Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter & co. - just write what could have been. Reviews - thoughts, comments, etc., are always welcomed! Please review - they really do bring a smile to my face :)

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Chapter Twenty-Three

While Hermione finished most of her work for the day, she couldn't properly concentrate to finish it all. Her thoughts kept straying back to a certain wizard. Hermione knew befriending Draco Malfoy was going to be a challenge; he was difficult at best and atrocious at worst. When she saw his vulnerable side – the same one that apologize to her in Theo's solarium – reappear this afternoon, she didn't know how to react. Her impulse got the better of her, not knowing how to react to Draco's current dilemma. Hermione hadn't known he was going back home but being in Malfoy Manor wasn't as panic inducing as she assumed it would be. It also helped she was there solely to help Draco and didn't have time to think about it. She didn't particularly like reappearing in his ancestral home but was pleasantly surprised that she never saw the specific room she was tortured in. Perks of being filthy rich, Hermione thought to herself. She certainly didn't think she was going to be having lunch 1-on-1 with him, but she could see how much his father's future troubled him – blast her bleeding heart. She knew he needed a distraction from his family problems and that's why she agreed to eating with him. She herself needed a change in her old routine; she was done feeling bad for her failed relationship with Ron and she wanted something new to remind her that she didn't need to be in a relationship. Her current friendships helped her, but her new ones were different and refreshing. However, she didn't take account in meeting his mother and having to deal with her own attitude. Narcissa had always been cordial around her whenever she visited Grimmauld Place and the rare occasion she was there as well, she never saw the Pureblood witch elsewhere; the switch from nice to the current icy attitude was to be expected though, Hermione thought. She was uninvited to a personal matter and even more so when it pertained her husband. Despite what Draco assumed, Hermione couldn't help but think that Narcissa Malfoy was trying to put up a strong face for her son. All the Slytherins she knew wore a mask to compartmentalize their feelings and Hermione didn't blame them – it just made them harder to read. She didn't know if all Purebloods were that way, or this was just a coping mechanism from the war. Hermione sighed. She knew Draco was going to be different to befriend because unlike the other two male Slytherins in her life, he still had his family ties to worry about. Nott Sr. was dead, so Theo didn't have to worry about walking on eggshells with his father and his mother had died when he was young. Theo had no siblings that he knew of so he was on his own in that sense; Hermione could easily relate to Theo because of his good-natured attitude and being an only child. Blaise's mother was in Italy, and she assumed the distance and her lack of involvement to begin with was his saving grace – he rarely spoke about her or his father. Also being an only child and his flirtatious attitude was easier to deal with. Draco was more reserved, but playfully unexpectedly. He was more intense – always watching and rarely voicing his inner troubles. Biting her lower lip and sinking lower into her seat, she closed her eyes. Hermione knew befriending Draco Malfoy was going to be a daunting task, but she wasn't one to relent – especially when she could see he was trying. He apologized, he excused her behavior, and he was trying to help her help herself when she wanted to come back and eat in her office. Hermione didn't regret eating French food in his Parisian place. Her life would have been simpler if all three Slytherins kept to their bigoted ways, but they hadn't. They changed and she didn't want to be a hypocrite and judge them for their upbringing. It would be easier, but what good what that do to not move on and learn from the past. What am I getting myself into? She asked herself. She reluctantly opened her eyes, thinking back to the piece of paper on her living room table. Hermione sighed and closed her eyes again. She knew what she was doing – distracting herself as well as changing her old routine. Her job was currently taking all of her time but before that, she was diverting her attention to her new friends and old ones. She needed it. The rejection letter in her home was proof of that and Hermione only had one more clear option that she had yet to decide to fully take. Hermione opened her eyes and began packing her desk away for the day. It was a quarter after 4:30 PM so she'd get home sooner than she had these past weeks. She was barely out of her office door when she came face-to-face with last Slytherin she thought she'd see.

"Parkinson."

Hermione said, her eyebrows quirking up at the stylish witch before her. She was dressed in all white outfit, her pencil skirt hugging her nicely and her blouse tucked in to show off her smaller figure, and the bright pink cloak over her shoulders complimented her bright yellow, at least five-inch heels. She was taller than her in heels, but Hermione was wearing stylish loafers opposed to heels.

"Granger, let's talk."

Parkinson said, offering no room for a decline when she pushed past Hermione and back into her office. Pansy smelt of a sharp perfume and something sickly sweet, but it worked for her. Hermione didn't have a choice but to follow her back in. She left the door open but closed it when the witch before her said,

"I'd close that."

Eyeing her suspiciously and not taking a seat, Parkinson also didn't take one. They stood facing each other, almost as in a silent stare off and Hermione couldn't help but to wonder when Theo would show up next to her office. He was the only one that hadn't. While she wasn't necessarily threatened by the Slytherin Princess as she would have been before, Hermione was still weary. She only had interacted with her twice and she was a dilemma on her own. She wasn't expecting an apology for being a complete cow at Hogwarts, Hermione also didn't know what to expect from the jet-black haired witch. Parkinson visibly sagged – exhaustion rolled of her. Hermione could relate.

"I don't like wasting time so please tell me Patil fabricated a photo of Draco with you today at the atrium and it's not legitimate."

Parkinson said, crossing her arms over her chest, fierce protection projecting from her stance despite how tired she was. Hermione paled before thinking, bugger.

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"Theo you're barking."

Blaise whispered to his friend, trailing after him in the cool ministry halls. Both their expensive shoes made noise against the tile before them. When Blaise had agreed to accompany Theo to drop off his report of whatever current dark artifact, he and the aurors had confiscated from whoever, Blaise was not expecting this. He and Draco had finished a business meeting earlier with one of their backers from Italy and Blaise was still dressed in his light, Italy appropriate attire. While it was just a casual meeting at his Italian home, Blaise was still dressed to impress. However, because of the Italian climate, his clothes were thinner than he preferred. Blaise wore a loose, white dress shirt underneath his casual, crème-colored blazer with matching trousers. He left two buttons opened – his mother complained that he needed at least three – and he wore a gold chain necklace with his family's ring on his left hand. The ring itself was bigger than he liked, but he hadn't changed the styling. It was thick silver with a "Z" formed by a serpent; Blaise had been lucky to sorted into Slytherin as the Zabinis went to the Italian magical school Magicholae and not Hogwarts. The trousers he was sporting were shorter than he would have worn, the blazer was tighter, and the shirt was quite thin, but his mother had sworn this was the current style in Italy. Blaise did want to impress his and Draco's Italian partner, so he didn't complain – much. The light colors complimented his darker skin tone, but Blaise didn't feel as comfortable as he would in a three-piece. Granted, all because he was chasing Theo down the Ministry of Magic and not at his home. Theo also didn't don a three-piece suit either; he wore dark trousers with a long, pale blue oxford tucked in with a leather belt to hold his outfit together. It was too hot for an entire suit and Theo didn't have much to do today. Both wizards were as casual as they would be dared to seen, but they still looked smartly dressed.

"I'm telling you, I saw them!"

Theo whispered back, still trying to locate where he saw Pansy with Hermione. Theo did a double take when he saw both witches talking to one another but by the time he turned back around, they were gone in the abyss that were the ministry halls. After informing Blaise he was going to look for them, Blaise didn't say anything as he followed. Blaise hadn't seen Hermione in a while and he knew Theo missed her; he did too, truthfully told, but he wasn't going to verbally say anything. The Gryffindor witch offered him a chance to show his brighter, nicer side that Blaise usually reserved when his friends were down. But being around Hermione Granger, he didn't know what her demons were, and he didn't want to see her continuously down as Potter mentioned to Theo. It was refreshing when he was accustomed to the double-meaning words and coded looks from the crowd he frequented around.

"What would Pansy go and talk to Hermione about?"

Blaise voiced, feeling utterly foolish for allowing his best mate to lead him in this wild goose chase. While they hadn't seen Hermione in almost over a month and a half, Blaise understood the demands of her job. She was a ministry career witch – she had a lot on her plate. Unlike Theo, he didn't see the need to pester her when she was busy. However, he didn't say no when Theo said he told Draco to retrieve her this time to make her eat something than the poor food in the ministry cafeteria and have lunch with the trio.

"That's what I'm trying to find out."

Theo murmured to himself. He was feeling put out – both witches seemed to be ignoring him. Both Hermione and Pansy were busy at work, but that didn't mean he didn't feel cast aside. While Theo's own work kept him busy at times, most days he didn't have much to do besides handling the remodeling of his home. He wasn't needed all the time to assist the auror department. Theo, like Draco, struggled to find things to keep him busy and occupied. Theo's depression wasn't as bad as Draco's was, but he knew he could fall as deep as his friend could; they were known to have a parasitic relationship when their dark states both hit.

"Ha!"

Theo said, seeing the gold plated "Hermione J. Granger" on the wooden door before him. Blaise rose and eyebrow at him, crossing his arms over his chest. It was the only door for around a kilometer before another wooden door appeared with another golden plate.

"That's her office yet no witches."

Blaise drawled, stating the obvious.

"They're here."

Theo snapped at his friend's reaction and before Blaise could stop him, he knocked hard and opened the door. Luckily for him, it was unlocked but Hermione was standing directly behind it.

"Hey!"

She exclaimed, moving to the side to allow entry. Theo had been right, before him was a put off Hermione and a glaring Pansy.

"Hey yourself."

Theo quipped, smiling at the upset witches. Why they were upset, he had no clue, but seeing them together definitely cheered him up. Two birds, one stone, the muggle saying came to Theo as his smile grew. They were opposites as night and day – not just by Hermione and Pansy's differing complexions – but by they held themselves. Pansy was crossed, literally crossing her arms over her, a revolted look on her pale face. Hermione was also not in the best of moods; her bottom lip was being chewed, her hands were balled into fist.

"Where's the remaining third of you pricks?"

Pansy snapped. Theo flinched at her words and Blaise sighed softly. He conceded as Theo had been right. Hermione and Pansy were together and apparently in the midst of a conversation. Blaise walked in, sat down at the nearest wooden seat, while Theo stepped in, closing the door behind him. Pansy was not in a good mood, but that didn't deter Blaise.

"As lovely as Granger's office is, it's not spacious enough for all of us so if you both could leave."

Pansy stated in a clipped tone. Pansy wasn't right, but Hermione didn't say anything. Hermione patted Theo's arm when his face fell at Pansy's words. He had just seen them both in over a handful of days – more for Hermione – and now he was expected to leave? How cruel could witches be, he thought. However, Blaise crossed his ankle over his leg and gestured with his hand to continue. He didn't seem to be leaving and Theo would only follow suit. Theo looked at Pansy hopefully and for longer than Hermione liked, Pansy finally relented. Pansy glared at the pair of them before doing so, much to Theo's satisfaction.

"Fine. Granger?"

Pansy asked, still waiting for answer before her blundering friends interrupted. Pansy didn't care if they listened in to the current situation at hand – they were her and Draco best mates. Or their mates, Pansy wasn't so sure anymore if the Slytherin princelings were just her friends. Pansy knew that Draco fancied Granger and if he liked her, Theo and Blaise would only make an effort to become chummy with her. It wasn't as subtle as she would have liked, but Pansy knew Hermione had no clue. She didn't know the inner workings of their Slytherin clique. It had looked as their efforts are paying off, Pansy thought; Pansy noticed how the Golden Girl hadn't stiffened or scolded the pair for walking in a private conversation. The opposite effect happened when the pair came in; Pansy noticed how she seemed to relax at the sight of them. Pansy raised a slender, dark eyebrow prompting to her answer while Blaise tried to cover his smirk. Theo glared at the pair of them for making Hermione feel uncomfortable to which Pansy rose her eyebrow to him. He wasn't protective over anyone he didn't consider a friend.

"It's legitimate. We thought we were careful."

Hermione finally confessed, running a hand through her curls, effectively running her ponytail as she undid it in a swift movement. Blaise couldn't help to tease.

"Got caught in a broom closet with a lucky wizard, Hermione?"

He said, winking at her. She rolled her eyes at him and began working her fingers through her tresses. Instantly, the room was filled with scents of lavender and coconut.

"Worst. Patil caught a picture of her and Draco arriving here together at the floo."

Pansy said, scrunching her small nose at the smell. She didn't mind it, but it reminded her too much of Daphne's flowers at home where she had previously been. If the media had a field day with her and Blaise leaving for lunch not even that long ago, they definitely would be in a frenzy over this.

"Of course, the two most popular magical beings in the U.K abhor having their picture taken."

Blaise snickered, trying to make light of the situation.

"Draco hates being in the papers."

Theo whispered to Hermione which she responded with a short head nod.

"Narcissa won't do anything about it, which leaves me."

Pansy said, sighing out loud as she tiled her head back, closing her eyes. She was talking to herself out loud but she assumed there was probably a million and one question running through the Gryffindor's head.

"Speaking of, we should be heading to their manor soon for dinner."

Theo said, swinging an arm around the curly headed witch besides him. Blaise rose an eyebrow at the gesture, wondering what Theo was up to while Hermione caught his look.

"Tell Draco I can't make it."

Pansy automatically said, tilting her open-eyed head back down but not a single hair out of place. She was going to be up all night trying to coerce Patil into not running with the false story she concocted in her head. A thought popped into Pansy's head, seeing the opportunity before her – one Theo slyly provided. She couldn't help the wicked smirk that grew on her lips as she uncrossed her arms but placed one hand on her hip.

"Granger can go in my stead."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest despite Theo's squeeze and smile.

"I am cleaning up your mess after all."

Pansy drawled before making a quick exit, her heels clacking against Hermione's office's wooden floor.

"It's not just my mess!"

Hermione yelled at Pansy's retreating form and huffed when she closed the door behind her.

"You can yell at Draco about it."

Blaise offered, with a smirk of his own. Hermione rolled her eyes at him again. He was trying to make her feel better by his usual teasing, but he could sense that wasn't going to suffice.

"It'll be fine, Hermione. And I have a present for you that will work nicely for this dinner since you forgot to see us for the solstice."

Theo squeezed her again before letting his arm fall. Blaise internally tensed at Theo's word but outwardly, he cleared his throat and Theo rolled his own blue eyes at him.

"I meant from both of us."

Theo corrected.

"Shouldn't I be getting you something since I missed you both?"

Hermione questioned; her voice small as she shrunk underneath's Theo's side. Blaise ignored the continued smile on the brunet wizard before him and rose, reaching the pair. He was also pleased Hermione had noticed their absence, but unlike Theo, he wasn't going to show it so blatantly.

"The drawing room has been demolished."

Blaise heard Theo whispered to Hermione before he opened the door to allow the pair through. Blaise couldn't help but to wonder why she needed to know prior to going, but he pushed it to the back of his head. He'd find out sooner or later. Hermione perked up at this and Theo smiled down at her.

"I'm telling you, it's going to be fine."

He told the hesitant witch, holding onto her hand to loop through his arm before following Blaise out. Hermione wasn't too sure.

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She hates you. She doesn't. She should hate you. He sighed out loud, dizzy from the firewhiskey mix he had consumed moments prior. He was also dizzy from a couple of forgo drops that drastically changed one's depressed mood to a lovely high that made him forgot his problems, his past, his mistakes. The drops themselves were incased a small, dark blue bottle placed on Draco's writing desk. The small bottle was already fastened as Draco added three drops to his drink before. The bottle was charmed to only appear when Draco thought about the drugged potion; the forgot-me-not blue flower based was popular amongst him and his peers and Draco dabbled in the euphoria forgo provided when he was most stressed. The potion would take effect in around 10 minutes so until then, Draco had to deal with the ramblings in his head he couldn't escape. Draco laid in his bed, his usual position of self-loathing, before his thoughts drifted to his mother. He knew his mother valued control over him more than anything; she was helpless when he followed his father's footsteps, she was helpless when he was out doing the Dark Lord's bidding, and she was more helpless when it came to Lucius own disastrous actions causing the Dark Lord to live in their own home for longer than any of them ever wanted. All three Malfoys suffered living with the Dark Lord, but Draco couldn't help feeling the unease when it came to his mother living with them. He couldn't protect himself, much less the woman he loved, his own mother, against the Dark Lord and his cruelty. She, like him, hadn't signed up for this life nor was she marked; however, unlike him, his mother could have left if she chose to, but ever the loyal wife, she stuck to Lucius side. She was trying to help him how she thought was best, but he didn't agree nor wanted her help. Draco closed his eyes, the feeling of free falling making his stomach turn but not all unpleasant.

"Mother."

He whispered, sighing his woes out in the world. She knew she meant well, but he could handle his own mess – he was trying to handle his own mess. He was getting involved in business ventures with Blaise, he was donating to the right politicians, to the right charities, keeping his name out of the tabloids to further drag them down the mud. Why can't she see that it's enough? Draco thought to himself. Slowly his thoughts trickled to this his father; his tall, proud, cunning father. Draco couldn't help the scowl forming on his lips when he thought of Lucius Malfoy. As a child, he thought his father was everything; he showed him how to ride his first broomstick, a true smile on Lucius face when Draco hadn't fallen off nor showed hesitation. But now, he knew his father made the wrong decisions and followed a lunatic for the sake of power. The high pedestal Draco put Lucius came crumbling down the moment he took the awful mark embedded on his left forearm. His father stood with pride when he the Dark Mark branded his skin despite Draco's yells and cries; the inky black tendrils burned against his skin and set fire to the nerves around it – it was torture and Lucius allowed his only son to endure it. He was now at the Dark Lord's beck and call because his father thought it was best. Because of Lucius close ties to the Dark Lord, his role in the muggle raids, and his distinct racist tone, he didn't receive a light sentence nor punishment such as Narcissa's minor house arrest with accompanied auror party and bi-weekly wand checks. Now he's rotting away, Draco couldn't help to think. Draco had refused to see his father's withering state at Azkaban when his mother visited. He was still angry with his father for allowing his mother and himself to be put in such a perilous position, but he also didn't want to see his father corrode away under the gloomy halls. While the dementors had all been destroyed from their own ties to the Dark Lord, Azkaban was still a prison. Before he could become angrier at his father's actions, the forgo set in, washing him over pleasantly with waves of ease. Draco let himself become relax, closing his eyes as the thoughts about his father and mother washed away from him so he could feel nothing but bliss. Before he knew it, the smiling face of Hermione entered his thoughts. Her shy smile, her curious expression when he was near, how she felt under his touch brought a lazy smile to his lips. Draco.His name on her pretty pink lips made him sigh softly.

"Draco."

He swore he could hear her voice in his room, saying his name. His lazy grin morphed into a bright smile, allowing himself to feel some happiness despite how delusional it seemed. He often fantasized about the witch of his affections, but the forgo helped the faux memories seem real. He pictured laying besides him, her curls around her, tickling his own skin, inhaling deeply her scent of lavender, coconut, and something else he hadn't quite placed. He imagined stroking her cheek, brushing her dark freckles, knowing her skin had to be as soft as the rest of her, and that smile coming to life as he did so. Her honey eyes opened, staring deeply into his own; not a stare of confusion or distrust, but of everything opposite. She was safe, adored, in his presence and she knew it. This was Draco Malfoy's ecstasy: a smiling, dream Hermione knowing he liked her and accepted it. Draco sighed in content, continuing to let his forged joy suck him in before he came crashing down, back to reality.