Hermione sat at the small coffee table they had in their apartment. A bowl of cereal laid in front of her as she spooned it into her mouth.
Footsteps shuffled out of a room following a creak from a door closing. A tall ginger haired man walked into their shoebox kitchen and poured himself some coffee.
Ron took a seat across her and sipped the mug. He had on his red plaid pajamas with an undershirt on top. He looked up at her with sad eyes.
Hermione's heartbeat quickened. Did Ron know what was coming? How could she do this to him? Her best friend who she loved dearly. Could she really break his heart?
"Ron, I need to talk to you," she said sitting up straighter.
He leaned back in his chair and nodded for her to continue.
"I have loved you since I first met you on the train, even though I wasn't aware of it. When you had dirt on your nose and you were guzzling half the trolley with Harry," She paused to allow myself giggle and relish the sight of his reminiscing smile.
"I still love you. I look at you and see my best friend who I would die for. But I don't have the same feelings I once held for you. I have been Hermione Granger, the golden girl of the Trio for far too long. I want to be my own self."
"I know. You deserve it," he responded.
She tilted her head. This was not the reaction she had expected.
"You deserve to search yourself. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be you," he said giving her a sad smile.
She felt her eyes swell and gather tears. Hermione let a few escape before wiping them away. She was leaving and he was saying this to her?
He got out of his chair and walked over. Grabbing her shoulders, he lifted her up slowly so that she stood just below his nose. She looked up at him and he bent down to kiss away the falling tears. He moved to her lips and gave her a kiss to signal her it was time. A sweet simple kiss that was the seal to the end of the relationship.
She spoke to him gently. "You will find a girl who will love you more than I do. She will give her life to your happiness and you will love her more than anyone else in this entire universe. So when you find her, I'll be the first to love her for making my best friend happy."
At this he gave her a wide grin and pulled her into a warm embrace. She nestled her head into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her back touching the tips of her long wavy hair.
They pulled away and parted to get ready for the day. Ron occupied the shower while Hermione went to spell casting as she gathered all of her items into a bag with an extension charm placed.
Before packing her clothes she put on a blue sun dress with thin straps that floated a few inches above her knee. She owled Madam Barne's, the local wizard hotel. She would stay there until she found her own flat.
Hermione took a moment to close her eyes and breathe.
"Your life is ahead of you. Don't get too excited," she told herself.
But this would only be a beginning. Hermione couldn't wait to embark on the adventure that was lay in store for her.
"'Mione, I'm going to work now," said Ron dressed in a fresh suit from behind her.
She turned around and faced him. She put her bag down on the bed and raced up to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
"I'm going to miss you Ron."
He chuckled "I won't be going anywhere, Mione. Don't worry."
"Promise?" she asked timidly.
"Promise," he replied before kissing her cheek.
He waltzed out of the bedroom. A moment later, Hermione heard the door slam. She let out another sigh and continued packing.
Everything would be fine.
Hopefully.
*****
"Good morning, love," said a sultry voice.
Draco opened his eyes to see a dark haired raven sitting on top of him. She had a silky black robe on that no doubt had hidden lingerie underneath. Blue eyes hooked into his grey.
"Astoria," he smiled.
Draco and Astoria had been the it couple for a while now. Funny how at Hogwarts, 3 years ago, he would have never expected her to be like this. She was the quiet one who always kept to herself, much unlike her older sister Daphne. But nevertheless, they were together.
Astoria began to creep down towards his face when he caught a glance at the clock. He jumped up pushing her over onto the bed and ran to the bathroom of his lavish flat.
"Draco!" she yelled.
"Sorry, love, but I've got to get to work!" he said as he brushed his teeth quickly.
He splashed cold water all over his face and patted it dry with a fresh towel. He saw Astoria slink into the bathroom in the mirror. He continued to go to the closet and change into a pair of trousers and a dress shirt.
"You've been working a lot recently," she inquired.
"Yes... there's a large case at work. I'm on Potter an Weasley's team," he said.
"A half blood and a blood traitor," she scoffed.
Draco paused and looked at her. His face displayed an expression of disgust.
"Those were the old ways."
"Old or new, they're true!" she exclaimed.
"May I remind you, Potter is the reason my ass isn't in Azkaban. He's the reason Voldemort is dead!" He was shouting now. How could she be saying this? Astoria knew that the only reason the Malfoys had followed the Dark Lord was so they would not die.
"And would it be so bad if he was still here?" she said.
Draco wrinkled his eyebrows. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
He stormed out of the bathroom grabbing his wand and files in tow. Draco dissaparated angrily and came to the Auror's department. He entered his office and saw his secretary Penelope sorting out files in a drawer with hand.
"Good morning Penelope!" he greeted.
"Good morning Mr. Malfoy. You have a meeting with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley today and I have put your schedule on your desk," she said back briskly.
As always her brown hair was twisted in a bun and she had on her usual pencil skirt with a blouse. She must've been about Draco's age. Maybe a few years older.
"Thank you. Here are a few more files," he said handing her the folder.
She looked back at him with a bored face. She grabbed the files and pointed her wand at them.
"Alphabo," she said. The folder opened and sorted the papers in order.
He smiled at her kindly. "What time does the meeting start again?"
"Right now," she replied coldly.
Draco ran to the meeting from and saw Potter and Weasley sitting in leather chairs around a long chair.
They looked up as he barged in.
"You're late," said Harry.
"I've noticed. Sorry," he said taking a seat across from them.
They looked at him with ill faces. The relationship between the three was better. If better meant "not trying to kill each other anymore." Harry respected what he had done for them in Malfoy Manor, and Draco was thankful to them for saving his life countless times.
"Case briefing Weasley," he said.
"Right. Well we received reports from several wizards that there has been a strange disappearance
of Ex- Deatheaters' children. About 10 children have gone missing," said Ron.
"When did it start?" asked Draco.
"About two weeks ago," he replied.
"Who would be the most logical person to do this?" asked Harry.
"Someone who has had a love one died in the war," said Draco.
"Well that could be anyone," said Harry.
"Any ideas on how we could go about this?" asked Draco.
Who would be stealing young children? A former death eater or an angry member of the order? Draco shuddered at the thought of anyone touching his future children.
"We could go about the parents' records and see which victim they have in common," offered Weasley.
"Brilliant Weasley," complimented Draco.
"Looks like Hermione's rubbing off on you!" mused Potter.
Draco let out a chuckle while Potter laughed. They stopped as they saw Weasley's face grow sullen.
"What's wrong mate?" asked Potter.
"Hermione and I- um, well we decided it was best if we ended things, romance wise."
Draco took a step back as Potter's face grew rigid.
"What?" he sputtered.
"Harry-"
"You broke up? But we're going to Jamaican Islands! The four of us! I already paid for it!" he said.
"I know mate but-"
"But nothing! We three have been friends since as long as I can remember! What are we going to do now?" he said
"I'm just going to excuse myself from this conversation," said Draco as he backed out of the room.
He returned back to his desk and read over all the paperwork. But he was distracted. Weasley and Granger had broke up! During school, it was so obvious she fancied him. Only Weasley was the most oblivious fool he had ever encountered. Back then, Granger was the skinny know it all. But now, at the Ministry functions, she was beautiful. She had proper curves while still obtaining a slender frame. Her once bushy brown hair was now smoother looking waves. And her eyes. Draco had never seen such beautiful enchanting eyes. Every time he looked into them, it was like he was falling into a deep hole.
Penelope knocked on the door, shattering his thoughts. "Mr. Malfoy, here is the rest of your file concerning Case B13."
He took the folder and returned to work, making sure to keep all thoughts of Hermione Granger out of his head.
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