The rest the week went by and they had made only a small amount of progress worst of all she'd pretty much dreamt about Malfoy every night even when Ron was in her bed. This wasn't good. Every day Malfoy would make a sly comment that would send her heart pounding. Seeing him every day working with her on something she was pretty sure he agreed with and cared about didn't help it just showed there was something good about him.

It was late Friday and her head had started to pound, she put her head in her hands and moaned aloud. 'This might be useless.'

'Let's not give up yet.' Malfoy said rubbing his own eyes. 'We've got the weekend to relax and take a break it might be what we need to get things going again.'

'You're probably right.' She said with a sigh. 'Let's call it a day.'

'Would you let me buy you a drink?' He asked.

'I don't think that's a great idea Malfoy.' She said exasperated.

'Why not? It's only a drink. We've had a hard week I think we deserve it.' He smiled at her. 'Don't worry I don't plan to take advantage.' As if I'd need to he thought to himself. She was looking at his lips again, he saw her do it a lot but he let her think he never noticed.

'Well the answers no Malfoy.' She said getting her things together. 'Even if I wanted to I can't I have plans.'

'With someone else?' He feigned hurt. 'I'm hurt Granger! Is it with the Weasel?'

'Not that it's any of your business but yes' she put the last thing in her bag. 'He and Ginny are coming over to mine and Harrys for dinner. And I still don't have everything I need either.'

'What no invite for me?' He laughed. 'Don't worry Granger another time perhaps?'

'Whatever. I've gotta go. See you Monday.' And she left.

Draco went the pub anyway and ordered a beer. As he was drinking his beer he started to contemplate the idea that he was starting to feel something more for Granger than just want. This unnerved him he was always able to stay a few paces away from the girls he'd seen in the past. He always knew Granger was different from the other girls he'd gone out with before. He was only just starting to realize this might not work out how he'd planned. Granger wasn't the type to just idly fall into something with someone. Did he still want to pursue her even if someone could get hurt, even him? He ordered another beer.

Hermione was just about finished cooking so she ran to her room to get changed and put on a bit of makeup. She was walking down the stairs just as the door opened and Ron and Ginny came in.

'Hey guys.' Hermione said smiling.

'Hey Hermione. How's it going?' Ginny said taking off her coat. It was so much better now they had figured out how to remove the permanent sticking charm from the back of Mrs. Black. Kreacher was the one to give up the secret before he died six moths ago.

'Ok tough week.' She said walking over to Ron.

'Yeah Ron said you've had to work with Malfoy all week.' Ginny grimaced. 'That must be tough.'

'It's awful but he has a great understanding of house elves and I actually think he wants to put this law in place almost as much as I do.' She thought back to Dobby and how at one point he was the Malfoy's house elf. 'But no shop talk.'

'I agree.' Ron said. 'I smell food anyway.' Hermione and Ginny laughed. 'Where's Harry?'

'I don't know.' Hermione said. 'I haven't seen him yet.'

Just as she said it Harry walked in the door looking upset. Ginny was there in an instant. 'What's wrong?' she asked.

'I think it's me who needs the drink tonight Hermione. Kingsley told me what's going on.' He said taking his coat off. 'Let's go to the kitchen.'

They all followed him to the kitchen and watched while he poured himself a fire whiskey.

'There's a war started in Canada.' He said grimly.

'Oh my god!' Hermione said sitting down. 'Is it bad?'

'Very. According to Kingsley. There has been severe loss of life on our side.' Harry rubbed his eyes. 'People from our auror office will be getting drafted to go over and help.'

There was complete silence. Harry and Ron were both aurors. Either of them or both of them could easily be drafted to help out.

'Why your office?' Ginny asked her eyes starting to water Harry took her into his arms.

'Ours is the most prestigious. It's not just us though, there will be drafts from other countries too.' He said hugging Ginny tighter.

'How will they decide who goes?' Hermione asked.

'First they will ask for volunteers. See how many are willing to go. Then I think it will just be a random draw.' He took a steadying breath.

Hermione went over to the cupboard for more glasses and poured more fire whiskey for everyone and topping up Harry's. Ron hadn't said a word he was just stood there. He looked dumbstruck. Finally he spoke.

'They can't do this.' He said 'We've just come out of a war! They can't send us into another one.' His voice was rising as he spoke.

'Calm down Ron.' Hermione said walking up to him to put her arms around him.

'Calm down?' He said taking a step back from her. 'Calm down? Hermione they want us to go to war again! They can't do this!' He turned and left the house.

'He'll calm down soon.' Harry said still clutching Ginny closely.

Hermione felt a sob trying to escape her lips so she turned round and ran to her room turning on the shower and taking off her clothes and stepping in as soon as she was in she let the sob escape. There was another war and she could lose Harry and Ron. This wasn't fair. She ended up sitting on the floor of the shower with her knees tucked into her chest letting the water run over her long after the water had gone cold.