Chapter 17

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Draco's flat wasn't the same.

In every corner, their memories lingered.

Her laugh echoed through the empty hall.

now and then, he was sure he heard the faint sound of heels along the corridors.

The memory of her coming home, and hurriedly rushing into his awaiting arms plagued his troubled mind.

Granger...please...

He stood in the middle of the living room, not bothering with the lights, he sat in the darkness.

It was a mirror of his tormented soul.

How could he have let someone affect his life this much?

Love Draco, it's called love.

Head in his hands, he sat in the darkness, the longing for her ripped through him.

The room flooded with light and Draco shielded his eyes from the unwelcome intrusion.

Inches from his face a steady stream of steam spiralled upwards.

He felt the heat of the hot beverage.

Bernard said kindly but sternly, "Drink it."

Draco knew better than to argue with the fatherly figure.

Letting out a deep sigh, he accepted the steaming mug and burnt his tongue on the scalding liquid.

Fuck!

Bernard sat down next to him and sighed sadly, "I'm not sure about what exactly happened between Miss Granger and you."

He patted Draco on the back and smiled, "But I wouldn't give up all hope just yet."

The older man raised a questioning brow, "Do you love her?"

Fuck yes! More than anything else.

Draco took another sip, the tea had cooled down.

The sugary solution tasted good.

He ran his fingers through his hair and confessed gravely, "This has nothing to do with love."

With every word, his anger grew, "She had choices to make, and she chose wrong."

Draco turned to Bernard and asked, "What kind of man would I be to blindly sit by and watch?"

That Slytherin, Malfoy blood in him was boiling.

He was a proud man and he had tolerated far more than normal.

This time apart would give them some perspective.

Fuck that! He was already regretting it.

The truth was, he had bared his soul to her and to go to her unannounced terrified him.

If he found Weasley with her again! He would commit murder.

The thought of them together was enough to drive him insane.

Bernard became thoughtful, "I'm an observant man, Draco."

It was true, he saw what most people missed.

He continued, staring at the broken young man beside him, "Miss Granger loves you, it is plain to see."

Bernard thought long and hard before saying the next words.

He sighed, "She might have trouble putting her past affairs in order but instead of being by her side during this difficult time, you chose to accuse her and end the relationship."

His words cut sharply through Draco, leaving the wounds bare and fresh.

The old man hung his head sadly, "I'm extremely disappointed by your actions and decision."

Draco flinched.

Bernard's opinion of him mattered greatly but the older man had a point, he always did.

He played right into Weasley's hands like some idiot.

He let the blithering moron get under his skin and in the process, he drove away the one thing that kept him whole.

His witch, his woman...Granger!

Head in his hands, he muttered, "Hermione, please forgive me."

Hermione could see why the snow globe enthralled Draco.

The falling fake snow was comforting.

Every task at hand was excruciating and she longed for just a whiff of him.

She thanked Merlin for the weekend.

Ginny insisted on staying with her but she wanted to be alone.

Without him....alone.

The events that followed Draco's departure from her flat, had been life-altering and harrowing but Hermione hoped Ron finally got the message.

Closing her eyes she thought back.

But first, her thoughts lingered on Draco, his beautiful smile...his fingers.

A momentary weakness...

The minute Draco had thrown the package and left, Hermione rounded on Ron in absolute fury.

He stepped back, scared at the ferocity she possessed.

She yelled without mercy, "GET OUT, RON!"

Hearing the raised voices, Harry and Ginny stirred and woken up in a panic.

Rushing to their side, they shared perplexed looks wondering what the fuck happened.

Ron pleaded, his eyes clouding with tears, "Hermione, please listen to me."

She shook her head in utter fury, "No, no more Ron."

She was beside herself and for once not thinking to spare Ron's feelings, she brutally spat, "If I did this ages ago, I would still have Draco."

Ron bellowed, tears falling down his face, "HE DOESN'T DESERVE YOU!"

Ginny placed a hand on her brother's hand, willing him to calm down.

Hermione retaliated, matching his intensity and volume, "HE DESERVES ME FAR MORE THAN YOU DO."

Taking a step towards Ron, she screamed in his face, "I LOVE HIM! I should've known you were trying to sabotage our relationship."

Ron cowered at every word, she couldn't mean any of this.

It felt like a horrible fucking nightmare.

Hermione shook her head in disbelief, "Did you think I'd come back to you? That I would leave him for you?"

She struggled to keep the tears from falling, "I have loved Draco since I was seventeen."

Ron stared at her in astonishment, his heart was being ripped open.

No, it couldn't be!

Ginny averted her eyes and Harry watched Hermione in curious interest.

Everything was out in the open. No more secrets and no more pretences.

She poked him in the chest hard and hissed, "I will never come back to you, not in this lifetime!"

She couldn't hold the tears back, "If I can't be with Draco then I'll be alone."

It was the truth, he was all she wanted.

Ginny reached out and tried to hold Hermione's hand, "Mi, please let's just calm down."

Harry's stern voice cut through, "Ginny, let her finish!"

Hermione held onto the table, her knuckles turned white with the intensity of her grip.

Her heart pounded, "Because of our friendship, I desperately wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt, but never at the expense of my love for Draco."

Running her fingers through her hair, she did her best to compose herself.

She straightened and stared at Ron, "Please leave, I cannot give you anything else besides friendship."

Ron broke down in sobs, "But...I love you, Hermione."

Purposely looking away, Hermione repeated what she had been saying all along, "And I'm in love with someone else, you can't force me to love you."

She smiled, "Draco is my other half."

She loved him ardently and purely there was no comparison.

Ron rounded on Hermione and glared, "He left you."

Hermione digested the ugly and hateful words.

She held her head high, "He did leave me, but he loves me."

Ron laughed manically, "You're delusional, he will be fucking someone new by the end of the week.

Hermione smiled sweetly, "Maybe, but I still won't be fucking you! Please leave! I'm asking you nicely, don't make me force you."

She had reached the very end of her tolerance for the situation.

Ron closed the distance between them and grabbed her arms roughly, "You and I are meant to be together, you believed it once, why can't you try again?"

Harry stepped in at once, his fingers dug into Ron's arm threateningly, "Let her go, mate."

Ginny hissed from the other side, her fingers twitching and tapping on her wand, "Ron, release her, NOW!"

The sobs were back and Ron blurted out, "NO! She belongs with me, not some Slytherin fucktard who doesn't give a shit about her."

Ginny and Harry both had their wands out.

Hermione struggled, Ron assessed the situation and reluctantly let her go.

Ron gazed at Hermione lovingly, his boyishly handsome face streaked with tears, "I'm sorry, Hermione, but I can't forget you."

With those parting words, he disapparated leaving the three behind.

Hermione opened her eyes, the present was biting loneliness with a constant stream of memories.

Their memories were burnt into their skin, into their mind, forever there to torment them of their shared love.

It felt cleansing to get all that off her chest.

Draco and her issues went beyond Ron.

Let the future bring what it may, but for now, she would exist in a world where they were not together.

Her anger towards Draco had not lessened in any way.

His cruel words echoed in the depths of her mind.

The stubborn and proud man had not given her a chance to explain or make anything right.

He was as stubborn as a mule.

But he was her mule and she loved him.

A few days later...

It was way too early but Hermione held a steaming cup of tea and sipped the milky sugary liquid.

She purposely got rid of all the coffee in the flat, the concoction was addictive and kept her awake.

She had other reasons to stay awake, there was no need to add another reason.

With her messy hair, oversized pyjamas and Draco's Slytherin jumper, Hermione snuggled into the warmth of her couch.

The jumper was the same one he forced her to wear when she turned up at his flat in her bloody wedding dress.

She cherished it now. If the jumper could talk, the erotic stories it would tell.

He peeled it off her body more times than she could count.

She shuddered and thought, warmth, I need warmth.

Grabbing the cup tighter, Hermione brought it to her lips and took a sip.

Instant gratification, she let out a low whimper of satisfaction.

Hermione heard the thud, she threw her head back and groaned, it was barely eight am.

Anticipating a knock and cursing, she pulled herself off the couch and dragged her feet to open the door.

Whoever it was would get an earful.

She threw the door open and Ginny looked her over in disgust.

Her eyes lingered on the Slytherin jumper and she asked repulsed, "What the bloody hell are you wearing?"

She brushed past Hermione, obviously on her way to Quidditch practice.

Hermione closed the door and said sarcastically, "Good morning to you too."

Ginny crossed her arms over her chest, "Did you tell him you were coming over?"

Hermione pretended to drink her tea

The fiery redhead rolled her eyes, "You haven't told him."

Irritated by the task at hand, she retorted annoyed, "Fine, ill tell him right now! Happy?"

Ginny smiled sweetly and nodded.

Message alert

Malfoy,

I need to pick up my clothes from your flat.

Draco put aside The Daily Prophet and glanced at his phone.

His heart soared and then sank to the pits of his stomach as he read the message.

Fucking hell!

Had she actually called him fucking Malfoy?

Great!

She had resorted to addressing him by their school days name for him, he bitterly wondered if Ferret and Shit Eater were soon to follow.

Draco hadn't given any thought to all of her stuff at his flat, the woman had practically lived with him.

Truth be told, he didn't want her to take them, he liked the subtle touches of her in his flat.

He would shamelessly bury his face in one of her work shirts and spray her pillow with her perfume.

It was pathetic but he needed the smell.

They were over but not because he stopped loving her, he still loved her or perhaps even more so now.

To be without her felt like his wings had been clipped, it was a constant pain that drummed against his sanity.

Looking down at the message, he started to type, then deleted. Okay, from the top...

Seventeen tries later he finally replied.

Message alert

Hermione jumped at the beep with a squeak

Ginny shook her head and scolded, "You scared me Mi, why the hell are you so jumpy?"

Hermione pressed her lips down and showed her phone.

Ginny widened her eyes, "Read it, woman."

Her fingers trembled as she pressed the messages icon and little envelopes appeared.

Malfoy?

Bernard will help you with your things.

I hope you are well.

Ginny laughed, "Did you call him Malfoy?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, "Yes I did, I've called him Malfoy for far longer than I've called him Draco," the O rolled off her petite tongue.

Ginny narrowed her eyes, "When you guys had sex did you call him Draco?"

Hermione cried scandalized, "GINNY!"

Rolling her eyes at the prude in front of her, Ginny pressed, "Grow up Mi, come on, tell me! Did you call out his name?"

Hermione truly disliked Ginny at that moment.

She scowled and admitted grudgingly, "Yes, always."

Ginny started to laugh, "No wonder he hates you calling him Malfoy because it means whatever you guys had was over."

Hermione cried in outrage, "But it is over!"

Ginny raised an eyebrow, "Is it?"

Hermione could be so oblivious at times.

Ginny grabbed Hermione's arm and dragged her into the room and threw open the cupboard.

She threw clothes and instructed sternly, "Wear this and this and for Merlin sake, wear these jeans."

Ginny wagged a warning finger, "When this madness is over, you and I are going shopping, you need some new fucking clothes."

Hermione stared at the tight jeans perplexed, "Am I trying to impress Bernard?"

Ginny rolled her eyes in frustration, "For a smart witch, you can be a sodding dumb shit at times."

Hermione pouted and stuck her tongue out at the red-headed bossy witch in her room.

Ginny winked and drawled, "I'll bet you twenty Galleons that darling Mr Draco will be there."

Wishing her luck, and promising to be back later that evening, Ginny disapparated to the Harpies practice pitch.

Hermione truly dreaded the next few hours but with seventy-five per cent of her clothes hanging in his wardrobes, she had little choice but to swing by his place.

The clothes she had at her own flat comprised of a bright pink bridesmaid dress, an overly tight leather tube top and a questionable pair of checkered pants.

Unless she planned on giving the Minister of Magic a heart attack, she needed her bloody clothes.

Still, she dreaded it.

The hurt and anguish were still too fresh and after the abrupt ending of their relationship, the last thing she wanted was to see him at home.

She moved her shoulders in small circles to relax and gave herself a pep talk, "You can do this Hermione."

She adjusted her tight jeans to emphasize her arse and hug her curves appreciatively, next she smoothed down any wrinkles on the black t-shirt and pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail.

Merlin, help me!

She disapparated to his sodding flat.

It felt weird to be standing at his front door, it was the first time she had seen the front of his door.

Fuck! She was nervous, her palms were sweaty and she was shitting bricks.

Come on, you can do this, you're a fucking Gryffindor.

Taking a deep breath she knocked timidly, forgetting the doorbell completely.

Within seconds the door swung open and knocked the wind out of her.

Ginny had been right on the money, and Hermione groaned, she owed her twenty Galleons.

Draco opened the door in nothing but jogging bottoms and a towel casually draped over his shoulders.

He was on the phone, leaving the door open, he walked towards his office and shut the door.

Oh, so that's how it was going to be, Hermione thought bitterly.

Such a fucking prat.

Draco leaned against the door and took a deep breath.

He watched her every movement.

Damn, those jeans were tight, his pants felt uncomfortable.

He quickly ended the call, left the phone in the office and went in search of his witch.

No more distractions.

She wasn't anywhere to be seen, he assumed she would be in her room.

He walked in and noticed that she had put magic to good use.

Her things were getting packed into boxes neatly.

She felt him enter and her concentration waned, items clumsily clattered to the floor.

The diamond necklace he had gotten her was carefully placed on the bed.

She stared at it, how beautiful!

But careful to leave it where it was, Hermione hurriedly packed the rest of her things.

They maintained a strained silence.

Draco turned on his heel and left the room.

It was too hard to watch her pack her things and leave his space.

The smell of her, he was terrified she would take it with her.

He heard her voice, "Yes Cormac, make sure you book the sleeping compartment on the Knight Bus, Brenda already booked the rooms."

Rooms? Sleeping compartments? Where the hell was she going away and with Cormac?

Draco felt his face contort unpleasantly and that's exactly how Hermione found him, his face scrunched up in concentration, his piercing grey eyes hard and wild.

Hermione didn't interrupt his train of thought, the boxes of clothes were already at her flat.

She had got what she came for and now it was time for her to get the hell out of there.

Trying to move past him unnoticed did not go according to plan, because long fingers grabbed her wrist.

Momentarily stunned, Hermione stumbled and Draco caught her before she fell.

Quickly, regaining her posture, she landed on her feet and stared into his face.

He didn't bother to mask his displeasure, "Are you going somewhere?"

What the hell was it and men grabbing her like a fucking rag doll!

Hermione didn't dignify his question with an answer.

His temper peaked, "Granger, I asked you a question."

She fired back, "And I chose not to answer, Malfoy."

Draco flinched at the word Malfoy, he really fucking hated it!

Gods, he sounded pathetic but fuck it, if she was leaving, he needed to know where, "Tell me! Where are you going?"

What the hell was he doing?

Hermione squirmed and said firmly, "Let me go."

Draco immediately released her.

She rubbed her wrists, not out of pain but out of pure heat.

His hands-on her meant an instant reaction.

Her body would yield to him and betray her in a second.

Almost near the door, she stopped and glanced over her shoulder, "I'll be in Wales for two days with Cormac and Brenda on official Ministry work."

She felt compelled to tell him.

Wales? Right!

He wanted her in his bed and under him, she was already everywhere else.

Fuck!

Wales...

The trip to Wales proved to be an adequate distraction.

It kept her well and truly occupied and she was glad Brenda had come along with them.

Cormac on his own could be a bit much and it was exhausting to keep him on track.

It wasn't a holiday but it did feel good to get out even though the reason they were in Wales wasn't pleasant.

Securing artefacts of elderly wizards without heirs was depressing and Hermione hated to be the bearer of bad news.

They were to meet an aged old wizard who was about to pass about his many artefacts and their acquisition to the Ministry.

The house was morbid and unearthly even by wizarding standards.

The place reeked of Dark Magic.

Cormac and Hermione exchanged looks of grave concern and drew their wands.

Brenda though terrified clutched her wand tightly.

Hermione smiled reassuringly at the young witch, "Stay close behind me and have your wand ready."

Brenda nodded and stuck to Hermione's side.

It was late but keeping the Minister informed was the smartest thing to do.

She waved her wand fluidly and her message was sent.

Death Eater briefing Ministry Of Magic

The four men in the room hunched over area maps and locations.

The silver mist appeared and a beautiful silver otter raised its cute head.

Draco narrowed his eyes and spoke first, "That's Grangers Patronus."

Her sweet voice bounced off the walls.

Minister,

The presence of Dark Magic is strong at Mr Walberg's residence. We will engage and report back with any information.

The otter vanished in a puff of silvery smoke.

Engage? was she out of her fucking mind?

Draco stared at the spot and frowned.

He quickly and desperately requested, "Tell them to disengage Kingsley! We don't know what they are up against."

Alarm bells started to dangerously ring inside his head.

He had to get to her, my witch, my life.

Harry nodded his agreement and voiced his opinion, "I agree with Malfoy, Minister, Cormac and Hermione are talented wizards but we should wait to investigate."

Draco turned to Harry, "We can use a Portkey to get there?"

Harry looked at him in surprise, "Right now?"

Draco tried to keep the fear out of his voice, "Yes Potter, RIGHT NOW! for all we know, they would have already gone in and need our assistance."

Harry couldn't help but agree.

Malfoy had a valid point and Harry was sure he wanted to make sure Hermione was okay.

Harry hurriedly instructed his second in command, "Angus, hurry up with the Portkey, Malfoy and I will go take a look."

Grateful to have Potter's support, Draco gave him an approving nod.

Wales, outside Mr Walberg's house.

Minutes later Harry and Draco stood around a battered old wallet.

They touched it and instantly they appeared outside Mr Walberg's residence.

The imposing house was indeed dark, the macabre nature of it infiltrated the surrounding areas in a ghostly hue and mist.

The two men looked around wildly and swapped looks of grave concern, the Ministry officials were nowhere to be seen.

A red scarf caught Dracos attention and his heart fell to the pit of his stomach, it was Granger's scarf.

He picked it up gingerly, fearing the worst.

Harry examined it and it seemed fine, no traces of magic or blood.

Wands drawn, the pair went up the slightly decaying steps, caked with moss and wild weeds.

The door was slightly ajar, Draco slowly pushed it open wide enough for Harry and him to enter unnoticed.

Their vision was blinded by a bright light.

A jovial voice came from within the halls, "Come in gentlemen."

The voice further requested, "Please shut the door behind you, the air is rather chilly."

Exchanging looks, but not lowering their wands, they stepped into the light cautiously.

A jolly portly old man with a bald head smiled warmly, "Please do join us for tea."

Cormac, Hermione and a smiling Brenda were staring at the two wizards in surprise.

Harry found his voice first, "We received your Patronus Hermione, we came to make sure all was well."

She mumbled a quick, "Thank you, Harry," and stared at Draco.

He sensed her gaze and closed the space between them, he shoved the fallen scarf into her hands and whispered, "Don't you ever come alone again."

Hermione shuddered at his intensity and muttered, "What's it to you, Malfoy?"

They had an audience but he brushed a wild strand of hair off her face and locked pain-stricken eyes with her, "Everything."

Mr Walberg exclaimed excitedly, "Merlin's beard is that Mr Harry Potter! What a pleasure! What a pleasure!"

Once official business was concluded and an emotional Mr Walberg handed over the precious items to Hermione, the young witches and wizards met outside on the street.

Cormac declared, indignant that they had thought him incapable of protecting the others and himself, "We had the situation under control."

Draco rolled his eyes.

The arrogant, stupid Gryffindor, probably couldn't charm his way out of a wet paper bag.

Harry replied impatiently, wondering why he had to explain his actions to McLaggen of all people, "We wanted to be sure, Cormac,"

He turned his attention to Hermione, "If everything's okay, we will leave now."

Hermione glanced at Draco, standing away from the crowd, looking at the Sky.

The moonlight shimmered off his pale skin, highlighting his platinum blonde hair and making him look utterly irresistible.

Harry rolled his eyes, "If you're done drooling over Malfoy, can we leave? We have much to do at the Ministry."

Hermione snapped back to attention, embarrassed, "Yes please go ahead. We can handle it from here."

Harry mused, "All he wanted was to get to you."

They locked eyes and Draco smiled at her before grabbing the Portkey and disappearing.

A dark figure loomed near the window watching the wizards from the darkness of the house, his eyes lingered on Hermione lustfully.

It would soon be time to pay her a little visit.

Cormac would not let it go, all the way back to the hotel he complained about their lack of confidence in him.

Hermione sighed in exasperation, while Brenda giggled, grateful that her first field visit had gone well.

Days flew by...

They avoided each other unless necessary and the days flew by.

Not a day went by where Hermione didn't miss him, she woke up to it and went to bed with it.

It was confirmed, she was completely fucked!

Being around him was difficult and the only place Hermione would meet Draco was inside the Minister's office.

Late into the night, they gathered with Harry and his team of Aurors along with Draco where they could openly discuss the matter of the Death Eaters.

Hermione would patiently sit by the Minister, offering her view when needed.

Information flooded in and they were getting close to nabbing the bastards.

No deaths had been reported to everyone's relief.

Hermione felt Draco stare at her intently at times, but she studiously ignored him, not letting a moment of weakness break down her resolve.

When she spoke, she directed her questions and instructions to Harry and pretended like Draco didn't exist.

Until he had enough and snapped one rare afternoon.

He demanded impatiently, "I am right in front of you, Granger, if you have something to say, say it to my face."

What the fuck was wrong with her?

Hermione fixed him with a look of annoyance, "If and when I have something to say to you, Malfoy, I will be sure to do that."

Her temper flared and she refused to back down.

Harry and Kingsley exchanged a look of concern.

Draco scowled, "Procedure to be followed when we catch them, applies to me, Granger."

He pointed out the obvious, getting irritated by her behaviour.

Hermione pushed her chair back and stood up confidently.

She closed the distance between them and hissed, "You are an incognito agent Malfoy, and of little use to the Ministry, my instructions are for officials ONLY."

The bloody nerve.

She called him Malfoy again, it hurt that she had resorted to their childhood name for him.

His given name rolled off her tongue like smooth silk when he pleasured her.

Draco was on his feet, he pulled himself up to his full height and warned, "Mind what you say, Granger."

Hermione let out a sarcastic laugh, "You don't scare me, Malfoy and neither do your words mean a fucking thing to me."

Her statement was loaded, and he reeled back at the meaning, staring at the fire she possessed.

She was referring to his broken promises when they were together.

A timid knock at the door interrupted them, grateful for the interruption, Kingsley bellowed, "COME IN."

A nervous-looking Brenda poked her head in, "I'm sorry to disturb, Minister."

She turned her attention to Hermione, "Mr Viktor Krum is waiting for you."

Shit! Hermione quickly glanced at her watch, was that the time?

Anger forgotten, Hermione smiled and requested politely, "Minister, if I'm done here, may I be excused?"

It was Draco who answered, "Like hell we are, sit down, Granger and tell your Bulgarian boyfriend to wait."

Kingsley had seen and heard enough, "STOP IT," he directed at Draco and continued, "Yes, Hermione you may leave, we can finish this up."

Why was that muscled moron here to see Granger?

Draco fumed and sneered at Hermione while she adjusted her skirt and picked up her files.

She followed Brenda out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Hermione smiled brightly at Viktor, he returned her smile eagerly and bent to give her a quick peck on the cheek.

Viktor was visiting a relative in London and decided to quickly visit and see her as well.

Her famous first boyfriend was always a good man.

Hermione could see Harry and Draco out of the corner of her eye, the meeting was over she supposed.

The blonde Slytherin watched her intently, he didn't even have the manners to be subtle about it.

Hermione grinned mischievously and decided to give him something worth his time.

She touched Krum's arm gently and encircled her fingers around his bulging muscles.

She let her fingers linger for longer than they should, Hermione leaned back against the desk and stuck her chest out.

Draco stiffened and narrowed his eyes darkly.

The fuck was she doing?

Krum was oblivious to what she was doing and came closer as he talked animatedly about his visit.

She bit her lip and suggested, "We should go for drinks at the Leaky Cauldron."

Draco's interest piqued and his sensitive hearing picked up that interesting bit of information.

Brenda gazed lovingly at Viktor.

They decided that she would take him around Muggle London and then to the museum.

Hermione winked, "Brenda, I will be back later," she paused for effect and added, "Or maybe not."

Brenda giggled at the meaning and Draco shot her a look of disgust.

Victor held out his hand and Hermione graciously took it, they walked past Draco and Harry without stopping to greet them.

Harry stared after them and let out a nervous laugh.

Draco looked at him, Harry shrugged his shoulders and went to his office, leaving Draco to stare after his ex-girlfriend in fury.

The Slytherin Trio meet at The Leaky Cauldron.

Theo slipped into a chair and asked, "Why the fuck are we at The Leaky cauldron on a weekday?"

The place was packed and hardly any seats were available, unusual for a bloody weekday.

Blaise nodded in agreement, "We never fucking drink on a weekday anymore."

Theo grimaced, "The hangover isn't worth it."

His friends were beginning to annoy him.

Draco rolled his eyes and tried a guilt trip, "I broke up with Granger and wanted to have a drink with my friends."

He pointed to them and added, "I'm beginning to think you lot are a bunch of fucking arseholes."

Blaise laughed and replied quickly, "Calm down, we were just curious as to why."

Theo let out a snarky laugh, "Stop getting your knickers in a knot, mate."

Draco's eyes kept darting to the entrance.

The Leaky Cauldron was bursting at the seam with people.

Where the fuck was she? What if they didn't come? He would feel like a right git if that happened.

He missed her every second of the day.

Going back to his lonely flat at the end of a long day without her comforting presence was torture.

Draco needed Hermione like he needed the very air to breathe.

He had been a complete fucking asshole.

Theo raised his eyebrows, "Are you expecting someone?"

Draco snapped back to attention, "No, I'm just scanning the crowd for any potential companionship."

Blaise snorted, he could sniff out bullshit faster than anyone else.

He cocked his head to the side and asked firmly, "Okay mate, what the fuck is going on?"

Draco opened his mouth to reply but a thick Bulgarian accent cut through the air as Viktor walked into The Leaky Cauldron with a dishevelled Hermione in tow.

They brushed the dust off their clothes before Tom descended upon them and started fussing around Krum.

Theo and Blaise exchanged looks and then narrowed their eyes at Draco, who had the good grace to look away.

Theo snorted trying hard to keep from laughing, "So, we're spying on your ex-girlfriend?"

Draco rolled his eyes, "Don't be daft, we were here first they just happened to drop by."

Theo shook his head and asked Blaise, "Yeah, so we're spying, should we go say hello?"

Blaise almost stood up to greet Hermione, but a look from Draco made him sit back down.

Blaise reached for his drink, "Just because you buggers were fucking morons to break up, doesn't mean we have to hate Granger, I, for one think she's a delight."

Draco leered, "Then maybe you should date her."

Blaise grew thoughtful, "I am single."

He let out a seductive laugh and bit his lip, "You know the saying mate, once you go black..."

Draco growled, low and deep.

Blaise laughed and put his hands up in defence, Theo snorted into his drink.

Even to joke about her with another was disconcerting.

Draco gathered his coat to leave but it was too late, Hermione saw them and her mouth dropped open.

She stared at the Slytherin trio in shock.

What the actual fuck? Was he following her now?

Theo waved at her cheerfully, and Draco shot him a look of disgust.

Politely excusing herself, she walked up to their table.

Victor was busy with fans, he would hardly notice her absence.

Hermione greeted the men happily and hissed out the last word, "Good evening gentlemen and Malfoy,"

Touch him, Hermione, spoke the devil on her shoulder.

Theo stifled a laugh and coughed instead.

Blaise eyed Draco and mused, "Granger, fancy meeting you here!"

Hermione glanced at Draco and replied, "Yes, fancy that."

Draco sipped his drink lazily, ignored looking at Hermione and drawled, "Granger, get back to that buffoon you're with before he trips over his own feet."

Hermione glared at the back of Draco's head.

Her gaze so intent, it was a miracle there wasn't a big gaping hole at the back of his head.

Blaise pulled out a chair, "Have a seat Granger, Krum looks busy."

Draco shot Blaise a warning look that he ignored.

They animatedly discussed Neville and Pansy's upcoming engagement party.

Of course, they were all invited.

A small cough interrupted them.

It was feminine to the core and sweet, "Good evening all."

Theo almost spat out his beer, he nudged Blaise and joked, "Bloody hell, it's all happening here, ain't it?"

Hermione stiffened at the other woman's polished fingers on Draco.

She placed her petite hand on his coat, her fingernails dug into the material.

Let him go, Hermione wanted to scream but it wasn't her place anymore.

Draco got to his feet and give Astoria a quick peck on the cheek, "Astoria, lovely to see you."

Astoria was taken back by his warm welcome, as was everyone else.

Since when was he this enthusiastic to see Astoria, Hermione thought bitterly to herself.

Blaise and Theo exchanged a devilish look.

This display was just pathetic, Hermione narrowed her eyes.

Theo offered her a plate of chips, she declined and continued to stare at Draco who returned her intensity.

Hermione pushed her chair back roughly, it scraped making the hair stand on end.

She cocked her head to the side and smiled sweetly, "I've lost my appetite, besides I must be getting back to my...sorry...Viktor."

She greeted Astoria politely, "So lovely to see you again."

They watched Hermione's retreating figure.

She took her place next to Krum, who flashed a bright smile her way and squeezed her hand.

Draco fumed.

Astoria asked Draco excitedly and the other two men averted their eyes, "Have you and Granger broken up?"

She was impressed by the company Hermione kept, Krum was clearly a very handsome man.

Draco tossed his drink back and clenched his teeth, "It would appear so."

Fuck his life! Astoria would once again commence chasing after him.

She smiled triumphantly, they had ended on their own.

She didn't even have to break a sweat, Draco was meant to be by her side, not Grangers.

Hermione's infectious laugh travelled through the pub and lodged itself in his tormented mind.

It killed him that he wasn't the cause of it.

Mine, always mine...

"Say my name, Granger."

"Always, Draco."

He shuddered at the memory and frowned at her laughing at something Krum said.

Look at her, their relationship was barely cold and she was out having a jolly time with that moronic Bulgarian fucktard.

Theo finished his drink and looked at his friends, "Are we done spying? Or are we waiting till they go home? I doubt they will allow us to watch."

Draco threw him a look of pure disgust.

Blaise looked at the other table and asked thoughtfully, "You think Krum is still into Granger?"

Theo winked and replied, "From the way, he's touching her face, it's a definite possibility."

What the fuck?

Draco spun around quickly to see Hermione sitting well away from Krum while he spoke to fans.

They locked eyes and she raised an eyebrow.

His friends had baited him and they roared with laughter.

Blaise declared seriously, "You are a complete fucking idiot."

He had watched Draco do some idiotically impulsive shit but this was by far the worst and he worried for his best friends sanity.

The bugger needed Granger more than he would ever care to admit.

Draco flexed menacingly.

Blaise leaned forward, "I don't fancy following Granger about all day."

He looked Draco straight in the eyes and asked seriously, "Remind me again, why you broke up with a woman you're still in love with?"

Theo leaned in and listened intently.

Draco rolled his eyes.

Why was nobody listening, it had nothing to do with love.