A/N: So 'Summer of the Dragon' has FINALLY reached over a thousand favorites. Yay! It was the first story I wrote for this site so it will always hold a special place in my heart. (Even though I really should go back and edit it one of these days…)

To celebrate, here's a chapter! I realize the reason my chapters have been so long recently is because I tend to pack the content of two chapters in to one. I'm going to try and stop doing that so maybe I can update more often. Here's to hoping! (Raises glass)

Hermione entered the atrium of the Ministry alone on Monday morning. Draco had been overworking himself lately in an attempt to have his weekends free to spend time with her and she had not had the heart to wake him when he was sleeping so soundly for once. That was why she had gone ahead of him to get them coffee since he would be working at the Ministry that morning, and he was cursing her via text message while rushing to get ready. She just sent him a million XOXO's in return and promised to make it up to him later. Really, it was his fault for looking so damn adorable while he slept.

Noticing the lift closing as she approached it, Hermione hurried to press the button.

"You're crossing a line, Zabini. You need to back off."

"I don't understand you. We had fun once. Why so bloody frigid all of a -"

Hermione froze. More than anything, she wished she could have un-pressed that button as the doors reopened and she came face-to-face with Blaise and Alexandra.

"Good morning," she said, smiling as pleasantly as she could and hoping they would not suspect that she had heard anything. She stepped inside, each of them moving to opposite ends of the lift so she was trapped in the center. She leaned forward to press the button.

"I already pressed it," said Alexandra.

"Yes, but I'm actually making a quick stop on another floor first."

"The Department of Magical Games and Sports," said Blaise, recognizing the floor she pressed. "What business do you have there?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"None of your business, Zabini," she said, more than happy to be the first of them to step off of the lift.

Hermione moved through the department, following the path she was already familiar with to Theo's office. The door was open. She stopped. She had been sort of hoping that he would not be here yet so she could just drop off the coffee she had purchased for him and leave a note of apology, asking if they could please continue their Thursday lunches, which she had come to really look forward to.

Hermione would be lying if she did not admit that a small part of her wished she felt something stronger for Theo. She liked him and she would have definitely considered dating him if Draco was not already so deeply seeped into her. But he was and it was too late to change any of that.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione took a confident step forward, not stopping until she reached Theo's office. He was in there, sitting at his desk, which was overrun with paperwork. She knocked and he looked up, blushing slightly when he saw her.

"Hermione."

"I hope I'm not interrupting," she said, taking a step into the office.

"No, just going over some contracts," he said, pushing a few papers aside. "What can I do for you?"

Hermione grabbed one of the coffees out of her carrier and held it out while walking over to him. "I brought this for you. I know the beginning of a new Quidditch season is when you're the busiest and you don't always have time to caffeinate yourself."

Theo smiled and took the drink. "Thanks," he said, leaning back in his chair. "You remember me telling you that? Some might call that a sign that you have a thing for me."

Hermione's cheeks flushed. "I -"

"Relax, Hermione. I'm joking. You made your choice and I respect that," he said, taking a sip of his coffee. "So how pissed is he at me?"

"We actually haven't really discussed it since that night," she admitted. "But he's definitely angry. The last couple of arguments we've gotten into he's come at me with 'Well, you let my mate kiss you, so obviously I win'," she said in her best Draco voice, which other than being slightly deeper than her own was pretty awful.

"To be fair, you did do that," said Theo with a smirk.

Hermione frowned and nodded.

"Mind if I ask how the two of you even happened? You don't seem like the type of woman who would easily be swayed by the Malfoy charm."

"I wasn't," she said. "I'm still not. Half of the things that come out of his mouth I completely disagree with. It was just a drunken mistake that somehow turned into something. And now we're together exclusively and just counting down the days until our children get married and we call it quits."

"You don't sound too happy about that," said Theo.

"I'm not. I like him," she said, her face solemn and eyes cast towards the floor. "But it's reality." She looked up at him. "Theo, I really am sorry if I led you on. I know you said I didn't and you were reading into things, but we both know you were just being nice. We've been spending quite a bit of time together and you're one of the two people I've told about filing for divorce. I can definitely see how you might misconstrue the situation." She crinkled her nose.

Theo attempted a smile.

"I really hope we can still be friends. Keep our Thursday lunch dates."

Theo puckered his brow and made a face like he was going to say no.

"Maybe not this week," she added quickly. "I'm sure you're just being nice right now and are actually angry with me. But if you're feeling any better about it next week …"

Theo pursed his lips.

"I promise I won't bother you with tales of my impending divorce! We can talk about normal things."

"Where I come from, divorce is normal," said Theo. "I'm not angry with you, but you're right, I don't think this week is a good idea. But maybe next -"

"What have we here?"

Hermione and Theo both looked towards the voice. Draco was leaning against the doorframe, hands in his pockets as his eyes fell coldly upon Theo.

"We were just straightening some things out," said Hermione. "We didn't really get the chance to do it the other night."

"I see," said Draco, still keeping his eyes firmly planted on Theo. "That's why I'm here too."

He took a few slow steps into the office and attempted to shut the door. But, before it clicked, someone grabbed it from the other side and pushed it back open. Blaise stepped in. "Oh, Draco, I didn't know you were here."

"What are you doing here, Blaise?" Draco asked.

"The Minister was running a few minutes behind for our meeting so I thought I would come and see what my good friend Theo is up to." He might have said Theo, but he was definitely looking at Hermione.

Everyone was quiet for a moment.

"Hermione, give me a moment with these idiots, will you?" said Draco. She knew it was not a request.

"All right," she agreed, knowing she was still in the doghouse for at least another week. She walked over to him and handed him his coffee from her carrier.

"Hermione, wait."

Hermione turned and watched as Theo grabbed a box from behind his desk.

"A little light reading for you," he said.

"Oh! Right!" She cast a Levitating Charm on the box and instructed it to follow her. When she turned back around, Draco grabbed her and kissed her, quite obviously keeping his eye on Theo the entire time.

Blaise watched them curiously for a moment before looking at Theo, who was remaining quite focused on spot on the floor. "So it's not just me you display this disgusting shit for anymore? Bloody rubbish! And I thought I was special."

When Draco released Hermione, she gave him a very tense, stern look but she did not say anything. His blatant claim over her was definitely not appreciated, but that damn doghouse …

"We will discuss that later," she said under her breath. And then she exited, the box of books bobbing behind her. Draco shut the door.

"That really wasn't necessary," said Theo once she was gone. "I've gotten the bloody point, Draco. You won before I was even in the game. I relent."

"Yet, that didn't stop you from kissing her again after I left."

"I didn't realize it was anything serious to the point where she said she's invested in you. That came bloody after," snapped Theo. "So you punched me. Whatever. We all know you have fucking possessive and control issues. Not the first broad you punched me over."

Blaise laughed off to the side. "That's right! You dated Parkinson for a quick minute."

"And you didn't even bloody like her," said Theo. "You just felt like she was yours."

"She was," said Draco.

"You were engaged!" spat Theo. "And shagging at least five other broads."

"The past doesn't fucking matter here, Theo!" shouted Draco, pointing fervently at him. "I'm only shagging one now and you crossed a bloody line! Don't see her again!"

Theo shrugged. " She came to see me ."

"None of your bloody lunch dates!"

"The purpose of her coming to see me was to make sure we could still have those bloody lunch dates."

"Then tell her no," Draco ordered through clenched teeth.

"You know, I'm starting to feel awkward listening to this," said Blaise, taking a seat in one of Theo's chairs and leaning forward to watch them a little closer.

Theo leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "No. I'm not going to do that, Draco, and here's why. If I do that then she'll bloody know you told me to, and she'll resent you for it. For trying to control her like all the others. But she's not the others, Draco. That's why you like her and that's why you're on the verge of ending a lifelong friendship over a meaningless kiss. She told me no and she went to you. It's done. I'm not going to try anything again. I have my bloody pride to think about." He paused and took a breath. "But Hermione's going through a rough time right now. One I can relate to and if she wants to talk to me I'm not going to deprive her of that."

"If she wants to talk about her divorce then she can bloody talk to me!" spat Draco, not seeming to cool down any.

"No, she can't. Because you don't get it, Draco, and you never will! Your marriage with Astoria was nothing like mine with Jackie. You don't know what it's like to feel as if you're going to lose everything. Especially with the way her bloody husband is dragging it out."

Draco eased his stance a little. "What do you mean?"

"You know, with the whole 'we'll actually try this separation thing for real until Christmas' thing. Granted, it was her idea, but he won't even talk to her about a bloody divorce when she tries."

Draco stood frozen.

Theo bit his cheek and stared at him, suddenly feeling a growing pit in his stomach. "And you clearly didn't know that. Well, aren't I a little bitch." He paused and rubbed at his head. "Oh, bloody hell. Don't say anything!"

Draco stepped backwards towards the door.

"Draco, I'm serious. If she wants you to know then she'll bloody tell you about it on her own terms."

"It was her idea?" asked Draco, his voice cool and his face placid.

"Yes, but only to get him off her back for a while," explained Theo. "It's not like she's actually considering reconciliation. She wants a divorce."

Draco turned, opened the door and stormed out of there.

"Dammit, Draco!"

"We should really do this more often," Blaise said gleefully.

On his way to the lift, Draco realized he was still carrying the damn coffee Hermione had given him, which he immediately tossed in the closest rubbish bin.

He got to the lift and pressed the button repeatedly until it finally opened, doing the same to get to Hermione's floor.

When he arrived, he marched towards her office. She was standing outside of it beside Teddy's desk, chatting with him, Alexandra and Colby.

"Granger, your office!" he ordered, not even looking at her as he stormed into it.

Alexandra and Colby looked at her with wide eyes.

"What did you do?" Colby whispered.

She shrugged and very hesitantly followed Draco into her office.

Draco was standing by the door and shut it behind her, waving his wand to put up several Locking and Silencing Charms.

"What's wrong?" she asked, trying hard to hide her fear.

"How could you not tell me about your fucking arrangement with Weasley?"

"What arrangement?"

"Don't be daft!"

Hermione shrugged and shook her head.

"Christmas? Your fucking deal to just try a separation until then? Is that all I am? Just some bloody experiment?"

"Of course not," she said. "He won't divorce me, Draco. He told me he was going to keep trying to win me back, so I came up with this idea hoping that he'd meet someone else. That's all!"

"Then why didn't you tell me?" he asked with angry tears in his eyes. "You told fucking Theo but you didn't tell me."

Hermione looked at him with her own glossy eyes and gulped. "I'm sorry. I just … I don't feel comfortable talking about all aspects of my divorce with you. When we're together I want it to feel like it's already over, because it is for me. I'm done. I'm getting a divorce."

"Then tell him. Tell him to-day ."

"I've tried telling him, Draco, but he won't listen. He keeps saying 'not until Christmas'. I really thought he would do as I asked and date, but after my reaction to Collette he won't even consider it. But I want him to move on. It wasn't that he was dating, it was who he was dating. You know that."

Draco looked away from her, stepping back and using the door to brace himself.

"Draco, please don't be mad at me," she begged, rushing forward and taking his face in her hands. "You've been mad at me for three days and I can't take it anymore. I'm sorry, all right? I'm sorry I didn't stop Theo from kissing me again. It was a mistake. You're the only one I want to be with."

"I want you divorced," said Draco, staring deep into her amber eyes while grabbing onto her hips. "I want you completely mine and it still feels like you're fucking his."

"But I'm not," she said, kissing his jaw. "My marriage is over. I'm yours. And I'm saying this despite the feminist in me who keeps screaming that I belong to no man."

Draco chuckled.

"But I do. The thought of this ending pains me more than the thought of signing those divorce papers." Hermione kissed him softly, her heart fluttering when his lips responded to hers. She pulled away and they continued to stand close, breathing into each other's mouths.

"I want you divorced," he said again.

Hermione stared into his silver eyes and nodded. "I'll try again. This weekend is his mother's birthday party. I'll talk to his father, he's always been the most reasonable."

Draco nodded back, filling the small gap and kissing her again, starting out soft but soon becoming rough and hungry. He pulled her body into his, grinding against her until he was rock hard.

"I need to fuck you, Hermione," he said, picking her up and carrying her towards her desk. He pulled up her skirt while she undid his trousers. The moment his cock was free, he dug his fingers into her thighs, yanked her forward on the desk and thrust into her.

Hermione cried out, her insides already burning as he lifted her high-heeled feet over his shoulders and began pounding her into the desk.

"Harder!" she screamed, eager to get the release she was already feeling.

Draco obliged, quite possibly fucking her the hardest he ever had before, the desk scraping against her floor and pushing closer and closer towards the wall. He put her legs down and ripped her blouse open, yanking her breasts out of her bra and sucking on her nipples until they were raw.

And then Draco was flipping her, putting one of his legs up on the desk as he hammered into her from behind.

"Oh Gods! Draco, fuck! Yes!"

He slapped her arse in that moment, something she was starting to love. And then he slapped it again. She screamed louder, trying to hold it in so she could listen to his groans.

"Draco." Hermione turned her head and looked over her shoulder at him. "Tell me you feel the same."

Draco slowed his movements, releasing his grip just enough so that she was able to turn her body so it was facing him again.

"Tell me you're mine," she said, grabbing him by the arse and pulling her into him.

Draco began to thrust again, tangling his fingers in her hair as he pressed his forehead against hers, his hot breath entwining with hers as he stared intensely into her eyes. "Obviously, I'm yours, Hermione. You're the only one I ever have, or will belong to."

Tears built up in Hermione's eyes. She clutched his arse harder and slammed her hips into his, kissing him with a mouth hotter than fire.

The desk was scraping hard now and beginning to rattle, but they were so focused on each other that neither noticed, Draco's thrusts getting even more brutal as they approached their climaxes.

Hermione's moans were getting quicker and higher-pitched, her toes curling so much that her heels feel right off of her feet. Her head feel back and Draco's fell with it, not wanting to stop kissing her as he used the edges of the desk to pound even harder.

And then everything happened at once. Hermione screamed as the wonderful burning sensation filled her every vein, Draco doing the same as he released everything he had inside of her, and the desk … the desk collapsing as its legs gave out from the brutal fucking that had just happened on top of it.

Hermione's scream quickly changed as they fell, both of them laughing as they realized they had really done it. They had broken a bloody desk.

"Shit, what just happened? We still have a meeting," said Draco, looking at the mess they had made and continuing to laugh.

"We really have to learn to start controlling our urges," said Hermione, biting her lip.

Draco and Hermione shared one last intimate kiss before getting up. First they focused on cleaning off themselves, then Hermione fixed her blouse while Draco fixed her desk. Hermione's hair was a mess so she grabbed a brush from her purse and did her best to fix it. Then she had to touch up her mascara, which had run, and her lipstick, which was non-existent.

Draco was just about to open the door when she pulled him back.

"Wait, Draco! Why were we in here for so long?" she asked, biting her lip.

"We were arguing over something you said to Scorpius. They don't need specifics," he said. "But it's resolved now."

"It was very unprofessional of us to be in here all of this time arguing over personal matters," she said.

"Yes, but you think all of my ideas for the bloody Aurors are brilliant," he said, giving her a kiss. "No one would believe we had a disagreement."

"Fine." Hermione pulled him close and stole just one more kiss. "So you're not going to hold that thing with Theo against me anymore?"

"After a fucking like that, how could I possibly?" he said.

And then they were full-on kissing again, both of them eager to tear their clothes right back off.

"Dammit! My lipstick," said Hermione, running to her purse and fixing it quickly.

When she got back, Draco laughed and opened the door.

"Everything all right?" asked Alexandra as they exited.

"Yes, just fine," said Hermione. "I swear, your boss overreacts to everything."

Draco narrowed his eyes at her. "Don't press your luck, Granger."

He turned and walked towards the Auror office. Hermione looked at Alexandra and Colby and rolled her eyes before following him. They smirked at each other and did the same.

Draco and his team were not finished setting up a few organizational tools in the Auror office until lunch time. He wanted to have lunch with Hermione, not eating obviously, but she refused and sent him up to Theo's office to apologize for trying to forbid their friendship. Despite his denial, she was well aware that this was exactly what he had done.

So Hermione decided to work through lunch, hoping to get out of the office a little earlier tonight so she could cook Draco dinner for once. But she had barely gotten started when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," she called.

The door opened and Alexandra stepped in. "You're busy," she said. "I will come back." She turned to leave.

"No, Alex, it's fine," said Hermione. "I just have plans tonight so I'm hoping to get out of here a little early. It's not anything important." She pushed her computer keyboard aside. "What can I do for you?"

Alexandra walked in and shut the door. Suddenly, Hermione was feeling very nervous.

"I know you overheard Mr. Zabini and me in the lift this morning."

"Oh." She had actually completely forgotten about that. "It's really not my business."

"Yes, I know that. That's not why I'm here. I'm actually in a bit of a mess and I haven't …" For the first time since Hermione had met her, Alexandra stumbled on her words. "I don't tolerate very many women. Most annoy me to no end so I don't really have anyone to discuss … things with?"

" Things ?" repeated Hermione, raising her eyebrows.

"Men, to be specific."

Hermione smiled. "Oh, Alex, is this your way of saying you can tolerate me?"

"I suppose it is," said Alexandra, taking a seat in the chair directly across from Hermione. "As horrible as it is to say this about my boss, Draco is a bit misogynistic, though he's getting better. Anyway, he thinks you're brilliant, and anyone he admires, I admire."

"Thank you, I suppose," said Hermione. "So you want to have girl talk then?"

Alexandra, sitting very properly in her chair, stared seriously at Hermione from across the desk. "Only if nothing I say leaves this office."

"My lips are sealed." Hermione locked her lips and threw away the key.

"All right," said Alexandra, leaning forward slightly. "While this is extremely unlike my usual character, I recently made a very bad judgment."

"I assume you mean Mr. Zabini."

"Exactly. I left the pub shortly after you did at the World Cup and I ran into him outside. I was, admittedly and ashamedly, quite intoxicated and I ended up inviting him back to my tent."

" You invited him ?" asked Hermione.

"That's right," Alexandra said confidently. "Well, I do suppose I just dragged him back to it, but there were no objections. And, as I said before, things happened, but I immediately kicked him out after, making sure to threaten his life if he ever told anyone. There was no cuddling. I hate cuddling."

Hermione could not relate. She loved cuddling, especially when it was with Draco.

She leaned forward on her desk. "And what's the problem exactly?"

"He won't bloody leave me alone !" shouted Alexandra, her cheeks reddening as her hands tensed around the arms of the chair. "He owls me daily and corners me every chance he gets. He's even made a point of finding out my schedule through Draco so his meetings with the Minister are always conveniently on days I'm here. Even now, I just ran back up here when I saw him waiting in the atrium. I'm not being arrogant, he's waiting for me ."

"Oh, I believe you," said Hermione. "That sounds just like him, actually. He's pursuing you because you rejected him. You've hurt his pride."

"I know that," said Alexandra, her hands beginning to relax a bit until she was able to fold them in her lap again. "But he is my boss's friend. I crossed a line and Draco would throw a fit if he found out. I worked hard for my job, not to mention his respect. He can never find out."

Hermione smiled. "You can relax, Alex. I am sure Blaise wants Draco to find out even less than you do. I was standing right there when Draco told him you were off limits. Actually, that was even the night of the World Cup."

"So basically Draco put a target on my back," said Alexandra, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I thought you were the one to drag him back to your tent," said Hermione with a wink.

Her eyes narrowed further. "As lovely as 'girl talk' is, I still need a solution."

"With Zabini I would say your best option is to wait it out. That is, unless you want to tell Draco and have him deal with it."

"No!" Alexandra shouted. "I won't have him thinking any less of me."

"Someone with Draco's reputation has absolutely no right to judge your onetime tryst."

"Still …" she said with a small sigh. "I was actually thinking that maybe you could talk to him."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "To Zabini?"

"Yes."

She laughed. "And what would I say exactly? He'd never listen to me."

"I believe he would," said Alexandra. "Please."

She waited but Hermione did not say anything.

"I don't beg easily."

"Is this begging?" asked Hermione.

"It's as close as I get."

"I believe that." Hermione leaned back in her chair and sighed. "All right, Alex. I'll speak to him."

"Now?"

"I suppose I could."

Alexandra smiled, and, for once, it actually seemed genuine. "You don't know how much I appreciate this, Hermione. Draco really is a great judge of character. I'll just Apparate out of here so I don't have to pass him." She moved like she was going to leave, but then she paused. "Are you seeing him?"

Hermione pursed her brow. " Zabini ?"

"Obviously not," said Alexandra with a laugh. "Colby and I spend more time with Draco than anyone, and he looks at you differently than he looks at other women. I actually have not caught him staring at another woman in months now, but he definitely looks at you."

Hermione sat very stiff and said, "Don't be absurd. His son is marrying my daughter. What we have is nothing but a friendship."

"That's disappointing," said Alexandra. "Colby and I have always hoped he would eventually find someone who matched his brilliance. I think you should reconsider." She smiled, "Good day, Hermione," and Apparated away.

Hermione groaned before standing up and heading out the door. She swore that girl talk never did her any favors.

Taking the lift down to the atrium, she stepped out and looked around until she located Blaise sitting on a bench. She walked right up to him and said, "Take a walk with me, Zabini."

Blaise looked up at her. "Granger! As flattered as I am, I'm actually waiting for -"

"She's already gone," said Hermione. "Apparated from my office after she saw you down here." She crossed her arms. "We need to talk."

Blaise smirked and stood. "Going to tell Draco on me?"

"Of course not," she said, beginning to walk. "It is not my business and I wouldn't even be speaking to you now if the witch in question hadn't asked me to."

Blaise hurried to walk beside her. "She really told you about that? I was positive she was going to deny anything ever happened to the death."

"Only because she wants it to end," said Hermione. "I don't understand why you are bothering her, anyway. You wanted to shag her and now you have. Move on."

"I suppose," said Blaise. "But remember when I said I'd bet she's wild in the bedroom? Well, I was right. She's bloody IN-SANE , Granger, and I just need to shag her a few more times before I'm finished with her. You understand."

Hermione glanced sideways at him and rolled her eyes. "No, I don't. Leave her alone, Zabini. She's not interested in being your bloody toy."

Stepping into the Ministry's commissary, Hermione headed for the line with Blaise still walking beside her.

"How come you've been here so often lately, anyway?" she asked. "What do you even do for the Minister? Better yet, what do you even do, period?"

"I do many things, Granger. But, in this instance, I am mostly an advisor. I'm simply helping the Minister put a few things in order. That's all."

"What things ?"

"Client confidentiality," said Blaise, smirking as he investigated the fruit cups. "You understand."

Hermione did, so she dropped the subject. Picking up a pre-packaged sandwich, she headed for the line. Blaise grabbed an apple, tossing it from hand to hand and then over the back of his shoulder as he followed her.

"That was fun earlier, wasn't it?" he said. "Ending a lifelong friendship over a woman who isn't good for anyone involved."

Hermione rolled her eyes again and stepped up to the register. The witch behind it calculated the cost of her food. When the total popped up, Hermione looked at Blaise.

"What?" he said, taking a bite of his apple.

"Obviously, I'm not paying," said Hermione. "Be the gentleman I know is locked inside of there somewhere."

Hermione walked away with her sandwich. Blaise grunted as he was forced to pay the cashier staring daggers at him. He handed her a few Galleons and hurried to catch up with Hermione.

"I didn't ruin any friendship," she said as he slowed down beside her. "The two of them are at lunch right now mending things."

Blaise blinked. "And those gits didn't think to invite me? Fucking pricks."

"And I'm sure everything is moving much quicker without your commentary."

"Yes, but it won't be nearly as fun," he said, taking a bite of his apple. "You know you haven't convinced me of anything, right?"

"About Alex, you mean?"

"Obviously."

"I haven't even begun to try and convince you yet, Zabini," she said with a smile. "A wise Muggle man once said, 'A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape'."

Blaise cocked an eyebrow. "Come again?"

"Of course, the meaning is up to interpretation, but, in this instance, what I am getting at is that Alex isn't like the other women you seem to bed so easily. If you continue what you're doing then all that's ever going to happen is you annoying her. The only way you will ever have a chance with a girl like Alex again is if she comes to you. None of this showing up where you know she's going to be or cheesy pickup lines, that won't work with her."

Blaise blinked. "So what you're saying is to make myself unavailable? Which you do realize is exactly what she asked?"

"Of course I do," said Hermione. "But feigning a lack of interest is your only shot. Now, I've said my peace. It's your choice what you do with this knowledge."

"Compelling argument," said Blaise, taking another bite of his apple. "But you are aware that you just gave me knowledge on how to lure in the woman who asked you to help her get rid of me?"

"Alex asked me to get you to leave her alone," said Hermione. "What she does next is not my business."

"None of this is your business."

"And the conversation in Theo's office earlier was none of yours, yet there you were, following me."

"Touché," said Blaise, his eyes glancing over her shoulder for a moment.

"Why do you think I'm so horrible for him, Zabini?" she asked. "It seems like you're just counting down the days until I do something wrong."

"I don't think you're horrible for him," said Blaise. "Honestly, you're probably his best shot at anything. But I waited almost twenty years for my best mate to be single again, and all I got was six bloody months of fun before he called it quits. I want the old Draco back who didn't give two shits what the women he shagged thought of him, or anyone else for that matter. I don't know what you've turned him in to, but this committed prick bums me out."

Hermione smiled. She actually really liked that answer.

Blaise stared over her shoulder again. "Good talk, Granger. We should really do it again sometime."

He leaned in, his arms held wide as he attempted to grab her in what she could only assume was a hug. So she did what any self-respecting woman would do in that situation. She swung the hand holding her sandwich and whacked him in the head. "Do not touch me, you vile cockroach!"

Suddenly, Hermione heard laughing behind her. She turned to see Draco and Theo walking towards them.

"Blood hell, Granger! I was only joking!" shouted Blaise, rubbing at his head.

Draco looked around. They were the only ones in earshot. "Just what exactly were you trying to do to my lady, Blaise?"

"It just didn't seem fair that I'm the only one who hasn't gotten any sugar." He puckered his lips at her.

Hermione lifted her arm and readied herself to swing again.

Blaise cringed. "Bloody joking, woman! Keep it together!"

"As appetizing as that looks," said Draco, taking the squashed sandwich from her hands. "I brought you some real food." He handed her a paper bag.

"Thank you," she said with a smile, wanting nothing more than to kiss him right then.

"Now get your arse back upstairs. I expect you to get off promptly at six tonight."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Keep ordering me around and I'll make sure to take my sweet time."

Draco shut his mouth pretty quickly.

"I'll see you tonight."

With a quick glance and a smile at Theo, who looked more than a bit uncomfortable, Hermione headed towards the lift. It had just started to close when someone else hurried in. Ron stood beside her, glancing sideways as the lift moved extremely slow.

"Are you coming to my mum's birthday party this weekend?" he asked in an attempt to make idle conversation.

"You know I am," she said.

"I see. And which of the lovely Slytherin trio will be accompanying you?"

Hermione turned her head and narrowed her eyes at him. "I don't understand what your problem is with them." She paused. "Well, that's not true. Zabini I understand. He annoys me to no end. But Draco and Theo are decent people and actually pleasant company."

An awkward silence.

"So does that mean you'll be bringing McLaggen then?"

The lift dinged and opened, and Hermione bolted for the door. Ron grabbed her hand.

"Hermione, please, just … tell me who you're seeing."

Hermione pulled her hand away. "No one."

"You're lying," he said, his eyes becoming glossy. "I know there's someone else. I can see it in you. I have a right to know who it is."

Hermione scoffed. "You have no such right, Ronald. We're not together," she said. "And even if I was seeing someone, what would you do about it? Sulk over it? Or maybe seek them out and pick a fight?"

By the way Ron's ears reddened, she knew she was right.

"Please, just stop worrying about what's going on with me and focus on yourself."

She hurried out of the lift and towards her office, making sure to shut and lock the door behind her. She hated this. Ron was not trying to move on at all. As finished with this marriage as she was she still loved him, but she was now faced with the horrible dilemma of hurting him or hurting Draco, and neither was something she wanted to do.

Unfortunately, hurting Ron was inevitable. Maybe it really was time she just ripped off the hypothetical Band-Aid and ended her marriage for good. But, even then, she would still have to leave Draco someday soon. And the thought of that was more painful than a bloody Band-Aid.