A/N: We're getting so close to the end! And yet there's still so much to resolve, not to mention all of the drama in store. Mwahaha!

So an anonymous reviewer by the name of Lisstigs recommended a song for CaBW that I really like. I don't know if it completely fits for that story, but I like it during the stair scene in this chapter. Wings by Birdy. Give it a listen.

Hermione stared out the window of Kingsley's office while Draco sat at his desk, reading the article about them in Witch Weekly aloud and unable to hide his disgust. They had rightly stated that the relationship began in June shortly after the announcement of their children's engagement but, aside from that, it was pretty much rubbish.

"Oh, and here comes my favorite part!" Draco said boomingly before continuing on with the article. "' An anonymous source close to the couple claims that they have been actively working to break their children up before the wedding day, so as to justify their relationship. ' Yet, earlier, it claimed this was just a casual fling and you were on the rebound. I'll never understand why people read this fucking shit!"

He tossed the magazine against the wall. Blaise, who was standing near where it landed, bent down and picked it up so that he might finish reading.

Draco's phone began to ring in his pocket. He took it out, looked at the name and answered. "Alex, what did you find out?" he asked, putting it on speaker phone.

" I just had security check. The wards are up, Draco. If someone took them down then it didn't last very long. The guards check everything every fifteen minutes ."

"Then have them start checking every ten fucking minutes, Alex! This is inexcusable!"

" Instead of blaming the guards you might want to start thinking about who knows our security system well enough to get it down, take a photo from across the street and get it up again in fifteen minutes ," said Alexandra. " There's nothing more I can do here. I'm coming back to the Ministry to work ."

She hung up before Draco could object.

"Would Annette know your security system at all?" asked Hermione, still staring down at the mass of reporters that did not seem to be dying down, only growing.

"I don't know," said Draco. "She might. She's been all over the bloody building."

"Is she the one I saw?" asked Blaise, finally rolling up the magazine and putting it in his pocket.

"Yes," they both answered.

"If I were you I'd just assume it was her," said Blaise. "It's not like it bloody matters. It's out there. Instead of focusing on who did it you should really put more energy into figuring out how we're going to fix this."

"I thought that's what we're paying you for," said Draco.

"It is," said Blaise. "And I will fix this, but it will go a lot faster if you cooperate."

"Your secretary's coming through the crowd," said Hermione, looking back at Draco. "Doesn't seem like anyone knows him, he's pushing through pretty easily."

"Does he have coffee?" asked Draco. The press had been really aggressive that morning and they had knocked all of their coffees right out of Alexandra's hands.

"Yes."

"Thank fucking Merlin."

"Maybe it was the secretary ," said Blaise with a laugh.

Draco stiffened. The room suddenly became very quiet. Hermione turned and looked at him again, immediately noticing the wheels turning in his head. "Draco, no . Eddie is a very sweet boy."

"Who blackmailed me," reminded Draco.

" Backwards blackmail . "

"Backwards or forwards, nothing like this ever happened before he started working for me. Flash forward two weeks and here we are."

"Coincidence," said Hermione.

"Not to mention, long overdue," added Blaise. "You two lovebirds haven't been known to be very careful." He smirked.

"I wasn't aware we had to be in a bloody secure office with a private Floo network," spat Draco.

A few moments later, the lift opened and Kingsley stepped out with Eddie right beside him, chatting nervously. He smiled when the Minister happily led him into his office.

"Sorry it took so long, Mr. Malfoy," he said, handing Draco his coffee. "A different group of reporters are hanging out around the coffee shop since you two have been spotted there together so frequently." He walked another cup over to Hermione. "I couldn't even get in. Luckily, my friend was working and he let me in through the back."

"Thank you, Edward," said Draco, watching him with a distrustful eye.

"What did the Elders say?" Hermione asked Kingsley nervously.

"They said to make this disappear," answered Kingsley. He looked at Blaise.

"Still brainstorming," said Blaise. He kept eyeing something on Kingsley's desk. Then he walked over to it and sat on the edge, glancing at Hermione and waiting for her to stare out the window again before slipping his hand into her purse and grabbing her phone. "Excuse me for a moment," he said, standing up and walking out of the room.

"They weren't just talking about the scandal, were they?" asked Hermione, turning and looking at Kingsley again.

Draco, who had been very focused on his coffee, looked up.

"No," Kingsley answered honestly. "They would like the entire relationship to disappear."

Draco tensed.

Hermione looked back out the window. "Tell them that's not their call," she said. She then stood up straight and turned around. "As fun as this is, I have work that needs to get done." She went over and picked up her purse. "Call me if you need me, Minister."

She walked out of the office, crossing her arms and not giving Draco so much as a glance. Blaise was in the front room on the phone with someone. He said a quick goodbye and hung up when he saw her. "Where are you off to?" he asked, walking over to her.

"Work," she answered. "There's nothing I can do here. That's your job."

As she headed for the lift, Blaise grabbed her arm. She turned.

"Perk up, Granger. I've got this," he said, winking and slyly slipping her phone back into her purse.

Hermione said nothing, just nodded before heading for the lift and riding it back to her floor. She walked to her office, her eyes lowered to the floor so she wouldn't have to meet anyone's gaze. They were all looking at her. The entire bloody floor.

"You alright?" asked Teddy as she passed his desk.

"Yes," she answered simply, continuing into her office.

When she got to her desk, she put her purse away and collapsed into her chair, sighing heavily before tossing her head back and staring up at the ceiling.

"Shit," she whispered to herself, closing her eyes and thinking about how her entire career, everything she had worked so hard for might have been destroyed in one fell swoop.

Hermione did not open her eyes until she heard footsteps approaching her office door. Draco was coming her way, sneering at no one in particular before finally turning towards the rest of the floor and saying, "Yes, I am going into her office. And I'll even be shutting the door." He bowed to everyone before slamming it behind him. "What's wrong?" he asked Hermione the moment they were alone.

"I think that should be pretty obvious," she answered.

"No," said Draco, walking over to her desk. "That's not what I mean and you know it. You're angry with me. Why?"

"I'm not."

"You are."

"I …" Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm angry with myself. For even thinking what I'm thinking, but it popped into my head and I can't get it out of my mind."

"What is it?" he asked, looking concerned.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked at him. She sighed. "I just need you to promise me that you had nothing to do with this."

Draco went stiff. "What?"

"I know, I know!" shouted Hermione, covering her face with her hands. "It's crazy of me to even think it, but I know how much you wanted us to be out of the shadows and … well, now we are." She lowered her hands.

"Hermione … I would never do that to you. To your career," he said sincerely. "Yes, I wanted us out, but not like fucking this. This is ridiculous."

"Okay." Hermione nodded and looked sadly down at her desk. "I believe you. I'm sorry."

"Hermione."

She looked up at him.

"I know I fucked up in the beginning. A lot . And I probably never deserved that second chance you gave me." Draco stopped and gulped. "But I really am trying. I love you and I don't want to mess this up."

Hermione attempted a smile. "I love you, too."

He lifted one finger and beckoned her over. Hermione stood and walked to him, letting him take her in his arms and resting her head on his shoulder. The warmth and tenderness of his touch was enough to make her forget about all of her troubles. This feeling was why she had been so willing to risk it all from the beginning. She knew that running for Minister while recently divorced and in a relationship with a controversial man was a risk, but it was one worth taking. She wanted this job, but not if it meant giving up her happiness.

"I should get to work in the Patrol Office," said Draco, though he made no attempt to let her go.

Hermione nodded against him, nuzzling her face into his chest and breathing in his aroma. So intoxicating.

Finally, Draco pulled back, lifted her chin with his hand and kissed her. "We'll fix this," he whispered, kissing the top of her head before finally letting her go. He walked towards the door and opened it, looking back at her once and attempting to smile before exiting.

Shortly after he had left, someone else appeared in the doorway. "Hi, Harry," she said, walking back over to her desk and sitting down.

"You alright?" he asked, walking over to her. He took a seat across from her.

"As good as to be expected," she said. "Considering my entire career might have just been ruined by one intrusive photo."

"I don't think so. Golden trio, remember?" He attempted to smile, but pulled it back when it was not met with hers. "Sorry."

"People seem to forget all the good you have done amidst things like this."

"I don't understand how this is a scandal," said Harry. "I get that it's frowned upon, and kinda weird."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Come on, Hermione! If you marry him you'll be making your daughter and her husband step-siblings."

"We're not getting married, Harry. He's made it very clear that he has no interest in marrying again and, frankly, I don't think I ever want to either. I've been married, I had my children, there's no reason why I have to do it again. Other than being married makes politicians more likeable, for some reason.

"I suppose it has to do with showing you have family values," he said.

"But I have those. No one can argue that."

Harry nodded. "I certainly wouldn't. And you have my support. One-hundred percent." He smiled. This time, she smiled back. "So what's the plan?" he asked.

"I don't know, Zabini is still coming up with a strategy," she answered. "But, as my own personal side project I think it's time to get Witch Weekly on my side." She took a piece of parchment and a quill out of her desk. "Care to help me write a letter to Parvati?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "What're you going to say?"

"Just scheduling a lunch date. I'll figure the rest out later. But I definitely plan to tell her exactly how I feel. Face-to-face."

Harry smiled. "Now that's something I'd love to see."

Sometime just before noon, Hermione bewitched the window in her office to show the atrium, like Kingsley's. The crowd of reporters and photographers had still not died down. She didn't understand what they were waiting for. While it was required to enter the Ministry by telephone booth or Floo, exiting by Disapparating was completely possible and so clearly what she and Draco were going to do. Maybe they hoped Draco would have left and forgot something so he had to come back, but even they had to realize how stupid of a theory that was. Draco was not an idiot. If he left then he would not be coming back for any reason.

"How's it looking out there?"

Hermione swiveled in her chair and looked at Ron standing in her doorway. She frowned. "No better." She turned back and looked out the window again. "Did they get you when you came in?"

"Yeah," he said, walking over and running a hand through his hair. "One of the ones up front shoved a magazine into my hand and asked me what I thought of it. Luckily, Harry was with me and he pulled me through before I had to answer anyone." He paused. "What should I tell them?"

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "I suppose we should officially announce our divorce."

"Yeah," he said. "I figured as much."

The two of them stared down at the crowd silently.

"I'm really sorry about this," she said after several minutes.

"Don't be," he said, looking down at her.

She glanced up and met his sad eyes.

"Just … tell me he's worth it. All this, Rosie not speaking to us, Ginny going ballistic on me on the phone earlier when she found out."

Hermione frowned. "She did?"

"Yeah, she couldn't believe I didn't tell her. I'm sure Harry'll get a mouthful later, too."

She sighed and looked back out the window. "I don't really know if I can tell you that, Ron. But I like him, I like being with him and I want to continue our relationship. The crowd will eventually die down, Rose will forgive us and Ginny will forgive you , but, in this moment, it doesn't feel worth it." She stopped and gulped. "But I think it is."

"Alright then," he said. "Whatever you want to do, I'll do it. Eye on the prize, right? Minister . Or Ministress … Is that a word?"

Hermione smiled. "No." She looked back up and met his eyes. "Thank you."

The two of them gazed at each other for a moment, for the first time in a long time feeling the connection, the bond they had formed so many years ago. The friendship they had long before they ever fell in love.

Their moment was interrupted by one loud knock on her door. They both turned to see Draco standing there, looking quite unamused. "Edward has volunteered to go and get us lunch," he said, never taking his untrusting eyes off of Ron.

"Oh," she said. "I thought you were only going to work here part of the day."

Now his eyes moved to her. "I had Edward reschedule all of my meetings so I can work a full day here. That way I won't have to come back tomorrow."

She nodded. "Just me then," she said, giving an unenthusiastic smile. "Lucky girl."

"So what would you all like?" asked Eddie, stepping into the office and smiling energetically with a quill and parchment in hand.

Just then, there was a loud commotion coming from the atrium. They all turned.

"What the hell?" said Ron, leaning in so his face was practically against the glass and squinting as someone stepped out of one of the fireplaces, causing quite a bit of excitement amongst the reporters.

"Is that Rose?" said Hermione, jumping to her feet as she caught sight of the flowing red hair.

Draco rushed over to the window and looked out, his eyes skipping the redhead and immediately going to the white-blond head beside her. "What the fucking shit is this?" he spat, already turning and heading for the lift.

Hermione hurried after him, Ron only a step behind her.

" What are they doing here?" Draco asked as they all stepped into the lift.

"Your guess is as good as mine," said Hermione. "I tried calling Rose earlier but she didn't answer."

The three of them rode the lift to the atrium. They stepped off and began marching towards the crowd. Blaise, who had been leaning casually against a pillar, caught sight of them and hurried to catch up.

"Hey! Where you going?" he asked, stepping in front of them and holding out his hands. "I am pretty sure I made it clear earlier that you should avoid the press at all costs until we have our game plan."

Hermione pushed his hands down. "I believe the game plan right now, Zabini, is to get my daughter out of that …"

"Rose Weasley, what do you think about your mother's affair with your fiancé's father?"

"Are you on your mother's side or your father's?"

"Is the rumor about her pregnancy true?"

"Are you excited to be married step-siblings?"

"Did your parents really try to break the two of you up?"

"Ms. Weasley, is there anything you would like to say about -"

"Actually, yes," Rose said suddenly, stopping in the middle of the crowd just near the edge of the atrium. "There is something I would like to say!"

Everyone waited.

Rose glanced around. "Well, back off first," she said motioning. "Give me some bloody room to breathe."

The reporters and photographers each took several steps back, forming a perfect circle around her and Scorpius. The latter waved his wand, causing the stone floor to rise and giving Rose a platform. She stepped onto it and cleared her throat.

"What you have all read in Witch Weekly this morning is rubbish ," she said. "The only thing even remotely true in this article is the photo."

Gasps all around.

"Yes, my mother and Scorpius' father are seeing each other. Does that mean their privacy should be invaded in Mr. Malfoy's personal office? Certainly not!" she declared. "I am hearing a lot of you throwing around the word scandal but I have yet to see one. My mother is in a relationship. She has been in a relationship for several months and Scorpius and I are very much aware of it."

One reporter raised their hand and shouted, "But what about your fath -"

"My father and mother are no longer together. While I do not normally take it upon myself to share their business I feel it is alright to make this one exception. They are divorced."

More gasps.

"There has been no formal announcement about this because it is a family matter. This all is a family matter!"

"You're not upset about -"

"No. My mother is a good and honest woman who has been nothing but truthful to me about this relationship from the beginning. She has done a lot for the wizarding world, and it amazes me how quick so many of you are to forget about all of that after reading an article that was so obviously fabricated to sell magazines."

"And my father has worked hard to refurbish the Malfoy name after the war," added Scorpius. "He is very much committed to this relationship and is excited to stand behind Hermione Granger, one of the most respected witches of our time when she runs for Minister for Magic next year."

Rose and Scorpius looked at each other and smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we brought our parents lunch -" She held up a bag she was holding. "- since you have them locked inside of this place. That is all." Rose stepped down from her platform. Scorpius waved his wand and the stone sank back into the floor. The two of them walked hand-in-hand out of the atrium, finally looking a little nervous when they saw their parents standing there.

Without a word, Blaise rushed them all towards the lift. When the doors closed, he said, "You altered my speech."

Rose huffed. "Because it was cold," she said. "We wanted to sound like two children standing up for their parents, not campaign managers."

"Did I say I was complaining?" said Blaise, smirking to himself.

"My part sounded bloody weird," said Scorpius. "I don't think people really talk like that, but I guess they seemed satisfied."

"This was your doing?" Hermione asked Blaise.

"A united front," he said, glancing over at her and winking.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "How did you even get into contact with them so quickly?"

"I stole your phone," he answered proudly. "I've watched you enter your passcode a dozen times. Never know when it might come in handy." He smirked. "Weasel, I suspect I'll have something nice and supportive for you to say when you walk out of here later."

"I Apparate," said Ron.

"Not today," ordered Blaise. Then he glanced sideways at him. "You are onboard, aren't you?"

Ron looked at Draco, who happily met his eye. Then he looked at Hermione, arms crossed as she avoided his gaze for a moment, only to look up and sigh.

"Yeah," he finally said. "I am. If Hermione doesn't win Minister then we might get stuck with bloody Cormac or something."

There was slight awkward laughter all around the lift.

It finally stopped, once again, on the Minister's floor. They all stepped out. Kingsley was waiting. "How did it go?" he asked.

"Beautifully," said Blaise. "Really, the young Weasel is an excellent speech giver. Ever think about going into politics, kid?"

"Never," said Rose with a roll of her eyes.

"I also have a few choice tabloids on the lookout for an opinion piece by our little writer." Blaise looked at Rose.

She raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

"Yeah, so get that to me by the end of the day. Older Weasel -" Blaise turned his attention to Ron. "- come with me into the Minister's office. It's time we discuss your spontaneous speech fueled by passion."

As they walked off, Draco noticed Hermione aggressively pressing something into her phone. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Changing my passcode," she answered. "Remind me to cover it whenever I'm around him." When she finally looked up, Rose was handing her the bag she was holding.

"We really did get you lunch," she said. "We figured it should look authentic."

"Thank you," said Hermione, taking the bag.

"It's that sandwich from that place you've been talking about for a few months now," said Rose. "Which I only now realize is right near Malfoy Enterprises."

Hermione frowned. "Yes, it is."

Rose nodded and began looking around uncomfortably. "I should probably get back to work," she said, looking at her watch. "You should too," she added to Scorpius.

"Yeah," he said. "Ask your manager to try and keep you off the floor."

"I think she'll want to after all of the non-customer attention I was getting before I left for lunch."

Just as they were preparing themselves to Apparate, Hermione called Rose's name. Her daughter waited.

"Just … thank you," Hermione said again. "For more than just the sandwich."

Rose nodded. "Kinda a stupid thing for someone to lose an election over. I'll stop supporting you when you commit a real scandal." She paused. "But don't think I'm not still mad at you."

Hermione gave a half-smile. "I know you are. Just … call next time you need something for your wedding, will you?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Rose, faking a smile before finally Disapparating. Scorpius was quick to follow.

"See?" said Draco as soon as they were gone. "She's already getting there!"

Hermione looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Sandwiches in my office?" she asked, holding up the bag.

"Sure. Are we shagging, too?"

" No ," she said sternly. "No more anything in our offices. We're lucky that photo was just a kiss."

"Yeah, that crossed my mind," he said, taking her hand and pressing the button for the lift. It opened and they stepped in. "At least we can do this out in the open now." He swung their hands.

Hermione chuckled. "Yes, we can."

"And this." He leaned in and kissed her just as the lift closed. She had to admit. This was pretty nice.

Hermione sat in her office several hours later, attempting to work but unable to take her window's view away from the atrium. The reporters were thinning but they were still there, interviewing just about anyone who came in or out and was willing to talk.

There was a knock on her door and she looked up. Colby was standing in her doorway. "I know you don't work with us anymore, but I really can't take another bloody minute with that McLaggen."

Hermione smiled. "Yes, he's particularly insufferable today, isn't he?"

Colby nodded.

"I think he's just upset for me." She motioned towards the window. "You know."

"Yeah," said Colby, staring out of it for a moment. "I heard your daughter made an impressive speech out there." He paused. "I thought she and Scorpius didn't know."

"They both found out fairly recently," said Hermione. "Apparently, Draco and I are really bad at keeping secrets." She waved him into her office. "So what seems to be the trouble?"

"Umm …" Colby looked down at the notepad he was holding. "The office … it …" His eyes drifted up and he stared out of her charmed window.

Hermione turned and looked. "Yes, I suppose I should probably get rid of this now," she said, picking up her wand and waving it at the window, giving herself a scenic mountain view instead. Maybe the peacefulness of it would calm her nerves. "Best not to remind myself that my campaign for Minister might be over before it even begins."

Colby's eyes widened. "What? I didn't know you were running."

Hermione pursed her brow. "Weren't you here when Kingsley held that press conference nominating me?"

"Yeah, but you didn't accept right then," he said, his voice a little shaky. "I figured with your divorce and Draco that you weren't going to run."

"Why not?" she said with a shrug of her shoulders. "This is what I've been working for since I was eleven. I'm not going to let a few bumps in the road stop me. Not even this massive bump." She frowned. "Though that article did say some truly horrible things about me. I can only hope people won't forget all of the good I've done."

Colby gulped.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Are you alright?" she asked.

He nodded. "I should get back to the Auror Office."

"Wasn't there something you wanted to ask me?"

"I can figure it out on my own." He stood.

"Colby."

And headed for the door.

"Colby!"

Just before he reached it, Hermione waved her wand and it slammed in his face.

"Colby!" she said for one firm and final time.

He turned back and looked at her. She was looking at him, arms crossed and brow furrowed. "What did you do?" she demanded.

"Nothing," he answered.

Her eyes narrowed. "You're lying. Tell me the truth right now."

He said nothing.

"Did you have something to do with that article?" she asked.

Still nothing.

"If you won't tell me then maybe I'll just call your boss and -"

" No ," Colby said sharply. "Look, I didn't have anything to do with the article, alright?"

Hermione pursed her lips. "Then how about the photo?"

He suddenly turned very pale.

Hermione grunted. "Seriously? Colby! What-the-hell!"

Colby gulped again. "I didn't know you were running for Minister."

"But … how ? Why ? You let a bloody photographer invade our privacy like that? What if …" She stopped, took a breath and leaned in. "What if we were doing more than kissing?" she whispered harshly.

"I wouldn't let that happen," he said. "I did it. I took the photo. You take the Floo to his office so I Apparated outside of the building, went in, turned off the bloody charm and Apparated to the building next door. I timed it so you'd just be arriving. I just wanted proof, I wouldn't have taken any photos of anything more than what I did!"

"But why ?" she asked again.

"Because I didn't know Scorpius already knew! I wanted him to be pissed at Draco and you to fucking leave him when you realized your family is never going to be alright with this! You deserve better than that shit!"

Hermione was taken aback. "I don't understand," she said. "You've always gotten on so well. Why would you do this to him?"

"Because he slept with my fucking wife!" Colby shouted, his face turning beet-red and veins popping out of his forehead.

Hermione turned pale. She gulped.

"You don't look surprised," said Colby, his angry voice quivering. "You knew about this?"

Hermione tensed. "I … Yes, I did," she admitted. "I'm so sorry, Colby. I won't even defend him. What he did was wrong. He knows what he did was wrong."

"And that's supposed to make it alright?" he asked with tears in his eyes.

Hermione shook her head. "No, of course not," she said, taking a deep breath. "How did you find out?"

"She told me," he admitted. "She told me lots of things I wish I could unhear." His sad eyes cast down to the floor. "I'm not an idiot, Hermione, I wasn't completely unaware of the things she'd been doing, but I loved her and I thought I could look the other way, but I can't anymore. The … bitch is fucking crazy! I ended up telling her about the two of you. It just came out and that's when she told me about fucking New Year's," he spat. "She told me months ago she was done with the cheating, and even though it was a year ago I just couldn't believe her anymore. So I snuck home early one night and she was there with that fucking photographer that always follows you. They were trying to come up with some sort of plan to end the two of you, so that she could swoop in during his misery and get pregnant so he'd have to marry her. I don't know why but she wants him, and it all makes me fucking sick!"

Hermione's jaw had dropped at that confession. She knew from the moment she met Annette that she wasn't a good person, but to try and trap Draco like that … Well, he was just lucky she hadn't thought of that a year ago.

"She never wanted to have kids with me yet this is alright," said Colby, shaking his head and breathing heavily through his nose. "The last ten years of my life … a fucking waste."

Hermione looked down at the floor and sighed. "I'm so sorry, Colby. You didn't deserve -"

There was a knock at Hermione's door. Before she could even say anything, it opened and Draco stepped in. "I'm telling you, Hermione, it's that bloody kid who did it. Six fucking months together and we're fine, then just weeks after I hire him this happens!"

Hermione glanced at Colby for a brief moment, watching the way he recoiled from his boss. She looked back at Draco. "I really don't think -"

"Yeah, I know you don't. But it just makes bloody sense that -"

Another knock. "Mr. Malfoy?" Eddie stepped in. "Did I do something -"

Alexandra walked up behind him and shoved him into the office, shutting the door behind them. "Instead of acting like school children, why don't we get this elephant out of the room, shall we? Draco, tell Edward what's on your mind."

Draco tensed.

Hermione moved out from behind her desk. "Alex, I don't think -"

"Edward, I took a great gamble hiring you and, so far, you haven't disappointed. You've been almost too good to be true. Which leads me to believe that maybe you are."

Hermione winced. "Draco, please don't."

"I don't understand," said Eddie. "You think I lied about my experience?"

An uncomfortable silence encased the room. Hermione looked at Colby again. It appeared that he wasn't going to say anything. "Edward - Eddie," she corrected. "Could you please just tell Draco that you had nothing to do with that photo being taken?"

Eddie's eyes widened. " What ?"

"That wasn't an answer," said Draco.

"No!" shouted Eddie. "Of course I didn't! I wouldn't know how to take that charm down even if I wanted to! I didn't even know it existed until today!"

"There you go," said Hermione to Draco.

"But it makes no bloody sense," snapped Draco. "Who else could've -"

"Didn't Zabini tell us to stop focusing on the who and instead figure out how we're going to fix this?"

"I can do both," said Draco. "Even if it was someone on the outside, someone that works for me had to have helped them and I want to know who."

"Well, it wasn't me," Eddie said coldly, obviously completely insulted. As he should be.

"I will be looking into that," said Draco. "Along with everyone else at my -"

"Draco, no!" snapped Hermione. "Please, just let it go!"

"No. Not until I find out -"

"Oh bloody hell! It was fucking me, alright?" Colby shouted suddenly.

The room became eerily quiet.

"What?" asked Draco, his eyes widening in disbelief. He shook his head. "No. You're just saying that because you know I'd never look into -"

"No, I'm not," said Colby, his face firm. "I'm saying it because I did it. Ask Hermione. She'll vouch for me."

Draco looked to Hermione. She sighed and shrugged.

"Well, that was stupid. Why would you do that?" asked Alexandra.

"I don't know," Colby said scornfully. "Draco, can you think of any reason why I might want to fuck with your life?"

Draco tensed. He looked over at Hermione. She nodded softly. "Could we talk about this in private?" he asked Colby.

Colby chuckled. " No ," he spat. "I don't want to talk about this in private. There is literally nothing you can say to make me feel bad about this!"

"The only person whose life you might have fucked with by leaking that photograph is Hermione's," said Draco.

"Fine. I feel bad about that ," admitted Colby. "But certainly nothing to do with you." He looked at Hermione. "He's a fucking loser, Hermione. He's only going to disappoint you, just like everyone else in his miserable life."

Draco's fists began to clench. "How dare you -"

"You've destroyed my life!" shouted Colby with tears in his eyes. "Can you really blame me for hoping yours gets just as fucked as mine?"

Alexandra's eyes were darting around the room as she seemed afraid to move. Eddie had ceased all movement completely as he tried to just fade into the wall.

"What are you talking about?" asked Alexandra, her voice quiet, as if she was almost afraid to ask.

"Why don't you ask my wife?" said Colby, his wet, flaming eyes still on Draco. "Though not for much longer. The divorce proceedings are already underway."

Alexandra looked to Draco, who avoided her gaze. "Draco … you didn't?"

But his eyes answered it all.

Her mouth fell open. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Colby, I'm sorry," said Draco. "I never meant for it to … I was drunk and wasn't thinking. But as soon as I sobered up I got the hell -"

Colby laughed. "You were drunk . You are always drunk, Draco! I honestly don't know why we never address this issue. Do you think being drunk is a fucking excuse?" he shouted, veins bulging on his forehead.

"No," Draco said quietly. "Of course not. What I did was … inexcusable."

"Glad you realize that."

Silence encased the room again.

"I can't do this shit anymore," said Colby, shaking his head about. "You slept with my wife, treated yours like shit, treated a million other women like shit, yet now you're dating the bloody future Minister, and you're happy and in love and it's bullshit! How is this fucking fair?"

No one answered.

"I quit, Draco. I want nothing to do with you or Malfoy Enterprises. I'm done."

Draco took a deep breath. "I really think you should reconsider -"

"No, I won't bloody reconsider!" screamed Colby. "If I'm lucky I'll never see your shit face again!" He headed for the door. "Fuck you, Draco!" He paused before opening it. "Maybe the two of you isn't the only affair the press should hear about."

And with that, Colby opened the door. He slammed his notebook on Teddy's desk as he passed it, charging for the lift.

Draco didn't move. Neither did Alexandra.

"Colby!" shouted Hermione, taking it upon herself to run after him. "Wait!"

The lift hadn't opened yet, and when Colby saw her coming he darted for the stairs.

"Colby, please!" she said, following him. "Don't do this."

"Why do you care so much about him?" he asked, still heading down the stairs. "He's a piece of shit!"

"He's not! He did a piece of shit thing. There's a difference."

"Little difference," he said.

"Colby!" She finally reached him and grabbed his arm. He paused and looked back at her. He had finally let the tears fall. "I'm so sorry," she said. "I know how much you loved her. But you deserve better and you will find it."

Colby gulped, everything inside of him aching, but nothing more than his heart. "In our prenup … if I can prove infidelity then she gets nothing of mine. Draco's is the only name I have."

Hermione nodded. "Okay. I'll talk to him."

He nodded in return. "I'm not going to say anything. That's not me. None of this is me." He paused. "I'm sorry if I hurt your campaign."

"I'll be fine," she said. "Just … take care of yourself."

Hermione leaned in and pulled him into a hug. Colby tensed at first, but soon lifted his arms and hugged back, his quiet tears soon becoming loud sobs.

When they pulled away, he wiped his eyes, looking up at something on the flight of stairs above them. Hermione turned, not surprised to see Draco there.

"There are few things I regret more than that night, Colby," he said. "I truly am sorry. You have been nothing but loyal to me over the years and you deserved better. From her and from me. If you ever change your mind, there will always be a job waiting for you."

"I never will," said Colby. "Goodbye, Draco."

With one last nod at Hermione, Colby Disapparated.

With a sigh, Hermione walked up to meet Draco, not much in the mood to hold his hand as they wandered slowly back to her floor. When they got there, Eddie was sitting on the top stair while Alexandra stood behind him, her arms crossed and her foot tapping angrily.

"I don't understand you," she said.

"I don't understand myself," Draco admitted. He looked at Eddie. "Sorry, kid."

Eddie shrugged, but it was obvious he wasn't over it.

"I'm not really sure what I can do to properly apologize."

"I don't know," said Eddie, pursing his lips. "Don't sleep with my fiancée?"

Silence.

Eddie chuckled uncomfortably. "I'm sorry. That was a really bad, ill-timed joke! Well, shit, you might as well just fire me now for being incredibly inappropriate."

"You just cursed," said Alexandra, looking mildly amused.

"Well … yeah," said Eddie, blushing. "I thought it was unprofessional to use that sort of language around the office."

"It is," Alexandra reassured him. "But your boss has little to no filter." She looked at Draco. "With Colby gone I will be expecting a promotion. Vice President of Malfoy Enterprises and a twenty-thousand Galleon a year raise."

Draco raised his eyebrows. "Is that all?"

"For now," she said. "I will send out a notification that we are looking for his replacement tomorrow morning by the off chance that he might change his mind."

Draco nodded. "Thank you, Alex."

"Just do us all a favor and keep it in your bloody pants from now on. Stick with this one." She pointed at Hermione. "And if you sleep with any other married women I'll be out, too. I have no tolerance for that shit."

Alexandra turned and headed back to work. Eddie looked at Draco.

"Go home for the day, Edward. There's no need for you to be here throughout this."

"Call me Eddie."

Draco cocked an eyebrow.

"I don't like Edward," he said. "You want to make it up to me? There you go."

Draco smirked. "Alright, Eddie. Get out of here."

He nodded, stood, and Disapparated.

Draco glanced over at Hermione, who was staring blankly down at the floor. He touched her hand. Her head shot up and she looked at him.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Your career is in jeopardy because of something I did."

"It's fine," she said, even though it really wasn't.

Draco sighed. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, hugging her into his chest. Hermione lifted her arms and hugged him back. And then they just stayed like that. Finally allowed to touch like this where they could be seen but neither knowing what they were supposed to do next.

Hermione sat in a private room in the back of the restaurant that Draco had gotten her permission to use, waiting for her guest to arrive. She had her chin propped up by her clasped hands and was tapping her foot impatiently. Parvati Patil was led through the door by a hostess the exact minute they had planned to meet.

"Well, this is fancy," said Parvati, taking a seat. She ordered some fruity cocktail from the hostess and sent her on her way. "Can you believe we sold a record high amount of magazines yesterday?"

"Yes, I can," said Hermione, lowering her hands to the table. "Out of curiosity, where did you get your information for that article?"

"The wife of the guy who gave us the photo. She had a lot to say about the two of you," said Parvati with a laugh.

"Hmm …" Hermione lifted her firewhiskey and took a sip. "I'm here to make a deal with you, Parvati. Since you insist on writing about me and my family, I must insist that you come straight to me before publishing anything. I will give you stories, and Rose and Scorpius have even given me permission to offer Witch Weekly the first photos of their wedding, free of charge."

"Really?" said Parvati, raising her eyebrows. "What's the catch?"

"The rubbish stops," Hermione said firmly. "You were my roommate, Parvati. You know me well enough to have guessed that everything that woman told you was lies. You will stop publishing photos of Draco with various women and calling him a playboy, other than the wedding photos that I will give to you, you will leave Rose and Scorpius alone completely, you will not publish anything about me to damage my campaign for Minister for Magic."

"Sounds boring," said Parvati.

"If you don't accept then I will be happy to find someone else who will. You want inside information on my life and I'm offering it to you. I'm willing to work with you on this. And I even have right here -" She leaned down and grabbed some parchment out of her purse. "- an article that Rose wrote on this whole mess. It's yours."

Parvati reached for it, but Hermione pulled it back.

"If you sign a contract." She grabbed the outmost piece of parchment and put it on the table so Parvati could read it. "This is just a three year contract. We will revisit it shortly before it expires and discuss possible changes."

"I can't be biased during your campaign," said Parvati.

"While I find it funny that you are suddenly preaching moral integrity, I'm not asking you to be biased. I'm asking you to write the truth. Draco and I are together, our children are getting married next week and we couldn't be happier about it. We also have a date on Saturday. Our first out in the open and once you sign I will tell you exactly where we will be."

Hearing that, Parvati immediately took out her wand and used it to sign her name to the contract. Hermione took it back and rolled it up, handing Parvati Rose's article before putting the contract away in her purse.

"We will be having dinner at Belle Fleur before walking around Diagon Alley to enjoy the Christmas decorations. And, for legal reasons, I couldn't put this in the contract but I have one more request."

"And what's that?"

"Fire that photographer, Rimmer, who always follows us. While I normally don't believe in being so spiteful, he has gone above and beyond to try and ruin mine and Draco's lives and I feel little sympathy for him."

"Alright, done," said Parvati. "Never liked him anyway. He tries to be a reporter but he can't write to save his life."

Hermione nodded. "I believe we're done here." She grabbed her purse and stood.

Parvati pursed her brow. "But it's still early. Don't you want to actually have lunch and catch up?"

"I haven't had the courage to say this to you before now, Parvati, but I suddenly find myself caring very little if I hurt your feelings," said Hermione. "You and I are not friends. You've had your employees harass me, harass my children, harass Draco, Ron, Harry, Scorpius, and you very well may have ruined my chances of ever becoming Minister yesterday. We have a business arrangement. That is all."

She stepped out from behind the table and headed for the door.

"The room has already been paid for, along with anything you order, so feel free to stay as long as you like."

Hermione opened the door just as a waitress was arriving with Parvati's drink. She left without looking back, not even caring that her old friend was watching her leave with sad eyes, looking completely shocked by her confession. She truly didn't get it. But maybe she would finally start to.

Extra A/N: I know it was a short 'who dunnit'. Many of you guessed Colby but most who did thought he had been influenced to do it by Annette. Nope! All him! I hope it was at least a little shocking. I know the song rec doesn't completely fit, but it was more about how Colby always felt about Annette.

Only one more chapter before they head off for Christmas and the wedding! All of these people sleeping in a castle together. Whatever could possibly happen … ;o)