Atrium
Ministry of Magic
Monday 24th May 2010
Lightbulbs flashed as the photographers crowded round them; journalists with their pens poised leaning in, hanging on every word that the man to her left said.
"...and they are in agreement that this shall not affect their ability to raise their child. They both remain committed parents. There will be no questions. Thank you" he concluded his statement.
Hermione kept her eyes firmly forwards as she made to follow her solicitor through the throng of people swarming outside the ministry.
"Miss Granger! Miss Granger!"
Several journalists attempted to grab her attention.
"Have you and Mr Malfoy divorced because he is a Death Eater?"
She stole a glance at her ex husband who grimaced as he ground his teeth.
"EX Death Eater" he ground out "I am not the man she deserves, no, but I am not a Death Eater."
Hermione stopped in her tracks and turned to him, pain in her expression. They shared a look momentarily forgetting all around them. He looked away to hide his own pain.
She turned to the crowd "Draco Malfoy is every bit of the man I deserve but sometimes no matter how much you love someone, no matter how much history you have, life does not give you a 'Happy Ever After.'
Her solicitor raised his hand addressing the crow"That will be all." He turned to Hermione "Do not answer any more of their questions, Hermione" he whispered, taking her arm and guiding her to the apperition point.
12 Grimauld Place
Wednesday 26th May 2010
Hermione lay on her side on the sofa staring at the television. She had no idea what was on but the humm of the tv filled the room.
"Mamma, come out and see what James has up in the tree!" Scorpius cried, rushing into the room and tugging at her hand.
Hermione smiled, brushing her hand through her 4 year old son's blonde locks.
"Ok sweetie, let me just find your aunt Ginny first."
.
Ginny poured a cup of tea and handed it to her. "Bless him, he is so excited" she smiled, looking out the kitchen window. The two boys scrambled up the ladder into the tree house.
"I didn't know Harry was good at DIY" chuckled Hermione.
Ginny took a sip of her tea and continued to stare out of the window, unsure as to whether to tell her or not. She sipped again.
"Draco helped him"
Malfoy Manor
Wiltshire
Friday 28th May 2010
The green flames erupted in the floo, lighting up the atrium. He paused, placing his book on the coffee table and made to get up. Hearing soft giggles he smiled, striding out of the room, enveloping the child in a hug.
"DADDY!" he cried, wrapping his arms around his neck.
"Hello Scorpius" Draco beamed, leaning forward towards Hermione out of habit. He paused, and she turned her eyes away from his, her face following.
He placed a small chaste kiss on her cheek. "How are you?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Well" she replied before changing the subject "I shall collect him on Sunday at about 5pm if that is ok?"
"Of course" he replied, ruffling the boy's hair as he placed him gently on his feet, watching him rush off in the direction of the tv room.
"Hermione…." Draco began
She shook her head, willing the tears not to fall.
12 Grimauld Place
Sunday 30th May 2010
He sat in the chair, watching her as she slept fitfully on the sofa. His wife handed him a cup of tea and rubbed his shoulder.
"I hate seeing her like this, Gin" he confessed, pain apparent in his voice.
"I know" she whispered, soothingly. "It is a shame it has come to this. They are both hurting and they don't need to."
Office of Head Auror, Harry Potter
MLE Department
Ministry of Magic
Tuesday 1st June 2010
"No, Harry, I do not need any more time off" she informed him, taking the file from him.
"You don't have to do this…"
"Is Draco back at work?"
He looked up at her, confused as to why she was asking. Removing his glasses, he pinched the bridge of his nose
"Is he back at work?"
"Yes" Harry sighed.
"Then I do not need any more time off work"
Ministry of Magic Library
Friday 11th June 2010
She stared at the text, unsure how long it had been since the words had stopped registering in her brain. Behind her a cough interrupted her ruminations, startling her. She whipped her head round and then let out a sigh.
"Tom told me I might find you here. It's after midnight, you should go home."
"I have to finish this case, you of all people should understand, Harry" she sighed.
"It's time to go home, you will run yourself into the ground" he replied, placing a comforting arm on her shoulder.
"I don't have a home, not anymore" she whispered, teardrops falling on the book in front of her. She rubbed them away fiercely with her sleeve.
"You always have a home with us, Hermione, you know that" he told her, placing a kiss atop her head.
12 Grimauld Place
Saturday 12th June 2010
She stared out of the kitchen window, watching Harry with James. Tears silently streamed down her face. Ginny walked in, clutching a pile of laundry to her chest. Seeing Hermione, she dropped the basket on the floor, rushing to her side, pulling her into a tight embrace. Hermione's body wracked with sobs.
Malfoy Manor
Sunday 13th June 2010
Draco lay on his stomach, watching as Scorpius set up the Quidditch figures. He watched in awe as his son set them flying.
"Tell me again about Quidditch Daddy, what position did you play?" he asked, his eyes fixed on his father.
"He was a seeker, Scorpius, but don't let him tell you he won all the time because Uncle Harry will set you straight there" Hermione said, crossing into the room.
Draco turned on his side "Hi, sorry, I never heard the floo" he told her, watching as she came and scooped Scorpius up into a tight hug. He could never deny what a wonderful mother she was.
"Mamma missed you, sweetie" she whispered, kissing his messy blonde hair.
Office of Head Auror, Harry Potter
Monday 14th June 2010
"I know this is sudden, and I know it's a lot to ask, especially right now" he paused, sighing as he took off his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose "If there was another team, I wouldnt ask, but you two know, you are the best we have"
Draco nodded.
"Is it too much?" He asked, looking directly at Hermione.
"No, I have read the file. You haven't got any choice. I am not going to sit here and refuse to bring that bastard in just because of my personal life. I can be professional"
Aviației
Bucharest
Romania
Tuesday 15th June 2010
"According to the file, he should be in the safe house over there. I suggest we stake it out for a couple of days, assess his movements and then raid the place"
"I agree" he nodded, watching the house across the road.
Aviației
Bucharest
Romania
Friday 18th June 2010
"Fuck that was close" he ducked down behind the car, panting as he looked over at her. Her hair was wild and her eyes flashed. She looked more alive than he had seen her in years.
Office of Head Auror, Harry Potter
21st June 2010
"You did well, dont be so down."
"He is still at large!" she cried, fury lacing her voice, her face contorted with rage.
Draco stood at the back of the room, leaning against the wall. He couldnt deny his wife sexy when she was passionate about something. Ex wife. He forgot sometimes.
MLE Office of Deputy Head of Department, Hermione Granger.
2nd July 2010
She poured over maps at her desk, squinting in the half light from her desk lamp. Her door pushed open.
"Go home" a soft voice told her.
"Mmm" she replied, eyes not leaving the maps.
"Seriously, Granger" the voice from the door more insistent.
She didnt move or respond.
"We got his bastard brother, we WILL get him" he told her, stepping into the office.
She looked him in the eye. "When?"
He had no answer.
"Go home, you know you will only exhaust yourself." He couldn't hide the concern in his voice.
"Soon" she whispered,
"Hermione…." he began, stepping closer to her.
She shook her head "Dont, Draco"
182 Richmond Avenue
London
23rd July 2010
The roar of flames echoed around the room as she stepped out into the green glow, tears pricking her eyelids. She hated dropping Scorpius off. Not because Draco wasnt a good father. He was a fantastic father. But because she missed her son so much. And she missed Draco too.
182 Richmond Avenue
London
24th July 2010
Returning from her run, she pounded up the steps to the front door, pausing to check no one was looking before she took out her wand to lower the wards before unlocking the door. She closed the door, humming along with her iPod as she bent to pick up the post. Crossing into the living room, she scanned the junk mail and bills unaware of the slick liquid that coated the carpet. Something crimson caught her eye and she stopped dead, a chill going down her spine, as she slowly moved the letters from her vision, as the scene registered in her mind. The colour drained from her face as she focused on the body of the woman in her lounge, before her eyes caught the mirror. Whipping round she stumbled back, screaming as she read the words that had been painted on her cream wall. Her back pressed to the fireplace and she spun round, grabbing floo powder, throwing it into the fire as she cried out the first place that came into her mind.
.