A/N: And more translation news. This story is currently being translated to Spanish. The link's on page! Thank you so much Evilmaiden for doing this!

I got a new chapter in a week this time! Yay! But I can pretty much guarantee next week you won't be so lucky. Sorry. I just feel the need to be honest.

For those of you who have been following me forever … Remember back in the day when I had time to update twice a week? What happened to that?

Oh well …

This was a hard chapter to write. I hope it turned out okay.

Thanks for reading!

Hermione sat in her office on Monday morning, making a list compiled of everything she needed to move forward with the class she was creating, and giving each item a timeframe. This was not an easy task, but setting goals is what always got her such promising results.

Her focus was momentarily disrupted when the intercom on her desk buzzed. " Mrs. Weasley, there are two women here to - Hey! "

As Teddy's voice cut off, her door burst open. Astoria walked in like she owned the place, dressed in one of those expensive looking outfits she always wore, this one blue and contrasting beautifully with her dark hair, which always seemed to flow just perfectly.

Hermione ran her fingers through her own hair. She hadn't been paying it much attention this past week and a half and she really needed a trim.

Jaclyn walked in behind her, dressed just as perfectly but looking slightly embarrassed by the intrusion.

"Morning, ladies," said Hermione, waving Teddy off as he stood looking panicked in the doorway.

Astoria remained silent but looked at a clock on the wall. Hermione followed her gaze.

"I mean, afternoon," she corrected. Was it really that late already? She felt like she just got here.

"Jackie would like to speak with you," said Astoria, her eyes darting around the office like she was looking for something. She walked back towards the window and pretended to look at the view, which wasn't much, but slyly glanced in the under-area of Hermione's desk.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.

"Just seeing how the common woman spends her day." Astoria walked back to where Jaclyn was still standing. "Do you need me to stay?" she asked.

"No, it's all right," said Jaclyn. "You can wait outside, I won't be long."

Astoria nodded at her friend and then exited, making sure to shut the door behind her.

As Jaclyn slowly moved towards a chair and sat down, Hermione opened one of her drawers and came out with a folder.

"What's that?" asked Jaclyn.

"The report I assume you want me to file," Hermione answered. She handed it to her. "Feel free to look it over. Let me know if you would like to add anything."

Jaclyn reached out for the folder and held it on her lap. She did not open it right away, looking down at it sadly before finally taking a deep breath and letting her hands take control. Her eyes became teary as she read, and Hermione could tell the moment she reached the photos by the way she winced.

Once she was through it, Jaclyn handed the folder back. "There are a few things I wanted to add," she said, reaching into her purse and coming out with a piece of parchment. She handed it to Hermione, who looked it over. It was a list detailing every cruel act Alastair had ever done to her in their short time together, and it took up almost the entire piece of parchment.

Hermione sighed and went onto her computer, typing it all down before printing the document and adding it to the folder. She also added it to her virtual folder.

"Just tell me when and I can email this to our Patrol Office. Once that's done I will take you over there to talk to someone about your options."

Jaclyn remained silent for a moment, staring down at her hands and tapping her feet. "Emailing is like sending an owl, isn't it? Only instantly. That's what Edie told me."

"Yes," said Hermione. "Do you want me to send it?"

Jaclyn looked at the computer monitor, then slowly shook her head. "I would like to do it," she said. "How does it work?"

Hermione motioned her over and stepped out of her chair. She let Jaclyn sit and walked her through the steps to send to report over to the Patrol Office. It would be going right to the Chief Officer and Hermione had already told him something like this might be coming his way soon, so he was more than ready to take action.

Once the email was sent, Jaclyn just sat there, staring blankly at the words telling her it had been successful. "And to think just last week I was planning a wedding," she said somberly.

"If this was a preview of your marriage then I'd say you're better off."

Jaclyn nodded. "I guess since I got lucky my first time around, my second isn't going to be quite so easy."

"Yes, it does seem to be the luck of the draw with purebloods and their primitive customs," said Hermione.

Jaclyn glanced over her shoulder and looked at her peculiarly. "I don't know what you have heard about our customs, but Theo and I chose to get married. It was just a bit quick."

"So it wasn't arranged?" Hermione asked. She only now realized that Theo had never really spoken about it with her before.

"No, not exactly," said Jaclyn. "We met at Astoria and Draco's wedding. We were both in the wedding party and walked down the aisle together. The attraction was instant," She began to smile, "but we had only been dating for a few weeks when my father told me it was time to find a husband. Theo's father was sent to Azkaban after the war and died shortly after, good riddance, and his mother died when he was just a child so he never had to worry about that whole 'arranged marriage' thing. He was on his own. But, when I told him, he actually went to my father and asked for permission to marry me." Her smile only grew. "He took a chance on me. It was luck."

"Not luck. Love," said Hermione, looking away from her and gazing out the window.

"Are you going to admit to me that you're seeing him now?" Jaclyn asked.

Hermione chuckled. "No," she said. "Because that would be a lie." She paused. "But I will admit to you that it was an option at one point. Only, I'm a bit of an idiot and didn't really realize it. I believe I might have led him on."

Jaclyn laughed.

"But I suppose it all worked out in the end. If I was dating him then I probably wouldn't be all right with his ex-wife staying with him."

"I wouldn't blame you," said Jaclyn, standing up and beginning to head for the door.

Hermione grabbed her file and followed her. "If you don't mind me asking," said Hermione, catching her before she opened the door. "It's kind of obvious that you still feel something for him. I've noticed before but, until the other night, I think I sort of ignored it. But Theo told me your divorce was mutual. That you both just knew it was over."

Jaclyn looked at her and sighed. "It was. But …" She paused and thought. "Our marriage wasn't working, we were miserable, but that didn't mean I didn't want him to fight for me. But he never did. Then, before I knew it, the divorce papers were signed and I was living without him. I used to cry about it at night. My son David caught me a few times. He knew I wasn't happy. I think that's why he's so angry with him all of the time." Her eyes became very sincere as she said, "I didn't mean for that to happen. I know Theo's been having a hard time, not really having a relationship with him. I've talked to David but he's just so stubborn. Like his father, I guess."

Hermione smiled. "Theo's stubborn?"

"Like you wouldn't believe ," said Jaclyn, smiling as she finally opened the door.

When they stepped out, Astoria was standing just a few steps from Teddy's desk, looking very disinterested as Cormac attempted to chat with her. She seemed extremely relieved when she saw them.

"Well, it's about time."

"I still have to go to the Patrol Office," said Jaclyn. "Are you really all right waiting for me?"

"Yes, it's fine," said Astoria. "I don't want you walking alone around this bloody place with that unmentionable prick just upstairs. I don't know how Theo can stand being on the same floor as him."

Hermione bit her tongue as she thought about how poorly Theo was handling the situation. He had actually been spending a great deal of time finishing his work on a makeshift desk in her office. He had only gone back to his own office about twenty minutes earlier, for some reason.

"I'll walk you over," said Hermione, taking the lead as the two women followed her. She brought Jaclyn directly into the office of the Chief Officer, who was already looking over the report she had emailed. Once they were settled and Astoria was left sitting in a corner, she walked back towards her office.

"Who was that?" asked Cormac.

"Which one?" asked Hermione, fearing that she already knew the answer.

"The fit one who was standing out here."

She could not help but smile. "Honestly, Cormac, all of the gossip you read and you really have no idea who she is?"

Cormac shrugged.

"Well, then you should probably know that your new object of affection is the former Mrs. Draco Malfoy."

Cormac's entire face dropped as he suddenly looked physically ill. "What?"

"She's Draco's ex-wife. Astoria Greengrass. I know you know the name."

"And why was she here to see you?" he asked, crinkling his forehead.

"She wasn't," Hermione answered. "Her friend was."

"Why?"

"None of your business," she said, heading for the lift. She did not know why but, somehow, she just felt that Theo needed to be waiting for Jaclyn when she walked out of that office.

She rode the lift to his floor and walked towards his office as quickly as possible, glancing over at Alastair's department to make sure he wasn't around to see her. All was clear.

When she reached Theo's office, without thinking she just opened the door, not wanting to stand out in the open for longer than she had to.

"Ah!" Hermione screamed as she saw Theo sitting behind his desk, snogging some woman as she straddled his lap. Maybe they were just snogging, but her skirt was hiked up awfully high.

"Fuck, Hermione! Get out!" he shouted at her.

She grabbed the door handle and was just about to step out when she saw Alastair walking just a little ways away. She slammed the door closed.

"I can't go out right now!" she said, continuing to face towards the door.

"Then bloody Apparate!"

Hermione didn't leave.

"Well?"

"I feel like you might be awhile," she said, "and I just wanted to let you know that Jackie is downstairs."

Even though she could not see Theo, she knew his entire face changed in that instant. "She is?" he asked.

"Yes. She's speaking with someone right now and, while she won't be done anytime soon, I thought you might want to come down," she said. "I will … see you later, Theo."

Hermione lifted her hand and waved before Apparating the hell out of there. Well, she certainly had not been expecting that. She was pretty certain that was the girl he had gone to the auction and ball with, but she didn't get a good enough look to be positive.

She returned to her own office, stopping in the doorway and watching as Astoria sat in the Patrol Office, looking incredibly bored. She frowned.

As much as Hermione hated to admit it, she had seen a different side of Astoria the other night. A softer, caring side. Well, maybe not softer, but definitely caring. She wasn't all bad, despite past assumptions.

Against her better judgment, Hermione walked over there. Astoria, who had been staring down at her very pretty and expensive-looking shoes, glanced up when she saw Hermione approaching.

"Astoria, would like some tea or water?" she asked.

"I'm fine," Astoria answered.

"It is probably going to be a while. Would you at least like a book to read?"

She raised her eyebrows and said, "I don't get the feeling we like the same kinds of books." A pause. "Do you even read fiction?"

"Seldom," Hermione answered honestly. "I'm sure I could find a copy of Witch Weekly somewhere if you'd like."

"How lovely . Then I can read all about what nonsense they are saying about my family today." Astoria paused and looked at the clock. When she realized how little time had passed, she huffed. "Fine, bring it over."

Hermione smiled and walked off. She already knew exactly where to get a copy. She headed straight into Cormac's office.

"Where's your Witch Weekly ? I need to borrow it," she said.

"For the tainted minx over there?" he asked, not looking up from what he was doing but motioning his head in Astoria's direction.

"I assume you mean the former Mrs. Malfoy," said Hermione, locating the magazine on the desk and heading for it. "And yes."

As she reached out to snatch it, Cormac's hand shot forward and he beat her to it. "I'll bring it over," he said.

Hermione blinked. "Really?" she said. "After all of your trash talking I'm a little shocked that you want anything to do with Draco's sloppy seconds."

"I already did once, remember?" he said looking up at her.

Hermione gulped. "That was before you knew anything."

"Tell me right now that you want to try something with me and see what happens," he said, staring her straight in the eye.

Hermione blushed and looked away.

"That's what I thought."

Cormac stood and headed across the floor to the Patrol Office. Hermione leaned against his doorframe and watched him with a frown on her face. Then, suddenly, she felt something. She looked over at the Auror Office, her breath getting caught in her throat when she saw Draco standing there, watching her. But then he looked over at Astoria, silently asking Hermione what his ex-wife was doing there. She mouthed the name 'Jackie' before heading back to her own office.

Hermione kept her door open, hoping to keep an eye on things. When Cormac brought over the magazine, Hermione was not even sure if Astoria recognized that it wasn't her delivery the reading material. She simply grabbed it, possibly said 'thank you' and started reading. Cormac tried to speak to her, but she showed no interest and, eventually, he kept a small amount of dignity and walked away.

The moment he was gone, Draco appeared. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched him sit down beside his ex-wife. Suddenly, Astoria was at full attention. While she did not look especially happy to see him, there was a definite difference in the way she was with him and the way she was with everyone else. Whether her feelings were negative or positive, she was focused.

Draco slowly began to look sick as she spoke to him, his entire body tensing as he stared at the closed door Jaclyn was behind. And, then, Theo was there, practically running into the office even though Hermione told him he had plenty of time. Draco stood up and pulled him to the side, looking angrier and angrier as he very obviously wanted to go find Alastair and kick his arse. But, somehow, Theo calmed him and he eventually returned to the Auror Office, out of Hermione's view once more.

Theo sat down next to Astoria, doing nothing but staring at that closed door while Astoria read her magazine beside him. It was a good hour before it opened, both of them jumping up and hurrying to it.

Jaclyn stepped out. Her eyes were noticeably red, even from a distance and, while she looked surprised to see Theo standing there, she also looked incredibly happy. He reached out and took her into his arms and she did the same, clinging to him as she sobbed into his shoulder. It was all very beautiful. Even Astoria stood back, for once.

Hermione could not stop watching them. She just found it odd that the two of them had decided to end a marriage when there was still so much love there. Out of everyone in the world, it was obvious that Theo was the one Jaclyn wanted to be there for her, to comfort her and take care of her. If it had been Hermione in that situation, she knew Ron would not have been the one she wanted there. She would have wanted Draco.

Suddenly, she wanted to see Draco very much. Not to talk to him but to hold him. To feel him.

Right when she could feel herself rising from her chair, something moved into her line of vision. She stopped and pulled it off as a fidget.

"Rose, honey, what are you doing here?" she asked as her daughter now stood in her doorway. "Shouldn't you be at work?"

"They cut my hours again," said Rose with a frown. "They've promised me more hours around the holidays but I can't really risk it so I've been sending out resumes all morning."

"Good girl," said Hermione.

Rose nodded. "Mom, there's a problem."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "A problem?"

"With the wedding." Rose stepped further into her office.

"Oh? And what's -"

"The bloody wedding planner and I were supposed to get together next week and discuss everything, but she just owled me to say that she has to go out of town and the only time she can meet with me is tomorrow at three o'clock!" exclaimed Rose, beginning to look panicked as she sat down in a chair. "Tomorrow's a bloody Tuesday and you were supposed to come with me! I don't know what questions to ask by myself!" By now Rose was nearly in tears.

Hermione smiled. "You're a big girl, honey. I'm sure you'll do just fine."

"But this woman is a bloody Hippogriff! She acts all sweet until you rub her the wrong way and then wham !" Rose clapped her hands together. Then she leaned in and whispered, "She frightens me."

Now Hermione full-on laughed. "Rose, you're being ridiculous."

" Please , Mom! Take some time off and come with me," Rose begged, giving her mother puppy-dog eyes.

"Rosie, you know I can't." She paused and thought. "But you know who you should ask?"

Rose shook her head.

"Narcissa. She's been saying how much she wants to be part of this wedding, and she's bound to be more frightening than your wedding planner."

Rose cracked and smiled.

"And maybe take her wedding shoe shopping before. I'm sure she'd like that," Hermione added.

"How can I think about shoes when I don't even have a dress?" Rose asked, sounding a bit frustrated for someone who still had five months of tedious planning ahead of her.

"It's just for fun, Rosie. Remember, this is your wedding. Enjoy it."

"I guess I'll try," said Rose, letting out an inflated sigh. Then she and Hermione shared a laugh. "Since I'm here, can you take a break and come to lunch with me? I know you haven't eaten."

Hermione looked at the time. It was already well past one. "I suppose I could take a half hour."

Rose scoffed and said, "You're taking the full hour, Mom. Daughter's orders."

With a smile, Hermione nodded. They both stood but, before they got anywhere, someone else was standing in the doorway.

"Theo," said Hermione. "Did Jackie leave?"

"Yeah, I just walked her out," he said, looking at Rose. Then he looked at Hermione again. "Could I speak with you for a moment?"

Hermione looked at Rose, who was giving Theo the stink eye before finally meeting her mom's gaze. She rolled her eyes dramatically and said, "Don't take too long," before walking out and shutting the door behind her.

"Before I start I really need to thank you for making this so easy for Jackie," said Theo as soon as they were alone.

Hermione smiled and said, "My pleasure."

Theo let out a huff of breath. "Good. Now, about upstairs."

"I really don't need to know," said Hermione, putting a hand up to stop him. "It's your business. I should've knocked."

"No, I shouldn't have been doing that in my office. It was completely unprofessional."

Hermione had to fight the urge to stare at her desk, which had been broken in a similar act not too long ago.

"But it's just … well, since Patty came home with me the night of the auction she's been wanting it left and right." He paused. "And up and down … Behind … Sideways -"

"I get it, Theo," said Hermione, putting her hand up again.

"Oh, right, sorry," he said, blushing slightly. "Anyhow, it had been so bloody long that I was really enjoying it -"

"Isn't this the sort of conversation you should be having with Zabini -"

"- at first ," he interrupted. "But now it's gotten to the point where I don't know how to say no."

"Do you not like her?" Hermione asked.

"Gods, no!" Theo shouted. "Definitely not. If you've ever heard her speak you'd see that she is a terrible person. But, dammit, she's bloody amazing with her tongue."

"And I'm going to vomit," Hermione joked. "So what is it you want from me? Advice?"

Theo nodded. "She wants to come over tonight but I don't know how to tell her my ex-wife is staying with me." He leaned in and whispered, "She frightens me."

Hermione laughed. There seemed to be a lot of that going around. "Well, this is your fault." She thought. "Where is her office?"

"Two doors down from mine," he answered.

"I'll be right back." Hermione was about to Disapparate but stopped. "You do want her gone for good, right?"

Theo nodded. " Yes . Please!"

Hermione nodded in return and Disapparated, reappearing on his floor. She located this Patty's office and charged right in.

The woman glanced up from her desk, looking like a deer in the headlights. "Wha -"

"Listen hear, you hussy!" Hermione shouted as she slammed her hands down on the woman's desk. "Theo and I are going through a difficult time right now, and I don't appreciate you putting the moves on my wizard!"

Patty blinked. "Huh?"

"Don't tell me you didn't know we were together? It's all over the bloody tabloids!"

"But in the tabloids you're always with Draco Mal -"

"I'm with Theo! And you need to back off before I make your life a living hell! UNDERSTOOD?"

Patty went white and nodded enthusiastically. "I'm sorry! I didn't -"

"JUST-STAY-AWAY!"

Hermione gave her one last threatening look before Apparating back to her own office.

"It's done," she said. She headed for the door, but stopped and turned to him one last time. "And by the way, if she ever asks, you and … we're a thing. Got it?" She winked.

Theo smirked. "Got it. Making a play for you, getting brutally rejected and becoming your friend was a very good decision."

"That's sweet," said Hermione, rolling her eyes. Then she opened the door, smiling when she saw her daughter still waiting there. "Ready?" she asked.

Rose smiled and nodded. It had been a long time since they had gone to lunch together, just the two of them. And, for the first time in forever, Hermione did not mind taking an entire hour, plus another thirty minutes.

Draco walked quickly through the halls of Malfoy Enterprises to get to the conference room for his ten o'clock meeting with the Sharrows. It had been a week since his all-time low of having Harry fucking Potter take care of him, and he was working hard to keep it together so nothing like that would ever happen again. Hermione would never want that pathetic prick. That was what he constantly told himself to get his arse going each day, at least.

Finally arriving at the conference room, Draco opened the door and was more surprised than he should have been to find only one member of the Sharrow family waiting for him.

"Ms. Sharrow," he said, walking over to the opposite end of the table as Jasmine. "I didn't realize it would just be the two of us."

"I'm afraid something came up and my father and brother were unable to make it," said Jasmine, leaning back in her chair with one leg crossed over the other, looking more delicious than Draco wanted to admit in her tight dress and red lipstick.

The truth was, this was the first time Draco had seen Jasmine since he turned her down at the auction, and he got the feeling she wasn't too happy about it.

"Well, then I won't take up much of your time," he said, walking over and handing her a folder with updates on his company's progress. As soon as he turned back around, he heard the folder land on the large table.

"I'm sure your company is working right on schedule. But I think we both know why I'm really here."

Draco could hear Jasmine's voice getting closer. He turned around and was able to grab her arms just before they were about to fling around him. "Ms. Sharrow, you are a client. This is hardly appropriate."

Jasmine narrowed her eyes and said, "It's not like I'd be the first client you did anything with. And don't lie and say you haven't. I've heard stories straight from many horses' mouths."

"I wasn't going to lie," said Draco. "But this playboy you and your family think I am, who you were all so dead-set against not working with isn't me anymore. I was married for twenty years, I got divorced and I had fun, but it's in the past now. If that's the wizard you want to work with then you should have hired me a year ago." He let go of her arms and turned away again.

"Are you seeing someone?" she asked while following him.

"Yes," he said on instinct. "I mean, no." He looked at her and she cocked an eyebrow. "It's complicated."

"It always is," she said, moving forward and invading his bubble once more. "Let me make it less complicated for you." Jasmine put one hand on his belt while the other stroked his arm. "Take me to dinner this Saturday and, afterwards, I will make you forget all about this other girl."

The hand on his belt slowly started to creep downwards. Draco grabbed it and moved it off of him.

"Doubtful," he said. "And just what would a woman like you get out of being seen at dinner with a man like me? I assume that's what you want or else you'd just skip the meal and invite me to your place."

"Every woman wants to be the one to tame the beast," said Jasmine, using her free hand to reach up and stroke his hair. Then, while looking into his eyes, she very forcefully said, "Dinner. Saturday."

Draco was about to tell her not a chance in hell, but then he remembered Alexandra's advice. He needed to be photographed in a date-like atmosphere with women, so Hermione would know he wasn't waiting around for her, even though he was. She had already been jealous of Jasmine once, and the woman before him was definitely attractive. Enough to drive any former flame mad.

"Fine," said Draco, breaking their eye contact and attempting to move away again. "But just dinner. Don't expect me to invite you over for dessert at my place."

"Then it will be at my place," said Jasmine, grabbing his arm. This time, when he turned around to face her, she crashed her body into his, standing on tiptoe to reach his lips with hers. She kissed him hard and fierce, biting onto his lip while her hands crept around the back of his neck. When she pulled away and saw his stunned expression, she simply smiled. "That was just a preview," she said. "Saturday is going to be much, much better." This time she took him by enough surprise to reach down and stroke his cock through his trousers successfully.

Still smiling, Jasmine turned around and walked back over to where her purse and the folder were.

"Excellent meeting, Mr. Malfoy," she said as she prepared herself to leave. "We at Sharrow Incorporated are very impressed with your progress." Jasmine headed for the door. "Oh." She turned back around. "And just so you know, I don't plan on being just one of your flings. I'm not that kind of girl."

"Right, because you want to tame the beast ," he said, trying hard not to sneer.

"Exactly." Jasmine blew him a kiss and exited.

When standing alone, Draco started to realize that maybe he should have found a less aggressive woman to go on a date with. Staying out of Jasmine's claws would definitely be a challenge, but if it meant getting Hermione back then he was all in.

Rose picked up a shoe, scrunched her nose and frowned at it. Then she turned around and held it up for Narcissa to see. "How about this one?" she asked.

Narcissa's face remained unchanged as she said, "It's nice."

"Be honest."

"Absolutely hideous. Put it down."

Rose immediately obeyed.

"What made you choose that one?" Narcissa asked.

Rose shrugged and said, "I don't know. It's white."

"Just because your dress is white doesn't mean your shoes have to be. They could be your something blue, or you can pick shoes that match your color scheme. What is it?"

Rose scrunched her nose again and groaned. "This was a bad idea," she said, turning back around and looking at the hundreds of shoes in front of her. "I feel like we have absolutely nothing planned yet." She picked up a cream-colored shoe, took one look at what might as well have been a ten inch heel and put it back quickly. "Can't I just wear trainers?"

Narcissa let out a quick chuckle and said, "No. But you can change into something more civil once the ceremony is over," she said, holding up a simple, white, ballerina flat.

Rose liked that all right. She took the shoe, turned it over, gasped at the price and put it down. "I think we're in the wrong section," she said, scanning the store until she located where the sale items were. "I'm not really good at this stuff. Somehow, Lily ended up being both the tomboy and the girly-girl of the family while I'm just trapped somewhere near bland."

"You're not bland," said Narcissa. "If you were then my grandson never would have chosen to marry you. But I suppose planning a wedding is much easier when your maid-of-honor isn't away at school. Or your parents plan everything, like mine did."

Rose nodded. "I still haven't found a dress. I really, really liked that one you chose, but every time I bring it up my bridesmaids tell me it's a winter dress and my wedding is in the spring. I don't even know what that means! I'm hopeless!"

Narcissa laughed, her head suddenly feeling light. She reached out a grabbed one of the display tables, playing it off like she was looking at one of the shoes so Rose wouldn't notice. "If you like the dress then who cares what season it is? In the end, it is your wedding, not theirs. The only people you need to please are your future husband and yourself, and as long as you're happy I don't think Scorpius would mind. In fact, I'm positive he won't even notice if you wear a winter dress in the springtime."

Rose smiled and laughed. "Fair point."

She turned around again and Narcissa put her other hand on the table. The dizziness wasn't stopping. "How long until we have to meet the wedding planner?" she asked.

"About an hour. Would you like to go somewhere -"

There was a loud thud and Rose whipped around, her eyes widening in horror as she stared at Narcissa lying unconscious on the floor.

"Narcissa!" she screamed, running over and putting the woman's head in her lap. She was out cold. Looking around in a panic, Rose located a shop girl, who was watching them. "Get help! Please!"

The girl nodded and ran off. Rose was left sitting there, clinging to Narcissa and trying not to cry as she realized the woman's body felt ice cold. But she was breathing. Thank gods she was breathing.

Draco had felt his phone continually buzzing in his pocket while he was in a meeting, eventually excusing himself to answer the call. Victoire followed him out on instinct.

"It's Scorpius," said Draco just before he picked up and answered. "This better be important."

And by the way Victoire watched his face change in a matter of seconds, she knew that it was.

"I'll be right there." Draco hung up the phone and stared at Victoire, looking absolutely terrified.

"Is everything all right?" she asked.

Draco shook his head. "I have to go."

She nodded. "I'll cover for you. You go ahead."

Draco nodded back and immediately ran towards the lift.

"Call me if you need anything!" she yelled after him.

Once in the lift, Draco took it to his office's floor. He ran to it and made a beeline for the fireplace, grabbing a handful of powder from the pot beside it and immediately Flooing to the location he knew was closest to St. Mungo's. Then he charged through the streets, paused for only a moment outside of the store that said Purge and Dowse, Ltd, took a deep breath and pushed through the window.

Once inside, the streets of London melted away and the smell of healing herbs entered his nostrils. Draco glanced around, everything seeming to move incredibly slow as he located the Welcome Witch. He walked towards her, his legs feeling heavy, as if they were weighed down by lead. But, still, he trudged onward, stopping in front of the desk, his face sweating with nerves as the witch looked up at him and smiled.

"May I help you?" she asked.

"Na … Narci -"

"Dad!"

Draco turned at the sound of the voice, locating Scorpius who was beckoning him over. Draco hurried to him.

"Is she all right?" he asked as his son guided him towards the stairs.

"She seems fine now," said Scorpius. "But … I feel awful. Rose was with her when it happened and I never told her anything about it, so she's still kind of shaken."

"But what did they say about your grandmother?" Draco demanded.

Scorpius looked back at his father and sighed. "Nothing yet. Her Healer ran some tests when she got here but they haven't given us the results yet."

Draco's face tensed as he followed his son up the stairs. They finally reached their floor and branched off, heading down a long corridor with bad lighting. One of the overhead lights flickered and Draco waved his wand to fix it. If his mother had to be here then she damn well deserved to have things working properly.

Scorpius reached the door but did not open it. He looked back at his father and gulped. Draco went up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "It will be all right, Scorpius. We need to stay strong for her, remember?"

Scorpius nodded. Without any warning, he reached out and hugged his father, something that was rarely ever done among the Malfoy men. Draco hugged back, his heart suddenly aching as he realized how much he needed this right now.

It took a great bit of willpower for Draco to let his son go. Once he did, he made a point to reach over Scorpius for the door and open it. Narcissa was propped up in her bed and holding Lucius' hand as he sat in a chair just beside her. She smiled when she saw both of them.

"Scorpius, you didn't have to drag your father all the way down here. I'm fine. There's no need to worry."

"Is that true?" asked Draco, walking into the room and only now noticing Rose sitting in the corner. She really did look shaken.

"I'm sure it is," said Narcissa. "I just got a little faint, that's all. Nothing that hasn't happened before. I only feel terrible because we missed Rose's appointment with her wedding planner."

"It's all right," said Rose in a quivering voice. "I can reschedule."

Narcissa frowned.

There was a knock on the door and they all turned to see Narcissa's regular Healer standing in the doorway. "I see the gang's all here," she said with a smile.

Draco stared at her. While this Healer smiled often, there was something different about the one she was giving them now. Something forced. His chest ached as it suddenly felt like something was trying to break out of it.

"If now is a good time, I would like to speak with all of you." Her eyes drifted over to Rose, who was watching her with wide, doe eyes. "Family only," said the Healer.

"She's going to be family soon," said Scorpius, scowling at her.

"No, Scorpius, it's all right," said Rose, standing up and walking over to him. She took his hand. "You all talk and I'll be right outside if you need me."

Rose kissed his cheek and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. She moved over to the wall and immediately pressed her forehead against it. This wasn't good. She could feel it. Scorpius had filled her in a little but she got the feeling he was sugarcoating everything for her. Everyone always did that, like she couldn't handle the truth or something. Her mother was the only one who ever told her how it is. Harsh and real, but honest.

Staying in that position, Rose took several deep breaths. She had to stay strong right now. For Scorpius.

Suddenly, the door to Narcissa's room burst open and someone charged out. She pulled back and looked, watching as a man with white-blond hair hurried down the corridor.

"DAD!" screamed Scorpius, running out of the room in tears but not following his father any farther. He whimpered and turned. While he had still appeared somewhat pulled-together, the moment he saw Rose he broke down. She went to him and immediately took him in her arms.

Draco did not stop walking until he was outside of that horrible place. But, even then, he only stopped for a moment, breathing in the wet air as he cried on the corner. Several people walking by stared at him, but no one stopped. Taking several deep breaths, he turned to the right, not sure where he was going but knowing he couldn't stand still.

His body felt weightless but his heart was heavy, and his blurry eyes were all but useless as everything appeared hazy around him. A couple of times he wandered right into the street, nearly getting hit by one of those Muggle carriages. The second time some stranger even grabbed his arm and pulled him back, but he did not stop to thank them, feeling so incredibly lost as he wandered around mindlessly. It was getting dark, his coat was becoming soaked in the misty air.

When his eyes finally focused again, he realized he was standing in a park, a tree just beside him. He leaned against the trunk and used it to sink down to the damp ground, sobbing loudly with his head held back. He had been wrong before. There was a greater misery than losing Hermione.

Draco did not know how long he sat there, enough time to drench his clothes completely, but when he had calmed enough to think somewhat rationally, he knew that he didn't want to be alone right now. And there was only one person he wanted to see.

Hermione was happy to arrive home at a decent hour for once. She was so exhausted that she actually wanted to be home alone, which she knew meant that she was doing better. She just had to take one day at a time.

Her plan that night was to eat leftover Chinese food in front of the telly in her pajamas until she passed out naturally. It shouldn't take too long.

After changing and warming her food, Hermione took it out to her sofa and sat down. She had barely grabbed the remote when there was a knock at her door. She looked at it peculiarly. Theo had not been wrong last week, who really ever did just come over anymore?

She put down the remote and her food, and headed for the door. Looking through the peephole, she could only see someone's back, but there was no mistaking that hair.

Hermione opened the door. "Draco?"

Draco turned, his hair and clothes completely drenched while his eyes were red and swollen.

Hermione gasped. "Draco, what happened?" she asked as she pulled him into her house. He didn't say anything. "Are you all right?"

She tore off his coat - just a blazer and definitely not thick enough for this cold weather - and hung it up before pulling him into the living room.

"Sit down," she said, positioning him near the sofa. He obeyed and she ran from the room, grabbing a mug and filling it with water. She used her wand to heat it to the perfect temperature before putting her favorite herbal tea in an infuser and dunking it in. Then she grabbed honey. She knew Draco liked honey in his tea.

Once that was done, she returned and handed him the mug. He took it just as mindlessly as he had sat down. Hermione used her wand to dry his clothes as best she could before grabbing a blanket off of the back of her sofa and wrapping it around him. He may have been dry but his skin was still ice-cold.

"Draco, what's wrong?" she asked, crouching down and trying to look into his eyes, but nothing was behind them. She grabbed his hand. "What happened?"

Draco's eyes drifted so they were gazing at their hands. He blinked, and Hermione knew he could see again. She reached out and touched his cheek. He finally looked at her.

"Please tell me."

Before Draco could say anything, her phone began to ring, jumping around as it vibrated on her coffee table. She ignored it.

"Talk to me, Draco."

The moment after her mobile phone stopped ringing, her home phone started. She ignored that one too.

Draco continued to gaze at her, his eyes sinking further and further into sadness the more he focused. And then he was crying, right there in front of her, unable to hold it in when he had always seemed so guarded before.

Her mobile phone rang again.

"Bloody hell, just answer it!" he said.

Hermione sighed, releasing his cheek but still holding his hand as she reached for her phone. She looked at the name. Rose. She answered.

"Honey, I can't really talk right now. Could I call -"

"Mom …" said Rose in a cracked voice. She sobbed.

One hand still on Draco's, Hermione turned her head so she wasn't facing him. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Scorpius' grandmother … Narcissa … She's dying." Rose choked on that last word, sobbing uncontrollably into the phone.

Hermione turned back around and looked at Draco, his eyes once again glazed over. "What?"

"She's been sick for a while but the Healer just told her she only has a couple months, if she's lucky," said Rose, sounding slightly more together. "I'm here with them but I left the room. I didn't want to cry in front of Scorpius but I couldn't hold it in any longer, you know?"

"Yeah, I do," said Hermione, squeezing Draco's hand as she fought back her own tears.

"His dad left when he found out. We've been calling and calling but we don't know where he is. Could you please come here? I don't know what to do! I …" Rose began to sob again.

"Rosie, honey, it's going to be all right."

Rose didn't respond but Hermione just knew she was nodding.

"Go back inside and be with Scorpius. He needs you, even with the tears."

Rose chuckled a little.

"I'm going to see if I can find Draco, and then I'll come there, all right?"

"Okay …" Rose said softly.

"I love you, honey."

"I love you too, Mom."

The phone clicked and Hermione put hers down. She sighed as she looked at Draco. "Your mother."

Draco gave a shallow nod. "About two years they found a growth in her head. It was inoperable," he explained in a robotic voice. "We took her to Healers around the world just to be sure. All said the same thing." He gulped. "She was fine. Occasionally, she got headaches or got dizzy but only in the last few months has it really been bothering her. We knew it would be the end eventually but I … I really thought we had more time."

Draco grabbed his hand away from Hermione's and used it to cover his eyes as he cried some more.

Hermione took his tea and put it down before moving so she was sitting beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and holding him close. "I'm sorry," she said, crying right along with him. She didn't know what to say other than that. When she found out her own mother was dying she didn't want her loved ones to say anything. She just wanted them to be there.

And, so, that's what she did, staying by Draco's side and continuing to hold him as he cried. He came out from behind his hand and sank into her. At first he was hysterical, soaking her shirt as he clung to her like he was afraid she might vanish, but, slowly, he began to calm, eventually just resting against her chest as she stroked a hand soothingly through his hair.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice strained and quiet. "I know I shouldn't have come here."

"Of course you should have," said Hermione. "I care about you, Draco, and I hate to see you hurting like this. Whenever you need me, I'm here for you."

Draco pulled back and looked at her. Their bodies were still incredibly close and he could feel every breath she took, every heartbeat. Her arms were wrapped around his shoulders, one hand still playing with strands of his hair while his arms were around her waist. As Draco gazed into her amber eyes, her breath quickened. And then he couldn't stop himself. He leaned in and kissed her, needing to have the feeling of her lips pressed against his.

Hermione did not object, closing her eyes as the taste of salt fell onto her tongue. Draco whimpered softly as he kissed her. Never in his life had ever needed to just feel someone so much before, to have that comfort from knowing he was not alone. Her lips felt different that night and, as he pulled away, he knew, without a doubt, that this woman - this incredible woman in front of him was the one he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with.

"I'm sorry," he said again.

Hermione gulped. "It's all right." She pressed her forehead against his. "You know you have to go back to the hospital now."

Draco nodded but he did not move. "You're coming."

"Yes," she said, her voice sounding as raw as his. "I just need to get changed."

Hermione continued to hold Draco, even as his arms released her, making her suddenly feel very empty. She pulled back and kissed his forehead, really having to force herself to move away from him.

Once she was standing, she warmed his tea with her wand and handed it to him. "You're still chilled."

He took it and began to drink.

Hermione headed for her bedroom, changing quickly into jeans and a t-shirt. After putting on some practical shoes and a coat, Hermione looked over at the item she had been keeping in the bed with her. Draco's coat. She frowned when she realized he would need it outside.

She sighed and grabbed it, heading back out to the living room. Draco had not moved, but the tea was just about gone.

"I forgot to give this back to you last week," she lied, handing him the coat.

Draco stood up and put it on. Once they were ready, Hermione grabbed his arm and Apparated them to a shop she knew was deserted near St. Mungo's. They headed outside, walked a couple blocks and stepped through the window of Purge and Dowse, Ltd.

When they arrived in St. Mungo's, Draco froze. He stared off towards the stairs, his eyes beginning to glaze again. But then he felt something warm. A clammy hand entering his. He turned his head to see Hermione watching him. She smiled softly, looking just as beautiful in her practical attire as she did dressed up for a ball.

Hermione squeezed Draco's hand and pulled him forward, getting them as far as the stairs before letting him take the lead.

Draco walked up to his mother's floor, continuing to hold Hermione's hand, her grip not softening, even as they walked down the corridor. A light flickered above them and Hermione flicked her wand, fixing it before he even had a finger on his.

They arrived outside of his mother's door and Draco stopped. He faced Hermione. "You don't have to -"

"Draco, I want to," she said. "I'll stay here as long as you need me."

He nodded. Without having to ask, even though he was thinking it, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He hugged back, just holding her for a moment and getting the last of his tears out before opening the door to the room.

"Draco!" said Narcissa, sitting up a little more in her bed the moment she saw her son. "Are you all right?"

"Why are you even asking me that?" he said, staring at her lying there, forced to remain in such a drab room for at least several more days. It did not suit her at all.

"Fair point," she said, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione stepped out from behind him and did her best to smile. "I hope you don't mind that I came along."

Rose's eyes lit up when she saw her mother.

"Not at all," said Narcissa. "The way the press feeds off of our family, it will only be a matter of days before the entire wizarding world knows, anyway."

Draco and Hermione looked at each other. "I'm sure we can keep this secret. At least for a while," said Hermione.

Narcissa nodded softly. "Draco, come here," she said, holding out her hand.

Draco slowly moved forward, reaching out when he got close and taking his mother's hand. "We knew this was coming, my love. There is no need to be sad. I'm ready."

Those last words nearly had Draco in tears again. Lucius remained firm, holding his wife's other hand but Scorpius was not as strong, and he cried again. Rose looked so lost beside him.

"I think we could all use some tea," said Hermione. "Rose, could you come up to the tearoom with me?"

Rose looked at Scorpius. He nodded and released her hand. She stood up and followed her mother out.

Once the door was shut, Hermione said, "Let's take our time. I think they all need to talk through this." She put her arm around Rose's shoulders and guided her towards the stairs.

Rose, in return, put her arm around her mother's waist and her head on her shoulder. "Where did you find him?" Rose asked.

"His house," Hermione lied. "But he was soaking wet. I think he had been wandering around for a while."

"Thanks for bringing him back. I know how much you hate hospitals."

This was very true. After seeing her mother and her father die in one, she had really developed hatred for it all. Especially the smell. But Hermione would suffer through anything for the ones she loved.

"I just can't believe this," said Rose with tears in her eyes. "It's so horrible. And with how excited she is about the wedding … It just doesn't seem fair that she probably won't be there."

Hermione nodded. "Life is often unfair."

No words had ever rung so true.