“It says that Malfoy’s dad has been sent to Azkaban but he and his mum have been let off thanks to Harry’s and Hermione’s statement,” Ginny said, not taking her eyes off the paper.

Hermione shivered at the memory of having to sit in the stand and tell the entire room why Draco Malfoy shouldn’t be sent to prison. She might have hated him but she knew he was sorry for what he had done and his mother had saved Harry’s life; if nothing else screamed ‘second chance’ then that did.
 
 

I wouldn’t know if there were reporters camped outside the Manor because I haven’t been back there since the war. Voldemort nearly destroyed it, I moved into an apartment in London, where there are reporters camped outside. Don’t worry Granger I put them right and they will be printing it tomorrow. You don’t have to get your big bushy mudblood head in a stress Granger, I won’t be contacting you again. I know where I stand.

"You’re Hermione Granger!" one of them cried.

"I-yes," she said slightly confused.

"Can we have your autograph?" another shouted.

"Oh mum is never going to believe this when I write and tell her!" a third said as Hermione stood nonplussed in front of them. She glanced at Harry who just beamed back. She took one of the pieces of parchment and signed her name. The girl almost feinted in delight.



 
 

She had known Astoria was pretty from the pictures in the paper but it was nothing to how she looked up close. Her big almond eyes sparkled a lovely green and her long black eyelashes brushed her slightly pink cheeks when she blinked. Her smile was both sweet and seductive. Her face was perfectly symmetrical and her long auburn hair, five times darker than Ginnys shade, had been curled framing her face. It wasn’t a surprise that she was on Malfoy’s arm.
 

“Hermione?” she was so shocked that the familiar voice had used her first name she stopped crying and stared at him. His steal grey eyes bored into her own, full of worry and concern. She immediately felt safe. Immediately she knew he would protect her. It was the same as the train. Time stopped and in the moment they were the only two people in the world. She didn’t understand it but she knew it was true.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ginny glanced into the moneybag.

“George this is loads more than I’m going to need!” she cried.

“Aww where’s the harm Gin. What’s the point in being ridiculously rich if I can’t spoil my little sis when she needs it?” Ginny beamed and kissed her brother on the cheek.
 
 
 
 

Slughorn reached Draco and smiled.
“Well well well, Mr Malfoy. I would say this potion rivals even Miss Grangers.” He turned back to Hermione and smiled. “May I ask, what is it you smell?” a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes but only Hermione noticed.
“Deep red French wine, old dusty books mixed in with a flowery scent and…” he glanced at Hermione with a slight smirk on his face, “Chicken nuggets.”
 
 
 
 

“I know, I just have to say it and…and well Hermione, what I did was a mistake, a big mistake and I regret it more than anything…and well Hermione I can’t do it without you anymore, I want you to take me back, I need you to take me back. I can’t live without you. These past two months have been torture and I love you, you know I love you. I know you can’t forgive me straight the way but I need you Mione."
 
 
 
 
 

This was all Malfoy’s fault! This was his entire fault! He had led her to the stupid courtyard and he had stupidly kissed her! Why did he have to kiss her! If he hadn’t this would have all been fine! There would have been no paper report and not stupid guilt and not stupid feelings!
 
 
 
 

“Please tell me that what I’m thinking isn’t true,” he said, obviously trying to control his temper.
“That depends on what you are thinking,” Hermione squeaked trying not to let him realise that he was right, though she knew it was pointless. He looked at his girlfriend and narrowed his eyes.
“I know that you know about this Gin,” he said.
 

“We are doomed,” Draco groaned as he sat down next to her. Hermione popped her bubbled and closed her book.
“You are not doomed,” she replied, “you have very little chance of winning, but you aren’t doomed. Draco smiled slightly as his eyes darted across the pitch following the players.

A loud laughing and bustle of noise attracted Draco's attention before he could reply. A group of children were laughing and pointing at an owl that was tapping gently on the window. Hermione recognised it instantly. It was Hettie.
 

He leaned in and kissed her gently and Hermione couldn't help but blush. She had been seeing Draco for four months and yet she had never felt so nervous to be with him. Her heart was doing 110mph and she felt her hands shaking as she took the flower he gave to her.
 
 
 

“Hermione?” Ginny called from Draco’s room.
“Yeah?” she replied walking into it to see Ginny holding up her t-shirt and jeans.
“I did wonder why you turned up in his shirt and a pair of pants but I didn’t quite come to this conclusion.” She winked at her friend and glanced at the bed
 
 
 
 
 

Hermione was going to fail her N.E.W.T.S she knew it. She was going to fail and then she wouldn’t be able to get a job and then she was going to be destitute and no better than a dog on the street.


 
 
 

“Maybe people will stop asking me questions,” Harry said gazing into the bottom of his cup and draining the last few drops, “What exactly was the last thing Dumbledore said to you Harry, do you think he was wrong to keep things from you for so long, how many times in your life have you survived him… It gets old.”