Plus One

Hermione ended up going to the quidditch game with Harry as she didn’t want to be alone with Theo and Blaise because she didn’t really know them all that well.

“Oh there’s Blaise...and I think that must be Theo next to him,” Hermione said, pointing towards Blaise and a man with curly brown hair.

“He’s cute,” Harry said.

“Who Blaise or Theo?” Hermione asked stopping mid-walk.

“Well both of them...but Theo is more my type...besides I know that Ginny is shagging Zabini...it was a bit obvious at Pavarti’s wedding when after you had tossed me into the cake...Ginny and Zabini were nowhere in sight” he eyed her and then continued to walk.

“I’m sorry...I was trying to protect you...and her” she explained.

“It’s fine really” he shrugged.

“Ah, the famous Harry Potter...hello...Theodore Nott at your service” he held out his hand and took Harry’s hand in his and brought it up to his lips to kiss it and Harry blushed.

“Yeah...hi,” Harry said nervously.

“And you must be Miss Hermione Granger,” Theo said, doing the same to her hand.

“Yeah...hi it’s nice to meet you,” she said as he returned her hand back.

“So...where are we sitting?” Harry asked.

“Uh well...you can sit next to me if you want or Granger can...I don’t really care...and frankly, Blaise is quite comfy where he is so don’t expect him to move” Theo teased.

“Hi by the way” Hermione shot him a curt wave and he nodded at her.

“Granger,” he said in a monotoned voice and then looked towards Harry “Potter” he nodded at him.

“Zabini” Harry nodded back before sitting down and Theo looked at Hermione with a weird look but she just waved it off and sat next to Harry.

Theo talked to Harry about his favorite quidditch team until the game started and Hermione searched for Draco’s familiar blonde hair and once she found him he was in the air searching the crowd and Blaise did a loud whistle and his head spun around towards us and he whistled back and waved and Hermione waved back smiling at him.

“Let’s go!” Theo shouted.

Hermione cheered and clapped excitedly.

She had never really been a big fan of quidditch.

The only reason she had gone to Ron and Harry’s was to be supportive.

Which isn’t far off with what she was doing here except for the fact that she was actually interested in watching Draco.

She liked watching him back at Hogwarts as well though she would never admit that to anyone. 

She always thought he would have potential if he just applied himself instead of having that ‘I’m Draco Malfoy and I’m good at everything’ attitude.

So now that she knew that he was working hard she couldn’t wait to see how well he played.

Once the game began it was hard for Hermione to keep her eye on Draco as he was moving so fast but whenever his team won a point she cheered for them.

“Malfoy is right on it,” Harry said.

“Where?” Hermione asked and Harry pointed and she followed his finger and found Draco chasing after the snitch but then the snitch went down making Draco stop dead in his tracks.

“He’s gonna do the dive,” Theo said.

“He’s not going to do the dive” Blaise sat up properly.

“What is the dive?” Hermione asked.

“It’s the falcon’s signature move for their seeker...if the snitch heads towards the ground he dives for it” Harry explained.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” Hermione asked.

“Not if he lifts his broom up in time” he muttered and sure enough Draco dove.

Hermione’s heart was pounding as she watched him near the ground she clutched her chest with one hand and the railing with another and she watched Draco grasp the snitch and then shoot off directly into the air.

The crowd erupted into cheers and chants and Hermione let out her breath she didn’t realize she was holding and shook her head when he looked her way with a cheeky smile.

“He’s fucking crazy...I can’t believe he actually did it” Blaise said.

“I told you he would,” Theo said.

“Show off” Harry teased and Hermione rolled her eyes.

“He’s better than I remember,” Harry said.

“He’s been training since we graduated,” Hermione said and Theo shot her a look but didn’t say anything.

“Well he’s good...don’t tell him I said that” he teased and Hermione rolled her eyes and followed the boys out of the stands to where they could meet up with Draco.

Hermione watched as girls flocked him and he flirted shamelessly with a few of them while she just stood there fiddling with her scarf trying to not seem jealous.

Because she wasn’t.

She was not jealous that Draco Malfoy was flirting with other girls and not her.

She was absolutely not jealous.

“Oi lover boy are you going to come see your actual friends...or would you like to sleep on the streets tonight!” Theo shouted playfully and Draco looked up at him with a glare but once he saw Hermione his face changed and he smiled at her.

“Hey!” he said, pushing past the people.

“You actually came!” he said happily.

“I did...do I get an autograph too Draco” she teased and he rolled his eyes.

“What did you think?” he asked, nudging her playfully.

“I think...that you nearly gave me a heart attack when you dove to the ground like a madman!” she smacked his arm playfully and he winced a bit.

“Oi careful witch...I bruise like a peach” he taunted.

She shook her head rolling her eyes at him.

“You were really good...I’m impressed...this entire game held my attention the entire time...brava” she teased and he chuckled smirking at her.

“Told you I was impressive,” he said.

“Oh you're so full of yourself” she pushed him playfully.

He snorted.

“Oi I gotta shower...you lot coming over for drinks,” he asked before looking towards Theo, Blaise, and Harry who were just staring at them as if they had just witnessed a two-headed deer.

“What’s with them?” he asked her.

“They’re not used to us getting along...think they’d rather us be at each other’s throats” she guessed.

“It’s a fucking trip that’s for sure,” Theo said before patting Draco on the shoulder.

“Mate...the dive...was fucking wicked...and the way you spiraled back up...now let’s talk about adding fire to your broom to make you look like a dragon instead of a falcon” Theo dragged Draco away and Harry ruffled the back of his hair.

“So drinks?” he asked, looking towards Blaise.

“At Draco’s...if you want” he shrugged casually.

“Look, mate...I don’t...have a problem with you sleeping with my ex-wife...but if you have a problem with me just say it” Harry shrugged and Hermione instantly stepped behind Harry she hated being in the middle of fights she wasn’t sure that’s what was happening but nonetheless she wasn’t about to be caught in the middle of it.

“I don’t have a problem with you...I wasn’t even sure you knew...I mean it’s a bit awkward me...sleeping with your ex-wife” he said and Harry shrugged.

“If things go my way I’ll be shagging your best mate pretty soon” Harry shrugged.

“You're not Malfoy’s type,” Blaise said and Hermione giggled.

“He meant Theo...could you imagine though...the two of them” Hermione snorted a laugh and Harry glared at her.

“Oh...yeah no you’re Theo’s type alright...well...I guess that makes...things less awkward...I mean...Ginny says you guys have a good relationship even after the divorce so...it won’t be weird you two hanging out if things work out with me and her and you and Theo?” he asked.

“Not at all,” Harry shrugged.

“Then drinks at Draco’s” Blaise nodded and led the way to where Theo had dragged Draco off to which was the locker rooms “I’m going to go drag Theo out of there...he’s probably getting handsy with some of Draco’s teammates” Blaise sighed before walking in the locker room and Hermione looked at Harry.

“So Theo,” Hermione asked.

“So Malfoy?” he asked.

“It’s not like that” Hermione rolled her eyes at him.

“Before I came out as gay you know what you told me?” he asked “You asked me if I thought I liked men...and I said it wasn’t like that because I was scared to get hurt...and you said...well it would be okay...if it was...so I’m going to tell you...if it was like that between you two...it would be okay...you deserve to be happy Hermione...and if Malfoy makes you happy...who the hell am I to stop you...and if you’re scared to get hurt...well...sometimes you have to endure a little pain to find your happiness” he shrugged.

“We are just friends,” she shrugged.

“You are the worst friend in the world...he’s the worst friend in the world...can you believe he wouldn’t let me oggle hot quidditch players,” Theo said dramatically as Blaise pulled him out of the locker room.

“Well if it’s hot quidditch players you’re after...I...did dabble a bit back in Hogwarts...and...I’ve just joined the DMLE’s quidditch team” Harry taunted.

“Oh, I like this one” Theo smirked at Harry.

After a while of the two boys flirting, Draco came out of the locker room no longer in quidditch gear and in his usual black trousers and jumper

She was starting to wonder if the boy owned any other color than black.

“You lot ready?” Draco asked.

“Yes...fair warning though Theo and Potter are becoming butt buddies” Blaise grimaced and Draco made the same face.

“Of course they are...Salazar out of all the people Theo” Draco asked.

“You really want to judge me...really?” Theo asked, giving him a pointed look.

Hermione wasn’t aware that Draco was into anyone but since they were just friends she wasn’t allowed to be jealous.

Not out loud anyway.

“Whatever...come you lot let’s go to the apparition point so we can celebrate!” Draco chimed and they all followed him.

Of course, they were stopped by crowds of people trying to talk to Harry and Hermione.

Hermione could feel herself getting anxious and Draco must have sensed it so he pulled her to him placing his hand on the small of her back leading her through the crowd of people.

“You should be ashamed of yourself!” Someone shouted.

“You should be rotting in prison with your father!” Someone else said and then insults towards Draco were being thrown left and right.

A few towards Blaise and Theo but mostly at Draco talking about his dark mark and then they were being blocked by a man.

Hermione was fairly certain it was Anthony Goldstein.

“Let us pass,” Draco said calmly.

“Not a fucking chance…you deserve to rot in hell for what you did…and you think you get to just walk around freely!” He shouted and Hermione could feel him ball up his hand into a fist behind her back so she inched closer to him.

“Draco don’t…it’ll only make this worse” she whispered.

“Goldstein...you really don’t want to do this today!” Theo said, rounding Hermione.

Theo calling him Goldstein confirmed that it was indeed Anthony.

Hermione and Draco shot him a look “don’t Theo” he muttered.

“My fight isn’t with you Nott,” Anthony said.

“A fight with Draco is a fight with me...and unlike Draco...I can’t go to Azkaban for kicking your arse...so...what’s it going to be pretty boy...you down for a broken collar bone?” Theo asked and Hermione swiveled her head towards Harry and gave him a look and he sighed.

“Alright...that’s enough all of you...Theo back down….Goldstein...you should know better...I mean...your head deputy of the department...you know acting like this is risking your job right?” Harry spoke up.

“I don’t care about my job...what’s the point of my job if people like him just get to walk around freely” Anthony spat.

“Well if that is how you truly feel that hand over your badge” a voice spoke breaking through the crowd.

Anthony looked horrified.

“Auror Robards” he gulped.

Gawain Robards.

Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Anthony’s boss.

“Sir….he’s a fucking death eater...” Anthony tried.

“I know who he is...I sat at his trial...I went to his probation hearings...I am the one who gave the wizengamot the go-ahead to clear him...unless you think I made a mistake...deputy” Robards spat and Anthony shook his head no.

“No no sir...of course not...this is a big misunderstanding” Anthony’s voice shook and Harry scoffed.

“A big misunderstanding...that we will be discussing in my office on Monday morning along with a demotion...I suggest you leave before I drag you into the office now and discuss your termination from the department entirely” Robards said and Anthony nodded before scrambling off.

“As for the rest of you unless you want to be fined for violating the 621 act protecting the defected death eaters I suggest you go on about your business” he stated and the crowd dispersed.

“Malfoy...Zabini...up to code?” he asked.

“Hard when people like him attack us every time we go out…but yes” Blaise answer

“I’m working on it Mr. Zabini” He sighed heavily before looking towards Draco.

“If it weren’t for Granger here we would probably be having a different conversation” Draco admitted.

“Yes well Miss Granger has the tendency for lost causes” Robards gave Draco a smirk and based on Draco smirking back Hermione figured it must be some sort of inside joke between the two.

“Speaking of lost causes…it seems I have an opening for Deputy Head of the department again…I know the first time I asked you, you were in the middle of fixing the werewolf registry and couldn’t leave your department…but I’ll ask you again…are you interested?” Robards asked, looking over at Hermione.

“What about Ron?” Hermione asked.

“He doesn’t want it..in fact, once Harry has transitioned into my position Ron feels comfortable enough to leave the ministry…believe he wants to help good brother George run the shop am I correct?” Robards asked.

“You are,” Harry said.

“I’ll think it over…can I make an appointment with you on Monday to discuss it with you more professionally?” She asked.

“Of course…I’ll have my assistant set something up…and Mr. Nott…need I remind you that the wizengamot does not care that you do not have a mark on your arm…your last name alone could send you to prison if you step on the wrong toes…it would do well to resist breaking collar bones…although it would have been very entertaining to watch…do behave yourself…I don’t fancy having to defend you in court again...you were a nuisance” Robards eyed Theo before nodding at them and walking away.

“I don’t know what he means by that I was a pleasure to have in court,” Theo said.

“You flipped the judge off,” Blaise said.

“Rightful so…” Theo said before starting to walk again with Harry and Blaise.

Hermione looked at Draco who’s jaw had loosened up a bit but Hermione could still see the worry and anger he carried.

“You okay?” She asked.

“Yeah…yeah I’m alright…come on” he started walking and she sighed reluctantly but followed him regardless.

Once they made it to his place Blaise walked into the kitchen and it sounded like he was grabbing glasses for them to drink out of.

Theo started giving Harry a tour and Draco looked at Hermione.

“Drinks?” he asked.

“I’ll take one,” she said.

He led her into the kitchen where Blaise had poured a glass for everyone himself included.

She took a glass and raised it “Congrats on the good game Draco” she said.

“Yes, congrats brother” Blaise agreed and clinked his glass with Hermione’s then Draco’s.

“So question...why did Robards say I have a thing for lost causes...did I miss a joke or something?” she asked.

“Well uh...when Robards cleared me officially I asked what made him decide I was worthy of saving he said that you had written a strongly worded letter to him about why I should be cleared...and I thought that I had misheard him when he said it was you and he told me what you were doing with the werewolf registry and it had reminded me of your S.P.E.W project in our Hogwarts days...told him that you must still have a soft spot for lost causes if you really thought I belonged out of Azkaban...don’t give me that look I’ve worked hard to get to where I am but I’m not blind Granger...I was a shite person to you and you know it...the fact that you and I can be in the same room together comfortably is great...but...don’t get me wrong...I can’t help but feel guilty...I mean for Salazar’s sake I haven’t even apologized for everything yet” he explained.

She looked up at him.

“You knew about my S.P.E.W project?” she asked.

“Yes Granger...you wouldn’t shut up about it,” he said.

“Is that what you heard out of that entire conversation?” he asked.

“Yes because you don’t need to apologize and if you try...so help me Draco Malfoy I will hurt you” she threatened him and he chuckled, shaking his head at her.

“Alright, you violent witch” he teased.

“And...you guys...get attacked like that often?” she asked, looking between him and Blaise who then started to fiddle with his drink.

“You can’t tell Gin...if she finds out...she’ll hunt people down” Blaise said.

Hermione laughed.

“That is one of the reasons I haven’t threatened you for dating my best friend...I know she can handle herself,” Hermione said.

“That she can...Dean and I still get nosebleeds from her bat bogey hex” Harry said joining the room.

“You know...she does have two exes that are very gay...is there something you want to tell us Blaise” Theo teased.

“Salazar no I like pussy far too much...sides Gin’s got five brothers that alone terrifies me enough to treat her right...but her bat bogey hex lives in my nightmares” he explained.

“Six brothers” Hermione corrected.

“Shite I knew that” he muttered.

“It’s okay she does it all the time,” Hermione said with a shrug.

“I just wanted to make sure you did know...because...she will go bonkers if she hears you say five,” Hermione said.

“It helps to remind me actually...just to make sure...it’s Bill, Charlie, Percy the twins, and then Ron right?” he asked.

“Yeah but don’t refer to the twins as the twins...it’s always Fred and George...or George and Fred,” Hermione said.

“Gred and Forge or Forge and Gred,” Harry said with a smirk on his face.

Hermione shook her head smiling.

“Okay...well...can you help a guy out...Bill is married to Fleur and Bill works at Gringotts, yes?” Blaise asked.

“Oh that’s all Mione...one of the reasons Gin and I got divorced is I kept forgetting small details...like Bill working at Gringotts,” Harry chuckled.

“Bill...also known as William Arthur Weasley married Fleur August first, 1997,” Hermione said. “Bill works at Gringotts as a curse breaker where Fleur also works there...but I don’t know what she does...I think it was honestly to improve her English...they have a daughter Victorie who was born May 2nd, 2000 and they have another baby on the way which they believe to be a girl” Hermione stated.

“The best way to win Bill over is to not look at his scars or mention them in any way...respect his wife...be nice to his kids and sister and you are set” Hermione added.

“Charles William Weasley also known as Charlie is not married and is a Dragonologist he works in Romania at a dragon sanctuary...Ginny is irked he didn’t go into quidditch professionally but Charlie is very good with dragons...maybe I should introduce him to you...put you in your place” Hermione teased looking at Draco who playfully sneered at her.

“Charlie may look terrifying but I promise you he’s a teddy bear...if you know anything about dragons at all or are curious he will talk your ear off about them” Hermione said.

“You say he’s a teddy bear because he fancies you,” Harry said.

“He does not fancy me in the slightest...I just happen to be the only one fascinated by his work so he talks to me more!” Hermione gawked at him.

“You keep telling yourself that” Harry scoffed and she rolled her eyes at him moving on.

“Percy Ignatius Weasley...single...and he works for the Department of Magical Transportation...Percy is…what you would call...a swot...I like him...but that’s because I am also a swot apparently” she glared at Draco.

“You are,” He shrugged.

“He’s just...very smart...but...he keeps to himself...he blames himself for Fred’s death so it’s hard to break his shell...but if you manage to break it...he’s very kind,” Hermione said.

“Right...and I’ve already won George over with my reviews of his shop...but Ron…” Blaise trailed.

“Is a hot head...just talk to his wife, she'll put him in his place” Hermione sniggered.

“That sounds like our Pans” Theo laughed.

“Thanks” Blaise smiled at her.

“Of course...if anything...the good seats Draco gets us for his game is another way to sweet talk Ron...Ginny gets us nice seats...but the seats Draco got were incredible” Hermione said.

“Well, I can do that” Blaise chuckled.

They all joked around for a bit longer before calling it a night.

Draco hugged Hermione goodbye which took her aback at first but she welcomed it nonetheless.