The keys I was dangling nonchalantly around my finger fall to the ground with a loud clang.

"It isn't what it looks like." Astoria screeches from the bed.

I can't believe what I'm seeing. Or what I'm hearing!

"What exactly is it then? Because from where I'm standing it looks like you've cheated on my best mate, your fiancée, with my boyfriend."

"You were going to dump him anyway!" Astoria yells loudly.

"Oh and that makes it alright does it? Tell me, have you dumped Draco?"

Her silence speaks volume.

"I didn't think so." I say disgustingly.

"Look Hermione. Let's all just calm down. We're all adults here." Theo says.

I turn to face him. "Don't even get me started on you!" I yell. "You didn't even have a clue that I was coming here to break up with you. You cheated on me too!"

And suddenly it dawns on me. The reason why Theo's never pressurized me into sleeping with him.

The bastard was getting it somewhere else!

"How could you do this to Draco?" I ask Astoria. "He loves you!"

"Hermione. I think you need to calm down." Theo repeats.

"Don't tell me to calm down you piece of Hippogriff crap."

"I think you should remember that I'm your boss!" he states loudly.

"I quit and I've already moved out." I take pleasure in telling him that and get even more when I pick up the keys from the floor and fling them at him. "You can't threaten me like you may have treated your past girlfriends."

"Oh and I've supposed you've been talking to them have you?" he sneers. "I'm looking for a wife. Of course I'm going to search around. Ruby and Cleo may not have understood that but I would have thought that you would."

Oh Merlin. Ruby's meetings with him and Cleo's cheating boyfriend.

How could I have been so stupid! So blind!

I'm beginning to feel dizzy.

I'm seeing Theo with new eyes. And I'm so mad.

Theo gets out of the bed and walks into the bathroom. As soon as the doors are closed, Astoria turns to face me.

"Hermione. Please don't tell Draco." She pleads with me. "He doesn't have to know."

I look at her as if she's stupid. Which I guess she is if she gave up Draco for a one night stand with Theo.

"Of course he has to know. I'm not going to let him get married to someone who cheated on him. If you don't tell him then I will."

"Are you? Have you thought about this? This will ruin his happiness. All because I made a stupid drunken mistake. I was stressed about the wedding and work and I had too much to drink. You're going to punish Draco because I made one little mistake?"

"One little mistake. You shagged someone else! That's not so little in my book."

"It won't happen again. Draco and I could be so happy together. And we will be if you keep quiet about this little misdemeanor."

I'm hesitating. I can't believe I'm actually hesitating! I must be crazy.

"Why do you really want to tell Draco?" she asks me.

"What?"

"Oh Hermione don't "What" me. You know what I mean." She spits. "Are you going to tell him because he's your friend? Or are you going to be one of those sad women who desperately want to be his girlfriend and go around ruining every relationship he has in the hope he'll one day fall in love with you? A real friend would do what's best for Draco and not for herself."

I actually don't know what to say. Could she be telling the truth? Is the reason why I'm so desperate to tell Draco because I'm hoping he'll dump her and fall in love with me?

Oh Merlin- I do want that!

Astoria gets up from the bed with the sheet wrapped around her.

"Think about it Hermione. Who'll be better for Draco? Me…or you?" she says.

The worse thing is having to face the answer. Of course, it's her. Remember Draco's list? I'm not half of those things whereas Astoria meets every last criteria.

I think I'm going to cry. In fact I think I feel the first tear escaping.

Astoria bends in front of me and picks up her clothes and bag.

"I don't think it would be good for you to come to the wedding. The only reason I asked you to be a bridesmaid was to make Draco happy. See, I'm willing to put up with a woman I hate to make him happy. I want you to stay away from the two of us. You need to let us go on with our lives together."

She apparates out and I quickly follow, not wanting to spend a second more in this place.

ooo

I decide to head straight to work so I can clear out what little I have in my desk drawers. I think it's best to get this over with when Theo is otherwise engaged. Merlin- I can't believe I fell for his charming gentleman act.

Stupid Hermione.

As soon as I step through the elevator doors, David catches sight of me and instantly demands coffee. I look at him head on for five seconds before brushing past him.

"Excuse me Hermione." He says pointedly as he follows me.

"Yes?" I say to him innocently.

"I want a coffee."

That is it. I have had enough of getting people their damn coffee. I pick up the phone just so I have something to slam down.

"You know David. You're going to have to suffer and get your own coffee because I quit this morning."

He looks at me with a shocked expression over his face before he smiles. And I don't mean a mean smile, I mean an actual smile. He nods his head at me in a friendly manner before walking off towards the coffee area. My gaze follows him bemusedly.

"You quit?" I hear Cleo's voice from behind me.

I turn to face her and a feeling of complete guilt enters my stomach. I nod my head to answer her question.

Her look of dejection does not make me feel any better.

"How about we go and get a cup of coffee?" I ask her.

She glances uneasily at her watch and then at David. "I really shouldn't." she says.

"Oh come on." I say cajolingly. "You've still got fifteen minutes before you're supposed to start working. It'll be my treat."

I don't give her a chance to answer. Vanishing my possessions so the desk is clean, I grab hold of her arm and link it with mine before apparating us to a café in Hogsmeade. It's quiet and hardly anyone comes in- which makes it perfect for the talk I'm about to have with her.

"I wanted to talk to you about Theo." The words don't come out in the most tactful of ways but I doubt there's any tactful way to initiate this conversation.

"Theo?" Cleo says with an illusion of innocence.

"He's your boyfriend isn't he?" I say.

She looks dumbly at me before gasping. "Please don't say anything. He'll get so mad. How did you find out?"

I hesitate. "I found out because-"

"Ruby told you didn't she? I know he's in love with her. I know he's been cheating on me with her. All those meetings in his office."

To my horror she starts crying. Oh Merlin- I haven't even told her about me yet!

"I don't think he's in love with anyone- apart from himself."

Cleo looks at me through teary eyes.

"I had no clue that you were seeing him. Or Ruby for that matter. Because I've been going out with him for the last few weeks. I was his girlfriend."

Cleo stares at me open-mouthed for a while before choking out a shaky, "You?" She starts crying not long after.

I don't know what to do. My first instinct is to hug her but we aren't that close and I did just tell her that I've been seeing her boyfriend behind her back. I don't think she'd appreciate the action.

"Oh Merlin. Cleo- please don't cry. If I had known you were seeing him, or that he was cheating on me with practically every girl in the Wizarding World I would have never gone out with him. He's a cheating bastard and we're both much better off without him."

Cleo suddenly starts to shake her head. "No, you don't get it." she sobs.

"What?"

"I'm not like you- famous or anything. I was a nobody! Merlin, do you know what Cleo is short for?"

I shake my head slowly.

"Cleopatra!" she spits out as she chokes on a sob.

My eyebrows rise at that! Cleopatra? Merlin, I thought Hermione was bad.

"My parents are both Egyptologists. I grew up in a house surrounded by Merlin knows what. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to bring friends around? With weird stuff everywhere? I hated my life. I was a nobody. And then I got the job at Nott Advertising and for once in my life I could finally be someone."

Her eyes get all glassy.

"Someone glamorous and sexy. My parents didn't want me to work for him. They knew his reputation and we got into a huge fight about. I yelled at them."

She's sobbing again now.

"I told them that I hated them for being so selfish. Hated them for being so embarrassing and for caring about nothing apart from their careers. And then I left. They must hate me. If I leave Theo I'll have nothing. I can't go back to being that person. How can I go back?" she asks pleadingly.

My head reels at the load of information she's just revealed.

"Cleo your parents still love you. Trust me." I tell her.

She looks at me through watery eyes. She starts biting her lip and I know she's hesitating. I reach over and squeeze one of the hands in her lap.

"Call your parents. Or visit them. You'll regret it if you don't."

I think I finally get through to her as she gives a small nod. I pull back with a sigh of relief. Now that's sorted I have to figure out what I'm going to do about Astoria.

While Cleo pulls herself together, I find myself doing a mental pro/con list of telling Draco that his wife to be is a lying, cheating fake cow. I have many pros and only one con. But one con is enough.

Draco loves Astoria.

And no matter how much I wish he didn't, he does. I wish he had better choice in woman i.e. me, but he doesn't. He likes annoying woman. And if I tell him about Annoying Astoria and he breaks up with her then what? He'll go off and find some other Annoying woman and the whole cycle will start all over again.

Isn't it better for me to walk away now?

"Are you ready to go back?" Cleo interrupts my thoughts.

I look at her numbly before realizing that she wants me to go back with her for moral support. I feel obliged to comply. I was dating her boyfriend after all.

ooo

When we apparate back to the office it's to my dismay that Theo is standing twelve feet away from me talking to David. He looks up when he hears the twin pops and with one look at me standing there with Cleo, he quickly dismisses David.

Once David has apparated out, Theo's demeanor changes instantly. Ignoring Cleo, he turns to face me.

"Hermione, I see you're back." He leers at me.

What did I ever see in him?

"Actually I'm just here to pick up something I left." I lie. "Cleo has something to tell you." I push, knowing that if I don't give her a small nudge she won't find the courage to face him.

Theo gives me once last look before turning his head in Cleo's direction with an expectant look on his face. The bastard- he knows that Cleo won't stand up to him. He knows how scared she is.

Cleo glances at me uneasily and I give her an encouraging smile. It seems it gives her the courage she needs because her eyes narrow into small slits and she turns to face Theo with a fierce stare.

"I quit. You can shove your job up your own arse because I've had enough. And I'm dumping you too, you cheating-"

Cleo flounders as she searches for a suitable adjective.

"Hippogriff shit?" I supply.

"Yes," she says as she angrily points a finger in the direction of Theo's chest, "You're Hippogriff shit. I deserve a much better boyfriend than a bastard like you."

Cleo slumps as she finishes her tirade and redness blooms in her cheeks. There's stark silence for a millisecond before it's broken by a high-pitched shriek of anger.

"Boyfriend? You bitch. You've been sleeping with my boyfriend!"

All three of us turn to face a fuming not to mention screeching Ruby.

Oh bloody hell.

"You've been seeing her too?" Cleo questions quietly even though she suspected it.

Her voice breaks at the end of the question and I see new tears in her eyes. Oh dear.

"Seeing me! He's been dating me for months! What the hell do you think you're doing sleeping with my boyfriend?" Ruby demands furiously.

She takes a step in Cleo's direction who is now openly sobbing. Deciding she isn't up to defending herself, I step in Ruby's path.

"It's isn't Cleo's fault. Why don't you ask your boyfriend why the hell he's been three-timing you."

It takes two seconds for my words to register in Ruby's head.

"Three-timing!" she screeches.

I take in a deep breath. "Theo was dating me too." I force myself not to shudder in disgust at the words.

Ruby splutters before letting out a prolonged yell as she runs towards me, arms outstretched and clenched into fists.

She's barely makes it three steps before I calmly body bind her and watch as she falls to the floor.

Cleo's sobs manage to wrench my eyes from Ruby's frozen body back to her. Glancing at Theo I see him looking at Ruby's body blankly. I contemplate sending a hex his way but decide to be the mature one.

Huh- I've finally grown up. Draco would be proud.

Draco. Thinking about him makes my chest pang and not in a good way.

Shaking my head I quickly shrink and accio everything from Cleo's desk into my bag.

"Think carefully about what you're giving up Hermione." Theo has the nerve to say.

I scoff at his words and turn to look at him. "Giving up? I don't think I'll miss anything about you." I lie.

I will miss having a job…and money.

Theo sneers at me. "I knew you would be more trouble than you're worth."

His words nettle me. "Then why bother?"

"Because I wanted to piss off Malfoy. Why else would I lower my standards so much? He gets everything. I wanted to take something away from him for once."

I don't know what to say. To my shame, I feel my eyes watering up.

Grabbing Cleo's hand I apparate the both of us out of Nott Advertising.

ooo

I get back to Ginny and Blaise's apartment a few hours later.

It took a while to get Cleo to stop crying and to help her to pack up the stuff from where she was living in Westminster (another one of Theo's apartments). It took another hour to convince her to go home.

Again I ended up going with her for moral support. Not that she needed any. As soon as her parents opened the door and saw her standing on the front step, they burst into tears and dragged her into a hug. Deciding that they didn't need me interrupting them, I apparated away.

Now here I am. Sitting on Ginny's sofa, drowning my own sorrows in a cup of tea and a family size pack of Chocolate Digestives.

I think everything that's happened today is hitting me now.

Merlin- I should have known it was all too good to be true. Who takes a book reviewer and gives them a kitted out flat and thousands of pounds to spend on clothes. I feel so stupid.

Yes Theo was a jerk. But he was a good looking, charming rich jerk. As if he would date me for any other reason apart from making Draco jealous.

What in Merlin's name was I thinking?

I have no flat, no job, no boyfriend and barely any savings in my Gringotts account. I've completely messed up my life haven't I?

I know there's only one choice left for me. But I can't bring myself to do it. No- I have to. Dragging it out will only make it harder. Quickly scoffing the biscuit that I've licked all the chocolate off, I take in a deep breath before sticking my head into the Floo and calling out for Draco's office.

"Hermione?" he questions as he bends down slightly to see me better.

Oh Merlin just seeing him is making me weepy. "Hey Draco." I say casually.

"Is something wrong?" he asks me, "Only I'm just on my way out for a meeting."

"I just wanted to see you and…and tell you goodbye."

That gets his full attention. He stops fiddling around with the folders on his desk and turns to me sharply.

"What? What are you talking about?"

Oh Merlin. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

"I broke up with Theo and quit working for him."

"What? He made you quit because you didn't want to go out with him anymore?" Draco roars angrily.

"No! I-It's complicated and it doesn't even matter." I say with a shaking head. "The point is, is that I'm leaving. I'm going to go and stay with Mum and Dad. I need to figure out what I'm going to do with my life now. I don't think I'll be coming back for a while."

Draco says nothing and that hurts a lot more than I can say.

"I don't think I'll be able to make it to your wedding." I manage to say normally. I can feel a lump in my throat and have to swallow a few times before I think it's safe to talk again. "Everything that's happened with Theo. I don't think I can face a wedding right now."

"He was cheating on you wasn't he?" Draco asks.

"Yes." There's no point in hiding that part.

"Merlin Hermione what the hell did you see in him apart from his money?"

"Excuse me? I didn't go out with Theo just because he was rich!" I say angrily.

"Want to tell me what else he had going for him?" Draco asks sarcastically.

"He was good looking. And he was nice. He treated me well."

"So his money had nothing to do with it?"

I hesitate. "Well it did have a little to do with it." I say truthfully.

"I knew it!" Draco says loudly.

"What do you mean you knew it?" I demand. "It's okay to want to be with a man who can give you nice things and take you out to dinner. It isn't as if I kept anything he gave me and I always offered to pay my share."

I'm quite offended that he's thought of me that way, even after our last argument.

"I'm sorry." He apologizes. "I guess not all women are like that."

"Are you talking about Astoria?"

"No. Tory's great. So she likes the finer things in life. I know that. I like that about her. It's just that before we got engaged she could afford the things she wanted from her own wages. Yes she doesn't make as much as me but-"

"Wait what?" I interrupt him. "Astoria makes sixty thousand Galleons a year. What do you mean you make more?"

I see Draco shift from foot to foot. "I make quite a bit more than her."

My mind is completely reeling. "But you scrounge around for change to pay the pizza guy."

Draco chuckles. "Just because I make more doesn't mean I have it lying around. I want to pay off my debt to Gringotts for the house and the rest is all in stocks everywhere. But don't tell Astoria. She'll want to spend it on shoes or something."

Bloody hell. Astoria so doesn't deserve him.

"My lips are sealed. I suppose this is a good thing right. Since Astoria wants to be a full time mother."

"Actually she was talking about hiring a nanny. She said she won't be able to cope by herself. What do you think?"

What do I think? I think that Astoria's a selfish, parasitic cheating cow. But I can't tell Draco that.

"I think that's something you need to discuss with Astoria. It's not my business." I say coldly.

There's silence as I watch Draco digest my answer.

"I should go." I say to break it.

"What?" Draco says panicked.

"Your meeting." I say.

"I'll cancel it." He says.

"No!" I yelp. I can't talk to him anymore. "I have to go anyway. I just wanted to say bye and that I hope you and Astoria have a nice life together if I don't see you again."

"What? Don't be ridiculous Hermione. You're acting as if we're never going to see each other again. As if you can't wait to get rid of me?"

"It's complicated. With Theo."

His grey eyes narrow at my face. "You know you certainly don't look heart broken that you're not with him anyone. Considering you loved him so much."

I snap. "What do you know about love? You've got your precious Astoria." As soon as the words are out of my mouth I regret them.

"What do you mean by that? Just what is your problem with Astoria? I know the two of you don't get on but at least she was willing to build a relationship with you." He accuses.

Build a relationship with me or my boyfriend?

"I don't have a problem with Astoria. Really, I hope the two of you are very happy with each other. Look Draco you should really get going."

Draco runs a hand through his hair which isn't a good sign before he takes in a deep breath. "Look, come over for dinner tonight. Astoria's great in the kitchen. You can't just leave like this."

I'm so glad I decided to say goodbye by Floo than in person. At least this way he can't see my teary eyes. I bite the inside of my cheek to control the wobble in my voice.

"I don't think I can make it Draco. I'll owl you from my parents okay? Bye Draco." And I quickly stick my head out of the fireplace before he can say another word.

ooo

It doesn't take me long to pen a quick note to Ginny to tell her thank you and where I'm planning on going. Shrinking my bags I put them in my pocket before apparating home.

Mum's out watering the front garden and jumps when she hears me appear on the front door.

"Hermione. How nice of you to pop in?" I think she sees something in my face because she quickly turns off the hose and pulls off her bright yellow gloves. "Let's go inside and put on the kettle."

I smile my thanks and follow her into the house.

"Where's Dad?" I ask her.

"In the shed." She tells me and I step out into the back garden and make my way down to the shed.

As I reach it I knock on the door twice before popping my head through the door.

"Hermione!" he says happily as he stands from his chair and pulls me into a hug. I hold onto him tightly and don't let go.

"When did you get here?" he asks me.

"Just a few minutes ago."

"Well it's a lovely surprise. You managed to get some time off from your high-flying job then?"

I blush and look at the floor. "I was only a receptionist."

"Was?"

I bite my lip. "I quit." I say unsure of what his reaction will be.

"I'm glad. It sounded horribly boring. What made you finally see the light?"

"Well-" I hesitate deciding on whether to tell him the truth or lie. As usual it's the truth that comes flooding out. "I had a horrible relationship with my boss. He was cheating on me!"

Dad simply pats me on the back comfortingly. "Did you love him?"

"No." I sigh.

Dad nods his head. "Because you're in love with Draco."

"No I'm not!" I say blushingly. "He's getting married remember. To someone else. Obviously he loves her."

He doesn't look convinced but thankfully he doesn't say anything.

"So how long are you planning on staying?"

"A few weeks? Months? Until I find a new job. Is that okay?"

"Okay? Don't be silly Hermione. This is your home. You can stay here for the rest of your life and you won't get any complaints from me. I miss you when you're living so far away."

I move and give him another tight hug.

"I miss you too. But I can't stay here forever. Just until I figure out what I'm going to do."

"You need to think about what you love doing and then work in that field. No more boring jobs." He tells me.

I smile. "No more boring jobs." I vow.

ooo

A week later and I've had enough of Mum and Dad pussyfooting around me. Dad's been trying to avoid mentioning anything to do with a job and Mum's been plying me with so much tea and chocolate biscuits that I think I've practically put on all the weight I'd previously lost!

I have to get away. And this is where I find myself apparating to. Just being on the grounds and looking up at Hogwarts makes me feel like my life will work itself out soon.

After taking a few more deep breaths I start walking towards the entrance. Hopefully Minerva won't mind me popping in for a cup of tea. Guiltily I realise that it's been a while since I last saw or wrote to her. I make a vow to do more to keep in touch with her.

The corridors are empty and I'm glad that I've got enough time to stroll up to her office before the hordes of students are unleashed from their classes.

It's comforting to see the familiar walls with their familiar paintings. For the first time in a long time I don't feel so lost anymore.

Unconsciously my hand reaches into my coat pocket and fists the letter I got from Ginny this morning. It contained the normal niceties before the real Ginny had come out. She'd admonished me for leaving without saying a proper goodbye, she'd demanded to know just how long I was planning on staying with my parents and she'd lectured me on ignoring Draco. Apparently he'd asked Blaise to ask Ginny if I was ignoring her letters too or if it was just him.

I sigh at the thought of him trying to get into contact with me. I hate the fact that I'm ignoring him but I just need to stay away. A clean break will be a lot less painful than a prolonged one. He'll see that soon – once he's married Astoria he'll forget all about me.

She'll make him.

I think I'm going to start crying at the thought.

Shaking my head I quickly head towards Minerva's office. Climbing up the winding staircase I find my old Transfiguration teacher standing at the door to her office with a warm smile on her usually taut face.

I smile back as she opens her arms for a hug.

"Hermione, how nice of you to drop by. It's been so long. And look at you- you look so different!" Minerva comments.

As much as I would like to say that Theo/Astoria's attempts at making me look girly hadn't stuck I'd be lying. Every time I wake up in the morning I find myself putting on mascara and lip gloss- voluntarily!

I've also kept some of my new clothes that I bought with my own money.

"I know it's been a long time. I'm sorry. Are you free right now? I know I don't have an appointment." I blush.

Minerva tuts at me before pulling me into her office. I follow her without any reluctance. My eyes immediately go to Dumbledore's portrait first. His blue eyes twinkle at me as he says hello.

Next I look at the portrait next to his.

"Professor Snape." I say politely.

"Miss Granger." His portrait gives me his infamous bow.

I follow Minerva towards her desk and sit in the chair opposite hers. She waves her wand and the papers on her desk clear to make way for the Earl Grey and custard creams that she favors.

"So how have you been?" she asks me casually.

My automatic response to her question would be to say that I'm fine. In fact the words are on the tip of my tongue before I realise that I don't want to lie to her.

I hesitate. "Actually I haven't been too good."

Minerva doesn't comment and I take that as a cue to carry on talking.

"I had to leave my old job at BWM because we were being taken over and then I had to move out and I got a job which I hated and I quit and now I'm living back home with my parents!" My voice to my embarrassment has got steadily higher at my revelation and at the end of the sentence I'm wailing like a banshee.

I see Severus looking at me startled before he uncomfortably walks out of his portrait.

"Oh Hermione." Minerva pats my hand.

"It's just got so messed up. It wasn't supposed to be like this." I tell her. "Why didn't I go to Healer school or Law school like everyone told me to?" I say as I wipe my eyes with a tissue.

"Hermione. Did you want to be a Healer or a Lawyer?" Minerva asks me.

"Well no-" I hedge.

"Well then that's your answer isn't it?" she says wisely.

"But that doesn't help me right now though does it? I have no job and I don't know what I want to do. Should I not have figured it out by now? I mean everyone thinks so."

"It doesn't matter what everyone else thinks. It's your job. Your life." She stresses.

We sit in silence for a minute as I sip my tea. Suddenly the whole office turns green as the fireplace lights up. A harried looking face of a middle aged woman comes through the flames.

"Gertrude? Is everything okay?" Minerva asks.

"Oh- there's been another explosion Minerva."

My eyebrows rise at the woman's words. From beside me I hear Minerva sighing.

"Let me guess. William Rookwood." She says tiredly.

Me eyes widen in surprise at the name. "Rookwood?" I say out loud.

Minerva gives me a nod in confirmation. Huh- I had no idea that the old Death Eater had any relatives.

"He blew up Miss Windsor's cauldron by adding a Bat Wing! A Bat Wing! When he knows precisely the effect it would have when mixed with the Ginger root! Now half of my classroom looks like a swamp! Enough is enough Minerva. This boy needs to be punished-"

Minerva raises a hand in a calming motion and I turn back to the fireplace to see if it will have the desired effect.

It doesn't. The woman is still spluttering incomprehensibly. The only word discernable is William.

"Gertrude. Gertrude! Calm down. I will down in a moment to deal with the situation." Minerva says before closing the Floo. With a shaking head she turns back to face me.

"Do you want me to leave?" I ask her.

"No this won't take very long. I hope." She says as she stands.

"Rookwood? I wasn't aware that he had a son."

"William is his nephew. Augustus's sister's son. Perfectly harmless and incredibly smart. If only he would do the work required from him. In his earlier years he swanned through his classes but now that he's in his sixth year and still unwilling to do the work, his grades have started slipping. Nothing I say seems to get through to him."

I watch as Minerva leaves the office.

Two minutes have gone by when the door to her office slams open and a tall dark haired boy slopes in with a fierce sneer on his face. When he catches sight of me he stops in his tracks before realization floods over his face and his scowl becomes even more prominent.

Looking away, he walks over to the chair next to me and angrily sits down in it.

"William I take it." I say to him.

He turns his head to me and gives me a look of disgust. "Who wants to know?" he asks.

"I'm Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you." I say unnecessarily. We both know he recognized me when he walked in.

As expected he doesn't take my outstretched hand, instead he gives me a look to say that I'm beneath him. My hand drops in my lap and we sit in silence for half a minute. Even though he isn't speaking I can still feel the anger coming off him.

"So what year are you in?" I ask conversationally.

"Sixth." He grunts back. I'm actually surprised he even answered me.

"Old enough to know that Bat wings and Ginger root don't mix then?" I say to myself even though I'm directing the words at him.

William turns to look at me sharply. I don't back down. Two can play at this game. In the end it's William who looks away.

"So what's your problem then?" I ask him. "To cool for school or something?"

He doesn't reply and I look over at him. He's sprawled over the chair, his arm lazily hanging off the arm rest and swinging lightly. The ultimate bad-boy.

"You know I know-used to know- someone like you. He's a lawyer now."

"Good for him." comes a sarcastic reply.

"Yep. He's got his own house and he's loaded. Girls falling all over him." The last few words come out in a stronger tone than I'd intended.

Again there's no reply but by the tilt of William's head I know he's listening to me.

"Every boy's dream isn't it?"

"Not mine."

"Oh? Already have a girlfriend?"

A look flashes across his face before he shakes his head. It looks like concern but that doesn't make sense. Maybe I read it wrong.

"So what do you want to do when you're out of Hogwarts then?"

"Are you really that stupid? I mean I know you've lost your brains since the War but seriously." He scoffs.

I'm quite taken aback at the attack. "Excuse me?"

"You actually think that I can leave here and just go into whatever field I want. With a last name like mine? You must be sniffing Humberfunger fumes."

I ignore his remark. "What does your last name have to do with anything?" I ask him.

He sneers at me. "People like you will never understand. You get given whatever you want. You don't need to think about the mundane things that the rest of need to."

"Like what?"

"Like how exactly I'm supposed to pay for three years in Auror training? Where I'm supposed to get the money to study and live at the same time."

"Surely your parents-"

"My parents died in the War. I've lived in the Wizarding War Orphanage my whole life. And they're probably be happy to see the back of me. I didn't exactly play well with the other kids. I don't think they'd be happy to pay for me to continue my education."

He says the words so calmly I can't help the sympathy that floods into my stomach. William catches the look on my face and instantly tenses up.

"I don't need your bloody pity. I can take care of myself."

"Good, because I'm not giving you my bloody pity. Professor McGonagall tells me that you're intelligent. You could get a scholarship."

William scoffs at my words. "Did you not hear the part about my last name being Rookwood."

"My friend, the lawyer I was telling you about- I'm sure you've heard of Draco Malfoy."

William's head turns towards me so sharply it's hard to say if the whipping noise is real or if I imagined it.

"Malfoy." He repeats and I nod my head.

William turns away again but I smile at the look on his face. He's thinking what I want him to think. That if a Malfoy can do it seven years ago then surely a Rookwood can do it now.

The door opening makes both our heads turn to the right. Minerva walks in and takes in the sight of both William and I sitting next to each other. To the older woman's credit, she doesn't let her surprise show and a fraction later she's moving back into her seat.

She turns to face William. "Miss Harringboil refuses to have you in her class anymore. She makes a strong case of expelling you from this school. As do a number of your other teachers."

I glance towards William to see how he's taking this. His jaw is clenched tightly but other than that, his face is masked of any emotion.

"I've been willing to turn a partial blind eye towards your other stunts because I saw them for what they were. Harmless pranks. But this time students were harmed Mr Rookwood and this I can't ignore."

William shifts uneasily in his seat.

"Mr Garrett and Mr Clark both required minor attention in the Infirmary. As did Miss Robinson. Miss Windsor on the other hand suffered major burns to her hands. She will be kept in the Infirmary for a few days while they heal."

I keep a close eye on William as Minerva speaks. He has an uneasy look on his face when she runs through the students hurt by his "stunt". It's only when she mentions Miss Windsor that William visibly stiffens and the hands resting on the armrest turn white. His mouth opens as if to say something before it shuts it again without voicing his question.

Guessing as to what his question is, I ask it for him.

"Will she be okay?"

Minerva looks between the two of us before giving a curt nod. William slumps with relief next to me.

Well well. I wonder why Miss Windsor means more to him than the other students in his class, especially considering it was her cauldron he blew up.

"I'm afraid I have no choice but to suspend you for a week."

I gasp. "If you suspend him then he stands no chance of getting an Auror scholarship." I say quickly.

It takes a second before I realise that I've said the words out loud and not just in my head.

"An Auror scholarship? This is what you wish to do as your future career?" she asks William.

He shrugs before looking down into his lap. "It's not going to happen anyway." He says bitterly.

Minerva looks at me and I look beseechingly back at her. She looks at me in surprise before giving me a small smile.

"If you improve your grades then I see no reason as to why you shouldn't be eligible for the scholarship. As long as there are no repeats of today I'll be happy to write you a favorable review for the scholarship committee."

"I'm behind in the work for classes. I'll never be able to catch up."

"I could talk to some of the other teachers. See if they would be willing to help tutor you in the evening."

"Don't bother. We both know what they're going to say." William says cynically.

"You're awfully bitter for a sixteen year old." I say to him. "I'm sure one of the teachers would be happy to help you, right?" I ask Minerva.

She gives me a look which suggests the idea is very doubtful.

"I'll tutor him!" I state loudly.

Yep, it's another one of those situations where I end up speaking before thinking.

"Hermione?" Minerva asks cautiously. She doesn't wait for my answer before she turns to William. "Mr Rookwood, if you could wait outside for a few moments."

William gives me a look before walking out. When the door shuts, Minerva turns to look at me. I have no clue what to say.

"Hermione?"

"I know what you're going to say Minerva but it isn't as if I'm doing anything else. It'll stop me moping around at home and…I think I might be good at this."

"This is very serious. It requires a long term commitment."

"I know. I want to help. William thinks that he doesn't stand a chance because of his last name. How many more kids are going to be thinking the same as him? It isn't fair. And you said it yourself. He's bright. He deserves to have a chance to live his life without people judging him."

Minerva looks at me for a second before her thin lips stretch into a smile. "It looks like you found your calling."

Before I can answer her, she's calling William back in.

"Miss Granger has agreed to tutor you in the evenings. This will require a lot of commitment from you Mr Rookwood. I hope you realise just how lucky you are in gaining Miss Granger's help. She's the brightest student that has passed through this school. I sincerely hope that you won't let her down."

"I won't." William vows strongly.

"And I don't want to hear one word about your behavior from your teachers."

William nods his head.

"Well I suppose the only thing left is to work out the details. I will owl you once Miss Granger and I have ironed things out."

William gives her one last nod and me a funny look before walking out of the room.

"Well I suppose I could apparate to Hogsmeade and walk to Hogwarts in the evenings?" I contemplate to myself.

"It would be a lot easier if you were staying here."

"What?" I yelp.

"More and more of the staff are getting older Hermione. I've three key staff who are over 110. They require an increasing number of days off for visits to St Mungo's and I've had no choice but to cancel their classes on such days. I understand that Muggle schools have supply teachers?" she questions the title and I give her a nod. "I've been looking to introduce one such teacher to Hogwarts. I think you'd be an excellent candidate for the post. Merlin knows that every other candidate I've interviewed was not as strong in all the subjects this school teaches than you. You would get a reasonable salary and a permanent room here."

"Are you being serious?" I ask her.

A teacher? Can I see myself being a teacher? You know what- I think I can. And the best thing? I get use of Hogwart's library again.

"Yes. I think you'd be good at this job Hermione. What do you think?"

What do I think? My mind is buzzing. I've never even thought of being a teacher before. Would I be a good one?

"Can I think it over?" I ask her.

Minerva nods her head before telling me that I can let her know tomorrow. We finish our tea and I apparate home with a new feeling building up inside me. Professor Granger? Sounds good to me.

ooo

"Sooo, did you do it? You did it didn't you?" I ask William eagerly.

He tries to hide his smile beneath the look he's giving me that tells me just how uncool he thinks I am.

"Aren't you supposed to be teaching me, Professor Granger?" he asks sarcastically.

I roll my eyes at him and he raises his eyebrows at me.

"Exactly I'm your Professor. And that means that you have to answer my questions with the truth!" I point out.

William scoffs before ignoring me and opening his Potions textbook. I try to let the question go but my curiosity wins out in the end because I end up pleading for an answer.

"If you don't tell me then I won't be teaching you anything this evening." I lie.

"Like that makes any difference to me. I could learn this stuff in my sleep." He arrogantly lies back.

Now it's my turn to scoff.

"Tell me, please!"

William sighs in acceptance and I smile. Over the months since I've taken up the supply teaching position in Hogwarts, I've watched William Rookwood slowly create a much wanted relationship with Amber Windsor.

Honestly and I know how weird this sounds, but it feels as if I'm watching a baby learn how to walk. He'd struggled to act like a decent guy in her presence, he'd fallen on his arse when she'd refused his incredibly pathetic excuses for being an arrogant jerk and he'd finally started stumbling along when she'd tentatively accepted his hand of friendship.

They were just too sweet. I'd voiced this thought aloud in our previous tutoring session and William had not wasted a millisecond before he'd told me that I'd needed to get a life.

I'd laughed it off knowing he meant in a friendly manner. It may have taken me months but it seemed I've finally hacked through William's tough exterior.

Yes he still refuses to talk to me anywhere other than our tutoring sessions but I'm happy enough with the half smiles he gives me when I walk past him in the corridor. The most important thing is that his grades are slowly but surely creeping back up again. His average is nudging the Exceeds Expectations mark and I'm sure it won't be long before we're hitting Outstanding.

I'm not the only one who's noticed the difference in him. It seems he took Minerva's threat to heart because he's been an angel in all his classes. In fact I've had a few of the other Professors thanking me and asking me if I'd be willing to help some of the other students in their classes.

So now William isn't my only tutee. There's Hannah, Frank, Sam, Liam and Katrina.

I'm finally feeling like my life is getting back on track again.

Life without Draco. I miss him. A lot. I thought that being so busy would mean I wouldn't get time to think about him but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working out that way.

Which completely and utterly sucks.

But I'm not going to mope around forever. Nope. Tomorrow I'm going to get over him. Tomorrow.

"For someone who was pathetically salivating for details, you don't seem too bothered to hear them."

William's droll remark pulls me out of my thoughts. I give him an apologetic smile. "I'm listening now."

"She agreed. Only she invited her friends along and asked me who else was going to be coming." William finishes with a half puzzled half annoyed look.

"Well maybe she thought that you were asking her to hang out in a group and not as a date."

William raises an eyebrow. "Or maybe she was trying to let me down gently and telling me that she just wants to be friends."

And the shy looks she sends over to the Slytherin table when she's sitting with her Ravenclaw friends at dinner time are what? A figment of my imagination?

"Believe me, she misunderstood you."

William's about to reply when a shadow falls over the table.

"Katrina?"

"Professor McGonagall told me to tell you that you've got visitors waiting for you in your room. As if I have nothing better to do than waste my evening trying to find you." She huffs before walking away.

Visitors? I wasn't expecting anyone tonight.

"Sorry William. Can we take a rain check?"

He nods his head before gathering up his books and leaving the library. I walk quickly to my room on the third floor. When I walk through the door I stop, stunned to see Draco and Astoria sitting on the sofa.

Well Draco's sitting, Astoria's perching. Seriously, if she moves any further to the edge she's going to fall off. And it won't make a damn difference if she's holding Draco's hand or not.

"Draco. Astoria. Um- isn't this a surprise. It's great to see you."

Draco stands from his seat and Astoria reluctantly lets go of his hand whilst he gives me a tight hug. "Ginny told me that you're a Professor here and since you can't even be bothered to send your old friends an owl we thought we'd come and visit you here."

He says the words in a light tone but I can still sense the severity behind them.

"I've been busy." I say. "New job and stuff. Sorry."

"You look great. Doesn't she?" he asks Astoria.

Astoria has that fake smile on her face. "Oh yes. You look exactly the same before you started working at Nott Advertising. I believe your friend told Draco that you were a supply teacher? Does that mean that you only need to work the odd day in a week? I understand that you're being given a place to stay and food for free but surely a day's salary isn't enough to live on."

"Astoria." Draco says sharply. "If Hermione's happy working a day a week then that's not anything to do with us."

"Oh of course! I just worry about Hermione's future…"

"Well you don't need to worry about me Astoria. I'm perfectly fine. In fact I couldn't be busier. Working six days a week will do that to you." I can't help but slip that in.

"Six days?" Draco asks.

I nod my head. "I have classes Monday to Friday with private tutoring sessions in between. On Saturday there's more tutoring and a homework club I've started in the evening."

"Wow. You certainly seem busy."

"Rushed off my feet." I reply.

"Maybe they should hire another Professor then? A proper one. Although it is nice of Minerva to give you all this over-time."

I blink blankly at her. "I don't take over-time. I'm just doing my job. And I am a "proper" Professor."

"Of course you are." Draco says as he shoots a look at Astoria.

There's an uneasy silence for a moment and I wish that they'd never turned up here without telling me.

"Let us take you out to dinner. Celebrate you becoming a teacher."

I hesitate. I haven't eaten dinner yet but do I really want to subject myself to another dinner being sat at the same table as Astoria. Draco's pleading face brings down my defenses and I nod my agreement.

"Let me just go and grab a quick shower." I tell them.

Draco smiles at me before resuming his seat. Astoria follows unenthusiastically.

ooo

I purposefully pick the new Italian restaurant in Diagon Alley. It's small, cozy and doesn't serve one dish that doesn't contain hundreds of gorgeous calories.

I know Draco will love it. I don't care what Astoria thinks.

"So how's work?" In my head I'm directing the question at Draco but to be polite I look at both of them.

Astoria is the one who answers first. "Oh it's wonderful."

Draco turns his head to look at her sharply. "What? They just sacked you."

I'm sure my mouth just dropped open and my eyebrows have disappeared into my hair. Astoria turns bright red and I want to burst out laughing in joy. Yes it's mean but I can't help it.

"They didn't sack me Draco. I resigned." She says.

I turn to Draco in confirmation and he's on the verge of saying something but then thinks the better of it.

"What about you?" I ask Draco.

"I've taken six months leave." He says cheerfully.

"What? Oh Merlin Draco that's great. But why?"

"You were right. All those extra cases weren't making me happy. In fact I don't think the area of law I'm in is making me happy. I'm going to take the time to figure out what I want to do."

"That's so great. Believe me, sometimes a little time is all you need to figure things out. Look at me, I mean I had no clue what I wanted to do. The last thing I imagined was that I would be teaching kids who are having slight difficulties-"

Astoria cuts me off. "Slight difficulties. Is that another word for dumb?" she says nastily.

"I work with kids who have difficulties learning in a classroom environment. None of them are dumb. In fact some are incredibly bright." I say thinking about William.

"Well it's seems like you've found your calling. You seem really happy." Draco tells me.

"I am." I agree with a shrug of my shoulders. "So what are you getting? I can personally recommend the Quattro Formaggi. It's amazing."

Astoria gives me a dirty look. "Do you have any idea just how much fat four cheeses contain?"

Draco bristles but keeps his mouth shut.

"I don't really care." I tell her before deciding that I will order the pizza just so I can eat it in front of her. "So is all the wedding planning done then?" I ask.

"Actually that's why we came to see you." Draco says with his voice turning serious. "Hermione, seriously, you're one of my best friends. And I don't plan on cutting you out of my life. You must be over Theo by now."

"Of course I am." I tell him before realizing my mistake. Only it's too late to take back.

"Great!" Draco says pleased. "Then you can come to the wedding. You could even come and stay the week before we do get married. I'm sure Minerva would give you the time off."

"Sound's great." I lie. "What's the exact date? I might be busy."

"It's the 1st of next month." He replies.

"Yes, we're having it on the grounds of Malfoy Manor." Astoria chimes in.

My head whips to Draco. "Malfoy Manor? Your Dad?"

"We've reconciled, partially. It was Astoria's idea."

"Well that's good?" I half say and half question.

"It's silly not to talk to your parents after a few misunderstandings." Astoria says.

"It wasn't a few misunderstandings." Draco says coldly. "I'm trying to forgive him but don't dismiss what he did."

"You can't hold a grudge." Astoria tells him.

Draco ignores her.

"It's good that you're trying at least. He's the only family you have left and family matters." I tell Draco.

"Excuse me. Lucius is not Draco's only family Hermione. You forget that he'll soon have a wife and children of his own."

I feel utter desolation. "So he will." I smile.

"I've missed you." Draco says suddenly.

"I've missed you to." I admit.

"And I'm sure Astoria's missed you too. Why don't the two of you have a girly shopping day tomorrow? You can catch up."

Why is nothing coming out of my mouth? Why is there no excuse ready to spew forth? I end up nodding and smiling in agreement.

Bloody hell.

ooo

As pleased as I am that Draco managed to persuade Minerva to let him and Astoria stay the night in the Slytherin dungeons, I'm not too happy the next morning when I meet Astoria in the Great Hall for our "coffee and catch up."

"Astoria." I manage to say politely enough through gritted teeth.

"Hermione. Let's just get this over with shall we." She says nastily.

"I didn't ask you to agree to come." I bite back.

"And how was I supposed to refuse. You spoke to Draco before you left for here. You've completely ruined his life."

"What?" I say shocked.

"He resigned from his job. Just because you messed things up with your own boyfriend doesn't give you the right to destroy my relationship with Draco."

"Excuse me?" I scoff. "I didn't mess things up with Theo. The bastard was cheating on me- with you! Which means that if anything happens to your relationship with Draco, it will be your fault- not mine."

Astoria it seems, isn't even listening to me. "You've ruined everything. Do you have any idea just how much Theo could have done for Draco? He wouldn't even see me after that day! He wants nothing to do with anyone who might have known you." She accuses.

My insides start churning. Astoria tried to see Theo again…

"But Draco and I will be just fine. As long as you stay away from us. I don't know what you said to Draco to make him keep writing to you and to make him come here-"

"I didn't say anything to him. He just wants to be friends."

"And that isn't going to happen. Draco's reconciling with Lucius, which means Lucius will be giving Draco Malfoy Manor. Once we've done some development and sell the place we'll be rich. Maybe not as rich as T-. Well we'll be rich enough. I don't want you at the wedding. You've poisoned Draco against me enough. He loves me Hermione. It's time for you to move on." Astoria finishes her little speech before looking back at Hogwarts. "I'm going to do some shopping- alone. If you see Draco, do tell him that we had a nice little catch up won't you?"

"You think Draco will want to develop and sell Malfoy Manor?" I say in a tone that indicates she's stupid for even thinking it.

"He will when I've finished persuading him. It's why I had Draco make his peace with Lucius. I know what's good for Draco and I'll make sure he gets it. Goodbye Hermione." She says before she apparates away.

ooo

I walk slowly back to Hogwarts. Without realizing it I walk back into the Great Hall.

Draco spots me and immediately walks towards me. Oh Merlin, I really don't want to see him or talk to him until I've sorted my head out. Right now it's screaming for him to love me.

I want to tell him how much of an utter cow Astoria is. He deserves to know before he marries her. But then I remember back to when I saw them yesterday, when they were holding hands and sitting on my sofa.

He loves her. Even though I don't want him to. Merlin, what should I do?

"Hey Mione, you and Astoria were both gone when I came down to grab some breakfast. Did you have fun catching up?"

I simply stare blankly as his lips move.

"Can I talk to you?" I ask him numbly.

Draco's eyes narrow. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes fine. I just really need to talk to you. Please?" I ask somewhat desperately.

"Okay. Let's go for a walk on the grounds." He suggests and I quickly agree.

We walk in silence for quite a while until we reach the Lake. I stop walking when I see it and Draco comes to stop beside me.

"Hermione. You're scaring me. What's wrong?"

"She's a bitch!" I blurt out. Merlin, I can't believe I just said that.

I can see the realization behind Draco's eyes and before he can say anything I quickly carry on.

"She told me. She wants to sell Malfoy Manor. It's why she made you make up with your Dad. It's all about becoming rich. That's all she cares about! She doesn't love you. She loves your money!"

Draco's skin turns even paler than normal. "I'll talk to her. Make sure she understands that Malfoy Manor will never be for sale."

What? That's all he has to say. What about the not loving him thing?

"She slept with Theo!" I say quickly.

Draco stares at me for a second before exploding. "What?" he yells angrily.

"She slept with Theo. I caught them in bed together. That's why I broke up with him. She wanted Theo because he's got more money than you. She said that it was a one time thing and that she was drunk. But she's tried to see him again. She would leave you if he wanted her."

There's a moment's silence then, "Why the fuck are you telling me this now. Months later! You're supposed to be my friend! My best friend."

I splutter ineloquently. I don't know what to say. I can't tell him the truth now can I? He'll hate me forever.

"You must have known what she was like. Why are you marrying her?" I yell back.

My question deflates some of his anger and he looks away. "I convinced myself that they were just minor flaws. In everything else she was perfect. So she was high-maintenance. I liked that. She was just- perfect."

He trails off for a moment before turning sharply to look at me again.

"But you- I never thought that you would lie to me." His tone has turned bitter and I can sense his anger returning. "Why? Why'd you keep quiet? To punish me for acting cold to you because I hated the fact you were dating that bastard? You let a few months of distance override years of friendship. How could you?"

Oh Merlin, no, I'm going to start crying if I speak. Draco takes my silence as a cue to continue.

"My future wife was fucking another man Hermione. And instead of acting like a friend you walked away from me, you didn't answer my owls; you would have let me get married to her!"

When I don't speak Draco looks at me in disgust before turning around and walking away from me.

"Wait Draco. Please!" I choke out.

He turns around to face at me but says nothing. Simply stares at me with hard eyes.

"You have to understand!" I cry.

"I think I understand perfectly well. Our friendship means nothing to you. You'd rather betray me then tell me the truth about Astoria." He turns and starts walking away from me again.

"STOP AND LISTEN TO ME YOU STUPID IDIOTIC MAN!"

He stops. More in surprise that I actually said those words than in compliance.

"I'll tell you the truth and then if you want to walk away and never see me again then fine. But you need to listen to me damn it!"

He says nothing but doesn't make to walk away agin and I take that as agreement.

I try to smile but I feel it wobbling around and so stop. Instead I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. I can't believe I'm going to do this. I'm going to tell him everything. Whether or not my future involves Draco is going to boil down to the next two minutes.

"We were friends. Best friends." I start. Draco nods his head to say he's following me so far.

"And I fancied you." There. I've said it. Is he still breathing? Am I still breathing?

"Obviously you didn't fancy me back. I know your list remember? Astoria is perfect for you. Apart from the cheating thing she meets every requirement. And I'm the complete opposite to her. You were so happy; I didn't want to ruin it. And then when you proposed to Astoria and kicked me out and I got fired and I needed to change for the job at Nott Advertising." I shrug.

"I saw how successful Astoria was and I wanted that. I wanted to feel like that. And I knew that I had to find a way to stop loving you. Especially after Astoria told me that you'd laughed about my crush on you with your friends. I'd been making such a fool of myself-"

"That's not true. I didn't even know!" Draco interrupts.

Well he sure knows it now.

"So I wanted a boyfriend. To show you that I didn't fancy you. I was feeling a little insecure too and Theo was so not in my league. It felt nice when he wanted to date me."

Draco looks at me with a sympathetic look on his face and I can't look at it anymore. Turning away I continue.

"You know what happened there. Astoria used me to get closer to him. When I found the two of them in bed together I was already on my way to dump him. I was going to tell you- I promise, but Astoria promised me that it was a drunken mistake and that if I really was your friend and wanted the best for you instead of wishfully thinking I was your girlfriend I should keep quiet. So that's what I did."

"What I didn't know couldn't hurt me?" Draco says more to himself than me.

I nod. "I couldn't stay and see you two together. I couldn't trust myself. It hurt too much. So I packed it in and moved here. It was fine until today when I realised that she doesn't love you. And if you think that I've betrayed you and storm off again then you're just being horrible."

Oh Merlin, here come the tears.

"Can I get a turn at this gut-spilling thing?" he asks lightly.

I wipe my eyes with my sleeve as I nod.

"I went out with all those girls for one reason. Well actually two reasons. Firstly I like groomed girls and I wanted a family so badly. I wanted to settle down and have kids. But the main reason is…"

"Is?"

"Is because I was in love with you but you wanted nothing to do with me."

I'm stunned. "What?"

"Don't look so surprised. You flat out told me so when you moved in."

My eyebrows draw together before I realise what he's talking about. The day I moved in I had just broken up with Oliver and had no desire to ruin another friendship. And so I'd told Draco jokingly that there would be no way I would ever go out with him. Oh Merlin, I had mock warned him not to fall in love with me!

Oh the injustice of it all!

"I believed you. And anyway. Why would someone like you want someone like me?"

"Someone like you? You're way better then me!"

Draco scoffs. "I'm a lawyer for Merlin's sake. I worked nine to five and sat at a desk all day long. You had a job that you loved, loved your family, loved your life. Why would you want to settle down with someone as boring as me? I didn't know what was worse. Living with you and knowing I couldn't have you or living without you and not having anything to break my monotonous, grey life."

"But you were always telling me to grow up!"

Draco actually blushes. "I was jealous. I thought that if you maybe grew up and got a job you might find me less boring and then I'd stand a chance."

We don't say anything for the next minute. I want to desperately break the silence but I don't know what to say and so I pretend to be interested in the frolicking of the Giant Squid.

"So if I have this right it means we were both in love with each other and dated other people to get rid of our feelings and both our other halves turned out to be tossers. Have I got it right?"

I nod. There's another silence.

"So any chance a successful Professor like yourself might consider going on a date with a currently unemployed ex-lawyer like me?"

Be still my beating heart. I've waited and wanted this for so long but now that he's actually asking me out I feel horribly embarrassed. I tell him so.

"Oh please. It's me you're talking to. I've seen you first thing in the morning. I've seen juice come out of your nose when you laughed too hard at that movie."

"Are you always going to remember that?"

"Nope. Just the next time I want to embarrass you or blackmail you into doing something for me." He grins at me.

I shake my head but still don't answer him. And then he slips his hand into mine. I swear my heart is going to jump out of my chest any second. I suppose I should get some magical feeling like in the books that Jenna used to review at BWM. But to be honest it just feels warm and lovely.

"Let's skip the dating bit." He tells me.

"What?" I asked stunned.

"We already know each other. Too well it seems. We were living together for a while. Let's get married. I've already got a wedding booked."

"You can't be serious!" I exclaim.

Merlin, he's gone crazy!

"Of course I'm serious. What's stopping us?"

I splutter. "Astoria."

"I'll break up with her as soon as I see her next. What else?" he asks.

There's more spluttering on my half. "You mean it."

"Of course I mean it. I've waited long enough for you Hermione Granger. I'm not waiting any longer."

I think I'm getting that gooey feeling that I've only ever read about. No man's ever talked to me like this before!

Draco tilts my chin up and I see his face lowering towards mine. All I have time for is to gasp in a little breath before his lips cover mine in the most wonderful kiss.

I can't help but smile and Draco pulls away.

"Well what do you say?"

What do I say? Annoying Hermione? Sounds bloody great!

ooo

Author's Note: The End. I hope you enjoyed reading the story.