CHAPTER 8

2 May 1999 – Ministry of Magic

The ballroom had been opulently decorated to commemorate the first Anniversary of the Second Wizarding War and unsurprisingly people were flocking in great numbers. The room was quickly filled with distinguished guests, honoured war heroes, bustling reporters and at the heart of it all Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. They smiled politely yet the undeniable pain was rather evident. However, Harry had to remind himself (and at times Ginny too) that it was okay to have a moment to be happy and proudly acknowledge those that had given their lives to see a better future for all. With that in mind he stepped forward and answered a few of the many questions the reporters threw at him.

Hermione had used that moment to quietly slip into the room and stay well out of sight from all the cameras. She didn't think she would have the energy for that sort of chaos tonight. She stayed close to the shadows not yet ready to face the memories tonight would bring. Grabbing a glass of champagne of a floating tray, she sipped at it, watching all those around her. Familiar faces popped up every so often but for the first time in a long time Hermione didn't feel like the brave Gryffndor everybody had come to celebrate tonight.

She briefly wondered what Harry would say when he saw her later. She had only come back for the anniversary gala. The Wizard would be expecting Draco and her back in the morning. She winced at the thought of telling Harry that before empting her glass and grabbing another.

"Easy there love. The night has just begun." Draco said coming up beside her. He eyed the almost empty glass in her hand with amusement.

"All the alcohol in the world won't be enough for tonight." Hermione replied with a sigh.

Draco chuckled, "Finally something we agree on."

Hermione smirked and then looked back to the centre of the room. Draco snuck a glance at her at was thrown by how beautiful she looked. Her dress was a rich blue with intricate silver work framing under the bust. It fit her perfectly and flared out ever so slightly as it reached the floor. He held back a groan when he noticed the dress was nearly backless with delicate straps of silver beading running across from one shoulder to the other. Her hair was done beautifully in an intricate braid with just a few curls falling loose. Draco was very tempted to reach out and tug at those curls…but he couldn't so he stuffed his hands into his pockets but that didn't stop him from speaking.

"Bloody hell Hermione," he whispered.

"What?" she asked sounding alarmed. "What happened?"

"Nothing. You just look so beautiful right now." Draco told her looking into her chocolate eyes. "Tonight is going to be absolute torture for me, you do realise that right?"

Hermione blushed but gathered her wits rather quickly. "Oh? How so?" she asked a smirk playing on her lips.

"Seeing you in that dress, having other men throw themselves at you and not being able to do anything about it. This is absolute torture." Draco answered almost grimacing as the thoughts ran through his head.

Despite her efforts Hermione felt herself heat up at Draco's words. "I am not some trophy you get to claim Draco Malfoy," she tried scolding him. He merely laughed.

"That doesn't make you any less mine." He told her stubbornly. Then before she could blink, he moved behind her, bending so his lips grazed her shoulder. She felt a shiver run down her spine and goosebumps rise on her skin.

"I am yours," he told her whispering in her ear, "And you are mine." He said firmly and then placed a kiss on her shoulder. Hermione closed her eyes relishing in the feel of his lips against her skin. "Enjoy the evening love." He told her and then he was gone.

She groaned in frustration but didn't have time to debate it much as she saw a figure walking towards her. Her heart thumped a little faster and Hermione took a big swing of the champagne in her hand as the figure approached.

"Hermione," he greeted softly.

"Hi Harry," she said smiling. Hermione wanted to reach out and pull him into a big hug but the look on his face was extremely guarded and suddenly Hermione felt like a stranger in front of him.

Instead she settled for, "How have you been?"

"Good." Harry replied curtly. "Ginny and I got engaged." He told her a moment later.

"I heard. Congratulations," she said sincerely.

Harry nodded and then lapsed into a tension filled silence. "So…are you back then?" Harry asked after the silence had tortured them long enough.

Hermione grimaced, she had been hoping to avoid this conversation until much later into the evening.

"Just for the night," she informed him a little hesitantly. And just as Hermione predicted, Harry did not look too happy about this.

"So you're still carrying on this madness with The Wizard then?" he asked angrily.

Hermione scowled ever so slightly. Granted, she knew her friend was not going to be happy about it, but was it so much to ask for a little support. All through their friendship, Hermione supported Harry and Ron in their decisions. She stood by them, saved their sorry arses countless times, fed them, loved them and did everything a friend, girlfriend and sister was supposed to do. But it seemed that those acts were not to be returned to her in any way any time soon. Truthfully she was a little disappointed with Harry's attitude but mostly she was hurt and angry.

"Yes." She answered looking at him. "You weren't expecting me to quit and come running home I hope." Harry merely shrugged and this only further angered Hermione. "Harry! How could you have such little faith in my abilities! You know I would never start something I had no intention of finishing." She told him seething slightly.

"Tell that to my brother," Ginny said appearing beside Harry.

"That is completely different to this!" Hermione pointed out angrily.

"Make all the excuses you want Hermione. It doesn't change what you did." Ginny told her.

"I already told you I was sorry about what happened between Ron and I but in any case, that is between us. It has nothing to do with you." Hermione fumed.

"He's my brother!" Ginny argued. "And you broke his heart over some stupid job! Some bloody war hero you turned out to be."

Hermione groaned. "Ginny you have to understand, I didn't love Ron like he deserved to be loved. If we had stayed together we would have been miserable."

This time Harry interjected. "You don't know that Hermione. You …you just left!"

"You make it sound like I'm never coming back!" Hermione said rolling her eyes. "It's only till I finish my internship, and then I'll be back."

"You left because you said you needed space. If that was the case why not just take a holiday somewhere private. Why accept a three year internship that you can't speak about with some Wizard we don't know about?!" Harry asked his anger getting the better of him.

"Because I need to feel useful Harry," Hermione told him honestly. "I can't sit on some beach somewhere hoping and praying the nightmares will go away. But more than that I need to know what it feels like to be me… I told you this before I left Harry. My answer hasn't changed since then."

"No, it seems the only thing that has changed is you." Harry looked at her disappointed, "I thought some time away would make you realise your place is here with us."

"Clearly we're not as important as some job Harry," Ginny said glaring at Hermione. "She's made it perfectly clear exactly where we fit into her life."

"Ginny that's not true." Hermione sighed trying to hold back her frustration at her friend's behaviour. "I just need some time a-"

"Alone. Yes so you've said." Harry cut in.

"Harry I'm sorry." Hermione said softly. "But I'm just not ready to come home yet."

"After leaving like that do you really think you have a home to return too? Better yet do you think your family is going to be waiting for you?" Ginny asked.

"Ginny!" Hermione gasped in horror.

"You can't just decide to go off and leave us behind! Not when you're needed here!" Ginny raged.

"For what?" Hermione countered. "To play the good war – heroine girlfriend?"

"Have you even thought about Ron at all?" Ginny asked narrowing her eyes at Hermione. "Have you thought about what he might need?"

"And what about what I want? What I need?" Hermione asked outraged.

"You've had your chance Hermione! Cavorting all over the place doing Merlin knows what!" Ginny spat. "You are needed here with Ron."

"You don't get to decide that for me Ginny!" Hermione cried angrily.

"Well you clearly aren't thinking straight to be making such decisions for yourself!" Ginny retorted.

Hermione opened her mouth to respond but Harry stopped. "Enough," he said stiffly. "Look Hermione," he sighed, "the point is you're needed here. It's time you stop running away because I don't know much longer we can keep waiting for you."

"Wha- what are you saying Harry?" she asked frowning.

"I think that is fairly clearly Hermione," Ginny snipped, "We're either your family or we're not, but don't think for a second we're just going to sit around and wait for you," and before Hermione could reply, she looped her arm though Harry's and walked away.

Hermione stood in the ballroom feeling angry and betrayed. She had hoped that in her absence her friends…no her family would come to realise how important this was to her. She had hoped that they would understand that for once in her life she wanted to do something that was purely for her own desires.

Hermione bit back her frustration and focused on trying to have a good time. She grabbed another glass of champagne and soon enough she lost herself in the crowd. The din of the room made it easy for Hermione to forget about her pain for a while.

Eventually the Minister had called the room to attention and gave speech that reduced many to tears. It was during Harry's speech that Hermione found she couldn't breathe. The pain and memories that she had shut out so long ago, were coming back in full swing. Quickly and hoping not to attract to much attention she left the ballroom, and found herself in the quiet corridor of the Ministry.

"Are you okay?" a voice called from behind her. Hermione jumped in surprise holding a hand to her heart.

"Draco! Merlin, you scared me!' she scolded.

"Sorry," he said as he walked towards her. "I saw you leaving. Are you okay?"

"Yeah… it was just too much." Hermione said trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.

"Hermione," Draco pressed. It was fairly obvious that something was bothering her.

"Harry's up there speaking about sacrifices and family and standing by each other and yet he refuses to stand by me now." Hermione started ranting. "Is it too much to ask of him to support me? I spent seven years keeping him alive and I stood by his side even when Ron walked out on us. I gave up my parents to help him! And he…ugh! He just threw me away because I'm not doing what he wants! It's not fair Draco!" Hermione cried.

"Maybe he just doesn't want to lose you after everything that's happened." Draco suggested.

Hermione looked at him in utter disbelief. "You're not supposed to take his side!" she all but whined.

Draco chuckled and reached for her. Taking her hands in his, he stopped her pacing and drew her close. "I'm not taking sides love." He told her. "All I'm saying is that after everything he's been through I don't think Potter wants anymore of his family away from him."

"What makes you so sure that's what this is about?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

"It's why my mother didn't want me to take the internship. After everything we'd survived she thought we'd finally get time to be a family without all the… death." Draco explained. "But I chose this rather than choosing to stay at home with her. She was angry, probably still is but I needed to do this."

"Has she forgiven you?" Hermione asked resting her head on his chest.

"Yes, but it helps that I'm her only child." Draco said earning a laugh from Hermione.

"Thank you," she said looking up at him.

"For what?" he asked.

"For everything." Hermione said before pulling him down to her.

His lips met hers delicately as he cupped her cheek with one hand while the other wrapped around her waist. Hermione pressed herself into him and Draco immediately deepened the kiss. Her hands found its way into his silky hair and she could barely hold back the moan when she felt his hand dance along her bare back. Her skin felt hot and suddenly the only thing that made sense was the way in which he was holding her. She didn't want any part of it to stop but she was sure someone was calling her name. Pulling away from Draco, she drew a heavy breath and that was when she heard it.

"Hermione?" Harry called looking at her in confusion. "What…what are you doing?"

"Harry!" Hermione said in surprise. "I thought… you were giving your speech."

"I was. I looked for you in the crowd but couldn't find you. Clearly you have better things to do than stay and support me." He said bitterly.

"Harry! That's not fair!" Hermione cried her anger rising.

"No Hermione! What's not fair is how easily you left especially after everything we've been through!" Harry argued. "And I thought that maybe you were just angry or needed some space and I understood that… but now you're out here… kissing Malfoy!"

"It's not like I planned for this to happen Harry," Hermione said.

"What about Ron, Hermione?" Harry asked glaring at Draco. "What are you going to tell Ron? He's waiting for you!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, by sleeping with every other witch in Britain!"

"Potter what's the big deal? So, Hermione kissed me. It's just a kiss." Draco said not looking at Hermione. "It didn't mean anything."

"Stay out of this Malfoy," Harry said sternly. "Ron is just acting out. You know how he gets." Harry tried justifying.

"Is that the excuse you're going to give me? That he's what…sowing his oats?" she all but spat.

"Look Hermione I've tried accepting this internship thing," He said ignoring her comment, "and the fact that you've walked away from us but to… to let us go for him?" Harry asked helplessly sparing Draco a glance.

"Harry it's not like that!" Hermione said frustrated. "This is not about me choosing Draco over you! You're my family!"

"It doesn't feel like that Hermione," Harry said sadly. "In fact it hasn't felt like that in a very long time."

"Maybe because you treat her like shit" Draco mumbled but Harry heard him nonetheless.

Harry scowled. "I didn't ask you Malfoy! What the hell are you even doing with her?"

"You have eyes Potter, use them! What did it look like we were doing?" Draco retorted. "Why are you here anyway?"

"That is none of your business Malfoy," Harry hissed.

"Enough you two!" Hermione cried exasperated.

Harry sighed and turned his attention back to hermione. "Look Mione I was going to apologise for what Ginny had said earlier. About not having a family and maybe get you to reconsider staying here with us."

"But you're not anymore?" Hermione asked uncertainly.

Harry looked at Draco uncomfortably. "I can't." he said quietly. "I can't ask you to stay here with us when you're clearly not the friend that left all those months ago."

"Harry!" Hermione said unsure whether she felt more disappointed or frustrated. "Of course I'm not! Things have changed… times have changed."

"I know that!" Harry retorted looking offended. "But that isn't an excuse for your recent choice in company."

"Why is it so difficult for you to believe he has changed?" Hermione questioned. "If you can save the bloody world then surely a man like Draco Malfoy has it in him to change."

"How can you actually believe he's changed that much?" Harry asked somewhat snidely, "After everything…a person cannot change that much! For Merlin's sake! He tortured you for years! He called you every terrible name in the book and … he just stood there when you were being tortured by his aunt! How can you touch him… let alone kiss him!?" Harry asked angrily. "I don't understand Hermione…"

"He's changed Harry," Hermione explained slowly. "He's not the same boy from school. Things are different now."

"But Hermione he still wears the mark! There have been speculations about that! You've heard what people are say-"

"Harry Potter! How dare you insinuate such a thing!" Hermione yelled. "Have you forgotten what his mother did for you? For us all?"

"No I haven't! But one right decision does not erase a lifetime of wrong ones!" Harry argued.

"You of all people should know Harry, that the world isn't spilt into good people and bad!" Hermione said stepping closer to Draco. "I can't believe you'd say such a thing!"

Harry didn't seem too unfazed by Hermione's anger. "I'm not saying that Hermione."

"Then what are you saying Potter?" Draco asked barely concealing his disdain.

Harry gritted his teeth for a moment, almost as if he didn't really want to answer that question. "I want Hermione to come home where she belongs. It's here with us Hermione." Harry said looking at her as if to inform her of something she might have forgotten.

"Harry I can't…"

"Don't you think you've had your fun Hermione?" Harry snapped angrily. "We need you here!"

"You think this is about me having fun?" Hermione asked aghast. "That's all I've been doing. Having fun?"

"I can't imagine it would be anything else." Harry said tight lipped. "Especially not with Malfoy."

"See here Potter, I've had just about enough of you assuming shit about Hermione and I." Draco started. "If you cared at all about her, then you would know why this is important to her."

"I don't need lessons on family from you!" Harry yelled.

"Harry! Stop!" Hermione cried. "This is not like you!"

"Maybe I've grown tired of losing those who are important to me." Harry replied. "I don't fancy the idea of having to share you with the likes of Malfoy either!"

"So what exactly are you saying Harry?" Hermione asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Isn't it obvious?" Ginny called out.

"Oh well that's just brilliant," Draco muttered in her ear. "Just what we needed." Hermione elbowed him but kept her focus on Ginny.

"Please enlighten us Weaselette," Draco said ignoring Hermione's protests.

"Really Hermione? Malfoy?" Ginny questioned throwing a disapproving look at Hermione. Clearly it was meant to fill Hermione with shame and guilt but it only further angered her.

When Hermione didn't respond, Ginny continued, "What Harry is saying is that you clearly have a choice to make."

"And what choice would that be?" Hermione bit out.

"You have to decide what's more important. Being here with us – your family or this stupid internship and whatever the hell this thing with Malfoy is." Ginny said plainly.

"I thought you said I didn't have any family here." Hermione said remembering her words from earlier.

"Well perhaps I was a but hasty when I said that." Ginny replied looking at Harry. "But all will be as it should be when you come to your senses and decide to stay."

"And if I don't?" Hermione challenged.

"Why wouldn't you choose to stay?" Ginny asked perplexed.

"Because this is ridiculous!" Hermione argued.

"No it's not!" Harry cried vehemently. "Look Hermione, Ginny is right. You have a choice to make. We can't wait here wandering when you're coming back… if at all you're coming back. It's really quite simple. Us or him."

Hermione looked at her friends distraught. "How could you so selfishly ask me to pick from two things that make me happy! I love you Harry, and for a long while you've been the only family I've had in this world. And you have to believe that I didn't want to leave but I had too. I needed time alone to figure things out. I never meant for anything to happen between Draco and I."

"Enough Hermione!" Harry cut in. "I don't want to hear about all the time you needed alone because clearly that was a lie." He said looking at Draco. "And I certainly don't want to hear about any feelings you think you might have for Malfoy!"

"I am very certain of what I feel Harry," Hermione corrected him. "Don't assume you know what our relationship is like if you haven't bothered to take the time to listen to me!"

"Us or him Hermione," Harry said ignoring her statement. "Your family or this Wizard and whatever trouble he's most likely to bring." He demanded looking pointedly at Draco.

"You're really going to make me choose?" Hermione asked disbelieving.

"You can't be naïve to think that any future you might have with Malfoy will seriously work out?" Ginny asked.

"I think that's for us to decided Weasley," Draco snipped in.

"Don't be a fool Hermione," Ginny said ignoring Draco. "You know my brother loves you and will give you everything you need for a good life. Why are you putting yourself through all this unnecessary pain?"

"Have you ever thought to ask what I want for my future?" Hermione asked them. "No, you haven't." she said holding back her tears. "You're so quick to decide what I deserve and what my life should look like but maybe that's not what I want."

"We only want what's best for you Hermione," Harry said trying to placate her as if she were a child.

"So why can't you trust that I know what's best for me Harry?" Hermione pleaded. "I understand that you may not like Draco and yes he's done some terrible things in the past. But he's changed and he deserves a second chance. You're so convinced that this internship is a terrible idea but you haven't once asked what it's been like. You don't know that I've loved every moment of it and that not for a second do I regret agreeing to it. This is what I want, why is that so difficult for you to accept?"

"We're having lunch at the Burrow tomorrow," Harry said not bothering to comment on what Hermione had said. "If you decide to come we'll know your choice is us. If we're not what you choose …well I'll try not to be too surprised." With that Harry took Ginny's hand in his and they walked away, not bothering to look back at all.

"Harry," Hermione stared after her best friend completely speechless.

Hermione felt her knees buckle and perhaps would have crumbled to the floor had it not been for Draco. He held her firm and steady in his arms as she cried. He knew in that moment he could never ask Hermione to choose. It was not fair and she didn't deserve it. And despite how much he loved her, Draco knew Hermione loved and needed her family more.

He hated to think that Weaselette might be right, but what sort of future were they going to have? A war-heroine and an ex-Death-Eater! It would bring unnecessary pain and trouble into Hermione's life. And after all that she had survived she really didn't need that.

So, Draco decided he would make that choice for her. Because if anyone deserved a happy life, it was the woman that he loved, even if he wasn't the one to give it to her.