To Woo a Minister

Somewhere in the midst of Draco and Hermione's Malfoy Manor romp he had apparated them to his own - grown up - bed. Draco was clever enough to do this while Hermone was mid-orgasm so she hardly noticed the sensation of apparition. Hermione gasped as her back hit the mattress. Weren't we already laying down? She thought for a moment before looking around and seeing she was in a different room. Draco smirked from above her and rolled off of her  as she quickly sat up. "You cant just.. ugh" she sighed, and laid back down. "I cant even stand yet so I'm going to yell at the ceiling" He nodded and listened as she told him how it was rude and dangerous to apparate without permission and 'how could she be sure where they were going' and 'what if they got splinched' and he just nodded with a serious expression, appreciating the way her face moved when she was angry. When she had said her fill she sat up and looked around. This room was rather the same but a bit larger. The bed was bigger and had four posters and a fancier bed spread. His bathroom seemed bigger and she could see a walk in closet. "You know I'm the bloody minister of magic and my bathroom isn't that big." She huffed and he laughed. He enjoyed this more mature but still similar version of Hermione he had grown to care for before graduation. He knew she must still be partial to long, indulgent baths. "Use mine any time" He said with a smirk. 

"Draco.. Our clothes are still at the manor." she said rolling her eyes. 

Draco left her in bed and flooed to manor and back trying to contain his laughter. They got re-dressed and Draco gave her the full tour of his home. It was much like the manor in that it was grand, and was rather dark. Hermione noticed the recurrence of mahogany and wondered if it was a Malfoy thing or if he was just partial to it. Still there were large windows throughout giving a rather spectacular view of a park across the street. A large yard out back and a big open feel. She rather liked his home. They sat on the couch, limbs intertwined, and just talked for a while. They talked about Draco's work and how they had this new deal in the bag if he could just figure out how to convince the VP at Puddlemere United that steam and ice baths were beneficiary to the players. "Why I bought that company I'll never know but he's the last hold out" He sighed. She laughed. He asked her about her plans for the week and she told him about her bi-monthly tea with the previous minister. "That's about the most exciting thing I have planned. Aside from paperwork" Then, because he asked, she told him about when she first started at the ministry and Kingsley Shacklebolt first asked her to his office she spilled coffee on a press release, four books and the minister himself. "And then he promoted you, what, like a year later?" Draco asked. "I remember seeing it in the paper. Everyone knew you'd get the top job just not so soon." She smiled with her head held high. She'd do well as a Malfoy he thought she's already got enough pride. He quelled that thought quickly as he saw her check the clock. 

"I really should be going" She said and he could detect a hint of disappointment and it made his heart twinge in a wonderful way. "You know, You really have improved my mood. I feel so much better and .. " she trailed off and looked up at him "and We only ran into each other the other day..hard to believe it was this easy all along." She stood and he wrapped his arms around her waist and she wrapped hers around his neck. He smiled down at her. "You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear" He said softly against her lips before they kissed goodbye. She turned and grabbed a fist full of powder and as she began to speak her destination he slapped her bum and said "A good shag will do that for ya babe" He managed to send a wink her way before she disappeared in green flames. 

She was giggling as she emerged to see Harry Potter leaning against the back of a chair, ankles and arms crossed smirking at her. Ginny was kneeling on the couch with her arms on the back of the chair and her hands under her chin. She was smiling wildly at Hermione. 

Getting over the fright quickly Hermione looked at both of them innocently "What?" She asked. 

One of them must have had a copy handy because before she knew it a copy of the paper with her and Draco on the front page was put in her face. She swatted it away angrily and Harry flinched. She looked at Ginny. "Your brother informed us of it this morning."

"What?! What happened" Harry asked at the same time that Ginny said "Us, This morning?"

Ignoring Ginny, Hermione told them both what happened. "And then he left." She stated. 

"I'll talk to him tomorrow Hermione, the last time he grabbed you like that .. " He shook his head at the memory and Hermione held up a hand not wanting to think about it. 

"Anyway, Draco and I decided that we'd do an interview. I'd like everyone to know I did not cheat on my Husband and it'll hopefully prevent the fight to get the information in another way. I'm rather sick of the press and I'm just going to nip this in the bud and be done with it." She nodded and Harry raised an eyebrow. "You and Rita in a room together? Are you sure that's a good idea?" He asked skeptically. 

"I plan to ask her to report on only my politics going forward. She can say whatever she wants about that.. besides, Draco already sent her an owl. Too late for me to back out now." 

"Moving on" Ginny said. "You look great. Happy." She smiled at Hermione. "you've been a bit down lately. This is good." 

Hermione smiled at her. "Thanks Gin. I feel good. This.. This feels good. Unexpected but good." Hermione said blushing. "Tea?" She asked, looking between the two of them. 

"I'll help." Ginny said innocently, knowing exactly why Hermione wanted tea. They reached the kitchen and waited for the swinging door to shut fully. 

"So you better have me in here to tell me Draco bloody Malfoy is great in bed" 

Hermione turned bright red and burst into giggles. "yes, gin. On my .. Merlins tits!" Hermione nearly yelled. "You don't even know. He said the rumors weren't true back in Hogwarts but dear Lord is he a sex God now!" 

Ginny laughed uncontrollably as Hermione continued. "Oh and his body Oh my gooddd  and his eyes. And his Hands." Hermione sighed as Ginny finally stopped. "Hermione" Ginny smiled warmly at her. "You really like him." Hermione blushed and nodded. "I guess I never denied to myself that I had been attracted to him but I didn't realize until after graduation and I was already with Ron so.. I mean I haven't been pining after him but " She pulled her eyebrows together "Somehow it just feels so .. familiar... I guess." She stated lamely. Ginny just smiled at her for a few moments. "Hes really rich too." Hermione giggled and said "Oh you should see the flowers in my office." as Harry walked in looking around confusedly. "Wheres tea?" He shook his head when he saw the slightly guilty face on Hermione and the defiant one on his wife. "Nevermind, look Gin, We've got to go. We're meeting Bill, remember?" Ginny nodded and followed Harry to the fireplace. "See you Monday morning?" Harry asked? "Yes, see you then." She nodded. Ginny left first after waving a cheerful goodbye. "And look, Hermione, I'll have some words with Ron but just know that we're happy for you. We know he's a good bloke and .. well. I'll see you." He said as he followed his wife into the green flames. 

She sighed and sat down on the chair near the fireplace. She needed to speak with Ron. She didn't need any more violent arguments nor did she need him attacking Draco. She summoned a piece of parchment and a quill

We need to talk. Stop by when you can.

-Hermione.

She sent off the note and sighed. Hoping this would be easy.

🖤

Draco was left with a weird feeling after Hermione left. Something in the pit of his stomach said something was going to happen but he shrugged it off and sent a note off to Blaise to come over. Directly after he sent a letter to his mother explaining he had some news and that she should come home for a quick visit. Rather more quickly than expected Blaise was at his door, prophet in hand. 

"I'm assuming you're wanting to talk about this?" He said wiggling the paper around. "Mr. I do not have feelings for Hermione Granger."

Draco rolled his eyes at Blaise's smirk and motioned for him to come in, closing the door behind him. 

"I knew it. All these years I knew it and it's not one sided either. I can tell. I could always tell. You both are just so blind." Blaise was shaking his head as Draco handed him a glass of Firewhiskey.

Draco sat down, opposite Blaise, and sipped his Firewhiskey once before asking. "Are you quite done?"

Blaise nodded but kept his smirk. "Finally, huh?" 

Draco nodded and sighed happily. "Finally."

Blaise smiled at his dear friend and said "I'm glad. Truly" 

The two friends passed the next few hours by drinking and celebrating what felt like a victory. They settled into a game of Wizards chess, expecting a quiet night. 

🖤

A few hours after getting home Hermione heard a hard knock on her door at the same time she felt her wards tingle - Ron. She took a deep breath, put down the novel she had borrowed from Draco, and walked calmly over to the door. 

She opened the door to see Ronald standing there, clearly still angry. 

"Crawling back to me? Huh?" He asked by way of greeting as he invited himself in. She caught a whiff of stale drink and immediately felt less calm. He walked to the center of the room and crossed his arms. "Little ferret isn't enough is he? He was always waiting, sulking in the shadows, wasn't he? Little prick wanted to get you for his own. Time for you to beg for me to come back, Hermione."

"No." She spat. Instantly angered that he had even thought that's what she wanted to talk about. She took a deep calming breath and said "You know what, you're drunk. Lets talk another time. I wanted to be mature about this Ron."

"Should have thought about that before you threw your career away for a death eater" He said. 

"Whose the blonde, Ron" She countered and he spluttered. "Didn't think I knew, did you? Well I do and you don't see me showing up to your house punching anyone in the face. That was uncalled for Ron and you know it. This was your idea. You broke up this marriage and you don't get to decide who I spend my time with and you're no longer welcome-"

Her statement was cut off by a hex flying her way. This surprised her enough to give him time to stomp over to her. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back making her whimper. "You broke up this marriage you bitch. You were a worthless wife and You don't get to decide who I spend my time with" He repeated her words in a mocking voice. 

"You broke up this marriage by being a big fat man-baby, Ronald" She yelled, seeing his face and neck turn a brighter shade of red and she realized her mistake. She shouldn't rile him up while he's drunk like this. She shouldn't have even reached out. She should have fixed her wards right when Draco said. It was also at that moment she realized her wand was upstairs. His grip on her hair had not lightened and he was now holding her other wrist. He let go of her hair and slapped her hard across the face. She took this chance to shove him away but his grip was too firm. 

"What is your problem, Ron?" Hermione shouted. "I just wanted to talk. I wanted to discuss this like grown ups like we have discussed everything else." 

She nearly cried out as he yanked her wrist and twisted her a round, pulling her arm behind her back. He pushed her, face first, into the wall. "I guess I'm not ready to let you go yet. Not to him." He whispered in her ear. 

"Ron, You already have. Please listen, clearly you're not in your right mind. If you were anyone else I'd have you being dragged to azkaban at this moment. I know you don't mean this. I know it's the alcohol talking."

He scoffed and pushed her against the wall roughly with his own body. "Shut up you bitch. You're only saying that because your wand is upstairs. It's on the side table in your room isnt it?" he asked. "You forget I know you so well. I know your habits, know how to hurt you."

"I don't know what's gotten into you, Ron, but you need to stop this. You need to leave now." She said. 

"No" He stated. "I dont think I will. I have a few things I'd like to do first." 

She felt him immobilize her against the wall and saw out of the corner of one eye as he grabbed a photo from the mantle and brought it over. He shoved the photo of the two of them along with Harry in her face. "You remember our second year, Hermione? Do you remember when we defended you from that ferret after he called you a Mudblood? He sees you as nothing more than dirt. Mud." At the last word he spat in her face. "And he was right." She heard and felt her shirt being torn in the back and felt his wand tip at the back of her neck and felt the control of her body come back. This only comforted her for a moment as he grabbed her by the back of the neck and threw her down. She was glad she was still wearing a bra and not in her full pajamas as once she fell her top half was all but exposed. She began to cover herself but Ron grabbed her arm, finger tips digging into the scar that read Mudblood, and stretched it out on the floor. He stomped on her scar and she felt a crack somewhere. She cried out and he kicked her in the rib. "Shut up" He yelled. 

"Why, Ron" She cried. "All this. You want to hurt me because of Draco? Because you don't want me to move on?" She asked. 

"No, Because you don't deserve to." At this she began to cry. She didn't understand why he thought that. "That's right little mudblood, Cry" He said. He stooped down and slapped her face a few more times before punching her in the face. He had never really called her that before. He had said it around her but never to her. She knew now that this wasn't her Ron. This wasn't the man she had known her whole life. He was broken somehow. She hoped one day he'd be fixed. She could feel him returning to kicking her in the ribs and stomach but took a moment to concentrate. If she was going to apparate without a wand she needed to be careful. She just hoped he wouldn't try to go with her. She knew she couldn't just summon her wand because he'd see it coming. Finally as he drew his foot back for another kick she took a deep breath and hoped when she opened her eyes she'd be in one piece. 

🖤

"Check mate" Draco said triumphantly but his smile faltered as he heard a thud come from his bedroom upstairs. He looked to Blaise who also looked puzzled. "Good, you heard that too.." Draco said as he stood up. They both made their way upstairs to investigate and as Draco opened the door to see Hermione on his bedroom floor he turned to Blaise, who's eyes were wide "Get Potter" Blaise didn't even nod but simply disapparated. 

Draco all but flung himself down and took a sobbing Hermione into his arms. He lifted her up already noting that she was nursing her arm and that she had a busted lip. He gingerly lifted her up to sit on his lap as he sat on his bed. 

"Hermione, talk to me, what has happened." 

"Ron" was all she could say between sobs and instantly he felt anger rise up in him. He tried to quell it as he rocked her back and forth. Trying to understand why this day took such a terrible turn after starting out rather terrible to begin with. He could feel her taking deep breaths and knew she was working to calm herself down. He drew circles on her back as he looked at the clock. He saw it was now about 9 pm and hoped Blaise would find Potter quickly. If he knew where to go at all.. 

"Hermione, love, tell me what happened."

She took a deep breath but he could still feel her trembling. "I sent him a note to talk" She all but whispered. "He was drunk and.. and my wand was upstairs. He was still so mad, Draco" She began sobbing again as Draco heard footsteps coming up the stairs. A ruffled looking Harry Potter ran into his bedroom and Draco saw his eyes slide between Hermione's torn shirt, her face, her lip. He looked as if he could cry and kill at the same time. 

Harry didn't make to break Draco and Hermione apart but he placed his hand on the back of her head gently and stroked her hair. "Hermione, did this happen at home. Was it Ron?" He asked. She only nodded once before he disapparated.

"Blaise, could you.." Draco didn't need to finish his sentence because Blaise already had a damp cloth and a cup of water. 

"I'll just be in the other room" He said quietly and gave Hermione one sad look before walking away. 

Draco just held her rocking her back and forth. After some time she took a few shuddering breaths and whispered. "My arm, It hurts Draco" He reached for it and gasped as he saw it fully for the first time. He could see a compound fracture and a bit of blood he hadn't noticed before staining her - and now his as well- shirt. He hissed as it fully came into the light and she whimpered as he took hold of her wrist. He wanted to cry with her. To scream out but he didn't. At that moment Harry Potter reappeared in his bedroom.  

Draco saw an anger in Harry's eyes that he wasn't going to question and saw his hands ball into fists as he saw Hermione's arm. 

"He's gone." He spat out. "He was still there but once he saw me he was gone." He took something out of his pocket and Draco watched as Harry put Hermione's wand on his own bedside table. He gripped her tighter as Harry looked carefully at her arm. He took a deep breath and pointed his own wand at her. Hermione's other hand found it's way to Draco's back as she hid her face in his neck. She nearly screamed out as a bright white light emitted from Harry's wand. They all heard the bone snap back into place and Hermione sighed. She looked up at Harry and both Harry and Draco seemed to groan at the look on her face. 

"Hermione, I'm sorry but you know I have to question you." Harry said. "You know the drill. I need you to tell me what happened before I do anything else." 

She proceeded to tell the story of what happened. Draco felt guiltier and guiltier as she kept talking. Really this was entirely due to him. He wondered internally how long Ron had waited to do this to her. How long he had waited to pick this fight. He had always been angered by their friendship. 

At some point Blaise had walked back in and had wrapped a blanket around Draco and Hermione. Draco nodded in thanks as Hermione began shivering and he held her closer while she spoke softly to Harry. 

Eventually she finished her story and looked up to Draco. Ignoring Blaise and Harry looking at them both, he put his hand up to the un-bruised side of her face and wiped away a tear before tucking her hair behind her ear. Caressing her face with his thumb he said "Your staying here tonight, kitten."

"I was actually going to suggest that. He doesn't know where this house is so you should be safest here. I had aurors station themselves at your place" He said looking at Hermione, "Mine the Burrow and the Manor. I'll be going to speak with Arthur next." He placed a hand gently on Hermione's shoulder. 

"We'll find him." She just nodded. 

"What happens when you do, Harry? I thought.. I thought eventually we may all be okay again.. but after this.." Draco felt her shudder and tightened the blanket around her. 

"Don't think about that now Hermione, Just rest" 

Draco leaned to the side and laid Hermione down. He ran his fingers through a bit of her hair again and tried to smile at her. He knew it must look like a grimace. "I'll be back in a moment. Just lay here, okay?" He said softly. She barely nodded and closed her eyes. 

Draco noticed Blaise had disappeared again and motioned for Harry to follow him. Once out in the hallway Harry placed a hand on Draco's shoulder and said "Thank you." Draco looked at him incredulously. 

"I haven't done anything. I was going to thank you..Really this is all my fault.. " Draco trailed off.

Harry shook his head. "No Draco, No this was Ron's fault. I know Hermione hasn't told you everything yet but .. Ron's changed. Over the last few years he's just.. changed." Draco saw the sadness in the man's face and looked to the ground. "But thank you. Thank you for being here for her. She needs you. Please, Please Draco don't go anywhere and dont.. Just.. Keep her safe."

Draco nodded. "I wont go anywhere unless she asks me to. I care for her more than I even really understand. She is safe here." 

Harry looked critically at Draco for a moment and then dropped his hand and walked away, down the stairs. Draco sighed heavily as Blaise came out of the guest room down the hall. 

"Want me to stick around?" Blaise asked.

"Yea.. yea just in case." Draco nodded and just as he turned to crawl into bed with Hermione he heard Blaise mutter "I fucking knew it, for the last ten years I've known it"