are you so calm about this?" Malfoy nearly yells

"Have you ever considered that you're making to big a deal out of this. And I have a suspicion you're projecting your own fears and insecurities. Anal is not that big a deal if you're patient and use the right spells."

"How would you know?" Draco snaps

Ron shrugs before answering. "Been there, done that."

"You took it up the but?" Fred exclaims.

"What? Lavender wanted to know what…"

"I'm going to stop you right there mr Weasley. There are things I do not wish to know." Minerva interrupts them.

"Now I believe you biggest problem is the lack of communication. Both of you have a tendency to jump to conclusion without bothering to hear what someone may have to say. So I'm ordering you to move i to an apartment together. I'll assign you one of the bigger ones with two bedrooms. I also want you to talk to each other for an hour each night. I'm sure you house elves can help and referee if necessary. I'll make sure you receive all the necessary information before the end of the week. That should enable you to move in during the weekend."

Ron and Draco say their tha ka before getting up. When they have reached the door Minerva speaks up again.

"And Mr Malfoy. You can stop worrying about your father. The testimony of you, your mother and Miss Granger combined with you fathers pathetic attempt at breaking out of azkaban yesterday has lead to a dementor's kiss. I am sorry for your loss but I hope you will be able to move on now the treat is gone.