Chapter 19

Disclaimer: The characters depicted in this fiction belong to JK Rowling, her heirs and assignees, except for those who belong to me.

Author's Notes: I want to thank GrammarPolice for her beta and SlytherinsHeirx for his brilliant Britpicking. I also want to apologize for the length of time between chapters. It's been a long, strange summer.

Chapter Nineteen

"Merlin, I needed this break!" Hermione exclaimed, exiting the Floo in the Leaky Cauldron and brushing powder off her robes. Draco grinned at her from the table where he sat, speaking with a red-haired girl dressed in apprentice Mediwitch robes. She turned around and Hermione cried out with delight, "Ginny!"

The two girls met in the middle of the pub and hugged one another. "What are you doing here?" Hermione asked. "Don't you have your Mediwitch training today?"

"Nope," Ginny said with a grin, leading Hermione back to the table where she had been sitting with Draco. "I start working the night shift tomorrow, so I have today off. Look who I found just moping around."

"I wasn't moping, Weaslette," Draco drawled as he leaned back, arms crossed over his chest, and stretched out his legs. "I told you I was waiting for my lunch date."

"So we'll wait with you," Ginny said. "I have got to meet the woman desperate enough to have lunch with the Ferret."

"Uh, Ginny..."

"Yeah, 'Mione?"

"I'm Malfoy's lunch date." She raised her hand to shoulder height and wiggled her fingers at her friend.

"You?" Ginny had the grace to at least look embarrassed. "Why would you be having lunch with your worst enemy?"

"Because he asked me to," Hermione said. "We got into the habit at Cambridge and felt like meeting up this week while we are both off."

"Oh, you're off all right," Ginny huffed. "Just wait until I tell Ron and Harry."

"Scarhead already knows Herms and I are friends." Draco laughed. "He's joined us for lunch a few times himself over the last three years."

"You're kidding me." She gaped at the pair of them.

"Nope." Hermione grinned. "Of course, it hasn't been very often because of his Auror duties, but Harry has grown up quite a bit since Hogwarts. Now, do you want to join us for lunch?"

Ginny hesitated until Draco nodded his head at her. "Why not join us, Weaslette? You might actually find yourself enjoying it."

"Okay," she said, sighing in capitulation. "Where are you planning to go?"

Hermione shrugged and looked at Draco, who grinned as he transfigured his robes into a Muggle suit. "I found this great place not far from here in Muggle London. Best Chinese cuisine I've ever eaten."

She rolled her eyes at his obvious pleasure, but transformed her robes into a skirt and blouse. "Up until three years ago, Malfoy," she said, "you'd never eaten Chinese cuisine. I practically had to drag you into that restaurant in Cambridge."

"Have I questioned your choice of eating establishments since?" Draco asked teasingly, offering his arm, then answered his own question. "No, I haven't. So just trust me and let's go eat."

"Now that's a loaded statement." Ginny grinned at him in good humour and swiped her wand over her robes, transfiguring them into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. "I can't wait to tell Harry."

* * *

"You're kidding!" Ginny gasped, a forkful of beef and broccoli almost to her mouth. "One week? And McGonagall waited one month?"

Draco and Hermione handled their chopsticks like old pros as they ate their meals. "I was as surprised as you are," Hermione said, dipping her egg roll in the hot mustard sauce. "But he explained to me that my three years at University were an excellent start for a Potions apprenticeship. I had already learned everything he would have taught me anyway.

"Well..." she hesitated. "Except for how to make the Wolfsbane."

"And four months later, you're a Potions master," Ginny said. "Damn! Talk about a fast track to success."

"Too bad medicine isn't as easy, eh Weaslette?" Draco said with a smirk. "I still have another three years to go after this one for my Healer's license."

Ginny shook her head in disbelief. "Draco Malfoy, Healer," she said. "Nobody who was at Hogwarts with us would ever believe me. What got you interested in healing, Ferret? I thought you'd go into business handling the Malfoy money."

"I actually want to do physical therapy," Draco said, blushing. "When I helped Severus during his recovery, it showed me what could be done to help tone underused muscles and ease pain."

"And it's a Muggle healing method," Hermione said, teasing her friend. "So, of course your parents think you're in your rebellious stage." She pointed her chopsticks full of almond chicken at him. "Are you rebelling, Malfoy?"

"If I were, do you think I'd tell you?" he asked, eyeing her plate greedily. "I'll trade you some of my sesame chicken for some of your almond chicken." Ginny watched incredulously as they traded food.

"Merlin," she said with a touch of awe in her voice. "It's like you're an old married couple." She grinned as they both glared at her. "Okay, so maybe not so old."

"Ginevra Molly Weasley, don't make me hurt you," Hermione huffed in annoyance. "I can do that, you know."

"Yeah, I know," Ginny said. "Like Ron always said, 'You're brilliant but scary'."

"Isn't that the truth," Draco laughed, choking as he took a sip of his green tea.

* * *

"Thanks for lunch, Ferret," Ginny said as she stood by the Floo in the Leaky Cauldron, her Muggle clothing transfiguring back into robes. "It was interesting."

"Welcome, Weaslette. Don't work too hard."

"At least I only have to get through this year," Ginny retorted, "and I'll have my Mediwitch certificate."

"Where do you plan to work?" Hermione asked, trying to head off any arguments. "Are you staying at St. Mungo's?"

"Poppy Pomfrey's offered me a position as her assistant at Hogwarts," Ginny said, bragging. "And the Headmistress has seconded the appointment."

"Well, aren't you lucky," Draco sneered. Then in a lower voice, he said, "Don't look now, but Skeeter's on the prowl."

"See you later, Gin," Hermione said, hastily stepping into the Floo. "Three Broomsticks, Hogsmeade," she said and disappeared in a flash of green flame.

Draco wasted no time either. "Witch's Brew, Cambridge," he said and, in turn, disappeared.

"Miss Weasley!" Skeeter ran up, a photographer close behind. "Miss Weasley, a moment, please!"

"Sorry, can't," Ginny said hurriedly as she took her turn in the Floo. "The Burrow!" and she vanished as well.

* * *

Are Wedding Bells Ringing for Hogwarts Alumni?

by Rita Skeeter

Correspondent, Daily Prophet

Miss Hermione Granger, Potions mistress, currently a Transfiguration Journeyman and teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and best friend of Harry Potter, the Man Who Lived Twice, was seen yesterday in the Leaky Cauldron with Mr Draco Malfoy, heir to the Malfoy fortune...who is currently studying Healing at Cambridge Wizarding University...and Miss Ginevra Weasley, Mediwitch Apprentice at St. Mungo's and fiancée of the Man Who Lived Twice. Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy seemed to be rather closer than was represented when they attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry together, and this reporter can't help but remember that the two of them also attended Cambridge Wizarding University until Miss Granger graduated last spring. Is there a wedding in the offing?

This reporter cannot help but speculate that perhaps this is what they were discussing so confidentially with Miss Weasley, who is known to be the best friend of Miss Granger. Perhaps Miss Weasley was being asked by Miss Granger to be her attendant at the wedding ceremony. When questioned, this reporter received a "no comment" from each of them.

It is to be wondered if Mr Ronald Weasley, best friend to Harry Potter, the Man Who Lived Twice, is aware of Miss Granger's interludes with Mr Malfoy. It is a well-known fact that Miss Granger, during the Tri-Wizard Tournament held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the 1994-1995 school year, was dating both Harry Potter and Viktor Krum, Seeker for the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team and a competitor of the Tri-Wizard Tournament along with Mr Potter.

* * *

"Hermione! What the hell is this?" Faculty and students all turned to the double doors of the Great Hall as Ron Weasley stormed through them, brandishing the Daily Prophet.

"Mr Weasley, control yourself," Minerva admonished him. "This is not the place to be shouting obscenities."

"Sorry, Professor, but..."

"No buts, Mr Weasley," she said calmly. "Whatever is the matter with you?"

"Have you seen today's Prophet?" he asked, his face flushed with anger. "Hermione, what is this about you marrying Malfoy?"

"What?" she shrieked. "Let me see that." Grabbing the paper from his hands, Hermione quickly read the lead article complete with a grainy picture of Ginny, Draco and her standing by the Leaky Cauldron's Floo, their clothing transfiguring from Muggle to Wizarding and back again.

"Did you even ask Ginny what was going on, or did you just jump to conclusions as usual?" she snarled at him.

"Why would I ask Ginny?" he snarled back. "What's she got to do with anything?"

"Hermione. Mr Weasley." Minerva interrupted. "This is not the place for such an argument. Come with me immediately."

Reddening, Hermione bowed her head meekly and said, "Sorry, Minerva." She stalked out of the Great Hall, roughly shouldering Ron out of her way, and followed Minerva to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmistress' office.

"Haggis." Minerva gave her password and, silently, the battling couple followed her up the stairs and into the familiar office. Minerva seated herself behind the desk and gestured for the two of them to sit in the guest chairs in front of her.

"Now, Mr Weasley, explain yourself," she said, looking at Ron with disapproval in her voice. "What is in today's Prophet that has you so upset?"

"Skeeter says that Hermione and Draco Malfoy are going to get married," Ron said, turning to look at Hermione with a hurt expression. "Why couldn't you tell me yourself, 'Mione? Why did I have to learn it from the paper?"

"Maybe because it's not true," Hermione said coldly, her arms crossed over her chest as she glared at her friend.

"But..."

"Ronald Bilius Weasley, don't tell me you believe what Skeeter wrote in that rag!" Hermione was growing more and more incensed and sparks began to crackle off her hair. "Don't you remember what she's like? And look at the picture; can't you see your own sister was there as well?"

"But..."

"Hermione," Minerva said gently. "Please calm yourself, dear."

"I'm sorry, Minerva, but this is just..."

"Yes, dear, I understand. Mr Weasley, did you bother to ask your sister what she was doing that afternoon with Mr Malfoy and Hermione?"

"No, Professor, I..."

Minerva held up her hand. "I would suggest that you go home and discuss this...calmly, mind you...with your sister to receive the true facts. Right now, I believe you owe your friend an apology."

"I'm sorry, 'Mione, but..."

"No more, Mr. Weasley. Go home and talk to your sister." Minerva stood up in dismissal and Ron and Hermione quickly followed suit.

"I..."

"Go home, Mr Weasley." Minerva held open the office door to the revolving stairs. "And don't come back until you can behave in a civilized manner...which means no shouting obscenities in the Great Hall. What must your poor mother think of you?"

Ron slunk down the stairs, his tail figuratively between his legs. At the bottom, he looked up and held his hand out in supplication to Hermione.

"Go home, Ron," she said.

* * *

Draco,

Hermione

* * *

Herms,

Ferret

* * *

Draco,

Father

* * *

Dad,

Draco

* * *

Herms,

Ferret

* * *

Ferret,

Herms

* * *

A/N: Halfway there. Hope everybody's enjoying this so far.