AN: Quickest turnaround for a chapter on this in ages :) Hopefully it is a good sign :)

Hermione Potter Black had an interesting day, starting with reading the media responses to the ball the evening before and then followed by brunch at Malfoy Manor and their trip to the Burrow. Both trips had brought up several questions for her that she was determined to get answers for.

She had been aware for some time now that Lord Malfoy, Lucius as he had requested she call him over brunch, had been teaching Harry. He was the one that was responsible for her brothers increased confidence and awareness of himself and his role within Wizarding Society. She had been meaning to thank him for that, as without his tutelage Harry wouldn't be as settled as he now is and he wouldn't have known that he could accept her into his family. Deciding to owl Lucius to set up a meeting she wanted to thank him, but she also wanted to get to the bottom of several little things she noticed while they were at the Manor, and perhaps ask to borrow a couple of books.

Hermione and Harry had taken the time to change after brunch into robes a bit more formal, strange as that may be for a trip to the Burrow, but Harry felt it best that he went in his Lordship robes as he was trying to sort out what could become a societal scandal if left unchecked. Hermione had followed his lead and they enjoyed a small reprieve before going to face the Weasleys. They had been a little worried that they would come back to find their home overrun with them despite the family wards being raised, knowing how persuasive Mrs Weasley could be were her children were concerned. Bill was certainly skilled enough to be able to breach some of their defences, and was susceptible to his mothers nagging.

Apparating to the Burrow and walking up the drive was more harrowing that day than her first visit back to Malfoy Manor since the war. Hermione knew that it wouldn't go well, that the Weasley temper meant that it was bound to be a catastrophic arguement, one that she was unsure if they would come out of with a friendship with the family still in tact.

Harry had entered first, not wanting any of the Weasleys to be able to comment that he was hiding behind me, to find all the Weasley's except Ginny and Molly sat around the kitchen table. Molly was busy at the stove banging pots and pans about, and from the look on several of the boys faces it was obvious that Ginny was hiding in her room in tears.

"I'd like to speak with Ginny if she is available." Harry stated politely, no use in rocking the boat unnecessarily.

"You'll speak to us first Potter." Ron snarled at him, brandishing that mornings copy of the Daily Prophet at him. "How dare you spread lies about our mum and sister just to impress your posh new friends. You upset Ginny, she came home from the ball upset at the way you, both of you were treating her." He had thrown a disgusted glance at us both at the thought that we had done anything to upset his little sister.

The headline Weasley Womens' Wickedness shone from the front page of the paper, the picture of Ginny as she attempted to ingratiate herself to people at the Ball the evening before while they spoke with the Malfoy's. The article had not been flattering, written by Rita Skeeter it couldn't be anything but unflattering, and had brought up several of Ginny's previous relationships and questioned her virtue. Then Skeeter had started on Molly as a galleon hunter looking for a rich Lord for her daughter.

Hermione sighed, "Neither of us spoke with any media Ronald, the only person who spoke to a member of the press last night was Ginny."

"Most of what was stated in the media is just conjecture, with the exception of course the pieces about Ginny's lack of manners that was glaringly obvious for everyone to see." Harry stated plainly. "I don't know what Ginny has told you all, but she was deliberately rude several times over the course of the night because she wanted to discuss other matters than what everyone was talking about, or she wanted to be part of conversations that had nothing to do with her and were private family matters."

Molly let out a huff from were she was standing and muttered something about Malfoy's which drew attention to her. "I was speaking with Lord Malfoy yes and Lord Evreux, but on a family matter that concerned Narcissa, a Black." Harry answered, daring her to comment further. "What exactly was your plan last night Mrs Weasley? If what the papers say Ginny told Parkinson is true you picked her dress out, you had to have known what the dress would imply, unlike your children who you have left completely unaware about the society they have grown up in."

Molly fidgeted a bit, and Hermione knew she was trying to figure out the best way to spin her tale so that she didn't look exactly how the papers were painting her to be. She knew that Harry had accepted the reality of the situation though, and that they were both aware that they would no doubt be leaving with fewer friends than they had arrived with.

"It was a pretty dress dear." She started, "I just wanted you to see exactly how perfect Ginny is for you, you know that from where you are now marriage is the next logical step."

Hermione watched as the elder Weasley boys took in what their mother said, none of them looking terribly impressed by her or her words. Arthur just shook his head, throwing disappointed looks in his wives direction. "Ginny is upstairs." Mr Weasley commented.

Harry took off towards the stairs, completely ignoring Mrs Weasley as she tried to get him to understand that it was all for his own good. Ron was remarkably silent as Harry made his way past him and Hermione noticed that he was getting redder in the face but no sound was escaping him as he tried to escape his chair. A quick look to his left showed the twins putting their wands away, having silenced him and stuck him to his chair.

Harry wasn't too long speaking with Ginny, Hermione was pretty sure that he had been going over in his head exactly what he wanted to say to her the whole time they had been at the Burrow. It wasn't going to be easy breaking up with her, her temper being legendary but it was what he had needed to do. Hermione had been rather surprised that she hadn't heard Ginny screeching but realised that Harry must have silenced the room when he entered.

When he returned to the kitchen he informed the Weasley's that he would be releasing a statement to the press later that day to clear up any confusion or misinformation that the earlier articles had presented. They then left for home once more, Harry owling off his statement to the various Wizarding papers before they took up refuge in the library for the remainder of the day.

When the evening papers arrived many of the headlines had a variation of the same article.

Lord Potter Black Puts Rumours to Rest

Rita Skeeter

Earlier this day Lord Potter Black sent a statement out regarding the Ball last night and the articles that had been published earlier this morning. He asked that his statement be published in full and not be edited in any way, his statement is as follows.

There are a lot of rumours flying around the Wizarding world at the moment about my status and my plans for the future, in part due to the Ball last evening. It is well known that I have been in a relationship for the last few months with Miss Genevra Weasley, however recent actions have meant that I have ended this relationship. Miss Weasley is a nice young lady, who perhaps needs further tuition on how to act within polite society, but she is not the young witch for me. Her outfit choice of last evening, was no doubt down to a complete lack of education when it comes to our customs, and as such I shall not be seeking damages but will allow the Head of the Weasley family to correct this oversight by educating his daughter.

Many will now be wondering if there is anyone else on the horizon for me, as a young unmarried Lord of two Houses it would be expected that I find someone to settle down with and continue my lines. At the moment this is the furthest thing from my mind, for now I intend to spend time learning about my families, my role in Wizarding society and how to be the Lord I was born to be. Currently with excellent tutors I am learning my responsibilities and working towards my Mastery in History as well as learning all I need to take my place in the House of Wizards.

I thank everyone for their concern on my behalf in these matters, but I now consider the matter to be a private issue and wish for no further media coverage over what is now a Weasley family issue.

It is clear that Lord Potter Black considers this matter closed and that it has been settled through discussion by the heads of the Potter and Weasley clans. We can only hope that this will mean a marked improvement in the manners of Miss Weasley when she is out in public.

Hermione put the paper down looking to Harry who was looking quite pleased with himself. "I wonder how many howlers Mrs Weasley will try to send?"

Harry just laughed, "I really couldn't care anymore." He picked up the book he had been reading on the history of the House of Wizards, kissed her on the cheek and headed for bed.

Hermione just smiled bemusedly after him, being free of Ginny would be good for him. She looked at the paper again, despite his insistence that he wasn't looking for another relationship at the moment, she had a feeling that one was looking for him. Grabbing a piece of parchment she quilled a quick message to Lord Malfoy, she wanted answers.