With all the changes after the war, the most surprising thing to everyone was that which came after graduation; Hermione Granger announced to her friends and adopted family that she was in a triad relationship with none other than Theodore Nott and Draco Malfoy.
The fallout was that of a nuclear scale. There was not a single person in her supposed ‘friend group’ who was okay with it. Most of everyone sneered and cursed her. That didn't bother her really; she knew that the relationship she had with the two Slytherins was typically considered taboo, but she had researched that it was more common in the wizarding communities- even though it had been hundreds of years since it had been more accepted in the British wizarding communities, it was still fairly commonplace in the more continental magical communities.
No, what hurt the most was that her best friends completely ripped into her for choosing to sleep with the enemy. Ron, Harry, and Ginny all called her a Death Eaters Whore. That broke her more than she thought she could handle. Those were the last things she heard from the supposed good side. With that, everyone immediately turned their backs on her.
Seeing how distraught and hurt their witch was, Draco and Theo decided that perhaps it would be best to stay in France at one of the Malfoy properties. Hermione agreed. A fresh start for the three of them, where they could be open with their relationship and not be overwhelmed by the still-fresh wounds of the war. Hermione made new friends with those that were loyal to Draco and Theo. Her social circle had grown to now include Pansy Parkinson, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, Tracy Davis, and surprisingly Millicent Bulstrode. Along with the girls came the guys; Gregory Goyle, Blaise Zabini, Adrian Pucey, Graham Montague, Marcus Flint, and Peregrine Boles. Hermione had traded up and surprisingly found that all of the new people in her life were much more than any stereotypes she had ever given them credit for.
3 years later, 2002
It was a lovely late Spring day; Hermione had some of the windows open in their chateau near Marseille, the gentle breeze filling the room with the fresh scent from outside. While adventuring around France, Hermione had become enamored with the area; which prompted her lovers to purchase the chateau for them. Hermione finally came to terms with her husband's wealth, however decorating and making a home from it had taken asking for help from Narcissa, who was over the moon with their relationship.
While sipping tea, Hermione looked up to see an owl flying in through one of the open windows.
“Draco, a letter has arrived for you. It looks to be from your board in London.” Hermione calls from the kitchen,, giving the delivery owl a treat. Draco had taken over Malfoy Enterprises upon the passing of his father in Azkaban.
Draco comes in to read over the letter, a slight frown on his face as his page.
“Love, how do you feel about going back to London for a weekend? The board insists that I show my face at the Ministries Remembrance Ball since we have practically financed the whole thing this year” Draco frowns. He knew this day would come; he’s not particularly happy that it’s come so soon though.
“Let's talk about it with Theo and see. We can get the others to come as well. We can put pressure on the ministry to invite them if they are not already. Threaten to withdraw all our support if we have to.”
Hermione smirks. She's not so hurt anymore over her past supposed friend's treatment. Spending all that time with Narcissa and the Slytherin girls, coupled with the unwavering support and encouragement of her partners tends to encourage self-confidence. Her owning a small bookstore was something that brought her pride. She never wanted to be famous or notorious for her part in the war. Did she want to work on creature rights and change in the ministry? Yes. However, as it's still so soon after the war, There are still scars, still nightmares, and still PTSD. She has convinced both Draco and Theo to join her in therapy, thinking it might be beneficial for everyone. They were able to find a therapist in town who is a squib, there is not a close wizarding community.
“Who are we threatening, ‘Mi?” Theo asks as he comes behind her with a kiss.
“The Ministry and Draco’s board are requiring our presence this year. We are making them invite everyone.” Hermione smirks, the Slytherins have rubbed off on her.
“ OH shut up! we all got an invite. I'm going to have someone's balls for this those fucking twats.” Pansy snarls coming into the parlor. All our friends were behind her with their invitations in hand.
“Why does everyone look annoyed? I figured this would be everyone's cup of tea?” I ask.
“Because they want to look like the past didn't happen and they didn't villainize a whole house just because most of us had very little choice. However, the past three years arsed to let us do anything in our home, making us flee to other places to make our names. Now want to profit off us now that we are successful elsewhere? Fuck that.” Pansy is furious.
Hermione observes the others; they all seem in agreement. She sees she going to have to point out the most obvious thing to them. That she knows they will agree once their anger dials down some. Blais though looks like he's already plotting. She looks at him and we grin, same minds think alike.
“I never thought I would see the day that I watch the best of Slytherin house react like a bunch of Gryffindors. This is literally the event to show up and show everyone up. We have all grown and changed. They can see how well we are doing without them. No thanks to them.” I will explain. I’m honestly surprised Pansy didn’t think of that first.
The night of the Remembrance Gala has arrived. Hermione, Draco, and Theo come together and work their way around the room, talking to different board members and those they had only been in correspondence with since leaving Briton. As of yet, they haven't run into any of Hermione's previous affiliations. They do, however, spot the rest of their friends chatting up the room as well. Despite Pansy's disgruntled fussing about the invitations, she is still schmoozing as she has always been taught.
Theo takes delight in noticing how no one really recognizes any of them until their introductions. The surprise on people’s faces makes it just a tad better. The three of them have drifted apart in talking with different people. Everyone stops, at the entrance is the “savior of the wizarding world”, his now wife, and the useless tag along. They walk in like they own the place and do all the work. Behind them are more of the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix. Theo checks to see where his Mi is in case he needs to be there, however, she is animatedly talking with the owner of the biggest publishing houses in wizarding Europe. He catches Draco's eye and they start making their way to her to be close by in case her old friends start anything. The rest of their group sees this as well and joins.
Before they can reach her, Weasley does first.
SMACK!
Weasley backhands Hermione across the face!
“You fucking Death Eaters Whore! What gives you the right to even be here today? You have already insulted everyone who has fought and those who died memory by being with those Death Eaters! Get the fuck out!” Ronald Weasley screams at Hermione.
She has blood on her face and a bruise starting to form.
His vitriol is cut off as Draco fast as a snake grabs him by the throat.
“You know Weasel, I'm not upset that you have publicly caused a scene, I am infuriated that you put your filthy hands on our wife!” Draco seethes, looking around to see Theo checking on Mi and healing her.
The rest of the supposed Order and her old friends are being held at bay by the rest of their friends. He spots the Minister in the crowd.
“Ah, Minister, would you be willing to handle taking out the obvious trash? Or are we going to withdraw all of our donations?” Draco drawls in his coldest voice.
“Mister Malfoy-Nott, please let go of Mr. Weasley. I will handle it from here.” Kingsley Shackelbolt intones as he walks up.
“If it's not incentive enough, the rest of our families will withdraw our funding and support as well if the Weasel is not handled properly,” Pansy informs him as she pushes her way to Draco's side. All of their friends who had made their way to their sides nodded in agreement.
“Mi, I told you coming here was a mistake. Not a single person here even realizes that the British economy did not collapse because of our generous donations.” Pansy states in a loud voice that carries around to the crowd and press that have gathered close.
“The Ministry will not even let us actually work or live here but will beg us for charitable donations.” This Blaise makes sure to mention in front of a Daily Prophet reporter.
The Minister grimaces at what is being said as he has his personal security take hold of Ron, who at this point has been silenced and bound.
Potter and the Weasels sister look on in wide-eyed surprise. Then turn to look at Hermione with sneers.
“You really had to make a scene didn't you Mione!” Ginny screeches at her.
Hermione finally is over her shock and has finally had enough of people yelling at her.
“After all the years I spent saving Harry and your brother, every sacrifice I gave to the ‘Greater Good’, the loyalty of constantly choosing Harry. You all turn your backs on me the moment I decided to choose happiness for myself. You all have shown how selfish you are. What kind of supposed good guys turn their backs on one of their own the moment they do not act or say something that they don't like?” Hermione asks with a cold tone and demeanor that Narcissa would be proud of.
“Every last one of you is dead to me. Come Draco, Theo lets do go home. I am tired.” Hermione states with a blank look on her face as she turns away from the scene.
The rest of their friends follow suit and head to the Floos.
The Daily Prophet Headlines the following week after the memorial event.
Frontpage picture showing Hermione getting backhanded by Ron Weasley.
The headline “War Heroine Attacked by Former Friends”
The rest of the weeks went something like this
“Britians scramble to avoid Bankruptcy!”
“Who knew how much the Sacred 28 Owned?”
Hermione, her husbands’, and her friends just smiled at every prophet. Take away their money and it takes away their power. Hermione did feel bad just a little bit, but when she thought about all she sacrificed for their war and her old friends with nothing in return. She looks at her new family, she is home.